It was Friday and I was awake early. In fact, I woke at 430a, again at 530a, and then for good just ahead of 7a. I brushed my teeth then tip-toed out the door trying not to disturb Mindy. She woke anyway and asked for a hug and then some coffee.
Outside, I could see that we got another coating of snow over night. Looked like another inch, but not much more. I started coffee then slipped into my exercise shoes before breezing through exercises. I felt pretty good. I freed Frankie right before sit-ups. My plan was to take Frankie out after 10-15 minutes and then deliver Mindy's coffee soon after, but she was up on her own a few minutes later while I was busy at the PC. She was up to see the kids off to school. She poured both of us coffee, although I didn't immediately drink mine, still having not completed my push-ups.
After push-ups I took Frankie out for about ten minutes, though she seemed more interested in tracking down the dead squirrel the kids found then she did going potty. I was persistent and it finally paid off. We headed back inside for warmth and coffee. I checked the temperature. It wasn't really that cold, a balmy 28 degrees.
For a change of pace, Mindy agreed to see the kids onto the school bus. Bella cheered. They headed out at their usual time. We didn't think we'd see them again until Saturday afternoon, this being a Jimaken weekend and us heading to an afternoon funeral. Jimaken has security clearance to enter our home unescorted. Mindy planned to have their bags packed and waiting by the door.
Mindy was off to the shower as I prepared for my run. I was disciplined and forced myself to stretch before hand. Mindy figured to be off grocery shopping by the time I returned from my run. I headed out around 930a and ran the full 4.1 miles. The inch or so of new fallen snow provided that nice cushion I often speak so fondly of in the winter. The run was an absolute pleasure.
I don't think that Mindy was gone when I returned but left soon after. She was heading to the grocery store for our weekly bounty as well as food for our Saturday Xmas party. Her list was crazy long, and I know she planned at least two stops, one at Kroger and the other at the Market District. She called my dad before heading out to see if he wanted to ride with us to the funeral. We were expecting Tommy and mom around 1130a.
While Mindy was away, I inventoried my ski gear in preparation for this evening's visit to MRM, this being opening day. I didn't do too much other than organize my ski gear and write in my blog. I took a shower around 1045a. My dad showed up just after 11a. We chatted while waiting on the others, including Mindy, who was back from the grocery near 1130a.Tommy and mom didn't show up until almost 1230p. We enjoyed one another's company while snacking on pita chips, hummus, Jarlsberg dip and crackers. There was also some fried chicken that Mindy picked up at the Market District.
We planned to leave just ahead of 200p. I was showing Dad some photos of Linda on my blog and Glenn's when I glanced at the clock and noticed that it was nearing 2p. We prepared to leave in a jiffy. We all piled into the Honda, me, Mindy, dad, mom, and Tommy. We took Fisher Rd all the way to Alton-Darby Rd then south to the cemetery passing Thornapple golf course along the way. The cemetery is small but quaint. The tell-tale signs of interment were apparent by the canvas canopy and the white hearse pulling in just ahead of us. There were just a couple other cars at the time, one holding brother Charles and the other one of Linda's sister-in-laws and her husband up from Vinton County. We got out and talked with Tom from the Jerry Spears funeral home. He seemed eager to get going, but we were still waiting on Scotty and Steve, Linda's son and husband. They arrived a couple minutes late.
I hadn't seen Steve since his infamous holiday quote. I was startled with his appearance, old, sick, ghostly even, a byproduct of his diabetes run amuck. He's lost his left leg since I last saw him. Common sense tells me he's only about 57 or 58 but he looks 90. I didn't get his photo. Uncomfortable asking. Serving as pallbearers were Scotty, Tommy, Charles, myself, dad, and Linda's brother-in-law. Her plot was close to the road and located at a turn. I worried that less careful traffic might drive overtop her resting place. Others felt it ideal. I didn't share my thoughts with anyone immediately.
I found Steve's sister, Martha very nice, easy to talk with, as was her husband, whose name I can't remember. Steve's other sister was equally as friendly. Jerry Spears provided only one person, the hearse driver, who also presided over the service. He read from Psalms and did a good job relating his own life experiences to that which he read. Did seem a little nervous, though. The service was brief, over in less than 20 minutes after it began. I asked Mindy to lay our flowers on her casket. She obliged. Charles snatched a long stemmed rose from the spray and handed it to mom, who sobbed in his arms for a few minutes before making her way back to the Honda.
We chatted with Steve's family as well as cousin Scotty for a few minutes before heading back to the car. Scotty seemed OK. He's already lost both his mom & dad and he's only 40. Not sure what's next for him. Said our goodbyes and headed back to the Honda then back home.
Back at our place, I checked the mail after everyone headed inside. Perfect timing! In the day's mail was our MRM membership passes. That was exciting. Mom, Dad, and Tommy left after 10 minutes of visiting. Mindy and I immediately began preparing for an evening at MRM. It was 335p.
