Here Fishy Fishy

I woke a few minutes late, or around 535a. It was 540a before I made it downstairs. I was greeted by trash spread across the entire kitchen floor. Looks like Frankie went berserk! I chased her to her pen out of frustration. I spent about 5 minutes picking up all the trash.

Meanwhile, I could hear the rain slapping against the roof. Sadly, a pattern all too familiar for the past couple of weeks. I slipped into my tennies then headed to the livingroom where I completed 55 sit-ups. My neck and shoulders felt 100 times better than they did at bed time the night before, thanks, no doubt, to the 4 Advil.

I checked the weather and headlines next. 61 degrees and raining. Looked like a break in the rain was just about upon us. However, predicting more strong storms throughout the day with strong gusty winds reaching as high as 40mph. Checked the Reds final too. They were tied when I headed to bed, but lost. Ugh!

Went to the familyroom to do my push-ups.  I freed Frankie from her pen and headed out for a walk. By then, thankfully, the rain had stopped. I couldn’t find the pooper scooper shovel. We left without it and walked across the street. She went in a reasonable amount of time. Started to rain again as we headed back to the house. I had to hurry Frankie along. I put her back in her pen afterwards.

Finally, I was able to enjoy a little coffee, but only for a few brief minutes. I was still behind schedule by about 10 minutes. As much as I hated to, I hurried through meditation and stretching. I headed upstairs with coffee at 630a. Mindy was mid-shower. I reported Frankie’s imprisonment and why.

 I headed back downstairs where I readied for a run. I wore shorts and a long-sleeved wicking shirt. It was pleasant, about 63 degrees. It stayed dry for the duration of my run. I ran the full 4.1 miles easily. Worked up a good sweat. Mindy was just putting the finishing touches on my fried eggs. I was happy to have them prepared as such after having them scrambled the previous two days. With them, I enjoyed some watermelon, strawberries and pineapple, the same mix I put in my lunch each day.

Mindy reminded the kids to bus home as normal.  Proposed having fresh fish for dinner and planned a stop at Whole Foods to get it. I am not a big fan of cooked at home seafood. Never tastes right. I said that I would happily eat leftovers. Mindy left for school near 730a, the same time that I headed up for a shower and right after I fed Frankie some leftover scrambled eggs from the fridge.

The kids were in shorts again, though figured it to be the last time this week. The high  temperatures aren’t expected to make it out of the 50’s Thursday & Friday. I was downstairs after my shower ahead of 750a. I spent the next 7 or 8 minutes pulling together my lunch, including packing a salad. The kids and I headed out at 758a. Chrissy was out with Makayla. For the time being, it was lovely, sunny and upper 60’s. It wasn’t expected to last. In fact, by the time I got organized for work the clouds had rolled back in. I left for work at 810a.

We had our weekly staff meeting at 9am. Went well. Lasted about an hour. The morning moved by swiftly. I took a formal lunch break at 1p and headed to Lowes.

At Lowes, I bought two new 16” hanging baskets and a 100 pack of 14” black tie wraps. I went to the paint & stain aisle before checking out to look at deck stain color options. I’m seriously considering going with a solid stain this go round. While perusing my options, I spotted two familiar faces coming up the aisle, Joey & Mindy Watkins. Haven’t seen those two in years. We chatted for a while. They seem to be doing well. Said they are now the proud owners of Hilliard Dry Cleaners. I let them know about the ‘76-’77 combo class reunion slated for this summer.

After heading through the Lowes outdoor checkout I headed back to the office. I was gone something less than an hour but felt refreshed and satisfied with my break.

The afternoon brought a couple more bouts of heavy rain. Becoming rather common place. I joked that the drought may finally be over as I glanced out my office window with a couple of my engineers. The afternoon went by in a flash. I left for home at 530p. I called Mindy shortly after exiting the parking lot. She was busy with dinner. I’d forgotten about the fresh fish thing. Said she and the kids went to Whole Foods and bought an array of seafood, including sword fish, Chilean sea bass, and shrimp. Said she was baking it via the recipe/direction given by the guy working the fish counter.

It was spittin’ rain again as I pulled up at home. Even though I cut the lawn Monday evening, it was already starting to look long in the tooth. I carried in my lunchtime purchases then took care of my usual chores. I had my lunch dishes taken care of and coffee prepped for the following day before dinner.

I decided to have some fish after all. The Chilean sea bass looked good to my eyes. In addition to buying fish, Mindy picked up some peach & mango salsa, and then this corn veggie mix. Bother were good. She made fresh gardens salads too.

Dinner was good and not too heavy. Bella refused to try the fish Mindy put on her plate. Ended up eating a hot dog. Jacob, on the other hand, had three helpings of fish. Never known a kid to like fish as much as he does.

I took care of kitchen clean-up. Took a while, too. Lots of big pan clean-up. As I was finishing up in the kitchen, Mindy said she was heading down to Chrissy’s for a visit. I asked that she check and see if I might’ve left my Columbia fleece there. Not sure where the kids were. Think they were outside playing.

The house completely quiet and all to myself, I took to the livingroom recliner with book in hand. Read about two pages before sleep came over me. At the time it seemed the most important thing in the entire world. Felt great.  I woke when Mindy and the kids came inside. Could’ve slept longer. I heard Mindy say it was time for Idol. I eventually joined the family in the familyroom to watch it. I missed the opening performance, Jacob Lusk.

Only 6 contestants remain. All were pretty good. I guessed Jacob would be sent packing. If not he, then perhaps Scottie.  Better not be Haley, though this week’s performance wasn’t her best.

Breaking In comes on after Idol. Now 930p, Mindy told the kids they needed to go to bed. I watched all of it. It's only a 30 minute program. Very funny show. Mindy headed for bed at its end. Ask if I was coming. I chose to stay up and watch the weather forecast. Expecting more severe weather overnight.  I headed for bed just before 1030p. For my money, too much sensationalizing and not enough substance.