Poof ... You're a Jack & Coke

I woke around 5:25am. By the time that I brushed my teeth and made my way downstairs it was just after 5:30am. Looking out back, I could see that it snowed a little overnight. Not much, maybe an inch or so. I did my exercises and then headed out with Ykraps. It was cold - about 27 degrees. There was just enough snow that I figured I should shovel the drive before Mindy backed out. However, I decided to wait and do it after my run when I’d be warm & sweaty. It was 6:02am when I glanced at the clock just before pouring my first cup of coffee. Because it was so late, I took Mindy her coffee before taking even the first sip of my own. She was already up beginning her prep. I placed her coffee on the dresser and went back downstairs. I felt a bit pressed for time compared to most mornings. It was already 6:10am. Despite the clock, I still took time to read the Daily OM and to meditate, two thing that help often steer my day in the right direction. I readied and left for a run jut a few minutes later than usual. The inch or so of snow provided just the right amount of cushion to aid my run. Traction wasn’t an issue, but in such conditions, I am always careful. At my run’s conclusion, I raised the garage door from outside and quickly began shoveling. I cleared the entire drive and most of the sidewalk. I watched Mindy load the kids into the Honda while shoveling. What an undertaking. By the time I finished it was time for Mindy to head out. I asked about Rocky. She said he seemed better and wanted to go to school. Cool! We crossed paths long enough to share a quick hug and kiss goodbye. My eggs, she mentioned, were done and waiting on the island. Before heading in, I threw a handful or two of salt on the walk heading from the driveway to the front door. With temperatures expected to drop well below freezing over the next day or so I didn’t want to leave the ice unattended. Inside, I put my now cold eggs in the microwave for 20 second to get them hot. Meanwhile, it looked like a tornado went through our kitchen. I did my best to tidy it up a little even while eating my eggs. I was off to the shower by 7:40am. I hustled through my prep and found my way back downstairs by 7:54am. I had a few minutes to ready my gear for work before heading off to the bus stop. Somewhat surprising, Jacob asked that we not take the football. It was right about then that I realized Mindy had my keys in the Honda. I left them there Sunday when I used it to run my errand. The only key I didn’t have a spare of was my office key, and that I could get around by using the office master key. We weren’t at the bus stop long enough to throw the ball anyway. The bus came along early. At home I had the Trooper warming in the driveway. I went back inside for a quick gathering of gear and a to-go cup of coffee – something I haven’t done in a few years. Today it just sounded good. Gas was down to $189, but I was still on full. I arrived at work right at 8:30am. I had to get access to the master key to get in my office. I was in by 8:40am. I sent Mindy an email indicating that she had my keys. The work day was amazingly slow, especially for a Monday. I used the time wisely, however, catching up on some administrative tasks. Mid-morning, Mindy emailed letting me know that she could get the 23rd off for a weekend ski trip. Knowing that she was in the clear, I’d be asking the same of my boss later in the day. Once again, I didn’t take a formal lunch break but did eat at my desk. I packed leftover chicken and broccoli from Sunday dinner along with a fruit medley. The chicken was lip smackin’ good! I attended an hour long netconference mid-afternoon. Afterwards I met with my boss to discuss the 23rd. He most graciously agreed to let me take the day off and reassigned the meeting to my peer. Very cool! We talked to her together to confirm her availability. Work-wise, we were set. We’d now have to work out details with Kelly & Lindsey, and then ask my dad to watch Ykraps. Later in the afternoon, Mindy mentioned that Rocky was feeling poorly again. Grandma Sharon pointed out that he was sporting a fever of 102. He still managed to get through his brief school day (3 hours). Mindy said we’d be having spaghetti & meatballs for dinner. That sounded terrific! I stayed at work until just after 5:30pm. It was a chilly evening – mid 20’s. I listened to NPR on my way home. Lots of bad news. I turned it off. Gas, I noticed, was down a few more cents - $1.85. That was good news! I arrived home just before 6pm. The kids were all busy accept for Rocky, who was lounging quietly on the sofa. He looked miserable: eyes both teary and heavy along with rosie cheeks. I walked Ykraps before dinner. We took our time despite the cold. It was just beginning to spit a little snow. Soon we were sitting down to dinner as a family. Landon loves spaghetti and made quite the mess eating it. Definitely picture worthy. Rocky couldn’t eat for feeling so poorly. We excused him from the table. He went to lie down on the sofa. As he often does, Jacob badgered his mom about going down to Jake’s to play. Mindy threatened not to allow him to go if he asked once more. The spaghetti was delicious and certainly hit the spot. Mindy, Jacob and I had fresh vegetable salads, too. As we finished up dinner, Mindy phoned brother Craig to inquire about Rocky’s condition. He said several bad things are floating around out there. Because Rocky had a runny nose and cough, Craig ruled out strep. He recommended some meds that we had available. The evening got chaotic form that point forward. But honestly, it wasn’t much different than any other. We just had more of everything to do. Clean-up was a bear. Mindy had lots of weekend laundry to sort and start. And Rocky had home work, which he didn’t really want to do. Add to that, Landon was a real pill. He was in everything. Thankfully, none of the kids needed a bath. By the time the kids had dessert it was after 7:30pm. I moved from kitchen clean-up to getting Landon ready for bed. He was a challenge. Rocky & Bella were next. They were slow to get motivated. I happened to glance over the balcony soon after tucking in Rocky and spotted Ykraps hiking his leg on one of our plants in the family room. Needless to say, I tore off after him. What’s gotten into him lately? I put him in his pen and locked the door. I took the plant in question to the sink and washed it thoroughly. This is the same plant that Joe’s Schnauzers peed on a couple weeks ago. I rinsed it off after that, too. It was 8:30pm and we had just got the kids tucked in. We were a good 20 minutes behind schedule and still running around like crazy. But that’s when things settled down for me. For Mindy, however, not so much. She was still busy with laundry and a few other things. I took to my PC where I updated my blog. I was busy with that until about 9:15pm. Next, I made myself a Jack & Coke. What? You say you didn’t realize that I was a magician? Oh yeah! I make a real nice Jack & Coke! :) I sat in the family room sipping my drink watching the science channel. Mindy headed to bed around 9:45pm. I told her I’d be another fifteen minutes or so. I kept to that and headed to bed around 10:05pm.