An eye to the clock revealed that I had slept in, but only by ten minutes - no biggie! After following through with my out of bed ritual of brushing my teeth and peeing, I was down stairs beginning my Friday. I like saying that - "Friday". It's sweet music to my ears. The only time it's not necessarily music is when I am on vacation. That's because everyday is essentially a Friday.
A peek outside revealed what was predicted. Could cover and more damp streets. But that's OK because what is also predicted is improving conditions not only through the day but through the weekend. In fact, next week it's supposed to surpass 80 degrees after Tuesday. Excuse me, but didn't I mention last week that after the passing of the whirling rain storm that summer would be on the other side? I think so!
After sit-ups and push-ups, and a set of curls, I was seeking out Ykraps for our morning walk. Sometimes he's right there for me while other times I have to coax him into the leash up position. He doesn't trust me much for some reason. He always has a fearful look about him when I reach toward him. Not sure why. It's not like I beat him or anything. Although I used put his nose deep into any mess he'd leave on the carpet as a young and budding mini-Ykraps.
Our walk was over quickly and I was home drinking my beloved morning cup of Joe. Meditation, some email, and food prep was next. That took me right up until 7:05am. Next, a shower, some clothes, I was ready for a day of work - a Friday! As I backed out he drive towards work I felt as if something was amiss. It was. I didn't have my phone with me. I thought for an instant that I'd go on without it but quickly abandoned that foolishness and pulled back in and went and retrieved my personal communication tool.
Mindy was off today and I didn't call her along my way to work. I kind of got lost in my thoughts. She had a busy day planned - almost busier than a school day. In fact, no almost about it., It would be busier, but definitely more fun. After attending Jacob's pre-school graduation, she'd be taking the kids to see the DaVinci Code - or no, Over the Hedge.
My work day, as expected, got ugly fast. Most Friday's are like that for a number of reasons. I just try to take it in stride. I worked diligently up until 12:50pm when I left for my run. By now the sun was peeking through and the temperature had reached a balmy 60 degrees. My running clothes, I noticed, were extremely ripe, but it is Friday. Still, they were riper than usual. They smelt like old wet tennis shoes. The run went well despite the stiff easterly breeze blowing directly in my face for the first two miles. I knew after the turnaround that I'd have it at my back so I took it in stride. As my five miles wrapped up, I felt good having yet another weeks worth of runs under my belt. I don't weigh myself very often but when I do it's after my Friday run and shower - standing naked as a jay bird in the locker room on our medical scales. That way it's always under the same conditions every time. Today was no exception. I weighed 161 lbs. I've been above 160 lbs for several weeks now since winter. That's about four or five pounds more than I'd like to weigh but I am wearing it well. And as long as my clothes fit as they do, I'm fine with it.. Looking at my physique objectively, I am pleased. The fruits of running and exercising each and everyday coupled with eating a reasonably sound and steady diet works. But it doesn't happen in two weeks, four weeks or two months. It's a long arduous process. Don't let anyone fool into believing otherwise. There's just no easy path. Truly, if there was, everybody would be fit as a fiddle. Look around, that's not the case!
Back at the office things were beginning to get a little hairy. It was definitely a Friday afternoon! I was focused in on several key issues needing my attention heading into the weekend. I forged ahead with the determination of a bull. As five o' clock came and went, I was still working hard to wrap up some things. I found a comfortable breaking point at 5:45pm and left for the day and the weekend.
My trip home would be marked by my annual pilgrimage to Strader's to buy my annuals. I was excited!!! It's only a mile or so from my office. I was there in no time at all. Also, what was important to me was that it wasn't too crowded. It can be a zoo there form time to time.
I grabbed a pull cart to carry my load but also know that it generally requires two trips. I need four flats of petunias alone just to fill the front two flower beds. Sadly, the beautiful supply I saw there ten days ago was no more. Instead, they had plenty but they all looked like they had been abandoned which is uncharacteristic of Straders Riverside. I almost threw in the towel completely thinking I'd go elsewhere but ultimately decided I could get some of the other flowers I needed. I did. The quick version is that I got a flat of impatiens, a flat of begonias, several spikes and vinca, some Gerbera Daisies, some Dahlia's, and two tuberous begonia's, along with two Hibiscus. All of that filled my pull cart. Truthfully though. Most of these also looked picked over. I know all to well that getting my annuals before Mother's Day is key but I also have learned the hard way that if you can't get them planted within a few days, you might as well not buy them. And with last weekend's rain out and cold temps, I chose to forego planting. I'm paying for it now, I guess.
