Weekend Before Xmas and All Through the House...

I woke at the first sign of daylight with a slightly aching head. Not sure if it was the 3.5 beers from the night before, the great sex, or the swollen sinuses. More than likely it was a combination. Oh yeah, I forgot about the brief 5.5 hrs sleep. Mindy graciously fetched me a couple Advil to help counter any possible slow down, because today I couldn't afford one. No sir! We had a very busy day planned. I was ready to hit the door but smelt the coffee beginning to brew. Now how could I turn my back on such an aroma? I couldn't. Plus, Mindy looks so cute in her jammies and robe in the morning. I stayed for a cup of Joe. While I was enjoying the coffee I warmed the Trooper so I'd be assured of a comfortable drive home form the very outset. Home alas. I had much to do and limited time to do it. My first order of business was to start a pot of my own coffee then walk Ykraps. He was waiting patiently. Once we'd finished leaving our business about the subdivision we returned indoors for some coffee. In an instant I dressed in my winter running gear, loaded some Xmas tunes on my MP3 player, then took to the streets for a 4 mile run. And what a run it was. It was superb! The cool temps (19 degrees at launch) did wonders for my slumbering, tired ways. Upon my return I immediately gave my driveway a shoveling. Because of the warm temps that acompanied the snow, then a thorough freeze I had a crunchy thick layer of snow and ice on the drive, and I have a fairly steep incline on my drive. Plus, with my mother and uncle coming over later, I had ot get as much off as possible. I slaved away for about 15 minutes. The square edging shovel is the best friend any one could have for removing this impossible layer of "snice", especially the part that's been driven over a couple fo times. Then, after a sprinkle of salt I was done! Next order of business was cleaning up around the house. I vacuumed, put away clean laundry, and cleared the counter tops. Everything else was fairly static (clean). I had one errand to run before everyone began arriving. I had to run to the Anthony Thomas Candy Shop to pick-up a couple of gifts. Their factory is literally less than one half mile from my door, maybe even shorter. It's become somewhat of a tradition, me visiting the Anthony Thomas store at Xmas time, although last year I defaulted to See's candies. I really like theirs but their only presence is a kiosk at Tuttle Mall and the airport. With A.T.'s I know it's fresh! Mindy called while I was out. She was on her way. She asked if I needed anything and I did - birthday candles. Once back at home I made final preparations and within a half hour my mother and uncle Chuck arrived. Chuck brought along his new gal pal, Joyce, too. I guess that he met her on Match.com. I can't believe people use such services!! :) It's kinda cool knowing that the over 70 crowd participates on the strength of the Internet. Soon after they arrived, Mindy showed up. Mindy hadn't met my mother before so this was a bit of a tense moment for me, but as usual, it went well. Next to arrive was brother Tommy and our pizzas. Tommy's wife and kids would join us later. Not long after Tommy, my daughters Lindsey and Ashley arrived along with my grandson, Lil' Rocky. Charles had told Tom and I that he'd be joining us but in the end didn't show. We had fun sharing time and celebrating my mom's b-day. Come 2pm or so I gave brother Glenn a call so he could at least particpate remotely. Everyone left by 5pm. Mindy and I had originally planned to attend the John Vereb Christmas gala but as our evening progressed it looked like that might become problematic. We simply ran out of time. You see, we had also made arrangements to have dinner at Mitchell's Steak House. Bot h of us were really looking forward to a first class dinner. After cleaning up from the gathering and walking Ykraps, it was already 615pm, and I felt like I needed a nap. We didn't sleep, but did lay around for about an hour before getting ready. And although our reservation wasn't till 9pm, we decided to head out at 8pm in hopes of getting an early seating. Mitchell's was very nice and finely appointed. After a couple of drinks, Mindy had some shiraz, and I, of course, had Columbus Pale Ale (Cameron Mitchell's own brew). We weren't seated for dinner until 9pm. We order pan fried calamari as an appetizer and it was the best I've ever had. It was actually meaty - just awesome! For our entree's Mindy ordered filet mignon Oscar, and I ordered surf and turf (filet and lobster tail). As a side, we ordered jalapeno' scalloped potatoes. Everything was just fantastic! I was truly impressed. Easily the best surf and turf I have had in a very long time. I had proposed going to see a favorite band of mine that was playing at Martini's (another Cameron Mitchell restaurant down the road). Mindy, however, was stuffed and tired. Truthfully, so was I. We opted for home instead. By thge tiem we hit the door I could tell Mindy was not holding up too well. She needed to sleep. To bed we went. We caught a few minutes of Mad TV before sailing off to never never land.