DAVE GAROFALO -- Mayor’s column

My typical weekend includes a Friday evening fund-raiser dinner. On

Saturday afternoon, there is always a civic event. Occasionally, there is

a Saturday night “chicken” dinner somewhere for another cause or two.

Usually on Sunday, either I go to an Eagle Court, library or other city

event. But not this past weekend.

I threw caution to the wind. I stayed home. Better than that.

Friday didn’t end very early. About 8 p.m., we opened a bottle of red

wine, then we did two loads of laundry and folded them. Then it was time

for grocer.com.

That’s an hour even if you think you know what you want.

Saturday, I did some business in the late morning. Just some political

stuff that us politicos thrive on. Saturday afternoon was all driven, of

course, by the fact that grocer.com was due between 3:30 and 5 p.m.

One knows you can’t be late for that date.

I snuck-in a quick visit to a friend’s house to bring some chocolate

over, then the rush back. Yup, it was 3:33 p.m. and grocer.com was

waiting outside the house. They arrived 15 minutes early on top of being

convenient, friendly and reasonable.

Then, I took an hour to put the groceries away. That was the easy

part. Looking at the bags, then the fridge -- but of course, we had to

clean the refrigerator out first so we could fit what the grocer on

wheels brought.

Opened a bottle of red wine, made the beds, cleaned the kitchen and

washed the dog.

On Saturday evening, made a great new Thai dish, enjoyed the meal and

was asleep by 9 p.m.

Sunday. First, had to take care of Mom with the broken ankle. Then,

off to church.

Then, help Mom get to the backyard. She watched, read and did

crossword puzzles. We attacked the yard.

First, the big hedge trimmers -- lots of perspiration, very little

inspiration. Chop, chop, chop. I was bleeding from at least five fingers

over two hands after the rose bushes had their revenge on me.

Then the bagging, the sweeping.

Finally at 5 p.m., we went to Duke’s for a tropical refreshment and

some nachos. Watched the sunset. Talked to some friends, bounced some new

ideas over the dilemma of the soon-to-be nude juice bar in town and drove

home.

All in all, considering all the beds were changed, bushes clipped, dog

washed, four loads of laundry done, fridge cleaned out and grocer.com

arrived on time -- not a bad weekend.

Did not get the car washed or get to see my daughter, but all in all,

I would highly recommend nesting to those of you who are on the go. It’s

a good feeling once I realized what I was missing.

How about you? Whether you’re mayor or mom, doctor or dad, this was a

good thing.

Happy nesting to you and yours!

* DAVE GAROFALO is mayor of Huntington Beach.