My haul was $121. And my guess is that when it's all said and done, I'll have another $100 in wrapped up annuals, if not a little more. Well worth it , though. "They're the gift that keeps on giving, Clark"! I headed home with my flowers. Mindy was already there and had walked Ykraps. I realized, I was still in work mode - with that rock in my tummy along with the associated edginess I display often the first hour after work. Mindy seems to understand that and deals with me accordingly. I need time to reshuffle my deck so to speak when I get home to switch into 'Jimmy' mode! And the fact that it's Firkin Friday was all I needed to realize to help thrust me forward. After a greeting, Mindy went to the shower since she stopped and tanned on her way over, I cracked a brew and picked up my guitar. Nicely done, Jimmy! Soon I was feeling like my normal self.
As Mindy finished prepping herself for a night out, I went up and changed into some shorts, brushed my teeth, and primped a little. Soon we were ready to hit it. I threw a load of darks in the washer before departing and then we were on our way.
I was still a little burnt over the crappy flowers thing thus I begged that we stop at the Grandview Straders to see if their flower selection was in any better shape that the Riverside selection. After all, it's almost on the way to Barley's - the back way. Unfortunately, they had just closed when we pulled up. I'd have to address the flower thing tomorrow.
We arrived at Barley's around 8:20pm. It wasn't too crowded - good! Bob and Mary Ann were already there as usual as were Courtney and Jeremy. Mindy is a social animal and makes it a priority I noticed to greet and talk with everyone upon entering. My first priority is a beer. Tonight's Firkin is a Pale. I opted instead for a Russian Imperial Stout. Mindy ordered a Margarita.
After hanging out for a while we ordered food. Mindy had her favorite salad, I had wings and sauerkraut balls. Over the course of the evening I had two more beers. I had a house IPA along with a guest IPA that was very, very hoppy. We made tentative plans to go camping with our 'Friday night' friends sometime in June or more likely July. We settled on Salt Fork which is around Cambridge Ohio and is said to be one of our nicest State Parks. It has a golf course, lots of woods, hiking, and a sprawling - beautiful lake. I'm siked!
As the night waned, Thad and Monica showed up as they often do. We talked with them as they shared stories about their Detroit Art show trip.
We left Barley's around 11pm. I felt pretty buzzed for having only three beers over three hours, but that's Barley's for you. Once home we opted for some hot tubbing. This would likely be the last hot tubbing in it's current state of being raised. I would be sinking it back into the deck Sunday morning. We hot tubbed for about an hour. Afterwards we headed directly for bed. I took one detour. A detour for two Advil and a Tagament for preventative purposes. I don't want to feel like shit in the morning . The weekend's too important!
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An eye to the clock revealed that I had slept in, but only by ten minutes - no biggie! After following through with my out of bed ritual of brushing my teeth and peeing, I was down stairs beginning my Friday. I like saying that - "Friday". It's sweet music to my ears. The only time it's not necessarily music is when I am on vacation. That's because everyday is essentially a Friday.
A peek outside revealed what was predicted. Could cover and more damp streets. But that's OK because what is also predicted is improving conditions not only through the day but through the weekend. In fact, next week it's supposed to surpass 80 degrees after Tuesday. Excuse me, but didn't I mention last week that after the passing of the whirling rain storm that summer would be on the other side? I think so!
After sit-ups and push-ups, and a set of curls, I was seeking out Ykraps for our morning walk. Sometimes he's right there for me while other times I have to coax him into the leash up position. He doesn't trust me much for some reason. He always has a fearful look about him when I reach toward him. Not sure why. It's not like I beat him or anything. Although I used put his nose deep into any mess he'd leave on the carpet as a young and budding mini-Ykraps.
Our walk was over quickly and I was home drinking my beloved morning cup of Joe. Meditation, some email, and food prep was next. That took me right up until 7:05am. Next, a shower, some clothes, I was ready for a day of work - a Friday! As I backed out he drive towards work I felt as if something was amiss. It was. I didn't have my phone with me. I thought for an instant that I'd go on without it but quickly abandoned that foolishness and pulled back in and went and retrieved my personal communication tool.
Mindy was off today and I didn't call her along my way to work. I kind of got lost in my thoughts. She had a busy day planned - almost busier than a school day. In fact, no almost about it., It would be busier, but definitely more fun. After attending Jacob's pre-school graduation, she'd be taking the kids to see the DaVinci Code - or no, Over the Hedge.
