Viking Monday Magic

I woke around 4am and felt surprisingly good. I felt as though I could’ve upped then and got started with my routine. I didn’t. Instead, I laid there trying hopelessly to fall back asleep worrying that the sleepies would attack just before my “real’ get up time.

Come 5:20am I decided to get up and get moving. I was wide awake but at the same time tired, if you can believe it. I completed my exercise and then headed out with Ykraps. It was very cold - only about 12 degrees. And although the sky was crystal clear on first glance, clouds were moving in from the west. By the time he & I returned from our walk the stars were history.

Already I was beginning to feel a bit out of sorts, and complained of as much when I delivered Mindy’s coffee. I told her that it was cold and that was tired. Back down stairs I carried on with my usual routine of meditation then dressing for my run. I was mindful of the brutal chill and wore a thick turtleneck over top my wicking shirt for extra warmth. I was quite comfy after the initial ½ mile. I didn’t realize it fully until I finished but my penis was frozen to the point of pain. Mindy laughed at my discomfort. Even beyond that I sat there at the island waiting on our eggs to finish feeling completely lethargic. I ate my eggs and fruit as Mindy & Bella prepared to depart.
They left at their usual time. Jacob played Game Boy while I dashed off to the shower a little earlier than normal – 7:22am. I was downstairs ready to go by 7:45am. I took my time organizing myself eventually walking Jacob to the bus stop at 7:55am. I started the Trooper before walking down. It was still very cold!

Pat & Alanna showed up about the same time as us. We didn’t chat long after the bus arrived. Pat wasn’t dressed for the bitter cold & wind chill. I felt Ok but still perhaps a little tired. I grabbed Glenn’s Xmas package and headed out towards the post office and then work. The post office was about as crowded as I figured it might be. The line was about ten deep. My doctor stood directly behind me – a familiar position J. I didn’t acknowledge him. The line moved fast. It cost $33.40 to ship the box first class. Ouch!

I arrived at work around 8:45am due to the postal stop. I wasn’t there long before fetching a cup of coffee to help shake the sleepies. The coffee didn’t help and I even felt as though I might throw up. I didn’t feel well at all. I saw no reason to swim in lethargy. I contacted my boss and made arrangements to go home. I left for home at 10:10am. I made a fast stop at Target driving by to pick-up tow picture frames I needed for gifts. Despite feeling ill, my Xmas to-do list was still too long to blow it off.

I couldn’t wait to get home. I was eager to be in my jammies and lying down. Ykraps seemed confused to see me home so early. I half expected to find him partying with his friends much like my daughters used to. It didn’t take long for me to strip out of my jeans and back into my flannels. I opted for the sofa in lieu of bed. Ever since we put the board under the sofa cushion it’s so much more comfortable lying on it. I was asleep quickly. Perhaps I was simply exhausted from too little sleep.

Sure, I woke a couple of times but pretty much slept through 4pm or right before Jacob arrived home from school. During my conscious moments I watched some South Park episodes that I had on the DVR. Funny! Jacob seemed pleased that I was home. Mindy did too. She was a little later than usual after another Monday afternoon staff meeting. She stopped at Kroger for coffee on her way home too. She spoke of making spaghetti for dinner. Aside from a bit here or there, I hadn’t eaten anything substantial since breakfast.

Mindy & Bella were home before 5pm. While Mindy cooked, I walked Ykraps. I was feeling significantly better. Dinner was good. I was surprised by how much I ate. I must’ve been hungry! After dinner and clean-up I went to the PC to create a photo montage for Lindsey. I worked on that for an hour or so leading up to the beginning of MNF – The Vikings and the Bears. I’d like to say that I wasn’t nervous but I was. Suddenly the Vikings have found themselves in control of their own playoff destiny – something I had completely written off only four weeks ago. But for whatever reason, they play poorly whenever I watch a game. This was their first prime time appearance all year.

The kids were in bed. Although, Jacob had his bedroom TV tuned to the game, too. Mindy played on the PC. The game started well, defensively, but our offense made tow critical mistakes in the first couple of minutes. Thankfully, the Bears were only able to convert those costly mistakes into 3 points. If it wasn’t for our stellar defense, we might’ve been blown out. Just before half we made another critical mistake giving the Bears the ball and eventually a TD with less than a minute remaining in the half. We, however, took the ball down for a quick FG just before the half making it 13 -6.

The second half started as bad as the first. But midway through the third quarter the Vikings got moving a bit and eventually took the lead for good in the 4th quarter. We scored 17 unanswered points to win. Come midnight – as the game concluded – my heart was racing. I was elated that we won and moved to an 8-6 record after a miserable 3-6 start to the season. Go Vikes!!! I knew there was no way that I was going to fall asleep. But given my druthers, I’d much rather lose sleep from being too pumped after a Viking victory instead of wallowing in self pity after a defeat.