Late Bus Stop & Split Rock

Not only was it Wednesday, but it was also golf day, and my last day of work until Friday. I’ve got Thursday scheduled off. Wahoo! I was up just before 5:30am. The irrigation system kicked on just as I was brushing my teeth. I was down stairs by 5:36am and eager to begin my exercise regimen. Come 5:50am all were behind me and Ykraps and I were out the door for our morning walk. It was pitch dark, but with just a hint of daybreak on the eastern horizon. The weather was expected to be really nice – sunny and 85. After our walk I made coffee and sipped it in front of the PC with a few minutes to kill before Mindy needed waking. I woke her at 6:10am with a cup of coffee in tow. I headed back downstairs to begin meditation and stretching. I killed the irrigation 55 minutes into its 83 minute cycle to allow Mindy’s shower to be more powerful. I plan to change the start time to an hour earlier – 4:30am. That’ll eliminate the need for tinkering every morning. After meditation and stretching I dressed and left on my run. It was very nice, and just about right with my sleeveless wicking shirt on. It was in the mid 60s. The run went well, and I was home before 7:15am. Mindy was busy making fried eggs, and had everyone’s plates set at the table. I typically eat at the island. Bella took my seat at first, but Mindy quickly asked her to move. Bella was already dressed but her hair looked bad. It was in a self-done pony. I wondered if Mindy was gonna fix it. She was, but after breakfast. While I ate, Mindy woofed down her own food then took care of Bella’s hair. Mindy was ready to depart just before 7:30am. I asked what time to expect the bus after it was ten minutes late Tuesday. Mindy said 8:20am almost as if I knew, then she left. I wasn’t pleased. My work hours are 8:30-5:30pm. I finished up breakfast then bolted off to the shower. I made better time than I expected and found myself back downstairs by 7:43am. I used the next 20 minutes to load my golf clubs into the BM’er, and then downloaded photos from the first day of school. It was 8:05 in a hurry. I called the kids from downstairs still holding out hope that the bus driver might show up at 8:05am, or just after. We eventually met Chrissy and Makayla at the bus stop. They didn’t come out until 8:10am. The bus pulled up at 8:17am. Chrissy sounded awful. She was sporting a cold, but she was still going to work. I hurried off back home and loaded up the BM’er and left for work. I still needed to stop for gas, too. Damn! I pulled in Thornton’s at 8:23am. Gas was $2.38 per gallon. The BM’er took just over 10 gallons. It has a 12.-something gallon tank. I was in and out in a hurry. I was on the road by 8:27am. I arrived at work and in my office by 8:40am. I stopped down to talk with my team and then my peer. He was fresh back from a Disney family vacation. We chatted for about an hour. It was good to catch up. Later, I learned that my boss canceled our weekly staff meeting. Because it was a golf Wednesday, I already planned to work through lunch. I snacked on my nuts and cheese around 11am and never really got hungry for my veggies and fruit. But come 3pm I all but forced myself to eat to ensure I had energy reserves available for golf. I emailed Tom and Bob earlier in the day seeking their interest in golf. Tom was out. Bob was in. I was eager. I buttoned up everything I was involved in by 4:15pm and started prepping for my departure. I talked with Mindy as she drove towards home from school. She asked about golf and shared a little of what she planned to do. She said she didn’t know hat she’d do after Jimaken picked up the kids. I guessed she’d end up at Barley’s. I left the office at 4:30pm on the nose. I arrived at Split Rock at 5:06pm. I made excellent time. I had plenty of time to prepare and putt. It was quite warm too. Bob didn’t show up until just after 5:30pm. Apparently, he was held up a little at work. No problem, though. We tee’d off the front. There hadn’t been anyone on the tee for at least 20 minutes prior to us teeing off. We figured that would bode well for us. I hit a good drive and then a decent second shot but somehow I managed to botch the hole and took a 6 or 7. Can’t recall for certain, but I am quite sure that I four putted. Yuck! Number 2 is a par three. And ever since I’ve been mis-hitting my irons, I feel apprehensive when on the tee box. I hit an OK 8-iron just off the green. I missed my par putt and took a 4. The third hole is a long par 5. I pulled my drive right but was still in the fairway. The ball flight was ugly, however. Plus, I had a downhill lie. I hit a poor 3-wood. I was on in 4 and three or four putted again. Somehow, we had caught the three some in front of us already. They were playing slow. Without any hesitation, we drove back to the 3rd tee box to play it over. This time I was sitting 60 yards out in two, much better results. I still bogeyed however. I never did feel comfortable standing over my putter for the entire evening. Bob was playing darn well once again. He ended up shooting a 40. He was driving 270- 280 yards consistently. I ended up with a 46, paring two of the last three holes. Not bad after a shaky start, although, not once did I hit a solid drive, and I’m still battling errant iron shots. We finished up around 7:20pm. The late summer sun was sinking fast. We chatted only briefly before hitting the road. Sounds like no golf for Bob this weekend. I phoned Mindy as I left the lot just as she requested. She didn’t answer. I wasn’t too pleased. I headed towards home. Mindy called a few minutes later as I wound my way down rt 762. Our conversation was brief. Yep, she was at Barley’s. Said she was bringing wings home for me. I let her go. I had to get both hands on the wheel and be prepared to shift at the same time. The sunset was absolutely gorgeous. Perhaps one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. A few sparse clouds only added to the beauty. I wished I had my camera but didn’t. I arrived home just before 8:00pm. I was ravenously hungry. I grabbed some chunks of cheese to snack on while I rinsed my lunch containers and prepped Thursday’s coffee. I was quite aggravated and didn’t want to converse much with Mindy. As a result, I kept largely to myself. We did, however, have a brief conversation about the time the school bus arrived. I asked if she’s even once made a call to get the time moved up. She hasn’t. I reiterated my need to be at work at 8:30pm. I was feeling used, in large part because she hadn’t even asked me if it would present a problem. And honestly, the way I see it, it’s her problem to solve, not mine. Either way, I expressed my frustration and was done discussing it for the night. Mindy eventually got the kids ready for bed. Like usual, I went up for the tuck-in. I made it brief and made my way back downstairs where I had just poured a CBC IPA. Again, I didn’t have to work on Thursday. I was much looking forward to a day off work. Mindy was off to bed even before 9:30pm. I enjoyed my evening alone watching the Big Ten Network replays of old OSU games. I watched the OSU vs. Illinois game from our national championship season, and then watched the OSU vs. Michigan game from 2006 when we were number one and two, respectively. Cool! I eventually dosed on the sofa and woke around 1am with the poison ivy on my knee itching like crazy. I soothed it with hot water then tried going back to sleep. I eventually gave up and headed up to bed where I knew I could and would sleep much better than I do on the lumpy sofa.