Power Wash in the Rain

Despite drinking only two beers the night before and in bed before 11pm, I slept in until 745am. Must've needed the catch-up rest. Felt good. I soon found my way to the kitchen where I started a pot of coffee. The weather wasn't a motivator to say the least. It was 53 degrees but raining. The forecast, meanwhile, called for rain on and off all day long. Expected to reach the mid 60s.

I enjoyed coffee and played on the internet until 915am when Mindy and the pug got up. After a couple minutes, I took the pug out for a walk. As soon as I was back I dressed and left for a run. I ran the usual weekend trail, a whopping three miles. While running, I thought of all the spring tasks I wanted to complete and how the day's weather was going to put a crimp in most of them. The one thing I could still do even in a light rain was power wash the deck. The rain stopped almost entirely during my run thus wasn't much of factor at all. Once back home, I checked the radar. Looked like the heaviest rain was past us. I spent an hour or so writing for my blog and then fixing a printing issue Mindy was having with her laptop.

Mindy said Lindsey and the boys were coming over around noon to do laundry. Around 1130am I checked the skies. Again the rain had all but stopped and the sky even brightened a bit, though threatening cloud cover was still the prevalent feature. I was eager to power wash on Sunday so I could entertain the possibility of staining the walking surface of the deck one day during the coming week when we're expected to enjoy 3 or 4 warm, dry days in a row. Best to get it done before getting out the deck furniture and flower pots.

I hadn't used the hose since last fall It took a few minutes to get it all hooked up. I lugged the power washer around to the deck then filled it with gas. And once I had the water flowing, the power washer started with relative ease. I've learned that I have to relieve the water pressure from the compressor to make starting easier. Not sure why that is but it works.

Having stained the entire deck just 18 months prior, the pergola and railings still look great. It's only the walking surface that needs a fresh coat of stain. So over the next couple hours I power washed the entire walking surface, the benches, gas grill, and then stucco that abuts the deck. I even did the four resin deck chairs.

Lindsey and the boys showed up shortly after I started. Landon came out and asked to help. Cute, but the power washer is no toy. I suggested he join me afterwards. Once I was done I had him come out where we played a little kickball and then made some bubbles. He enjoyed that. Rocky stayed in the house apparently content playing Wii. Mindy, meanwhile, was off to the grocery in the Accord since dad's trailer was still hooked up to the pilot.

Mindy was home from the grocery by the time I was finished and had the power washer put away. Good timing. I then headed for a shower. Like often happens, my little toes were itching like crazy after working in sopping wet tennis shoes. Not sure why that is but it happens with regularity. My feet get wet and then the skin between my last two toes splits and itches.

A shower was heavenly. When I shared that I was ready to make another Lowes run Mindy suggested that she might join me. This time going after 2 gallons of deck stain as well as the two 2X6" X10' treated boards to repair the pergola. One of the upper stringers split in two while another is significantly warped. I also planned to look for a trailer wiring harness extension so I can hook-up the lights on dad's trailer. According to the Lowe's webpage, they had them in stock at the Mill Run store.

Once at Lowes, Mindy wanted to run in an unusual store front right next to Lowes. Can't recall the name. She went one way while I went the other. Then, while making my way into Lowes, I happened to see someone in an older red Honda CRV waving at me. It was former neighbor David Curran and his mother. Haven't seen David in about two years, best guess. We've been wondering how they're doing and then why we haven't seen them at Barley's.. I greeted them both but then had to be reminded of his mother's name - Celeste. We chatted for a few minutes then agreed to hook-up for a Barley's night possibly even next Friday.

Inside Lowes I went after the two treated 2X6X10' first. Next, I went to the paint counter and gave them the specifics - 6 yr Olympic deck stain in Dessert Sand. They agreed to mix it up while I continued shopping. I went and found the wiring harness extension I wanted. They only had a 60" length which was far longer than I needed but figured I could always use a tie-wrap to shorten it up. I also picked up some special brackets to use for mounting the new pergola stringers along with two lengths of deck screws. Mindy soon found me, and after picking up our stain we headed to checkout.

We headed home taking the short cut through The Glen. That part was fine, but the bumpy ride down Old Dublin Rd was mind jarring. The trailer and the two 10' boards were bouncing like crazy despite me using rope to tie them in tightly. I had to pull over at one point to push one of the 2X6's back to the front of the trailer. Otherwise, I thought it might bounce out. The kids called shortly before we arrived home. Bella wasn't sure what to make of arriving home only to find Lindsey and the boys there. she was disappointed to learn that we went to Lowes without her. Made it home in one piece.

Carried the two boards around to the deck then gathered the necessary tools to try on the wiring harness extension. Before giving it a try, I wrapped the full 5' length in electrical tape. I didn't bother shortening it to a more desirable length. Hooked it up to the trailer and the Pilot but the lights didn't work. Crap! On closer inspection, I noticed that the ground wire protruding from the trailer bundle wasn't connected (grounded) to anything. I could, however, see where it once was connected to the frame near the tongue, but the wire was broken. I repaired the broken ground wire then retried. Success. I wrapped up outside then headed in.

Lindsey was putting the finishing touches on her laundry and preparing to depart. At the same time, Mindy was preparing the fish she bought Saturday afternoon for broiling. She picked up Chilean sea bass and haddock from the little known seafood shop on Trabue near Wal-Mart. According to Mindy, a quaint little shop and bargain prices as compared to the Market District and Whole Foods.

Dinner was served around 530pm. Jacob came to the table but quickly exited sharing that he wasn't hungry and wasn't feeling well. And with an ashen face, he went to the sofa to lie down. I suggested we take his temperature. Bella was quick to his aid with the digital rectal thermometer. 98.0. Bella, Mindy and I dug into dinner. Bella doesn't like seafood, so she ate leftover Papa John's pizza. Mindy and I had Chilean sea bass. After just one little bite I could tell instantly that what we were eating wasn't on par with the Chilean sea bass we get from the aforementioned establishments. And I certainly didn't mean to insult Mindy's cooking. But after a bite of her own she concurred. In fact, she had a piece of the haddock too. She couldn't even finish it. Lesson learned.

Dinner clean-up was next. Lots of pans, casserole dishes and baking sheets to wash. Took a while. Mindy helped by drying and putting away. Bella suggested we go on a bike ride/walk. Mindy wasn't up for it, but I was. As soon as the kitchen was cleaned up Bella, the pug and I headed out. It was raining again albeit very lightly, but not enough to deter us from our mini adventure. We went a few blocks then turned around to head back. We were out maybe 10-15 minutes.

By then Jacob had headed to his room. Mindy took his temperature again and said it was up a little. Apparently one needs to add a degree when using the digital underarm thermometer. She left the decision of going to school on Monday up to him. I spent a little time writing in my blog and playing guitar. Mindy, Bella and I hung out in the living room until 830pm or so when I poured myself a Jack on the rocks - no Coke. I sipped that over the next 45 minutes. Mindy was ready for bed around 930pm. I joined her a few minutes later despite Bella pleading with me to stay up and watch Science Channel for a little while. The sad truth of it is, she wasn't interested in watching it with me. Instead, she simply wanted me to stay up so she could snack and tinker. Good night rain!