It was quite possibly the most rested I had felt all week. Going to bed around 9pm paid dividends. On schedule, I was able to complete my calisthenics and walk Ykraps at the more leisurely pace I’m accustom to. This was Valentine’s Day – a day Hallmark and other greeting card makers, as well as rose growers, cherish. As such, it was out of love that I carried out the rest of my routine duties.
After a walk with Ykraps, delivering coffee, and meditation, I prepped for my morning run. I dressed in cold weather attire as the temperature hovered just under 20 degrees. I’ve heard many describe this winter season as mild. But from my perspective, this has been a much colder than average winter season. We’ve had several nights/mornings in the single digits and near zero, and several days with high’s only in the 20’s. Comparatively, we’ve had just a scant few days where temperatures rose significantly above average. Snow fall, on the other hand, has been minimal with our largest storm still one of the season’s first, back in early December. For that I am most grateful.
No sooner had I hit the door for my run did I notice the stark change in the 6:35am morning sky. Because it was clear, I could see the change readily. We are indeed at the cusp of spring. Daybreak was already apparent. And halfway into my run it was fully daylight. This is a welcome change.
Mindy had cheesy scrambled eggs ready for consumption upon my return. As it turns out, this was Jacob’s Friday. In fact, he has a four day weekend. I was jealous. After Mindy left, Jacob played Wii. I ran along to the shower. Just before Mindy left we made loose plans for a family Valentine’s dinner out. It sounded like we’d convene at Red Lobster but we purposefully didn’t nail down the venue. We’d discuss it more later in the day.
I warmed the Trooper while Jacob and I walked to the bus stop. We met Pat & Alanna there. The bus arrived on time – about 8:03am. It was cold. We chatted only briefly. I was on my way to work by 8:10am.
The work day was a most pleasant one despite the feverish pace. I left for lunch just before 1pm determined to create some separation in my day. I drove to Kittle’s which is bunched in with Best Buy and Wal-Mart just a mile up the road. I wanted to browse their furniture selection looking more than anything for entertainment center pieces. The very one that we planned to order online all of sudden is no longer available by the two or three suppliers that once carried it. I could’ve chosen to feel snake bitten but instead chalked it up to destiny – something meant to be.
As expected, I found several choices at Kittle’s, but all were more expensive than what I had in mind. There were, however, a couple worth consideration. Either way, we won’t have to decide now until some into early March. I left Kittle’s and moved a few store fronts north to Best Buy for some browsing. I was back at work after an hour away.
The remainder of the day went by quickly. It was difficult to imagine that tomorrow was already Friday. The week has flown by. Before leaving work, Mindy phoned to confirm our dinner plans. We agreed to meet at the Georgesville Square Red Lobster between 530-600pm. I arrived first to a capacity crowd. The wait, I learned, was 45-60 minutes. Yuck! I procured a pager but wasn’t too keen on waiting, especially with the kids, their patience being thinner than mine. Once they arrived, Mindy left it up to the kids. They wanted to wait. Wait we did, along with about a hundred others in the cramped foyer area. Jacob asked how long we had been waiting after only three minutes, and then again after 5. I sensed then that he might change his mind. He did. He was now in favor of a venue change – Barley’s. Bella, however, vetoed his request, so we continued the wait. The time went by reasonably fast, and we banked on being called a bit earlier than stated. We were. After about 35 minutes were seated at a large table for six right next to a large aquarium holding medium sized tropical fish.
The menu at Red Lobster no longer appeals to my palette, but this was more about the family than about my individual tastes. I ordered a bowl of chowder and a Sam Adams to start and then the captain’s feast – a variety of deep fried seafood. Mindy ordered probably their best selection – the crab, lobster and shrimp. Jacob had a double portion of scampi. And lastly, not being a seafood fan, Bella ordered only French fries. Honestly, my entrée was terrible. I might as well of ordered Mrs Paul’s fish sticks. J It all tasted the same.
