Weekend work…

This last Saturday I participated in the annual Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) conference as a volunteer for the PC Maintenance and Repair Workshop.  Now, I’m not exactly a kid person so this always pushes me a bit out of my comfort zone but I do it because I think it’s important for the girls and really, it’s important for me as well.  I don’t know whether I’ll ever get past my kid issues but interacting with these girls and seeing how a few would light up when you taught them about science and technology gives me hope that I might experience the same kind of elightenment someday.  =)

At the beginning of each workshop session the instructor would ask the girls “What have you taken apart and did it go back together ok.”  A number of the girls said they’ve taken apart mechanical pens and pencils.  A few had taken apart clocks and bikes.  One girl answered that she “took apart a pizza” with her friend adding “and I helped.”  When it came my turn to answer the question I had trouble actually thinking of a good answer.  I’ve taken a lot of stuff apart but I think what stands out in my mind is what I’ve put together.  I really like assembling stuff.  So after I got back from the conference I spent some time assembling my new Aussie grill and hurray, I only had to correct for one mistake (a leg was turned around which you would only realize after getting to step 7).  😉

Adjusting the temperature on my brand new Aussie. Hurray, I can barbecue now. =)

My new barbecue busy at work grilling chicken with depression-era style barbecue sauce (ketchup, vinegar, mustard and pepper). Mmmm, just like Grandma makes. =)

What a great way to end the day.  On Sunday morning I decided to continue the productivity streak and take on some gardening in my front yard.  While I was working my brother Jeffery came by with his two dogs to visit.  We chatted for an hour or so and watched the dogs play on the front lawn.  Jeffery’s dogs are pretty funny to watch play.  Sierra and Lotus had a really good time with them.

As nice as it was to visit, I knew I needed to keep working on the yard.  Before Jeffery left he volunteered to bring his truck over to pull out the oleander stumps that were left from when I cut the branches back months ago.  What a nice brother.  =)

Jeffery preps to pull out the oleander stumps.

Thanks to an abudance of rain over the last week the stumps came out without too much of a fight.

The first stump was probably the most challenging to pull out. The sling kept sliding over the top of the stump.

Jeffery quickly figured out the most effective positioning of the sling and made quick work of the remaining 6 stumps. Good job Lil' Brudda. =)

After Jeffery completed pulling out the stumps he headed home for the day.  I finished cleaning up the driveway with help from Marshall and then headed back inside to enjoy the rest of the weekend.  After a quick nap (I was super sleepy) Marshall and I headed off to his parents for an early birthday celebration since Marshall’s parents will be on a cruise when he turns 31.  Dinner was delicious and the conversation engaging.  All in all an awesome weekend.  =)