comings and goings . . .

Saturday, we tried to get some stuff done outside that has been needing doing.  You know, the gutters cleaned, the driveway pressure washed, a big old ugly bush that thinks it wants to move into the garage, removed, a bird house nailed back up on the tree . . . stuff.

we got off on a rough note when the nozzle of the hose refused to come off so it could be attached to the pressure washer.  after fussing with it for half an hour, we called defeat and pulled off the second hose from the pool deck, but meanwhile, we started hacking at the bush monster that was infiltrated with asparagus grass . . . think major prickers.

what had once been one bush had multiplied to five and getting its roots out proved tricky, especially when one particular swing of the axe brought up bubbling water.  ut oh.  trouble in river city.  at first we thought it was part of the sprinkler system . . . we should be so lucky.  it was the water main.  yup, we sliced and diced the main.  the city wouldn't come out because they are not responsible for anything past the meter.  thank you very much city of my dreams.

it should be told that i only have problems requiring the help of a plumber on weekends.  sigh.  Jorge was inundated but came over to turn off the meter and promised to be back in the afternoon.  he was not happy with the root system that would need to be cleared out before he could fix the pipe.

five people against one bush.  the bush was winning.  but we managed to get out two of the five root systems around the break before Jorge returned.  color him happy.  it didn't take him long to actually get the water going again.  hooray.

the side walk is no longer black and moldy.  instead, it is pristine and walkable.  the troops will return on Saturday to finish up. 

in other news, it has been coolish here of late.  any excuse for a fire works for me.  i still have a half cord from last winter and it is perfectly aged and starts up easily.  the only thing missing was fat wood and it arrived last night by Big Brown.  marshmallows are on my shopping list. we are good to go til spring.

yesterday was, be nice to me day.  yoga, lunch with Joanie and a 90 minute massage i had bought last summer from Groupon.  a little supper.  a little wine.  kidlet home.  perfecto.

this morning Pip's radar went off early.  she smelled a rat.  and hid.  a seven pound cat is not easy to flush out from under a king sized bed when she has heard the word:  V E T.  finally captured and caged . . . poor baby . . . we headed off for her yearly checkup.  she is happily one very healthy beastie.

and with that said, i am crawling back under the covers.  wake me come April.