Shane or Shame

I was happy that it was Friday, but that elation was dampened by the fact that I would be on-call through the entire weekend. I was up pretty much on time - about 535am and moved through my routine with eye towards getting back on schedule. To that end, I had exercise complete, coffee, internet out of the way by 605am. Frankie chose to stay in her pen freeing me from chasing her around the yard for several minutes. After meditation and a stretch I was ready to head out for my run. It was 640am when I hit the door. It was cool - only 57 degrees under clear skies. Very refreshing. A hint of September. I ran the four miles without issue and found my way back to the house by 720am. After throwing together a lunch i fried a couple of eggs. I remembered Bella telling me she was going to work with me today and would be up early. At least to that point she remained fast asleep. Because Frankie wasn't up, I didn't bother waking Mindy or taking her coffee. I left her sleep. However, I did wake Mindy after my shower and just before heading downstairs for final prep. I reminded her about Bella's plans but shared that she was still sleeping. Mindy said she'd be extremely disappointed to wake and find me gone. I slipped quietly into Bella's room to see if she was awake. As I leant over her bed she leaped up excited about the prospect of heading to work with me. I asked Mindy if she minded helping Bella prepare for a work day. We left the house ten minutes later. Bella was psyched about the day ahead. Funny, really. We stopped at Tim Horton's where we bought a dozen donuts for my team and a box of ten Tim Bits for Bella. We arrived at work just after 830am where we spent the first few minutes in my office. I took Bella down to the center to meet my team and deliver the donuts. I found it humorous how eager Bella was to participate in conversation with my guys. We must've stayed down in the center until almost 10am before heading back to my office where I took care of a number of pending issues. Sometime mid-morning I talked with Mindy. We made plans to meet for lunch at PF Changs. Bella would head home with Mindy from there. While I was busy working, Bella drew on my white board. Several visitors stopped by to talk and meet her. We left to meet Mindy & Jacob 1220pm arriving at PF Changs just a handful of minutes later. They were already there. In fact, we saw them walking in as we drove by on Tuttle Pkwy. The restaurant was unusually empty. We were seated in a booth. Neither of the kids had been there before and both were resistant to the menu options, especially Jacob, who was being was being profoundly negative about everything. Mindy ordered their most popular appetizer, lettuce wraps, and the both of us ordered the pepper steak lunch bowls along with egg drop soup. Jacob eventually went with a lunch bowl too, but his featured shrimp. Bella ordered chicken nuggets from their kiddie menu. The food was excellent - always is. Unfortunately, both kids complained about their entrees. The funny was, Bella's chicken was better, more wholesome than her all-time favorite version of the same from from Wendy's. Jacob barely touched his meal. We might as well have thrown away $11. Bella ended up trying Jacob's egg drop soup and liked it. We didn't bother telling her what was in until she was nearly done, and then I kidded her that it was squid. Mindy promised Bella that she'd take her to Wendy's if she didn't like her food order even before we ordered. Mindy planned to keep that promise. However, she was less sympathetic to Jacob, who was giving her crap all through lunch. I picked up the lunch tab - $65 with tip. Ouch! I headed back to the office while Mindy and the kids headed across the street to Wendy's and I assumed eventually home. The afternoon moved swiftly. Work wasn't too bad through most of the afternoon, but as expected, got a little dicey as I made preparations to depart for the day. There was still quite a bit going on as I left the office around 545pm. Mindy & I planned to visit Barley's. We hung at home until just after 7pm. We chatted briefly with the neighbors firming up plans to cookout Sunday afternoon. They'll be gone Saturday through Sunday afternoon. Barley's was moderately crowded. Not too many regulars although a few trickled in through the evening. I started with a Pale Ale just like i did Wednesday night. Their Pale Ale, while very satisfying, seems to have morphed into a much heavier beer over the years. I'd liken it to a light Stout, which if you know anything about beers, they all fall into the ale family. After a beer or two I eventually ordered some food. By then, Mindy had finished her meal. Tom C. arrived at Mindy's prompting. We discussed loosely the possibility of Saturday. Of course that was dependent on how busy my on-call would be. We stayed at Barley's long enough for me to have three beers - about two hours. I picked up the tab ... again. Once at home, we collectively decided to walk down to the neighbors. Mindy had already talked with Kenny and knew they were down at the O''Connell's. And here I thought Kenny would be in bed already. He has a 7am tee-time at St Alban's. We hung out with the O'Connell's along with Kenny & Chrissy for over an hour. Another fireman who lives in the subdivision, Mike Fetch was there, too. Mike O. showed me their new wood floors. Installed himself. Did a good job. Pointed out the biggest difference between his and Kenny's are the unsanded seams. I like wood floors enough but find them largely impractical. In fact, Kenny already shared that theirs are scratched after only one month. I drank just one beer with the neighbors. Much of the conversation centered around a neighborhood thief that befriended Mike and Teri sometime last year then proceeded to steal lots of jewelry after gaining their trust. We know him too, and both Mindy & Kenny commented early on that they didn't care for him. Long story. We headed home for bed around 11pm.