Day 64

Day 64, self quarantine:

Welp, it’s Monday, May 18, 2020, which means it’s the beginning of week ten of the apocalypse.

I know people are fed up.  As for me,  I can’t help it, these are now some of the best days of my life.   If only this was just my retirement and not a deadly virus.

Yesterday, I put my phone down for hours and Gary and I worked side by side out back.  While I do have my “before “ picture now, it’s literally a photo of 25 trash bags.  Once they’re gone Wednesday morning, I’ll post side by side pics.

We didn’t yell at each other once.  We blasted music played in the dirt, and giggled like kids.

We’re in shock how much we got done.  Gary agrees with me that barring any health issues or other emergencies, we’ll have a finished space by July 4.

Though one thing was clearly obvious yesterday - I had to be there to really get things underway even though Gary tentatively started this project two weeks ago.  I never realized I’m the organized, focused person in this duo, God help us.

I probably should have called it a day sooner, though.  My shoulder, neck and back are really feeling it today.  Hopefully the guy sleeping upstairs is okay.

Anyway, for the first time in many years, Gary had a clear path to his barbecue grill and after working in the yard all day, made us some banging grilled mushroom salads for dinner.

In other news, I’m edgy watching the news this morning.  America really is reopening.  I’m going to have to have the return to the office conversation with my boss sooner rather then later.  My sense is he won’t know anymore than I do about our return date, but if he tells me June 1 or even June 15, I’m going to have to break the news to him that I won’t be there.

And since I’m announcing it here, I’m thinking I better tell him today regardless.

Wow.  One thing about life. You can never say it’s predictable.

Okay, I have to prepare what I’m going to say.

Later.

Day 63

Day 63, self quarantine:

Good morning!

Behold my first vine ripened tomato sandwich of the season, made on a fresh loaf of milk bread from Lost Bread Company with basil from Gary’s herb garden, served up with a side order of hand cut fries drizzled with malt vinegar.

Do I know how to live or what?

This was our victory dinner, people.  We are conquering the beast that is our backyard.

The “before” picture will be posted tomorrow.

I actually took a photo last night when we wrapped up but for whatever reason, I only took a pic of the pile of trash bags.

I’m wondering about my thought process behind that one 😎.

Here’s why I didn’t opt for the beach yesterday.   We don’t go to a real beach.  We go to Dog Beach, which not many people know about.  We take Jake, we leave our house at dawn so Jake can enjoy being outside before it gets too hot, and by 1:00 p.m. our pizzas have been ordered and eaten and we’re on the way home.

So I can go any time.

I also have three weeks vacation.  We can drive down any weekday we want.

If I didn’t get Gary really started out back yesterday and we went to the beach, the backyard wouldn’t happen this year.  I know us.  Every weekend from now on would be spent at Dog Beach.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but...

Sometimes you gotta be an adult.

We’re gonna love that space once it’s restored.

We used to sit out there every night, all those years ago.

And it was magical to see Gary get excited and talk about his ideas for the space last evening .

I made the right choice yesterday.

We’re going to work out there some more today and I can’t wait.

The only thing I did not do is text my boss regarding the court’s announcement they’re closed until September 8.  In my mind, so am I, and I wasn’t in the mood to have that bubble bursted last night.

I’ll keep you posted.

Happy Sunday!