Possum Come A-Knockin'

I seem to be testing my ability to move a little quicker in the morning by waking several minutes late. I didn’t find my way downstairs until 5:50am this morning. I I allowed this to create a heightened sense of urgency. Even before starting my exercises I threw on my jacket and took the garbage to the curb. They’re most often there just a couple minutes after 6am. I didn’t want to risk missing them while I exercised. After completing my exercises I grabbed a jacket and leashed up Ykraps for our usual walk. The 6:00am sky was magnificent. It was completely star filled and clear. Needless to say, it was a bit nippy, too. Just like most other mornings, I made tow cups of coffee. One with hazelnut creamer, whipped cream, and cinnamon for Mindy, and mine with vanilla caramel creamer, whipped cream, caramel topping, and cinnamon. I took Mindy hers in bed. Minutes later I could hear her getting in the shower. Meanwhile, back downstairs, I went about the painstaking process of making breakfast and lunch. I finished up and had our morning meal ready for consumption and on the island counter by 7:10am. Soon, we went our separate directions. Mindy left for work and to drop the kids, I went to the shower. I dressed in business casual – dress lacks and a button down shirt. That used to be everyday, but anymore that’s the exception rather than the rule. I made time to strum my guitar for a few minutes prior to leaving. I am always in a better frame of mind after that. Everyone who encounters my presence during the day will benefit. Work was busy – very busy. I was immersed in something all day long. And once again, I wasn’t able to escape for a run until just after 1pm. But when I did I enjoyed myself fully. How could I not? It was sunny and mild by this month’s measures. It was 52 degrees. Today my legs felt fresher than they have in a couple of weeks. I go through times like these. My afternoon went fast, too. But I made a concerted effort to leave on time and to be home by 5:30pm. Tonight was a Mindy Wednesday and we only had until 6:45pm because of Mindy’s choir practice. I left the dinner question up t Mindy. We could’ve gone out or stayed home. She chose staying home. We walked Ykraps together, and while we walked we strategized further about the best way to help Lindsey. We’re fast approaching some deadlines. Back home we decided on a simple dinner. Chili dogs – no buns. They were delicious and quick. It wasn’t long before it was time for Mindy to leave for choir. I was feeling so full form the chili dogs that I felt like I needed a nap. I laid on the family room floor for a spell. I got up minutes after Mindy left knowing that the kids would be home soon. I went to spend the last few quiet minutes updating my blog but found that my entry wasn’t in my email inbox for some reason. Hmmm? Jim arrived with the kids just after 7pm. Mindy had left pretty clear instructions on how our evening should be spent and informed me that she discussed this with them. I just didn’t want a reoccurrence of last week. After Jim departed I began implementing the Mindy plan. The plan called for Jacob to create his “About Me” book. He had to list his favorite foods, colors, moment, birthday, and address. He also had to draw a picture of his family. He did surprisingly well for a kindergartener. I know that I couldn’t write or reason things out as he does at such a young age. While Jacob worked away with my help, Bella colored nearby. You don’t just give Bella a crayon and turn her loose unless you want your home redecorated. J By 7:30pm Jacob finished his project and we raced upstairs to get our jammies on. They were both very cooperative. Only Bella was a bit slippery but ultimately cooperated. After brushing our teeth we read. First Jacob read his required book. Then, I read two books. One that Mindy gave me to read (can’t remember the title), and then “Possum Come a- Knockin’”. Jacob insisted. They’ve selected that same book the past few nights. It’s very cute. They went to bed surprisingly well. Bella asked only once if her momma was really coming home. She trusted my answer and went to sleep. By the time I got my own jammies on, brushed my teeth, and headed down the stairs, Mindy was home from choir practice. I could tell that she was relieved to return to a quiet home. We printed off some pictures I took of the kids tonight to add to his “About Me” book. Mindy and I talked for the next hour – right up until 9:30pm. We headed up to bed shortly after that.