Woop-Woop ... Six in-a-row

I slept soundly and didn’t wake until just after 8am. Fearing the day would quickly slip away, I leaped out of bed and rushed downstairs to get my Saturday started. First, I started some Starbucks then began my exercise regimen. At 820am I headed out for a walk with Ykraps. It was a lovely morning with lots of sunshine, but rather cool temps. It was somewhere near 40 degrees. Jacob was actually up just before I headed out with Ykraps. I asked him if he wanted to join us but he didn’t. I was surprised at how quiet it was outdoors, especially given that it was Michigan Saturday. If it were a home game I’m certain (based on years past) there would’ve been a lot more bustling. I poured myself some coffee then sat at the PC reading headlines, blogs, and email. I dressed for a run shortly after 9am. I almost headed out without stretching but caught myself last minute and turned around and did a good five minutes worth. I ran four miles winding my way through the western half of the subdivision then out onto Trabue and south on Hague. It was a very lovely morning for a run. I was back at home around 9:45am. By then Mindy and Bella were awake. I shared my plans to rake the back yard before the football game. Mindy offered to assist, and so did Jacob. I woofed down a roast beef and cheese sandwich first. I was really hungry and figured I would need the energy for raking. Jacob and I headed out together. We started around the deck getting the fallen leaves out from under the deck and from around all the landscaping. That’s always a pain in the ass. Jacob was very thorough taking time to pull the leaves from around the plants base with his bare hands. I did a belly crawl with a rake to drag the leaves out from under the deck and the taxus repandens. I used the blower extensively blowing the remaining leaves into a large pile for eventual tarping. Jacob and I drug off one tarp full before Mindy came out to join us. I asked her to start on the large gathering of pear leaves falling between ours and David and Becky’s house. Even though most of them were in their yard, I wanted to take care of them. Otherwise they’ll end up blowing into our yard if they’re not taken care of soon. Besides, lots of our leaves end up in their yard. While Jacob & Mindy worked on the pear tree leaves, I blew the rest of the back yard clean. The work went so much faster with help. Jacob did a really good job. I was grateful. Mindy went in ahead of Jacob and I. We still had a tarp full of leaves to dump out back. While I put the yard tools away, Jacob confirmed the time. It was 11:45am, or 15 minutes shy of kick-off. I decided to wait and shower after the game. I’m sure I stunk, but I didn’t want to miss any of the action. The Buckeyes wore replicas of their 1954 uniforms. I liked the look. As expected, our offense struggled but our defense saved us. Michigan fumbled in their own end zone and we recovered for a touchdown. It was 7-0 quick. The Buckeyes never trailed, although the game wasn’t a blow-out either. Michigan self-destructed each time they marched down the filed with any type of threat. In the end, their young quarterback threw four interceptions to go along with that early fumble. We won 21-10, beating Michigan for the 6th time in a row, a feat I never dreamt could happen. Hey, I lived in the 80’s and 90’s. The game ended around 3:30pm. Feeling euphoric, Jacob and I headed out to toss the football. It was lovely outside – sunny and almost 60 degrees. We threw the football for at least 30 minutes without incident. That might be record. J We weren’t inside long before Mindy & the kids headed out to Target. I stayed home to do chores. For starters, I hung my new ladder on the garage wall just above my 28’ fiberglass ladder. I could just reach it without needing a step ladder to get it down or stow it. Good deal. Next, I showered, unloaded the dishwasher, and took care of a few other miscellaneous chores. Mindy phoned around 5pm to measure my interest in dinner out at the Big Fat, her treat. Any other day I would’ve been big on the idea, but we’ve eaten out so much lately. I just wasn’t in the mood to leave the house, but I assured her that it was OK if they went. No, she agreed with me, but also offered that she didn’t want to cook. I then suggested Chipotle. I could do that. I could hear Jacob agreeing happily in the background. Chipotle it was! I managed a shower just prior to Mindy and the kids returning home with their shopping haul and the Chipotle. Oh, and Bella had Burger King. I walked Ykraps before enjoying any of my food. It’s just how I am wired. After dinner, I was looking forward to a peaceful evening at home. I built a fire and snuggled up on the sofa with a Jack & Coke. Among other things, I was looking forward to ABC’s late college football game – Oregon vs. Arizona. Mindy & Jacob ran off to the grocery leaving Bella and I behind. I was actually napping when they left. Bella was playing on the laptop when I woke and asked if I was surprised. Yes, I was. Mindy and Jacob weren’t gone that long. I helped carry in groceries and then Mindy, Jacob and I watched football while Bella watched TV in her own room. The Oregon game was extremely exciting. In fact, if they win out, they’ll be our Rose Bowl opponent. They took an early lead but squandered it late. Arizona lead with time expiring. However, with time running out, Oregon tied and forced OT, and eventually won it in the 2nd OT period. For the excitement level, it doesn’t get any better. After the game we headed to bed. It was midnight.