Perkins with Papa & Choppin'

I knew it was supposed to be a cloudy, cooler day on Tuesday, so when I got up I wasn’t at all surprised to see nothing but gray. However, I was surprised when I took Ykraps on his walk after my exercise. It was still very warm and sticky. In fact, it was a balmy 72 degrees at 7am.How about that!

I thought that I was the only one up, but soon found Jacob scurrying about getting ready for school, once again all on his own accord. I asked if he needed anything. Nope! He ate four pop-tarts for breakfast. Wow! I decided that it was too late for me to attempt a run before getting Jacob off on the bus. I chose to wait. Instead, I used the time to write and play on the PC. Come 7:55am Jacob and I headed out. Pat & Alanna didn’t join us. Hmm?

After Jacob hopped the bus I headed back home and picked up where I left off. I wrote for about another hour. Come 8:45am I readied & left for a run. By then Mindy & Bella were awake. Just before I bolted off, we confirmed our plans to go out for breakfast. My run went well. My ass didn’t feel perfect, but still OK. Mindy was all but ready to go upon my return. I took a quick shower and was ready to go by 9:30am. Just before setting out, Mindy phoned my dad to see if he was interested in joining us, even though we both recognize that he’s an early riser. Much to our surprise, he hadn’t yet had his breakfast and agreed to join us at the Hilliard Perkins.

We arrived a few minutes before Dad. We went ahead and got a booth. Just after getting our coffee Dad showed up. I ordered a rather big breakfast. In fact, we all did. It was good, too. We enjoyed Dad’s company. We were there for about an hour. We parted ways at about 10:45am.

Our plans called for several stops, including Target, Kohl’s, Dick’s, and Target. We also talked about going to Home Depot but never did. The stop at Kohl’s was mostly for me. I wanted some new summer shorts. I got four pair. I also picked up a cool tropical button up shirt. Mindy covered the tab. Wahoo! Next, we went next door to Dick’s to fetch Jacob a second pair of baseball pants. There cheap enough that it makes sense (about $7), and that way we won’t have to wash the one pair he has twice a week between games.

Across the street at Target (Mindy’s favorite store in the world) we bought a bunch of $1 dollar hook ‘em items, a new shower caddy, kids beach towels, and some new Crocs for Bella. It was pouring as we checked out. The scattered variety. I grabbed a large blueberry ICEE on our way out. Very yummy!

Next, we drove to Mindy’s moms’ to plant a rose bush and the five Wave petunias I had set aside for her. In her drive was Boomer, her brother-in-law. He was there scoping out the plumbing work needing done. Mindy and Bella went inside. I got busy planting. Afterwards, I watered everything in real good. Bella came out to assist. I went inside to visit for a while before departing. Stopping over like this, so much reminds me of stopping at my Grandma Lantz’s when we were young. Not sure why, exactly.

We headed home. The day seemed to have flown by. As we passed Consumer Square West (right behind the White Castle on Wilson Rd) I asked Mindy if the Jack’s Aquarium was still open. She said it was. We made a quick u-turn and proceeded to Jack’s. I went in to buy some crickets for our lizards. Bella joined me. I knew she’d marvel at the puppies, bunnies, and birds. Sure enough. I had to tell her more than once not to place her fingers in the McCall’s cage. She’s truly a Curious George. We bought medium sized crickets when they really need small. However, the gentlemen working the counter said that they’ll eat them just as well. I’ll bet the mediums were as large as their heads.

The Dollar store was right next door, and I had never been in one. I asked Bella if she wanted to go in. She did. I looked towards Mindy who was waiting in the car. She seemed to be looking away. We went on in. We weren’t in there for one minute before Mindy joined us. She seemed eager to look around too. We found a handful of $1 items that we wanted to get. We got some of the glow necklaces that all the kids found so amusing a couple weeks ago at a cookout we hosted. We also bought four large water pistols, again for the kids.

It was already 3:30pm and time to get home. Jacob would be getting off the bus shortly. Where had the day gone?



Jacob got off the bus just before 4pm. I greeted him at the door. Mindy whipped up spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. It didn’t take too long. It was sure good.

Bella had dance class and I would need to run her there. I asked Mindy if it was watch night (the one night each month that parents are allowed to watch). She said it wasn’t. We left for dance at 6:15pm. Turns out, it was watch night. I decided to stay. I was going to run back to Wal-Mart to get a few items that I forgot on Monday. As usual, watch night was funny. The kids are a challenge. I give a lot of credit to the instructor, Megan.

After dance class, I asked Bella if we could make a pit stop at Wal-Mart. She eventually agreed after seeing that it was within eyeshot. We picked up another two-liter bottle of Minutemaid lemonade, toilet paper, and donuts. Bella begged for a treat. I denied her one. Before leaving the store, Bella insisted on peeing. I had to wait just outside the bathroom for her to finish. It seemed like she took for ever. I hollered in once. Soon we were on our way back home. Finally!

Before I forget, the temperature & humidity dropped dramatically earlier this afternoon, or just after the rain passed. Where it was in the low 70’s when I got up, it was now in the low 50’s. It was blustery too. Yuck! Wednesday promises much cooler hi- temps (mid 60’s) but also brilliant sunshine.

We arrived home by 8pm. Mindy readied Bella for bed promptly. We weren’t far behind either. I was eager to get a good night’s sleep before returning to work. Without question, I had a very enjoyable five days off of work and got quite a bit completed. Perhaps more importantly, I rarely thought about work and almost lost track of the days. That’s always a good sign. But in the end, I realize how much I like the structure and frame work that work inherently provides. Plus, it makes the weekends more meaningful. Good night moon!