Weekend of Paint, More Paint, Independence, and Paint

Going back to work on Tuesday was actually more relaxing than my weekend. Not that that's a bad thing. But I think we're taking next weekend off, just so you know.

Painting-wise, we are over the terrifying hump that was our living room. Above is our before, and the after photo will be under the cut. Needless to say, it looks freaking awesome now and having six people help us paint turned a daunting task into a manageable one. I love you guys. <3

But first, there was Saturday, which was mostly full of D&D, but also of deliciousness. malanai is putting together an Etsy page for her baking and Lady and I went over to provide photographic assistance. In exchange for brownies/cookies/cupcakes, of course. And, omg, sugar. But also: omg, most amazing brownies ever. And I am speaking from my extensive knowledge of brownies, both in baking them myself (cayenne brownies, anyone?) and eating them. Freaking. Awesome.

Then painting Sunday, then rock climbing, since I had promised the_verb that I would go with her that evening if she helped us paint. And lo, she helped. And lo, we went rock climbing. And it was really terrifying at first, because apparently I have more of a fear of heights than I thought I did, and then it was manageable, and then it was fun, and then it was really cool. Lady and I both left saying we would be back, and I think we're both seriously considering investing in climbing equipment and making this a habit. We'll see. I want to get through our other course first and make sure that stays a habit. My legs have finally stopped hurting, just in time for our next session tonight. Huzzah.

Then there was Monday and going with malanai and her beau to Lake Patagonia, which is a handful of miles north of Mexico. And beautiful. First we walked around a bit, sweating profusely in the heat and humidity, and then we got on a paddleboat and headed out into the lake. Alas, as we were just rounding a bend, the clouds that had only seemed a mite dark when we left decided to loom ominously and rattle thunder at us. So we hightailed it back to land just before the sky blackened and released a deluge of monsoon proportions. None of us really wanted to go back out onto the lake after that, but at least the storm dropped the temp a good twenty degrees.

We lazed for a bit longer around the lake and I fell in love with the breeze and the water and the cool, delicious air. If I closed my eyes, it was almost just like standing at the Bay. Gorgeous. Lady had to drag me away. :(

But that wasn't even the most exciting bit of the day. On our way home, we caught up with the monsoon. Except now it had grown from a firm young storm into an epic, angry midlife crisis tropical storm which limited visibility. We pulled off the highway and headed down a road towards promised coffee and sanctuary, but it got so bad we couldn't even see the yellow lines in the road. So we pulled off completely and opted to wait it out on the side of the road, except then that area began to flood. Faced with floating away, we headed back onto the road and somehow survived. Since the coffee place was closed, we sheltered in a nearby fastfood restaurant instead. Eventually the storm quieted down and the parking lot stopped resembling a lake and we made it home safe.

( Go beyond the cut for pics (or it didn't happen) )