Power Tool Therapy
When I feel stressed (and I am extremely stressed out right now) I need to fix things. Things that I can actually fix, as opposed to the stuff I can't fix, which is causing the stress.
So this weekend, I added 2' of privacy lattice on top of the 3' fence between our yard and pool, because this week, Dumpling figured out that even if the pool gate was locked, all she had to do was *climb over* the fence to get to the other side..... yeah, that pretty much stopped my blood cold, so the situation needed to be remedied immediately. Since I still haven't found someone to fix the freaking wallpaper, I wasn't about to start looking for a fence-mending dude. But some pre-framed lattice, a few 4x4s, a couple of nifty brackets and the fence is now un-climb-able and pretty to look at.
I also added a new tool to my arsenal, though this one is not so much a power tool, but we bought a Roomba vacuum. I do not clean. This is a well established fact. (I would rather build a fence than sweep the floors!) Our beloved cleaning lady is gone to Poland for a month and so the combination of 2 children, 2 dogs and a massive sandbox made even a non-cleaner like me pick up the broom AND the Swiffer and spend the morning cleaning. But I will not be doing this for a month, no way. So I am hoping the Roomba will at least keep the worst of it at bay and I can supplement with occasional actual cleaning.
Finally, the children have gone to their grandparents for a sleep over. Which left me free alone with my second-favorite power-tool, (after the Shark Steam-Vac) the Power Washer. I did the pooldeck, the lawn furniture, the patio and then, I went all out and did the fence around the pool, which I hope to stain a pretty color this week. Seriously, what is that green/grey stuff that covers the fence over time? Gross! But it's gone now and I spent 2 hours alone with 1,900 PSI and my thoughts. I didn't fix anything, I still feel stressed and overwhelmed, but at least the fence is no longer gray, the pooldeck is nice and clean and I can plan hours of staining induced meditation for the coming week (provided it stops raining. Because we are having the most horrible early summer)
Wish I had a good stress reliever for you. Knitting with the girls does it for me most times, but sometimes life is so stressful that there's nothing to ease it. Sending good vibes your way.
Posted by: Katie J | June 22, 2008 at 06:48 PM
OOOHHHH! I am a Roomba girl! I got one for Christmas and totally love it! My only beef is that the battery doesn't last long enough to do the whole first floor of my house.....so I bought a used one on Kijiji and can now run them in tandem! I feel just like Jane Jetson. We named them Rosie and R-2. Hope the staining therapy works.
Posted by: Melissa | June 22, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Hey MM!
We bought Roomba 2 weeks ago, I think it does a better job at maintenance not first cleaning. Kelsey calls it Princess and my DH calls it R-2 or Robot.
I also do home improvement projects when I'm stressed out.
Have a great week!
Posted by: JoAnn in NJ | June 22, 2008 at 09:57 PM
Oooh, a Roomba! I want one so badly...two cats and a dog and laminate floors equals a pain in the butt...
Posted by: OmegaMom | June 23, 2008 at 01:05 PM
I loves me some power toools as well - yesterday after a long day I wanted to come home and build a dog house - so I could play with the saw!
And I hear you on the food issues - we started a garden for many of those reasons and now really enjoy all the fresh food
And ( I had a few posts to catch up on) I also totally understand the not wanting to share it on the blog - hope everyting is ok.
Posted by: Justine | June 24, 2008 at 07:34 AM
Hope things settle down for you!!
Posted by: Beverly | June 24, 2008 at 04:07 PM