Dirty Jobs

Some weeks are filled with nothing but fun and some weeks have a lot of toil. Then some weeks are filled with both. This was our hard work week. We worked outside almost every day this week and I did a lot of work inside, getting ready for the big visit. Some days it felt like we worked non-stop and nothing was really accomplished, then other days it seemed like we made some headway,  Even so  it felt like we would never see the light at the end of the tunnel.

But by the end of the week, we could see actual results of all dirty, sweaty work. Thank goodness!

Saturday: We woke, had coffee and left to run a few errands. Of course we went to the produce stand the first thing and found gorgeous tomatoes, strawberries and the first peaches of the season. There were a few other errands to run including an unplanned stop at JoAnne's fabrics. I get emails about sales each day it seems and this mornings email featured some composite flower pots that were 60% off. I had seen them earlier in the week when I went to buy some fleece to wrap around delicate Christmas items for storage. Yes, I finally did take down the Dickens village. But I digress. I wanted the pots but was not about to pay the price they were asking. With the sale they became doable, so I bought 3.  Woo hoo, one of the hibiscus on the front porch has a new home!

After we finished our errands and had lunch we began doing outdoor chores, then ended the evening putting the outdoor set I found at Aldi together. It was not fun__at all, but it looks pretty good.

Special joys were being able to run pick something up for dinner, and a hot shower to clean off the dirt we were wearing, from working in the back yard.

Sunday: Whew! Lots of work in the backyard makes Anne tired and sunburned. TheHub and I worked off and on in the yard all day and it is definitely looking better, but there is still a lot to do. We are paying dearly for 2 years of near neglect.

I am trying to think of what was joyful and coming up blank. I guess there is joy in making serious headway. I did get the pink flamingo float blown up and she is swimming back and forth in the pool. It makes me smile each time I see her.

Now everything for the pool is clean and ready to use, but it is taking us a longer than normal time to get the water correct.

We were tired and picked up some take out for dinner, then watched PBS Memorial Day concert. I always like to watch it.

Monday: More yard work, but things are really starting to shape up. Besides working in the yard we pretty much did nothing except to go pick up some food. We were going to watch something on tv, but we both dozed off. I don't even remember what we intended to watch!

Tuesday: I was able to go to my favorite place. A day volunteering at Independence Place does my soul good. I got a giraffe painted, and had wonderful conversations with the participants!

Wednesday: A huge joy was having my beloved sister come over and help me ut a few different touches on the upper patio. Another set of eyes never hurts anything. Plus we visited and had lunch together which always makes me happy.

 

Thursday: Jerry, my favorite handyman, came to do a little work. Actually more than a little, but who is counting. Everything he does he does incredibly well. It takes him a little longer, but he takes such pride in what he does that it is worth the wait.

Friday: Jerry was back at the house for a while, then my SIL came to spend the night with us. She, TheHub and I went out to eat. We were on the patio at The Electric with  shade and a cool breeze. It was almost picture perfect for al fresco When we finished eating we came home to find  Son2 and DIL2 , who came over to the house to visit with her.  It was a very enjoyable night. 

Look for your joys, either large or small. They are always out there!

May all your weeds be wildflowers,

Anne