Sunday

I woke up at 4:30 AM to go to the bathroom and decided it was the perfect time to seal the floor (I could open the windows and not heat up the whole house as it was only 68 degrees outside).

So, I did. I didn’t use the bucket and the other mop head the lady had me buy, though. After reading the instructions, I realized that you are supposed to put at least two light coats on, letting it dry at least 30 minutes in between. The stuff was just like water, so I poured it on the floor in spots and spread it around with the Wet Jet and pad, but without the usual Wet Jet liquid cleaning solution bottle attached. It worked great.

I put the Wet Jet crosswise in the hall so I wouldn’t step on the floor inadvertently and went back to bed.

By then it was almost 6:00 AM, so I couldn’t fall back asleep. Instead, I watched the news until the floor was dry. I walked across it and went outside to set up the sprinkler. I turned that one, came back inside and re-sealed the floor with another coating (again using the Wet Jet and a dry pad).

I waited an hour and then checked. It felt dry, so I walked across it and shut off the water. I moved the sprinkler and turned it back on. When I came back in, I noticed that under the cabinets, the sealer still looked wet. But, I checked and didn’t see any of my footprints, so I got lucky, I guess (or just had put it on too heavy under the cabinets).

While I was waiting, I took apart the hot and cold faucets in the main bathroom. They have been leaking. It was almost impossible to get off the handles, so I took them and the stem to Home Depot. They did sell me some packing to put around the stems after I clean them off with CLR (which they also sold me). But, the faucets are too old for them to carry new handles. So, the guy sent me to Duke’s Hardware. It’s on Ford Road between Beech-Daly and Telegraph and I had a moment of déjà vu. When I first moved here and something went wrong with the old faucet in the downstairs bathroom, I had to go here to get a part, because they carry old stuff.

Sure enough, he did have new faucets. He also told me I needed new washers and new brass things that were still inside the wall (I didn’t even know that they were there). So, I bought all that, too.

When I got home I took a break from plumbing and moved the table back into the kitchen and screwed it back together. Then I cleaned it with wood cleaner that came with it. I also started the last load of laundry for the weekend.

I also took the time (since I don’t use that shower right now anyhow) to hand-water all the container gardens. It’s yet another hot, dry day here and they are all drooping.

Then I got started cleaning and replacing the kitchen furniture. I remembered to take a picture (well, two) for my brother Carl.

My NOAA weather station went off at 5:30 PM, with a Severe Thunderstorm Warning. I was elated until I realized it was for southern Lenawee county, near the border but nowhere near me!

Disgusted, I went out and dragged the hose around to the front lawn, hoping to help it and the front flower gardens. I attached the sprinkler and placed it, allowing for windage. I turned on the water and went back in the house, setting the timer for two hours this time (some of the front lawn and all of the gardens are in shade at that time, but not all the lawn, so I also had to allow for some evaporation).

Since I was out there anyway, I measured the chain link fence in front again (each panel and each gate). I probably mentioned this before, but I have an admittedly crazy idea for a project to improve the look of it. From the lot line to the house, the north side has a 22-inch panel, then a 32-inch gate and finally a 17-inch panel. From the lot line to the house, the south side has a 70-inch gate, an 8-inch gap, a 40-inch gate and a 14-inch panel.

You are probably wondering why I’m telling you this, but I’m not, really. If I post it, I can retrieve it at odd times whenever and wherever I’m thinking about it. Sorry, but not everything in the Blog is just for you!

Then I separated the three pounds of ground chuck I bought on sale. Two one-pound baggies were labeled and went into the freezer and the other pound was made into four patties. I seasoned them on both sides with salt and pepper and left then sitting on a plate on the kitchen counter so they can come up to room temperature. A package of bratwurst is also opened and sitting there.

About 6:30 PM, I went out and started the charcoal in its chimney. When it was ready, I grilled the brats and burgers. During that time, I shut off the water and rolled up the hose as well.

When they were done, I took them in the house and let them rest a bit. I got out some buns (leftovers from the company potluck) and had one brat with horseradish mustard and one burger with yellow mustard and cheese. I had a couple of pepperoncini on the plate as palate cleansers. Dinner was excellent!

I put the leftovers in the fridge when they had cooled a bit. I dropped the grate on the grille down to the top of the few remaining coals to burn the crud off and then checked that the yard was in order. I also checked that everything inside was locked (it was) and I decided I was done for the day.

I started watching a movie at 8:30 PM, but I had seen it several times and knew, because of how early I got up, I would never stay awake until the end. And, I was right!