Saturday, June 25, 2005

The Grill

Well, my first day of watching Trenton this past Monday was shared duty. His Aunt Sandy, who lives with us, took Trenton out shopping in the morning. This gave me time to head for Home Depot, where I planned to buy the Barbecue grill I have been saving up for. I had a stainless steel grill set up on the top deck railing of "Halcyon" for all the years we lived on Her. I am a grill nut. I confess!

At the house we just moved from, there was a great grill out on the back deck, which I used almost nightly. It was a permanent installation, though, and ran off of a natural gas line from the Gas Company. It had to stay there when we moved. I insisted that we hold out for an all stainless steel grill when we moved in here, and I am glad I held my ground.

Anyway, there I was in Home Depot, standing in front of the bare spot where the fully assembled grill of my dreams had stood just days earlier. They had two left… in boxes. Just my luck! I tried lifting a similar grill that was on display and realized I would never be able to get it off my truck when I got home. That meant taking one in a box and unloading it off my pickup one piece at a time. This was do-able and required no additional assistance, so that was the route I chose. Two very strong young men loaded the box onto my truck for me and away I went!

I had just gotten all the pieces off the truck and into the garage when Trenton and Aunt Sandy drove up, so the rest of the afternoon Trenton and I played and watched a movie. As soon as he left, Grandpa Sam headed for the garage and the dreaded task of assembling my new grill.

 

Here is the box the grill came in.

This is the empty packaging.

Paulette arrives. I am half-way through the installation. She wants to go for our daily walk that Jae got us started on. I beg for some time. Time granted.

Now, I am in the last stages of finishing this grill when Paulette comes out and says "Let’s’ go, Buddy!" By this time I have wrenched my back working in some weird angles to get all the little pieces together. I am in pain and I want to finish this grill!

I decline the invitation to walk. My wife starts down the driveway muttering about the route she will take. This is so I can direct the ambulance her way when she collapses alone on her walk. It has only been a week to the day since her trip to the emergency room when this little scene is played out.

She walks while a terrible cloud of guilt settles down on me. Okay, I should have gone with her. Meanwhile, I finish the grill; Paulette returns unscathed and forgives me. A quick admiring look at the grill and she turns and says "Come on in, dinner is almost ready." I am stunned. I want to grill. I remind myself I am a grownup and follow her in to eat.

The next evening the grill is fired up and I am off to the races with a few burgers on for the first test run. Yummy…

Oh, is that an adult beverage the chef has at his side? <wink> Yep!

The trial run was a success. I am now off to Pixiedustnme’s journal to steal all the grilling secrets she coaxed out of us a couple of weeks ago. http://journals.aol.com/pixiedustnme/Inmyopinion/#Entry1116 

Happy grilling folks! It’s summer and if you want to find me, I’m out by my new grill! Oh! I almost forgot. My Grandson Trenton calls me "The Tool Master." How cools is that!

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did you get a big "I did it" sticker for puttin that thing together?  Woulda taken me all week!

Anonymous said...

oh, that was a big project and you are lucky that your dear wife came home from her walk all right or we'd have never let you live it down:) When I buy a grill I will be sure and invite you up to help with assembly;)
Loved your pictures and have a beverage for me. Say hey to Trenton for me. judi

Anonymous said...

Yet another thing in common ;)  I will grill in the winter, too.  I know that's not much of a big deal to you, but we get snow here and lots of it ;)

Glad you got it put together only costing you a walk, and minor aches and pains, and maybe some grumbles from your wife :)

Love Trenton's name for you!  Bet it's very true, too....

Have a good night, Sam and enjoy your stainless steel :)

Cat

Anonymous said...

Whoa, you got that grill up and running, and it took less than a week???!!! You sure Paulette didn't help? You're giving a bad name to the rest of us guys, LOL.

I think we might be living parallel lives one day apart. I have to get one tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Enjoy.  The ONLY cooking my DH doesis on the grill :). He fines excuses to put the grill away in the winter :(.
Betty

Anonymous said...

I hope you enjoy your new grill.  My husband bought us a new one before he left on his trip to Chicago.  It's been so hot here in Michigan lately that I've had no desire to use it.  It's much easier drinking cold beverages.  LOL  ;-)

~Laurie

Anonymous said...

Oh man...I love grilling too. I live in Minnesota and I grill all year long. I just move the grill up closer to the house so I don't have to shovel such a long path to get to it. : )

Candace

Anonymous said...

Found you thru Jimmy, Stupid Sheet Guy.....liked your comments, you are a WISE man. Oh, the grill, how did you do it? The last grill my husband bought and tried to put together was a disaster. In fact we call it "our divorce grill." We didn't get a divorce, but there were a few heated moments. Need any spare parts for yours? We have a whole sack full.  Anne (Saturday's Child)

Anonymous said...

Way to go Paulette...you, sir, have been doing what I did...giving in to the "don't wanna's", but, we are all good, now!  The grill is spectacular!  Great assembly, Tool Master!!!  JAE

Anonymous said...

wow you have a wonderful grill mail it to me now lol jelous a bit

Anonymous said...

Whoo Hoooo.  Happy Grillin' Tool Master.  :)
Home Depot has got some great grills man.  That's where our next one is coming from.
Tami

Anonymous said...

Oh, man, there's nothing, absolutely nothing like grilling out.  Congratulations on putting that thing together, and I hope the soreness is gone soon.  Here's to many wonderful meals.

