Sand-a Floor!!

Well, OK, I'm no Mr. Miyagi, but in a vain attempt at doing my own work on my house this weekend (don't worry, my brother is helping), I have plans to paint the porch.

For those of you who know me, I have had my fair share of home improvement projects with the last house I owned. Everyone told me "you don't know what you're getting into." I didn't know what I was getting into. At ALL.

Now, I'm somewhat more realistic about my expectations. Still, because I've been burned before, I now tend to look upon every project as a monumental event. For example, this is my front porch:

This is what my front porch looks like to me when I consider the task of painting it:

I think I'm organized, though. Here's the plan:
1) Bill pressure-washed the area a few weeks ago, so we're all set.
2) Spot sand, clean and paint the bare areas of the deck.
3) Clean the verticals (rails and columns).
4) Prime and paint verticals.
5) While waiting for primer to dry, rip out, measure and cut new latticework for under the porch.
6) Paint deck.
7) Paint latticework.
8) Install latticework.
9) Take bath and drink a beer.

Here's are the big variable:
Rain.

Wish me luck!!

On Sunday I head to Pittsburgh on business (read: EXPENSED!) and I get to hang out with my friend Jenna and hopefully Andrea ... here's a recent pic of Jenna and her little anklebiters: