SWANKY home office today! Temps in 70s so absolutely perfect. Won't be able to do this during calls due to the construction noise a few hundred yards away but so long as I don't have any, this is perfect. I could get used to it. Need a closer power outlet or extension cord if more than few hrs tho

New deck and awning is done, string lights hung, furniture arranged, and flower pots filled with blooms. Had first dinner here last night and was so nice being outside relaxing. Even dogs enjoyed the expanded lounging space. Now waiting on the fresh seed to sprout so we stop tracking compost around

Happy Friday. Another gorgeous weekend ahead which means all weekend busting ass in the yard. String lights to hang, flowers to plant, mulch to spread, privacy screen to build and stain...busy busy but want our yard done!

Yay for going toe to toe with a #WashingtonState #HOA who thinks top dressing a lawn is ripping it out and putting dirt instead. I should not have to educate such a company on slightly advanced but still basic STATE RECOMMENDED lawn maintenance steps. *cracks knuckles*

Missed this #SCOTUS news yesterday on #MarriageEquality for my fellow #LGBTQIA community. Safe for another cycle at least it seems...

Such a dramatic difference...from plain to WOW! Everyone in the PNW needs outdoor living so we had one added. Looks so much more intentionally built rather than a cheap add on. This was among the more stressful construction jobs I've needed to oversee but turned out amazing!

After May 8, 2026 (Friday) Instagram DMs and group chats will no longer be private from Meta, allowing them to scan all content for safety or Al features. Privacy advocates also note this makes DMs accessible to law enforcement #Meta #Privacy #4thAmendment www.macrumors.com/2026/05/05/p...

Tis HUMP day my friends. On the fast track for the weekend now. Deck and awning in theory will be finally done today. Then we can get all the furniture and decor back where it belongs and can finish the yard. Hope you're all having a positive week, if for nothing else, to spite those who bring hate

Late post with a very early Pic. Was feeling a poor night sleep but thanks to a lunch nap and off work now, refreshed. Expect a tense day tomorrow dealing with owner of deck company on some shoddy work and a near month delay due to poor comms. Don't mess with the #ITSMbitch lol

Happy Monday! Best sleep in ages last night which was amazing. All because of slinging 20 bags of mulch by hand then spreading. Looks good but need another 15 or so to finish the back yard. Wife got all our flowers in the ground and I have all sprinklers fixed & adjusted. #LaborOfLove #PNW

My gawd I'm wiped. 14 bags of mulch carried individually & spread, sprinklers all fixed, and flowers in the ground. Have 6 bags of mulch in the car but am wiped. Need at least 20 more for the back and easily 15 for front. Doing takeout tonight, no energy to even make a sandwich...

Another lunch break, another loud racket keeping me from my siesta! Deck crew here fixing the build error and cutting cement. Dogs calm but hell if it gives me relaxation! Will be hammering and banging all day...sigh

Landscapers did an amazing job. Scalped the grass, dethatched, aeration, top dressed with 3-1 soil, seeded, fertilizer, and fixed some slipping pavers (without being asked). Dogs gonna be messy for a minute but will look amazing when it comes up. Most meticulous crew I've seen! #HispanicOwned

Fortunately a quiet meeting day since we have landscaper doing spring freshening on the lawn. Dethatch, aeration, seeding, and some minor leveling. Unfortunately, they're here at my lunch siesta time meaning no shut eye. These guys are amazing tho, fixing something without even asking!

Happy Tuesday. All dressed but nowhere to go other than work. Summer temps coming for the weekend and looking forward to another weekend in the yard. Need to get the new garden finished so we can get things in the dirt. Plus my developing tan won't darken unless I do! #priorities

My gawd this old body is out of shape. Hurt from neck to ankle. Made incredible progress this weekend but still so much to do. Can't believe such a small yard needs so much work. But when done, it's gonna rock!

Is there anything quite so cute as white spaghetti strap lines across sunburnt shoulders? 2 straight weekends in the yard and no end in sight yet. Looking forward to a nice tan this year!

Left is before, then mid-rebuild. No more ugly plastic box. Building a raised pollinator garden, complete with a solar fountain. Forgot how shoulder and back heavy a tiller was to operate, gonna be sore all week. Have a few dwarf lilacs and so many others ready to plant.

Squinty Sunday enjoying the spring sun on the deck. Just spent WAY too much at Lowes, Costco and grocery store...but needed spring supplies. Debating some minor staining brush work to clean up edges behind me but frankly tired and sore so may just enjoy a lazy afternoon as we should.

Happy weekend! Ready for a busy day. On deck is a county garden show then home to restart the fence staining. Only got about 25% last weekend and seems 2 coats is needed, so really little progress overall. Hanging new bird feeders and a birdhouse for our flock. What are you all up to?

Woody Guthrie wrote "All You Fascists Bound to Lose" in 1944. He was right then. Bette Midler is making sure we remember it now. Midler just dropped a full music video remake of Guthrie's classic anti-fascist anthem, and it hits different in 2026.

Thr construction co developing a new subdivision next to us learned today that I'm paid to be a bitch and get things done. Used kid gloves for the last month. Today they came off and verbal brass knuckles came out. Do NOT eff with the safety of my neighbors and our children.

Happy Friday. Bonus pic of a pair of turtle doves chilling under the feeder. Birds had full run of the yard since grass was sprayed and dogs had to stay off it. We have busy yard weekend again. More fence work, hitting up a garden show with my sister, and maybe trying to start working this garden

Happy Thursday. Busy day with landscaper coming to spray and fertilize and lots of morning meetings. Attended my 1st HOA virtual meeting last night and even spoke on a few topics. Rare I put myself out to speak in public, really hate my voice. But was more important than my discomfort.

