Monday, March 03, 2008

HopSlam!

Happy 50th B-Day Jodie!
I woke before the cock crowed. It was Monday and time to prepare for a full week of work. Psychologically, I just wasn’t’ ready for it. Nevertheless, I got busy with my routine knowing full well that I had no other legitimate options.

I took a vitamin and an anti-inflammatory befor beginning my sit-ups. They went really quick. I was ready to walk Ykraps by 5:40am. He was ready and waiting by the door. A step out the door revealed a pleasant surprise. It was absolutely gorgeous. It was 54 degrees and there were stars galore. To boot, there was a waning crescent hanging low in the southern sky.

Back at home I had several minutes to play before I had to wake Mindy. At the time I wasn’t sure if she was going to stay home with Jacoby or if she expected me to.

I took Mindy her coffee around 6:05am. She told me that she was staying home. Too bad. I had half warmed to the idea of not going to work but didn’t mention it. But I really needed to be at work. Besides, I failed to bring my laptop home, so I would’ve been completely disconnected from the office. I shouldn’t feel guilty on those rare occasions but I do. After sharing that she was staying home I shared the news of the beautiful weather and the lovely forecast. It was expected to be sunny most of the day and reach into the low 60’s. The only downside, if there was one, was that it would fall apart later tonight and be raw and rainy by Tuesday morning , voting day.

I headed back down the stairs where I meditated and then dressed for a run. The run went well, too. For the first time in a couple of weeks I was able to run without hat or gloves. It was plenty warm and plenty light.

When I returned from my run everyone was up. I wasn’t sure if that would be the case or not. I organized my packed lunch, which Mindy pretty much already had prepared save for the tuna fish, and then warmed the breakfast casserole that she lovingly baked the night before. It was delicious!

I left for work at 8:05am. I never thought about it at the time but reflecting back I should’ve driven the BM’er. I arrived at work by 8:20am. Things were sort of slow out of the gate. That’s not normal for a Monday. But by the time 11am rolled around we were inundated. Trying to escape for lunch as much as possible, I decided that I would drive to Huffman’s grocery in Upper Arlington seeking some HopSlam. Saturday, the fella at Gentile’s said that they might have it. It was a nice drive from the office. Huffman’s has that Maw & Paw feel. Sadly, they didn’t have the HopSlam. Damn! I stopped at Home Depot on my way back through to get Ashley’s dryer venting and clamps. I bought three new furnace filters, too. I was back at the office after just about an hour.

The afternoon went slow, especially from 2 -4pm. I sent Bob I. an email letting him know how much I missed the mountain, and also shared my inability to find HopSlam. I knew that he found some nearby, but I couldn’t recall where. Within the hour he replied. Said they carry it at the Boulevard Carry-Out at the corner of Third Ave. and Northwest Blvd. I knew then that I’d be making a pit stop on my route home. I am a hop head!

The work day finally drew to a close. I was there until 5:40pm. I aimed the Trooper towards Grandview and let it get me there via auto-pilot. I made it to the carry-out by 6:05pm. I knew that Mindy had to be wondering where the hell I was at. Sure enough, they had the HopSlam. The gentleman working the counter said, “I don’t’ want to scare you, but do you know how expensive that beer is?” Yes, I replied. I told him that I had searched high and low for some and that it was one of my faves. He said, “that’ll be $17.07 with tax!” Yikes!!!

I was happy to have a six pack of the much coveted HopSlam in tow. I phoned Mindy to let her know that I was finally on my way home. She let me know that she had cooked steaks on the grill and that everything was ready. Cool! She also let me know that Jacob did not have strep like she originally suspected. She took him to see brother Craig. He recommended Tylenol. She said that Jacob was already feeling better and playing with the neighbor kids. Great, now they’ll be sick. I was happy to be home and equally eager to eat a steak dinner. Mindy typically has cooking steaks on the grill on the Jimmy chore list. Today, however, was an exception. I couldn’t help but think the whole cleaning up puke thing changed her perspective a little. J

After dinner we did the clean-up together. It didn’t take too long. I failed to mention that Mindy’s laptop arrived today, too. I doubted that we’d get around to getting it prepped that evening, though. The weather began taking a change for the bad after our dinner. The warm sunny weather was already a thing of the past. A nasty cold front was moving in and it packed lots of rain. The forecasters were calling for up to three inches overnight and temperatures approaching freezing. Here we go! Mindy purposefully got the kids ready for an early bedtime. Jacob was in bed by 7:30pm and Bella not too long after that.

And as far as that goes, we weren’t far behind that. I did crack a HopSlam, however. I would’ve thoroughly enjoyed it had I not drove myself crazy looking for two shirts that didn’t turn up in the laundry after our recent trip. I was sure that I left them either in the condo on the mountain, or at Glenn’s. We literally turned the house upside down searching. No joy! I left Glenn a VM. I finally let go, at least as best I could and relaxed a little before heading off to bed. We were in bed no later than 9:30pm Shhhh – don’t tell.

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