Achievements Unlocked

Yesterday was a productive, yet painful, day.

Achievement Unlocked: Yard Work
It will neither go down as the hardest nor easiest thing I will ever do, but I was glad to finally be able to mow my lawn last night.

Picking up and carrying the mower up the three aging cement stairs was surprisingly okay. An hour, perhaps less, of walking behind the mower and then doing leafblowing to clear debris started to tax me.

To my surprise and joy the mower’s engine started on the first pull. The Briggs-Stratton engine has entered its eighteenth year and using gas stabilization, and changing the oil and spark plug occasionally has kept it going.

I was uncertain that I would be able to get the mower back down the steps in order to cut the back yard and finish the job. I simply had to block out the discomfort and do it. If I continue to mow my own lawn into old age I will have to find another solution. At some point I will have to replace the retaining wall and stairs, when I do I could always get a ramp installed instead of stairs.

Backyard is also looking okay, though I didn’t have the strength to cut up and take branches to the curb.

Achievement Unlocked: Eating What’s In The Fridge
I was hurting big time and bushed after spending a couple of hours doing yard work.

My first post-chore achievement was to get into the shower and wash myself thoroughly. Man it felt great to be clean after getting hot and sweaty.

Once showered I forced myself into the kitchen to make dinner at home, specifically to use up some things that were on their last legs. I am hitting the road early tomorrow and do not want to come home to a stench. Dinner was an andouille sausage with sauerkraut and mustard, washed down with an Alabama beer. Later in the evening I had my dessert in which I finished the milk, and ate a piece of bittersweet chocolate.

Achievement Failed: German Homework And Coding
It should come as no surprise that once I was done with dinner I was in no mood to continue my streak of productivity. Instead, I plopped on the bed and watched YouTube videos for awhile, and then listened to some podcasts. I think my night of fitful sleep started some time around 9:30pm.

Achievement Ahead: Physical Therapy
Doing yard work the day before physical therapy will not go down as one of my better scheduling achievements. In my defense the yard desperately needed the attention, and my body does as well. I think I will look into scheduling a massage for myself next week…

Be it Georgia, Maine, Nevada, California, New York, or wherever, I hope your day is a good one.

Paulie [eatl/ga]

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17 Responses to Achievements Unlocked

  1. ITP Lurker says:

    Dara Metcalfe is in Cabbagetown http://www.futureperfectmassage.com

  2. Barb says:

    Good morning way too early in Vegas.
    We called it at 9pm (midnight really). So we were all wide awake at 5:15.
    Bar & restaurant hoping around The Vegas strip was fun!

    Total Wine opens at 8, then we head to Utah.

    • Stacy says:

      I’m loving your travels and pictures, Barb. Holy food mountains last night! 🙂 Enjoy your day today and keep the updates coming!

      • Barb says:

        The 7-11 stop was the best, it was a long walk to that dive bar. Everything in Vegas seems nearby, but you are still walking 30 minutes later!

  3. HamWithCam says:

    (Back from Maine, and ready to party. Kinda.)

    Yep, nothing like a reliable lawn mower engine.

    I gave my father the “Sears lawn mower he always wanted” for like Fathers Day or something. With a Briggs-Stratton engine, of course. I have it now. That was like 25+ years ago. Starts first time, every time.

    Related: when we bought our (first) house in Decatur (30+ years ago) it came with a “Snapper 20” mower in the shed. One of their original models. Simple Briggs-Stratton engine (wind a rope around the crank start), 4 x wheels, push handle, that’s it. It cranked first pull, every time for 30 years. It did smoke a little (needed rings). I finally gave it away in favor of using the Sears.

    Pro tip: I avoid even the “high test, white gas” fuel many traditionally recommend. I have totally switched over to (zero Ethanol) “TruFuel, available at Home Depot. They make a flavor for 2 cycle weed eaters, blowers too. Pricey, but worth it.

    In other news, we survived “weather may change without notice” Acadia National Park. We were able to take in most of the high points, with relatively favorable conditions. Saw everything from totally overcast with fog, to sunny and blue sky. Photos to follow.

    Glad you’re being proactive with the hurt hip deal. Our M/O has to change as we get older. Hang tough, progress will come, albeit slowly.

    73 de JG/HamWithCam
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/hamwithcam/

  4. Steve says:

    And good morning, very early on the left coast. A day of meetings and meet folks I haven’t worked with before. 17 teams and almost 100 riders should make for good racing. My driver installed a headset on my helmet so we can communicate and the race radio will just be with the shoulder mic. We will be Moto 3 so we watch riders going backwards and their team cars- should be fun.

    After dinner last night, I made a fairly small donation to the blackjack table at Harrahs. The cards and I were both cold. I know better than to throw more money on a losing cause.

    Tour Tracker will have updates for anyone playing from home. Start is 1230 EDT I think.

    -FP

  5. Steve says:

    TJ says hello, Barb!

  6. Barb says:

    Went back to Hash House A Go Go for breakfast, but this time we shared. No pics, I’m not that awake.

  7. HamWithCam says:

    Bass Harbor Light House (the good side):
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/hamwithcam/34467456951/in/dateposted-public/

    We intended to stay through sunset, but reasoned the climb back out on slippery rocks might prove to be too risky. We bagged it and opted for “lobstah rolls”.

    JG/HamWithCam

  8. Debbie Brady says:

    Love the Maine pics! One of my favorite places.

    Hope everyone enjoys their travels and has a great weekend.

  9. Bill N. AKA Ronnie says:

    New York is good. Thanks for the inclusion. Just got back from Nazereth PA. Took a tour of the Martin Guitar factory. Worth going to if your in the area and the tour is FREE.

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