Sunny with a Chance of Flowers

As required by my contract, I was up at 530am. I was still extremely tired but knew the feeling would be fleeting. After brushing my teeth and heading downstairs, I was already well on my way to shaking it off. I freed Frankie whose early morning behavior was noticably subdued. She and I headed out back for her first romp. It was crystal clear but also chilly. I later learned that it was only 47 degrees. She took care of business rather quickly. Inside I threw on my running shoes, albeit loosely, then started my exercise routine. After 55 sit-ups and 55 push-ups I quickly checked the temperature and then morning headlines. I poured some coffee. It was 555am. I sipped it quickly then started meditation and stretching. At 620am I took Frankie out for romp number two. She used the time wisely. It was after 625am by the time I delivered her to Mindy’s watch. By then, Mindy was already mid-shower. I put Frankie in the soaking tub. She started whining immediately. She hates being in there. I dressed and left for my run at 635am. It was nice to run under clear skies and a rising sun. Been a while. I ran my regular route of four miles. Felt terrific. Back at home, the kids were downstairs dressed in shorts, the first time permitted to wear them all week. The high was forecasted to approach 77 with sunshine. Unfortunately, Friday now looks like another rainy day in the upper 60s, but after that it looks like the segue to summer. Before Mindy left for school, she asked if I planned to golf after work. The week I’ve had – you’re dang skippy! She expressed hope that I’d come home in a better frame of mind. Probably deserved that. She left just after 730am. The kids and I carried on with our morning routines as normal. I was off to the shower with Frankie. She spent another 5-10 minutes in the soaking tub while I showered. She wasn’t happy. Jacob handled Frankie on her leash at the bus stop. Chrissy had Woody on his leash too. The two of them got tangled up several times while wrestling. Meanwhile, it was so dang beautiful, sunny skies and temps already near 60. Gorgeous! Frankie and I headed back home after the kids were off to school. I took her out for one last romp. I so wanted to stay home but knew I couldn’t. I left for work at 815am. Work was busy from the second I sat down to the minute I left for lunch. It was coming fast and furious but I was determined to get away for a while just to maintain some semblance of a positive attitude. I headed to Strader’s, a sure-fire pick me up destination. There, I picked up two more flats of annuals - a flat of impatiens and begonias, a flat of vegetables – tomato and pepper plants, two more of these trailing flowers for the deck pots, and lastly, a yellow knock-out rose bush especially for Mindy. I had just told her that knockouts didn’t come in yellow. New this year, I guess. I spent about $60 – not too bad. I thought about detouring to Wal-Mart on my way back to the office to look for a simple old-fashioned hose hanger, but opted instead to head straight back. Work was beckoning. The afternoon was just as busy as the morning. I did my best to remain positive and sunny. I sent a quick email to Bob I inquiring about golf, which I sorely needed. He responded quickly that he was out – too busy and working/staying late. I know the feeling. Darn. I could’ve called Tom C., but opted instead to use my time otherwise. I figured I could either plant flowers or go to dinner (Barley’s) with Mindy. Both sounded good. Mindy phoned around 430pm. I let her know that work was busy and that golf was out. I promised to try and leave on time. We made tentative plans to dine at Barley’s. After the week I've had, I needed it. I tried hard to get out of work on time (530pm) but that just wasn’t in the cards. I was there until 615pm or later. I called Mindy just ahead of 6pm and then again along my drive home. We still planned to do Barley’s. We had until 8pm. By the time I arrived home, Mindy was all ready to go. I just needed a minute or two to freshen up. We were out the door by 640pm. I was still I in work mode but at least I was away from the office. Barley’s was packed! We got the last two bar side seats. Apparently some big group around back. Janet was working the bar. She guessed me a Centennial. Yes, please! Mindy had a stout of some sort. Didn't hear her order. As with most Thursdays, we ordered food right away being on a somewhat short leash. I ordered a Texas Burger with a side of their new potato salad. Mindy ordered a brisket quesadilla. Our food came quick and it was scrumptious. I made fairly quick work of mine. I stuck with just the one beer, and Mindy did the same. We stayed long enough to eat and enjoy the one beer. That's it. Mindy picked up the check. We headed home around 740pm. First thing I did was I carry all the flowers purchased earlier around to the deck. We beat the kids home by about 5-10 minutes. They pulled up just as I was situating the trash can by the curb for tomorrow AM's pick-up. After a fast hug, Bella dashed off to see Makayla. On the other hand, Jacob paid me little attention as he sauntered on into the house and eventually out back to see his momma, who was out there playing with Frankie. The family eventually headed down to visit with the neighbors, who were collected in Kapil and Peobena's yard. While they visited, I snuck a quick nap on the sofa. Heavenly I tell you! Not sure the time when they returned but guessing it near 830pm. No showers, just jammies before bed. We tucked the kids in around 9pm. Bella insisted I share the story of the first time I met her. I laid in her bed telling her all about it. She was just a couple weeks shy of three when we first met. The story amused her. Back downstairs I tuned into the Science Channel or one of its peer channels (Learning, Discovery, etc) watching another program about asteroids, this one about the potential for damage should one strike Earth. Afterwards I watched a program about fixing huge machines, the setting Vegas. That was cool, too. Mindy headed to bed around 950pm. I wasn't far behind, joining her in bed directly at 10pm.