The new look
Sunday I began raking and sweeping outside and unearthed a patio that had been long forgotten and overgrown with grass and weeds. I woke up and went outside first thing to water the new plantings, as usual. Almost each day I prune something and stick it in the ground to grow, or move a plant or shrub from here to there, so there are always new plantings to water in. As I let the hose run on the patch of night-blooming jasmine, I began raking the leaves and gravel from the walk outside the sliding glass door to the master suite. That was when I saw and remembered my good pal Doug Cobb had put a patio down for me in 1997. I was ready to begin using the patio again and so I swept it down and hosed it off to clean it. The water settled in several places and I knew I had to raise it up another 4+” if I wanted the concrete blocks to stay dry and the water to drain properly. I decided that would be my project for the day. As it turned out, it only took me an amazingly short 3 hours.
The first thing I did was drink a vitamin and mineral packed Spirutein vanilla protein powder smoothie with grape juice so I’d have fuel for the job. Then I set up the big boombox — remember those? It’s the size of a picnic cooler! I knew my back neighbor was at the races and my front neighbor had his windows shut and a/c on, so I turned on some good Sunday morning tunes to work by. I dressed in my heavy jeans, my work boots and a few layers of shirts. It was about 65 degrees and I knew I’d warm up as I worked. I found my heavy gloves, shook them out to make sure no spiders or other critters I am blessed to share this space with, and grabbed my shovel, prybar, pruners and 3 bottles of water. I knew I’d feel tired when I got dehydrated, and I wanted to make sure I stayed fueled to finish the project in one day. I know how I am.
First I took a pic and then I shoveled all the dirt and leaves and gravel to one side. I found 6 more stones I’d not remembered, fully hidden by a blanket of roots. I cut the roots and moved the gravel around. A few years ago I cleaned 24″ wide all around the house and poured a few inches of white stone and gravel to help drainage. That’s where the gravel on the patio was coming from. The patio blocks came up easily and it only took me 45 minutes to set them all to one side. I took another pic and drank a bottle of water.
Next I raked dirt and gravel back into the space, filling it about 4 inches. I leveled it off and placed the blocks back on, making sure each was balanced before moving on to the next. I was surprised how quickly the job went. Each 12 x 12 concrete block weighed about 40 pounds so I was able to see that my working out in the gym was paying off. They didn’t feel that heavy carrying one in each hand. I took a pic and drank a bottle of water.
Then I raked a bunch of dirt and gravel along the top of the blocks to fill the crevices in between them. I hosed it off to see how level it was and made sure it drained completely. I cleaned the heavy white pvc chaise lounge and placed it back in position. I took a stroll around the yard to see what tall young plants I might move over as decor. I saw a lone turk’s cap that was a little too close to the fence, so up she came and got transplanted near the new area. I moved a black iron round table and chair into the space, and placed several spider plants and a potted caladium on the table, as well as a figurine of two cherubs.
I took another pic. In the pic I could see a lattice frame and sheet of waferboard that could be moved to the shed, and that the trim needed painting. I was on a roll, so I grabbed the paint and the brush and painted it. If I was really industrious, when the sun comes out I’ll spray paint the burglar bars black. Yes, I have burglar bars on all my windows and doors. I moved up from Miami and just thought that’s what you did LOL. The bars come in handy during the months I can leave windows and doors open to the beautiful weather and not worry about anyone wandering in an open door. They are also handy during hurricane season as I can fasten protective shutters right under them.
The best part of the project was that I didn’t feel worn out at the end of the job and wasn’t sore the next morning. I’ve been working out and strength training since Thanksgiving and this is when I can tell it’s paying off.
I also had a realization that I have as much energy as I need to do as much as I want to do. If I can make myself want it, I’ll find I have the energy for it. I’ve been a little low energy lately because I’ve let my sleep get off schedule and I’ve been working on that. When it first began a few months ago, I’d wake up feeling tired, then would rush to get my work done so I could nap it away. Except I wasn’t napping it away, I was not restored by sleep because I still wasn’t getting enough of it. I’d start rearranging my schedule so I wouldn’t tire out in the middle of anything, and basically pampering myself physically. Oh, I eat all the right things, my blood work and vitals are good, I knew it was sleep insufficiency.
The realization came each time some relatively physical project appeared and suddenly I could be out hauling lumber and laying bricks all day and be no more tired at the end of a physically active day than at the end of a resting day. Hmmmm. That told me it was all about my perception. That was how I dispelled my myth that I need to rest up instead of be more physically active.
Bear in mind, I’m talking about ME now, if you also feel tired and are not restored by sleep, do not exert yourself if doing so tires you out even more. If simple exertion tires you, go to a local lab and ask for a blood test to make sure your levels are balanced. If not, take a supplement. First trying removing all processed food from your diet (anything with a label) and eat fruits, meats and vegetables only for 30 days. That will clear up many of your ills.