Whatever bug I picked up early last week is still hanging around. At least I'm mobile, but the tossing, turning and coughing doesn't bode well for Cara's sleep. Monday post-work at the lodge I felt the fatigue hit while opening a paint can. Middle of the night I'm awake with sore throat and a fever. Tuesday was spent mostly in bed catching up on my classic game shows on youtube, and a living room viewing of Das Boot. Terrific pic.
Wednesday I went back to work but wasn't feeling so hot. Handled loads of laundry and an evening of trying to back up the parents' iMac that night. Something was seriously wrong as the transfer rate in FW mode was pathetic. Thursday and Friday I was back at the lodge, sealing grout, laying VCT, tackling the sundry tasks. And Cara came out with me Saturday morning and we really went after things. Slathered up in sunblock, she started mowing on the rider, I went for the east fascias. I kept a box fan running up on the deck as I worked and between us we went through several gallons of chilled water. I took over the mower for a few passes when she went in for the Mo*air Pear sidewalk sale/lunch and realized the SPF50 wasn't working so hot when you're continually drenched in sweat. Unloaded the shower door, finished the outer angled fascia, glued down a portion of the VCT pattern and gave the trees a good drink. Before getting back to mowing Cara gave me a hand pasting up the final length of wallcovering we had on hand for the bedroom.
I ran the pushmower around the sideyard and cleaned up where the rider couldn't get to, then set forth to scraping and cleaning the NE clerestory for screen installation. This sucker still had painters' tape baked on from the staining operation, and the crud of 10,000 asian beetles. Done. I met Cara out front, we loaded the mower on the trailer at 6 and headed back to the parents for unloading and cleanup at the apartment. Tired, sweaty, generally beaten by the heat and humidity. But at least it was starting to cool. A cone at 4 Queens hit the spot, and with a cooler of ice and a fresh change of clothes, we turned right back around for the lodge for some bonfire action.
Plenty of scraps to burn, including the old OSB that made up the front false garage door walls. I salvaged what framing I could to be re-used as bracing as Ben pulled up; he made quick work of dragging off the separated sheets to the fire area. Wasn't long and we had a good blaze going and a rather nice night for it. Cam joined in and it was after 1 before we called it quits. I was still going strong, oddly. Back at the apt around 2 for some sack time.
Sunday, then, was a nice change of pace, as the sore throat came back and the sunburns kept us preoccupied. I treated Cara to a delicious breakfast at W*ffle Stop, then to the parents to finalize software installations and backups as our work clothes were washing. Saw off Brittni and John on their adventure back to Europe, and finally made our way lodge bound for interior painting. One little problem….we were too pooped to climb the ladders. The oppressive humidity didn't help matters either. Change of plans- we set up shop outside and hand sanded all the glass-stop trim on the vintage door that goes at the top of the stairs. Took _forever_ but we managed to get it in shellac-ready condition just as the rain started to fall and the tornado warnings were brd'cast on the radio.
It's been an interesting June. For Iowa, the weather has been oddly perfect until this week when the A/C units fired up all across the valley. Getting sick was unexpected and hurt productivity a bit. The wedding and family in town was a nice change but really took it out of all of us. (So….much….summer sausage….) The Wright and Like tour at the beginning of the month was fantastic. Looking back, it hasn't been such a bad month at all.
The "ready to move things in" goal still stands for end of June. Approx 2 weeks left and it WILL be busy. Countertops to build, bathroom walls to tile, interior painting (clerestories) to do, and the real PITA, front fascias to finish. (Plus all the little stuff.) The heat index will be the limiting factor I imagine.
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