Piercing Experience

I allowed myself to sleep a few extra minutes just because I could. I felt much looser than usual, which almost certainly was a byproduct of the four Ibuprofen I took before bed. I glanced out back and saw a clear, star-filled sky. I checked the temperature just before starting my sit-ups. It was a chilly 30 degrees. I was prepared for that, and took comfort knowing that it was supposed to warm into the 50s during the day. And after yesterday’s bleak weather that sounded almost balmy. I decided to forego push-ups and curls to help my back/neck. After all, I’m not a machine! Ykraps and I headed out at 5:50am complete with a heavy jacket and hand and ear covers. I was very excited to see the setting full moon – the one that must always proceed Easter - in the western sky. It was a large orangish-yellow ball. It was dropping below the horizon fast. Glad we got to see the stunning view. Back home, I poured a cup of coffee and took to the PC. I stayed there until 6:15am when I moved to the family room for meditation and stretching. That went smoothly but carried on a bit too long. I didn’t get out of the house for my run until 5:50am. I was surprised at the amount of daylight right out the door. It was daybreak. I bundled with gloves and ear covers and my thicker running jacket. I was very comfortable. I was back at the house by 7:30am. After making sure that Jacob was awake and finding Mindy already showered. I returned down stairs for breakfast. Because of the late hour, I ate cereal, Cookie Crisp to be exact. I worried that I might burn it up too fast and find myself hungry in an hour or so. But then again, that’s why I take a container of nuts to work everyday. They serve as my mid-morning snack. Mindy & the girls (Kaileigh & Bella) were up at Mindy’s prompting and already getting dressed. They were meeting my dad for breakfast at First Watch and then going to COSI. Mindy wanted me to meet them for breakfast, but the timing just wouldn’t work with my heavy meeting day. I left the house for work at 8:10am. I took along my 2008 State tax bill so that I could pay it online. As usual, we owe them this year. I guess could’ve driven the BM’er, but it was still a bit chilly. Besides, this was golf Wednesday and my gear was already loaded in the Trooper. I promised Mindy that once I received word from Bob regarding golf, I would call her so that she could plan accordingly. The day’s high was expected to hit the low 50s but with sunshine. That’s warm enough for me to play golf. I wasn’t sure how Bob would feel about it. I arrived to work around 8:25am. The morning zipped by after spending virtually all of it in meetings. I got back to my desk at 12:45pm. I sent Bob and email inquiring about golf. He was in. We planned to meet at Thornapple again. I ate lunch at my desk, and got out my state tax info. I didn’t realize that I had to mail in the tax check. There was no way to send it via the internet. We already filed the form but needed to send the funds along with a voucher. Crap! I’d have to write the check once at home and mail it tomorrow. Talking with Mindy mid-afternoon, she shared how their day was progressing. Sounds like they had a good time at COSI. Afterwards, she took Bella to have her ears pierced at Tuttle Mall. I left work for golf at 4:40pm. It was partly sunny by then. And as long as the sun was shining it felt rather nice. There was a chilly breeze blowing, though. I arrived at Thornapple right at 5:00pm. By the time I got situated and into my golf shoes and Viking pullover Bob pulled up. Good timing! What a difference a week has made to the fairways. They were much thicker and dark green. We asked if we could tee off the back since we rarely get to play it. A league was out in front of us but about three holes out. We were OK with that. Hole #10 is a long 550 yard par 5 that runs south along Alton Darby Rd. I hit an OK drive, a decent 3-wood, and then a 6-iron but still was just off the green. No worries. I figured I’d up & down for a par. Wrong! I bogeyed. Next hole is a long 250 yard par 3. And like many of Thornapple’s holes, the green’s protected by a stream. You’ve gotta hit 220-230 to carry the water. I lost my tee shot in the sunshine, and quite honestly thought it went way left. Surprisingly, we found it in the middle of the fairway but only about 100yard from the tee box. Honestly, I can’t remember my score, but I know that I wasn’t playing too well and was very inconsistent. The lone bright spot was my putting. I had many 30-40 foot putts where I left myself within tap-in range. Bob was crushing his driver straight and long. He was on for the most part. We played at a pace fast enough to catch the league. To avoid waiting, we circled back and played 12-14 over again. There was one single player originally behind us but no one else. By circling around, we let him get in front of us. As usual, I had a couple really bad holes that would make most question if they have any ability at all. But sure enough, I recovered on the last two holes striking the ball soundly but netting only a par and bogey. Even still, it left enough hope that perhaps I had found my game. We finished up around 7:20pm. I asked Bob if he planned to join us for the Todd Rundgren show Friday night. Still not sure. I promised to email him the details. I phoned Mindy on my drive home. She was at Target picking up Easter stuff for all the kids. I was home at 7:30pm, the same time that Jimaken was expected to drop Jacob & Bella. They pulled up even before I could get the front door unlocked. Jimaken didn’t hand around for too long. Jacob told me in front of Jimaken that his daddy said he’d get him a cell phone, something Mindy has already said no to. Jimaken quickly chimed in that he only said he would discuss the matter with Mindy. I already knew the answer but didn’t feel it my place to comment. I just acknowledged. Mindy arrived home not five minutes later. Bella was still on cloud nine after a day at COSI and having her ears pierced. Mindy was taking her to Kaileigh’s to spend the night there as soon as she got settled. Those two left not five minutes later. Mindy already had her overnight bag packed from earlier. Jacob went down to neighbor Jake’s but was told to be home by 8pm. I snacked on some Fritos while waiting on a big hunk of lasagna to warm in the microwave. I was really hungry. Jacob got home at 7:55pm. He’s very good about being home when he’s supposed to. I don’t know that he’s ever missed a predefined deadline. In fact, he’s often a few minutes early. Mindy got home a little after 8pm. I tuned the TV to Lie To Me after heating Mindy a hunk of lasagna. The house was extremely quiet with only Jacob at home. He went to bed at 8:30pm but was allowed to watch TV until 9pm. We watched American Idol elimination night. Scott, the blind guy was sent packing. He deserved it. We’re now down to seven. What a great way to usher in summer! We headed for bed after Idol, although we didn’t go immediately to sleep. I took three more Ibuprofen before heading up. I’m serious about eliminating this stiff neck.