HV one day, Nag Hammadi the next

I finally slept really well in our own bed. Perhaps two nights on that uncomfortable sleeper sofa was exactly what I needed to cure my middle of the night sleeplessness. I rolled out of bed around 525a and proceeded like any other work morning. I was downstairs gazing out the back door and putting on my exercise tennies a couple minutes later. No time to waste, I started my sit-ups then popped up into my computer chair to check the weather and headlines. It was cold – 16 degrees under a crystal clear sky. I reminded myself not to spend too much time on the PC walking away at 540 to do my push-ups. I let Frankie roam freely over night. She was sleeping in her pen, but with the door wide open. As she often does, Frankie vacated her pen when I went to meditate. This time, instead of finding my lap she leaped up on the sofa. Tuckered out I guess. After meditation and stretching I leashed her up and took her out back. I had to pick her up off the sofa. Didn’t seem at all interested. It took a while, but she eventually took care of business. Inside I poured some coffee and kicked back for a few minutes. Quite enjoyable. I took Mindy coffee and the pug at 620a. Mindy jumped as I entered the room. Was just rolling out of bed. I placed her coffee in the master bath and then helped her make the bed. Downstairs I outfitted myself in my favorite running clothes then headed out the door at 630a sharp. I felt really good. No lingering affects from skiing all weekend. I ran the full 4.1 miles easily. No up hills to contend with. Mindy had her keys waiting just inside the door. I started the Honda then headed back inside where I quickly stripped out of my outer layers then sat down for breakfast. Everybody was quiet. Mindy reminded the kids to bus home with Noah. It was already after 730a. I headed straight to the shower. I’d pack my lunch afterwards. Downstairs again at 750a. I quickly threw together a salad, some chunks of cheese, and a banana. I reminded the kids to bundle warmly as we prepared to head out the door for the bus stop. Kenny was out with the girls. I started the Trooper along the way. I can tell the battery is beginning to lose steam. It's started somewhat sluggishly after sitting all weekend in the cold. Kenny shared that they may be making a trip to HV in the weeks ahead. Said he loves MRM but wants to spend more time cruising and less time lifting and buckling. I asked that he keep us in mind, although as I said it, I could just hear Mindy’s voice crying out … NO, at least not with the kids. The kids were soon off on the bus and Frankie and I headed back towards home. She took a dump before we headed back inside. Good girl! I took care of a few last minute chores then headed off to work. I arrived at the office at 835a. It didn’t take me long to get acclimated to work. Spent a lot of my day in the center talking with my team. After checking weather.com, it was looking like Columbus was in for yet another winter storm, but this time an ice storm. We were teetering on the edge of the rain/snow/ice line. I stayed busy throughout the day. And like most others, I didn’t bother taking a formal lunch break. Late afternoon the weather was all the buzz. Everybody worried about the looming ice storm. I reminded many that it could just as easily end up an all rain event, but also realize that is unpopular because it's just not as sexy, nor as fun to talk about. I left the office right about 530p. I tried phoning my mom on the drive home. Went to VM. Tried daughter Ashley, too. Same for her. I arrived home around 550p. I parked along the curb like I have for a couple years now. Mindy was inside working on dinner. The kids were busy playing. Jacob couldn’t wait to share Bella’s big faux pas. Apparently Bella forgot to get on Noah’s bus and instead got on the normal bus. Arrived home to no one. Apparently this caused quite the commotion both at school and then at Dena’s. Dena phoned Mindy who thought immediately to call Kenny. Sure enough. He had her along with his girls. He volunteered to run her over to Dena’s just one subdivision over. I found it somewhat funny. Obviously, she didn’t do it on purpose. I peeked in the covered skillet on the stove curious what was for dinner. It was beef stroganoff! Haven’t had it in 8-10 years maybe. Mindy must’ve gleaned that from my blog. That was exciting. Couldn’t wait to dig in. Unfortunately, the kids weren’t looking forward to it at all, and repeatedly expressed their apprehension to try it. One of the two said it looked like puke, to which they eventually morphed the name into beef throwing-up. We got a chuckle out of that. It was quite delicious. I had 1.5 bowls. After barely a taste, both kids opted out and had cereal instead. After dinner Mindy decided to make a run to the grocery store to get a few things we were out of. The list grew quickly. As recent as the night before, she said she was skipping grocery shopping this week. But psychologically, she seemed to be in a far better place tonight. She also planned to gas up the Honda after checking the hyped up weather forecast. If the ice storm hit overnight as described, it was difficult to imagine schools being opened on Tuesday or possibly even Wednesday. Perhaps that helped elevate her mood. While Mindy was away, the kids played hockey in the basement. After cleaning up the kitchen I finally took the time to add more water to the hot tub using the hot water tank with the hose reel I have set up down the basement. It took 25 minutes to top it off. It was down more than foot after 15 days since last top off. At some point I’m gonna just have to let it go. Jacob was working hard on his behavior all evening. He even helped Bella with her reading and spelling words. Hmm? Perhaps he’s getting the message. We acknowledged his positive behavior. The next step, I shared, was turning this kind of behavior pattern into habit. While the two kids continued playing, I went to my PC and did some writing for my blog, although I didn’t publish anything. While typing away, I received an email from 7th Mountain Resort confirming our Bend accommodations. That was exciting news. Can’t wait! Mindy returned from the grocery before 8p and quickly got everything put away. I think Jacob helped her carry in the bags. I broke free from the PC just after Mindy finished putting away groceries and went upstairs to get into my PJs like everybody else, including Mindy. Sometime during the day, I developed a minor stiff neck. Mindy offered to rub my neck/back. I laid down on the family room floor where she eventually met me. Three or four years ago, it was quite common to have Mindy stand-on and/or rub my back at least once a day. All those back rubs along with routine stretching have made it unnecessary accept for the occasional incident. My back muscles proved sensitive to touch – tickled. Took a while to adjust. It felt good though. Before she finished, I had her stand on my back. We learned those years before that that usually did the trick. Probably helped realign my spine. When she finished, she asked that I stand on hers. For her, though, I actually stand off to the side and apply only light foot pressure, whereas she literally stands with both feet on mine. I heard her back crack a couple of times. Jacob asked if he could walk on my back. No thanks! It was 9p and time for the kids to head to bed. At roughly the same time, I turned the TV to one of the knowledge channels joining a program covering all of the lost biblical texts. I've read and seen similar stuff before, but always fascinating stuff. I tucked the kids into bed before getting too comfortable. And like she often does, Mindy headed up to bed around 930p. I promised to follow not too far behind.