TGIF

Oh my word am I glad it is Friday.  I don't work, so I usually don't get excited for the weekend.  However, this week is different.

The two weeks prior to this one were hellish at times and quite physically and mentally draining.  I had been looking forward to this week for several days, if not weeks.  I knew it would bring me some rest and relaxation that I desperately needed.

Oh but I was so wrong. 

The most dreaded phone call you can get from your spouse while they are on their way home from work is the "Honey, don't freak out but I've been in an accident."  I've gotten a few of those in the past 15 years.  The 2nd most dreaded call you can get at that time is "Honey, don't be mad but I have to leave town...in the morning!" 

Damn it!

Literally, my husband booked his flight at 7 pm and left at 7 am for the entire week.  Completely unexpected and certainly the curve ball in my week.

Things usually fall apart while he is gone, especially me.  Things break.  I don't sleep.  This week was no exception.

Tuesday things went well and I was sure this time would be different, despite the sleep deprivation.  My goal this week was to repaint our patio table and chairs.  I got them painted no problem.  One minor problem though.  The paint is oil based and doesn't come off anything easily.  No husband, means I have no way of knowing where the cleaners are for the paint.  No problem, throw the cheap brush away and life is good, right?  Well, yes except I've been sporting white paint splatters on my legs and feet all week like a trophy.  Oh yea, I can't forget to mention the giant mess of paint that I got in my hair.  How does that happen?  I know it's quite trendy to have color streaked hair, but I'm not much into it.  So, curly styling it has to be for now until I can get it all picked out.  Goodness, that stuff is like hair concrete.  With the curls, it's a bit harder to see...but I KNOW!

As I sat inside on Wednesday morning, I heard a giant swoosh outside.  Hmm...that wasn't the mailman.  A peak out the window and I saw the culprit.  A giant limb had broken and fallen to the ground.  My neighbors were of little help.  One of them exclaimed, "That made me crap my pants!"  The other stated, "You know you need to get that out of the street." 

Well the darn thing was barely in the street and they both watched while I unsuccessfully tried to move it.  Have I mentioned what classy neighbors I have?

So, I headed to the backyard to water plants since we've had some really hot weather this week.  My spray nozzle was stuck, so there was no soaker hose watering.  My super strong husband always puts those things on so tight. 

Before he left, my husband asked me to pull the wooden forms off the concrete patio so that it would finish curing.  Yea right!  After I failed with the sprayer, I knew the forms were far beyond my scope of ability.  Let's face it, I don't have a lot of upper body strength and I think that task might have been outside of my pay grade.

Thankfully, a couple friends of ours came over and took care of the manly tasks that needed done.  Whew!  Only half way through the week and I surely would be able to relax the rest of it.

Wait just a minute!

Have I mentioned that I don't sleep while my husband is gone?  Yes.  Have I also mentioned that one of said classy neighbors picked this week to install a pool?  No.  Oh my.  Starting on Wednesday, every morning there has been large equipment running right outside my bedroom window by 7 am.  Fun, right?  What's more exciting is that these are the heavy drinkers who often have parties (not loud, just late).  How much more fun is that going to make the summer for us?  Ugh!

Thursday night finally came and I knew I only had one more night alone.  Usually, I find comfort in that and can cat nap my way through the night.  Oh but wait....not this time. 

As I folded the 10 loads of laundry I had ignored since last week, I heard strange noises come from the front of the house.  With a large kitchen knife in hand (that's all I had), I searched the house.  Nothing!  Every time I would step out of the bedroom, it would stop.  The dogs were exhausted and unphased by it, which was odd since they often fuss and bark when a car door shuts a block away. 

Needless to say, I stacked and piled and pushed furniture in front of all the doors.  Yea, because nothing says safe like potentially blocking the exits for an intruder to leave if they are hiding in my house. 

The noise never stopped!  I never slept!  Ugh!

This morning, I was digging in the mess of tools in the garage looking for the stapler.  Ok, I know you are probably thinking that at this point I probably shouldn't be operating anything potentially dangerous, but that's just the kind of risk taker I am.  Ha!

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a furry thing jump from a box.  OY!  The worst thing we've ever had in the garage is a mouse and a baby bird.  This ain't no mouse.  I don't know what it is, except furry. 

No problem, I'll back my car out and turn my dog loose.  She's part Cocker Spaniel and often hunts.  She's got quite a record of dead mice, bunnies and birds.  I knew she'd be all over it.  I tried to get the little critter stirred up so she would jump right on it. 

Nope!  She plopped down on the concrete floor cocking her head from one side to another.  I'm positive she was saying, "I'm tired.  You kept me up all night long.  You chase that stupid critter while I sit here and laugh at you." 

Finally, my husband will be home sometime around midnight.  Goodness, I cannot wait!