My comp day, I remained sleeping while Mindy upped to ready for work. It's an usual predicament I found myself in, me trying to get more sleep while combating unnatural light and noise thrown off by someone else preparing for their day. More often than not it's the other way around.
I didn't get out of bed until Mindy was finished with her ready routine and heading downstairs. I made the bed, which is something I might do ten times each year anymore. Don't get me wrong, the bed must be made right away, it's just that Mindy does it by default since she's generally the last one out of bed.
I'm thinking that it was almost 730a when I made it to the family room where I slipped into my exercise shoes then did 55 sit-ups. Mindy was just getting ready to depart. In fact, she was gone by the time I did my push-ups. Ahh, time to enjoy coffee.
I sipped coffee and played on the internet until it was time to get the kids on the bus. I called Bella down three minutes earlier than usual. She was all for it. That's Bella, She doesn't want to disappoint anyone. By the way, she's grounded from anything with a screen after lying to Mindy about scooping Frankie's poop while on a backyard walk. If Bella has a character flaw it would be telling white lies. We catch her often. I wonder how many we're missing.
We were out for the bus at 758a. Again, Woody was wearing his lampshade. Kenny shared that Woody got sick with it on through the night. Wasn't fun cleaning that up. Seemed fine at the time, however. He and Frankie wrestled like normal. Kenny asked if I would see Lillian on the bus Thursday morning. Makayla has school choir practice early. Yes, of course. I walked Frankie out front before heading back inside but cut it short when all she wanted to do was bark at another guy and his two dogs walking by in sweaters. Good grief!. Dogs in sweaters? Really?
Despite having the day off work, I was already feeling a little tense. Tense because I needed to get moving with my run. You see, it was a Rachel house cleaning day. This has happened on my last two comp days. Nothing against Rachel. I like her, but I really don't want to be home while she's here cleaning. I'm guessing it makes her uncomfortable too. I wasn't sure what time she'd be over but figured near 9a.
I left for my run just after 830a. I bundled warmly on this the coldest morning of the season so far - only 12 degrees. I was very comfortable and ran the full 4.1 miles without incident. Rachel's car was in the drive upon my return. I made sure to make deliberate noise immediately in the door so not to startle her. She was already busy in the family room. Said that Mindy called and gave her a heads up that I was home. We chatted briefly before I headed up for a shower. Rachel is in nursing school and already has a 4 year degree in criminology. It won't be long before she graduates from nursing school, spring I think.
Like always, I took a fast shower. I'll bet I was back downstairs within 20 minutes. I planned to do some Xmas shopping. We chatted again briefly, Rachel sharing how long she might be there. Said she'd be cleaning upstairs last. Expected to be done by 230p. It was 10a when I headed out the door.
I had no detailed plan, but quickly devised one. Figured I'd make my way to Tuttle Mall, Target and then Giant Eagle's Market District. I was at Tuttle by 1015a. I was surprised at the small crowd, but then again, it was early.
Like most visits to Tuttle Mall, I entered through Macy's, only this time through the west entrance and on the upper floor. I looked at jewelry for the girls but left buying nothing. I thought I might walk the mall before making any purchases.
I stopped by the Egyptian sheet kiosk looking at purple 1500 thread sheets. They were $69. Seemed to good to be true. I put them down and moved on, but left open the thought of stopping back. I've walked the 2nd story of Tuttle probably less than five times. I ventured a few others stores ending up at Sears where I checked out appliances. There I met Ed, an over aggressive salesman. After introducing himself, he hovered just beyond my browse asking if I had any questions a couple of times. It was a bit disturbing, yet funny at the same time.
After Sears, I made my way back to the Egyptian sheet kiosk and bought the purple set that I eyed earlier but not before asking if they were returnable. I eventually ventured back through Macy's where I bought my girls each a knock-off Pandora bracelet. While making my selection a somewhat familiar woman tapped my shoulder asking if I remembered her. Yep, sorta. She blushed and apologized for not wearing any make-up. We talked for about ten minutes. She used to work in Sales Support and had for 19 years, but has been laid off for almost 20 months now. Said she's still on unemployment and really not sure she wants to return to work. Considers herself fortunate that her father left her an inheritance. Her name is Fran.
I shopped for a couple other items and moved on. From Tuttle I made my way by the office and to the Mill Run Target where I bought a number items, including sleds for Lillian and Makayla and jeans and shirts for Landon. After Target, I ventured Home Depot where I picked up a couple stocking stuffers.
