Birthday Bonus Points

So, after two weeks of begging GASP to whip it out, he finally reached into his shed and extracted the patio cleaner. Oh the excitement ! I had visions of our " outside room " ( you've some imagination Dermot Bannon !) resembling that rear of a Kardashian property ( unlike my own rear !)
I had kind of prompted this positive response from GASP in a couple of ways. His new career as a football coach has seen 3 sets of jerseys come home this week for washing, without a squeak from me. I had taken the liberty, in the midst of a much welcome pause in my hormonal imbalances, to pre load favours ( ahem!) and this morning, as he woke one year older, he was greeted with a home made chocolate truffle cake and a small choir before I cooked a full Irish....I was on a winner. We happily went to eldest son's soccer game, they secured a win and we all arrived home, happy out in the spring sunshine.Just as I served the chocolate cake, I mentioned it might just be the perfect day to tackle the exterior of the house. This works well with boys and men, as this meant they had no need to immediately shower, a thought which always makes them happy. I offered the eldest son the opportunity to get even dirtier and wetter by cleaning my car, which he thoroughly enjoyed. GASP took to sweeping, weed pulling of the patio ( yes it actually looks like the one in the photo photo) as I cleared away stray toys, cat litter, buckets, spades and plastic tractors.
Once he swept and cleared, GASP donned his reading glasses and actually read the instructions on the side of the 5 litre container of patio cleaner and set to spraying, brushing and rinsing off the 14 year old surface. Now I am the eternal optimist in our marriage, GASP the pessimist, but even GASP was somewhat disappointed with the fact that the patio looked EXACTLY the same after his efforts. We stared at it for ages, compared it to the section not yet done and waited for it to dry....nope...no difference in appearance at all....FFS !!*** Mind you, I don't think it's slippy any more so at least Health and Safety regulations have been met before our extended families descend on us in 2 week time for the communion.
While GASP moved on to moss removal, I decided, in my Internal Affairs role, to tackle the ironing. This is a rare occurrence, demonstrated by the fact that GASP's wardrobe is alot fuller this afternoon now that I have finished. He popped in at one stage and with surprise noted a a shirt he has not seen for some time. It sat alongside three other shirts, two pairs of trousers and a large range of polo shirts ...in fact, when I had finished it looked like a Marks and Spencer's rail had been erected in the kitchen. He now has a choice of outfits for the ceremonies and I will not iron again until just before Christmas !
So the patio is no longer slippy ( even it it still looks like shite) , the clothes are ironed, my car is clean and GASP's 51st birthday has been very productive...for this he will be rewarded ! Mind you, he might have to wait for his " present" as I'm wrecked after all that fresh air and activity.