Dentist & Dirt

I guess all the hard work of moving dirt around the yard finally caught up with me. Despite a fairly decent night’s sleep, I woke Wednesday morning craving more pillow time. But from bed, I battled through the desire and got up and started my day. I completed my exercise routine of sit-ups and push-ups. I headed out with Ykraps. It was 52 degrees. I expected it to feel cooler. My fleece jacket felt a bit heavy. I poured coffee for Mindy and I when I got back. After delivering Mindy’s I returned downstairs where I caved to my desire for more sleep. I went horizontal on the sofa at 6:14am. I fell asleep quickly waking again at 6:30am. I could’ve slept longer, but being the disciplined one that I am I leaped to my feet and started my stretch routine. I skipped meditation. By the time it was all said and done I didn’t get out the door for my run until 6:45am, and probably didn’t hit the pavement until 6:50am since I still had to stretch outdoors. It was dry when I initially woke, but rained somewhere between my walk with Ykraps and my run. It didn’t rain during my run, though. I finished around 7:25am. Mindy and Bella were preparing to depart. Mindy said she figured I must’ve taken a brief nap. She had my eggs waiting for the ready. She and Bella headed out late – 7:35am. In no way was I thinking about Wednesday golf. The weather forecast called for rain through the next 4 or 5 days, but I told Mindy that I’d let her know for certain later. I was behind my normal schedule by 5-10 minutes. I didn’t worry too much, however. Jacob knows his routine well, and will head to the bus stop with or without me. I took the extra few minutes to floss under my retainer since I had a dental appointment later in the afternoon. I floss everyday, but rarely under my retainer these days. Jacob headed out just as I was heading down the stairs. It was raining again. He didn’t seem to mind – never does. I saw he and Jake onto the bus from afar. Before leaving for work I wrote two checks, one for boat storage and the other to the backflow meter inspector. I only write about 10 checks a year these days. No complaints! I drove off to work in the rain. I was setting at an eighth of a tank. I needed gas but didn’t stop. Crap. The prices went up $.20 overnight. I hate it when that happens, especially when I knew I should’ve filled up yesterday. Nothing I could do about it now. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about my dental appointment. It wasn’t until exiting the freeway that I remembered and realized that I’ll need to refuel. Double crap! The work day went along rather nicely. My dental appointment was set for 3pm, so I didn’t take a lunch. However, I did eat the nuts I brought around 10am, just like always. I left the office at 2:30pm destined for Dr March’s. I stopped at the Mill Run Shell to fill-up with gas. I guess I could’ve made it there and back after all. The Trooper took just a hair more than 18 gallons. It holds just over 20. Unlike most other times, I didn’t bother brushing my teeth ahead of time, but did gargle with Scope. Good enough! I arrived a few minutes early. Dr March wasn’t in, but this was something I already knew. Colleen left me a VM indicating as much. I didn’t really care since this was my semi-annual cleaning. I could tell things were a bit looser around the office without Tim around. That’s just how it is. Faith got started on my teeth right away. She used the ultra sound cleaner for the area around my retainer. She always gives me grief for plaque build up there. But then again, she gave me the same grief when I flossed around it everyday. I must be one who’s prone to plaque. She was done in about half the time as usual. I wasn’t surprised. I made my next appointment for November 2nd. That brought on a brief, but gloomy feeling. I was on my way just before 3:30pm. Cool! I had made plans not to return to work. I headed home. The sky looked like it might be brightening, but just then it started to rain. It rained during my entire commute home. I was eager, at a minimum, to get home and clean the thick coating of dirt off of our driveway. If it wasn’t Wednesday, I would’ve planned to move the rest of the dirt. I knew Mindy would appreciate dinner out since it was a Jimaken night. I hurried into my dirt moving attire and gathered up my gloves, a shovel, and the hose. As soon as I got started on the driveway my dad pulled up. Hmmm? He said Mindy called asking him to get Jacob off the bus. I hadn‘t yet talked with Mindy. He stayed long enough to see Jacob and we look at my dirt project. He made a few recommendations where I might place the last two yards of dirt. I appreciated the feedback. He left well before Mindy got home. I had the driveway cleared, save for the covered dirt pile by 4:20pm or so. The sky was clearing overhead so I decided to do some tamping along the falloff of the new grade. That took some doing at such a steep angle. Plus, it was humid with all the rain and sudden sunshine. Mindy & Bella got home a little after 4:30pm. I kept working (tamping) on the dirt. Mindy came out and asked what the plans were. The kids were already gone with Jimaken. I offered that she walk Ykraps while I cleaned up, and then we’d go to Barley’s. And that’s exactly what we did. We must’ve made it to Barley’s before 6pm. I had my Blackberry with me. I saw an email from Bob Imber that he and Bob were taking their chance on golf at Split Rock after all. Sky was looking surprisingly clear, too. As much as I wanted to golf, my desire to clear our driveway superseded. I ordered a pint of Extreme IPA. Mindy went with water. She admitted to having an offsite teacher’s meeting at Applebee’s after work. She ran into daughter Courtney. She also had a margarita. Calvin came in, and so did Monica. I ordered Gates of Hell wings and sauerkraut balls. Mindy ordered a mini brisket quesadilla. She eventually caved and ordered a St Joan’s Revenge. I had another Extreme IPA, too. Our tab was $28 before tip. Not bad! We left for home at 7:20pm. We weren’t home but a couple of minutes before the kids came flying in. They were in high spirits and dashed off to play with friends out back. I joined them, Jacob and Jake, to play some football. I was all-time quarterback. Those two fight like crazy and do all sorts of trash talking. I honestly don’t remember doing any trash talking when we were kids. Spiking the ball was about it. I find the trash talking and fighting troubling. We played until 8:30pm or so. After Jacob went inside I headed back out and called for Bella. She came running from Emily & Evans place. Mindy made both kids shower. Actually, Bella took a bath. It was 9pm by the time they were both in bed. Mindy & I watched Idol elimination night. As expected, Matt was sent packing. I’ve been dead on this season at projecting who will go. We headed to bed at 10:05pm.