Mindy's in the Basement

I'll bet I didn't sleep for more than an hour straight and woke several times during the night either to blow my nose or pee - you choose. Unable to sleep with a stuffy head, I rolled out of bed around 9a. This, the latest I've slept in a really long time. Already I felt as though I had wasted the precious morning away. Yet as bad as I felt, I knew I had to motivate and carry on with my routine like normal. After all, only a wussie would use a head cold as an excuse not to exercise and run. Calisthenics took all I had. My whole body ached, no doubt a result of my cold. Somhow though I perservered. After exercise, I took Frankie out. It was already slightly warmer than freezing and raining ever so lightly. Frankie finally took care of business out under the tree house. I could see most of the lawn for the first time in almost three weeks. This would be our first day over 32 degrees since December 11th. Glenn was up shortly after me, thinking he needed to be ready for dad's pick-up just after 9a. In reality, he wasn't expected until 10a. Soon everyone was up. Bella asked about the odds of us making it to the movie to see Little Fockers. The way I felt, I seriously doubted it. Dad arrived around 10a to fetch Glenn. He agreed to drive him down to mom's. I told Glenn he was welcome to drive the Trooper as long as he was back Sunday, or in time for me to drive it to work Monday AM. Dad and Glenn hung out for a while, and long enough for Glenn to enjoy one of Mindy's breakfast burritos. While talking, I decided it time to head out for my run. The day's run would be accomplished on will alone. I had no energy whatsoever. I headed out thinking I might cut the run to three miles, but as the three mile turn neared I decided to tough it out and do the entire thing. Didn't want to close out the year with excuses. Besides, I had no deadlines or anywhere to be. I made it home feeling OK, but I knew from past experience that it was just a matter of time before I'd feel zapped. Despite having a head cold, my appetite was still strong. I made a taco burrito with the leftover taco meat from Xmas Eve. It was good. The kids were whining/complaining when I returned from my run. Apparently Kenny called, and shared that he and neighbor Mike were taking their kids to MRM despite the less than desirable weather. They wanted to go too. I was too ill to go, and Mindy had no desire. Bella used her new favorite line, "this is the worst day ever". Mindy headed back to the basement, again working in the kids playroom, or more aptly put, working on the big toy purge. She and Jacob were butting heads most of the day. He was sent to his room at least twice, and the second time for about two hours. He was being mean & defiant. Bella, on the other hand, was well behaved and helped her mother in the basement. I spent time writing in my blog and napping, not much else. Been using the Vikings snuggie we were gifted from niece Julie. It's awesome. Frankie napped right along beside me whether I liked it or not. Mindy stayed down the basement all day long. Don't think she came up more than twice for a bathroom break. Well, come to think of it, she came up & made the kids lunch too. We were expecting Jimaken around 5p to pick-up the kids for a short overnight. Was said to be brining them back home at noon Friday. I took a shower soon after Jimaken picked up the kids. Mindy & I hadn't firmed any plans butI figured we'd go somewhere for dinner. Around 545p we decided that would be CBC. Planned to leave around 630p. Mindy invited Chrissy to join us since Kenny and the kids were still at MRM skiing, but she declined. Honestly, I didn't feel very good but didn't want to waste away at home either. I took another generic sinus tablet and sprayed Sinex up my nose. The Sinex works for a short amount of time but the generic sinus tablets not at all. The bar was chalked full of patrons leaving standing room only. We hovered shamelessly nearby waiting on a couple of stools to free. Jamie and Kate were tending bar and were attentive from jump. Not only were they out of the 12 Hops, but they just blew the last keg of Winter Warmer too. Jamie shared that it's her personal favorite, and was beside herself for not taking a jug full home the night before. As luck would have it, we blew the IPA keg too, but they had more. I just had to wait for a new one to be put into service. After about 30 minutes a few stools freed up. In fact, shortly thereafter the entire bar area cleared out. Must've been a happy-hour crowd. We ordered food. Me, their spinach artichoke dip and flat bread, and Mindy their salmon dinner. The beer, while some of my favorite, just wasn't tasting good. Almost certainly a product of my cold symptoms. However, the cold didn't stop me from woofing down the spinach dip. I ate the entire dish myself. I stopped drinking beer after 1.5 - unusual. Mindy had a second Oatmeal Stout, their newest entry. I had a sip of that. It was really good - mellow. Around 8p we called for our check. Much to my surprise, it was only $23. Kate and Jamie gave us a wink and wished us a happy new year. I tipped them very well. They are good people and great servers. Always happy and attentive. I drove us home. At home we sat on the sofa, me under our Viking snuggly watching football. Mindy seemed surprised when I shared that I planned to watch the late bowl game too, Washington vs. Nebraska. I dosed off a time or two during the earlier game but like I did all day long, I bounced back for more. Mindy headed to bed around 1030p-11p. As planned, I stayed up to watch the late game. I headed to bed after the third quarter which had to be near 1a, but once I was in bed I felt wide awake, miserable, but still wide awake. :) Mindy gruffed a little when I got back up and headed downstairs again, but I knew that was the only way (watching TV) that I would fall asleep. I watched the end of the Washington/Nebraska game. Washington won. Then I watched some History Channel, though I can't recall exactly what. Anyway, it served its purpose. I fell asleep. I woke and headed back to bed around 3a.