Saturday morning, over easy...

Woke up at 7:00 AM and felt quite decadent, sleeping in that late. Made coffee and some oatmeal for breakfast. Set about figuring out today's chores.

I did have to go to the grocery store for some trash bags (all out as of yesterday). Its supposed to be 55 degrees F. later today, so got some hot dogs and buns for what seems like the last cookout of the year.

Got home and blew the last of the leaves off the porch and driveway. Using some oven cleaner to get the grease out of the grille (the grates are still in my oven, as you may recall). Took down the Fall porch decorations and wreath and hung up the Christmas stuff (but I won't turn on the lights in the wreath for a couple of weeks). Called my brother Carl, who had called and left a voicemail.

For lunch? All of the leftover green bean casserole. Excellent!

Got the blower and cleaned off the back patio and the surrounding gardens. Blew all the leaves under the arborvitae. Cleaned the house, but only washed the kitchen floor (downstairs is where I put the microwave). Saving the main bathroom for Sunday.

Took a break and read the microwave installation instructions... very intimidating! I have to cut down the cabinet over the stove four inches, and these are not your bolt-on cabinets, but were actually built into the wall. Then there's cutting a hole in the ceiling, and through the roof for the vent, not to mention adding an electrical circuit for the thing. Scary...

Talked with my friend, B___ who called to chat. Rinsed the oven cleaner out of the grill with buckets of hot water. Then built a huge charcoal fire to dry it out and prevent rust. Around 6:00 PM, put the grates back on and made hamburgers, hot dogs and brauts. Ate one of each and the rest went in the fridge for next week's dinners/snacks.

Decided I was done for the day. While I was grilling, I noticed my neighbor's across the road (the couple in the townhouse with the dog) were putting up Christmas stuff. Looked out in the dark and they have a big, lit Santa, their bushes are covered with white lights and they have what appears to be reindeer, pulling a sleigh, also outlined in white lights.

Watched TV (mostly boxing, a few cooking shows and finally the movie, XXX, for the second or third time). Typing this up, then going to bed...