Fresh Aire

Up early, I was eager to get my Tuesday moving. I was even further motivated knowing that I didn’t need to be in the office until 12noon. I completed my exercise routine at a slightly slower than usual pace. In kind, Ykraps and I walked slower and further than we usually do. Back at home, I was careful not to relax too much. After all, I didn’t want to squander the time I had. In truth, I really needed to stay focused to maximize my work from home time. I sipped coffee in front of the PC reading the headlines as well as the Daily OM. After delivering Mindy’s coffee I returned downstairs to meditate. All along, I hoped through meditation to find answers for Lindsey’s intervention. Our original plan, which basically would’ve blindsided both Lindsey and Kelly was certainly warranted but would also cause a rift, something Mindy & I weren’t really interested in. Our number one concern is the grand kids, then Lindsey. Just as I hoped, mediation brought forth the answer. First, for this to be a success, we needed to act as a village. All of us, Lindsey, Mindy, me, and even Kelly needed to be on the same page and after the same end goals. I decided that we should ask Lindsey to give us temporary custody (six months) so she can focus exclusively on herself, first by getting clean, second by focusing on getting a job and finally out on her own. If followed, it would serve as a win-win for everyone. No losers! Lindsey gets her life back. Kelly gets her home back. But most importantly, the kids get a new lease on life with their mother. During the six month period, Mindy & I would focus on Landon & Rocky, and also on helping Lindsey the various hurdles. The challenging piece, I already knew, would be bringing Kelly on board. Lindsey already alluded to the fact that Kelly would kick her out if the kids weren’t with her. But this is exactly what she didn’t need now. To this point, only I knew the answer. I hadn’t yet shared it with Mindy. She was, however, hopeful and expecting me to discuss it after my run. I left for my run at 6:30am. During my run I gained strength in my answer. Even if Lindsey & Kelly refused, at least we’d know that we tried to do the right thing without hurting anyone along the way. I was eager to share my resolve with Mindy. I knew for certain that Mindy wanted to positively impact those two kids. At my run’s completion, Mindy had my breakfast ready for the go like always. While the kids attention was diverted to readying for school, I shared my thoughts with Mindy. She completely embraced the plan. We agreed that she would call Lindsey once she got to school and was on break – 9:30am ish. Even though Lindsey sounded more determined than ever to get her life together, I was skeptical that she would allow us custody of her children for an extended period of time. We would remain insistent on it, however, to ensure a real fix versus a quick one that always ends back where it started. Plus, custody would likely prevent any such change of heart. Mindy left for school at 7:30am. I logged into work as soon as she and Bella departed. Realistically, I knew I wouldn’t get all nine reviews completed but hoped to get four or five done. Before I knew it was time to get Jacob to the bus stop. As usual, we tossed the football with Kenny & Jake. We discussed the threat of an 11am snow storm heading our way and how it might force me to work form home all day long. After the kids boarded the bus, Kenny & I walked back to our homes after wishing one another a Happy TG. I wasted no time at all getting right back into work. My boss pinged me a time or two, the very thing I hoped to avoid by working from home. The phone rang around 9:40am. It was Mindy. I braced myself for the outcome of her discussion with Lindsey. Right off, she sounded upbeat. She shared that Lindsey was on board with our plan. I was happy but also surprised. Perhaps Lindsey really does understand the magnitude of her dilemma. She understood that she needs time to heal herself and that she can’t do it with the kids in tow. She also realized that a few days in detox wasn’t the ultimate answer either. Our plan would afford her the luxury of time just that as long as Kelly agreed to continue to provide a home for Lindsey during her personal remaking. Lindsey wanted assurance that the kids wouldn’t forget her. We assured that she could still see them. For that she was grateful. Mindy & I were both elated that she made what we felt was the right decision for everyone, especially the kids. Our attention then turned to the logistics. Lindsey really wanted us to pick up the kids Tuesday night. She was eager to get into Talbot as quickly as possible. She must be a mess. We couldn’t do Tuesday night because we had Mannheim tickets for a 7:30pm show. We agreed to get them Wednesday morning. Lindsey later said that she and her mother would drop Landon off after dropping Rocky at school. Mindy made arrangements with grandma Sharon to start watching Landon and Rocky as soon as next week. She sounded eager to have them again, too. I ended up completing my goal of five performance reviews by 11:00am. I promptly showered and left for work at 11:30am. The snow storm we were expecting never hit. We got a brief stint of flurries but that was it. It was cold, however. It hovered around 30 degrees all day long. I arrived to work just before noon and right before our staff meeting. After our staff meeting I was