The long weekend* was to be spent on masonry. Rob took Friday off and planned to go into the city to pick up the rock and cornerstones, and he, MidKid and I were going to tackle yet another muscle building home improvement project.

Alas, the rock was not ready. It seems our order quite overwhelmed the little business we’d ordered from and since he didn’t want to use a day off when there are other things it is needed for**, Rob thought he would go into work.

A late night of relationship building followed by over-sleeping, among other things, changed his mind about taking the day. He and I spent time prepping for the new porch and deck. For me this meant staining lumber all afternoon Friday and all morning and afternoon Saturday.

Me staining lumber.

Rob works his job during the week and nearly every night and most weekends, he works on the house or the yard. He has done this all summer long. Even when we were at parents’ house in Iowa.

Spending just a day and a half working outside on reno has made clearer to me just what kind of an amazing man I am married to and just how hard he works. His old Chinese doctor who nags him endlessly about getting more exercise really needs to spend even a half day keeping up with him.

I don’t know how I could do this and keep my good humor.

He is amazing.

My Guy

*Monday is Heritage Day, which is August’s contribution to the long weekend holiday a month club here in Alberta.

**Wednesday is our landing interview with Canada Immigration.