rr22, your comment made me laugh! Truth be told, I did NOT enjoy the lawnmower. Before I go on too much, I will first say that I'm pleased that my mowing got done. I feel very productive, and my yard looks great. It will look great for another few days before I have to get out there and do this again.
And now let's talk about how my yard adventures went.
Of course, I could not get the lawnmower (which is a push mower) to start. I really gave it my all, and I even tried to encourage it by giving it a motivating kick. Didn't help. Eventually, a 12-year-old neighbor got it to start. He is either stronger than I or some sort of wizard.
Boxer dog was driven insane with a mixture of fear and excitement as I mowed, and his feelings spiked dramatically when I mowed over one of his beloved tennis balls. I have yet to pick up the battered remains of this most special toy.
Unlikely though it may seem, my yard seemed to get bigger as I mowed. It also got hillier and rougher in terrain. I thought I would never be done. With a few breaks to drink water, refuel the mower, and clean clippings from underneath the pitifully inadequate machine, I spent 4 glorious hours outdoors.
I wore blisters on my thumbs, and the only Band-Aids in my house were either adorned with black bats (the mammal kind, not the baseball kind) or various images of Nigiri-style sushi. Since sushi is not seasonal, I chose those. I also gave myself beet-red back, shoulders, and upper arms from wearing a tank top and no sunscreen. I ALWAYS do that at this time of year. You'd think I would have learned by now, but obviously I haven't.
Regardless of my minor setbacks and trivial struggles, I am happy with my accomplishments. I slept for 12 hours last night, which was just what I needed.
Today has been great, too. The weather has been amazing, and I've spent a little time outside (but not so much that I burn to a crisp). I have visited with some neighbors, and I've gotten out some bulbs and seeds to plant over the next couple days. I did a leisurely grocery trip and got some Easter gifts for family members. Now I'm going to do some laundry, read a celebrity gossip mag, and ponder my home improvement plans.
H and I have not texted or spoken since Wednesday night, and I've thought of him periodically (but not in an obsessive or heartbroken manner). I wonder if I'll hear from him tomorrow with an Easter wish.
I dread tomorrow for only one reason--my family (meaning my father, my 15-year-old half-brother, and my lunatic uncle) will be having lunch with my 80-year-old grandmother (and her 89-year-old boyfriend, who is tactless and blunt in every possible way) at her house. My grandmother has not been told about the separation (for obvious or not-so-obvious reasons), so I have to come up with a creative story about H's absence. If anyone has an interesting suggestion for a story about his lack of attendance, then I'm happy to hear it. All suggestions will be considered.