#CVS is a hell of a racket! We were paying $125/mo for name brand Synthroid, generic never worked. We used a network non CVS due to #Vancouver only having 2 B&M stores. Despite a history of missing scripts, shifted to mail order. We are now paying $4 dollars for a 90 day supply. FOUR!! WTAF CVS...

Happy Tuesday. How's all my friends here doing today? Cool wet day on the menu next few days then back to spring in time for round 2 with the fence. Planning as much rest as possible until then since I know it'll be a long process but looking forward to the refreshed look!

Happy Monday. Feel pretty shattered with aches from neck down. 2 days of fence staining has me quite fatigued but accomplished. Have so much more to do but the body needs some recovery first. Go see primary today for my ER follow-up. Have recovered from it but one test was concerning so being safe

Forgot how much work it is to stain a fence with a roller. Moreso when it's not been touched since installed and is thirsty as hell. Will need at least 2 more gallons for just a single coat. Hoping wife accepts a single instead of double, I'm shattered. But the black trim POPS! Far right untouched

Happy Saturday friends. Beautiful day on deck as we sit ON the deck waiting to take the pups to their grooming. Issues with the deck tho as it failed inspection. Waiting to see what the builder does to make it right

Parked next to me at my electrolysis appointment. Gotta love the #PNW lol

Kids, head injuries are no joke. LISTEN to your loved ones and especially, your body. Passed out Sunday and got smacked by a toilet. All scans are clear but FML my brain ain't braining and feel drunk. When the body says rest, listen to it. Work can wait. Chores can wait. Life cannot!

Spent 7hr at ER today for reasons I have no room to explain. All while the final touches were put on the deck and inspected without me home. Dogs did good but sister had to come midday and let them out. Sooo happy to have family here to help and they adore her to pieces ❤️ Awning in ~3wk...

Best Sunday breakfast ever. Absolutely amazing eggs Benedict, & Carmel apple crepes with bourbon vanilla mascarpone. Naturally had to grab a few bakery treats for later!

So cool to have total random encounters with strangers who recognize you from LGBTQ social media groups. Not sure I'll ever get used to how open and friendly the #PNW is ❤️❤️

Happy Saturday! Rainy morning but a nice filtered sun now. Had to bathe the pups now their GI issues have passed and frankly STUNK! Happy to see them back to their normal selves again

Enjoying our new deck, this pretty redwing #blackbird came to visit after construction stopped. It's only about 6' off the deck and wasn't afraid in the slightest. Even our pups who loves chasing wildlife sat calmly and watched. Looking forward to more of the #PNW #BirdsOfBsky visiting this season

Before and partially after. Deck skirting goes on Monday. Also installing an awning, but delayed a few weeks for that. Barefoot and dog friendly, perfect for #PNW seasons!

Nothing like finding construction mistakes from a company supposedly the best of the best. I'm in IT and wife in banking but even we immediately found the issues. Her on one mistake and me with another. Fortunately fixable but adds to delay.

Happy Friday. Spent the day listening to the sounds of construction plus demolition of a cement step. It was a beefy step and they had to use a cutter, drill, and jackhammer just for the one step. Back this morning to try to finish it today. I have a feeling it'll be Monday tho before done.

Happy Thursday. Big day with the start of our deck, big presentation to a vendor, and continued recovery for our pups. Their tests FINALLY came back with massively elevated C.P. Alpha Toxin. One was on meds but this one only got last night so beginning her recovery. Has NOT been a good fortnight

Our resident red wing #blackbird having a morning snack. It's dominating the feeder and dogs actually not chasing it much. Has a pretty whistle that is not annoying lol #BirdsOfBsky #PNW #VancouverWA

Overwhelming week. Our furbaby has been sick for 2 wk and explosive 💩 this wk. $2k in vets, half usual sleep, calling out of work. She slept all night for 1st time this week and zero gushers so all the meds are finally working. Now I get to catch up on all the house chores and prep for deck install

Happy weary Thursday. Horrible week of sleep due to our white pup having some significant gastric issues for 2 weeks. Making 3rd trip to her vet shortly. Took day off to deal with her health issues and hoping we can find anything she will eat atm. Her little sis giving her lots of space tho

The Supreme Court's only opinion is Chiles v. Salazar. By an 8–1 vote, the court holds that Colorado's ban on LGBTQ "conversion therapy" for minors is viewpoint discrimination and therefore triggers strict scrutiny under the First Amendment. Jackson dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p...

On #TDOV, I'm visible through my int'l job in a very visible role. I came out while on this job and was embraced and supported by everyone. Now in WA where I can fly our flag with pride and be visible in my community without fear.

Dusted off the progress flag for the next week out of respect to #TDOV on Tuesday. Right by my office so get to see it waving in the PNW breeze

Hate my hair straight but too tired to fuss. Has been a LONG month working 7 days a week at nearly 12hr each prepping a project. This weekend I'm refusing to open the laptop for any work and enjoying my wife and life. Very exhausted so can tell it caught up with me..

Really grinds my gears when someone does something that screws up the part of an application I'm directly accountable for then logs out for the day

Despite the home pic, at the dentist as the DD for my sister who apparently needed to be high as a kite for a crown fix. She was kinda funny on the drive here, ought to be even better on the ride back lol.