Sunny Saturday

I did wake up at 5:30 AM on Saturday, but I decided getting out of bed this early on a weekend was stupid. So, I rolled over and slept in until 7:00 AM. I got a cup of coffee and posted the Blog entry.

I shaved and showered after breakfast and was just about to head out to Home Depot when I thought one more cup of coffee might be called for. While I drank it, I checked out my old paint and stain supplies. Good! I have enough of the kitchen cupboard paint and the stain for all the new 3/4 round pieces.

So, all I had to get from Home Depot was two more 14-foot 3/4 round molding pieces and another box of tile. No, I didn’t figure wrong in the first place, I just didn’t know I wasn’t dealing with 12x12 tiles. Besides, having a few extra for replacement in case of damage is never a bad idea (I’ve had to do it before with the old tile).

So, back and home and before I wore myself out replacing more tile, I measured, cut, and was going to paint or stain the new molding. I thought I’d leave it all on sawhorses in the driveway to dry, since the wind was WSW. The garage would block crap from blowing on it (I hoped).

But, there was still stuff flying around when I was ready, so I changed the plan. I put the car outside (on the lawn under the big maple in front so it was in some shade). I cracked the windows and set the alarm.

Then I closed the garage door and set up the sawhorses in there. I had been wearing my brace until now, but I took it off, not only because I can, but also because I didn’t want to get paint or stain on it.

First, I painted the molding for under the cabinets and pantry (I figured they’d take the longest to dry and I’ll need two coats since I don’t have any primer). Then I stained the molding that will go along the bead board walls.

I came back inside and washed up. I set the stove timer for two hours and then I started on the tile again.

When the timer went off, I had three more rows done up to the tile that the stove sits on. I slid the hutch off the old tile and onto the new to give me enough room to work behind it. I remember Carla and I doing this, but we put those sliders under each corner and moved it all the way into the office. This time, I can’t pick it up so, no sliders. I just hope it doesn’t scratch the new tile!

I am hoping (against hope) that the flexible gas line to the stove is long enough I can pull the stove out and move it over, tile under where it goes and then just shove it back. Why? Because as much as I hate messing around with water, I hate messing around with gas even worse!

I took off my brace again and went back out to the garage and gave a second coat of paint and a second coat of stain to the molding. It was already 5:30 PM and I had a whole lot of plants to water so I decided the kitchen project is officially done for today.

I washed up (the skin on my hands will start to crack soon if I keep this up unless, of course, I was using goat soap) and watered the container gardens, the mailbox garden and the begonias in the front yard. I checked the mail and got a lovely picture of Riese from Jyl. Thanks!

When I was done with the front watering, I moved the car back into the driveway, shut all the windows and set the alarm. It’s gonna have to sit outside tonight. I turned on the light at the corner of the garage to discourage would-be thieves. I’m too damn tired to have to get the shotgun and shoot somebody tonight!

Then I carried two 2-gallon buckets all the way to the back for the peonies. It was over 90 degrees, but the wind made it barely bearable. I watered the pot of petunias and refilled the bird bath. Then I watered the new garden in back of the house and the raised herb bed garden with the hose. Finally I stuck the hose into the reflecting pool and turned the water 1/4 turn on. I went inside and set the timer for 30 minutes.

I realized just how hungry I was. Other than coffee and a glass of cranberry juice, I haven’t had anything since breakfast. So, I opened a can of roast beef hash and warmed it up.

Not only do I like roast beef hash, but I can use the can to soak the painter’s knives in it mineral spirits overnight. They are both covered with glue!

When the hash was ready, I put it on a plate and stuck it in the microwave while I fried two eggs over easy. I put them on top the hash and had a great supper.

I was watching TV when my Brother Jim called around 8:00 PM. He was just checking on me, so I told him all about my last doctor’s visit. I also told him I would be coming to his grandson’s graduation. I’ll just drive there with the brace off (so the car seat doesn’t dig it into my back) and then put it on when I get there.

Talking with Jim reminded me I wanted to ask my Brother Carl something so after we hung up, I tried calling him, but just got his voicemail.

I went back to relaxing and watching TV. After a while, my Brother Carl called back. We talked a bit. He was pleased I was going to share some of those yellow iris with him, but did not need my wheeled walker. He said his neighbor had given him one and I should just hang on to mine. So, I will.

I dozed off around 10:30 PM. When I woke up for a bathroom trip, I shut everything off and went to bed.