Real "Labor Day"

Here we go a shopping! Shopping at Kohl's with Mindy. :( Dinner at Joe's Crab Shack! Do you think she's excited to have her new shoes? I was happy it was a holiday, but unlike most others I would be heading into work today. No complaints. Because of the company holiday, I would carry managerial on-call responsibility through Monday evening at 10pm EDT. Because of this, it made sense to work from the office and get another day off where I could truly relax and feel the benefit of a ‘holiday’. Besides, the weather, while a major improvement over the prior two days, was still predicted to be less than summer-like. So, since it was a work day, I was up at 6:30am. I know, I know, I would generally get up at 5:30am for work, but I had already decided to back everything up an hour, and even planned to run before going to work. I followed through just as planned. After exercise, walking Ykraps, and a cup of coffee, I took off on an early morning run. Again, it was cloudy and milder than the past two mornings but still noticeably cooler than normal. I ran in shorts and a long sleeve running shirt. It was darn near 8am when I made it back from my run. Mindy and the kids were up while I showered and dressed even though they were staying home, but it was after their usual rise time. I packed myself a light lunch of cheese and nuts. I figured that I’d spend my lunch taking a ride out to Delta Marine to look for some miscellaneous boat parts. I left for work around 8:45am. Mindy was stressed when I departed, sitting very tired looking in our newly created sitting room trying to regroup from a tortuous night dealing with the kids. Jacob pee’d the bed yet again. That makes two nights in a row. He can go 6 weeks without an accident and then the next thing you know he’s in a tail spin. Mindy without fail, always gets up and changes his bed to make the rest of his sleep comfortable, ultimately cutting her own sleep short. To make matters worse, they were both being a bit curt this morning too. Lucky for me, I had to work! I arrived right at 9am. We were operating with a skeleton crew, and for that reason it was very tranquil. I might just volunteer for more of these holidays. I was able to catch up on email and organize several tasks before lunch. I checked Delta Marine’s Labor Day hours and I was a little surprised to find them closed. Crap! Well, at least I didn’t drive all that way for nothing. I changed my lunch plans and drove over to World Market and Wal-Mart taking the new round-about that just opened north of Hayden Run Rd on Britton Rd. We now have a direct route to all those stores off of Tuttle Rd. At World Market I picked up a 6-pack of Pumpkin Ale. At Wal-Mart I picked up a kick-stand and new training wheels for Jacob’s bike. Afterwards, I was getting hungry but because it was 2pm and I was planning on leaving work sometime after 4pm, I didn’t bother stopping for any food. I spent the afternoon working through several tickets and 4 o’clock came quick. I left the office by about 4:10pm and headed for home. Mindy was walking Ykraps when I pulled into the sub-division. The kids insisted on jumping aboard the Trooper when I stopped to smile and wave in lieu of finishing up the walk with their mom. When Mindy got back home we discussed our evening plans which I already knew included taking Bella for some new shoes. While talking, I mounted Jacobs new kick stand and eyeballed the training wheels. We decided to venture up Sawmill for the shoes – Kohl’s - and to get some dinner while out, too. We decided we’d eat at Joe’s Crab Shack once we hit Sawmill Rd. but not until after the shoe hunt. We got Bella two pair of tennis shoes, and Mindy picked up a couple of infant outfits for baby “Emma’. Next stop, Joe’s Crab Shack. I like the place better than Red Lobster and hadn’t been there for some time. Jacob really liked that idea too. Even though the restaurant was sparsely populated, they made us wait. It appeared to be more a function of available servers than anything else. We didn’t mind the wait and it wasn’t that long – ten minutes tops. We were eventually seated in a booth and Bella would take up camp in a high chair anyhow. She threw a mini-fit when Mindy lifted her into the chair. We’re still not entirely sure why. But what I am sure of was the shrill she let out. She captured the attention of everyone at the restaurant. Of course I tensed right up, not being used to such attention. That happily was the worst of it. The rest of our pre-meal time was riddled with normal 4 & 6 year old antics. Bella did make a short fuss over the huge fake shark hanging just over her head, but Mindy convinced her she that was safe. As an appetizer, we ordered some Lobster fondue and calamari. For dinner, Mindy ordered a seafood platter; I had crab & shrimp; Jacob had shrimp and fries; and Bella had pasta – go figure! Nothing was bad, but nothing was that great either. We ate our meal in about 45 minutes. The total bill plus tip was nearly $70. We were saved by three of us drinking water & no alcohol. The kids played in the attached playground for a just a few minutes while Mindy settled the tab. We took Riverside Drive home rather than I-270. We figured it much more scenic. We arrived home right at 8 o’clock. As we turned into Scioto Woods the sun was just setting in the west and the sky was brilliant orange. It was very picturesque! We had the camera in tow but didn’t stop to photograph it. Maybe next time. Once home we made quick work of getting the kids to bed. After all, it was a school night. Once they were settled in bed, Mindy and I retreated downstairs and tuned into the Monday Night Football game – Miami Hurricanes versus Florida State. I played guitar while we talked for nearly half an hour. Next, I rubbed Mindy’s chronic shoulder for about ten minutes finishing off by cracking her back. While doing so, I enjoyed one of my new pumpkin ales, too. Just before 10pm we headed up to bed. We’re both fans of bed by 10pm.