If you're a regular reader of ours you know how much we enjoy working on our home and doing things ourselves. Sure, I enjoy watching baseball, going skiing, doing a little programming, watching TV, taking vacations, and lots of other masculine and awesome stuff like long walks in the park with my dog and wife...but if there's one thing I get an itch to do more frequently and intensely than anything else, it's the simple desire that can only be fulfilled by a little DIY. I realize my particular brand of entertainment and engagement may be some people's view of "personal hell," but there's something about building or making something yourself that you either get or you don't. That's all there is to it.

However, lately I feel like we've been doing far more planning and thinking than actual doing. I guess it's coming down off of the high of our unplanned kitchen renovation, or maybe it's because we're just distracted with life for a little while, but I feel like I need to really get back on the proverbial DIY saw horse.

The problem with this hobby of home DIY is that it's time consuming, tiring, and can seemingly zap the life out of you when you least expect it. Beyond the money, effort, and need for creativity, time has been our primary limitation of late, and it's been extremely frustrating. We're both working a ton at our day jobs and either have too many chores or obligations after work to get a decent amount done. Add to it that when we do have time we're just plain tired and end up watching Downton Abbey or New Girl on TV! Oh the perils of being a gainfully employed adult. Woe is me. I know, life's so hard for us, and we don't even have kids, so do we even know what busy is? 

Now that I'm done spouting off like a moron I can say that I expect my slight DIY funk to change this weekend! Yes, the long President's Day weekend is upon us and we have a few goals and plans. Among other things, I want to install our WaterCop, do some work on the storm windows (I'm only 13 months late delivering on that project), and pick up a whole bunch of lumber from the home improvement store. I know Wendy is looking forward to a trip out to Leesburg at some point this weekend where we will hopefully reap the rewards of some home decor spoils. And we have a few small projects and things to do we've been meaning to take care of for a long while.

But we can't forget the main event for this weekend. Yes, it's parade season here in Old Town, and this weekend we'll be treated to the George Washington Birthday parade. This year the city will celebrate George Washington's 281st birthday with our annual romp through the streets of Old Town. Quite honestly, nothing puts a smile on my face like colonial soldiers...

...Shriners in tiny cars...

...and a hodge-podge of other marchers, sometimes including real live Alpacas or Star Wars characters. The parade takes place between 1:00 and 3:00 pm on Monday, February 18th. So if you're looking for something fun to do on your day off and you're in the Alexandria, VA area, you should come on out. We'll probably be tweeting or vine-ing the event too, so if you can't make it in person, you won't feel like you've missed out on all the fun.

What sort of things do you have planned this weekend? Have any home projects you are going to tackle? Or do you have Monday off and are using the free day as an excuse to get away for the weekend? We'd love to hear what you're gearing up for.