Pilgramage to Strader's

It was just after 530am when I rolled out of bed. I was unusually stiff, a likely byproduct of hitting 120 golf balls the day before. I doused my eyes in drops and topped off my water cup then started my sit-ups. After sit-ups I sat in front of the PC long enough to check the current weather conditions and glance at a few headlines, not much more. I completed 53 push-ups then poured some coffee. I sipped it quickly before heading up to wake Mindy. She asked to be woken early, but never qualified by how much. I decided to wake her five minutes sooner than normal or at 605am. I moved through meditation and stretching swiftly but not before getting the full benefit of both. I was ready for my run even before 630am. It was 39 degrees so I dressed warmly. Even after icing my knee the night before, it barked at me more than usual. There’s little doubt that my golf swing puts undue torque on my leading knee. I ran four miles despite the minor discomfort under yet another lovely sunrise. Mindy had the front door unlocked & open for my reentry. Both kids were downstairs and in much better moods, and both were dressed in shorts. Jacob poked a little fun at Bella, but quickly stopped after Mindy lit him up. The kids asked if me and my brothers ever fought. Ah, yeah, all the time. Mindy said she and Todd did but typically not in the morning. Hmm? I quickly scrawled out a check to Paul P. for the backflow meter inspection and had Bella run it out to the mailbox. She likes doing it, putting up the flag and all. Mindy ate yogurt while Jacob and I ate scrambled eggs. Mindy hurried off to work while the kids and I finished up our breakfasts. I was off to the shower by 735am. I was ready quicker than usual, back downstairs by 751am. Didn’t shave. That must’ve been it. We headed out by 757am with Jacob out much sooner than Bella and I. The kids gushed over Woody again this morning. Give it another week. Chrissy and I chatted briefly after the bus left with the kids. She’s counting down to Friday’s Tim McGraw concert, which we’ll be attending along with her and Kenny. Said the pug thing should be resolved by Friday. My thoughts? Come what may. I left for work at 813am. Another gorgeous drive into the office. I always enjoy the walk from my car to the building. Lots of birds, flowering trees and greenery to admire. We had our usual Wednesday staff meeting but there wasn’t a lot to discuss. I guess you’ll have that on occasion. I planned to take my lunch at 1pm. Big surprise! I drove to Strader’s on Riverside just five minutes up the road. I make this visit every spring – a tradition of sorts. I browse the flora taking in the colors and smells not planning to buy a thing. It’s during this visit that I get my creative landscape juices flowing. Not to mention the fact that it naturally elevates my mood. The visit didn’t disappoint. I must’ve spent a good 40 minutes walking around getting ideas. The years go faster and faster. Seems like I was just there buying my annuals. After leaving Strader’s I drove east to my bank’s drive-thru to get some cash for the first time in many months – come to think of it, even before Xmas I think. I want to pay Chrissy in cash for the Tim McGraw tickets. It was almost 2pm and my stomach was growling. I knew I had veggies and tuna back at my office but the lure of the nearby Wendy’s was too hard to overcome. I went through the drive-thru and ordered a single combo meal. I ate the fries and sipped the Coke during my drive back to the office. I saved the burger until I was back in my office. Due to a meeting with one of my engineer’s I missed a call from Mindy just before 2pm. Finding it odd for her to call at that hour, I tried redialing her, but the call went to VM. Hmm? She called me back at some point, and I’m guessing it was after school let out. Among other things, she indicated that we would in fact be getting Woody’s sister, but not until Thursday evening. She also mentioned that her teacher pal, Karianne along with her 4-month old son, Garrett would be joining us for dinner. Hopefully, he doesn’t eat much!  She’d be grilling burgers. I ended up working late again stuck on another customer call until 630pm. Before leaving work I reminded my boss that I’d be working from home the following morning due to the kids’ scheduled late start. I arrived home around 645pm. By then diner was ready. They were waiting on me. I hadn’t seen Garrett since a couple days after he was born. He looks exactly like his momma – no denying it. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen Kari since then either. She still the same chatty thing. She talks faster than anyone I know. Her and Mindy together are a gossip fest. I interjected a couple of times just to stay engaged and show interest. After dinner we had some of Jacob’s leftover ice cream cake. Yummy! After clean-up, I went to the family room floor for a nap. I had that familiar knot in my shoulder and neck. Again, hitting 120 golf balls the day before the likely culprit. I laid flat on my back. That felt best. Soon, I drifted off to sleep without even realizing it. Next thing I knew, the house was empty and quiet. Mindy came in seconds after I woke, but was quickly off once again, to the neighbors I presumed. Karianne called while Mindy was away to make sure and thank us for dinner. Said she forgot to. Kiddingly, I gave her hell for not saying goodbye. Said I was sleeping. The kids came in a short time later somewhat traumatized after Kenny and Chrissy’s kids told them they weren’t getting the pug. Mindy would only say that last she heard was that it was still up in the air. After the kids readied for bed we spent some family time together downstairs. At the same time, I iced my troubled knee and sipped a rum, Fresca, and grapefruit juice. I was excited about the prospect of sleeping in a little bit come morning since I’d be manning tomorrow’s late start. Mindy reminded me that Jacob still had to be up at his usual time. He was planning to attend “Take Your Kid to Work Day” with Jimaken. Jimaken was picking him up at 745am. Bella could sleep in, though. Mindy and I headed to bed shortly after 10pm.