Pilot & Pot Roast

It was Monday morning once again and time to return to work. And it should come as no surprise that I was up at 5:20am. That’s become my latest positive habit. I felt good too. I was ready to get up and get moving. Somewhere during my exercise routine the coffee maker kicked on. I love that sound and the ensuing aroma. 

After exercise, Ykraps and I were out the door for our morning walk. It was very mild, especially given the recent bone chilling cold. It was 53 degrees. During my early morning think time, I thought about Mindy’s minivan, which almost certainly seems to be on its last leg. I worried whether or not she’d make it even one more day. What a pickle! Regardless, worrying wouldn’t help.

 I proceeded with the rest of my morning giving next to no more thought to her minivan. During PC time I read a few more articles covering the Vikings excellent victory over the Cardinals on Sunday. Nothing like controlling one’s own destiny. Win one more game and we’re assured of winning our division. Or, if the Bears lose we win it, too. I’d prefer the victory, of course.

 I delivered Mindy’s coffee around 6:00am. After a decent meditation I readied for a run. I thinned my running gear, completely skipping ear covers and gloves. The run went really well. Even though it’s just mid December, this is only like the third time I’ve been able to skip wearing ear covers and gloves since the beginning of November. It’s been quite cold, indeed. And actually, I want it to get cold enough to make snow so that we can take the kids to Mad River next week. We’ll see. 

I returned home to a warm, lively group. Everyone was up and chipper. Mindy had all the kids fed and all but ready for departure. My thoughts, once again,  returned immediately to her minivan. I wasn’t sure that it was road worthy. She started it and it didn’t sound nearly as bad as Sunday afternoon/evening, but then again, I figured it might act up after it warmed. I watched her and the wee ones back out of the garage. I panicked a little when she started pulling back up the drive, only to learn that she was trying to create more space between her van and my truck. 

Soon Jacob and I were at the bus stop tossing the football with Jake – the good life!

  I arrived to work around 8:25am. As it turns out, this would be our last day in the center we’ve been in for coming up on four years. We’re moving our entire team of 50 or so back to the old Network Operations Center (NOC) where I spent the first seven years of my tenure. My own office will now be located outside of the center away from my team. That’ll feel very odd. 

My peer was out sick so I spent very little time prepping for the move, although I probably could’ve. I did spend some time researching the price and options available on a ’09 Honda Pilot, the vehicle of choice to replace Mindy’ s minivan (her choice). Her preference was that I just pick something out and bring it home and she’d make the payments. Sounds easy enough unless you’re me. That actually caused me stress. 

The day was progressing slower than an average Monday, so I left for lunch around 12:30pm and drove to Hugh White Honda to look at the new Pilot up close, and perhaps even drive one. Immediately, I was approached by Tony D, a salesman. I consider myself pretty good at doing new car deals having negotiated four of them. The key is taking control of where the conversation and deal is going. I never let the salesman drive the conversation. Instead, it’s all on my terms. I ask most of the questions. I asked to drive the top of line, the 4WD Pilot Touring. He asked what color I said it didn’t really matter. Another queue that I wasn’t ready to give him control. We drove for about five miles where we I learned about the vehicles features. The Pilot Touring comes loaded with features that Mindy or I would most likely never, ever use. For instance, bluetooth hands free controls for all your personal communication devices, navigation system, rear entertainment system (DVD player). Admittedly, all nice features but most likely not worth the additional $4000. After our drive I thanked Tony and asked for some numbers to take home to share with my wife. I told him I’d give him an opportunity to woo me with the numbers. I already knew the MSRP from the webpage. 

I was impressed that he was willing to knock 10% off the sticker price on the first offer. It’s definitely a tough time for the auto industry. I looked him in the eye and told him that I might call him after checking out Nissan and Toyota’s offerings. Actually, Tony was quite pleasant and not too pushy. I liked that. I departed somewhat encouraged that we might be able to deal. As I walked away he offered that I bring Mindy in for another test drive and even said that we could possibly keep one for an entire day. Nice! 

On my way back to work, I stopped at the bank ATM to get some cash. The afternoon was busy, so I didn’t get out of the office until a little after 5:30pm. Mindy had a pot roast cooking in the crockpot all day long. She also invited my dad over for dinner. He walked Ykraps saving me the trouble. The kids were all wound up. Dad had something to do with that. They love playing with grandpa/great-grandpa. 

The roast was absolutely delicious. One of the best ever. It was served with mashed potatoes and beef gravy. Mindy sliced some Italian bread as well. We briefly discussed Saturday’s plans, and seemed to catch dad a little off guard. He didn’t realize that this coming Saturday was the annual family Xmas gathering at our place. After dinner and clean-up the kids were eager to play Apples to Apples. Everyone participated save for Landon. Dad won. Both Rocky & Bella can’t read well enough to understand their cards. It’s really quite entertaining. 

Dad sensed that Mindy & I were running out of steam and promptly departed just before 8pm. This was a Jacob & Bella shower night. Rocky & Landon had the night off. After bed time prep and the tuck in, Mindy & I were exhausted. We didn’t even have time to discuss the Honda Pilot thing. She did, however, report that her van seemed to be performing much better. That was encouraging to hear. She headed to bed well before me. I stayed up watching the MNF game until halftime. Like always, I fell asleep just before half. I woke around 10:30pm and turned down the house before heading off to bed.