Lessons...

Learning something new every day is a good thing. Learning a lesson is another matter entirely.

This morning we began the wretched task of staining the deck. For awhile it wasn't too bad as the Birch trees block the sun for most of the morning. Unfortunately, the Earth moves...and not in a good way. By lunch time I was pretty much drenched in sweat--my least favorite thing to be drenched in, with the temperature climbing toward 102*.

Alan started at the bottom and I took the top; we had the expectation of meeting somewhere in the middle. HA. The wood soaked up the stain like a dying man finding a desert oasis, and I suddenly realized just how many curves and angles and bends there are in this front deck. By noon it was obvious--at least to me--that we were not going to finish the first coat in a day. I bailed, had lunch and took a shower. Chris and Miguel left before 2:00pm. Alan kept working until 2:30 when it was time to take Oz to the park.

Die Hard...or Lunatic, take your pick...

Lesson One: Don't work outdoors when the temperature is hot enough to boil your brain juices.

Few photos of the mostly stained deck.

This picture shows the handrails stained, but not the steps. Such a contrast.

As I was merrily (*snort*) staining, I noticed that the wood putty was not taking the stain. It said on the bloody container the putty could be painted, stained, etc. I kept dabbing on more and more stain, to no avail. We now have a damned deck with a bad, bad case of measles. Shoot me now.

To add insult to injury. Chris and Miguel were leaving for lunch. Miguel says the deck is looking really good. I say I'm very unhappy about the dots from the wood putty. He says that's why he never uses the stuff; it doesn't take the stain. I say it tells you on the can that it does..!! He laughs as he drives away with Chris.

Lesson Two: Spare yourself endless work, wasted effort and serious aggravation. Never, ever fill nail or screw holes on your deck with wood putty, no matter what the flaming container says.

It doesn't seem like the guys got much done today, though they really did. The smaller part of the deck (from the back door) is now done, and tomorrow they will begin laying the actual decking. It's amazing how hard these two guys work, and that even with their speed, they're doing a great job.

Lesson Three: Be thankful that there is still a viable work ethic in America, regardless of what you read or hear from the media. And be doubly thankful you found two truly hardworking guys.