Spring @ the Mall

I was up at 530a after hearing the alarm on my Droid X buzzing away downstairs from the computer desk. It gets louder and louder with each passing buzz. I really need to disable it. It's been enabled since the last day of vacation when I had to be up by 230a to make sure I didn’t miss the flight home. I stood at the back door while slipping into my exercise tennies. I saw the new moon hanging just above the horizon in the southeastern sky. Just a thin sliver but really pretty. I headed to the livingroom to do my sit-ups. Afterwards I checked the weather forecast and headlines. It was a chilly 27 degrees. I did 55 push-ups then headed out with Frankie. I took only one dose of Advil on Monday (3) and that seemed to do the trick. Apparently no need to continue with the scheduled Ibuprofen - 4 tablets three times a day. Shoulder was a little stiff but overall much, much better. I planned to take three more again just before my run. Frankie and I headed out back where the ground was only semi-frozen. Lots of water in the ground from Monday’s torrential rains. Frankie eventually took care of business, but only after lots of cajoling. It was 605a by the time we headed back inside. I enjoyed a little coffee just ahead of meditation. I broke off to stretch at 615a. That went well. Felt really good. I headed upstairs with the pug and coffee at 625a. Mindy was still in the process of making our bed. I helped her finish before heading back downstairs to ready for my run. I had to fetch the desired running clothes from the dryer. I bundled warmly, although switching back to my loose fitting running slacks, the ones I typically wear throughout spring and fall. I was out the door around 635a. I ran the full 4.1 mile track. No problems at all. Felt good. My mind sifted through a handful of work related matters, none of which enhanced my disposition. In the end, however, I know all to well that I own my response. I’ve got to find my happy place on my own.  With so much on my mind I reentered the house and removed my tennis running shoes without thinking. Mindy quickly asked if I forgot to start her Honda. Yes, I forgot. She said she would do it. No. I slipped into my house shoes and headed out to complete the deed while also sharing that my mind was full of clutter. Mindy asked for my help with the scrambled eggs, too. I stirred them a time or two while she tended to something else. They were all but done. It was 715a when I sat down for breakfast. Both kids were at the breakfast table too. Jacob reiterated that he’s sick of snow. Wants warm weather. He’s got spring fever. However, being just the 1st of March, we’ve got a long way to go before we’re out of the winter woods. But I can relate. Late February and all of March have always been the least favorite time of year. Mindy departed at 730a but not before reviewing evening plans, which included taking Bella to gymnastics for the first time since January (took all of February off). I headed up for a shower at 733a. I was fast, and back downstairs before 750a. With the extra time, I packed a lunch; salad, fruit, and cheese. The kids made their way downstairs at 753a. We headed out the door a few minutes later. And in a rare turn of events, Bella was quick to get out the door. I started the Trooper on my way to the bus stop with Frankie on her leash. That made it more difficult but I managed. Kenny was at the bus stop with the girls. We chatted only briefly before the bus arrived. Frankie and I headed back towards home. She pooped again before heading inside. I spent very little time inside getting my gear together before heading out the door. I was on my way by 812a. I had to scrape away a little frost before heading out, although the defroster did the lion’s share of the work. I arrived at the office by 825a and it didn’t take me long to get settled. The work day was challenging. I was busy from jump. Despite my busy day, I planned to sneak away at lunch time and head to the Finish Line to look at running shoes. I’m long overdue. To that end, I drove over to Tuttle Mall at 1p. As I do most other mall visits, I cut through Macy’s, where they were all decked out for spring. Made me think of golf season. I browsed the running shoe selection at Finish Line. They didn't have the ASIC model I've come to like so much. Figures. However, I already knew I could order them online should I desire. And I just may. I headed back to the office empty handed. It was a lovely afternoon, by the way – sunny and mild and about 45 degrees. The afternoon was as busy as the morning. One of my guys stopped by to talk about some trouble he was having with his house – leaky roof. Discovered that a small piece of fascia trim fell off exposing the attic to wind and rain. A contractor wants $500 to replace the piece of trim. Motivated to do the repair himself, he asked for some time off to rent an extension ladder and make the seemingly simple repair. I offered that he could borrow my extension ladder. I soon realized that he wanted it Wednesday, or before the next rain. I eventually agreed to bring my ladder to work on Wednesday and then head to his place during lunch to assist with the easy repair. Just want to be helpful. I worried though, that we might be biting off more than we could chew. Mindy texted me several times after she was out of school. She wanted to know if I remembered the kids scheduled late start for Wednesday. Nope, but said I would do it if necessary. Suddenly, I was beginning to feel overwhelmed. Late start then the ladder thing. Yikes! She also reminded me that she’d be taking Bella to gymnastics. That most likely meant she wouldn’t be home when I got there. I sent my boss a note about the late start and packed my laptop for home at 530p. Just before I powered down, Mindy sent another text that seemed to indicate that my dad agreed to man the late start. I didn’t bother pinging my boss again. I’d clarify with Mindy later from home. During my drive home I called my mom. I haven’t talked with her since before our Oregon ski trip. She sounded good and shared that the pain in her neck is all but gone, but still in the healing process. We talked for a while, or until I arrived home. I headed inside to a clean, quiet home. It was a Rachel day. I quickly rushed through my chores, including unloading the dishwasher. Ugh! Mindy & Jacob were back before I was done. She offered to make me dinner but I respectfully refused. I planned to eat the leftover Minelli’s. She had leftover pork chops. Frankie wanted walked about the time Bella needed picked up. I offered to do either. Mindy elected to retrieve Bella. Fine, I walked Frankie. We were actually heading back inside as she and Jacob were pulling out. I used the alone time to write in my blog. It wasn’t long before there was a knock at our front door. It was Kapil, Pabina, and Isha. They came bearing gifts for Mindy. Pabina brought the gifts back from Nepal. How sweet! I asked them in and shared that Mindy would be back soon. And it wasn’t but 5 minutes before Mindy & the kids returned. I felt more at ease with Mindy there. Pabina flies back to Boston on Wednesday morning. Sounds like Kapil will be moving to California in August, and consequently will be putting the house on the market very soon. We visited for about 30 minutes. They had a pizza waiting at Sporano’s. After the neighbors departed, it wasn’t long before American Idol time. From my PC, I heard Jacob ask Mindy about it. I missed the first ten minutes or so, but then caught the last 80 minutes, or until 930p. Good show. For some reason, I was really sleepy. I could’ve dosed off from the sofa. We tucked the kids into bed right after idol. I returned downstairs where we started watching the follow-up sitcom, Raising Hope, while Mindy headed for bed. I quickly fell asleep. I headed up to bed at 945p. Mindy was in bed reading or doing a puzzle. The dim night stand light didn’t bother me in the least. I was sleepy!