New On the Horizon

I woke just ahead of 530a, and all things considered feeling pretty good. Even though I wasn't returning to work until Thursday, I needed to be in a class by 9a. Not only that, but I really didn't sleep that well, either. After a 5 day break, I had to be a bit more deliberate in all of my actions. I did my sit-ups and push-ups, but sandwiched a little PC time in between. It was cold, only 25 degrees. I headed out with Frankie around 555a. She seemed more interested in wandering around than she did in going potty. She finally took a dump out under the tree house but never did pee. We headed back inside just after 6a. After treating Frankie, I started meditation. I was battling father time so I stopped at 620a and moved to stretching. I could hear Mindy stirring upstairs even before stretching was complete. For whatever the reason, I haven't been good about stretching on my non-work days and even worse about meditation. I might choose to focus more of my attention in that area moving forward. We'll see. I delivered the pug and coffee upstairs at 630a. Mindy was already in the shower but acknowledged my presence with a wet greeting and kiss. I hurried back downstairs where I dressed and left for my run. It was nice to don fresh running clothes. They (and I) smelt terrific! I was about five minutes behind schedule, but nothing I needed to worry about or trim the run for. I ran the full 4.1 mile trail. The dark sky afforded me another opportunity to see our Xmas light display, nothing special, but still nice. The lawn and cars were coated in thick frost. Mindy had the Honda keys setting on the table just inside the door, which she alerted me to as soon as I made my grand reentrance. I was looking forward to having fried eggs, having not eaten any since last Tuesday. They were delicious, and so was the fresh fruit. Both kids were at the breakfast table, but having something other than eggs. Bella had cinnamon toast and Jacob cereal. Mindy reminded the kids to bus home with Noah in pretty much what's become a Monday ritual. Mindy left around 730a. A few minutes later I headed up for a shower. I was back downstairs several minutes later throwing together some healthy snacks that would serve as my lunch. It was 757a before we knew it, and time to head out for the bus. Bella had me get her ear covers and toboggan down from the hall closet. We met Chrissy and the girls at the bus stop. As expected, Kenny was already off hunting, this the first day of gun season. For what it's worth, the kids noted that their original bus was finally back in service. I reminded Bella to put the hat and ear covers in her book bag once at school to hopefully prevent their loss. It was expected to warm to near 50 by later afternoon. Once the kids were on the bus I walked Frankie a little more out front. She only peed. Inside, I did a quick inventory of my gear, making sure I had everything I might need for class, including directions to their facility. I left the house at 825a. Cold aside, it was a lovely morning drive - sunny, blue skies. I found the New Horizons location with no trouble. I was early, so I sat in my Trooper for a few extra minutes listening to ESPN radio. I headed in around 845a. Given that this was my first visit to their facility, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. The place was larger than I guessed, numerous classrooms and testing rooms. I was immediately advised that the ITIL v3 classroom was in room #110. I was one of the first in the room and quickly organized myself in the back row. I then ventured out to the common area (break room) and eventually the restroom. Others slowly trickled in. All totaled, there were ten of us in the classroom, but as we later learned, another ten or so joining remotely via a virtual classroom. Steve, the instructor, burst into the room around 905a and quickly got things underway. Right away, I noticed his booming tone, and his deliberate approach to including the remote students, definitely a good social tactic. As expected, he passed out additional course material then reviewed our agenda. I wasn't sure if we were gonna do a lame introduction or not. I was hoping not. I hate that. He did all the talking, and we did all the listening. About 30 minutes into the class he asked each of us to share where we worked and why we were in the ITIL training. No biggie. All that was taken care of by 10a. I won't bore you with the details of the training, but will share that the material is incredibly dry. I tried starting the program via our internal online training website but found it difficult to follow, and horrendously boring and dry. Many of my peers reached a similar conclusion. We took a break around 1030a then broke for an hour lunch just before noon. I decided to visit Wal-Mart and Best Buy, just a mile or so south. At Wal-Mart I bought Bella & Jacob new night lights. One of Bella's stopped working just last night. I found two really cool night lights. The one I picked for Bella was supposed to project a princess and castle onto the ceiling. Jacob's was supposed to project patterns of different colored lights. Both were LED technology. Cool! I also picked up a small 18" pink Xmas tree for Bella's room. I just knew it would make her happy. Next, I headed to Best Buy, essentially right next door. There I bought the Jim Carey's Grinch DVD for Olivia. Back to New Horizons. I was gone only 50 minutes total. I was one of the first back in the classroom. I checked work email and interacted some with my peers via blackberry. Things appeared busy at the office. That, however, was fully expected. The afternoon portion of class went incredibly fast. We covered a lot of material at break neck speed, and none of it very intuitive and all very process driven. Ugh!!!! However, a bright spot was that class was unexpectedly over by 340p, which seemed like mid-afternoon to me. What a win! I called Mindy around 4pm to let her know that I was already on my way home. Mindy had just gotten home herself, but hadn't yet picked up the kids from Dena's. However, she left to get them soon after I arrived home. Mindy & the kids were back home in a jiffy. Mindy shared that my dad was coming over for dinner, and we were having homemade chicken pot pie. Mindy already had it reheating in the oven. Both kids seemed to like their new night lights, which I gave them as soon as they got home. I tried Bella's out in the downstairs guest bathroom. Worked even better than I expected. Tried out Jacob's next. Initially, any way, Bella whined that she liked Jacob's better. She was in a pouty mood. Before dinner was ready and just ahead of my dad's arrival, I installed Bella's night light in her room and placed her pink Xmas tree on her dresser. I also replaced a burnt out bulb in her flower topped floor lamp. I started studying my course material before diner and my dad's arrival. I'm guessing that Mindy had dinner ready by 545p. This was Mindy's first crack at making the chicken pot pie. Turned out great. Like a lot of recipes, she immediately shared a couple things she'll do differently next time. I had two medium helpings and washed them both down with water. During clean-up, dad shared pieces, parts of his conversation with mom he had Friday at our place. We knew about the carpal tunnel procedures she had scheduled, but the part about more spinal column issues was news to us. Apparently more bone density issues (osteoporosis) only this time in her upper vertebrae, which apparently is inhibiting her ability to hold her head upright. Think he said she's seeking a second opinion from another quack before deciding her next steps. Dad then shared a little about Uncle Kenny having all his old 8mm home movies transferred to DVD at Chic's Camera shop on Gay St. Dad served as Kenny's middleman since he's already nesting in Florida for the winter! I excused myself from the kitchen right after dinner clean-up to return to studying. Meanwhile, Dad, Jacob, and Mindy played Apples to Apples. Dad left after their brief game. I'm guessing that it was close to 730p when he left. Mindy and he talked about him watching the kids Wednesday morning covering their 2nd late start this school year. I studied until 800pm or so and then updated my blog current. I had several days already written and ready, but hadn't published a one since last Wednesday. Afterwards, I joined Mindy and the kids in the family room where we tuned in to MNF, 49ers vs. Cardinals. The 49ers took the early lead, and looked pretty good doing it. Troy Smith & Ted Ginn (former Buckeyes) both looked sharp. The kids went to bed around 9pm. I tucked them both in, but Jacob followed me back downstairs. Mindy didn't let him stay up but another five minutes. Mindy headed to bed with 7 minutes to go in the first half. I stayed downstairs until halftime, though I fell asleep at some point just before the half. I woke and headed to bed around 1010p. I was tired.