A Tale of Two Weekends

We had our Canada Day long weekend this past weekend and contrary to all weather predictions that forecast rain, it was a gloriously clear and warm weekend. I'm running pretty close to empty these days, trying to balance a busy work schedule, working with Lauren on a near final round of book edits, rehersing a choreography that is kicking my but for an upcoming flamenco show,and dealing with some fairly draining personal stuff that is occupying both Martin and my minds lately. In light of all that, I'm frankly awed that Martin (whose life is no less full these days) had it in him to build a deck this weekend. Me, I made cupcakes. And I didn't even do that by myself.

I made the cupcakes with Melanie, while Martin and Mark worked on framing the deck Sunday afternoon. The cupcakes, which were delicious by the way, were for a fireworks watching party at their place later that evening. Martin and Mark managed to get the deck well framed in that afternoon, and Melanie and iced cupcakes over a wonderful cup of tea. Today Martin was up and ready to finish off the joists while I struggled out of bed after having had a particularly awful sleep. By the time I made it to the kitchen with my cup of coffee, he was nearly ready to head back to Rona to pick up the deck surface planks. Over the course of today, he worked on the deck, managing to finish off the surfacing in time for us to eat a kind of picnic dinner out there, while I puttered about baking bread, tying up my tomato and pea plants, watering the garden and making some soup. Now it's near dusk and he's still out there cleaning up and sorting the remaining lumber so he can start on the railings tomorrow.

This is the first big reno task we've undertaken that I've been so very absent for. It feels very strange to not be out there with my hair full of sawdust and an aching back, though I'm so grateful to have had this weekend to take it easy. I know I'm only delaying my own part as I'll likely take on treating and painting the deck, but as I sit looking at it out the kitchen window I'm so happy to have been able to sit this one out so far.

Comments

[Felicia]

Pretty cupcakes :)

[dana]

Wow, I hope you are not running yourself into the ground. I'm glad you took some down time this weekend. Way to go Martin on the deck.

[Ariane]

my gosh, i didn't realize the deck was already all finished! martin really is some kind of superhero...

i am totally jealous of your vacay, although it is much deserved on your part. the wedding we went to yesterday was the best one i've been to, but i had a terrible sleep at the hotel and am feeling totally drained--not the way to start the week! but i have to say, it somewhat wore down my disdain for weddings especially since the couple are so quirky and amazing.

ps. the cupcakes in the previous post looked delicious!