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on this barbecue thing. Once summer arrives my husband and I use the grill every day. Nothing better! Barb- http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/HEYLETSTALK

Anonymous said...

i loved for my husband to cook out in our back yard on the grill before he was killed . man that grill and food looks wonderful. never forget to enjoy your moments together as you cook and eat together. come visit my journal it's really fun

Anonymous said...

The new grill looks great!  Nothing beats grilling out throughout the WHOLE year!  Enjoy~

Anonymous said...

THE TOOL MASTER?    ummm ... it kinda sounds like a male porn star.

Anonymous said...

I am SO envious!  That grill looks great...I want one now!  lol  ;-)

Sandra xxx

Anonymous said...

Wowsers Sam! You got us all salivating! And that's a good thing too! It is gorgeous! We are all sooooo jealous.... and if your wife is cooking and youa re gonna' barbeque, then save me a palce I'll be right over!:):) I hope that she redcovers beautifully Sam! hugs, nat

Anonymous said...

wow!  all the bells and whistles and comes with a drink too!  :-)

~ www.jerseygirljournal.com

Anonymous said...

Sure beats a kettle grill hanging off the side rails, doesn't it? She looks like a keeper. I'll take some ice tea while you're up, please.

wil

Anonymous said...

Very impressive! I would still be trying to put it together ;p Enjoy 'Tool Master'!

Anonymous said...

Now that we're all jealous ... when are you gonna invite us all over!  The new grill looks like the one my son brought home.  Big difference though, his was assembled.  Good work Tool Master.  Pennie

Anonymous said...

I pictured you as a master! ;)  Grill looks nice when will you fix me something yummy?  :)

Anonymous said...

Wow Sam! That's a beauty. My FAVORITE thing to make on the grill is "beer butt chicken". It's simple and so delicious. You take an OPEN half emptied can of beer and insert the large open part you would put stuffing into over the can. You then fire up your grill ( I light the right half and place chicken over the left. You don't want it dripping over the fire or the juices may ignite it.) We also rub some chicken seasonings that are made for grilling chicken on the outside. You cook a 4 lb. chicken about an hour. Longer for a bigger one. You can use a thermometer in the thigh to make sure it's 180 degrees before removing it. You carefully remove it from the can and you have the MOISTEST tender chicken. Oh! while the can is in the chest cavity you insert a small potato or onion in the other cavity to keep the moisture in. Try it, you'll like it. If you want you can get a stand that holds the can and chicken in WalMart but you don't really need one. Enjoy! Nelle

Anonymous said...

I can be there in about 7 hours. What's for dinner?

Anonymous said...

Teeeheee The Tool Master! I think your chest is puffing adn wait whats that?? Is that a Tim the tool man Taylor grunt I hear??

Anonymous said...

    Mmmmm, Good !  Sam, I am getting hungry just reading about this.  Glad you got the grill up and running.  Now you are all ready for John's Monday Photo Shoot. What a timely topic ...Go take a look-see !!    Tina

Anonymous said...

You da man!! I miss grilling more than anything else since we moved into our second story condo unit with the enclosed lanai! Thankfully, I have friends who still live in normal places who grill, and are kind enough to have the Ramblers' over once in a while! rich

Anonymous said...

MMm....nothing better than grilling out. What a beautiful grill to cook it on too. ~ Lori

Anonymous said...

LMAO (((((((SAM))))))) I love coming to read your journal. I am always sure have your entries put a smile on my face lol have a great week and weekend my friend dohiya and many  blessings to you and your loved ones.......and please be safe this is july 4th weekend coming up take care

Tanena

Anonymous said...

I have the same exact grill!  Coolness!

It cooks like a charm I tell ya, I have never enjoyed filet mignon so much.  My Dad is on this applewood kick, so there's a piece of wood on the top rack, he swears it makes the food taste better.  I said no, that's just how good I am at marinating a steak!

Toolmaster?  That's precious!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful grill you got there Sam!  I'll raise my glass and we will toast to the many lucious meals you prepare for youself and your loved ones.  Enjoy!
~Dona

Anonymous said...

That "beer can chicken" works good
even did a small turkey on a big Fosters beer can
cheers!

Anonymous said...

Good job getting the grill together, Tool Master!  Ain't nuttin wrong with an adult drink either.  Hope you get much enjoyment from your new toy, Patio Daddy-o!  ~Nikki

Anonymous said...

Oh, I am a little green-eyed monster just now.  Our grill has kicked the bucket and the bottom has fallen out.  New one on the horizon but since, like you, I am saving for the grill of my dreams, we're cooking inside.  I do have some briquetts, though and think a little pit out back might do the trick!  Enjoy your grill!

Anonymous said...

How cool is this!
Same grill and just about the same story.
I know that is the same drink.
Yup, the grill of all grills~ The man's grill we call it!
You have a nice journal.
Very interesting and the photo are super ( love the boats)

Wishing you health, happiness and laughter.
TJ~

http://journals.aol.com/vaultofsecrets/MoonDancer/

Anonymous said...

Oh tool master .  . .  may I try to snatch the barbequed shrimp from your hand???  How about 5 or 6???  Yum!  How coooool is this big deluxe stainless steel barbeque!!!

Sam, you are so great to send the "interesting" piece of weathered wood out to Judi!

A tool master WITH a big heart . . .   I am so impressed . . .  and can't wait to see what creation the "interesting" wood BECOMES!!!

http://journals.aol.com/ccancu/CEEGEEATLARGE

Anonymous said...

phew, big project!  but great grill!

~  www.jerseygirljournal.com