Saturday, shopping, painting and taking a break

Woke up to the alarm. I need to get all my errands run before the predicted heat and humidity hit. So, I just showered and put the packed up Bostich Nailer/Stapler and my overdue library books in the car and took off.

No problem on returning the Bostich. I did tell them about the broken valve problem, but they really didn't seem to care. Picked up some things I needed while I was there, then went to Harbor Freight. I picked up some great deals on roller stands, a 50 foot 3/8 inch hose for the new compressor and a swing-away trailer stand (I'm getting tired of perching it on a stool). Then I hit Sears for a Wagner attachment that will allow me to spray on stain. On the 'net it was on sale for $15.00, but the store had it priced at $25. So, I bitched a little, they went on line and ended up selling it to me at $15.00.

I went to the Library and gave them $9.00 US in past due funds (hey! I was trying to get a kitchen finished. Nowhere in the timeline was "Go to the library") Stopped at a store on Five Mile Road I noticed before, called a "Feed Store". Asked if they sold wild bird seed, and like I thought, they had several mixtures and prices. Bought 40 pounds of feed at much less than I've been paying and a couple of suet cakes. Got back home around 10:00 AM, and it's already hot and sticky.

Went in and filled out a check for my lawn service. I had mentioned to the husband last year I thought he should increase his prices. His answer was, "No way! You're my neighbor!" But, that's silly in the present circumstances. Gasoline is like twice as much. So, I changed the $20 a cutting to $25. When I drove down and gave Tonya the check, she said this is wrong. I said, "No, we are neighbors, but this is a business transaction and you are not charging enough. I don't care about your other customers, but I am paying $25 per cutting or I will find someone else." She thanked me and took the check.

Went back home and changed into my painting clothes. I put the first coat on the kitchen walls. I did buy one of those painter's knives and it worked great! The guy who painted the kitchen before had a lot of dried on "drips" and the knife just popped them off. I wish I would have had it yesterday night.

I didn't mention this, but yesterday, my friend B___ said to me, "What did you mean, you cut in the kitchen?" I said, "I did all the brush work in the corners and at the ceiling." He said, "I didn't know you could do that. I always was told you needed to keep the wet edge, so I always only cut in one wall, and then roll it. Otherwise, you see the cut in lines." I said, "Pshaw! My way will work!"

Well, I hate to admit it but, he was right! First coat of paint is on the kitchen walls and where I started is already dry. And, yes, you can see where I cut in. Damn it! Luckily, I bought two gallons of paint. So, I'll eat some lunch, eat some Tylenol, take a nap and then repaint the walls.

I did all those things, except my nap was shortened by a call from Carla, asking me if I'd like to take a break tonight and play some cards. Hmmm... let me think about that... ah, YES!!!

Sp, I got up and put the second coat on the kitchen and hall walls. During which, the much forecasted, but yet to be seen thunderstorm occurred. I took a break and gave the Thunder Beings the traditional Lakota greeting standing on the front porch to watch it rain. I would guess it rained less than a half an hour, but it came down hard, with lots of lightning. I checked the rain gauge afterwards and we got almost 3/4 of an inch of rain. No watering today!

Got the kitchen repainted, so I threw my painting clothes in the hamper and took a quick, rinse-off shower. Jake and Carla showed up as I started typing this. They had Chinese take-out: both shrimp and pork fried rice and a bunch of egg rolls. We ate, and then played cards (I lost, as usual). After they left, I read a book and then went to bed.