Damn Sofa!

Even after going to bed rather early the night before, I slept a little late. I didn’t get out of bed until almost 5:50am. I felt good, though. I went through my usual morning paces and didn’t rush myself. Somehow or another I managed to get back on track with the clock during food prep. I guess things just went faster than usual. By 7:00am we were sitting for breakfast. Jacob was up with us while Bella remained firmly planted in her bed. She was up a few times during the night crying that her legs itched and insisting on some cream. Mindy always accommodates to bring peace. Mindy looked awfully tired this morning for it. She reported feeling exhausted and perhaps on the verge of getting sick. Uh-oh! She left at her normal time. She asked that I remember to upload our family Xmas pic to the CVS webpage and order 80 prints before I left for the day. I told her I would. I went about my shower and found my way back downstairs by 7:35am. I took care of several pressing issues before leaving for work. And just as mindy requested, I uploaded the desired photo and created an online account just for her. I sent her a confirmation so that she could pick-up the finished photos on her way home from school. I made the decision to drive the BM’er to work. The weather forecast called for sunny and almost 60 degrees. Last year at this time we were in the deep freeze. I figured I oughta take advantage of such nice weather because this time of year we could be in the freezer for 45 days on end. To drive the BM’er meant I had to work some logistics. I had to move the Trooper onto the street and out of my path. Too, I had to grab the garage door opener from it as well. No biggie. It was still a little brisk. It was only about 43 degrees. But with the heater on my knuckles and the seat warmer on, I was plenty cozy. It was an invigorating drive. I’m glad I chose to drive it. The only draw back to driving the BM’er was that any after work Xmas shopping would have to be postponed until I have the Trooper. Again, no biggie! Work went well, but it was a very busy day. My boss kept me hoping all morning long. My mom called me on my cell phone to let me know that she finally received the flowers I sent for her B-day. She said they were the most beautiful flowers that she’s ever received. They did deliver them a day late. I will address that with my florist later. She shared the findings from her most recent medical tests which point to clogged arteries as the likely cause. They will most likely need to place some stints in her arteries. She’ll learn more later. She’ll also be off of work for another week. I invited her to our family Xmas open house on the 23rd. She was tentative about coming, however, for not wanting to upset Sheila. I explained that no one would find it unusual for my mother to be at my home for Xmas – duh - even Sheila. She’s not so sure, but agreed to think about it. We discussed burial plot issues - hers, dads, etc. She proclaimed wanting to be buried with her boys and not with her mother. I pointed out the incongruence of that idea. She chooses to live far from us and not visit very often but wants to be buried by us. Likes us better dead I suppose! J I left for my run around 12:45pm. It was nearly 56 degrees when I departed, although the sky wasn’t the brilliant blue I had assumed it to be. Instead, it was somewhat overcast. And once again, there was a steady and swift breeze coming out of the SW. For whatever reason, it got to me today, but what a difference when at my back! I was looking forward to my packed lunch after my run. I made tunafish salad for the first time in over a month. It was delicious! I had a busy afternoon. The hope of a quiet Xmas season has not yet manifested. I’m certain it will in the next couple of days, however. I wrapped up my day just after 5pm and left the building into an almost dark evening. Even though it was dark, it was still warmer than it was this morning. The drive home wasn’t bad at all. I took the back way even though I-270 didn’t look too backed up. I just prefer to take the winding back roads in the BM’er. I was home just before 5:30pm – no real traffic jams. Mindy thawed steaks for dinner that I promised to cook after returning from walking Ykraps. She doesn’t trust herself to cook the steaks, thus always asks me to do it. For whatever reason, she always overcooks them. So, after walking Ykraps I put the steaks in the broiler. She told me that the 80 Xmas pictures from CVS had cut Jacob out of the photo. When she asked them about it, they told her that they don’t even see them. They just print the file to the size prescribed with no control over quality. Hmm? I simply sent them the jpeg as the webpage indicated. While the steaks cooked, I found a way to format the jpeg to a 4X6 photo before saving. CVS told her that if she brought the file in on a CD that they could ensure they didn’t crop out an important subject and could maintain quality control over color and luminance. Before burning to CD I finished cooking the steaks and sat down to dinner with the family. While we enjoyed steak, Bella enjoyed leftover pizza, and Jacob enjoyed a Mexican microwave meal. They don’t care for steak. We had a nice garden salad along with some broccoli and cheese. It turned out very good. After dinner I made quick work of the dinner dishes. I was eager to get back on the photo issue along with other Xmas related projects. Mindy raced the kids upstairs for a bath while I toiled at the PC. I went upstairs to join in for the read and tuck. I spent my time with Bella. She’s gotten used to me tucking her in and now insists on it. Jacob, on the other hand, could care less. Once back downstairs, I poured myself a glass of Spumante’. That just sounded so good! My plan was to observe the Blue Jackets game too. We’re on a five game winning streak. It’s the longest I can recall, although I’m told we’ve had longer. Mindy and I sat together for a few before she headed to bed early – about 8:30pm. She was exhausted and it was that time of the month. Just after she went to bed, someone rang the door bell. It was Pat and Lisa, our neighbors and friends. They stopped in to confirm our party details figuring that I don’t’ always answer my phone. True! We chatted for a few all the while Mindy slept. I offered them a drink but they declined citing a need to get home to Eleana, their ten year old daughter who’s celebrating her birthday today. Just as I thought he might, Pat didn’t totally buy into the Coyote story in my blog. I, however, insisted and declared my expertise having seen plenty of them around work. We both agreed that it was a good thing for ridding us of the pesky & invasive Canadian geese. After they departed I returned to the sofa where I watched a little network TV. I saw part of Office, Scrubs, and 30 Rock. I kept going in and out of sleep, however, so I saw all of nothing. I did manage to see the BJ’s tie the hockey game at four. I woke on the sofa with a back ache at 10:45pm and mustered enough energy to make it up to bed. Damn sofa!