Grilling with the Neighbors

Just eight short months 'til Xmas! I was up before the clock struck 5:30am. I bounced myself from bed despite a lingering desire for more sleep. I figured it was Friday, my favorite day of the week. And if it was sleep that I wanted, I could sleep extra long later that night. I started my exercise regiment right after choking down a vitamin and an anti-inflammatory. It wasn’t too long before Ykraps and I set out on our walk. It was another lovely morning with predictions of yet another warm sunny day in the balance. And speaking of the weather, we’ve had a two week stretch of absolutely beautiful weather with only one or two less than stellar days sandwiched in, and even then those days weren’t too bad. Back at home I enjoyed my coffee in front of the PC doing what I generally do each morning. At 6:10am I delivered Mindy’s coffee before returning downstairs to ready for a run. Once again, I was a little stiff but not as bad as Thursday morning. Having Mindy rub my rump before bed is paying huge dividends. My run went pretty well. My upper leg stiffened while running but nothing I couldn’t stretch out before heading back in the house from the front porch. Mindy made my scrambled eggs but was eager to hit the road and subsequently spent little time enjoying her own breakfast. She left with Bella still asleep in her arms. Jacob rushed out to steal a hug goodbye. After finishing up my breakfast I showered and dressed then returned downstairs by 7:49am. I spent the few minutes before bus time tidying up the kitchen. Jacob dashed off for the bus stop a couple minutes early. I didn’t chase behind. Instead, I took care of a few necessary chores and met him there just before the bus pulled up. Pat and I chatted only briefly before heading our separate ways. I was driving the Trooper for the first time since Monday. I felt kind of new and different after driving the BM’er for three days. I arrived at work just before 8:30am. It was busy – much like a spring time Friday. I planned a lunch sneaking away around 1pm. I drove up Sawmill stopping at Borders Books looking for the Classical Opera, Satyagraha by Phillip Glass. They didn’t’ have it. I was slightly bummed. By the time I made it back to the office and hour had easily passed. Again, we were very busy so the rest of the day soared by. I left around 5:40pm destined for home. I talked with Mindy along the way hearing the story of how daughter Ashley had to call off work because her sister Lindsey refused to watch Olivia lat minute leaving her in a bit of a lurch. What doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger. Ashley seemed to use this lesson to strengthen her independence. She worked out arrangements for Grandma Sharon to watch Olivia next week but is arranging her own private childcare moving forward, something Mindy and I have hoped for some time coming. We want Olivia somewhere safe, clean, and nurturing. Sadly, Ashley had to call off of work due to the predicament. Kids! Mindy made plans for us to cookout with neighbors, Kenny & Crissy, the newly weds. However, I still planned on visiting Barley’s but just long enough to pick-up a jug or two of brew and perhaps have one there with friends. But before any of that, I needed a nap. After walking Ykraps I found my way to the recliner where I snoozed hard for a good fifteen minutes. It felt terrific. I woke to the sound of Kenny talking with Mindy in the kitchen. They were talking about food – meat, buns, and fruit. I had to laugh to myself because that’s about the last thing I’d expect to hear Kenny talking about. I got up from the recliner around 6:55pm and headed upstairs for a quick grooming before setting out towards Barley’s. Just as I was grabbing my keys, Mindy came in from talking with the neighbors. I left around 7:10pm. The lot was moderately full. I had to park way in the back. I brought two jugs, which I wanted to fill with IPA but figured they still wouldn’t have any. They didn’t. Instead, I had one filled with Hoptopus and the other with their flagship Pale Ale. While waiting and visiting with friends, I had a Highland Hammer. It was good, but not exactly a favorite of mine. Steve and Mark were present. We chatted briefly. But after my Hammer was finished I asked for my check. I didn’t want to be rude to our neighbors. As expected, Mindy & the kids were already down at the neighbor’s house. I filled a pint glass and carried my jug of Hoptopus down to Kenny & Crissy’s. The kids were playing outside and the adults inside. I played with the kids before heading in to say hello. Mindy mentioned that she wasn’t expecting me for a while yet. We were grilling simple stuff, burgers, brats, and dogs. Mindy whipped up a salad, fruit tray, and supplied the buns. Kenny and Crissy supplied the meat. We had a fun time and hung out late. We stayed up, all of us, until after 11pm. The kids included. We stumbled home two houses to the west. We were all in bed in less than fifteen minutes.