Is it just me, or does it feel like we take on a whole new job to get our homes ready for different seasons? Maybe it’s not as bad in other parts of the country where the difference between summer weather and winter weather isn’t so great. But here in the Adirondack region of upstate New York, we undergo major hibernating rituals in the fall to store all the outdoor furniture and accessories, and then there’s even more work to do in the spring to drag it all back out again and prep the house for those few warms months we are given each year.

Part of the problem, I’m sure, is that we are blessed with too much stuff. The swimming pool, for example, is a wonderful treat to have in the backyard. But the amount of prep work required to open it and close it each year is always a little staggering. And since my husband likes to do everything himself (read: he and I), that means there is no pool company to come out and tend to the chore. Instead we yell at each other while we drag various tarps around the yard and chase away frogs.

Still, the pool work isn’t nearly as bad as the painting. I love the look of a wood home, but wow, the upkeep of paint is frustrating. I have the painting chores on a rotating cycle so that we never have to repaint everything all at once. The downside is that there is a painting chore to tackle every year. Last year it was the porch. This year it’s the house trim. Next year, it will be the detached garage.

Then, the deck needs staining. The furniture needs cleaning when it comes out of storage. And the outdoor speakers need to be mounted and tested, challenging our techno skills on a yearly basis. Tiki torches are stuffed in the ground, fresh flowers planted and my flag hung from a pole on the porch. Whew!

Of course, the reward of all that stuff is a pretty backyard that we don’t leave from June to September. Once everything is in place, the first thing we do is call over friends and family to throw food on the grill (whoops! Forgot to scour the grates!) and whip up a pitcher of sangria. For a few idyllic weeks, we savor the rare sunshine and dip our toes in the pool. Happy Spring!

***What spring chores await you? Do you feel steamrolled by all the work or have you got a better system in place than me? Let’s inspire each other (or just commiserate!). I’ve got a copy of my new Blaze, HER MAN ADVANTAGE for one random poster here or on Facebook.

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