When 8 = 35

Happy 35th Kenny! Feeling well rested, I was downstairs by 535am. Time moved fast. It was already 555am by the time I finished my push-ups and sit-ups. Afterwards, Frankie and I headed out back where she quickly took care of business. She went back to her pen as soon as we were inside. Meanwhile, the sky was crystal clear and it actually felt a tad cool without the 80-90% humidity levels of the past week or so. It was still in the 60’s and the forecast called for 84 and sunshine. I didn’t have a lot of time to relax. At 635am I headed out for my run. By then I had meditation and stretching in the bag. I ran shirtless. The lack of humidity felt good. I ran four miles in the more than gorgeous weather. I was back home and busy making breakfast by 715am. While sitting to eat my eggs Frankie sat pawing at the back door. I almost told her to stop when I realized she was signaling that she needed out. Cool! I took her out where she promptly took care of her business. Good dog! I gave her treats back inside. Progress! I took Mindy coffee at 740am. Frankie followed me up. It’s quite interesting how she knows when it’s time, picks up on various queues. I was showered and ready for work by 805am. Mindy, Bella and I spent some time on the deck before I had to depart for work. I took a number of pictures. Just before leaving, I shared the need to cut the lawn after work. It sounded like we’d be cooking out with the neighbors celebrating Kenny’s 35th birthday. Mindy planned to pick-up steaks sometime during the day. I drove the BM’er – a perfect day for it too. Work was really busy. I stayed at it all morning long. I took lunch late, around 215pm, and drove to Golf Galaxy where I bought Kenny a box of Pro V1’s for his birthday. Kind of funny figuring that I wouldn’t dream of buying them for myself. I looked at a few other items but bought nothing else. I talked with Mindy sometime during the afternoon. Mindy said Jacob was on her last nerve … again. Also confirmed dinner plans and my desire to cut the lawn. Said we wouldn’t be cooking out until 7-730pm. That would give me the time I needed to address the lawn. I left work at 540pm. After a brief greeting of the family, I changed into attire suitable for lawn work. It was only 80 degrees and with next to no humidity. For that I was thankful. Like I have a lot recently, I mowed before trimming and edging. I’m liking that. I mowed the back first, again something different. I noticed a few places in the back lawn that were so saturated with water that the grass is dying after being walked on. Too mushy! I finished the lawn after about 90 minutes, and that includes whacking, edging, and blowing. Despite the low humidity, I was a sweaty mess. I needed a shower. Mindy and the kids were already over at the neighbors. I hurried through a shower in less than ten minutes. Mindy came back home surprised I was ready. She offered to whip up a drink, a rum, fresca, and grape fruit juice. We walked back to the neighbors together. Even though it was his birthday, Kenny agreed to grill the steaks. Nobody better. Mindy bought Kenny a Porterhouse, and Chrissy, herself and I thick filets. As always, Chrissy had hers butterflied so it could be cooked like shoe leather. While the steaks grilled, I helped Chrissy book their rental vehicle for our fast approaching vacation. I booked ours earlier in the day. We’re getting two Ford Escapes. My steak was grilled to perfection, brown and slightly crisp on the surface, yet pink/red in the middle. Yum-yum! Mindy whipped up green bean casserole and baked potatoes for the occasion earlier. I had only half a potato. After finishing our steaks Mindy walked home to and made me a second rum drink Poof, you’re a rum drink!  The kids played out back for the duration of the evening. Around 9pm Chrissy put 8 candles on the Kenny’s cake (3 blue candles representing the tens place and five red candles representing ones). We sang Happy Birthday! Kenny opened his gifts next. He cleaned up. Cash, golf balls, and a gift cards for dinner out. Kapil and Pabina weren’t there but sent a card with a very funny note. After the birthday festivities, I plopped down on their leather sofa and turned on the NBA basketball Finals game 7 – Lakers vs. Celtics. The Celtics were already ahead by 9 at the end of the first quarter. I never watch basketball through the season, and watched parts of only one other playoff game, the Cavs. We stayed until halftime. The Celtics were still up. Bella was upset that I wouldn’t build afire in the pondside fire ring after pinky promise that I would earlier that morning. But it was after 10pm. Mindy wanted the kids in bed, and she and I were tired too. I took Frankie out back to potty while the kids got in their PJ’s. Once back inside I heard Bella freaking out like nobody’s business after seeing a spider in room. She was screaming bloody murder. I was nerve racking, trust me! Thankfully, Mindy found it and flushed it down the toilet, or at least reported as much. Bella bought it, which is all that mattered, and went to bed. Good grief. Mindy agreed that we should watch the rest of the basketball game from bed, or at least until we fell asleep. That’s what we did. I fell asleep just as the 4th quarter was underway. The Celtics were still ahead.