For the first time in ages, we had a weekend with no plans. Soccer season is over. I didn't have to prepare a meal for twenty. We didn't have any deadlines. We talked about checking out a barbecue festival in Manhattan, but we didn't feel like dealing with the crowds for the Puerto Rican day parade, so we stayed home.
We puttered. We mapped out plans for making a small pea gravel patio in the backyard. We made a pot of chili for a World Cup party. I read obscure sections of the New York Times. I stared at the Crate and Barrel catalog and tried to form an opinion about sectionals. We showed up to church twenty minutes late.
I did a lot of pacing, because I felt that I should be doing something. Too much restless energy. I need to break down my big goals for the year into smaller steps. In the meantime, I'm going to blog. Blogging makes me feel productive.
Apt. 11d 
I’m going to beg you now to talk to me more about the pea gravel patio! Details on your plans/dreams, please! Via email, if you prefer!
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When people do the whole what’s the best advice your parents ever gave you, I always quote my mom “Don’t buy a sectional, it’ll be hard to arrange a room around.”
After having bought a sectional, I know she was wise beyond her decorating pedigree.
I also know that though it’s awkward to rearrange a room with a sectional, it’s comfy as hell for a family to lounge on.
By the way, Mom’s always disgruntled that’s the only thing I quote from her.
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We’ve already started putting in the patio, Jackie. It’s super easy and cheap.
Map out the space that you’ll need by setting up the table and imagine leaning back in your chair with a wine glass. Then go to Lowe’s and buy black sheets of plastic to keep back the weeds, a rubber edging material ($20 for 40 feet) and bags of pea gravel ($3.60 per bag). All the materials cost about $150. We’re digging down about 5 inches and leveling the soil right now. Next steps are edging, black plastic, and then pea gravel. Easy.
I’m taking pictures and I’ll blog it.
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