What's at Steak?

I couldn’t have felt any better rolling out of bed when I did. I was up at 5:35am ready to hit it. As usual, a quick glance out the sidelight window to my front door revealed an improving sky for the day’s early weather. My morning consisted of exercise and a walk with Ykraps – nothing really new. If pushed to describe the outdoor conditions this morning I would use the words improving, damp, and lush. While sipping coffee I broke out my camera and snapped a few pics offering a view of spring out my back window. After my usual flood of events I found my way upstairs to begin my preparation for work. When I found my way downstairs dressed and ready to go it was only 7:18am. I was ready in record time! I didn’t speak with Mindy on my way to work having tossed my phone to the side while battling heavy traffic from Roberts to Hilliard Cemetery Rd. I arrived at work by 7:50am and got down to business early. We had a 9am staff meeting so there were several things I wanted to accomplish before hand. That first hour went fast and before I knew it we were in the throws of our meeting. The rest of the morning went fast too. At 12:45pm I left the confines of the office behind for my afternoon run. The temperature was as warm s it’s been in about 6 days – somewhere close to 63 degrees and the sky brightening - sad isn't it). I left running against a stiff breeze out of the southwest ,but the sun was shining in variable amounts through the duration of my run. If I hadn’t been artificially tanning the evening before I probably would’ve removed my shirt to try and capture some of the sorely missed sun’s rays. As my run concluded, I was quickly showered and back in the office ready to eat my lunch. But along my way back, I stopped by Carmen’s office after seeing her in the hallway. She had my Men Are From Mars book. It’s been in her hands for at least three years. She is 12 weeks away from child birth, and she definitely looks pregnant! She’s having a boy and his name will be Jimmy – kidding! It will be Jacob Michael. All of my research points to Jacob being the ‘king of baby boy names’ for the past few years. Back in my office I enjoyed my packed lunch. The afternoon moved swiftly. Before I knew it, it was time to go. I stopped at Kroger on my way home to pick-up some flowers and a card for Mindy since today marked our eight month anniversary together. I didn’t call her until I had already stopped. She was already at my home sitting on the deck enjoying herself after walking Ykraps. I also left my dad a VM requesting his assistance with lowering the hot tub this Sunday morning now that I have brother Bob and Tommy confirmed. Mindy was anxiously awaiting my arrival home – but who wouldn’t? I’m da’ man! After a quick hug and bestowing her with the flowers and card, I asked her if she’d mind moving her mini-van out of the drive way so that I could back my BM’er out. I have the Kidney Foundation coming tomorrow morning to pick-up the 6 bikes that are suspended from my garage ceiling via bike hooks and needed the space to get them down. That took about 15 minutes. While I packaged the bikes and marked them with a K.F. sign, Mindy defrosted two T-bone steaks for our dining pleasure. When I was done with the bike issue I fired up the grill. While waiting for it to heat up, I began trimming some of the low hanging branches from the two red maples shading my deck. They’re really getting big and providing the shade I planted them to deliver. Still, the low growth needs removed to allow head room and such. It didn’t take long and I really didn’t trim all that much. On the grill, the steaks cooked quickly, and just like two eeks ago they were cooked to perfection. To complement the steaks, Mindy prepared a delicious garden salad and green beans with bacon bits. Dinner was fantastico! We kicked around the idea of hot tubbing but didn’t. Mindy had to be home by 8:30pm. We checked our blood pressure a couple of times and then talked about a few miscellaneous things before she up & left. Mindy’s BP is generally all over the place. Mine – always a little high - is generally around 125/74 once I am rested and calm. But right in the door from work, the upper number is always about 140. My pulse hovers any where from the upper 40’s to the mid 50’s. All i nall not bad for a purebred type "AA". Mindy’s pulse is considered good when it’s in the mid 70’s – Cardiomyopathy. When Mindy left, a rather ominous looking storm was just about to strike west Columbus. The sky looked scary! Minutes later it got really windy, but in the end the storm lacked the punch I had expected. Before I knew it, it had blown over and the sky began to clear once again. This back and forth had been going on all day. I updated and added pictures to my web page for the next hour. And then, for another hour I practiced guitar. My last lesson of the season is Thursday evening and i want it to be agood one. I woofed down the second to last piece of my chocolate chip cheesecake cookie too. I sent loads of left over potato salad home with Mindy to share with her school mates tomorrow. I wasn’t too interested in keeping it around knowing that I’d eat it (carb issue). I found my way to bed around 10:45pm. I was tired, and unlike most nights, I didn’t do any reading. an excerpt from Mindy's eight month anniversary letter to me... ( I asked persmission to share) There are several things that you have said and done Over the past eight months that have shown me that you are my gift. When you said that “I might just be the angel you’ve been bugging God About sending you for the past 8 years,” I knew that you were my gift. When you told me that your Grandma sent me to you and That she said she was done and it was up to you now, I knew you were my gift. When you brought me a care package when I was sick, With all my favorite things in it, I knew you were my gift. When you told me often how much you loved me,missed me and desired me, I knew you were my gift. When I watched your interactions with my children, Playing with them and growing to love them, I knew you were my gift. When you put reeses cups in the freezer And kept red wine on hand, I knew you were my gift. When you brought me coffee in bed, Despite having white carpet and new bedding, I knew you were my gift. When you brought me flowers Just because, I knew you were my gift. When you reassure me, love me, hold me, touch me, and share with me, I know you are my gift.