I was getting very hungry, In fact, I had been since leaving Tuttle. I briefly considered stopping for fast food or even a sit down lunch but in the end opted not. Instead, I'd wait until I arrived home. One last stop, Giant Eagle Market District for beer & wine. I cut across Fishinger Rd to Northwest Blvd. I went straight for the alcohol department where I picked out a number of specialty beers in rockets or bombers (22oz bottles), and then picked out another case of IPAs in 6 packs. However, I still wasn't done. I picked out five bottles of wine, too. Home again, home again jiggity-jig.
By the time I was home, I could've eaten paint! I was so damn hungry. I hadn't eaten a thing all day. It was 115p, and Rachel was still there cleaning. She was upstairs. I attacked some cheese and leftover steak. It was so good, but I was still hungry. I ate a couple handfuls of roasted peanuts too, and then a slice of leftover Dominos. It was just OK. I ate all that in the matter of five minutes - the dangers of starving oneself.
Rachel and I chatted for a few before she headed out. She nailed it dead on. It was 230p on the nose. After Rachel departed, I decided to take Frankie out. While out back, I remembered that the hot tub sorely needed water. It's been 10 days and the water level was down about 8 inches. Crap! After walking Frankie I went to the hose bib, but wasn't too hopeful that there would be water flow. Nope, frozen solid. After all, it was only 14 degrees. Damn! What to do? I tried disconnecting the last 50' of hose and dragging to the basement water heater spigot, but it wasn't long enough. I was getting tense in a hurry. Not helping was that our house was sparkling clean. I didn't want to soil it in any way.
I eventually decided to unlock the shed and fetch a 100' section of hose from the stowed caddy. I grabbed the extra caddy too. However, even though I manually blew the water out before stowing the hoses, it was frozen solid too. The hose started to swell twice its size at the spigot before I realized it was full of frozen water. That could have been a big mess.
I decided to leave the hose set in the basement. And besides, the hot tub will need water once a week, so I figured I might as well leave it down the basement all winter long. It's either that or let the hot tub go. Knowing it would take at least a couple hours to melt, I headed upstairs and got involved in other things. But first, I cleaned up the little mess I made by dragging the hose inside.
Mindy texted at some point asking if I would be there to intercept the kids. Yes. She also texted asking if I picked up receiver gloves for Jacob. No. The kids arrived home just after 4p. I suggested we knock out home work immediately. Jacob scoffed at the notion but got it out just the same. He whizzed right through his math but stopped after one page and shared that his mother lets him go out and play after one page. I suggested he finish both now. He wasn't pleased but did as I asked. He already knew the deal. He could go out to play after I had a chance to check his work.
I started checking his work around 430p. I was disappointed that more than half were wrong - working too fast. I made him figure out the right answer. He wasn't too happy about it, and at one point tried balling up his paper. I threatened room time and no play time for the entire night. He straightened up only minimally. Mindy arrived home during rework. He got a little dramatic but quickly adjusted his attitude after Mindy made it clear that he needed to follow my guidance. We got through the rest of his math in less than 10 minutes.
Mindy was busy making dinner, beef enchiladas. While she took care of that, I checked the hose. Finally thawed, I let the resting water flow out into the basement floor drain. I decided I would fill the hot tub Thursday. At the computer, I sent my boss an email indicating that I would be taking two bereavement days, Thursday & Friday.
My mom phoned just before our dinner to share that she was at Tommy's place and had spent the afternoon with Steve and Scotty discussing the details surrounding Linda's calling hours and funeral arrangements. Dinner was ready around 530p. The enchiladas were good, but probably could've been better, at least to my taste. When asked if she should make them again, I answered yes, but perhaps with corn tortillas in lieu of the flour & lard variety. I may try my hand at making the next batch.
I cleaned up the dinner dishes then took to my computer where I wrote Monday's blog entry. I worked at my PC until 830p or even after. I poured the last of my a Centennial to enjoy while finishing up at the PC. Then, after the IPA was gone, I poured a CBC Winter Warmer. I tucked the kids into bed then Mindy & I watched , A Miracle on 34th Street, the 1994 version. Same basic story, just modernized a bit.
Mindy headed to bed after the movie ended. I joined her 30 minutes later, or after waking from a brief nap. I laid in bed for about 20 minutes wide awake and scorching hot. I decided to get back up. I spent about 30 minutes at my PC before returning to bed.
