Rain & Warm

Happy 27th Lindsey I woke completely rested at 5a and unable to get back to sleep I decided to go ahead and get up. Having extra time could have nothing but a positive impact on my day. I hit the go button on the coffee maker, which is typically set to start at 530a. I grabbed my exercise shoes and gazed out the back door. It was still raining. I had no idea what the temperature was but expected to find it well above freezing. I completed my sit-ups before moving on to the internet. It was 36 degrees and expected to reach a high of 42 later in the day with plenty of rain. I was careful not to waste all of my extra time on the PC. I walked away at 525a to prep a cup of coffee and then tend to Frankie. While sipping coffee, I sat and stroked Frankie who seemed eager for some lovin’. We headed out a short time later. With all the rain coming down on the previously snow covered deck, I was very careful with my footing, not wanting to risk injury. Frankie quickly took care of business, but still wanted to survey the yard. I allowed her a few extra minutes to take in whatever scent she pleased. We ended up hanging outdoors for a solid ten minutes. Still well before 6a, I was looking forward to a solid 15-20 minutes of meditation and without the pressure of time. That worked out extremely well. I needed that. Stretching went well too, but it almost always does. Not sure if it’s all the recent skiing, but the ever present dull ache in my right hamstring seems to be fading. That’s fabulous news. I finished stretching at 623a and quickly prepared Mindy’s coffee then headed upstairs. Mindy was already midshower. I headed back downstairs where I dressed in my freshly laundered running clothes. Despite the warmer temps, the front stoop was still a bit slippery. I was very careful navigating down the walk and drive towards the road. It was raining but only lightly. I had to be very careful as I proceeded. There were small stretches of slippery pavement mixed in with the larger share that was simply wet. The city’s street lighting helped foreshadow any potentially dangerous areas ahead. I ran the full 4.1 miles a bit slower than most other days. That’s OK, though. Better to be safe than sorry. Mindy left her keys out for me to start the Honda. It was already after 720a when I headed back inside to sit for breakfast. Mindy hollered for Bella more than once. Not sure what she was doing in her room. She was being awfully pokey. Mindy reminded me and the kids that she intended to grocery shop immediately after school, so the kids would need to bus home with Noah. She asked if I planned to take Jacob for a haircut after work. He definitely needs one, but I couldn’t commit. Mindy departed ahead of 730a. I got about half my lunch packed before heading up for a shower. I planned to finish after my shower. Because I had to shave, I felt like I was running behind the entire time. I was surprised to discover that it was only 749a when I got back downstairs. Cool! I had time to finish packing my lunch ahead of bus stop time. The kids came down to prep for the bus on their own. We headed out the door at 758a. Kenny was out with the girls. I asked how long they stayed up at MRM on Monday. Stayed until 530p or so. Didn’t start raining until they were almost home. Worthy of mention, this was Jacob’s first day back to school since last Monday. Frankie took a dump in between the curb and sidewalk. I didn’t bother going for the scoop. Heading inside, I finally pulled the plug on the Xmas lights and took the timer to the garage for storage. The lights themselves will likely remain up until March, and I’ll change the red & green fluorescents back to the normal white variety soon. Oh, the wreath still needs to come down too. I left the Trooper warming even though it wasn’t that cold. I gathered all of my stuff and headed off to work near 815a. I walked into my office at 831a. It took me while to get situated having been off for three days. I took my food to the fridge, filled my water pitcher with ice and water, then logged onto my laptop. I spent the first hour of the day going through email and the morning’s workload. I stopped by my boss’ office, but he was holed up and busy. I didn’t stay or talk long. I wouldn’t see him again until mid/late in the afternoon. I didn’t bother taking a formal lunch break. Outside of needing a haircut, I had no pressing to-do’s. I spent a considerable amount of time working on 2011 goals and objectives as well as 2010 year- end reviews. The day went pretty fast. I returned a missed call from Mindy about the time she was arriving at Dena’s to fetch the kids. She’d already been to the grocery store. She sounded upbeat. Asked if I would pick-up her blood pressure meds on my way home. Yep. I left the office at 530p. It was raining steady but light. It was 39 degrees. Ugly, really. I stopped at the Mill Run CVS and went inside to get Mindy’s prescription. I would’ve used the drive-thru if my driver’s side window was operative. There was one other person waiting in line but just finishing up as I approached. They were quick and efficient. I was back in the Trooper and on my way home in less than five minutes. I decided rather than fight my way back to I-270 I would take the back way instead, Fishinger to Old Dublin Rd. Haven’t gone that route in some time. I arrived home around 6p. The Honda was gone. I wasn’t sure if Jacob was home or not. He wasn’t. Immediately after heading inside I got the garbage can to the curb for tomorrow morning’s normal trash pick-up. Then, before settling down, I checked email to see if I received a date for our requested bulk pick-up. We did, but it's not until Wednesday the 29th. The house was spiffy clean, this being a Rachel day. Always nice to come home to a sparkling clean house. Before Mindy & Jacob got home, I had my routine chores done and out of the way. I took a few of my personal effects up to our closet. Mindy & Jacob were home minutes later. It was about 615p. Mindy had rotisserie chicken that she picked up at the grocery warming in the oven. That would be our dinner. She asked if I planned to take Jacob for a haircut after dinner. I wasn’t too keen on doing so. I was actually pretty tired. Mindy plated dinner for the three of us while Bella was at gymnastics. The rotisserie chicken was good, and so were the Bob Evans mashed potatoes. I had a very small second helping. Clean-up was easy. We used paper plates for dinner since the dishwasher was already loaded to near capacity. Mindy left to fetch Bella a couple minutes later. Jacob decided to go along. Once again, albeit only brief, I had some time alone. I changed into my comfy Grinch PJs then snuggled up in the living room recliner with my book. I read about three pages before dropping it into my lap and allowing myself to drift off to sleep. It felt heavenly. I remember hearing Mindy & the kids come in, but I didn’t even crack an eye. Next thing I knew it was 9p. I woke to refill my water glass then said I was going to bed. Mindy wanted to go to bed early too. She headed up while I crated Frankie. She asked that I stop by and tuck in Bella, who was still awake and requesting my presence. I tucked in Bella, who for the first time in a long while, started falling asleep while I was in her room. Mindy was up reading from bed. She asked if the dull light would bother me. No. I put my face in the pillow and was immediately out.