I heard Mindy get up during the night apparently responding to a call from Landon. She wasn’t gone but a minute. Not sure what it was all about. I rolled out of bed around 7am trying to be as quiet as possible so not to rouse the wee ones. Unfortunately, they were already up, the boys and Bella, and playing in one of their rooms.
Craving my morning alone time, I was careful carrying out my morning routine not wanting to share that precious first hour with anyone. I was able to exercise, enjoy coffee, and do a little work with next to no interruptions. However, the kids did get a little noisy a time or two.
It must’ve been around 815a when I went to the master bedroom for something. Mindy wasn’t pleased with all the commotion and shared as much. I asked if she wanted me to hold off on my run until she was up or leave now while the kids played in their room. She emphatically requested I wait. OK.
Mindy must’ve got up around 9a and joined me downstairs. The kids were already downstairs watching cartoons on the Disney Channel. Jimaken was expected around 10a to pick-up Jacob and Bella. It wasn't long before all the kids headed out to play in the tree house and I headed off on a run. Mindy had some peace of her own, although at the time, I wasn’t sure how long it might last.
Turns out, the kids stayed outside through my entire run. I snuck back to the tree house after running my three miles and gave the kids a little scare. They had no idea I was there. In fact, I think I might’ve scared Landon a bit too much. All totaled, they were out there for a good hour.
Back inside, the kids asked for the sausage links that Mindy prepared earlier. I helped get them served. Jimaken arrived as planned near 10a. During the chaos, Mindy discovered that Jacob tracked in some dog shit. It was all over the tile floor and also on the foot rest of the island stool. She wasn’t happy. It took a while to get it all cleaned up.
Before Jacob left with his daddy, I took him to the basement to show him how to clean his shoes in the maintenance sink. I did all the work.
After Jacob & Bella left, the boys played Wii and then asked for some leftover pizza. They ate quite a bit. We planned to take the boys home around noon, but also planned to stop at the Dollar Store on the way so they could spend the money that Mindy gave them earlier. Rocky earned $4 for getting four successive smiley faces at school last week, and Landon earned his just for being good.
After showers, we left the house around 1145a. As promised, we made a stop at the Dollar Store next to Kroghetto. And this being the first Saturday of the month, the place was jam packed with folks less fortunate. I was a tad overwhelmed as we weaved our way up and down the aisles. At the long check out line, I begged out and headed just outside the doors for some people watching. Very sad. Lots of despair in the air.
The kids were excited to spend their dollars. Mindy kicked in a couple extra bucks to cover an extra item or two. We delivered the boys safely home. Lindsey was waiting by the door and came out to greet them/us. Looked like death warmed over to my eyes.
A minute later we were on our way to Polaris.
I’ve been to Polaris Fashion Mall once for sure, and maybe a second, but that’s it. We were smart enough to take the second exit – Gemini Pkwy. Much faster. We parked near the Macy’s entrance. We looked at a handful of items in Macy’s but bought nothing. Mindy’s main reason to shop in Macy’s was to get some Clinique foundation.
I wanted to walk the mall since it’s something I rarely if ever do accept around Xmas. We stopped in a number of stores, including Spencer’s Gifts where we bought Jacob a lava lamp. Close by was the Verizon store. We stopped in and had an anti-glare screen protector installed on Mindy’s Droid 2, something she’s needed for two months. Glad to have that done.
We made brief stops in Express for Men, Express for Women, & Victoria’s Secret, where Mindy bought some pajamas with a couple gift certificates that were actually gifts to me. I stopped in the Apple store to look at their new Air books as well as other stuff, too. Packed with customers.
On our way back, we stopped in Bath & Body quickly and then finally back at Macy’s, where we bought some holiday wine glasses and a new deep fryer. I can now donate or throw away my old Fry Pappy that was a wedding gift in 1982! I looked at new jeans but bought none. The three pair that are part of my regular rotation have holes, and are what many would deem work inappropriate. In fact, the pair I had on at the time have a huge hole in the knee. But isn’t that supposed to be fashionable?
We left Polaris supposedly winding our way toward home. It had to be close to 4pm. Geesh! And since we were going by anyway, we stopped in ASBCO north just to check and see if they might have different skis for the boy’s package in Jacob’s size. They told us they didn’t at the Arlington store. Looking them over, they did not. We browsed briefly then headed for home. By then, my legs/feet were aching and/or stiff from walking around for two hours. It’s something that happens frequently, and the price I pay for running 4 miles every day.
Mindy asked if we could stop at Kohl’s on the way home. I looked at her with sad eyes and begged out. She agreed to drop me at home then head back our on her own. Thank God! I wanted nothing more than to plop down on the sofa and enjoy some football and a nap. We planned to go to dinner later, the venue, however, still unconfirmed.
We carried in our haul and then I took Frankie out back for a walk. She did little more than play. Mindy wasted no time heading out. I plopped down on the sofa for a nap and football. Lots of interesting developments in college football. Numbers 5 and 6 were both losing, and number 7 was struggling. Hmmm? The Buckeyes were idle.
