Dad Goes Missing in Action

I still managed to get up on time despite being incredibly short slept – only 4 hours of sleep, and even that wasn’t so good. However, often times the price isn’t paid until mid-morning or early afternoon once I am fixated to my office chair. I hit the go button on the coffee maker, still not ready to set it on auto pilot after the coffee debacle from ten days a go. I started my exercise routine soon after. I completed my sit-ups and push-ups with no problem. For the past few days I’ve started loosening my arms and shoulders prior to push-ups by doing what amounts to windmills. It’s definitely helping with the stiffness I will typically experience as I grind through the first few push-ups. I let Frankie out of jail after exercise and just ahead of coffee. I was looking forward to heading outside hoping to see meteorites. The sky was clear and the temperature crisp. It couldn’t have been warmer than 38 degrees. While Frankie sniffed about the ground, I started skyward and towards the NE. I didn’t see a single meteorite. Too much man-made light dulling the sky just above the horizon. Shux! Back inside for meditation and stretching. Both went reasonably well, although Frankie was all over me during both wanting attention. I dealt with it best I could. Stretching felt wonderful. I headed upstairs with pug and coffee near 630a. I laundered all of my running clothes on Wednesday while off. It felt good to put on fresh smelling attire. It’s funny, I have lots and lots of spares but find myself gravitating to the same old ones. It was 637a as I headed out the door, and after stretching my hammies from the stoop I was off for my 4.1 mile run. Remembered it was trash day after seeing the neighbors’ cans out. Pulled our can to the curb just ahead of taking off. It went well. No odd aches and/or pains. I finished my run around 720a. Eggs were ready and waiting. Mindy reminded the kids that my dad would be getting them off the bus. She had a haircut scheduled immediately after work. She asked me to take the styrofoam backing off the pot roast once it heated a little in the Crockpot. She left for work and I headed up for a shower. The kids and I headed out to the bus stop near 757a. I’m thinking it was Chrissy out with the kids, but can’t recall for certain. The bus was on time. Frankie took a second dump minutes prior with Jacob. Because of that, I wasn’t concerned with walking her again before heading in. Even though it was chilly, I decided to drive the BM’er. It was supposed to be sunny and near 65 later. With my fleece sipped to the neck and the heater blowing on my hands, I headed off. It was an invigorating drive into to the office. Quite nice, really. A co-worker who pulled in right behind me, asked in the elevator if my car had a top. Yes, of course. She guessed it too cold to drive without one. Now that’s funny! The work day was uneventful. Mid-morning I called the city water department hoping to once and for all resolve our water bill dispute. Nope! Still don’t have updated notes from the inspector’s visit ten days prior. Asked me to call back again next Tuesday. Having me by the short hairs, I don’t want to ruffle any feather, at least not yet. Our director was in for an all-hands meeting. We talked for about 45 minutes. My peer and I hung around after the others left and talked just the three of us. Lots of changes happening. I walked away pretty much unfazed. Change happens all the time. I opted to skip a formal lunch and instead used about an hour to write. Felt good. I ate cheese and veggies. Forgot to bring a banana. I failed to mention that I weighed in at 171 lbs Wednesday AM. That’s down 9lbs in roughly six weeks and that’s without starving myself or denying myself foods I crave. The biggest difference has been eliminating crap snacks like Cheezits and then portion control. I want to drop another 3 or 4 lbs by the end of November. 167lbs is a good weight for me. Anything less I would look gaunt. Mindy tried reaching me multiple times over the stretch of about 20 minutes mid-afternoon, but I was tied up with a handful of work matters. I called her back once given a chance. I was worried that something might be wrong. She shared that my dad was a no show at the bus stop. Kenny had the kids. She was worried that something might be wrong with my dad, but eventually reached him via his cell. Turns out, he simply forgot and was with his friend Pete. Forgot about the bus stop and dinner. Mindy assured him that it was OK and that she was more worried about his well being. I figured to be leaving for home on time but not early. I left for home just after 530p. I checked the weather before hand. It was only 55 degrees. A chilly drive home in store, for sure. Turned out fine though. Like the morning drive in, I blasted the heater on my hands. The chilly air actually felt good against my face. The house was quieter than usual. Jacob was off to soccer practice with his dad. Bella was malingering from the sofa. Said she felt terrible. She was a little whiney, too. Oh boy! Mindy shared that Jacob was a pill prior to leaving for practice and then showed me a page that contained some recent scribbles along with defiant and woe-is-me bantering. I could tell that it bothered her a lot. She went on to share that it was that, and other things she wanted to talk with me about later. OK … Dinner was soon served – roast beef. Yummy! It was just the three of us. Bella continued to whine even at the dinner table. The whining was annoying but I didn’t say as much. We eventually allowed her to have a hot dog in lieu of the beef. Mindy, I could tell, was a little tense. Oh, and by the way, she got her hair cut shorter than it’s been in a while. Just sayin.  My first serving was small to medium. I allowed myself another small (1/2) serving of beef. It was crazy good. Clean-up was fairly simple. Bella headed off to her room soon after dinner. Mindy wanted to discuss Jacob’s written ramblings and more importantly, the relationship he and I share. I sensed that she was blaming me for his written ramblings, which were pretty much ‘everybody hates me’ kind of stuff. She smoothly switched gears from his writings to our personal interactions. I wasn’t open to where she was taking the conversation and promptly shut her down. One, right or wrong, I felt I was being asked to shoulder the blame. And two, I wasn’t in the mood for any type of Jimmy bashing. I gave a brief defense but then went silent. But those that know Mindy, know Mindy doesn’t always stop talking even if the other party disengages. I might've listened but not receptively. I eventually headed to my PC to have some peace. I later shared that I was processing what she had just espoused. That’s a good thing for me, although she may not see it that way. A while later I rejoined everyone in the familyroom/kitchen area and turned on the TV. Bella and I watched the Science Channel ahead of the Thursday night college football game. Jacob arrived home from soccer around 745p. I began dosing off during the Science Channel programming and football. Remember, I had only 4 hours sleep the night before. I woke a couple of times hearing Mindy unsuccessfully trying to reason with Jacob about one thing or another, but once again, he was busy being his defiant self. I chose not to interject. Looked like I'd be watching most of the Oregon UCLA football game by myself. Everyone was off to bed by 9pm. I fell asleep just as the game started but woke midway through the 2nd quarter and saw that Oregon was kicking their butts 29-6. The little bit I saw, Oregon looks incredibly fast and efficient. Like last year, I think they might be the best team in the land. I ended up sleeping on the sofa until 1030p. I must be trained to wake then. Happens often. I headed up to bed where I slept much more comfortably.