82 & Sunny

I slept really well and was eager to get my Sunday started. I woke for good around 730a. I was a tad discouraged after seeing thick fog out the master bath window. Where was our blue skies? Downstairs, I started a pot of coffee then retreated to my PC. I didn’t plan to do any calisthenics since it was Sunday. Probably 20 minutes later I had to take Frankie out for her morning walk after hearing her scratching at the front door. It was 52 degrees – cooler than I expected. We took a nice long walk essentially following the old Ykraps trail. Back at home, I sipped coffee, downloaded photos, and played on the internet until 9a. I was surprised that none of the kids were up yet, especially since there were three house guests. At 905a I headed out for a run. I wasn't out the door five minutes when the sun started busting through the fog giving promise to the forecasted weather, which called for sunshine and 84. By run’s end it was mostly sunny. I was excited to get back home and enjoy the morning sunshine from the deck. Mindy and Jacob were up and in the kitchen. I asked about his friend Josh. Apparently still upstairs getting dressed. The girls (Bella, Kaileigh, and Makayla) were still sleeping. Mindy and I headed out onto the deck. I took my camera, coffee and guitar. Mindy went back inside briefly to get Frankie. Jacob and his friend headed out back to play in the tree house. We sat on the deck for about 20-30 minutes. I’m guessing it was about 1030a when I headed out to the garage to start on my mailbox restoration project. Late last fall I discovered that our cedar mailbox post was about to rot just below ground level. The rest of it was fine. Rather than buy and entirely new post, I bought a 30” steel below-grade stake. I cut the wire arbor loose that we have attached and pulled the entire post up out of the ground. Using my circular saw, I cut away the rotted wood flush. I then used a 1’ section of an old treated 4”x4” as a pound post inside the metal stake. I was careful to get it level before driving it deep into the ground using my 8lb sledge hammer. Simple. I slid the renovated post into the stake sleeve and secured it with two of the three provided bolts. Presto! Kenny brought my tractor battery back as I was finishing up. Said it held a charge. Cool! I planned to give it a try as soon as I finished putting away my current mess. Kenny was heading off to go golf. Said he’d get me the keys to his shed so I could inflate the jump house for the kids later. As I made my way around back to deal with the tractor, the boys asked me to inflate the jump house. Jacob got the key from Chrissy. The air blower connects easily. Had it inflated in no time. In the shed, I reinstalled the tractor battery. Fired up immediately. Stronger than I remember it even. I left it run while I pulled my push mower out to give it a rub and a whirl. The pushmower was about out of gas. It started on the first pull – gotta love that Toro. I wheeled it up by the garage where I keep the gas and topped off the fuel. I went back to the shed and turned off the tractor. I went back to the push mower and gave it a mini tune up, including lubing all of the wheels and cables. I cleaned it shiny too. I checked the blade after having it sharpened last spring. Still fairly sharp. No need to sharpen again this season. I started it up again and pushed it back to the shed. I disconnected the jump house blower and stowed it in Kenny’s shed. We needed to leave to pick-up the grandsons and then head to soccer around noon. It was already 1145a. I decided to skip a shower and wear my running clothes to soccer. I figured to be doing more yard work once we got home. For some reason, Mindy was noticeably agitated with my decision. We left to fetch the boys first. It was 1215p. They were excited and ready when we got there. Lindsey was coming along too. That’s different. She usually stays home. We headed to the Hilliard soccer fields. We made decent time arriving about 10 minutes early. We started to setup at the wrong field when Mindy thought to confirm the field with Jimaken, who was already there observing from the sidelines. My dad eventually joined us for the game, too. The opposing team looked solid initially but Jacob’s team eventually dismantled them. Beat them badly - 9-1. Jacob scored 3 of the goals. He was very excited. While there, we experienced clouds, sun, and wind. Under the clouds, it was still a tad chilly. But once the clouds broke and passed it got really warm. After the game we headed to the Hilliard DQ. Others had a similar idea. The place was packed. Little wonder, though. This was our first day hitting 80 or above. Everybody but me ate ice cream. I decided to skip the calories. I got pics of all the kids digging their treats. Once home, the kids rushed out to play. I headed over to Kenny & Chrissy’s to inflate the jump house again. Kids were in it for while. I decided to get busy on some yard work. I finally got around to cutting down the ornamental grasses out back. That’s a tough job when it comes to the real tall stuff that my hedge trimmers won’t go through. Plus, I had to rake the grass out of the bed. Mindy came out to give me a much needed hand. That helped a lot. She worked up a sweat in a hurry. In addition to cutting down all the ornamental grasses, we raked up the numerous fallen branches, a byproduct of the late winter ice storm. Together we got all the beds trimmed and cleaned, and all the branches raked out of the yard. Mindy complained of over heating and eventually headed inside. I kept at it until all the debris had been raked onto the trap. Probably about 2 hours work in total. It was getting really warm. The kids pleaded for us to let them play with the hose. We didn’t allow it. I offered help to neighbor Trena who was out putting together her new patio furniture. Said she had it under control on her own. We planned on grilling with the neighbors. Mindy & Chrissy worked out the details. Still only about 5p, I decided to mow the front lawn. Parts of it were already thick and lush and in dire need of a cutting. Took only about 30 minutes. Felt good to get after it. After the mowing I pushed the wee ones on the tree swing before heading inside for a much needed shower. I felt like a new man after a shower. It was about 6p and time to head to the neighbors. I checked the Masters results just before walking down. Headlines read that Tiger was on the prowl. I was very happy to see that. At the time he was only 1 shot off the lead but his round complete. By the time we walked to the neighbors the lead had widened to two strokes. The leader eventually pulled away after scoring birdies on the final four holes. Very impressive! Kenny was already grilling a combo of meats: brats, dogs, & burgers. I ate two brats, one plain the other a turkey brat. I had some of Mindy’s green bean casserole too. After finishing dinner I enjoyed a couple of Jacob’s brownies. Others did too. Meanwhile, it was a gorgeous spring evening - sunny skies and 80+ degrees. Mindy suggested we gather the kids and head home at 745p. I agreed to drive the boys home. Mindy had been drinking beer. I had not. Mindy brought up the subject of a new car while we were having dinner at Chrissy’s, something I’ve been kicking around for over a year. Lindsey quickly chimed in asking what would become of the Trooper. She fell to tears when I told her that Ashley already asked for it. I reiterated that it’s all talk. Honestly though, I’d never buy another new car if I could avoid it. Hate the idea of a car payment. Mindy quickly added the part where Ashley said she’d give her car to Lindsey. My thinking is this: I’m at a point in life where I shouldn’t be providing cars for my grown daughters. Those years are passed us. Near 8p, I took Lindsey and the boys home while Mindy got our kids settled. I listened to the Reds recap during the drive. They lost a heart breaker 10-8. I enjoyed my drive home alone. Lots of seedy people out and about along Hague ave. Were lots of folks out walking in our subdivision, too, even after 8p. The lovely weather brings 'em out. At home, Mindy had the kids getting showers. I guess she let them head back out to play after I left. I got into my PJs a few minutes after arriving home and settled on the sofa and tuned into the Discovery Channel, or one of its brothers. We watched Human Planet. The kids headed to bed after Human Planet. Mindy and I watched a little of Deadliest Catch next, but I eventually fell asleep.