Monday Dinner Out and Handyman

 We were invited to my new friend's house Monday night. We had so much fun and she was saying how much she enjoyed us coming and we would have to do it again. She bought three chicken breasts from Publix, a package of potato salad and one of slaw. Smart woman. Before dinner we had strawberries and peanuts. This is my kind of hostess. My kind of friend. My kind of woman. (Okay, dinner out was without a mask inside of a friend's house.)

We met her when I insisted on stopping and talking to her as she was in her yard. I make friends everywhere! 

Her home is a small unassuming brick, with a beautiful yard. Inside, her home is well-appointed, stuffed full of very nice furniture. I was surprised. She had to downsize and kept what she could. 

She was so thoughtful in that she put her dog in the bedroom for the evening. That is a plus. I had a very good friend who allowed her dog to lie across my feet over my objections. I did not say a word, just moved my chair back until I was six feet from the dining table. Dog owners are one of the reason I "don't like dogs."

We talked about everything under the sun! She is funny and interesting, and not a bit shy. Tommy had a good time, too. Of course, we let him talk...lol. He seemed to really enjoy her company. 

This is the first time we have been with anyone without our mask, in someone's home, or with a person while eating. We did meet our friends in Cullman in the park, but they are in their 90s, and the weather has not been fit on the free lunch day. I don't know if they are up to cold weather. We would sit outdoors and just bring a blanket to wrap in while we eat, but I am not sure how they would feel about this arrangement. 

Tuesday, a friend from Cullman came down here and cut a tree and suckers that were going to ruin Tommy's roof. The suckers were  20 feet tall. Then, he cut a 20 foot tree that was right next to the house, within 6 inches of the foundation. Tommy and I fought bitterly as to whether these two trees would ruin the roof. He also cut some firewood for himself! None of the trees or limbs were over 4 inches in diameter. 

Then, he climbed on the roof and used his leaf blower to clean out the gutters. I have never heard of anyone using a leaf blower for gutters, but I suppose  it works. And, he walked carefully so as not to damage the roof. This guy is a jack-of-all trades, retired military. I have known him for well over 20 years. No, he did this for me and he is not a handyman. But, he is a handy man. 

He said the last time he climbed on a roof or up a tree, forgot which, he ended up in the hospital. He told me he wanted to go to UAB. So, with that settled, he worked steadily. He also said his wife did not want him to get on the ladder. Yikes! 

I have something he wanted to trade for. So, that deal was done. Plus, I gave him $30 for gas. He  objected and finally put it in his pocket. 

Today, I drove my car and put gas in it. Well, I drove and Tommy pumped the gas. Dinner will be light tonight, something I do not have to prepare! We have a bag of salad and there is ham I bought to feed J. And, there is fruit. 

We had a busy and fruitful twenty-four hours. Today, I think the predicted temperature was 74F. It has been very warm and pleasant. 

I have other things J wants, so he might do the things that need to be done around here. 

Solutions

 A friend from Cullman came by today as he left his VA doctor's appointment. He will cut two trees that are hanging onto the house roof, trees that are ruining Tommy's property. Tommy has forbidden me to try and cut the one growing 6 inches from the foundation. It is already 10 feet higher than the roof and has branches fanning out over the roof. 

Since Tommy swears the gutters don't need cleaning since he cut trees 20 years ago, my friend is going to do that, too. Tommy has one huge tree in his back yard that is about a yard in diameter. So, huge and tall. Tommy yells at me to mind my own business, but acquiesed when talking to my friend. He just won't admit that I, a woman, knows anything. Plus, he thinks I am taking over. And, he is cheap. 

He may be getting better at all this macho stuff because he never looked at the huge and deep cut in his tire, just bought more. He is really not into macho acting, but this doing things the right way is getting to him. He is cheap. Formerly, he would not believe the tire was not so bad as I said. 

At any rate, I have lots of tiny things for J to do besides cleaning the gutters and cleaning tree limbs from the roof. The kitchen has the hole under the front of the counter still, the one that let some critter in to drag potatoes over to the hole. Plus, a hornet, wasp, and camel cricket have been found in the same vicinity. It still gives me the creeps. Either of us could have done these things five years ago. Like I said, I can get down there but I cannot get up. Well, it takes time and effort for me to get off the floor, Tommy. too.  J will be cheaper than hiring someone else or multiple people to do things. And, he will do them right. 

When J got down on the floor to look at the critter hole, he said that there was a patch on the hole. No, not so. So, he found the hole I was talking about. There must have been another hole that had to be patched before this one. 

I was proud that the sink was clean and shiny, nothing in it. At this point, that is the best part of the house! I hope J noticed...lol. 

Friday night, Tommy is having more soup, the last big cup and zucchini. I am having a small salad, the kind you get at the grocery store. It was given to me. Earlier, we had a chicken breast from Publix as we sat in the park. Chicken breast or turkey breast is better than desserts to me. 

What is the cleanest/shiniest/straightest of your house? the part that needs no more. It can be as small as a shiny clean sink.