Opening Pandora's Box

I slept longer than I should’ve. I didn’t get up until 550am, and even then I was still draggin’. I didn’t prep my stuff the night before, so I had no choice but to enter the kitchen to get my meds and shoes. And of course that woke Frankie. I carried on with my exercise routine as normal, not fetching Frankie from her pen until I was done. I was way behind, but Mindy was staying home, so that alone afforded me an extra 15-20 minutes. Still sleepy, I decided to steal a few extra winks. I laid down for about 15 minutes. Now I was really behind. I didn’t take Mindy coffee and the pug until almost 7am, and then didn’t get out the door for my run until 710am. By then, I was 40 minutes behind schedule. But on a more positive note, it was really nice, sunny, and warm. I didn't allow the fact that I was 40 minutes behind to influence my run. I still ran 4 miles enjoying every step of the way. When I returned home somewhere near 750am Jacob was still in bed, but Mindy and Bella were up as usual. I sat to eat the eggs Mindy had waiting in the microwave while Mindy walked Bella to the bus stop - a rare treat indeed. I headed up for a shower minutes later. In fact, I was downstairs ready to go by 810am - about the same time I would be preparing to depart for work on any other day. I was hopeful we'd be doing Thursday evening golf throwing my ball cap and shorts in my back pack. The clubs were already in the Trooper prompting me once again to scratch any notion of driving the BM'er. Mindy followed me out to the Trooper apparently not too pleased with my lack of morning interaction. I just listened to her complaint without much of a response. I might've arrived to work five minutes late, but nothing more. Work was incredibly busy. In fact, busy doesn't even begin to do it justice. It was psycho. And sometimes homey just isn't up for that. I did my level best to take it in stride and deliver a solid performance, but I was getting run over. I still made it a point to escape at lunch time to address three or four errands I considered critical. First stop was Wal-Mart in Dublin, looking at replacement cushions for our patio set. I didn't like anything they had. Next stop was Jared jewelers to look at Pandora bracelets, one of just a few items Mindy mentioned wanting for Mother's Day several days back. I had actually forgotten what it was called but thanks to Google, I was able to recall and conquer. Was very pleased to see they were sold at Jared, a reputable and nearby jeweler. Sue, an eastern Indian woman, met me at the door and was quick to assist with the Pandora experience. And let me just say, what a racket! Essentially, it is a charm bracelet, but everything is sold ala-carte, and believe me, it adds up quickly. First, you select the base bracelet itself, then spacers, charms, and clips. Everything costs money. I won't say how much my selection set me back, but it was significantly more than I went in expecting to spend. I left there and headed to Home Depot at Mill Run. There I bought a two-pack of the 30amp fuse I need for the hot tub. The fella working electrical aisle double checked my old fuse to verify that it was blown. It was blown. $17 for two new ones. Yikes! I also bought two small, double Knock-out red rose bushes and a small, twisted pink hibiscus. I still wasn't done. Lastly, I headed to Target, just next door, to pick-up a few Mother's Day cards. I also looked at their selection of replacement patio cushions, and then picked up another bottle of eye drops. I'm going through them fast. Speaking of my eyes, this has been a poor vision week. Working at a PC all day dries out my eyes in a hurry, but for whatever the reason, this week it's been more notable. Back to work. All totaled, I was out of the office for better than 1.5 hours - closer to two, but then again, I didn't take a lunch on Tuesday or Wednesday. It all works out. I ate my vegetables and tuna once I was back in my office. The rest of the afternoon moved by quickly aided alone by a deluge of escalated troubles. I talked with Mindy at some point. She was taking Frankie to the vet for her first appointment. Bella was at Dena's. Said Jacob was still somewhat ill and would be staying home with Jimaken on Friday. I didn't get out of the office until late once again. It must've been near 545pm. Mindy suggested we'd be having leftovers for dinner and that Jimaken would be coming by around 7pm to pick-up Jacob. He wouldn't be doing the typical Thursday evening dinner thing with both. Mindy said Frankie did well at the vet getting three vaccines. Needs to go aback in a month for two more. $140! yes, another racket! My dinner consisted of leftover El Vaquero - my fajita quesadilla. It was really good. After dinner, and after Jimaken picked up Jacob, I headed out to spread a few bags of mulch out front. I soon discovered I didn't have the energy to do too any more. I did the two curb-side trees and mailbox bed and that's it. Next, I attached the backyard hose to the reel and watered the hanging baskets and deck hibiscus. While I was doing that, Mindy & Frankie was busy entertaining a group of young boys who were playing in our backyard. Before I finished, Mindy headed down to the neighbors to visit. Bella was already down there playing with Mkayla. I love a sunny evening when the dappled sunlight shines through the trees and the hanging baskets are dripping with water. Something comforting about it. Once I completed my tasks and cleaned up a little, I snatched a cold beer from the fridge and marched down to the neighbors to join everyone else. We hung out with the neighbors until well after dark - almost like a Friday evening, the only difference being I enjoyed just two beers. :) We headed home at dark. Bella asked for a snack. We both snacked on Cheezits. We were all in bed by 10pm.