Blessed with gorgeous weather since the first day of spring, Friday was no exception. It was warm enough during the predawn hours to walk Ykraps without a jacket, but I wore one anyhow.
I did the morning coffee thing before beginning food prep, and just like always, we ate our breakfast together. Mindy and the kids were out the door around 7:20am.
I left for work around 7:55am very excited that it was Friday. As I would've expected, the day was very busy. We're always busy on Friday's. I called my auto repair guy around 9:15am with every intention of telling him to bag the repair. In fact, I was prepared to ask him if he wanted to buy it for a $1000. I figured I was throwing good money at bad. But I had three things I wanted to ask/clarify first. I asked him to clarify exactly what he'd be fixing and what would be new versus old. I asked what he would do if it were his. He made a convincing argument for keeping the car figuring that any car we'd buy in that price range would be susceptible to similar troubles, but at least with this one we know we'll have a new transmission and a new upper engine (valves and cam). And besides, it's spend $1100 on this repair, or that plus more for another car. The fact that this is a Honda with just over 100,000 miles is another good reason to keep it. While talking it became clear to me that the best thing to do was to do the repair. I told him to get started. I felt a sense of relief for making a decision, and I also felt it a sound one given my other options.
I shared my decision with Mindy a short time later. She supported my decision. We also exchanged loving emails since today was our one month wedding anniversary. We decided that we'd book our trip to Riviera Maya today too. She reminded me to call Pat and Lisa to follow-up on Saturday evening dinner plans. I decided to call after lunch.
I left for my run around 11:45am since I was planning on lunching with my friend Jay P. who just started back with us on Wednesday. I was partly cloudy & warm when I left. Today I didn't wear a jacket, but I did wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt. And just like it did each day since Tuesday, the sun busted out during my run heating it a bit. I had to laugh at the coincidence. It was a great run!
I was showered and back by 1pm. Jay stopped by my office right on queue. We left for Chipotle's, his favorite restaurant in the world, right away. We went to the new Chipotle's at Mill Run. It was crowded and crazy loud. I hadn't had one of their burritos in over a year. We ate fairly quickly and left after about 40 minutes. We talked about all sorts of stuff, most notably his eagerness to return to work with us.
The afternoon went fast, too. While working a number of issues, I squeezed in a call to the Shultz's home. Lisa answered. She only works 'til noon on Friday's. Hey, that's a gig I want! She thought it best for me to nail down our plans with Pat. I called Pat on his cell a few minutes later. I told him that we already had added them to our reservations at Mitchell's. He promised to check with Lisa and call us back later.
I talked with Mindy again around 4pm where we discussed visiting Sheila tonight on our way out to Barley's.
I wrapped up the many things I was working on and left the office about ten minutes early since I needed to stop at Kroger and Advanced Auto Parts. Kroger was not as crowded as it generally is after work. It might have been the leaving ten minutes early thing. I bought Mindy a dozen pink roses mixed with a bunch of add-ins. Advanced Auto Parts is directly across the lot. I stopped there next. I asked the gentleman working their if it were a fact that they will run a free computer diagnostic check on cars. It was and he did. He printed out the report and told me it appeared that my oxygen sensor might be bad, but that I should have my mechanic check it further. Homeward.
Mindy was home and the kids were already gone with Jim when I arrived. I presented her with the roses and a card. I think we walked Ykraps together but I can't be sure. We called my dad around 6:30pm to let him know that we were coming by around 7pm. He was OK with that but cautioned that she was not doing so well. We tidied up and left for dad's around 7:05pm.
Dad greeted us as we entered the house as he always does. He lead us to Sheila's room where we went in to see her by ourselves. Nothing could have prepared me for how bad she looked. I thought she looked bad Monday but today she looked really bad. It was gut wrenching. I would be surprised if she weighed 80 lbs, and she looked gone. We spent a good twenty minutes with her holding her, talking with her, and telling her that we loved her. A few different times she opened her otherwise rolled back eyes to acknowledge our presence. She could only hold that focus for a few seconds and then she'd drift off again. I felt the end was near. As she was, there seemed to be no hope of turning the proverbial corner any longer. Now, I just wanted her to be pain free and at peace. She deserves it.
