Lights Up Vikings Win Tree Decorated

I woke Sunday just ahead of 730a feeling darn near perfect. I brushed my teeth then quietly attempted to slip downstairs without waking Mindy. But like she often does, Mindy insisted on a hug before I headed off. Downstairs I started a pot of coffee, a mixture of both Foldgers and Starbucks. Because it was Sunday I didn't plan any sit-ups or push-ups. Instead, I went right to the PC until the coffee was ready. I was surprised to read that Notre Dame beat USC. They were tied last I saw. I checked to see if the AP and USA polls were updated. They weren't. Coffee was ready by 740a. I made a cup then headed right back to the PC. I didn't bother opening Frankie's pen until I heard her stirring a few minutes later. After allowing her a little time to wake up, she and I headed out. It was cold and sunny, only 20 degrees. The ground was covered in thick frost. We walked all the way out to the tree house, her new favorite place to go potty. Finally, after about ten minutes, she did both. We headed back indoors where I presented her with a treat before heading back to my PC. Mindy woke around 9a. We chatted briefly as I stretched and prepared to run. It was almost 10q when I finally headed out, about a half hour later than is typical for a Sunday. Mindy said she'd most likely be in the shower when I returned. It was still cold - about 30 degrees but sunny. I glanced at the roof as I dashed off to check for frost. I thought I might put up the large multi-colored LED lights I bought last year if the temperature warmed above freezing and the roof was free of any ice/frost. I ran three miles, just like I usually do on Sunday's. It was an easy, comfortable run. Mindy planned another mid-day Xmas shopping trip. We discussed a few gift options for the Gkids. Among them, a Buckeye jersey for Olivia as well as the Grinch movie. Ashley called us a little earlier to share that both were good gift ideas. Mindy said she might be gone for a while. Somehow I'd find a way to manage being alone. :) Before doing anything, I made a turkey and swiss sandwich on dark rye. It was quite good. Now almost noon, I checked the temperature. It was already 37 degrees and warm enough to head up on the roof, especially given the brilliant sunshine. The only problem is that the roof on the front of the house (north facing) gets next to no direct sun this time of year. I gathered the lights and clips necessary for the job. I used my aluminum extension ladder to mount the roof from the rear deck. I wore running clothes, my old running gloves and a toboggan. I headed up cautiously checking for any remaining ice/frost. It was safe. With each passing year I have to ask myself what the hell I'm doing up there on the roof, and not because I've forgotten why I was up there, but instead questioning my sanity. The first order of business was to install all the clips. I used more than I have in the past in hopes of eliminating any sag. Why not? I have plenty of clips. That went well, but still a bit harrowing, crawling out to the edge to install each clip. The gable requires that I slide out almost like I am riding a horse and then I have to lean far to each side to install the clips along its edge. Yikes! With the clips finished, it was time to actually install the lights. And yes, I tested them ahead of time from the ground. The install went well. Before descending the roof I cleared any leaves from the downspouts. I really need to redesign the rear gutter run that's in excess of 35' long. Water puddles on the end opposite the downspout. I need to install another downspout at the opposite end.

Once on the ground I drug the ladder around to the side where I planned to power up the lights. I used my new white tie-wraps to strap the extension cord behind/beside the downspout leading up to the strands of lights. That went OK, but is always easier said than done. While in the same vicinity, I disconnected the front hose caddy from the bib and rolled it back by the shed. I also topped off the hot tub and then removed the rear hose caddy, but left the hose on the deck that I use each week for topping off the hot tub. I still needed to power up the lights and then install the timer. That went well, too. Cool! I left the lights on while I unlocked the shed and stowed the hose caddies neatly, but not before draining them the best I could without using my air compressor. I finished up around 2pm or just after, then headed back inside. I went to my PC to check the Vikings score. It was tied 7-7 at the half. I let some Xmas music whirl on the PC at the same time. I noticed that Sarah Mclachlan's, Wintersong was missing from my iTunes collection. I guessed it in my Trooper and overlooked when I downloaded my entire collection last winter. Yep, sure was. While retrieving it, Mindy pulled up. She asked for help carrying in her Xmas haul. I helped. She immediately noticed the extension cord running across the porch signaling her to look up for Xmas lights. I knew it would make her happy. She was thrilled that I put them up despite not really wanting to. The kids arrived home with Jimaken around 3p. I saw that the Vikings pulled ahead of the Redskins 17-10, and then a little later 17-13.There was still plenty of time left, about 7 minutes. I decided not to check the score again. At some point Jacob yelled out that the Vikings had lost, apparently seeking a reaction from me. I didn't give one. Honestly, I more than expected them to lose. Turns out, however, that he was joking. I checked the score around 415p. They held on and won 17-13, giving Leslie Frazier a victory in his first game as interim coach. Good for Leslie, a disciple of Tony Dungy. Mindy was busy in the kitchen making a giant turkey pot pie with TG leftovers. Said it would be Monday's dinner, not Sunday's. In fact, we were supposed to head down to Kenny & Chrissy's for dinner. What time, however, I wasn't sure. We walked down around 530p. I was surprised that no one was there, at least not readily apparent. Turns out, Chrissy and the kids were upstairs listening to big Jake play his trombone. Her entire family, however, was already gone and the kitchen completely cleaned up. I was confused. Thought she was hosting a family TG dinner. Apparently we missed the larger gathering, but Chrissy was more than willing to get the food back out solely on our account. Mindy indicated that that was the plan all along. Chrissy got out the Honey Baked ham, Honey Baked turkey, and stuffing. I made a small plate of both meats, and washed both down with a Diet Dr Pepper, a rare drink for me, but one I was craving. Kenny, meanwhile, was nowhere to be found. Chrissy later mentioned that he was off to their storage container. for what, though, she never said. After finishing my plate of meat, I settled into their comfy leather sofa to take in the rest of the afternoon NFL game, Bears vs. Eagles. Kenny got home a few minutes later. I walked both pugs separately. I walked Frankie out front making our way down the street and across from our home where I snapped a few pictures of our house decked out in Xmas lights. I walked Woodie out back. Once I was back inside, Mindy gathered the kids for home. It was just after 730p and a school night. Where had our long 5-day weekend gone? Went really fast. We walked home heading out the front door so everyone could see our house in all its holiday glory. Hark the Herald Angels Sing ...! At home, Mindy and the kids started decorating the Xmas tree while I worked on my blog. Trust me, it's best that way. For some reason, Bella got upset over some aspect of the decorating and stomped off to her room. By then I was about done and in the family room where the tree was almost fully decorated. Jacob asked for my help putting batteries in our Christmas Vacation RV ornament. Very cute. It even has about 5 or 6 lines from cousin Eddie that are activated at the press of a small button. While I tuned the TV to NBC for Sunday night football, Mindy was in the basement looking for the Xmas tree top, our silver star. I eventually joined in the search. At some point I suggested that it might be in with our old 9' artificial tree. As soon as I uttered those words I could see a light bulb go on in Mindy's mind. Yep, that's where it was. We headed up where I placed it strategically on the tree's top, which took some doing.

We took a few pictures of our tree fully decorated without flash. I like the silhouetted look of the kids against the bright LED tree. After pictures Mindy sent the kids to bed. I soon followed for the nightly tuck in. I returned to the family room to watch the first half of the football game. The Colts were struggling, Peyton Manning throwing 2 interceptions in the first half alone. We headed to bed around 1030p.