By the time we were near ready, Jimaken had arrived to pick-up the kids. But given that it was so close to their arrival, we decided to wait for them before heading off. I loaded all of gear into the Honda then packed a cooler with water, gatorade, and cheese sticks. The kids got off the bus just after 4p. Bella wasn't thrilled that we were going skiing without her. Given her druthers, she'd have gone with us.
We didn't leave until the kids were gone. We hit the road at 410p. It was a nice drive up I-270 and west on 33. Went fast, too. We probably saw 40-50 deer easily, along the road eating in the cornfields. We arrived at MRM just before 5p. The surrounding area was snow covered unlike home where it had already melted off. It was something like 38 degrees at the time.
We geared up at the Honda then walked to the window to get our lift passes simply by showing our season pass. We were on the lift a few minutes later, the crowd much larger than I expected this the opening day of the season.
To get warmed up, we took half a blue run then cut back over to the black and back to the bottom then up again. Our second run we split up a little, me skiing over by the properties western edge to look for any "for rent" signs in the adjacent condos. I met Mindy back at the lift. We probably took 6 or 7 runs before heading in for a beer break. We didn't wait nearly that long before we cracked open the cough syrup, though. :) I think we had a nip at the start of our third run. After checking our skis we bellied up to the lodge for a pitcher of Sam Adams.
In the lodge, we sat right next to the roaring fireplace and in close proximity to the window overlooking the hill. Suddenly, it didn't seem that long ago at all that we were there skiing last February. We both tinkered on our smart phones while enjoying the beer. We stayed inside for maybe 50 minutes.
I went after our skis while Mindy peed. Two young guys tried ditching the line at ski check. I called them out for it. The guy working the check area made them wait their turn despite them standing at the counter as if they were next. Had more than one person thank me for calling them out.
It was 730p. We skied several more runs. More than once, the main lift line got very busy with what appeared to be young ski clubbers. We called it our last run just after 830p. Over all, we were very impressed with the snow conditions. They do a super fantastic job making skiable snow and covering the entire mountain. We were in the Honda and heading towards home pretty quickly.
Mindy dosed after on and off after the Honda plant. She had the temperature on her side set to the upper 70s. Too hot for me, I set my side at 65. Somewhere between Marysville and Plain City eastbound traffic came to a complete halt. We must've sat for 20 minutes waiting for them to clear the problem. Still not sure what occurred. We arrived home around 945p. Mindy professed being really tired. I poured a CBC IPA from my growler. We stayed up just another 20-25 minutes.
It was Friday and I was awake early. In fact, I woke at 430a, again at 530a, and then for good just ahead of 7a. I brushed my teeth then tip-toed out the door trying not to disturb Mindy. She woke anyway and asked for a hug and then some coffee.
Outside, I could see that we got another coating of snow over night. Looked like another inch, but not much more. I started coffee then slipped into my exercise shoes before breezing through exercises. I felt pretty good. I freed Frankie right before sit-ups. My plan was to take Frankie out after 10-15 minutes and then deliver Mindy's coffee soon after, but she was up on her own a few minutes later while I was busy at the PC. She was up to see the kids off to school. She poured both of us coffee, although I didn't immediately drink mine, still having not completed my push-ups.
After push-ups I took Frankie out for about ten minutes, though she seemed more interested in tracking down the dead squirrel the kids found then she did going potty. I was persistent and it finally paid off. We headed back inside for warmth and coffee. I checked the temperature. It wasn't really that cold, a balmy 28 degrees.
For a change of pace, Mindy agreed to see the kids onto the school bus. Bella cheered. They headed out at their usual time. We didn't think we'd see them again until Saturday afternoon, this being a Jimaken weekend and us heading to an afternoon funeral. Jimaken has security clearance to enter our home unescorted. Mindy planned to have their bags packed and waiting by the door.
Mindy was off to the shower as I prepared for my run. I was disciplined and forced myself to stretch before hand. Mindy figured to be off grocery shopping by the time I returned from my run. I headed out around 930a and ran the full 4.1 miles. The inch or so of new fallen snow provided that nice cushion I often speak so fondly of in the winter. The run was an absolute pleasure.
I don't think that Mindy was gone when I returned but left soon after. She was heading to the grocery store for our weekly bounty as well as food for our Saturday Xmas party. Her list was crazy long, and I know she planned at least two stops, one at Kroger and the other at the Market District. She called my dad before heading out to see if he wanted to ride with us to the funeral. We were expecting Tommy and mom around 1130a.
While Mindy was away, I inventoried my ski gear in preparation for this evening's visit to MRM, this being opening day. I didn't do too much other than organize my ski gear and write in my blog. I took a shower around 1045a. My dad showed up just after 11a. We chatted while waiting on the others, including Mindy, who was back from the grocery near 1130a.Tommy and mom didn't show up until almost 1230p. We enjoyed one another's company while snacking on pita chips, hummus, Jarlsberg dip and crackers. There was also some fried chicken that Mindy picked up at the Market District.
