progress. There is actually progress on the deck.
Ralph came over and devised a new and less work intense way to get the sub-structure to level. Then, he proceeded to spend the next three hours working on it all by himself. He's like that. Squeely came over and we watched for a while. Then, we had Decaf, talked about books and joked around about "working" on the deck. Squeely left soon after if was so dark that Ralph couldn't work any more, even with the spot lights. At that time, there were five cross members still to install.
Those five sections were put in place on Sunday. It was neat to get to that point. I have a bit of leveling to do and then I shall be screwing deck boards into place. I do not have enough for the entire surface of the deck, but that is OK. I am looking each morning and I'll have the wood soon. And after that, it will just require a railing. The stairs already exist and must only be attached.
That said... the deck boards are laying there and they are even with the French doors and it looks really cool.
I am excited.
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Rye grass. It has seeded itself. It also highlights exactly where dogs and humans tread in my yard. But it's so soft, lush and green that I am really, really pleased. I think I have another round or two of pre-emergent to lay down before the weeds all die off... but still, it's a good start. The yard looks fab. for winter.
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No Christmas lights this year. Well, I have them inside, but that's another story. There still isn't an electrical outlet on the outside of the house (neither in front nor in back) so that would make plugging in the rope lights really difficult. Or make the house even colder. Anyway, next year I will have more than the tree in the window -- but for now that must suffice.
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Speaking of decor. I decorated the tree and sofa in the main room and then put a few things up in the dining room. Two completely different themes. It's a bit crowded with the tree up, but then it's only for just over a month -- by the time I take it down I'll probably be used to it.
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Today, I ran. Tomorrow, I am taking my bike downtown to map out the bike and run hash... should be cold and miserable when I'm done.... I do hope it stops raining at some point.
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Spa night was last Friday. The NLP women all get together at Susan's. It was my turn to get my hair colored. And Gretchen did feet. Wow... what awesome stuff she put on my feet. Something from Lush. And we joked a lot about going Lesbian, too. But it's not for any one of us -- that's for sure.
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Speaking of beauty treatments, I did promise myself a new bottle of serum from Bliss. Just haven't gotten to that yet. Tina, my skin care consultant, is heading to Denver for a great new job. She's sad to be leaving Dave, too. But I think he'll go with her. In the mean time, I will keep up with my skin a bit better so that she'll see results when she visits.
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Dogs got the treatment this week. And they hated it. I gave Jenna some pills for tapeworm last week and they worked on her very well. So, this week I gave them to Tyler and Bailey... but they needed much larger dosages... and the pills are horrid. So they gagged and cried and spit and ran away from me. Today, they were pooping a lot. But thank goodness the tapeworms will be gone.
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Speaking of which, Dena, tell Abbie it's time to liberate the boxer.
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I'm still getting apologies for reclusiveness. And they still spark tears. Deep, gut wrenching, soul-emptying tears. But they are intermittent and in the rest of the time I am not really thinking about it much.
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Ramon is almost a non-roomate. He stays in his room a lot... Goes out every night. Sleeps late and is gone when I get home. It's strange not seeing him for days and days on end. Sometimes it's lonely.... But I did feed him Chili the other night. I just love to feed people. Mikey was the best He ate what I cooked every other night. That worked out well. It really did.
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I am really, really hungry. And I should not be. Hmmmm.