My work day, as expected, got ugly fast. Most Friday's are like that for a number of reasons. I just try to take it in stride. I worked diligently up until 12:50pm when I left for my run. By now the sun was peeking through and the temperature had reached a balmy 60 degrees. My running clothes, I noticed, were extremely ripe, but it is Friday. Still, they were riper than usual. They smelt like old wet tennis shoes. The run went well despite the stiff easterly breeze blowing directly in my face for the first two miles. I knew after the turnaround that I'd have it at my back so I took it in stride. As my five miles wrapped up, I felt good having yet another weeks worth of runs under my belt. I don't weigh myself very often but when I do it's after my Friday run and shower - standing naked as a jay bird in the locker room on our medical scales. That way it's always under the same conditions every time. Today was no exception. I weighed 161 lbs. I've been above 160 lbs for several weeks now since winter. That's about four or five pounds more than I'd like to weigh but I am wearing it well. And as long as my clothes fit as they do, I'm fine with it.. Looking at my physique objectively, I am pleased. The fruits of running and exercising each and everyday coupled with eating a reasonably sound and steady diet works. But it doesn't happen in two weeks, four weeks or two months. It's a long arduous process. Don't let anyone fool into believing otherwise. There's just no easy path. Truly, if there was, everybody would be fit as a fiddle. Look around, that's not the case!
Back at the office things were beginning to get a little hairy. It was definitely a Friday afternoon! I was focused in on several key issues needing my attention heading into the weekend. I forged ahead with the determination of a bull. As five o' clock came and went, I was still working hard to wrap up some things. I found a comfortable breaking point at 5:45pm and left for the day and the weekend.
My trip home would be marked by my annual pilgrimage to Strader's to buy my annuals. I was excited!!! It's only a mile or so from my office. I was there in no time at all. Also, what was important to me was that it wasn't too crowded. It can be a zoo there form time to time.
I grabbed a pull cart to carry my load but also know that it generally requires two trips. I need four flats of petunias alone just to fill the front two flower beds. Sadly, the beautiful supply I saw there ten days ago was no more. Instead, they had plenty but they all looked like they had been abandoned which is uncharacteristic of Straders Riverside. I almost threw in the towel completely thinking I'd go elsewhere but ultimately decided I could get some of the other flowers I needed. I did. The quick version is that I got a flat of impatiens, a flat of begonias, several spikes and vinca, some Gerbera Daisies, some Dahlia's, and two tuberous begonia's, along with two Hibiscus. All of that filled my pull cart. Truthfully though. Most of these also looked picked over. I know all to well that getting my annuals before Mother's Day is key but I also have learned the hard way that if you can't get them planted within a few days, you might as well not buy them. And with last weekend's rain out and cold temps, I chose to forego planting. I'm paying for it now, I guess.
My haul was $121. And my guess is that when it's all said and done, I'll have another $100 in wrapped up annuals, if not a little more. Well worth it , though. "They're the gift that keeps on giving, Clark"! I headed home with my flowers. Mindy was already there and had walked Ykraps. I realized, I was still in work mode - with that rock in my tummy along with the associated edginess I display often the first hour after work. Mindy seems to understand that and deals with me accordingly. I need time to reshuffle my deck so to speak when I get home to switch into 'Jimmy' mode! And the fact that it's Firkin Friday was all I needed to realize to help thrust me forward. After a greeting, Mindy went to the shower since she stopped and tanned on her way over, I cracked a brew and picked up my guitar. Nicely done, Jimmy! Soon I was feeling like my normal self.
As Mindy finished prepping herself for a night out, I went up and changed into some shorts, brushed my teeth, and primped a little. Soon we were ready to hit it. I threw a load of darks in the washer before departing and then we were on our way.
I was still a little burnt over the crappy flowers thing thus I begged that we stop at the Grandview Straders to see if their flower selection was in any better shape that the Riverside selection. After all, it's almost on the way to Barley's - the back way. Unfortunately, they had just closed when we pulled up. I'd have to address the flower thing tomorrow.
We arrived at Barley's around 8:20pm. It wasn't too crowded - good! Bob and Mary Ann were already there as usual as were Courtney and Jeremy. Mindy is a social animal and makes it a priority I noticed to greet and talk with everyone upon entering. My first priority is a beer. Tonight's Firkin is a Pale. I opted instead for a Russian Imperial Stout. Mindy ordered a Margarita.
After hanging out for a while we ordered food. Mindy had her favorite salad, I had wings and sauerkraut balls. Over the course of the evening I had two more beers. I had a house IPA along with a guest IPA that was very, very hoppy. We made tentative plans to go camping with our 'Friday night' friends sometime in June or more likely July. We settled on Salt Fork which is around Cambridge Ohio and is said to be one of our nicest State Parks. It has a golf course, lots of woods, hiking, and a sprawling - beautiful lake. I'm siked!
As the night waned, Thad and Monica showed up as they often do. We talked with them as they shared stories about their Detroit Art show trip.
We left Barley's around 11pm. I felt pretty buzzed for having only three beers over three hours, but that's Barley's for you. Once home we opted for some hot tubbing. This would likely be the last hot tubbing in it's current state of being raised. I would be sinking it back into the deck Sunday morning. We hot tubbed for about an hour. Afterwards we headed directly for bed. I took one detour. A detour for two Advil and a Tagament for preventative purposes. I don't want to feel like shit in the morning . The weekend's too important!
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