Grillin' Steaks with Friends

I was up on time and felt pretty good. I was downstairs staring out the back door at 535a. Cloudy skies. Been a while since I’ve seen a sky full of stars. I still had to prep coffee, haven forgotten to do so the night before.

On a positive note it was 50 degrees, and the forecast called for temps in the mid 60s with clearing skies. The weekend looked even better. 70s on Saturday and 80s on Sunday. I finished my calisthenics then took Frankie on a walk. We were gone a little longer than I really wanted to be.

Back at home I had just enough time to squeeze in a meditation and stretch before heading off on my run around 630a. As luck would have it, it rained throughout the entirety of my run. Drip drip drip goes the water.

Jacob asked how the run went as soon as I was home and inside. Wet! I stripped out of my exterior layer and settled in for breakfast. You guessed it, fried eggs, my favorite. Jacob was excited about his birthday party planned for Saturday afternoon. And while the forecast called for temps in the 70s, it was also calling for showers. Seems like it rains at his party every year.

Soon I was off to the shower. I was ready and downstairs packing my lunch by 750a. That didn’t take long thanks in part to Mindy making my salad the day before. I needed only to cut cheese and pack fruit. The kids and I headed out to the bus stop at 758a. By then the rain had stopped. Kenny was out with the girls. Hadn’t seen him in a while.

Back at the house, Mindy and I talked briefly about the evening’s cookout. I shared my plans to stop for beer on the way home. Mindy already picked up everything else the day prior. I left for work at 815a.

Low on gas, I thought about stopping at Thornton’s but blew on by. I had something less than a ¼ tank. That was enough to get to work and back a couple times. I arrived at work in a really good mood. How could I not? It was Friday and I wasn’t scheduled to be on call, and the weather was expected to be nice for the entire weekend.

The work day was eventful. At one point I thought I might come unglued, but somehow I managed to regain my composure. I really should’ve taken a formal lunch break just to get away but I didn’t. That would’ve done me some good. It must’ve been around 1pm when I ate my packed lunch while continuing with my work.

The day started to improve as the afternoon wore on. I asked my boss if I could scoot out about an hour early. He encouraged me to do so. I left at 4p. I had originally planned on heading to Whole Foods but opted instead for Kroger. I wanted to pick-up some CBC IPA for me and some roses for Mindy. I was a little surprised to find Kroger so busy. I parked in the pharmacy lot at the side, but even that was crowded. Got the beer and flowers quickly. After checkout I remembered needing ice. I paid for the ice with cash.

I called Mindy just as I was turning onto Cemetery Rd from Leap. She seemed happy to learn that I was already on my way home. Said she went to lunch with her mom. I shared a little about my workday and how frustrated I was earlier. A weekend was exactly what I needed.

I presented the roses to Mindy right in the door. She was very pleased. The drive home left me feeling incredibly sleepy and my back ajar and in spasm. Mindy rubbed my back briefly but it did little good. I had to stretch out on the livingroom floor for a while to get some relief. I eventually dosed off for a brief nap. I thought I heard someone knock at the door but rose to find no one.

A few minutes later Jacob mentioned that there was a package at the door. I assumed it his birthday gift. I was wrong. Instead, it was our replacement faucet. Cool! I wasn’t expecting it for several days yet having received an email Thursday indicating that it would be 7-10 more days.

We weren’t sure exactly what time the Imber’s would arrive. Mary Ann shared that Bob will often work late somewhat unexpectedly. I know how that is. Said she’d call before heading over. Kenny & Chrissy were supposed to join us too

I’m thinking it was near 630p when Mary Ann called to share that they were on their way. Arrived a few minutes later bearing gifts: a flower, Southern Tier brew pub t-shirts (purple and black), beer, & ULLR medallions. Totally cool! We chatted for about 30 minutes before Mindy insisted I light the grill. Spent most of our time catching up and sharing snow ski stories.

I let the grill preheat for about 15 minutes before grillin’ steaks. Chrissy showed up a few minutes later. Said Kenny would be eventually join us after helping her uncle with a project of some sort. Grilled 8 steaks: 4 t-bones and 4 filets. This marked our first grilling of the season – out of practice. I was careful not to over cook the meat. Inside, Mindy had baked potatoes and asparagus ready. Didn’t take me long to grill the steaks.

Inside, Chrissy promptly sent me back out to burn hers. Oops, forgot. She likes her meat super well-done. We joked that she might just love the York Steakhouse. Steaks turned out great. Brown and slightly crisp on the outside, juicy, redish pink inside. I chose a filet.

We enjoyed a vast assortment of ales through the evening (Bob brought a cooler full). Drank a few of mine too. - CBC IPA & Southern Tier XXIPA. Kenny showed up late. Had to be after 9p. We partied for a while. Kenny & Chrissy peeled off around 11p. We partied with Bob & Mary Ann until 130a. Jacob stayed up the entire time. Makayla spent the night with Bella. They had been asleep for a couple hours.