More lovely weather & MNF

Just as I hoped, I slept really well and woke feeling completely rested. It was 5:25am and I was rearing to go. I guess I was still pulling some energy from the Vikings’ big season opening victory. I did my sit-ups and push-ups before heading out with Ykraps. I checked the temperature. It was 64 degrees. I wore my fleece, but honestly it was a little too warm for a jacket. After our walk I settled down at the PC with a fresh cup of coffee. I was eager to see who won the Packer/Bears game. Packers pulled it out. I delivered Mindy’s coffee at 6:10am. I spent a little more time at the PC before moving on to meditation and stretching. I had a kink in my neck so I took extra time stretching. Just before leaving on my run I did a set of curls, although I am afraid that that very act exacerbates my stiff neck. I wore a thin, long-sleeved running shirt and shorts. I was comfortable. The run went exceptionally well. I was back at home by 7:15am. And by then everyone was up and breakfast was on the table. Today’s menu included an assortment of fruit and fried eggs. I woofed mine down in a hurry. And just as she usually does, Mindy fixed Bella’s hair then departed for school. I was downstairs after a shower by 7:50am. The kids soon followed and were eagerly out the door well ahead of me. Chrissy was already at the bus stop waiting with Makayla. The bus pulled up just after 8:00am. We chatted only briefly as the bus pulled away. After loading up the Trooper, I was on the road for work by 8:10am. Work was well under control. No weekend fallout. Fantastic! I spent a solid hour interacting with my team and then another hour with my boss and peer before heading back to my office to work through the day’s allotment of unforeseen events. As usual, there were many. I planned to leave for lunch but didn’t have a specific destination or agenda in mind. I ended up scraping the idea and stuck around the office for the entire day. Come 2pm my boss asked if I would sit in a meeting that would pretty much carry on through the end of my day. I agreed. It was 5:40pm when I finally freed myself from the office and headed for home. I didn’t bother calling ahead like I often do. I drove straight home uninterrupted listening to Sports Talk radio. As I exited the Trooper neighbor Carl advised that I should send the kids over. Had something to show them. I agreed. Inside, the house smelt of tacos. The kids were nowhere to be found. After greeting Mindy, we leashed up Ykraps and took him on his evening walk. I suggested that we stop over to see Carl first. He showed us a baby snapping turtle that wasn’t any bigger than a quarter. He wanted to show the kids. We promised to send them over later. Ykraps took his dear old time doing his business. The older he gets the longer it takes. During our walk, Mindy shared a little about her day. In kind, I shared some of mine too. At 6:30pm Mindy fetched the kids so that we could eat some dinner. I snacked on chunk cheese while waiting on everyone to get settled around the table. I was hungry. We had our choice of burrito skins and taco shells. I chose a burrito skin first. Unfortunately, air had gotten to package rendering them something less than pliable causing the burritos to crack when rolling them up, and that was even after adding a dab or two of water. I simply grabbed a fork and knife. It was still mighty tasty. I ended up having one burrito and one large taco. While I finished clean-up, Mindy took the kids across the street to see the baby snapping turtle that Carl captured. The kids stayed out playing when Mindy returned. I begged her to rub my aching neck and shoulder. She obliged my request with a deep tissue rub. And boy did it feel terrific! I went upstairs to change into my PJs before tuning the TV to MNF. Because this was opening week, there wee two games on the slate – one at 700pm and the other starting around 1030pm. The early game featured the Patriots and Bills. By the time that I tuned in they were already five minutes into the first quarter. Meanwhile, Mindy was patiently awaiting her niece Lindey’s arrival. She was coming over to give Jacob and Bella haircuts. She arrived just after 7:15pm. Mindy hollered for the kids to come home once Lindey showed up. They all went to the deck to the do the deed while I watched football. Maddie, the neighbor girl that likes Jacob, came a knockin’. I sent her and her tow little brothers around back to see the kids. But when I announced that they were coming around Jacob rushed inside the house to hide. Good grief! He had no choice but to head back out once his mother beckoned him. Lindey was ready to cut his hair. It didn’t take but ten minutes. I heard Mindy giving Jacob the dickens. He apparently wasn’t pleased with his haircut and was running his jibs about the entire time. He romped through the house in disgust moaning and groaning his way into the bathroom. Mindy threatened bodily harm if his attitude didn’t improve. I kept largely out of it. Lindey stayed and visited for a while. She didn’t leave until her daddy, brother-in-law Larry, phoned looking for her. She must’ve left just before 9pm. By then, Mindy already had both kids out of the shower. Meanwhile, Jacob continued airing discontent with his haircut. I really thought Mindy might beat him. Bella brought home a new I Spy book form the school library. We did a page from the sofa while watching football. We tucked the kids into bed just after 9pm. We stayed up watching the rest of the early MNF game. The Bills were winning 24-13 with five minutes left. They looked strong. Unfortunately, they found away to lose the game 25-24 after two really quick new England touchdowns. We watched the beginning of the 2nd MNF game form bed. Mindy wasn’t too pleased with the idea but conceded. I suppose she knew I wouldn’t last long. She was right. I’ll bet I didn’t see five minutes before falling asleep.