Crusty

Waking up well before I need to is slowly becoming the norm. If I keep this practice up, I'll have loads of free time to use constructively in the mornings. I might even sneak in an early run now and then. Those are the best! You've got to admit, if one can exercise, meditate, & run before 7am they will have accomplished more than many will across an entire day. I was up by 5:15am. The skies were cloudy and still a bit rainy, but the temperature was moderating. It was already in the mid 40's. Exercise, morning walk, and meditation went well, and just like many days since the fallback, I was able to relax, read the Daily OM, and peruse a few WebPages before getting busy with food prep. I had left my running shoes on the heating vent in the dinette area because they were soaked and smelly from running in the rain the day before. I grabbed and sprayed them with Lysol before stuffing them into my gym bag. I did it right then to avoid forgetting about them and later regretting not having my shoes at run time. I packed our lunches and cooked breakfast. I made scrambled eggs topped with Mexican shredded cheese today. They were tasty. The kids rose earlier than usual too. They had sit down breakfast's as well. By 7:10am we were all done eating and cleaning up. Mindy eventually left for the day while I headed up for a shower. Because of my structured approach, I had plenty of guitar playing time before needing to depart for work. I left around 7:40am - about normal. Work went fast for being so busy. I left for my run somewhere close to 1pm. If memory serves me, it was 57 degrees but still a bit drizzly, but I was dressed appropriately. Before I knew it I was back at my desk ready to tear into an awaiting lunch. It was tastier than ever. The afternoon was busier than the morning. And for whatever reason, I got involved in multiple issues after 3:30pm that eventually kept me busy until almost 6pm. Mindy had called me around 4pm asking how I felt about going to dinner at Red Lobster with her and the kids. I warmed to the idea but wasn't too sure I'd get away in time. I checked in periodically to let her know what was up. At 5:40 I called and left her VM telling her to go ahead without me. She called back almost immediately and requested I just meet them there, especially if I were leaving work in the next ten minutes, which I was almost certain by then would happen. I left work at 5:55pm and headed towards Red Lobster. Foolishly, I had passed on fueling the almost empty Trooper on my way into work thinking I'd do it later. Now I had no choice but to stop for gas in route to Red Lobster. Crap! My second biggest fear. Gas prices were up over $.21 during the day. My procrastination cost me an additional $4. I made it to Red Lobster by 6:25pm. Mindy, the kids, and a surprise guest, Keri were already eating appetizers. Mindy informed me that her and Keri ordered the Ultimate Feast (lobster tail, shrimp scampi, crab legs & two sides) That sounded good and plentiful, so I ordered that too. To my surprise, our meals arrived pretty much together. Mine took only an extra minute or so. We ate together. The kids were very well behaved until after they'd eaten and were getting tired and bored. We knew it was time to leave when Bella began fussing. I carried her out stopping briefly at the lobster tank to take a look at all of the lively crustations. I put my hand in and so did Bella. The only difference was that she drank the water off of her hand! Ewh! Bella chose to ride home with me. Little did I know that she'd change her mind but only after we were on I-270. She cried for her mother the rest of the way home. Lovely!!! Once we were home and inside Mindy got the kids a bath while I updated my blog. And just like always, I joined them for the read and tuck. Mindy and I headed to bed ourselves even before 9pm. I fell asleep quickly.