I might’ve napped for 10-15 minutes, but laid around for well over an hour. I was snug as a bug, and had Frankie right there with me too. Mindy was gone for quite a while – at least 2 hours, and maybe more. I was a tad concerned. I’m guessing she was home by 630p. We made plans to dine at CBC. We watched the rest of the 330p college football games first. Both #5 & 6 lost. Nebraska (#7) won their close game. Michigan won in 3 OT’s 67-65.
We left for CBC just as darkness set in. The place was packed, but lucky for us there were two stools at the bar, but spaced a couple apart. But thanks to the two fine gentlemen who voluntarily moved down to make room. Kate & Jamie were bartending. We know them both. We sampled their Winter Warmer and their November Hop Odyssey offering – a German Alt. Mindy opted for the Winter Warmer and I the Alt. Then, after sipping our beers for a few, we ordered their spinach artichoke dip served with parmesan herb lavosh (think flat bread). I went with their excellent IPA next. It’s good bottled, but even better on tap, and always consistent.
Mindy wanted more food. She ordered their dinner special - crusted pan-seared walleye and salad. Pausing between stimulus and response, I realized that I wasn’t that hungry. I passed on ordering another entree, although I knew I’d likely sneak a bite or two from Mindy’s plate. Jamie brought Mindy a second winter warmer along with my IPA, but she only took a sip or two. Honestly, she didn’t order it. I guess they just assumed.
Mindy’s food arrived about ten minutes later, and man did it look tasty! She shared a couple of the fresh salad croutons and then some of the walleye. Man, was it good! I eventually ordered a 3rd beer, another Alt. Yummy! And then after that, I finished Mindy’s 2nd Winter Warmer, still about 2/3’s full. We spent the last 30 minutes talking with Stella, a young server we befriended there two+ years ago. She’s absolutely beautiful. Even Mindy thinks so. Perhaps the prettiest blue eyes you'll ever see. She showed us pictures of her baby, Olivia and then some issues she and her husband/boyfriend are having. Nothing major, and trying to work through it all. We slipped her a $20 bill before leaving. Mindy & I both have a soft spot for hard working people struggling to make ends meet. I picked up the check, and Mindy drove home.
We arrived home near 1030p. We talked about crashing the neighbor’s party but the lights were out. Must’ve made a early evening of it. Mindy and I stayed up long enough to see a little more of the late college football game, but I can’t readily recall the teams that were playing. We headed to bed a little after 11p.
I heard Mindy get up during the night apparently responding to a call from Landon. She wasn’t gone but a minute. Not sure what it was all about. I rolled out of bed around 7am trying to be as quiet as possible so not to rouse the wee ones. Unfortunately, they were already up, the boys and Bella, and playing in one of their rooms.
Craving my morning alone time, I was careful carrying out my morning routine not wanting to share that precious first hour with anyone. I was able to exercise, enjoy coffee, and do a little work with next to no interruptions. However, the kids did get a little noisy a time or two.
It must’ve been around 815a when I went to the master bedroom for something. Mindy wasn’t pleased with all the commotion and shared as much. I asked if she wanted me to hold off on my run until she was up or leave now while the kids played in their room. She emphatically requested I wait. OK.
Mindy must’ve got up around 9a and joined me downstairs. The kids were already downstairs watching cartoons on the Disney Channel. Jimaken was expected around 10a to pick-up Jacob and Bella. It wasn't long before all the kids headed out to play in the tree house and I headed off on a run. Mindy had some peace of her own, although at the time, I wasn’t sure how long it might last.
Turns out, the kids stayed outside through my entire run. I snuck back to the tree house after running my three miles and gave the kids a little scare. They had no idea I was there. In fact, I think I might’ve scared Landon a bit too much. All totaled, they were out there for a good hour.
Back inside, the kids asked for the sausage links that Mindy prepared earlier. I helped get them served. Jimaken arrived as planned near 10a. During the chaos, Mindy discovered that Jacob tracked in some dog shit. It was all over the tile floor and also on the foot rest of the island stool. She wasn’t happy. It took a while to get it all cleaned up.
Before Jacob left with his daddy, I took him to the basement to show him how to clean his shoes in the maintenance sink. I did all the work.
After Jacob & Bella left, the boys played Wii and then asked for some leftover pizza. They ate quite a bit. We planned to take the boys home around noon, but also planned to stop at the Dollar Store on the way so they could spend the money that Mindy gave them earlier. Rocky earned $4 for getting four successive smiley faces at school last week, and Landon earned his just for being good.
After showers, we left the house around 1145a. As promised, we made a stop at the Dollar Store next to Kroghetto. And this being the first Saturday of the month, the place was jam packed with folks less fortunate. I was a tad overwhelmed as we weaved our way up and down the aisles. At the long check out line, I begged out and headed just outside the doors for some people watching. Very sad. Lots of despair in the air.
