I started this week with working on the flooring prep in the kitchen. There’s a method to my madness, I promise. The floor needs to be in for the rest to happen. I had an idea and I didn’t know if it was possible, but it was worth a try. I asked a friend how much he’d charge to cut a piece of wood for me to be able to get my floor level. I have no place currently to do things like this safely because my kitchen is in the rest of my condo, so I was feeling really stuck.

It’s a new month, so there is a new music oracle and I don’t think I could’ve gotten a more perfect one for Pride Month:

I’ve been listening to Björk since the 90s. Her voice, aesthetic, talent, and perspective are all so wonderfully refreshing. They’re just amazing and have an otherworldly quality.

The first renovation related task this week was to make a pattern for the piece of wood. I did this in thick blue paper that I happened to have on hand. Sometimes the skills one needs for renovating are actually resourcefulness and adaptability rather than specific tool knowledge. It would’ve been too hard to put the wood down to try to mark it in this case with the wall part.

Next, I hoped the wood I got for this would fit the notchy bits. And it turned out that I needed both pieces. I hoped that would be OK with my friend. I decided it would be best to bring both and the template and work with him on the execution, so I didn’t do anything to make it harder for him to help me out.

There was a happy find in my hall closet. I had both grouts I needed already. The flooring one is a premixed that I never opened. I also have the sealer for it. I need a grout sponge. I also read that I could use grout over the mastic to fill the gaps and even everything out. Another happy thing because I was stuck on that. A friend had suggested resin, but I read that the chemicals don’t play well together. I’ll be cleaning and priming the old flooring first, of course.

Tuesday was a tough day in all areas of life. I’m not going to go into it, but suffice it to say that I’m glad it is over.

Wednesday was tough because I didn’t sleep well Tuesday night due to a rumination spiral I couldn’t get out of that was related to the events of the day. Some people think there is only one way to be in this world and can’t stand when others have a healthy relationship with themselves. I know I’m being vague. Maybe someday I’ll fully explore this in a post on my Ko-Fi. I want to keep this blog about my writing journey and general life stuff that pops up rather than essays.

Thursday at choir was also partly frustrating, but I’m looking forward to our performance later this month.

Friday’s softball was cancelled due to the air quality.

My friend helped me cut my wood on Saturday and didn’t charge me for it before I went to the weekend’s Pride softball tournament. The air was better by then and I enjoyed spectating instead of playing. It was nice to just relax. It was a beautiful day for it.

On Sunday, I fitted the pieces of wood using a dollar store hammer because I had no idea where my regular one had migrated to. It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to find it. The cheap one did what I needed it to do.

Then I got stuck on another area because I couldn’t find my small Robertson screwdriver or any of the other options. I need to get as much painting done as possible before I prime the floor and put the flooring in. I can’t do that if I don’t fix the area that will eventually have a spice rack. This is what renovation is like no matter how much planning because there is always something that wasn’t planned for.

The evening was spent back at the Pride softball tournament with friends. Cappy dropped by and borrowed our league mom’s chair.

Catherine McKenney* was also there supporting the community. Kellylee Evans sang the national anthem for the gold medal game.

All in all, it was a great weekend where I moved forward on my renovation and got in some quality relaxing and socializing. It felt like a kick-off to summer.

*Edited to correct the name.