Hanging in the Valance - EDT cometh

Daylight’s savings time now upon us, I slept in until I felt compelled to get up and out of bed. That call came at 815am EDT (715am ET). Mindy didn’t budge. I left her sleeping as I slipped out of bed and ultimately downstairs. I started coffee – Starbucks. Because it was Sunday I didn’t bother with sit-ups or push-ups, my usual Sunday respite from calisthenics. I played around online for quite a while not even considering my Sunday run until 1030am. By then, Mindy was up, and thankfully, the rain had stopped, although the streets were still wet from the night before. I laced up my newest running shoes and did a stretch from the family room floor just before heading out. Like most Sunday’s, I ran just three miles. For some reasons, my calves became incredibly stiff to the point of pain. Mindy guessed a case of dehydration – perhaps. I can’t remember the last time my calves bothered me. Mindy was already showered when I returned. She asked if I would be willing to re-hang the old valance rods over the bay window to facilitate the new purple/wine valance she found on Saturday. Although as discussed yesterday, she still needed to fetch three more to complete the set. Honestly, I like the bay window without any treatment, but also respect Mindy’s input and taste. It didn’t look bad. After agreeing, she planned to head back to Target to get the three additional panels. She left around noon. I used the time to mount the wall hooks I bought Friday to stow our snow skis in the garage below the two extension ladders. I got out the stud finder first. As soon as I turned it on the alarm sounded, and it wouldn’t stop until I put it down. Thinking it must be broken, I put in a set of fresh batteries, but with the same results. I later realized that it was working well. I’m a stud! Whenever I hold it, it blares to beat all get out!  Yeah baby, yeah! Actually, the stud finder fooled me. I drew a level line in pencil first, then ran the stud finder across the line and wall marking the three positions where I found studs 16" apart. Perfect, or so I thought. I drilled pilot holes for the screw-in hooks only to discover nothing behind the drywall but insulation. No studs! Dammit! I ended up drilling about seven small holes to find two studs 32" apart. The second set of hooks went much easier. Just followed the guide from the two above. I learn fast! The skis now stowed, I moved back inside and started on the bay window valance rods. The bay window valance rod is all one piece employing (2) flexible plastic connectors at the 45 degrees intersections. That makes the overall structure quite flimsy requiring support brackets midway across. I mounted the brackets leaving the rod on the table until the four valances were out of the washer and dryer and ready to be hung. I failed to mention that Mindy agreed to help Lindsey with her college algebra and left to fetch her and the boys. We decided to make a family dinner event out of it. Mindy invited my dad for diner too. I hung the new valances while Mindy was gone. Probably best that way. Their timing was perfect. I had the valances completely hung by the time Mindy and the gang returned. We were having homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn and salad for dinner. Mindy and Lindsey worked on her algebra for about 30 minutes. I sat in the chair reading while the kids played. My dad arrived a few minutes later. Dinner was served around 530pm. Dad finallygot around to sharing his experience taking mom home from the New Albany surgical center, and then about his new minivan, a deal that was consummated just the day before during the Buckeye game. It’s another Chrysler, silver, and a 2009. He did the deal for the security of having a newer, reliable vehicle. He also shared that he recently got his new HDTV hooked up that he bought around Xmas time. The meatloaf was delicious. Mindy’s might be the best I've ever tasted. The kids seemed to like it, too. For dessert, Mindy baked chocolate chip cookies, mainly for the kids while the rest of us enjoyed what was left of her birthday butterscotch pie – also very good. Thanks Gloria! Jacob fussed about not being allowed to go back outside to play. His please fel lon deaf ears. Too muddy. Too chilly. Instead, the kids played Wii after dinner. Jacob was nice enough to help Landon play Mario Kart. Mindy left to take the kids home around 7-730pm. Jacob & Bella stayed home with me. Dad left at roughly the same time. We walked out with dad to see his new minivan. Nice! Sometime during the evening I saw a report on Yahoo that LaDainian Tomlinson signed with the Jets, apparently spurning similar overtures from my Vikings.  I started dosing off while reading in the family room. We had a fire going that added just enough warmth. I was quite comfy. I woke around 9pm and went to tuck in the kids, who had just gone to bed. I think I went directly to bed, although this time I told Mindy in advance.