4.5" of Rain in Week One

I must’ve woken ten times after 4a. Finally ,come 525a, I decided I’d better not play cat and mouse any longer or else risk oversleeping. I rolled on out of bed and brushed my teeth. I was downstairs before the coffee maker kicked on. It was still raining. Ugh! After staring out the back door at the standing water in our yard, I slipped into my exercise shoes and got busy with my sit-ups and push-ups. Sandwiched somewhere in between, I checked the weather and headlines. Currently 40 degrees with rain expected to continue through most of the day then change over to snow over night. Supposed to get up to 2”. Hmmm? After coffee and PC time, I took Frankie out front for a walk. Much more efficient out there. We were back in less than 10 minutes. Still ahead of 6a I enjoyed a little more of my coffee before starting meditation and stretching. Both of those activities went well, and I was done by 623a. I headed upstairs with the pug and coffee a few minutes later. Mindy was just getting ready for a shower. My visit was brief. I hurried back downstairs to ready for a run. I dressed the same as the day before. It was raining, so once again, I went with an old pair of running shoes. At that rate my new pair were never gonna get broken in. I ran the full 4.1 miles without issue. Felt good. Ran hard. Left to whirl freely, my mind kept returning to a few work related matters that have obviously been bothering me. I kept catching myself and tried letting go. It doesn’t always work. It did, however, help make the run go fast. The trash truck hadn’t yet gone by when I returned form my run. I check our can, still in its place of rest. Only one bag. Viewing it as a waste of energy, I decided not to drag it to the curb. Maybe next week. Inside, Mindy was preparing scrambled eggs. They weren’t quite ready. I joked with the kids while I decompressed from my run. Despite my cold symptoms being much more subdued, I felt a bit more tuckered than usual after a run. But after some orange juice, eggs, and fruit, I felt good for the first time all week. Mindy left for work and advised the kids to come home as usual on the bus. After giving Frankie some of the leftover scrambled eggs, I headed off to the shower. The kids headed to their rooms. It was an electric shave day. Shower felt great. Gave me new life. I was downstairs working on packing my lunch by 745a. I packed a salad, fruit, banana, and cheese. I called for the kids at 753a. We headed out to the bus at 757a. I didn’t bother starting the Trooper. No frost and it wasn’t that cold. The pugs wrestled like usual, and then barked at the bus driver. I walked Frankie again out front. She did a lot of sniffing but with no results. We headed back inside where I wrapped up a few last minute things before heading off to work. I left the house at 810a. Drippy drive into work. Wiper blades skipping across the windshield. Must be worn out, and that after only one year of service. Lots of ice and snow this winter, though. Work was super busy from go. Actually, I had been involved on and off with a work issue since 530a. The busy day made the work day go fast. I didn’t get a formal lunch hour, but did manage to eat my packed lunch from my desk. The day flew by, and once again I didn’t get out of the office until 545p. Seems to be a trend. I tried calling Mindy twice as I headed for home. She called me back a few minutes later. Said she was on the phone with Rocky & Landon just checking on their well being. Also said she spoke with big Rocky. Once again, she got good vibes from the boys as well as their dad. Said he’s willing to keep the boys permanently. Mindy didn’t tell me what she made for dinner, but it wasn’t leftovers. Once at home, I guessed correctly, sloppy joe’s. Don't think she's made 'em before. They turned out well, but a tad on the sweet side. A little bit of Gloria in her. I had two, and considered adding a hot dog to mine since they were served on hot dog buns. Bella, coincidentally, was having hot dogs, but the bad kind, Hebrew national. They taste like paste. I decided not. Clean-up wasn't too bad table wise, but the stove top was still quite a chore. After dinner & clean-up we eventually settled in front of the TV for American Idol elimination night. At some point early on, Jacob shared that Bella took her DS on the bus. Apparently Mindy had told her not to the night before. Bella's excuse? She forgot. Uh-oh! We grounded her immediately. That meant no screens, and no Idol. She scurried off to her room a little pissed. I hated to do it, but she did knowingly deceive us. We worry this could become her calling card as more often than not, the trouble she finds herself in is for similar choices. We weren't at all shocked with Idol elimination. "Diana Ross" was sent packing. One of my faves was in the bottom two but obviously survived. It's as much about song choice as anything else. After all, they don't call it pop culture for nothing. Jacob was off to bed after Idol - 9p. We tucked Bella in too. She expressed concern over her own decision making. Not sure why she blurts out lies. I listened. Mindy & I watched Bones after Idol. I enjoyed it for what it is. To bed immediately after. It was already snowing when we headed to bed. No real accumulation though.