In our family, this week is all about the birthdays. Younger son was born on July 13, older one on July 17. In between is Memaw's birthday on the 16th.
That means a week of favorite (fattening) foods, topped off with lots of cake and ice cream. Guess I should have gotten in a long run this morning...I'm going to need to run every chance I get to burn off all the extra calories these special meals tend to have.
On Saturday, I power washed and scrubbed the deck and got it ready for a fresh coat of stain and water seal. July is usually a nice dry month, so it seemed a prudent time to plan this project, which requires a few days without rain. I psyched myself for the early morning start required for this project (I have learned the hard way that I need to get the deck surface finished before the sun gets too high overhead, or the stain will dry too fast and turn out splotchy.) My forearms and wrists are ready to hand brush the hundreds of balusters and in between each deck board. Yes, indeed - I am ready, willing and able to tackle this project.
But as nature would have it, we listened to a nice soaking thunderstorm pour down last night, and this week's forecast has rain and more rain on the horizon. So the deck is washed and ready and I'm ready to get 'er done. But the table, chairs, fireplace, grill and planters will all have to sit (set?) on the ground a little longer than expected. Ah well...I and the stain and sealer, roller and brushes are all standing at the ready. And I'm not going to grumble about the delay; I still remember the drought from a few years' back, and my promise then was to never ever complain about the timing of any rain we get. All rain is good rain.
While I'm waiting, I can always take the spray paint to the metal items that have chipped and flaked over the past couple years. And I don't have to worry about watering the plants for a few days (a good thing after paying last month's water bill!)
But we won't be enjoying any birthday dinners al fresco this week...arranging the table and chairs on the lawn would mean everyone's ankles would be covered in chigger bites - that's worse than a birthday paddling!
