Breezy

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Easy breezy Saturday... if you don't count the five hours of brick laying in the morning.

I was determined to get the patio finished, selecting, carrying, and laying brick after brick until my legs refused to cooperate and I found myself sitting on the ground to place the last few. By that point, every muscle in my body was questioning my life choices.

Tim was right there beside me the entire time. While he may not possess my artistic flair for arranging the bricks, he more than made up for it with muscle power. He hauled brick after brick, filled in sand where needed, and worked alongside me all morning with minimal complaints. He's a big fan of saving work for another day, while I'm a "If a job is once begun, do not stop until its done" kinda gal. 

After laying the final brick, we sat back for all of two seconds to admire our hard work when Tim's phone buzzed. His daughter was inviting us to join her at the Ocean Mist. We looked at each other, covered in dirt, dust, sweat, and exhaustion, and somehow managed to shift gears instantly. Before long, we were showered, presentable, and heading toward the beach.

We actually arrived before she did, which worked out perfectly since we'd been so focused on the patio project that neither of us had stopped to eat. We grabbed a great table on the deck, ordered food immediately, and settled in to enjoy the view. The breeze coming off the ocean felt incredible. Even with temperatures pushing 90 degrees inland, the cool wind off the water had us reaching for our jackets. Sunshine, ocean air, and a full stomach after a morning of hard labor? Pretty close to perfection. 

Bridie eventually arrived with a whole crew in tow, and it was obvious their day had involved considerably more fun and considerably less manual labor than ours. The group preferred to sit inside, which always leaves me scratching my head. Given the choice between sunshine, salty ocean breezes, and a spectacular waterfront view or a dark, dingy indoor bar stool,  I'll choose outside every single time. Still, we joined them and traded our prime deck seats for good company.

Having gone out on Friday night, the entire day felt like a Sunday to me. I kept having to remind myself that it was only Saturday and that I still had another full day of freedom ahead. That realization alone felt like a gift.

By afternoon, the morning's hard work could almost have become a distant memory if it weren't for my legs and rear end reminding me with every movement that I may have pushed myself to my limit. Something tells me my body will continue filing complaints for several days to come. Thankfully, the project is nearly finished. Tim just has to sweep in the polymeric sand to set the bricks, and then we can officially christen the new patio.

And who knows? Once the work is finally done, we may even get a day or two of actual relaxation.

Imagine that.

"The best view comes after the hardest climb." ~ Unknown