To-Mulch-ewh-Us Day

 

I was up and out of bed near 740am. Out the window, I could see that we were under mostly cloudy skies but they didn’t look threatening. I quickly started a pot of coffee then played around on the computer. I checked the radar to see if there was any rain the offing. While there was a chance of thunderstorms forecasted, there didn’t seem to be any nearby. Our plan was to spread mulch, so I was hopeful that it would remain dry through at least late afternoon.

Mindy joined me downstairs between 830- 9am. We spent a little time together on the deck enjoying coffee before I ultimately dressed and headed off on a run. Jacob was up before I left. And at his request, Mindy started making breakfast burritos. During my warm-up lap, Kenny pulled up with a construction trailer full of bagged mulch, a full skid for himself and then another 15-20 bags strapped down for the O’
Connell’s. He commented that he hoped it remained overcast.

I ran the usual weekend 3 miles. Felt good. By the time I was back at home the girls were up too. Mindy asked if I wanted a burrito and then if I wanted her to put it together. Yes. It was really good. I’m thinking it was after 11am when we headed to start spreading mulch. Mindy agreed to meet me out front and spread while I cut and dumped. By then it was mostly sunny and only got sunnier as the day progressed. Before spreading the first bag of mulch, we had to pull some baby weeds that had already sprouted in the east most flower bed. I also raked the edge clean by hand tossing it all into a five-gallon pail. Mindy was going to do the weeds, but I had them all pulled by the time she joined. I had the Bose iTouch dock blaring Goo-Goo Dolls from the garage. Seemed like we were making great time working our away around the front and then along the west beds then the back. I tried to stay a couple bags in front of Mindy. Had to borrow a couple bags from the back beds to complete the front and westside. Still a pretty goods eyeball estimate. Mindy took a very brief break to check the laundry and fetch us some Gatorade, but other than that we kept going until 2-230pm. By then we had most of the back down barring the large red maple tree and the bed out by the shed. We took a 30 minutes break and Mindy made sandwiches. I wasn’t sure if we would have enough to finish. I knew one thing, it was going to be close.

There was poison ivy in the shed bed. And since Mindy’s less inclined to get a rash, she agreed to do the removal while I cleaned the edge up. Took her a while to carefully pull the poison ivy. While she did that, I took care of the small beds out front near the front door. When I finished we only needed a half bag more out front for one of the street side maples.

I had 2.5 bags leftover from last year’s mulching stashed under the shed. In year’s past any remaining bags turned almost completely to dirt. But keeping them out of the elements must be the trick. The two unopened bags looked good as new and came in real handy. Bottom line, we had just enough to finish the entire job. It was 4pm when we finished and Mindy headed in for a shower. We were supposed to be at Lane’s (Darwin’s son’s) 13th birthday party at 6pm. Mindy still needed to make a Target run to get a card and gift as well as picking up prescription. While Mindy rushed off to the shower, I got the girls set-up with a sprinkler in the backyard. Emma was over, a new neighborhood friend of Bella’s. She was at our home all afternoon after her dad stopped by to let us know that he was heading out. I mistakenly assumed he was running a quick errand. Emma later told us he went golfing. 

I got in the shower when Mindy got out. I was careful to use the exfoliation scrubber all over my arms, legs, face and neck to wash off any possibly poison ivy residue. Mindy left for a Target run while I hung at home with all the kids. They were outside playing for the entire time making my job extremely easy. I spent about 45 minutes writing in my blog. Mindy was gone a little more than an hour. I asked Mindy what she thought about taking Emma with us since we were quasi responsible for her. Mindy figured it fine, but has Emma call her dad. She ended up handing the phone to Mindy. We left for the McVey’s around 615-620pm. Mindy, Jacob and I opted to drive while Bella and Emma rode their bikes/scooters.

As expected, lots of cars lined up out front. We parked just around the corner on a street less traveled. Lots of kids gathered out front. And a lot of their family was there already too. Mindy jumped right in helping Connie in the kitchen. She was whipping up all sorts of interesting dishes for the party. When they realized they needed more ice, Darwin and I opted to make a run to the nearest carryout. I drove. He suggested we visit the Quarry Carry-Out on McKinley near 5th ave. Darwin wanted to pick-up more beer – CBC IPA. He knows the owner of the carryout and proudly introduced me to the two brothers. Can’t recall the older one’s name. The younger one’s name is Mohammed. Nice guys. After grabbing a six pack of IPA and a small bag of ice we were on our way back to Darwin’s.

By then the Weber grill’s coals were ready for Darwin’s shish kabobs. While Darwin grilled, I spent time with the kids playing out back and then talked with Darwin’s brother-in-law, Tom. Headed inside to check on Mindy, too. Darwin must’ve grilled 30 shish kabobs some chicken and some beef. I didn’t eat until most others already had their fill, though I did snack on the veggie pizza and cheesy sausage dip.

Shortly after I finished my shish kabob, Connie brought out a pyramid of chocolate donuts serving as a birthday cake for Lane. I snapped several photos. Shortly after the birthday song, many of us headed to the basement to listen to Jordan’s band play a few tunes. They’re certainly not ready for prime time, but it was fun just the same. According to Darwin, having several of his friends over the following weekend where he and his bandmates are putting on a mini-concert.

Most of the family members left soon after Jordan’s performance. It was around 9pm. Meanwhile, Connie was preparing to take Lane and several of his friends bowling, including Jacob. Mindy helped Connie get the house somewhat back in order, putting away most, if not all of the leftovers. Darwin was staying home and hanging out around their fire pit with his b-in-law, Danny. Mindy and I headed home with Bella. Darwin invited me to stick around but I headed home with Mindy. However, I did leave open the possibility of walking back in a short while.

Once at home, Bella asked if she could have a sleepover at Makayla’s. Those two are largely inseparable. Mindy agreed. I cracked open another beer and sat on the deck under the moonlight. It was a gorgeous early summer evening for doing just that. Both Mindy and I were tired and declared it bedtime near 1030pm. Mindy agreed to watch last week’s replay of SNL. We might’ve caught 15 minutes before turning it off and falling asleep.