Another Lifetime to go

21st September 2020

I had most of the day to myself. Kelli has arranged to meet Greer at Grandville to go round Plato’s Closet. Luck would have it that several bags of old clothes miraculously appeared ready for the trip, but I had other things on my mind.

There was a number of pieces that I wanted to work on to give me time later in the week to start on the patio.

There were tops to stain, a tabletop to stain and I even started on the large dresser that we picked up by the side of the road months ago.

By the time Kelli got back I had done most of the things, and I even cycled to the corner shop to buy an anniversary card.

There was no decent selection available, I was panicking at first thinking I would have to find any that I could alter, although modifying a “Sorry for your loss” would have been challenging. Eventually I found the best of a bad lot, and rode back relieved that I had something.

I stopped for some lunch and tackled a large plate of leftover potato salad, washed down with a bottle of beer. I felt good that I had reduced the container by about one per cent of its volume , another four weeks and it will be gone, then I can start on the pasta salad.

20th September 2020

We are no closer to identifying the owner of the coat. We have gone through every possible person, and very few would take a two times extra large. Some would easily fit in a sleeve, so it was easy to rule them out. Numerous phone calls later and we are still no closer.

Now it was party clean up time, I took down the lights and somehow managed to get them back into the box they came in, that was a plus. The fridge is stocked with left over food, the potato and pasta salad should last us till our next anniversary, and don’t get me started on the crisps and trail mixes. The one benefit is we have enough wine to bathe in.

We took the dogs for a walk along the beach, as there was no gate attendant on duty we thought we could drive straight through as Kelli knows the key pad combination, but it didn’t work this time after nearly ten years they changed it? What bastards.

So we had to walk instead, not a problem, but we felt a little put out, it gave us a bit of exclusivity knowing we knew more than any other plebs.

The sun was still warm enough without a coat, but the water was lapping strongly against the sand, there won’t be many other opportunities to do this without heavy coats on, hey wait, we have a large coat back home that nobody wants, sorted.

19th September 2020

Out early to buy fruit for the party, then came the cancellations, this does bother us because we gave everybody plenty of time to plan, and Kelli did a good job sending out reminders, and still we get let down. Yet again we cater for numbers and food does cost money wherever you live.

That put me in the mood to cut the grass in the front garden, so out came the hand mower.

God I hate that thing, I cursed it with every push, the grass was cut with pure hatred, and I’m surprised that it wasn’t scorched. The grass is shitty at the front which make cutting it a drag, I cannot take any pride in it, there was better grass at the Somme.

I then had to drive to Saugatuck to collect food that we had ordered from The Farmhouse Deli.

It is a popular place, which is why there is always a queue outside, but no sense of order, the queue is just people mingling, more a protest than anything orderly.

I took my place hoping to get the attention of the girl who appeared at times to take orders.

Eventually I managed it, and was allowed inside to collect the boxes and of course pay for it.

There was a ton of potato salad, pasta salad, three containers of Macaroni cheese and a load of cup cakes, then it was a careful drive back.

We arranged the seating and tables and Kelli continued to cook and prepare things.

As the magic hour struck people started to arrive.

The weather was warm to start with, but everyone was prepared for when it got colder later.

Kelli brought out the food, looking stunning in her flowing top, she wore a tiara of flowers on her head, she looked every bit a hippy princess.

I expected a stampede towards the table, but people were more protective of the drinks they had brought with them, and less about the spread laid out before them.

That is one thing I’ve noticed here, when guest bring bottles to a party, they make sure they take home what is left, weird!

I decide to lead by example, I filled my plate with everything I could stack, and also cup brimming with wine.

Slowly people took the hint, but soon it was obvious that we had made far more food than we needed. The most popular was the Mac and cheese which is the best I’ve tasted.

I had made the fatal error of choosing to buy boxes of wine instead of bottles. This was in case some of the guests had forgotten to bring anything or were too tight. It soon became obvious that they would rather die of thirst than to drink from a box. Fortunately there were a couple of guests that were so desperate that they were prepared to drink anything.

We had good music, our tandem bike for people to have pictures taken and a fire pit for later.

I had laced the wood with some mineral spirit making sure that it lit with one match.

Everyone was impressed that one strike produced a five foot flame. I did remember the possibility of instant ignition and jumped back. Therefore my reputation and my eyebrows were left intact.

Everyone had a good time, and I even got someone to give me a quote for reseeding the lawns, what a result.

I was amaze at how many people knew each other, it meant that the conversation were easy, and I didn’t have to get round and introduce everyone to everyone.

There were the hard liners who stayed to the very end, hovering around the glowing embers of the fire, that was around ten, pretty early by most people’s standards, but this is Michigan.

I set about dismantling the sound system, not exactly Glastonbury, but it pumped out some good tunes thanks to Kelli’s wedding playlist.

I’m sure the neighbourhood was rocking to the likes of Chuck Berry and the Beatles.

