when life throws you lemonade
drink it.
I find the idea of drinking a glass of ice cold lemonade on a hot sticky day to be a pleasant combination. Never had been much of a fan of the yellow stuff. Yet the idea of it is appealing. Add to this sitting on a comfortable chair under the shade of the canapy, and we could find ourselves having an afternoon siesta. hmmm perfect.
Instead, I was downing glasses of water while repairing and rebuilding my outdoor gazebo/canapy, which was blown over sometime in the early morning. Blown over, into the neighbors yard, twisted metal and flaps, loose bolts and flaps of material intersperrsed with dirt and colorful body parts from flower pots that toppled over as well.
I arrive home this morning shortly after 8am. oh boy, I didn't expect to see the canapy relocated and upside down. Not sure where to begin, I decide to tend to the flowers, as their exposed delicate flower bits would bake in the sun. As for the metal heap, that would have to be delayed until I had help, and a few hours of sleep.
Literally a few hours later I woke to my step dad knocking on my door. He guessed I would need help. And so we set out to fix what the tornadoous* wind took down... (check carey to english dictionary)
The whole situation was absurd to me. We were bending metal back into shape, re bolting areas that came apart and trying to accomplish something with two people that really should have had four.
I found myself laughing. Whether it was from severe lack of sleep, a carry over from last nights excitement, or just my typical response to a challenging moment, I was having fun with this situation. I just kept giggling. I was lifting a bar up over my headwith one hand, holding another bar in place (in another direction) with the other hand and kicking my shoes off so I could pick up a fallen bolt with my toes all the while maintaining balance and composure. I nearly lost it with my building laughter.
My step dad says to me, "Carey, this isn't funny"
I counter, "yes it is" *giggle*
"no. it isn't," he insists.
I continue, "It is! its absurd! .. is there anything better than rebuilding something that was just put up two weeks ago?" I ask, sardonically.
he follows up with, "glad you think this is a riot"
And then, while he is standing on the ladder, while I am doing this amazing balancing act.. the connector piece (thats holding three bars) falls, two metal bars slip to the ground and the black bolt drops to into the abyss of long dark grass..
and he finally laughs, and I laugh even more..
sweat dripping down our faces, my step dad leaves for a moment (he lives near by) and brings back two red cups full of lemonade.
We sip and we work and walk the canapy back into position.
We have it pretty much wrapped up and I work on the finishing touches -- which includes pulling out a roll of duct tape.
"Carey, you can't fix everything with duct tape"
here we go again..
"yes I can" *big smile* (i am mildly obsessed with fixing thiings with duct tape-- even when something better, more aestetically pleasing or more appropriate is available-- duct tape is it!)
I've fixed my car, I've fixed leaks, I've used it to tie things together, and I will use it to piece back together some of these snapped metal rods. And so I proceeded to do just that...
Fortunately, I have learned to use duct tape in moderation; the canapy is still in its original beige. As I have learned to use duct tape in moderation, it hasn't morphed into a giant shiny gray mummy-pod in my yard, as with other duct tape induced projects and fun. :)
My step dad is happy that it is over and I am happy to have my little hang out standing stong once again. He leaves and I turn to my peaceful surroundings..
After a few hours of cleaning up after the wind/canapy fiasco, tending to my garden (deadheading!) and chatting with visitors.. I found myself sitting in a comfortable chair, in the shade under the canapy, sipping the remainder of my lemonade and thinking about possibilities...
Hope everyone is feeling fine today
~carey
I find the idea of drinking a glass of ice cold lemonade on a hot sticky day to be a pleasant combination. Never had been much of a fan of the yellow stuff. Yet the idea of it is appealing. Add to this sitting on a comfortable chair under the shade of the canapy, and we could find ourselves having an afternoon siesta. hmmm perfect.
Instead, I was downing glasses of water while repairing and rebuilding my outdoor gazebo/canapy, which was blown over sometime in the early morning. Blown over, into the neighbors yard, twisted metal and flaps, loose bolts and flaps of material intersperrsed with dirt and colorful body parts from flower pots that toppled over as well.
I arrive home this morning shortly after 8am. oh boy, I didn't expect to see the canapy relocated and upside down. Not sure where to begin, I decide to tend to the flowers, as their exposed delicate flower bits would bake in the sun. As for the metal heap, that would have to be delayed until I had help, and a few hours of sleep.
Literally a few hours later I woke to my step dad knocking on my door. He guessed I would need help. And so we set out to fix what the tornadoous* wind took down... (check carey to english dictionary)
The whole situation was absurd to me. We were bending metal back into shape, re bolting areas that came apart and trying to accomplish something with two people that really should have had four.
I found myself laughing. Whether it was from severe lack of sleep, a carry over from last nights excitement, or just my typical response to a challenging moment, I was having fun with this situation. I just kept giggling. I was lifting a bar up over my headwith one hand, holding another bar in place (in another direction) with the other hand and kicking my shoes off so I could pick up a fallen bolt with my toes all the while maintaining balance and composure. I nearly lost it with my building laughter.
My step dad says to me, "Carey, this isn't funny"
I counter, "yes it is" *giggle*
"no. it isn't," he insists.
I continue, "It is! its absurd! .. is there anything better than rebuilding something that was just put up two weeks ago?" I ask, sardonically.
he follows up with, "glad you think this is a riot"
And then, while he is standing on the ladder, while I am doing this amazing balancing act.. the connector piece (thats holding three bars) falls, two metal bars slip to the ground and the black bolt drops to into the abyss of long dark grass..
and he finally laughs, and I laugh even more..
sweat dripping down our faces, my step dad leaves for a moment (he lives near by) and brings back two red cups full of lemonade.
We sip and we work and walk the canapy back into position.
We have it pretty much wrapped up and I work on the finishing touches -- which includes pulling out a roll of duct tape.
"Carey, you can't fix everything with duct tape"
here we go again..
"yes I can" *big smile* (i am mildly obsessed with fixing thiings with duct tape-- even when something better, more aestetically pleasing or more appropriate is available-- duct tape is it!)
I've fixed my car, I've fixed leaks, I've used it to tie things together, and I will use it to piece back together some of these snapped metal rods. And so I proceeded to do just that...
Fortunately, I have learned to use duct tape in moderation; the canapy is still in its original beige. As I have learned to use duct tape in moderation, it hasn't morphed into a giant shiny gray mummy-pod in my yard, as with other duct tape induced projects and fun. :)
My step dad is happy that it is over and I am happy to have my little hang out standing stong once again. He leaves and I turn to my peaceful surroundings..
After a few hours of cleaning up after the wind/canapy fiasco, tending to my garden (deadheading!) and chatting with visitors.. I found myself sitting in a comfortable chair, in the shade under the canapy, sipping the remainder of my lemonade and thinking about possibilities...
Hope everyone is feeling fine today
~carey
