Gator Bait

I was the first one up. It was 8:45am. I made coffee and then quick work of my exercises. Bella and Jacob were up and downstairs too. It wasn’t long before Bella and I were walking Ykraps. It was noticeably cooler than the past several days, so Bella ended up underdressed for the occasion.

Upon our return we allowed Mindy to sleep. The kids played somewhat quietly. I coffee’d and surfed around the internet. Mindy got up around 10am. Afte checking my phone I saw that my Dad had called, presumably to go to breakfast with Glenn. I think Glenn forgot about making those loose plans on Thursday evening. Once awake, he eventually got a hold of dad and made arrangements for Dad to pick him up.

After Glenn left with Dad I readied for my run. Mindy made breakfast for her and I along with the kids. I checked the radar, it looked like the rain was well to our east and that it might end up clearing up after all. That made me happy. I ran along Trabue Rd. Raymond Golf course was as crowded as it has been since last fall. It was good to see so many golfers out. I had an enjoyable run under mostly sunny skies.

When I got home our breakfast was all but ready. The house smelt terrific! We all sat and ate our maple bacon and scrambled eggs together. Around 11:30 I insisted that I get busy on the year’s first ‘real’ yard work day. Jacob & Bella volunteered to help. I was happy to have their help. We began by raking all the fallen willow branches from around the shed and under the tree. There were more than plenty. We got out the 9x12 tarp to help drag them away.

About then I asked Mindy for some water and an anti-inflammatory mostly for preventive measures. At the same time I asked for her help. She soon joined us out back. Together we began raking the debris from the rear flower beds and under the deck and shrubs. While Mindy raked, I took the electric hedge trimmers to the ornamental grasses and shrubs surrounding the deck. Thirty minutes later we had two tarps full of yard debris to drag away. Just as were finished the raking the rains returned putting a kibosh on my afternoon plans. I really wanted to trim some more, rake out the front flower beds, and fertilize the lawn. I tried toughing it out for another 15-20 minutes but the rain came down even harder. By the time I went back inside it was pouring.

We were wondering just what in the heck we were going to do for the rest of the afternoon since our outdoor plans were dashed. But that wonderment didn't last. Around 1:30pm Ashley came to the door asking if Lil' Rocky could stay with us while her and Linzy went grocery shopping. We willingly agreed, but asked where the babies were. They were in the car. We asked them in, too. Soon we had all three grandchildren with us. Something about having all three of them around makes me feel whole. The only one missing was Kaileigh, who I miss dearly but was apparently out of town. We told the girls to go to the store without the kids. We'd happily watch all three. Landon slept the entire time and was no trouble at all. Rocky was so hungry he spent the better part of his time eating. Olivia needed a nap but was stil very precious. The girls weren't gone too long. They were back before I expected them to be. They visited for a spell then left for Kelly's. At my prompting, they left Rocky behind. I invited him to go grocery shopping with Bella and I. What in the hell was I thinking? I left for the grocery and Mindy left to pay her sister a visit.

Learning from Mindy, I laid out the rules before going into Wal-Mart. The kids were angels, at least compared to what could've been. We were there for almost an hour. After our shopping I dropped Lil' rocky off at ex-Kelly's along with a few grocery items for Lindsey. Bella and I headed home. We were home for another hour before the Buckeye game came on. During that time we grilled some brats and hot dogs. We had a nice little family dinner. During the Buckeye game I was cool as a cucumber, and don't let anyone tell you different. OK, maybe I got a little ansy from time to time. Bottom line the Buckeyes pulled off the magic. They defeated Georgetown 67-60. The kids went to bed after the game, although we allowed Jacob to watch the Florida vs. UCLA game from bed. He didn't last too long. Glenn arrived just after that second game started. We enjoyed a few beers & a couple of shots while watching the game. We did a shot of Goldschlager and then two buttery nipples. Mindy went to bed around 10:30pm. Glenn and tuned into Mad TV and then Saturday Night Live. And just like most any other night, that put me to sleep.