My day yesterday:
Mowed the front yard. We have a large front yard, it’s hilly and, of course, filled with ruts from all the work done earlier this year. This took quite a while. I was tuckered out, especially since I’d mowed the rest of the property the day before. We have just under 2 irregular, hilly acres.
Cleaned the bathroom(s).
Don went to work.
I decided it was time to put the window air conditioner in our bedroom, because the fan just wasn’t doing it for me. This involves going out to the shed, putting the air conditioner on a trolley, rolling it across the yard, and then moving it upstairs one step at a time because it’s heavy. Put it back on trolley, and move it to the bedroom. Take out screen, lift air conditioner and try to maneuver it into position, praying that I don’t drop it. Get it in place.
Decide that since we are having guests on Wednesday who will be staying in our spare room, I’d better put that air conditioner in, too. Go back out to shed, load the trolley, etc. Get it in the house and transport it up the stairs (same method.) Take it into the extra bedroom/studio/office and get ready to put it in the window we usually put it in. The window doesn’t work right. It’s off kilter. The guides are screwed up. Much cursing ensues. It’s hot and humid and I’m not in a good mood. Finally get the window temporarily closed after using screw driver and hammer. Move to other window. Hoist air conditioner up and put it in place.
Eat a piece of rhubarb snacking cake.
Go down to kitchen. For some reason, I decide to check the amount of BTUs on that air conditioner because it’s exactly the same as the one in our bedroom and I know one of them has more BTUs the other. The label says 5000 BTUs. Go back upstairs, check that label. 8000 BTUs. Drat. I’d put the wrong air conditioner in the kitchen window about 3 weeks ago. The kitchen AC needs more BTUs because it cools the whole kitchen and living room area. I’m going to have to switch them out.
Realize I’m a maniac and should leave it until tomorrow. I can’t.
Turn off air conditioner. Pull it out of the window. Forget to tip it to drain the water out. A lot of water drips onto the kitchen floor. Curse. Tilt it outside the window, like I should have to begin with. Clean up floor. Start to lug the air conditioner across the kitchen, through the living room and to the stairs.
Smell something. Riley, who has become incontinent more often than not because of the progressive disease that has weakened his spine and muscles, has pooped in the den. Stop with the air conditioner move. Clean up mess. Spray air freshener. Take Riley outside. Clean him up. Bring him back in. Resume moving AC. Start lugging the AC up the stairs, step by step.
Take AC out of bedroom window. Replace it with other AC. (My back is screaming at this point. I’m sweating and periodically cursing.) Take the recently removed AC to the stairs and move it back downstairs, one step at a time. Back momentarily seizes up. Stretch. Sigh. Keep going. Reach the bottom. Lug it across the living room, through the kitchen and install it in the kitchen window.
Eat a piece of rhubarb snacking cake.
Put everything away in the shed, including the lawnmower.
Drink some lemonade. Think about another piece of rhubarb snacking cake.
Change clothes. Throw sweaty clothes into the washer.
Know that Don is going to say exactly what he did say, “Why didn’t you wait for me to help you?”
Because I’m nuts.
And because you took the time to read all of this, I’ll add one more Catalpa photo.
Yup; sounds exactly like what I would have done! We`re both nuts!
Hope you`re back survived; mine is killing me this morning – I moved a small tree from one end of the garden to the other yesterday. Looks great!
Looks overcast out there, maybe we can sit still today, or not.
S
xo
Oh. My. I’m worn out just reading about! I hope today isn’t quite as demanding!
My daughter has beautiful catalpa tree and her friend and next door neighbor has wonderful fishing pond.
Here in east TX, folks pay good money for catalpa worms! Apparently fish think they’re might fine eatin’!
Peace,
Claudia, Thank God for snacking cake:):) I know that and the cussing helped.LOL I have been just like that. Know I have to get it done..sometimes just easier to jump in with both feet and do it yourself. Relax a bit today. Smiles, Susie
All I can say is bless your heart! You are one ambitious woman. Thank goodness for the snacking cake or you would not have had the strength to accomplish all that. You deserve a day of rest!!
Sounds like something I would do. What a funny post-although I’m sure your back doesn’t think so. Good thing you had some rhubarb snacking cake to get you through the day!
Claudia,
That used to be me – not anymore. Pretty pictures. We are almost settled – almost being the key word.
Take it easy today!
Carol
Oh my goodness, I’m afraid I couldn’t have done half of that!!! I would be in bed for a week with back pain!!! You are a trooper!!! My friend has a huge catalpa tree, half over her swimming pool, and those worms and flowers drive her nuts, but it is beautiful and lots of shade for her patio!!!!
