No Big Gift ... Boy am I in Trouble!

Happy 41st B-day Princess I was up at 530am after 7+ hours of sound sleep. I wanted to stay in bed but knew that I couldn’t. I had to get moving. I completed my sit-ups then sat at the computer waiting for the coffee brew cycle to end. It was still pretty cold outside – only 24 degrees. I completed push-ups then prepped a cup of coffee. I returned to my PC where I remained until it was time to wake Mindy. At 610am I delivered Mindy’s coffee and wished her a happy b-day - her 41st. I was suddenly overcome with a bad case of the sleepies. I went to the familyroom to meditate but opted instead to go horizontal on the sofa thinking I might catch another 15-20 minutes of sleep. I laid there for ten minutes but never fully falling asleep. At 625am I rose to my feet and proceeded with my morning routine. I felt a lot better after the extra rest. I did a quick meditation and a regular stretch routine. It was 645am by the time I was ready to run. I decided to lop a mile off making my run just three. My run was under daylight from the outset. Of course that’ll change after March 14th when we move the clocks forward an hour. Mindy was in a far better place this morning after resolving the problem dominating her time and thought all week. It didn’t hurt that it was Friday as well as her birthday either. Bella presented her momma with a handmade card complete with a note inside – very thoughtful – very touching. She even signed for Jacob, not wanting him to feel left out. Mindy said it made her morning. Mindy soon departed for school and I rushed off to the shower. The kids and I prepped Mindy's b-day cards and a small gift before heading out to the bus stop at 757am. Kenny met us out there too. Hadn’t talked with Kenny for what seemed like two weeks. He asked about our trip and my car. He shared news about his fast approaching Florida golf trip now just 2 weeks out. He deserves the break. Off to work. I arrived to work a little ahead of 830am. It was sunny and felt a little like spring, although it was still quite chilly. I noticed a gathering of 8-10 deer at the side of our building grazing. They cautiously watched me walk in. Like most days this week, I had four interviews sprinkled throughout my day and spaced about an hour and a half apart. I made it a point mid-day to head to Macy’s to shop for Mindy’s birthday gift. I was stressing hugely over just what to get her. Nothing was coming to me. This was uncharted waters for me. Typically, I have her gift ideas well in advance. This time – nothing! Drawing a blank. My wife has everything she wants and needs. I had to laugh when earlier in the day Bella advised me that I should stop in the Diamond Cellar and pick up this bracelet her momma liked. At Macy’s I found myself walking aisles in search of nothing in particular. I received a work related call on my Blackberry, too. That did nothing but add to my stress. I eventually meandered out of Macy’s and into The Finish Line, which is practically next door. I looked at running shoes. I need a new pair. I saw nothing I liked. What was I doing there? I needed to find something for Mindy. Dammit! I wandered back through Macy’s and out to my car empty handed. I felt defeated. I planned to fall on my sword and ask Mindy what she wanted. It’s not like I got her nothing. I had a card & a gift from both kids waiting on the island for her arrival home. I left a card from me too, not to mention the white roses I gave her the night before. However, I didn't consider those a b-day gift. But we would be celebrating her b-day at Barley’s later – her choice. I invited most of our Barley peeps without making a big deal out of it. Mindy called sometime after 4pm to let me know that she got the cards and gift left on the counter. I told her then that I had no other gift in tow and why. She understood, and shared that I was her gift. I was off the hook, at least temporarily. The kids were leaving with Jimaken but for the night. He’d be bringing them back Saturday afternoon. I left work at 530pm and headed directly home. I tried phoning Ashley but to no avail. I tried reaching my mom at home next. Ronald (her ex) answered and shared that she was still in the hospital. A minute later Denise, my mom’s BF, called to let me know that my mom wasn’t heading home until possibly Saturday due to complications. Geesh! I left the office at 530pm but because I’d be on-call, I wasn’t really leaving work. I arrived home by 545pm. It was quiet – only Mindy. Spread about the island counter were numerous birthday cards from her many well-wishers. She was in good spirits after a rather difficult week. We planned to leave for Barley’s around 7pm. I spent the time between my arrival home and our departure getting my work laptop up and running. I freshened up at 645pm then we departed for Barley’s. We arrived to a packed lot. We had to park in the adjacent lot just to the north. We happened upon Doug H. sitting at the bar. We gathered near him. Iguess Jamie couldn’t make it out. Too bad.  But… as I often say, it’s not about who doesn’t show, but instead who does. Mindy sprinkled herself amongst her many admirers while I chatted with Doug and his work friend Ellias (sp). I sipped a Centennial IPA slowly. Mindy & I made it a point to eat early on. I ate a Cuban, and it might’ve been the best one ever. I’m not kidding, you’ve got to try one of their Cuban’s with bacon. Tell ‘em I sent ya! We had a fun time hanging with our peeps. My brother Tommy made his first Barley’s appearance since perhaps my birthday. We all got a laugh from the gag gift Bob I. brought for Mindy, a “Purple Puke Pale” in honor of last year’s “I’m 40 celebration” that ended with, well, dinner on the patio floor – literally.  I was much tamer than last year. I drank three regular IPA’s spread across the entire night - about 4 hours. Plus, I drank water for the last hour. I was in fine shape to drive come 11pm or so when we bolted for home.