I was skeptical about attempting a project of this magnitude, and now I know why. It’s hard to cook and paint your kitchen at the same time. The paint keeps dripping into your food, and the food keeps splattering into the wet paint. It’s not the smooth operation you would expect.
The result is that I haven’t cooked in two weeks. I thought I’d grill, but not in this heat. Screw that. Instead, hot dogs and fish sticks have made multiple appearances. There was a trip to Friendly’s, pizza delivery, mediocre Chinese take-out (seemingly the only kind of Chinese take-out in these parts), and dinner at the snack bar at the local Little League field. I can just feel all the carbon in my body becoming corn-ified.
In order to get a decent meal, one of our most recent strategies has been to show up at other people’s dinner tables practically unannounced (Hi BFF!). And following the scent of neighborhood barbecues, wherever they may lead (Hi Neighbors!). Another saving grace has been our CSA produce. Luckily, the sink is in the already-painted part of the kitchen, so making a salad isn’t hard. Making a radish sandwich isn’t hard. And adding raw julienned bok choy to your mediocre Chinese shredded pork in bean sauce isn’t hard, either.
But I need to get back to cooking and soon. So I’m painting that ceiling in the 100°F heat tomorrow even if it kills me.
You're actually painting now? Damn! I better get moving!
Posted by: Ann | June 09, 2008 at 07:18 AM
I enjoyed taking down the ceiling fan and light fixture in the searing heat. Next time I'm leaving the fridge open to help with the air conditioning!
Posted by: Husband | June 09, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Makes me want to whip out the dropcloths and don my coveralls, just so I have an excuse to make sandwiches out of, um, radishes.
Posted by: Barry Foy | June 09, 2008 at 10:22 AM
S and I were so happy you and the preschooler (darling!) could make it...although you left too soon! You missed out on all the 4 year old INSANITY. fun times. hope to see you soon.
Posted by: happy neighbor | June 09, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Happy Neighbor: Boy, did I wander into the right yard. That steak was awesome! Thanks for having us.
Barry: Are you being sarcastic?
Husband: Thanks for taking the fan down. It's really hard to get the roller in between the blades fast enough.
Ann: You were counting on never having to lift a brush in this race, weren't you?
Posted by: Tammy | June 10, 2008 at 04:33 PM
I'm probably too late with this advice, but I would suggest against painting anything in high heat and humidity. I speak from experience. The first room my wife and I ever painted (and by my wife and I, I mean, my wife), pocked and cracked and bubbled because it was too hot and sticky out to dry properly. At the very least, blast your AC.
Posted by: Fish Sauce Hater | June 12, 2008 at 12:47 AM