Solitude

I sent SysGuy and the Things to northern CA to visit VolunteerLady and HappyGuy for the Labor Day weekend. I stayed home ALONE, in our house, for the second time ever. Last year I got to stay home, but the power went out and it was 100°, so I spent the weekend floating in the pool. Not a productive time period, so I've decided it doesn't count.

I basically holed up for the weekend and got stuff done; organized for the upcoming school year (Thursday!!!). Threw out the craptastic toys acquired at "science" camp. Made new valances for several windows in the house (fabric has been lying around for ages for this opportunity). Went through a couple years of school papers and decided what is worth keeping, tossed the rest. Assessed the Things clothing situation for the Fall. Cleaned like a fiend. Also, watched chick flicks that SysGuy would hate. Thing 2 asked what a chick flick was. I said it was a movie where women sit around talking about kissing boys, or actually kiss boys. "Oh. That sounds boooooorrrring." See why I need some alone time? I'm inundated with anime and Jackie Chan.

I topped off the weekend by doing another thing I have never, ever done since we moved into this house in 2000. I mowed. the. lawn. All 1000sf of it. It seems, at some point, SysGuy acquired a self-propelled lawn mower. Interesting. I have to admit that getting married in 1995 was the demise of lawn mowing as one of my chores (thank you darling SysGuy, our yard was much larger and bumpier then). In my defense, I did take on the totality of grocery shopping since we wed. Just sayin'.

Anyway, our neighbors, who practically never see an actual homeowner mowing the lawn (shudder), were treated to the sight of my chubby self laughing her head off while being drug across the driveway by this strangely sentient lawnmower. Seriously, I should have read the instructions before I started it. Who knew mower technology had got to this point? Also, the labeling on the dead man switch (and, separately, what turned out to be the drive control) could be a little more clear. "Blade control" does not mean "dead man." Well, at least not to me. I guess they're averse to the word "dead?"

I got it done, though I did spend 5 minutes trying to start the damn thing with the "blade control" inactive, since it seemed like the blade would be unnecessary to the engine. Heck I don't know, I figure if the thing can drive itself, its just as likely that nowadays the blade spin can be separated from the engine turning, too. Turns out, not.

Total mowing time: 10 minutes. Total dicking around time: 10 minutes.

Kempt yard: priceless.