Becoming My Own Plumber

I was up just ahead of 530a and once again feeling fairly well rested. It doesn’t hurt that my bedroom clock is set 2.5 hours fast, so my target wake time is actually 8a – a seemingly stupid trick, I know, but it works. I was downstairs a couple minutes later fully engaged in my daily routine. I checked the sky – cloudy, took my Dexilant, and put in some eye drops all just ahead of exercise. I did my sit-ups and push-ups with relative ease then poured a cup of coffee and then let Frankie out of her pen. We headed outdoors where I stared into the night sky looking, hoping for even a little hint of clearing, but it wasn’t to be. We’re stuck in that all too familiar spring-time swirl, where the weather comes at us from the NE and makes a big circle and then comes around again. In between we get a few shots of clear skies, but spend the majority of our day under clouds and cool rain. Again, this is a pattern we typically get in late May just before the weather breaks for summer. I am taking solace in the fact that this is supposed to its last day. The next 7 days look awesome with highs around 74 under clear skies. Can’t wait! Inside for meditation and stretching. Both went well. My morning would be altered only slightly due to Jacob’s illness. Since we already knew that she was staying home, Mindy asked that I let her sleep in. I would have to wake Bella after my run and then see to it that she gets dressed and has a nutritional breakfast. No problem. That also meant I would be re-penning Frankie while doing my run, which I left for around 640a. I wore the same garb I have for the past week or so – long running pants, a thin long-sleeved wicking shirt, and a pullover fleece. It was again about 47 degrees. I ran the full 4.1 miles. During my run the clouds broke up a little bit revealing a few clear patches, but certainly not enough to declare the clouds behind us. I was back at home by 720a. After freeing Frankie, I headed up to wake Bella. She woke easily and quickly. Said I startled her. Not sure I could’ve been any gentler. Geesh! Can you say high strung? At any rate, she was in a good mood. She gave her breakfast order right away – cinnamon toast and OJ. Good enough. I headed downstairs to make our breakfast and pack my lunch. Of course, I made fried eggs for myself, and even fried Frankie one, too. She loves ‘em. Mindy got up around 735a, but I already had everything under control. Bella immediately asked her momma if she would make her more toast. She declared what I made burnt. I joked that what she really wanted was cinnamon bread warm & dried, not toasted. Mindy took the extra few minutes to do Bella’s hair, something she’s allowed Bella to take care of herself most days this school year. When Bella does it, it doesn’t look nearly as nice. I headed off to the shower around 740a and returned dressed and ready just after 755a. Bella and I headed out for the bus, and yes, we still took Frankie. Kenny was out with the girls. I took half the bread that Mindy had out for the ducks. We have a lot of it. The girls took the bread and headed to the bridge to feed them a few minutes ahead of the bus’ arrival. I asked Kenny what he thought about Saturday golf. Sounded interested but would have to check with Chrissy. With my new clubs, I want to play. I headed back to the house around 810a after walking Frankie around the back yard. She pooped for a second time. Mindy reminded me that she'd be taking Bella to gymnastics and needed me home by 545p to be with Jacob. I didn’t see that as a problem. I left in the Trooper at 815a. The sky was partially clear with as much blue as clouds overhead, but once again the weather was coming out of the NE and there was nothing but dark gray looking that direction. The forecasters were still calling for total clearing after today. Hooray! The work day went well. I felt pretty good, especially compared to Sunday & Monday, although there was still a hint of queasiness lurking. I had a busy morning work-wise. Mid-morning, I called the water company with the meter repair results looking to discuss my credit. The woman I talked to this time wasn’t nearly as pleasant as Chrissy, the girl I talked to last week. This woman insisted that there was no one there with the name Chrissy, but did show that I called and even had notes on my account, so she knew the particulars. Turns out, the girl that I talked to goes officially by Christina. Whatever? She told me Chrissy. At any rate, I knew I wouldn’t get the results I