Soccer Practice

I woke on time, but not without a little internal strife. I really wanted to sleep a while longer, but got 7.5hrs of sleep so I sucked it up and got moving at 5:30am. It was a little easier once I glanced outside and witnessed the crystal clear skies and also remembered just how lovely it was supposed to be. The forecast called for sunshine and 70 degrees. Yahoo! I hurried through my exercise routine eager to get outdoors with Ykraps. It was still rather chilly - only 42 degrees. Still, I’ll take it, especially for St Patty’s Day, which is more often than not a gray, chilly, rainy day. Back at the house I readied a cup of coffee then sat in front of the PC long enough to read the headlines. Come 6:05am I prepped coffee for Mindy and delivered it bedside. Mindy thanked me, then asked that I turn up the heat once I was downstairs. We slept with the bedroom window slightly cracked and the heat off. It was chilly inside. Back downstairs, I spent more time on the PC reading the Daily OM and reading sprits headlines. At 6:15am I peeled myself away for stretching and meditation. I dressed and left for a run at 6:35am. Last second I decided to wear my light-weight running gloves and ear covers. Glad I did, too. I was comfortable for the run’s duration. Anything around or above 45 and even the light-weight gloves become too much. Because it was so clear, daybreak seemed to arrive early. I was back inside by 7:20am. Mindy was a obsessive and was giving the wee ones an earful leading up to their ultimate departure. She was sure that she’d be late. She left the house right at 7:30am. Unfortunately, she left Rocky’s timeline setting on the kitchen table. I called her cell immediately to let her know. I half expected her to blow it off, but that wasn’t the case. After an ‘awe shit!” she said she’d be right back. I told her that I’d meet her in front of the house with it. I witnessed her barreling back down the road. I wasn’t very happy with her recklessness, but was also smart enough not to say anything. I knew that she was feeling stressed. I get like that sometimes too. After the handoff, she sped away in a similar fashion. I was showered and ready to head out with Jacob at 7:55am. While he walked next door to the bus stop, I jockeyed the Trooper onto the street so I could later back the BM’er out of the garage. That’s right, I planned to drive the BM’er to work for the first time this year. Soon Jacob was on the bus and I was back home making final preparations to drive off to work in the BM’er. Zoom! It was awesome. She purred just as if she were new. Work went well. I worked straight through the day. I talked with Mindy throughout the day a couple of times. She planned to meet me at the Hilliard Soccer Complex with all four kids. I’d head there straight from work. Jacob’s first practice started at 6:30pm. It made little sense for me to head home only to turn right around and head back where I came from. Mindy was taking the kids to Wendy’s on the way. Brave woman! I left the office just after 5:30pm. I made it to the soccer complex by 5:50pm. I was early. Mindy wasn’t there yet. The parking lot is huge and there must be about 40 separate fields. The lot filled up quickly. There was soccer practice going on for all age groups. Mindy showed up around 6:15pm. By then, the parking lot was nearly full. I guided her to the very back where the entire family unloaded. After moving the kids into the grassy area, I moved the Honda to an end parking spot with one side protected. Always thinking! Among the crowd of adolescent soccer teams, we eventually found Jacob’s coach’s wife. She reported that he was stuck in traffic and would be late. The assistant coach then announced his presence and took the kids out to their designated field. I’d never seen Jacob play soccer before. And quite honestly, I haven’t played either, so I have zero understanding of the rules and structure. All I know is that the objective is to get the ball into the goal while preventing the same at the other end. J Jacob seemed on par with most of other kids – no better no worse. However, as expected, there were kids with varying strengths. Jacob, for example, seemed best at setting up others with his touch passing. Surprisingly, he doesn’t exhibit the killer instinct I see so prevalent when he plays ball with the neighbors. It was the same in baseball. I spent time chasing Landon around the complex all the while Mindy yucked it up with the coach’s wife. Rocky & Bella played with another kid’s father kicking into another unused soccer net. Rocky seemed eager to play as well. Maybe next season. Mindy eventually begged out and asked if I’d mind driving Jacob home so she could leave with the wee ones. Of course! Practice went until 7:31pm. I picked up some handouts from the coach and then hit the road. By then, there were just a handful of teams remaining at the park. Jacob and I drove off in the BM’er, top down, of course. At home, Mindy allowed the kids a snack but then hurried them up for baths. I soon followed behind for the tuck in. Once they were all in bed I poured a Jack & Coke and plopped down on the sofa for some American Idol. Randy Travis was this week’s mentor. He was funny. He had no idea what to think of Adam Lambert, who did a very unique interpretation of Johnny Cash’s, Ring of Fire. I loved it. But then again, I’m an Adam Lambert fan. Mindy kindly rubbed my upper back for almost 20 minutes trying hopelessly to help remove a kink I’ve had in my neck for a few weeks running. We headed for bed at 10pm sharp.