Bella of Guacamole

I woke to the sound of Mindy’s alarm – a noisy radio station. Finding that peculiar, but not sensing the significance, I closed my eyes again returning to sleep. The alarm sounded again. I realized then that I was once again waking late. his time it was near 6am. Yikes! I went about my routine, not changing it up much. I did my sit-ups, took a break, and then completed my push-ups. I could see on the deck that it snowed a little more over night, but no more than ½ an inch. I poured some coffee then spent a brief spell on the PC reading the Daily OM and then responding to an email from Glenn answering a couple relevant questions about our trip, and also asking that he have our condo food all packed & ready for our trip the night we arrive. I shared that Mindy wants to stop by Council Crest (where we got married) and Multnomah Falls. That should also mean a stop at Full Sail Brewing Company at Hood River for lunch as we take the back way up to Mt Hood. Wahoo! Before I knew it, it was 620am. I delivered Mindy’s coffee then quickly returned downstairs to meditate and stretch. I was running about ten minutes behind schedule. It was 650am before I got out for my run. I figured I’d cut my run to three miles to get back the time necessary to see Mindy off to school. The snow wasn’t a problem at all, but the thin sheet of ice underneath was. Footing was tricky. I had to run with extreme caution, and a little wide and flat footed. I did fine. Although just a ½ inch, I didn’t dare skip shoveling the snow off the drive and walks. Knowing we'd be in the freezer for about a week, I didn’t want to risk having it freeze over. It didn’t take long to shovel. I also started Mindy’s Honda before settling down inside for eggs. This time Mindy made the cheesy scrambled variety – the first time in a couple of weeks. They were good. I’ve been eating an English muffin with my eggs of late. They’re addictive! This was a day to celebrate. It was Bella’s adoption day. We sang happy adoption day in celebration. Mindy left at her usual time, but not before reminding me that dinner would be at the Sullivant avenue Minelli’s, Bella’s choice. To keep it simple, I planned to meet them there near 6pm. I was off to the shower by 735am. I was showered and ready by 750am. We took our time preparing to head out to the bus stop. It was cold – about 20 degrees. It's supposed to get even colder overnight. They're talking near 5 above. I allowed the Trooper to warm for a good ten minutes before taking off for work. Work was a thrill a minute. I worked hard all day long, and didn't stop for a formal lunch break. I worked straight through to 530pm, but did eat my veggies and fruit while working. Bob Imber sent an email indicating that he booked a room at the Inn at HV for the same weekend we'll be in Oregon. I talked with Mindy around 520pm regarding our dinner plans. We once again agreed to meet at Minelli's. I asked that she bring my small camera. I left work at 535pm destined for Minelli's. I exited I-270 at West Broad St and drove past the run-down Westland Mall and closed GM plant. While driving by, I contemplated what the future might hold for the immediate area now that the site has been selected for the newly approved Columbus Casino. As opposed as I was to the idea of bringing gambling to Ohio, now that it's a done deal, I recognize that the chosen area can't get much worse, or at least I hope not. Should stimulate some growth - economic expansion. Mindy and her mom were already there & seated when I arrived. It was chilly in the dining room. ;) We chatted casually waiting for others to arrive. Mindy hadn't shared with me who else might be coming. It ended up being Jodi, Larry, Julie, Katie, Grandma Sharon and Dick. Bella was really surprised and happy. Most of us ordered pizzas, five to be exact, while others ordered subs and salads. Minelli's has been around for 43 years and draws lots of local, familiar faces. Someone in our group seemed to have ties to most of the other guests. One couple, a former fire captain and his wife, familiar, of course, to Larry. Shared that his wife was also from Guatemala. That helped strike up an interesting conversation about Bella's adoption. Among others, they shared a story about driving to Guatemala with five kids pulling a trailer many years ago. Now I'll bet you the ranch that no one else knows anyone who's driven to Guatemala. :) That's something! We shared Bella's adoption day cake with several other guests until it was gone. We were there until almost 8pm. It was fun. We hadn't seen most of the family since Xmas. Jacob rode home with me, Bella with Mindy. It was getting cold, already in the teens. Mindy hurried the kids through the bedtime prep. While they did that, I started editing my miserably organized music collection in iTunes. Some tunes had the artist and song title in the same box, which iTunes can't recognize and therefore can't find the artwork. I worked on that for about an hour. I stayed up a little later than Mindy but not by much. I was in bed by 1030pm.