It was beautiful today. About 77, with more sun than you can imagine. Went to the Farmer’s Market for some fresh spinach and then walked Poopy the Puppy around the park. This dog gets soooo excited to go find new places to explore. Amazingly enough (because I absolutely LOVE to sleep, and find it very difficult to get out of bed before 9 on Saturdays), this was done by 10:30.

Then, after 2 trips to Home Depot for pavers and sand and 2X4s (so, we can’t measure for shit) - Mr. Hot and I laid out the 4 ft. by 5 ft. area for the grill to sit. While we were playing around with the bricks (we actually like to do this stuff - go figure), the contractor we hired to asphalt our driveway came by. This is the first time we’ve ever contracted out work (we always rented before this house….repair came by way of phone call with NO checks involved), so we’ve been understandably nervous about the whole deal. Especially when we got that “I’ll call you early next week to set up a time”. Early? That, to me, means sometime BEFORE Friday, dude. After 3 or 4 weeks of this, it’s pretty clear…these guys don’t care about a $2500 job - they obviously have much more lucrative stuff going on.

Anyway…. the guy shows up today to drop off… get this, a “paver” and a “roller”. Cool. It’s sitting in my yard - I figure I can always hold it ransom if he doesn’t ever show his face here again. I specifically picked this guy because he doesn’t expect payment until the work is completed. (I’ve heard horror stories).

So, this is the “before picture:

I only hope I can show you the “after” picture on Monday or Tuesday. (or the Better Business Bureau will be getting a call).

Now, I’m going to go get another glass of Pinot Grigo and sit on the deck until Mr. Hot finished grilling that chicken. The Pinot? Yum. Y’know that junk mail for wine clubs? The one that’s kinda like the CD clubs or the Coffee of the Month club. They send you a case of wine for next-to-nothing, AND a free gift of a corkscrew that actually works!. Yum. Good stuff.

—- But, after you get that free gift and go through the 12 bottles in 4 days - you really should remember to cancel that membership, because this shit is expensive. Honestly. A bottle for $12.00? I can get an entire freakin’ box for less than that! —-