Mindy & Mary Ann Ski, Olivia, Barley's, White Rajah

As early as 615a Started hearing some unusual noises emanating from down the hall. I suspected it Bella & Olivia, but was clueless as to what they might be doing. Woken numerous times, I finally decided to investigate near 640a. They were awake, and had gone downstairs and carried Frankie up to the room. Frankie was chasing the two of them around Bella’s room. I kindly asked the girls to keep it down while the rest of us slept then calmly removed Frankie and took her back to her pen before returning to bed. I tried going back to sleep but unfortunately without much luck. At 645a I got up for good and headed downstairs to get my morning started. From the outset, I was careful not to alert the girls that I was up. I wanted as much quiet time as I could get. I made coffee and exercised while Frankie remained in her pen. I had to sneak back upstairs to get the puppy gate that Bella left leaning against her closed bedroom door. I blocked access to the stairs ahead of freeing Frankie. Sure enough, she ran right to the steps apparently hoping to rush right back up to Bella's room. Nope! After making a cup of coffee and then a spending a few minutes online, I leashed up Frankie and took her out back. Frankie took care of business after nearly ten minutes romping around in the yard. It was sunny and in the mid teens, but it was expected to climb above freezing by mid day. I had a solid hour of alone time before the kids finally came down. The girls came down first, but quickly headed to the basement to play. Jacob soon followed. I’m thinking it was 830a when Mindy finally got up. I stretched before my run, something I didn’t do on Saturday or Sunday. It was a lovely morning for a run. I ran the full track, 4.1 miles in about 35 minutes. Mindy was in the shower when I returned. The kids were still playing in the basement. Mindy emerged from our bedroom donning her base ski attire. With a wide smile on her face, she declared it her ski day. Said she was going skiing with Mary Ann. I was more than happy for her. I figured she needed a day to herself. Before Mindy left, I asked that she locate some kiddie snow attire for Olivia. The kids wanted to go out back and sled with their friends. Mindy set out some of the old stuff we’ve accumulated over the years. Mary Ann came by sometime after 11a to fetch Mindy. Before they departed, we gave Mary Ann their Xmas present and her b-day gift. The kids headed out to sled soon after Mindy & Mary Ann headed off to ski. I was surprised to learn that they only figured to ski for a few hours. Frankie watched the kids longingly from the back door. With all the brilliant sunshine, it was warming quickly. I took Frankie out and put her on her lead. She seemed to enjoy being out with the kids. I took a few pictures of kids sledding then headed back inside. I spent the next 15 minutes straightening up the house. After about 25 minutes Olivia wanted to come back inside for a snack. I helped her out of her snow gear and got her a snack. Soon neighbor Mike hollered for his two kids. Jacob & Bella came inside minutes later. Bella and Olivia wanted to watch a movie. Jacob, on the other hand, gave me a rash of crap for never doing anything fun with them. He wanted to go bowling like the neighbors. Said all I ever want to do is take them skiing. Geesh, if other kids could be so lucky. Eventually, the three kids agreed to watch Home Alone 1. I was pleased to see that it grabbed their attention quickly. Olivia will often request a movie only to watch very little of it. I had the next 90 minutes or so to myself. I took a shower and then laundered my running clothes. Afterwards, I did some surfing and then a little reading. When the movie ended I made the kids lunch – chicken noodle soup. Bella had a sandwich too. At some point mid-afternoon, the kids headed back outside to sled some more. While they sledded, I refilled the hot tub. It was down about 8 or 9 inches. Yikes! The kids kept me hopping all afternoon. Not a lot of time for much else. I was gonna try and make dinner, and had my heart set on beef stroganoff. I was sure we had the Hamburger Helper mix in the pantry, but I couldn’t find it. After an exhaustive search, I figured Mindy threw it out the lat time she redid the pantry. I love beef stroganoff. About that same time Bella came to the kitchen advising that her momma texted me asking if we wanted to do Barleys for dinner with the Imber’s, and then that they were already on their way home. I gave Bella a little crap for reading my texts. Jacob and Olivia headed out back yet again. I’m thinking that Mindy & Mary Ann got back during that particular play interval. By then, I was nesting in the family room chair reading a book when they came in. Mary Ann didn’t stay long. I didn’t commit either way to whether or not I wanted to dine at Barley’s. I was in comfy jammie mode and feeling a little tired. Mindy seemed disappointed that I didn’t’ have more done, although I am not sure what she expected. I felt a little unappreciated. I chased after the kids all afternoon and did my best to keep the house in some semblance of order. I’m quite sure that Mindy was just a bit overwhelmed now with the long weekend in effect over. I eventually agreed to join the Imber’s at Barley’s for dinner. Mindy said 630p. Ashley arrived to pick-up Olivia around 5p. Olivia didn’t want to leave. Cute. I gave Ashley her box of Xmas’ past then offered some of the stuff we plan to give away to charity. She didn’t want any of it. She then asked if I still had any of the old Back Street Boys memorabilia. Just so happened that I had a plastic tumbler in one of the charity boxes. I dug it out and handed it over. After Ashley and Olivia left, Mindy headed for Target. We were out of laundry detergent. She was gone a little longer than I expected but still home by 6p. As I suspected she might, she stopped at Kroger, too, to get some essential grocery items that we were out of. We left for Barley’s at 615p. By then it was drizzling (icy rain mix). The temperature was 35 degrees. Expecting rain all day Tuesday before turning colder again Wednesday. Looks like another melt off ahead of yet another winter blast. We arrived at Barley’s just ahead of 630p. The lot was well attended but nothing close to what we experienced last Friday. We actually got to park in the regular lot. Mindy asked for a booth for six even though the Imber’s weren’t yet there. We were seated in Tina’s section (yeah). Out the corner of my eye I saw that they had the White Rajah on the guest tap list. That pleased me much. I ordered a Centennial to start. Never wise to begin with a Double IPA lest you desire your palette tainted. Mindy went with a guest winter warmer. I think it was a Goose Island but can’t be sure. The kids both selected Dr Pepper. The Imber’s arrived a few minutes later and joined us in our big booth. Mary Ann ordered ice tea. Like me, Bob went with a Centennial IPA. After some friendly banter Bob ordered a tray of mixed appetizers. I’m quite sure that Mindy placed the kids dinner orders at the same time. We weren’t quite ready then to order our adult entrees, but eventually did. Bob ordered fish & chips, and Mary Ann ordered a salad. She often eats healthy while the rest of us kill ourselves with the fat laden stuff. Mindy & I ordered two entrees we planned to share; a plate of KC wings and a brisket quesadilla. After our entrees arrived, Bob and I ordered our 2nd beers, a White Rajah. It comes served in a tulip glass signifying high alcohol content. It was quite enjoyable and pleasant to the taste buds. Yummy! I’m guessing it was nearing 745p as we finished up our dinners. Bob must’ve snuck off and took care of the tab. We certainly didn’t expect it, but appreciative just the same. It’s important to be a gracious receiver. Thanks Bob! Mindy packed up our leftover wings and quesadilla. Mindy & Mary Ann exchanged ski poles in the lot. I think both have the same make & size but Mary Ann’s are marked. Mindy drove home. It was raining fairly steadily. Let the melt off begin. At home somebody took Frankie out. Can’t be sure who did the deed. Happily, Jacob found the poop scoop shovel buried in the snow out back earlier in the afternoon while sledding with Olivia. That’ll keep the unexpected landmines to a minimum.  While the kids headed off for showers, I got into my PJs then got comfy on the sofa. I fell asleep in a hurry and probably before 9p. I woke to an empty downstairs then promptly caged Frankie before heading up to join Mindy already in bed.