We said our goodbyes one more time as we left the room. We both kissed her on her head before leaving. We went to talk with dad before heading out. He shared some of his most recent conversations he had with her along with a few others. We left around 8:00pm. We didn't need to say much to one another. We both knew as we drove away that we'd likely seen her alive for the last time. I felt a sense of peace, but I had many things to ponder.
We arrived at Barley's just after 8pm. Bob & Mary Ann were already there sitting with Courtney and Jeremy. The six of us hadn't been at Barley's together since before Xmas 2006. We had a really nice time catching up - laughing and sharing. We ordered food. I had Gates of Hell Wings and sauerkraut balls. Mindy had pulled pork and veggies. Over the course of the evening I had three beers. Josh stopped in and reminded all of us that he was playing at Mickey's Old Time on 5th avenue. We agreed to stop there before going home to check out his new band, Slather. We left Barley's around 11pm.
We arrived at Mickey's five minutes later. Josh's band was well underway. We probably stayed long enough to hear six or seven songs with a break nestled in-between. We left Mickey's around midnight. Everyone was tired, plus we had a big night planned for Saturday. Bob & M.A. headed towards home and so did we. We traveled the back streets of Grandview twisting and turning down the winding streets making our way towards Grandview Ave. Just as Mindy mentioned that I was going a little fast, and I guess I was, one of Grandview's finest pulled us over. He asked for license and registration. I was ready save for handing him last year's registration (I keep them all in a zip-loc baggie). He asked if I knew how fast I was going. I told him that I did not. He asked if I realized I was doing 38mph. I told that I didn't. He retreated to his car for a brief moment then quickly returned. He handed me my license, told me to watch my speed, and to drive safely.
We headed home with the Trooper running about as poorly as it has all week. It was stalling or wanting to stall at each light. Once home, we stayed up long enough to secure the home but pretty much went right to bed. It was long exhausting day.
I did the morning coffee thing before beginning food prep, and just like always, we ate our breakfast together. Mindy and the kids were out the door around 7:20am.
I left for work around 7:55am very excited that it was Friday. As I would've expected, the day was very busy. We're always busy on Friday's. I called my auto repair guy around 9:15am with every intention of telling him to bag the repair. In fact, I was prepared to ask him if he wanted to buy it for a $1000. I figured I was throwing good money at bad. But I had three things I wanted to ask/clarify first. I asked him to clarify exactly what he'd be fixing and what would be new versus old. I asked what he would do if it were his. He made a convincing argument for keeping the car figuring that any car we'd buy in that price range would be susceptible to similar troubles, but at least with this one we know we'll have a new transmission and a new upper engine (valves and cam). And besides, it's spend $1100 on this repair, or that plus more for another car. The fact that this is a Honda with just over 100,000 miles is another good reason to keep it. While talking it became clear to me that the best thing to do was to do the repair. I told him to get started. I felt a sense of relief for making a decision, and I also felt it a sound one given my other options.
I shared my decision with Mindy a short time later. She supported my decision. We also exchanged loving emails since today was our one month wedding anniversary. We decided that we'd book our trip to Riviera Maya today too. She reminded me to call Pat and Lisa to follow-up on Saturday evening dinner plans. I decided to call after lunch.
I left for my run around 11:45am since I was planning on lunching with my friend Jay P. who just started back with us on Wednesday. I was partly cloudy & warm when I left. Today I didn't wear a jacket, but I did wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt. And just like it did each day since Tuesday, the sun busted out during my run heating it a bit. I had to laugh at the coincidence. It was a great run!
I was showered and back by 1pm. Jay stopped by my office right on queue. We left for Chipotle's, his favorite restaurant in the world, right away. We went to the new Chipotle's at Mill Run. It was crowded and crazy loud. I hadn't had one of their burritos in over a year. We ate fairly quickly and left after about 40 minutes. We talked about all sorts of stuff, most notably his eagerness to return to work with us.
