Power, Strokes, and Stain (and the snake)

Here is what I did the past two days: After opening the basement door and realizing the stairwell was disgusting...

I call our lovely neighbors who let me borrow their power washer. Before even starting the power washer, I noticed a snake on the basement stairs. Other lovely neighbor to the rescue, who then wrangled the snake and saved my nerves. I began power washing our basement stairwell (and kept looking for more snakes). This is an impossible feat if you want to stay dry. I was soaked from head to toe (with not only water but that green goo). Next I figured I should go ahead and tackle the deck. So off to power washing the deck. The force of the water blasting the weak, old, barely hanging on white paint caused most of it to fly off. Therefore, painting the deck rails was necessary, so off to Lowes for me for painting supplies. After that I figured staining the deck would "seal" the deal.

I feel like I am a squirrel preparing for winter....going "nuts" and all.