Didn't Show Up

The kids were up early but so were we. To our delight, they played quietly, at least at the outset. I crept downstairs and prepped a pot of coffee, exercised, and leashed up Ykraps for our morning stroll. My mood was somber as we walked along our usual path. We happened upon the older couple I frequently see out walking each morning. The Mrs commented that she hadn’t seen me in a long while. I would see them most summer mornings while watering the front flower beds.

I dug into work when we returned. Mindy was up milling about the house along with all the children. After a little work, I checked the Fox web page to see what NFL games would be televised. I was elated to see that my Vikings were slated for TV at 1pm. I shared the news with Mindy who shared in my joy. I spent the next hour sipping coffee and toiling with work. At 8:30am I left for a run leaving plenty of time after my return to help Mindy ready the kids for church. I wouldn’t be joining her, at least physically. :)

It began to rain ever so lightly while I ran. The last I checked the weather there was just a slim chance of appreciable rain. It stayed that way through my entire run. I ran with music ringing in my ears via my MP3 player. It was nice.

Soon after I returned from my run and began helping the kids get dressed, the sky opened up and boy did it rain. And it didn’t let up either. It rained pretty doggone hard for the next few hours. The kids were cooperative but still a handful. Mindy loaded all of them in the minivan and left for church at 10am sharp. I had the house to myself for the next couple hours. WAHOO!

I spent time dealing with work and completing some chores Mindy asked that I tend to. It was the least I could do after the great job she did entertaining and taking care of all four kids last evening and again this AM. First, I hand washed the breakfast dishes then unloaded the clean dishwasher. Next, I vacuumed the downstairs even cleaning underneath the sofa cushion. Next, I foot mopped the kitchen tile floor. Looked great when I finished! It was noon by the time I finished. Mindy & Jacob returned home (Bella went home with her grandma after church) around 12:10pm. Mindy offered to make lunch and expressed appreciation for the work I had done. I contemplated starting the basement shelves but opted instead to relax prior to the Viking game.

1pm came fast. I was eager to watch Adrian Peterson as the feature back for the Vikings. But it was apparent from the outset that watching the game was a bad idea. In all my years, save for the 2000 NFC championship game, I don’t think the Vikings have ever looked worse. They stunk so bad that I had to go to my room to watch just so Jacob wouldn’t hear all of my swearing. And probably the most embarrassing thing was that Fox, worried about ratings, switched games. Geeesh! I later learned that Adrian Peterson hurt his knee. Not good! Just an all-around bad football weekend. I was in a funk to be sure. And Mindy had to console me as tears now streamed down my loving face!

I napped for a short while before uping for Gloria’s place. It was still pouring rain. We loaded the Trooper in the rain stopping first by my dad’s to drop off his trailer. Onto Gloria’s. We arrived before anyone else. Bella greeted us at the door. It was a short while before all the others arrived, but by 5:00pm we were enjoying our dinner. We had baked ham, cheesey potatoes, green beans (compliments of Mindy), and an assortment of other tasty sides. The discussion was lively as it often is around the dinner table. We had a fun time.

After dinner Jacob entertained the masses with his go-go dancing prowess, although we’re not sure where he gets it, it was too funny! He seems to enjoy being the center of attention. I can relate. Dessert was served around 6:30pm – chocolate pie! It’s been a while since we’ve had it. We weren’t disappointed. It was delicious! We picked up our belongings and departed for home around 7pm.
We won’t be together in such mass again until Thanksgiving Day.

At home I gathered up Ykraps for his evening walk. Jacob insisted on going along but Mindy had other ideas. She needed Jacob to ready for bed. He was a bit defiant prompting Mindy to search for answers on how to better control him. We discussed some proactive ideas that might work temporarily but I am not convinced that they’re a good long term solution. Perhaps the best thing is to allow him to be himself albeit within some fixed guidelines – sorta like bumper bowling.

After the kids were in bed Mindy and I tuned into Fox’s Sunday night line-up of comedy – Simpson’s, King of the Hill, Family Guy (my favorite), and American Dad. We watched the first three from the family room and the last from bed.