Family City BBQ

I woke just before 8am feeling fairly well rested. It was Sunday, and that meant no calisthenics. I prepped coffee then went straight to the internet where I played until the coffee finished brewing. During coffee I freed Frankie and took her outside. She took care of business after several minutes of waiting. I did some writing in my blog while enjoying coffee. Around 930am I prepared for my run. About the same time, Mindy finally woke up. She asked if I was coming or going. Going, I shared. Jimaken called and advised that he’d be bringing both kids home around 1130am so he could head to Mid-Ohio for the race. Jacob decided he didn’t want to go. I left for my run near 10am. I stayed within the confines of the subdivision. Soon after my return, Mindy and I took a nap. We upped shortly before the kids got home. And soon after they were home, as much as I dreaded it, I headed out to get started on my weekly lawn duties. I whacked, edged, cut, and blew in all of about two hours time working up a pretty good sweat. I wasn’t done, however. I had several other yard related tasks needing my attention. I completed most of those over the next 1.5- 2hours. Amongst them, I put chicken wire up to protect our tomato plants form rabbits and deer, fed all of our flowers, front and back, with Miracle Grow, trimmed honey suckle bushes, and finally washed the Honda. I would like to have put down some fertilizer on the lawn, too, but ran out of time. I finished chores around 315pm – just enough time to get a shower before leaving for Craig & Jeff’s place as the two of them were hosting Sunday dinner. We left for C & J’s around 340pm. Mindy packed a fruit and veggie tray. Both kids were being somewhat defiant at the outset but calmed during the 25 mile drive. Arrived shortly after 4pm. Their landscaping/flowers were gorgeous. Amongst the flowers were lots of cone flowers, Black-eyed Susan’s. Flowers all around the house, which I’m sure require lots of watering time. I was very hungry. Mindy set out the veggie tray in a hurry. I ate my fair share. I also drank some soda, a mix of Orange Fanta and Fresca. It was good! Dinner was City Barbeque – no fuss no muss. We waited about an hour until others arrived to dine self- serve style. The food was quite good. I ate a brisket sandwich, corn pudding, green beans and slaw. Can you say food coma? Mindy and I walked the yard looking at the flowers and landscape. I took a handful of pictures. One of the coolest encounters was with what Mindy referred to as a humming bird/bee. I saw one and tried getting a good macro shot but he proved a bit too swift to get a crisp, clear photo. Dessert was served around 630-645pm – sheet cake provided by Gloria. According to Mindy, one of her favorites. Of course the problem I have with that is that Mindy says that about almost every one of her mom’s desserts. Many headed out to the gazebo by the pond after dessert for drinks and conversation. I took to the back patio for a luxurious nap. I was expecting to leave around 730pm as previously discussed. I was bent on being home for the inaugural NFL preseason game pitting the Bengals against the Cowboys. The minutes passed. Soon it was after 8pm and no Mindy. She was still out gabbing in the gazebo. Jacob finally went to fetch her. As we gathered our gear for home, Bella generated her third spill of the evening – cup full of orange soda into the recliner she was using to watch the Disney Channel. Great! Mindy cleaned it up before we left. Bella his in the car until then.  We listened to the game along the drive home. The Bengals seemed overmatched from the outset. Couldn’t get out of their own way. Arrive home around 845pm. I turned on the TV to watch the rest of the game. The Cowboys were ahead the entire game. Most of the starters were pulled after the first couple series. Mindy & the kids headed off to bed. I stayed up watching the rest of the game. Frankie whined uncharacteristically form her pen. Annoyed, I woke and headed for bed sometime near midnight.