Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Out with the old


I was successful in my effort to wake-up before 5:30am. I was up, downstairs, and exercising before the clock struck 5:25am. Furthermore, a glance out the back door revealed nothing but clear skies and stars overhead. And what’s more, Ykraps enjoyed a walk in more spring-like temperatures. It was already in the low 40’s.

Back at home I poured myself some coffee and drank an entire cup before taking Mindy one. It was still well before 6:00am. I saw no need to wake her too early. I enjoyed the extra time in solitude. The expected high temperature today was predicted to hit 62 with lots of sunshine. That by itself elevated my mood. Those that know me well have heard me rant about the weather before, and they know just how weather-centered I become in early spring. It’s something I just can’t suppress, especially after the two weeks streak of abnormally warm weather we had in late March.

Just after 6am I took Mindy her coffee. She wasn’t awake yet, but sis once I delivered the coffee. Jacob had already confiscated my spot in the bed. I was back downstairs to begin my food prep and other meaningful morning stuff in a jiffy. Lunch prep went quick. I made salad with the “Bag-O-Salad remnants from the weekend. I added cucumbers, tomatoes, and sliced meat. For breakfast I made the standard bacon & cheese omelet. It turned out really good too. I used heavy whipping cream in lieu of half & half, and whipped them briskly. The omelet was fluffier than usual - tastier too!

Mindy and the kids left for work and school around 7:20am. I headed to the shower. I was all ready to leave for work by 7:40am but took my usual break for relaxation on the deck. I played guitar and enjoyed the flora and fauna in our own backyard. I left for work around 7:50am.

The work day was typical of most this time of year. Very busy! I was heavily engaged in this or that all morning long. I didn’t get out for my run until almost 1pm. By then the temperature was approaching 60 but it was again very breezy. But between the music blasting in my ears and a focus on other issues, I hardly noticed. I noticed how high the suns getting in the sky, too. I was almost directly overhead at 1:20pm.

I attended a rather long meeting in the afternoon. By the time that the meeting was over it was after 3:30pm. We played catch-up for the remainder of the afternoon. I left for home just after 5pm. I had plans to visit Wal-Mart Dublin to check-out & purchase our new patio furniture. We found a set that agreed with our criteria and that we both liked better than anything else we’d seen anywhere else. I found three folks in the garden center most helpful. I met a young man named Don that helped determine if they had the complete set in stock and if and how much of the set would fit into the Trooper. It turned out that they had all the pieces we desired and that I could fit the four chairs, umbrella, and table base in one trip. I’d have to return for the chaise lounger and the table top. I paid for everything other than the chaise, initially.

I was home with the new furniture even before 6pm. I called Mindy while in route to ask that she pull the min-van from the garage to make room for the new stuff. We still had the old stuff setting on the deck. She gladly obliged. I quickly unloaded the first load and readied for the return to get the rest. I asked Jacob to go along but he declined. I called my dad in route back to Wal-Mart. I hadn’t talked with him in a while. He was just taking care of some things around the house and described in some detail the stuff he’s been doing to put closure on Sheila’s business affairs. I have to tell you that certain aspects of it all left a lump in my throat. The finality of it all, I guess. It’s hard to believe that she’s gone, as we knew her, forever. Dad shared the story of driving to Verizon to resolve/closeout her cell phone bill. He actually went to my work venue thinking that we did that sort of thing. Of course we don’t, but the receptionist, as he told, kindly guided him to the proper building off of Emerald Pkwy. There they helped put closure to her account. While there he asked to use their facilities. They had to have security guide him to the urinals and wait just outside the door. Oh dad!

We talked for about 15 minutes. I told him that we’d be calling every so often to invite him over for dinner and to feel comfortable joining us. He said we’d play it by ear. I’d expect him to respond no other way. Back at Wal-Mart I made quick work of loading the table top and purchasing the chaise lounger that Mindy badly wanted. I was back home by 6:35pm. I was feeling extremely achy. Mindy informed me that Rene was planning to join us for dinner, but would be later than originally planned .We went ahead and ate our dinner. We had chili dogs – no buns. They were very good.

After cleaning up the kitchen I took to the PC. Mindy gave the kids a quick bath. Rene arrived just after the kids returned downstairs. They were as excited as Mindy to see Rene. Rene’s had a difficult time of late with her boy friend and needed some company. She’s a hot Greek girl with a brain and high aspirations. She should be able to catch plenty of great guys just like me! J

Rene brought a boneless chicken breast that needed cooked. Mindy made her some blazin’ chicken breast concoction. It looked delicious. They enjoyed a glass of wine too. While they talked boys, I tuned into American Idol. It’s fair to day that the country week was a tall task for most. But we missed the first one or two. After Idol, we watched House. It was as entertaining as ever. Come 10pm I was falling asleep on the couch. I snuck up to bed while Mindy & Rene continued gabbing it up. But once in bed I didn’t feel so tired. I tuned into the Discovery Channel and watched a show on repairing an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico. Mindy joined me upstairs around 10:45pm. After a few minutes laying together I still couldn’t sleep. I got up one more time and read some internet stories and checked on the Reds. They won. Around 11:40pm I headed back to bed.

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