My comp day, I remained sleeping while Mindy upped to ready for work. It's an usual predicament I found myself in, me trying to get more sleep while combating unnatural light and noise thrown off by someone else preparing for their day. More often than not it's the other way around.
I didn't get out of bed until Mindy was finished with her ready routine and heading downstairs. I made the bed, which is something I might do ten times each year anymore. Don't get me wrong, the bed must be made right away, it's just that Mindy does it by default since she's generally the last one out of bed.
I'm thinking that it was almost 730a when I made it to the family room where I slipped into my exercise shoes then did 55 sit-ups. Mindy was just getting ready to depart. In fact, she was gone by the time I did my push-ups. Ahh, time to enjoy coffee.
I sipped coffee and played on the internet until it was time to get the kids on the bus. I called Bella down three minutes earlier than usual. She was all for it. That's Bella, She doesn't want to disappoint anyone. By the way, she's grounded from anything with a screen after lying to Mindy about scooping Frankie's poop while on a backyard walk. If Bella has a character flaw it would be telling white lies. We catch her often. I wonder how many we're missing.
We were out for the bus at 758a. Again, Woody was wearing his lampshade. Kenny shared that Woody got sick with it on through the night. Wasn't fun cleaning that up. Seemed fine at the time, however. He and Frankie wrestled like normal. Kenny asked if I would see Lillian on the bus Thursday morning. Makayla has school choir practice early. Yes, of course. I walked Frankie out front before heading back inside but cut it short when all she wanted to do was bark at another guy and his two dogs walking by in sweaters. Good grief!. Dogs in sweaters? Really?
Despite having the day off work, I was already feeling a little tense. Tense because I needed to get moving with my run. You see, it was a Rachel house cleaning day. This has happened on my last two comp days. Nothing against Rachel. I like her, but I really don't want to be home while she's here cleaning. I'm guessing it makes her uncomfortable too. I wasn't sure what time she'd be over but figured near 9a.
I left for my run just after 830a. I bundled warmly on this the coldest morning of the season so far - only 12 degrees. I was very comfortable and ran the full 4.1 miles without incident. Rachel's car was in the drive upon my return. I made sure to make deliberate noise immediately in the door so not to startle her. She was already busy in the family room. Said that Mindy called and gave her a heads up that I was home. We chatted briefly before I headed up for a shower. Rachel is in nursing school and already has a 4 year degree in criminology. It won't be long before she graduates from nursing school, spring I think.
Like always, I took a fast shower. I'll bet I was back downstairs within 20 minutes. I planned to do some Xmas shopping. We chatted again briefly, Rachel sharing how long she might be there. Said she'd be cleaning upstairs last. Expected to be done by 230p. It was 10a when I headed out the door.
I had no detailed plan, but quickly devised one. Figured I'd make my way to Tuttle Mall, Target and then Giant Eagle's Market District. I was at Tuttle by 1015a. I was surprised at the small crowd, but then again, it was early.
Like most visits to Tuttle Mall, I entered through Macy's, only this time through the west entrance and on the upper floor. I looked at jewelry for the girls but left buying nothing. I thought I might walk the mall before making any purchases.
I stopped by the Egyptian sheet kiosk looking at purple 1500 thread sheets. They were $69. Seemed to good to be true. I put them down and moved on, but left open the thought of stopping back. I've walked the 2nd story of Tuttle probably less than five times. I ventured a few others stores ending up at Sears where I checked out appliances. There I met Ed, an over aggressive salesman. After introducing himself, he hovered just beyond my browse asking if I had any questions a couple of times. It was a bit disturbing, yet funny at the same time.
After Sears, I made my way back to the Egyptian sheet kiosk and bought the purple set that I eyed earlier but not before asking if they were returnable. I eventually ventured back through Macy's where I bought my girls each a knock-off Pandora bracelet. While making my selection a somewhat familiar woman tapped my shoulder asking if I remembered her. Yep, sorta. She blushed and apologized for not wearing any make-up. We talked for about ten minutes. She used to work in Sales Support and had for 19 years, but has been laid off for almost 20 months now. Said she's still on unemployment and really not sure she wants to return to work. Considers herself fortunate that her father left her an inheritance. Her name is Fran.
I shopped for a couple other items and moved on. From Tuttle I made my way by the office and to the Mill Run Target where I bought a number items, including sleds for Lillian and Makayla and jeans and shirts for Landon. After Target, I ventured Home Depot where I picked up a couple stocking stuffers.