We planned to leave just ahead of 200p. I was showing Dad some photos of Linda on my blog and Glenn's when I glanced at the clock and noticed that it was nearing 2p. We prepared to leave in a jiffy. We all piled into the Honda, me, Mindy, dad, mom, and Tommy. We took Fisher Rd all the way to Alton-Darby Rd then south to the cemetery passing Thornapple golf course along the way. The cemetery is small but quaint. The tell-tale signs of interment were apparent by the canvas canopy and the white hearse pulling in just ahead of us. There were just a couple other cars at the time, one holding brother Charles and the other one of Linda's sister-in-laws and her husband up from Vinton County. We got out and talked with Tom from the Jerry Spears funeral home. He seemed eager to get going, but we were still waiting on Scotty and Steve, Linda's son and husband. They arrived a couple minutes late.
I hadn't seen Steve since his infamous holiday quote. I was startled with his appearance, old, sick, ghostly even, a byproduct of his diabetes run amuck. He's lost his left leg since I last saw him. Common sense tells me he's only about 57 or 58 but he looks 90. I didn't get his photo. Uncomfortable asking. Serving as pallbearers were Scotty, Tommy, Charles, myself, dad, and Linda's brother-in-law. Her plot was close to the road and located at a turn. I worried that less careful traffic might drive overtop her resting place. Others felt it ideal. I didn't share my thoughts with anyone immediately.
I found Steve's sister, Martha very nice, easy to talk with, as was her husband, whose name I can't remember. Steve's other sister was equally as friendly. Jerry Spears provided only one person, the hearse driver, who also presided over the service. He read from Psalms and did a good job relating his own life experiences to that which he read. Did seem a little nervous, though. The service was brief, over in less than 20 minutes after it began. I asked Mindy to lay our flowers on her casket. She obliged. Charles snatched a long stemmed rose from the spray and handed it to mom, who sobbed in his arms for a few minutes before making her way back to the Honda.
We chatted with Steve's family as well as cousin Scotty for a few minutes before heading back to the car. Scotty seemed OK. He's already lost both his mom & dad and he's only 40. Not sure what's next for him. Said our goodbyes and headed back to the Honda then back home.
Back at our place, I checked the mail after everyone headed inside. Perfect timing! In the day's mail was our MRM membership passes. That was exciting. Mom, Dad, and Tommy left after 10 minutes of visiting. Mindy and I immediately began preparing for an evening at MRM. It was 335p.
By the time we were near ready, Jimaken had arrived to pick-up the kids. But given that it was so close to their arrival, we decided to wait for them before heading off. I loaded all of gear into the Honda then packed a cooler with water, gatorade, and cheese sticks. The kids got off the bus just after 4p. Bella wasn't thrilled that we were going skiing without her. Given her druthers, she'd have gone with us.
We didn't leave until the kids were gone. We hit the road at 410p. It was a nice drive up I-270 and west on 33. Went fast, too. We probably saw 40-50 deer easily, along the road eating in the cornfields. We arrived at MRM just before 5p. The surrounding area was snow covered unlike home where it had already melted off. It was something like 38 degrees at the time.
We geared up at the Honda then walked to the window to get our lift passes simply by showing our season pass. We were on the lift a few minutes later, the crowd much larger than I expected this the opening day of the season.
To get warmed up, we took half a blue run then cut back over to the black and back to the bottom then up again. Our second run we split up a little, me skiing over by the properties western edge to look for any "for rent" signs in the adjacent condos. I met Mindy back at the lift. We probably took 6 or 7 runs before heading in for a beer break. We didn't wait nearly that long before we cracked open the cough syrup, though. :) I think we had a nip at the start of our third run. After checking our skis we bellied up to the lodge for a pitcher of Sam Adams.
In the lodge, we sat right next to the roaring fireplace and in close proximity to the window overlooking the hill. Suddenly, it didn't seem that long ago at all that we were there skiing last February. We both tinkered on our smart phones while enjoying the beer. We stayed inside for maybe 50 minutes.
I went after our skis while Mindy peed. Two young guys tried ditching the line at ski check. I called them out for it. The guy working the check area made them wait their turn despite them standing at the counter as if they were next. Had more than one person thank me for calling them out.
It was 730p. We skied several more runs. More than once, the main lift line got very busy with what appeared to be young ski clubbers. We called it our last run just after 830p. Over all, we were very impressed with the snow conditions. They do a super fantastic job making skiable snow and covering the entire mountain. We were in the Honda and heading towards home pretty quickly.
Mindy dosed after on and off after the Honda plant. She had the temperature on her side set to the upper 70s. Too hot for me, I set my side at 65. Somewhere between Marysville and Plain City eastbound traffic came to a complete halt. We must've sat for 20 minutes waiting for them to clear the problem. Still not sure what occurred. We arrived home around 945p. Mindy professed being really tired. I poured a CBC IPA from my growler. We stayed up just another 20-25 minutes.
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