The afternoon went fast, too. While working a number of issues, I squeezed in a call to the Shultz's home. Lisa answered. She only works 'til noon on Friday's. Hey, that's a gig I want! She thought it best for me to nail down our plans with Pat. I called Pat on his cell a few minutes later. I told him that we already had added them to our reservations at Mitchell's. He promised to check with Lisa and call us back later.
I talked with Mindy again around 4pm where we discussed visiting Sheila tonight on our way out to Barley's.
I wrapped up the many things I was working on and left the office about ten minutes early since I needed to stop at Kroger and Advanced Auto Parts. Kroger was not as crowded as it generally is after work. It might have been the leaving ten minutes early thing. I bought Mindy a dozen pink roses mixed with a bunch of add-ins. Advanced Auto Parts is directly across the lot. I stopped there next. I asked the gentleman working their if it were a fact that they will run a free computer diagnostic check on cars. It was and he did. He printed out the report and told me it appeared that my oxygen sensor might be bad, but that I should have my mechanic check it further. Homeward.
Mindy was home and the kids were already gone with Jim when I arrived. I presented her with the roses and a card. I think we walked Ykraps together but I can't be sure. We called my dad around 6:30pm to let him know that we were coming by around 7pm. He was OK with that but cautioned that she was not doing so well. We tidied up and left for dad's around 7:05pm.
Dad greeted us as we entered the house as he always does. He lead us to Sheila's room where we went in to see her by ourselves. Nothing could have prepared me for how bad she looked. I thought she looked bad Monday but today she looked really bad. It was gut wrenching. I would be surprised if she weighed 80 lbs, and she looked gone. We spent a good twenty minutes with her holding her, talking with her, and telling her that we loved her. A few different times she opened her otherwise rolled back eyes to acknowledge our presence. She could only hold that focus for a few seconds and then she'd drift off again. I felt the end was near. As she was, there seemed to be no hope of turning the proverbial corner any longer. Now, I just wanted her to be pain free and at peace. She deserves it.
We said our goodbyes one more time as we left the room. We both kissed her on her head before leaving. We went to talk with dad before heading out. He shared some of his most recent conversations he had with her along with a few others. We left around 8:00pm. We didn't need to say much to one another. We both knew as we drove away that we'd likely seen her alive for the last time. I felt a sense of peace, but I had many things to ponder.
We arrived at Barley's just after 8pm. Bob & Mary Ann were already there sitting with Courtney and Jeremy. The six of us hadn't been at Barley's together since before Xmas 2006. We had a really nice time catching up - laughing and sharing. We ordered food. I had Gates of Hell Wings and sauerkraut balls. Mindy had pulled pork and veggies. Over the course of the evening I had three beers. Josh stopped in and reminded all of us that he was playing at Mickey's Old Time on 5th avenue. We agreed to stop there before going home to check out his new band, Slather. We left Barley's around 11pm.
We arrived at Mickey's five minutes later. Josh's band was well underway. We probably stayed long enough to hear six or seven songs with a break nestled in-between. We left Mickey's around midnight. Everyone was tired, plus we had a big night planned for Saturday. Bob & M.A. headed towards home and so did we. We traveled the back streets of Grandview twisting and turning down the winding streets making our way towards Grandview Ave. Just as Mindy mentioned that I was going a little fast, and I guess I was, one of Grandview's finest pulled us over. He asked for license and registration. I was ready save for handing him last year's registration (I keep them all in a zip-loc baggie). He asked if I knew how fast I was going. I told him that I did not. He asked if I realized I was doing 38mph. I told that I didn't. He retreated to his car for a brief moment then quickly returned. He handed me my license, told me to watch my speed, and to drive safely.
We headed home with the Trooper running about as poorly as it has all week. It was stalling or wanting to stall at each light. Once home, we stayed up long enough to secure the home but pretty much went right to bed. It was long exhausting day.
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