We did find a jacket that someone left hanging over a chair, now we have the job of finding the owner.

18th September 2020

Plenty of things to do in the back garden to get it ready for our anniversary party.

Kelli was busy in the kitchen, the smells that wafted out of the window was wonderful, it’s such a shame that we have to share any of it with others, but that’s what parties are about.

I managed to dig another border that runs beside the rear of the garage, and past the berm below the kitchen window.

There is nothing to plant yet, but it looks better than it did.

It was a day off from working in the garage, apart from sealing a couple of tops, I felt a little guilty doing very little.

We moved tables and chairs into position, and to test the quality of the beer, I flipped the top and tested it, mmmm, yes it was good, but maybe another just to be sure.

17th September 2020

Kelli had bought a string of lights for our anniversary party, all ninety-six feet of them.

My job was to find a way to arrange them in the back garden.

First task was to unravel them. Somewhere in the world is a person who has the skill to coil them in such a way to make it impossible to straighten it out. It’s just like our hose, the un-tangle-able, un-kinkable these are things that are sent to try my patience.

Eventually I managed to lay the light string out on the grass. I had made some wooden posts to put into the ground to support the lights.

Unfortunately the ground is so sandy I couldn’t get them to stay upright, I had to clamp them to the wooden bench I had made for the large cushions, this worked, as long as someone doesn’t move the bench.

Together we hooked all ninety-six feet of lights around the garden, when we switched them on It lit the garden up like an airport runway, job done, I hope no low flying aircraft will be in the area.

Kelli had a problem with the start time of the party, first it was four in the afternoon, then she changed it to six, then later she changed it again to five, talk about indecision, so really we don’t know when people will turn up.

I won’t mind I will start drinking at four, and be well greased when the other turn up.

16th September 2020

They say there is no single rail trucks in Michigan, the reason is they are all connected together to make a train that’s five miles long.

We know this because Kelli had an appointment at the Secretary of State, and on route we hit the train crossing.

Normally after twenty minutes it will pass, and people go on their merry way, albeit a little older and greyer.

On this occasion it got so far and stopped, which is just a little slower than it usually goes.

Now we were on a time crunch with the clock ticking down we had to take action. It had taken months to get this appointment, forced upon us because, since Dave died nobody could find the title of his truck, and it can’t be sold without it.

Kelli had tried repeatedly to apply for a new one online, but there was some problem with the validity of the information she was trying to input, so the only alternative was to do it in person.

So with this appointment so precious getting to the office on time was imperative.

As every minute passed Kelli was getting more and more impatient, we debated alternative routes, but first we had to get out of the traffic queue we were in.

With the train still not moving, Kelli took control and managed to turn the truck around, thank goodness for wide roads. We managed to drive through the post office car park and on to another road, burning rubber as we went.

You should never get wheel spin in a Toyota Highlander, but some of the kick-downs were the most savage in the vehicle’s long life. Most of the cobwebs had been blown away along with a couple of pints of oil.

In a wild about route we got there a few minutes late, but with most government buildings there are always delays, meaning we were still on time.

Kelli was back in no time with a form that has to given to the new owner, and that was that, months of waiting resulted in a small sheet of paper.

We were back home to continue working on the large green dresser that has become a lot different with black stained top, wood drawer fronts and a splash of orange to startle the senses, lets see what Holland thinks of that.

Tonight was Stein night again, it’s become a regular institution, and I make no excuses for it, we both work hard, and we sold the peachy dresser this morning.

15th September 2020

We dragged the newly finished dresser into the living area to take pictures.

It still needed more coats of finish on the top and fronts, but it was good enough to take the shots.

This was the dresser we found at the side of the road that had a drawer missing.

With its new feet and fresh paint it looked good. The colour was different from what we have done before, but it made a change, and soon after it was posted we had someone on it very soon.

We had to get some sandpaper from Menards, so while we were out we stopped off at Goodwill. Whilst Kelli was rifling though the clothes section, I wandered around the furniture section. There are always odd numbers of chairs on display, one must have been broken by fat uncle Chuck, and three is not worth keeping, so donate!

I saw a dresser tucked away, someone had obviously had a go at stripping the finish off, and got bored with it.

There were a number of people looking at it, and I was pretending not to take any notice, all the while wishing them away from it. The appearance must have put them off as it had no handles and the bad finish. As soon as it was clear I ambled up to it and peeled the price label off. This is a trick I had learned from all my visits to this place. Taking off the price ticket stops others from buying it, or that’s the idea. I rushed to find Kelli buried deep in ladies garments to tell her of my find. I was pleased that I didn’t have to fight anyone for it.

She agreed that we should get it, so off she went to pay.

We drove round to get it loaded into the truck then back to the house to finish more furniture, we had a backlog of things to work on, it could be a good month.