The hour was getting late. It was almost 7:30pm when we departed for home. I drove alone. The kids chose to ride with Mindy. At home Mindy made quick work of readying the kids for bed. I played Wii, updated my blog, and enjoyed a stiff drink. I stayed up after Mindy went to bed. She headed up around 9:30pm. I joined her around 11pm.
After a walk with Ykraps, delivering coffee, and meditation, I prepped for my morning run. I dressed in cold weather attire as the temperature hovered just under 20 degrees. I’ve heard many describe this winter season as mild. But from my perspective, this has been a much colder than average winter season. We’ve had several nights/mornings in the single digits and near zero, and several days with high’s only in the 20’s. Comparatively, we’ve had just a scant few days where temperatures rose significantly above average. Snow fall, on the other hand, has been minimal with our largest storm still one of the season’s first, back in early December. For that I am most grateful.
No sooner had I hit the door for my run did I notice the stark change in the 6:35am morning sky. Because it was clear, I could see the change readily. We are indeed at the cusp of spring. Daybreak was already apparent. And halfway into my run it was fully daylight. This is a welcome change.
Mindy had cheesy scrambled eggs ready for consumption upon my return. As it turns out, this was Jacob’s Friday. In fact, he has a four day weekend. I was jealous. After Mindy left, Jacob played Wii. I ran along to the shower. Just before Mindy left we made loose plans for a family Valentine’s dinner out. It sounded like we’d convene at Red Lobster but we purposefully didn’t nail down the venue. We’d discuss it more later in the day.
I warmed the Trooper while Jacob and I walked to the bus stop. We met Pat & Alanna there. The bus arrived on time – about 8:03am. It was cold. We chatted only briefly. I was on my way to work by 8:10am.
The work day was a most pleasant one despite the feverish pace. I left for lunch just before 1pm determined to create some separation in my day. I drove to Kittle’s which is bunched in with Best Buy and Wal-Mart just a mile up the road. I wanted to browse their furniture selection looking more than anything for entertainment center pieces. The very one that we planned to order online all of sudden is no longer available by the two or three suppliers that once carried it. I could’ve chosen to feel snake bitten but instead chalked it up to destiny – something meant to be.
As expected, I found several choices at Kittle’s, but all were more expensive than what I had in mind. There were, however, a couple worth consideration. Either way, we won’t have to decide now until some into early March. I left Kittle’s and moved a few store fronts north to Best Buy for some browsing. I was back at work after an hour away.
The remainder of the day went by quickly. It was difficult to imagine that tomorrow was already Friday. The week has flown by. Before leaving work, Mindy phoned to confirm our dinner plans. We agreed to meet at the Georgesville Square Red Lobster between 530-600pm. I arrived first to a capacity crowd. The wait, I learned, was 45-60 minutes. Yuck! I procured a pager but wasn’t too keen on waiting, especially with the kids, their patience being thinner than mine. Once they arrived, Mindy left it up to the kids. They wanted to wait. Wait we did, along with about a hundred others in the cramped foyer area. Jacob asked how long we had been waiting after only three minutes, and then again after 5. I sensed then that he might change his mind. He did. He was now in favor of a venue change – Barley’s. Bella, however, vetoed his request, so we continued the wait. The time went by reasonably fast, and we banked on being called a bit earlier than stated. We were. After about 35 minutes were seated at a large table for six right next to a large aquarium holding medium sized tropical fish.
The menu at Red Lobster no longer appeals to my palette, but this was more about the family than about my individual tastes. I ordered a bowl of chowder and a Sam Adams to start and then the captain’s feast – a variety of deep fried seafood. Mindy ordered probably their best selection – the crab, lobster and shrimp. Jacob had a double portion of scampi. And lastly, not being a seafood fan, Bella ordered only French fries. Honestly, my entrée was terrible. I might as well of ordered Mrs Paul’s fish sticks. J It all tasted the same.
The hour was getting late. It was almost 7:30pm when we departed for home. I drove alone. The kids chose to ride with Mindy. At home Mindy made quick work of readying the kids for bed. I played Wii, updated my blog, and enjoyed a stiff drink. I stayed up after Mindy went to bed. She headed up around 9:30pm. I joined her around 11pm.
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