Positive Affects of the Time Change

The recent time change has made a hugely positive impact on my sleep pattern. I wake each day a little early feeling refreshed and well slept. This morning I was up at 5:20am feeling completely rested and ready to go.

I remembered having a spooky dream in the middle of the night that seemed so real. A ghost/person was hovering just outside of our bedroom causing me to wake concerned that someone was lurking around our house. Upon closer review I spotted this rather meek looking ghostly character lurking just outside our bedroom door. I badly wanted to get Mindy’s attention to fetch me my gun but I couldn’t muster words.  I was terrified.

 Downstairs I started my exercise routine. I finished up the full compliment by 5:35am. I leashed up Ykraps, bundled warmly, and headed off into the cold.  It wasn’t below freezing, however, but it felt like it. This was trash day. Our can was already out at the curb. I put it there mid-afternoon Sunday. If on schedule, they’d be there a little after 6am. 

I was a little disappointed when we returned form our walk that I forgot to hit the go button on the coffee maker. Effectively, that meant I had to begin my PC time without coffee. Talk about feeling naked! Somehow I managed. Soon the coffee finished brewing and I poured myself a cup. I still had a few minutes before it was time wake Mindy. I returned to the PC where I read more about the Vikings big victory. 

After delivering Mindy’s coffee I returned downstairs for meditation and run prep. I left for my run at 6:32am. I was bundled warmly so the chilly temps had little effect. I was very comfortable throughout. I was back for breakfast by 7:10am. Surprisingly, there wasn’t any frost on the car windows. I guess it was too dry. My eggs were good. Mindy & Bella left for school around 7:25am. Bella was going to Grandma Sharon’s. She has school on Tuesday’s and Friday’s, and then every other Wednesday. 

I headed up for a shower at 7:33am.  I returned ready for work at 7:50am. With a few minutes to spare, I clipped a couple of stems from our deck Hibiscus plants and placed them in a vase of water with some flowers Mindy bought over the weekend. I try to salvage a clipping every year. Last year we salvaged some Coleus.  Jacob and I headed for the bus stop at 7:58am. Kenny & Jake were walking by just as we exited the house. Kenny whispered that there was a big buck coming around the side yard of our house. I quietly crept around to get a glimpse. Sure enough! A big ol’ buck was coming our way. He probably was a six-pointer. Once he spotted me he high tailed it outta there. I was impressed by his size. 

We tossed the football like we often do. We didn’t have a lot of time, however. The bus seemed to pull up a little early. Kenny & I walked back to our respective houses. I didn’t do much else before heading off to work. I needed gas so I pulled in Thornton’s at Robert’s Rd. Gas was $1.85 per gallon. I filled up (18 gallons) for $33.80. That felt terrific! It wasn’t too long ago that I paid just under $80 for roughly the same amount. 

Work was as busy as one might expect for a Monday. I worked straight through the day. I left for home at 5:30pm sharp. I was disappointed and frustrated that my Check Engine light was on. Was it a coincidence? I think not. Short of driving to Gloria’s, this was the first driving I’d done since the oil change Friday. Good money says they pulled the air intake off the manifold when they inspected my air filter once again. Bastards! Mindy suggested left over lasagna for dinner. I didn’t mind at all. Got to eat it up, and besides, it’s really good! Mindy told me that my dad was joining us for dinner and would be arriving anytime. He arrived just as I leashed up Ykraps. He went on the evening walk with us. It was still cold. It couldn’t have been 40 degrees. I wore my running gloves. 

Mindy made fresh salads and cut up some more Italian bread to complement the lasagna. Once again, it was better than good. The adults enjoyed it, but I don’t think the kids did. After dinner clean-up we served dessert – my homemade pumpkin pie. We all had a piece. Dad even had a piece of the chocolate pie. He liked both. 

After dessert we all played Apples to Apples. Bella withdrew. We played two games.  Dad seemed to enjoy himself. I know we did. Soon after dad departed we hurried the kids upstairs for their Monday shower. While Jacob showered, I watched Family Guy reruns from our bed. I left the TV on afterwards. We tucked both kids into bed before heading back downstairs. I tuned into MNF at 8:30pm. Bella came to the balcony more than once. We had to shew her back to bed twice. Mindy was dog tired and headed up for bed before me and before halftime. Next thing I know she’s giving Bella the dickens after finding her in our bedroom watchin Family Guy repeats. She earned herself another bout of grounding.  I felt bad for leaving the TV on but our kids know the boundaries. She knew she was breaking rules. 

I stayed up until halftime. Mindy was already asleep when I crawled into bed.