14th September 2020

Larry walked across to remind me about a snow blower that he thought I might be interested in.

Yes in the deep mid winter a snow blower is a must, and I had been seriously thinking about getting one.

I looked into the gloom of his workshop, I saw something that I mistook for road digger. He wheeled it out into the light, this was the snow blower.

He muttered something about the electric start not working, and showed me where to hit it with a hammer to get it working, the demo was not going well. Even that failed to get it working, but at least it had a pull cord start that fired it up, but It still looked a big machine.

I told him I would get back to him in a couple of days once I’d found a place big enough to store it.

The lady called round to collect the new bed side panel for her bed, it turned out pretty good and she was very pleased with it.

We had a few jobs going concurrently, and in between doing them I quickly knocked together a large bench for extra seating for our party, Kelli had three floor cushions that will sit on top. There was certainly no design intent in this piece, just using up old bits of four by two I had lying about.

We also moved the deflated pool and gave it a good clean ready to pack away until next year.

I had a letter from the USCIS arrive, a heart stopping event. It informed me that I hadn’t sent my medical information with my application. That was correct because I didn’t know I had to. The letter explained that I should make an appointment or a medical with a USCIS approved doctor, in other words someone who will charge me the Earth for a few knocks and a cough.

I will be able to bring the results, in a sealed envelope, to my interview.

It shows that I am moving down the long road towards that glimmer of light.

12th September 2020

I have no idea what day of the week it is. Everyday looks and feels the same. There is no smell that tells me “ it’s Sunday”

It must be what dogs feel like everyday, wake up, go outside for a piss, get let back in to eat, then get let out for a shit, get let back in then hang around in case any food falls on the ground, and sleep.

I share the same concept as dogs, but with music, and much better food.

We had a buyer coming to view a tall dresser that we finished a week or so ago and had very little interest in, even when we dropped the price.

We were keen to get it looking good, so I wiped the thick layer of dust from the top, always a good thing to do, nobody likes to see a field on top of their furniture.

Kelli noticed some staining leaching though the painted side panels. Panic stations, as she scuttles around for more primer and a brush.

Within minutes both sides have had a sealing coat and a final cover.

“I hope he doesn’t turn up just yet” I said with trepidation in my voice, “i don’t think I could keep him talking until the paint dries.”

Fortunately everything was fine. He inspected the piece, Kelli went through her spiel about it being a handmade piece, full of character, and it worked, he bought it. He handed her a pile of notes and five dollars in small change, it was like he raided his kids piggy bank.

We loaded it into the back of his flatbed truck. Why do so many Americans have a double cab truck with a flatbed. It’s like they always have to buy furniture, and have to be prepared. Usually the flatbeds are in immaculate condition, as if nothing has ever been placed inside. I believe they are bought so that can occupy space on this planet, because they think they are entitled.

We did work in the garage on two other pieces that we have in progress, including the remaking of the veneered drawer front.

Kelli then announced “ I have a brilliant idea”

This usually means she had a good idea, or there is something I will get stuck with.

I responded with interest, expecting the latter, but no, this time she announced “ Let’s go to eat at New Holland” it was not a question, and I didn’t see it coming, I didn’t even have an excuse lined up, therefore I fell completely for that one.

Of all the tables we could have had, we had to be sited next to a loud talker.

This is my textbook American, someone who likes everyone to hear what he’s got to say, which was mainly bollocks.

We heard everything about his hairstyle, and his obsession with athletics.

It would drone on for most of the time we were there, there was cause for celebration when the party left, certainly for our ears sake.

12th September 2020

It was a sad day, a day when the pool had to be emptied, it was the end of our summer indulgence, and it was like losing a dear friend.

I got the pump out and started the process going. Then it started raining.

For a time the pump had a job of keeping up, there was more coming down than going out.

I finally had to call a halt to the draining as we we due up to Mom’s for a birthday celebration. It was Brenda’s birthday, so all the family gathered to have a slice of cake.

I was not feeling my best, the changes in humidity plays with my head and I wandered around in a fog all day.

The humidity effects everything, from paint drying to adhesive curing.

I had my first veneer failure, probably because I took it out of the clamps too soon.

Damn and blast, I had to remove the veneer with a heat gun and scraper, and start all over again.

I glued up another drawer front, this time I was planning to leave it clamped up all night.

Kelli had a fall tonight as she came to inquire if I wanted a cup of tea. She entered the sunroom, her foot landing on top of a dog chew. Her leg buckled, as she lurched forward, and landed in a heap on the floor, I was thankful she wasn’t carrying my cup of tea at the time, what a waste that would have been. Fortunately she wasn’t hurt other than her pride. I assured her that nobody had seen the incident, and promised her that I would not tell anyone, other than the one person who reads my blog. I have always said that Kelli has very small feet and it’s a wonder she can walk on them at all. I call them “half full size feet”, because compared to mine they are tiny, or maybe mine are large.