2003-03-29 - 1:29 a.m.

Weekend

"No one is so generous as he who has nothing to give."

-French Proverb

I sit with screws in one hand and directions in the other. I try to focus on the small piece of paper with all the numbers and words but it sort of fades and blurs. I grumble just as my tired husband comes into the door. Need help he says. I know he is hoping I say no, he just came from putting up more fence in our field he�s been out all morning. I recently purchased a barbecue and I really thought all I had to do was unfold it from the box and walla! Of course it�s not that easy and dinner will be really late if I don�t get the coals going soon. I swallow my pride and say Yes please, while my daughter sits and helps him out I run and do the potato salad.

It actually started out as a grand day. The sun was trying to peak out. Husband I got a little frisky this morning and I decided to make a huge breakfast. We had ham steak, papa�s which I guess in English is hash browns sort of just more greasy, toast and juice and tons of fruit, banana�s apples, oranges. Son was in heaven he loves breakfast. Daughter helped me a lot preparing and setting the table. I called my dad to ask him over for breakfast cause he usually gets up early and mom don�t make breakfast like she used too, she also had my sister and her granddaughter over, and I didn�t want to invite everyone. They usually sleep late anyways.

We sat and prayed about world events and our lifes and had coffee and just chatted and eat. The sun started to shine and I made some hot apple cider from my mother in laws recipe. Easy enough to do, just buy plain apple cider from store, put in pan and warm with slices of oranges and squeeze of lemon juice, cinnamon stick, and cloves. I sit it on the warmer that way anytime we want some we can get it. It may be a bit sunny but it sure is cold outside.

After cleaning up a bit Tom goes outside to clear up the fallen tree limbs to put fence in. I got ready to hit the flea market that my mom and I go to each weekend. Its small but the people always get stuff from estates sales so they have some great bargains sometimes. I call my mother on the phone and she says that dad wont take her to the grocery store cause he was busy outside so I take her to the grocery store, and we stop at the dollar store too. I visit with my mother and father a bit admiring my fathers painting job on the house and we head home. Of course the kids are with me and Tommy is good and bad. Daughter is always good. Except as typical 10yr she wants me to buy this and that for her.

After the barbeque pit is put together I then try to start it. I put the fluid in and try to light it. It lights then goes out. I try to keep it going but it doesn�t stay lit. I close the lid. After the second time I realize duh it needs oxygen. You see I�ve only barbequed once before so I had no idea besides on what I see on tv and what I read.

Finally I put some oak and hickory branches in a teepee style on top of the coals (yes we have tons of those tree�s around) and it finally starts. Thank goodness for girl scouts! Dinner was great. Ribs and bratwurst, I even managed to make potato salad ok, according to my husband or actually he�s words were �Not bad�. He is the one that usually makes it cause its awesome tasting. After washing dishes, and washing over 13 dozen eggs I take shower and I am on the computer now. Just a typical weekend.

typical night - typical Sunday?