Summery Summer

The last time I wrote, I expanded on my garden. I had a bunch of nice photos and just before I finished, my website was corrupted and most of it went away. I'm going to be very angry/ concerned if this happens now... since I'm finally posting again.

Since I put so much pressure on myself to complete intensive "weekend warrior" projects and the hot hot heat is preventing me from certain stages of these projects, I am behind and overwhelmed. Today I left work, not only to beat the traffic home, but to maybe get started with some painting. Instead, the wind was taken out of my sails when I arrived to my home, only to find that the maid hasn't shown up. The maid, of course, is me. And I've been working on outdoor projects for several weeks and haven't had the time or energy to pick up the inside of the house.

Now, what do I do? I am running short on energy these days, which means less time for chores and more time for naps.

Last weekend, in the 100 degree heat, I removed the dingy, old lattice from my front porch. I cleaned under the porch, removed the nails and staples which were sticking out everywhere, sprayed the porch down, laid a weed barrier and made everthing pretty.

Fresh, square lattice. (I'll spare you the photo of the weed barrier under the deck, though it is a beautiful thing.)

My new power tools

Then, I toured Dunn Lumber for some square (not diamond) lattice, which turned out to be $40 a panel (ouch!). $160 later, I was using my new power tools to trim to peices I needed. I was almost done when my new, staple gun failed to work! 8pm on a Sunday night and only minutes from the gratification of a job well done and I couldn't staple my finished lattice panels onto my damn porch!

Special thanks to the Dunn delivery team who gave me the opportunity to carry all 15 50 lb. bags of dry concrete mix from the sidewalk up to my front walkway

This weekend, starting tomorrow... and actually ending tomorrow, my dad and Elaine are coming down to help me build a picket fence in half of my front yard. "Why are you building a picket fence in your front yard Alyssa?" I always want to increase my dogs running space. I know it sounds crazy, but I want more! More fun grass! More for Muppet to look at! More to watch! MORE for princess Muppet!!!

Today, right now, I was hoping to have enough energy to paint all the fence pickets before we put them on the fence. But, it's been too hot for the paint. If I do it now, the paint will just bubble, or peal or something.

In other news:
Last night we celebrated B's birthday at an Irish Pub. Some friends joined us for Quiz Night. It was pretty fun.

Birthday Party & Quiz Night

This weekend I am watching Fuzzy Slippers. She and Muppet have been having a pretty good time, but they get hot. Unlike Muppet, who wont go near the hose, Fuzzy romps directly to and in the sprinkler. It is a sight to behold.

Muppet takes a self-imposed time out to catch her breath

That's all. Is it nap time or paint time? The painting is such a tall mountain to climb! Can't get started... too overwhelming!!!