Mushy Maters

I woke Saturday feeling well slept. I was up even before 7am. Both children had been in our room prior to me getting out of bed prodding their mother for attention. Mindy curtly sent Jacob back to his room to get more sleep citing his propensity to hold a foul disposition with so little sleep. Bella, on the other hand, who entered after Jacob was turned away, was allowed to remain. But when I popped out of bed, she followed me downstairs.

I prepped a pot of coffee and went about my calisthenics. Bella was eager to walk Ykraps with me. I was a bit surprised. Jacob was now up too and insisted on coming along with us as well. With all four of us going there was sure to be a Kodak moment. I took the camera.

It was a little blustery. I got a few pics as we walked along the well-beaten path. Mindy remained in bed until I wandered up to get my running attire. By then I had already enjoyed coffee and engaged myself in a number of work related matters. Before I left for a run Mindy asked if I wanted breakfast. I did. She spoke of making pancakes and bacon.

I left for my run around 8:30am. I thought about venturing out onto Trabue but opted instead to stay within the subdivision. I took notice of all the Buckeye banners flying proudly in neighbors’ yards turning my thoughts to the day’s big game. And since kick-off wasn’t slated until 3:30pm I hoped to get a few things accomplished beforehand. Of course all of that was dependent on work.

Breakfast was ready upon my return. It smelt terrific. Before digging in, I checked in with work. Both the pancakes and bacon were fantastic. They really hit the spot. It was near or after 10am. I was eager to get moving, and I had most of the work issues under control. I prepared to go fetch firewood. Jacob wanted to go along. We set out twenty minutes later. Our first stop was dad’s place to get his trailer. He wasn’t home. We hitched up the trailer, checked the trailer tire pressure, then scooted on down the road.

We made excellent time. It took about 20 minutes to get to Brownwood Enterprises, located on Refugee Rd just west of Alum Creek Dr. I’ve been buying wood from this guy for years, and I’ve never been disappointed. We picked a $100 rick and backed the trailer up accordingly. I recognized Brian, the hired help from last year. Very nice fella. The three of us loaded the trailer in about ten minutes. Jacob & I were headed home only 45 minutes after we left. We made excellent time. Mindy & Bella hadn’t even left for the grocery yet. However, they did leave a few minutes after we got home.

Before we could unload the first log, I wanted to tear out the ragged tomato plants still producing in front of the wood pile. And after that, I was determined to pull what remained of last year’s wood off the pile to ensure that we use it first. All of that took about 45 minutes. We filled the John Deere trailer with the tattered tomato plants and unripened fruit. We placed all of unblemished near-ripe tomatoes in a clothes basket. There must’ve been about 40 of those.

After dumping the carnage in the mulch pile out back we removed what remained of last year’s firewood and sat it aside. It hadn’t rained to any degree for several days, so I was certain that we could pull the Trooper into the yard and beside the wood pile without damaging the yard. If so, this would save us lots of time. I carefully pulled into the yard and along side the pile. No trouble at all. And for the next 45 minutes Jacob and I stacked the new firewood neatly against the house. Once we emptied the trailer, we placed last year’s remains on top.

Before putting away tractor and trailer Jacob and I threw the football for a while. Jacob asked to stop after about 20 minutes citing hunger as his main reason. I was OK with that, and was a little hungry myself. Jacob wanted his leftover chicken burrito bowl. I ate a few pieces of leftover pizza. Mindy arrived home with groceries. I helped her carry in her haul. It wasn’t long before she set out to get her hair done leaving me at home with both kids. She was also slated to pick-up Kaileigh on her way home. These arrangements were made last evening. We haven’t seen Kaileigh for about two months. All of us were looking forward to having her over.

Jacob and I watched the Michigan game. They lost to Wisconsin. I often pull for Michigan except when we’re playing them. But I tend to me the minority. Time was moving along quickly. The Buckeye/Illinois game began at 3:30pm. Jacob and I watched from the family room. As they have 7 times this year, the Buckeyes scored a touchdown on their opening drive. This time however, they did it in two plays. Unfortunately, Illinois answered with a fast touchdown of their own. Mindy returned home just after the Illinois score with Kaileigh in tow. It wasn’t long before she disappeared with Bella. It wasn’t another few minutes before the Buckeyes scored yet another touchdown sending the message that we were determined to win.
After that score the Buckeyes offense went largely dormant. Illinois continued to expose weakness in our defense. Lindsey called asking if Lil’ Rocky could come over. Mindy went to fetch him at halftime. Long story short, we lost for only the second time in over two years. All of us were disappointed to say the least. We’ve become accustom to winning and perhaps even spoiled. We all knew this day would return. Time to focus on Michigan!

Much like the night of the National Championship game in January, Jacob cried incessantly. Tears streamed down his cheeks. His momma consoled him but I’m not sure it helped. I got a cute pic of it. We spent the rest of the evening trying to move beyond the hurt of losing. Mindy gave all four kids a bath after dinner. Kaileigh brought the DVD, Ratatouille. We all huddled around the TV and enjoyed afterwards. And to our delight, the kids went to sleep rather easily even with so much stimulus about.

Mindy & I stayed up until no later than 10pm. Good Night Moon!