iTrim iCut iRake

I woke a few times near 530a only to remember that it wasn’t a work day. What a sweet feeling that is. I got up for good come 7am and headed downstairs to start my morning. I put on a pot of Starbucks then whipped out my calisthenics. By 730a coffee was ready and I was out back with Frankie. Another chilly but sunny morning with an expected high of 70. Mindy got up around 830a, or about an hour before I expected she might. The time change has benefitted her too. The two of us weren’t up long before both kids joined us downstairs. Sometime near 9am I dressed for a run. At roughly the same time, Mindy started making breakfast burritos, a favorite of Jacob’s. I ran just three miles, but it was no less enjoyable and definitely fulfilling. I’m guessing that I was back by 940a. The breakfast burritos were still not ready. I headed out to start on some yard chores without missing a single beat. First on my list was the heavy pruning of the mulberry bush to the east of our driveway. I planned to lop the top 3 or 4 feet off this winter. I drug the ol’ tarp out again to use for the clippings. By the time I was finished pruning the tarp was heaped high with debris. That took no more than 20-25 minutes. Next, I got out the aluminum extension ladder and began trimming back the English Ivy from the apex of the garage. It’s begun to creep up and onto the shingles. While I had the ladder up against the garage I decided it a good time to hang our large Xmas wreath. I asked Mindy if she’d be so kind to bring it up from the basement and confirm the lights then bring it out. She agreed to do so after making Jacob’s burrito. I ended up trimming back all the ivy from the entire front and eastside. Again, a chore in most years I usually reserve for the spring. Mindy planned to go to yoga, but beforehand agreed to pick-up Makayla and Lillian as a favor to Chrissy while she was off having her hair done. She left to get the girls just before 11am. About that same time, I went inside and made myself a breakfast burrito. By then, I was darn near starving. It was really good. After breakfast I dumped the tarp load of yard debris out back. Next, I stowed the deck furniture pads and umbrella even though we’ll almost certainly replace it all next spring (worn out). Mindy left for yoga soon after returning home with the girls. Still busy, I dismantled and cleaned the fountain for stowage, and then topped off the hot tub. I trimmed back a few of the perennials surrounding the deck, too. The kids, meanwhile, were out back playing in the tree house with their friends. There were a few incidents I had to deal with but nothing major. At one point, Bella came running/crying that Jacob threw water on her as she ascended the tree house ladder. I advised Jacob to use better judgment and to apologize. She could’ve fallen. While Mindy was still away, I cut the entire lawn for what I am hoping will be the final cut of the year. Save for a few spots, the back didn’t need cut that bad.. The front, however, was a different story, I was fairly long and lush, and needed a full cut. Just ahead of mowing, I blew the few scattered leaves away with my gas powered blower. The mowing took about 45 minutes. I didn’t bother whacking or edging. I lowered the blade an extra half inch, too. Given another opportunity, I wouldn’t have cut the newly sodded area that short, but it’ll survive. By and large, the lawn looked sweet when I finished. My neighbor Carl was mowing at the same time. He stopped over to share a story about his wife’s recent foot surgery for hammer toe. Sounds painful! After finishing the mowing, I blew all the clippings off the walks and drive as well as blowing out the garage one more time before winter. Next, I put all the bikes, with the exception of Jacob’s, up for the winter. While at it, I put the three coolers up on the storage shelf, too. Crap! Our 36 quart cooler is old and the lid now detached. It slipped off while up on the step ladder and landed squarely on the hood of the BM’er leaving a small ding. I wasn’t amused. Mindy was now back from yoga and inside and busy doing laundry as well as other miscellaneous chores. I must’ve stopped working outside around 2pm, I’m guessing. I felt really good about all I had accomplished, although there are still a few more tasks to do before winter takes a firm hold. Oh, I remembered to move the rakes to the shed and the snow shovels to the garage, something I overlooked last fall. As always, a shower felt terrific. Mindy invited the neighbors down to watch the Buckeye game. Said we’d order pizzas and subs from Sparano’s. I’d go with the flow. The game didn’t start until 330p. Mindy & I talked earlier about doing our 2010 Xmas photo. It was 3p. We decided to get that done. Mindy and I were already in the default colors but still needed to corral the kids and have them comply. At the same time, Chrissy and the kids showed up for the game. No problem. We carried on with our family photo op while our company watched on. Makayla and Lillian helped us with the props. It was an outdoor shot. One of them served as a stand-in for me while I set the tripod and self-timer. We took about 8 different shots. Anyone who’s every done this knows what a strain it is getting the kids to comply and everyone on the same page. By the time we were finished, the game was already underway. The Buckeyes were up 3-0 once we got back inside. However, it didn’t take long to sense that the Buckeyes were doomed. They looked befuddled and slow falling behind 14-3 at halftime. Neighbor Kapil and Eesha joined us just before the half. By then, Mindy had the entire table covered in snack foods. She ordered pizzas at halftime or just before. It took almost an hour for delivery. I’m guessing they were busy. She ordered two pizzas and two large subs. I ate only pizza and drank beer, mostly my stash of last year’s Great Lakes Xmas ale. I wasn’t sure how well it held up in storage, but it tasted fine. I sprinkled in a few others too. It didn’t take the Buckeyes long to turn the game around in the 2nd half. And they really turned it on in the 4th quarter. What was once an 11 point deficit quickly became 38-14 lead. I’m thinking the bye week was bad for us. Took us a while to get things back in synch. Our defense proved very opportunistic returning two interceptions for TDs. Sorry Joe-Pa, not this week! Ex Kelly called sometime during the game to share more Lindsey related drama. I listened to all the painful details. Sounds like she needs some professional help. I am worried about her and the boys. Kapil & Eesha headed home near the end of the game. Kenny showed soon after those two left. He spent the entire day with his dying grandpa. According to Chrissy, Kenny’s not taking it well. The neighbors visited until about 830-900p, I’m guessing. We continued to watch college football even after they left. Mindy made loose plans to grill out with them on Sunday afternoon. Once again, I fell asleep on the sofa somewhat early. I’ll bet I was asleep before 10p.