able to complete a couple more performance reviews leaving me with only two yet to complete before next week. I left work at 5:20pm feeling good about it. Tonight was the Mannheim Steamroller show at the Ohio Theatre. I was looking forward to it, and so was Mindy. The perfect start to the holiday season! Dad was already at our home interacting with the kids when I arrived, and Mindy already walked Ykraps. I talked with dad while Mindy got ready to go. I planned on wearing jeans and a comfy fleece pull over, but Mindy had other ideas. She came down dressed like we were going to the symphony. Figuring it not worth the debate, I went upstairs and changed into something more dressy, but all black. We left just after 610pm. Our plan all along called for a brief stop at CBC for a drink and appetizers. We arrived there around 6:30pm. Kate was our bartender/server. She was most attentive. I went with their seasonal offering, a winter warmer. Mindy went with a Shiraz. Hungry, I ordered their andouille sausage quesadilla. Mindy had a half salad. We left CBC at 7:10pm. The Ohio theatre is just a mile or so up the road. We parked on the 7th floor of the attached parking garage. It was a chilly walk over to the venue next door. We arrived with plenty of time to spare. We both had to pee, so agreed to meet by the women’s room. Her line was way longer. Lots of older folks at tonight’s show, I noticed. Mindy seemed a bit worried that I might do some hootin’ and hollering like Glenn & I did at the last Mannheim show. Mindy had a friend of hers go along with us as Glenn’s date. Boy was she surprised when Glenn barked like a dog and then topped that by falling over a row of seats after fetching a beer. Tonight, our seats were atop the balcony but in the center section. I was pleased with the locale. Sitting directly beside us were two of Mindy’ choir mates from church. I can’t recall their names but their very much hippy types. He wears a blonde wig and she resembles Sally Struthers. Of all the seats… The Ohio theatre is a spectacular place to see a show. I’d love to take a tour some day. Very ornate. The show began shortly after 7:30pm. Chip Davis, the band’s founder, wasn’t with the band this time. He’s back home in Omaha convalescing after neck surgery. They played a brief video with him explaining as much along with the 2008/2009 tour format, which this year includes two versions of the band touring at the same time – a maneuver similar to that of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The show was quite good, and split into the two halves. I recognized one or two of the musicians, who I might add are all very accomplished with their instruments. There were a few mistakes that I appreciated. That, more than anything proved it wasn’t a recording. At intermission I left to pee once more. Mindy went along. The show picked back up after a 15-20 minute break. The second half began with the whole Renaissance thing that they always do. It’s not my favorite but it’s growing on me. It gives one a look into the roots of our Xmas celebration. In fact, many of the instruments they play are from that era. The recorder, for example, was around prior to that but became wildly popular during the Renaissance. There was an accompanying video to illustrate how Xmas (winter festival) might’ve been celebrated back then. The show concluded with a three song encore. Very nice. I was pleased with the length, quality, and price. Mindy and I darted out of our seats for the ‘secret exit’. It was so secret that neither of us could find it. J We did find and use some secluded stairs to get out of the venue faster than most. Remembering the Xmas Pops show last year, the line exiting the parking garage can be grueling. We wanted to avoid it if at all possible. As we approached the parking garage elevator we stood there in line with about 25 others. After a brief discussion, we opted instead to take the stairs, something I usually wouldn’t consider and in hindsight shouldn’t have. After all, we were parked on the 7th floor. We darted up the metal stairs at a quicker than normal pace. The stairs, I noticed, sounded much like a percussion set. I took many extra & heavy steps just to accentuate the snare drum-type sounds. Both Mindy & I were laughing all the way up. Finally arriving at the 7th floor we were both tuckered. Even though I am a runner, stairs have always taken their toll on me. Tonight was no different. The line of cars exiting the garage was still long and winding. It made me dizzy going down the steep, twisting, narrow ramps. My stomach felt unsettled and queasy. We were outta there by 9:30pm – earlier than we expected. We took High St to Spring St. And since we would go right by Barley’s, we decided to stop in for a beer. Even though my tummy said no, I couldn’t pass up an ice cold Centennial IPA. Hot Katy was tending bar, although the place sparsely populated. We each ordered a beer. We talked with Katy the entire time. Turns out, Katy & Mindy know some of the same people. She went to the Maranatha school on Trabue. I asked if she knew my buddy Jay Pierce. She did. We left Barley’s around 10:10pm and headed home. Dad had the kids in bed and was watching Dancing with the Stars. I’d never seen it. Tonight was the grand finale. We watched them choose a winner prior to dad departing. Kids were well-behaved, he said. We’ll see dad again on Sunday. We headed to bed soon after he departed.