The kids were excited to spend their dollars. Mindy kicked in a couple extra bucks to cover an extra item or two. We delivered the boys safely home. Lindsey was waiting by the door and came out to greet them/us. Looked like death warmed over to my eyes.
A minute later we were on our way to Polaris.
I’ve been to Polaris Fashion Mall once for sure, and maybe a second, but that’s it. We were smart enough to take the second exit – Gemini Pkwy. Much faster. We parked near the Macy’s entrance. We looked at a handful of items in Macy’s but bought nothing. Mindy’s main reason to shop in Macy’s was to get some Clinique foundation.
I wanted to walk the mall since it’s something I rarely if ever do accept around Xmas. We stopped in a number of stores, including Spencer’s Gifts where we bought Jacob a lava lamp. Close by was the Verizon store. We stopped in and had an anti-glare screen protector installed on Mindy’s Droid 2, something she’s needed for two months. Glad to have that done.
We made brief stops in Express for Men, Express for Women, & Victoria’s Secret, where Mindy bought some pajamas with a couple gift certificates that were actually gifts to me. I stopped in the Apple store to look at their new Air books as well as other stuff, too. Packed with customers.
On our way back, we stopped in Bath & Body quickly and then finally back at Macy’s, where we bought some holiday wine glasses and a new deep fryer. I can now donate or throw away my old Fry Pappy that was a wedding gift in 1982! I looked at new jeans but bought none. The three pair that are part of my regular rotation have holes, and are what many would deem work inappropriate. In fact, the pair I had on at the time have a huge hole in the knee. But isn’t that supposed to be fashionable?
We left Polaris supposedly winding our way toward home. It had to be close to 4pm. Geesh! And since we were going by anyway, we stopped in ASBCO north just to check and see if they might have different skis for the boy’s package in Jacob’s size. They told us they didn’t at the Arlington store. Looking them over, they did not. We browsed briefly then headed for home. By then, my legs/feet were aching and/or stiff from walking around for two hours. It’s something that happens frequently, and the price I pay for running 4 miles every day.
Mindy asked if we could stop at Kohl’s on the way home. I looked at her with sad eyes and begged out. She agreed to drop me at home then head back our on her own. Thank God! I wanted nothing more than to plop down on the sofa and enjoy some football and a nap. We planned to go to dinner later, the venue, however, still unconfirmed.
We carried in our haul and then I took Frankie out back for a walk. She did little more than play. Mindy wasted no time heading out. I plopped down on the sofa for a nap and football. Lots of interesting developments in college football. Numbers 5 and 6 were both losing, and number 7 was struggling. Hmmm? The Buckeyes were idle.
I might’ve napped for 10-15 minutes, but laid around for well over an hour. I was snug as a bug, and had Frankie right there with me too. Mindy was gone for quite a while – at least 2 hours, and maybe more. I was a tad concerned. I’m guessing she was home by 630p. We made plans to dine at CBC. We watched the rest of the 330p college football games first. Both #5 & 6 lost. Nebraska (#7) won their close game. Michigan won in 3 OT’s 67-65.
We left for CBC just as darkness set in. The place was packed, but lucky for us there were two stools at the bar, but spaced a couple apart. But thanks to the two fine gentlemen who voluntarily moved down to make room. Kate & Jamie were bartending. We know them both. We sampled their Winter Warmer and their November Hop Odyssey offering – a German Alt. Mindy opted for the Winter Warmer and I the Alt. Then, after sipping our beers for a few, we ordered their spinach artichoke dip served with parmesan herb lavosh (think flat bread). I went with their excellent IPA next. It’s good bottled, but even better on tap, and always consistent.
Mindy wanted more food. She ordered their dinner special - crusted pan-seared walleye and salad. Pausing between stimulus and response, I realized that I wasn’t that hungry. I passed on ordering another entree, although I knew I’d likely sneak a bite or two from Mindy’s plate. Jamie brought Mindy a second winter warmer along with my IPA, but she only took a sip or two. Honestly, she didn’t order it. I guess they just assumed.
Mindy’s food arrived about ten minutes later, and man did it look tasty! She shared a couple of the fresh salad croutons and then some of the walleye. Man, was it good! I eventually ordered a 3rd beer, another Alt. Yummy! And then after that, I finished Mindy’s 2nd Winter Warmer, still about 2/3’s full. We spent the last 30 minutes talking with Stella, a young server we befriended there two+ years ago. She’s absolutely beautiful. Even Mindy thinks so. Perhaps the prettiest blue eyes you'll ever see. She showed us pictures of her baby, Olivia and then some issues she and her husband/boyfriend are having. Nothing major, and trying to work through it all. We slipped her a $20 bill before leaving. Mindy & I both have a soft spot for hard working people struggling to make ends meet. I picked up the check, and Mindy drove home.
We arrived home near 1030p. We talked about crashing the neighbor’s party but the lights were out. Must’ve made a early evening of it. Mindy and I stayed up long enough to see a little more of the late college football game, but I can’t readily recall the teams that were playing. We headed to bed a little after 11p.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.