What a pretty tree – I’ve never seen one up here – too cold, I expect.
You had quite a day – thank heaven for that cake!
Okay, you tired me out. Hope you’re not suffering for all the heavy lifting!
Funny post. We are trying to root one of those trees to plant on our property. If it won’t root we can pick one up at the nursery for $100. Gorgeous tree. Deb
You sound so much like me (except for the mowing lawn part..I don’t do that). When I want something done I do it and then pay for it physically later…but hey it’s done!! hugs, Linda
I have to say you wore me out just by reading this post, sweets! We didn’t have a/c in our previous house and just about died in the summer here in this desert. We finally got a water cooler and it was so nice. BUT this new house has a/c, as all new construction does now, and it’s a whole different experience when it climbs to 100° in the summer.
And yes, that’s the same question hubs asks me if I do something “big” on my own. I want it done when I want it done! I doubt I could lug an a/c unit up the stairs though.
Rest and have more cake. That’s always a solution to my problems. ;-)
xoxo
Connie
Hahahaha – not laughing at you – just your wonderful comical style of writing about your day. Thanks J
The other day, I emptied one of our folding bookshelves and brought it down stairs to put under the window in the living room. Did I measure the book case and the space I was moving it to first? I did not. I then had to drag it back upstairs and put the books back in it. Charles asked: “Why didn’t you wait until I was here to help you?”.
Because it had to be done RIGHT THEN, that’s why.
In other words, your life is just as glamorous as the rest of us!!
Claudia…will you please sit down!! You might need what I posted about this morning. Balisha
Oh my gosh, Claudia! Are you trying to kill yourself? That’s too much. You’re like a work horse, aren’t you? You must have an immensely strong constitution and you must be extremely strong! Well, it’s done. Hope you sleep well tonight in your air conditioned bedroom. I have not yet decided if I will set mine up. Mine is a portable with a tube that goes in the window. The landlord wants $250.00 for the season. But, I think that after suffering through these three days of humidity we’ve had in Ottawa, yes, I will pay it again this year and probably always will. We only live once, after all. Why suffocate in the heat?!!
Oh dear! You sound just like me in my younger years (30’s – 50’s), then I wised up. I’ve learned not to be so self sufficient any more … oh, what fun to see my husband or my son take over the “heavy” stuff. Hmmm … except that we just bought a house and my son and I will be doing the remodel in the midst of Havasu’s hot summer weather. My husband works at home very long hours and he’s not going to be able to help much. Oh, my aching muscles and back — and I’ve not even started yet!
It sounds like a rough day,but does it ever make for a wonderful story. You tell it so well, Claudia. This should be in a magazine somewhere.
God love ya! What a woman!
Claudia, this made me smile – although I cringed too thinking about your back. That snacking cake sure goes a long way… Love the Catalpa tree. Haven’t seen one for many years. Hope your company arrives safely and that the visit is wonderful. Ann
I am sitting here dying laughing! You sound just like me. At least you can see the humor in the situation. I think you deserved the multiple pieces of snacking cake. I’m sure you worked off all the calories. Hopefully, you can move tomorrow.
Yes, Claudia I read every word! Oh my god! I can just picture the situation. You crack me up! You really do have a great sense of humor! Man, you better make some more of that Rhubarb pie in case you have another crazy day! I remember the days of lugging air conditioning units and running fans to try to cool the place down. Thankfully, we now have central air but I really prefer having the windows opening and using fans when it’s not 90 and humid. Better soak in some epsom salts. That might help the sore muscles you may experience tomorrow.
Wow…not only am I tired, but my back aches too! That’s quite a workout, especially after mowing! Beautiful catalpa tree ! ;)
First, don’t hurt yourself. Second, I would have probably done the same thing. (looking ar a cabinet right now that needs to go upstairs) Third, I think you need more cake!
Ummm, were we separated at birth? This is exactly the kind of stuff I have always done. Now that I am not allowed to lift anything really heavy, I am trying to figure a way around it. Bring on the snacking cake :)
Sounds like one of my typical days!! I would have hauled that AC myself too.
Poor pupper!!
Kris
I’m laughing so hard! You have such a great sense of humor and it shows in your writing. I can just picture the scene and the cursing that must have taken place.
The catalpa tree is beautiful; I used to have one and I miss the beautiful blooms.
Hopefully you can take it easy today and rest your back.