hoped for by being abrasive, so I was quite pleasant and apologized for the confusion multiple times. I acquiesced to Debbie, who eventually seemed to warm up to me. She said she’d need to send out an inspector even after I advised that the lock hadn’t been cut. Not sure what they’ll see. But once again, I didn’t push back. OK. She offered an appointment as early as next Tuesday, but when I asked for a 30 minute call ahead she said she could do that as soon as this coming Thursday. She became more helpful as the call progressed. Sensing the timing right, I proceeded to ask about the noisy, freight train sounding primary meter, and who is responsible for its noisy nature. She said they were and would service it free of charge. Said they’d have to send someone different out for it. I quickly insisted we handle one matter at a time. I want to get the water bill straightened out first and foremost. That helped elevate my mood. At lunch time I planned a trip to Home Depot to pick up a new lever for the kids bathroom sink drain. I was holding out hope that they sale just that individual part. I left for Home Depot at 1pm. It was once again completely cloudy, breezy, and cool. I found the part I needed right away, although the package clearly stated that it was a replacement for a Price-Pfister faucet. I asked a nearby sales associate, who confirmed that it would fit my Moen faucet, too. Cool! It was just under $6. While there, I looked at the plumbing accessories I mentioned wanting to replace yesterday. I found everything I’d need, but ultimately decided not to buy anything else on this trip. I stuck with the drain stem only. Back at the office just before 2pm, I fetched my packed lunch from the fridge. I opted not to bring veggies today, and in its place I ate a can of tuna filet. It was tasty. I also ate the fruit – pineapple, strawberries, watermelon, and raspberries. Good stuff! Like a lot of days, the afternoon got really busy, but I didn’t mind. My only concern was getting out of the office early enough so I could be home before Mindy needed to leave to take Bella to gymnastics. I left a couple minutes early – 525p. I arrived home right at 545p, the exact time Mindy requested. She and Bella left a couple minutes later. Jacob, meanwhile, was resting comfortably on the sofa. Before she left, Mindy shared that Jimaken was coming to get Jacob, but this I already assumed when I saw a suitcase and his school books waiting by the door. Jimaken agreed to stay home with him on Wednesday since he was still sick. While the girls were away, I fixed the kids’ bathroom sink drain. It took no more than ten minutes. Afterwards, I updated my blog while snacking on cheese chunks. Still hungry, I heated Mindy’s leftover lasagna from last Thursday’s visit to Bravo. It was really good. I was quite satisfied after. Yummy! Mindy and Bella returned home while I was upstairs brushing my teeth and changing into my comfy flannels. Jimaken hadn’t yet arrived to pick-up Jacob. While Bella was at gymnastics, Mindy shopped. She picked up a sheet of brownies for me at Sam’s Club, my contribution to tomorrow’s potluck at work. Thanks dear! She also stopped at CVS, and amongst that haul, she bought a new thermometer. She quickly took Jacob’s temperature, which was 102.6. Pretty warm. By then, it was somewhere close to 7pm. I got comfy in the family room and snuggled up in the chair with my newest Deepak Chopra book. Jimaken showed up a few minutes later. He and Jacob left soon after. About ten minutes later, while Bella sat with me doing her daily reading aloud, Mindy took Frankie down to Chrissy’s for a play date. Mindy & Frankie went out the back door. At the same time, Chrissy came to get her via the front door. Too cute! After Mindy returned, Bella chose to finish her reading aloud with her mom. Fine with me. I did some more reading of my own. I know you’ll be surprised, but I fell asleep while reading, but only slept for about 15 minutes. It was pushing 830p when I woke up. I searched through the on screen TV guide looking to see if there was anything interesting on. I saw that a couple new comedies were playing on Fox. I tuned them in. We saw the end of Glee, then a new show called Raising Hope (very funny), and then part of another show - something “Wild”. It wasn’t that good. Mindy said she was heading to bed soon after that one started. She asked me to come to bed at the same time as her. I agreed. I knew I needed a good night’s rest, and watching mindless TV isn't really my thing anyhow.