Black Granite: Its Not Just For Counter Tops Anymore

Sheila: It's been more than two years. Rest in Peace. We love you!

I slept fantastic and was out of bed feeling incredibly good at 5:30am on the button. I was fully engaged in exercise by 5:35am. I checked the temperature. It was only 30 degrees, the first time the mercury’s dipped below freezing since March 22nd. In fact, we’ve sunk below freezing only seven nights since the end of February. Not bad. Ykraps and I headed out fully expecting a smack down from the chilly wintry air. All in all, however, I didn’t find it that chilly, and the brisk breeze I witnessed from the window had already subsided. Turns out my run wouldn’t be a concern after all. I managed my play time pretty well. I thoroughly enjoyed my coffee and internet surfing. At 6:15 I left the PC and moved to meditation and eventually stretching. I slipped out the door for my run at 6:35am. I was bundled warmly, even using a thin gaiter to keep the chilly wind off my neck. I was very comfortable. Despite the chill, it looks like the grass grew and greened up even more yesterday. That made me happy. My lawn, especially the front, could use a cut. But there’s no chance of that happening before the weekend. Inside, I fired up the stove and put some olive oil in the small frying pan. I then went upstairs to make sure Jacob was up. He wasn’t. Good thing I checked. I whipped up the makings for an omelet while at the same time packing a lunch. I cut up veggies and cheese, and grabbed the nuts and fruit that Mindy already had prepped. I put cheese and bacon in the omelet. It was delicious. I saved half for Bella. It was 7:40am when I headed up for my shower. I noticed that it was 7:55 when I emerged ready to go. I hurried off to check on Jacob. I could hear the bus pulling up just as I was gathering my things. I watched him onto the bus as I loaded and started the Trooper. Yes, I let it warm-up today before driving off. Work went smoothly. I spent some time with my team and my boss. However, the lion’s share of my day was spent alone in my office. I ate at my desk somewhere between 1 & 2pm. I talked with Mindy mid-afternoon. She was heading to the grocery store to pick-up ingredients for lasagna after receiving an email that Jacob’s soccer practice was canceled. Neither of us was surprised. It was only in the 30’s and gray. Besides, the team doesn’t have a game this weekend due to the Easter holiday. She also mentioned inviting my dad for dinner. I left for home around 5:30pm. I didn’t bother calling home. Instead, I called my mom, whom I haven’t talked to since our visit a couple weeks ago. She sounded good but mentioned having chest pains here and there. I cheered her up by ensuring her that they’d go away one way or another. She asked about all the kids and then about brother Tommy. He apparently never returns her emails/calls. I guess he doesn’t want to be ridiculed. Also, after reading my blog where I recapped her wishes upon death, she now advised otherwise. No longer does she want her ashes spread over her father’s grave in Hawaii unless we can be absolutely sure that he’s in there. Hello! That’s illegal. Instead, she wants buried next to dad. And since he was almost certainly going to be at dinner, I told her that I’d ask. Honestly, I don’t know why she’s so preoccupied with her death. She’s gonna be around for another 20 years or so. I wished her well as I pulled into the driveway. Inside the house, Mindy & dad were chatting it up all the while Bella played the Wii. I asked dad if I needed to walk Ykraps never assuming that he already had. He said yes, clearly not understanding the question. Mindy smiled and clarified that he had indeed walked him already so I didn’t need to. Cool! Dinner was already out of the oven – fresh homemade lasagna and garlic toast. Just before we sat for dinner, dad went to his minivan to retrieve the black granite grave marker he had made for Sheila. I snapped a photo. It sounds like they’re having a shared stone for their final resting place but individual markers as well. After starting into our lasagna, Dad & I both warmed our servings in the microwave. It must’ve cooled setting out. I like mine hot, hot. I topped mine with some Romano cheese & salt afterwards. It was delicious. I liked it so much that I had a second helping, and then Bella’s leftovers. After clean-up, Mindy phoned Shelly to see if Kaileigh could spend the night with Bella. She could. Shelly agreed to bring her over later. The kids invited grandpa to stay and play Chicken and the Egg. He agreed. All five of us played. The essence of the game is this: after rolling a die and landing on a given color, you’re asked a question about which came first. A correct answer nets you the color coded card with the objective to collect all six colors. I won after a hard fought battle. Wahoo! Dad left around 7:15pm. Both kids watched TV from their rooms while Mindy & watched American Idol. Shelly, Joey, and Kaileigh showed up just after 8:30pm. They didn’t stay long. That was the first time I’ve seen Joey in quite a while. Mindy rubbed my neck and aching upper left back while we watched the rest of Idol. I took four 200mg Ibuprofen’s hoping to end the swelling in my neck and back once and for all. Kaileigh and Bella took off upstairs to play. They get along really well. Mindy put them up in the guest bedroom where they could sleep together in a larger bed. They were still up giggling and playing even after we headed to bed after Idol – 10pm.