Lawn at Lunch

It might’ve been a couple minutes after 530a when I finally rolled out of bed and made my way downstairs to start my exercise regimen. A quick glance out the back door revealed more clear skies and a bright half moon. I wasn’t sure the temperature but figured it chilly. After 55 sit-ups I logged on my PC where I checked the weather forecast and the final score of Thursday night’s college football game. It was balmy compared to recent mornings – 53 degrees. I planned my running attire accordingly. Oh, and Oklahoma State won the football game. After 55 push-ups I leashed up Frankie and headed out back for a romp around the yard. Frankie took care of business fairly fast. Back inside, I enjoyed a cup of coffee and a little more PC time before giving way to meditation and stretching. Both went well – almost always do. I dropped off Frankie and coffee just ahead of 630a. Mindy was already mid-shower. I headed out for my run minutes later. Because of the extra clear sky, there was a warm glow on the eastern horizon foreshadowing the day’s sunrise. I was a half mile or so into my run when I finally found the moon I had been searching the sky for since I left the house. I knew it was there somewhere. I saw it when I first got up, but couldn't find it as I gazed around the dark morning sky. I couldn't find it because it was literally directly overhead, had to look straight up. For a while I thought I was going crazy. I ran the full 4.1 mile track with ease. Back at home, Mindy had my eggs ready and waiting. The fruit was limited to strawberries and pineapple. There was watermelon, too, but it was going bad. Mindy & Bella reminded me to stop and pick-up sugar cookies for Bella’s classroom birthday celebration. I planned to pick ‘em up and drop ‘em off on my way into work. I let Bella know that I would likely be there ahead of her bus. Mindy left just after 730a, and I soon headed off to the shower while the kids and Frankie went to their rooms. We headed out for the bus just before 8a. Chrissy was out with the girls and Woody. After the kids boarded the bus, I headed back home where I quickly loaded a number of tunes onto my new Droid X so I’d have some fresh music to listen too while at work. I hadn’t yet decided whether or not to drive the BM’er. Last second I opted for the Trooper. Still not sure why. I stopped in the Hilliard Cemetery Rd Kroger to pick-up cookies. They were 2 boxes for the price of 1, or 36 for $5.99. Bella said she’d need 25. As far as I could tell, there was only one register opened with a live person. I probably should’ve/could’ve done the auto check out, but rarely do. There was an older woman ahead of me doing what looked like her weekly shopping. The wait was about five minutes. No big deal. Finally checked out of Kroger, I headed just down the road to Bella’s school to drop off the cookies. Small children were just starting to arrive at the school's door. I twisted my way through the hallways until I found Bella’s classroom. Her teacher was alone in the classroom presumably working on lesson plans of some sort. I explained the reason for my visit while handing over the goods. She shared what a joy it was to have Bella in her class. As I exited the building, a gaggle of children, who I’m guessing were kindergartners, were waiting just outside the door for permission to enter. I jokingly declared there no school! They cheered in celebration until I quickly recanted. I headed into the office not arriving until almost 9a. It was a fairly busy day from the outset. I didn’t have the luxury of my peer. He scheduled the day off. Even though I was about 30 minutes late, I still planned to take a formal lunch break at home, and did so at 1p. I was determined to rush home and cut the lawn, at least as much as I could with the tractor. With Bella’s b-day party on Saturday and then a forecast that called for rain both Saturday & Sunday, I felt the need to get it done today (Friday). I knew the odds of me arriving home at 545p and being motivated to cut it then would be minimal. I wasted no time grabbing the shed & mower keys and heading out back. Minus the slope along the pond, I cut the entire back and side yard in about 15-20 minutes. I hoped to cut the front later when I got home at day’s end. Frankie was obviously confused to see me at home mid-day. She barked and whined for a release, but I just couldn’t accommodate her. I headed back to the office after spending just a few extra minutes watering the new sod. It was starting to dry out. The afternoon was frightfully busy. Seemed like mid-summer work-wise. At some point late in the day, I talked with Mindy. Jimaken was already there to fetch the kids. Mindy figured to be off to the grocery store to fetch Bella’s party food by the time I got home. I shared my intentions to finish the lawn chores. I arrived home at 545p and quickly took Frankie out for a backyard romp. Afterwards, I changed into attire suitable for mowing. I went with running clothes since it was already getting chilly. I mowed the remainder of the lawn quickly (the entire front and the slope along the back). Mindy got back from the grocery while I was blowing off the walk, drive and deck. I helped carry in the goods. We planned a trip to Barley’s, but before any of that I needed to get a quick shower. I emerged ready to go shortly after 7p. Mindy shared that Chrissy came home sick earlier in the day. I offered that we should invite Kenny to go along with us. We walked down to their place just after 7p, but no one answered. House looked dark and empty. We headed for Barley’s. The lot was full save a few scattered parking spots. We took one towards the back. Inside, I bellied up to the bar and sat next to little Rick. Mindy was still out on the patio talking with several familiar Barley peeps. It must’ve been a fresh batch of Centennial. It was good, but not the same as I had as recent as last Monday, when we dined with Kari and Kevin. Mindy ordered a Pint of Joe, I believe, and then a bowl of their tomato soup. I had a few bites of Mindy’s soup, but nothing else. I wasn’t hungry. All totaled, I drank 3 Centennials and then a Maximus IPA. Before we left, Dave & Becky stopped by. They had been seated for dinner elsewhere. Mindy invited them to Bella’s b-day celebration the following day. They said they’d come. Comparatively speaking, our tab was relatively small. Mindy took care of it. We headed for home I’m guessing near 1030p. Mindy shared how tired she was, so I took Frankie out for a walk in the yard. I noticed that the neighbor’s house was completely dark. Mindy wasn’t up for a visit anyway. Mindy headed to bed while I stayed up a while longer.