I was getting very hungry, In fact, I had been since leaving Tuttle. I briefly considered stopping for fast food or even a sit down lunch but in the end opted not. Instead, I'd wait until I arrived home. One last stop, Giant Eagle Market District for beer & wine. I cut across Fishinger Rd to Northwest Blvd. I went straight for the alcohol department where I picked out a number of specialty beers in rockets or bombers (22oz bottles), and then picked out another case of IPAs in 6 packs. However, I still wasn't done. I picked out five bottles of wine, too. Home again, home again jiggity-jig.
By the time I was home, I could've eaten paint! I was so damn hungry. I hadn't eaten a thing all day. It was 115p, and Rachel was still there cleaning. She was upstairs. I attacked some cheese and leftover steak. It was so good, but I was still hungry. I ate a couple handfuls of roasted peanuts too, and then a slice of leftover Dominos. It was just OK. I ate all that in the matter of five minutes - the dangers of starving oneself.
Rachel and I chatted for a few before she headed out. She nailed it dead on. It was 230p on the nose. After Rachel departed, I decided to take Frankie out. While out back, I remembered that the hot tub sorely needed water. It's been 10 days and the water level was down about 8 inches. Crap! After walking Frankie I went to the hose bib, but wasn't too hopeful that there would be water flow. Nope, frozen solid. After all, it was only 14 degrees. Damn! What to do? I tried disconnecting the last 50' of hose and dragging to the basement water heater spigot, but it wasn't long enough. I was getting tense in a hurry. Not helping was that our house was sparkling clean. I didn't want to soil it in any way.
I eventually decided to unlock the shed and fetch a 100' section of hose from the stowed caddy. I grabbed the extra caddy too. However, even though I manually blew the water out before stowing the hoses, it was frozen solid too. The hose started to swell twice its size at the spigot before I realized it was full of frozen water. That could have been a big mess.
I decided to leave the hose set in the basement. And besides, the hot tub will need water once a week, so I figured I might as well leave it down the basement all winter long. It's either that or let the hot tub go. Knowing it would take at least a couple hours to melt, I headed upstairs and got involved in other things. But first, I cleaned up the little mess I made by dragging the hose inside.
Mindy texted at some point asking if I would be there to intercept the kids. Yes. She also texted asking if I picked up receiver gloves for Jacob. No. The kids arrived home just after 4p. I suggested we knock out home work immediately. Jacob scoffed at the notion but got it out just the same. He whizzed right through his math but stopped after one page and shared that his mother lets him go out and play after one page. I suggested he finish both now. He wasn't pleased but did as I asked. He already knew the deal. He could go out to play after I had a chance to check his work.
I started checking his work around 430p. I was disappointed that more than half were wrong - working too fast. I made him figure out the right answer. He wasn't too happy about it, and at one point tried balling up his paper. I threatened room time and no play time for the entire night. He straightened up only minimally. Mindy arrived home during rework. He got a little dramatic but quickly adjusted his attitude after Mindy made it clear that he needed to follow my guidance. We got through the rest of his math in less than 10 minutes.
Mindy was busy making dinner, beef enchiladas. While she took care of that, I checked the hose. Finally thawed, I let the resting water flow out into the basement floor drain. I decided I would fill the hot tub Thursday. At the computer, I sent my boss an email indicating that I would be taking two bereavement days, Thursday & Friday.
My mom phoned just before our dinner to share that she was at Tommy's place and had spent the afternoon with Steve and Scotty discussing the details surrounding Linda's calling hours and funeral arrangements. Dinner was ready around 530p. The enchiladas were good, but probably could've been better, at least to my taste. When asked if she should make them again, I answered yes, but perhaps with corn tortillas in lieu of the flour & lard variety. I may try my hand at making the next batch.
I cleaned up the dinner dishes then took to my computer where I wrote Monday's blog entry. I worked at my PC until 830p or even after. I poured the last of my a Centennial to enjoy while finishing up at the PC. Then, after the IPA was gone, I poured a CBC Winter Warmer. I tucked the kids into bed then Mindy & I watched , A Miracle on 34th Street, the 1994 version. Same basic story, just modernized a bit.
Mindy headed to bed after the movie ended. I joined her 30 minutes later, or after waking from a brief nap. I laid in bed for about 20 minutes wide awake and scorching hot. I decided to get back up. I spent about 30 minutes at my PC before returning to bed.
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