Second Centennial

I overslept again but this time by only ten minutes. I didn’t sweat it much, if at all. I knew that I could make it up easily since the kids had a late start. I just needed to be back home from my run before Mindy left for school.

On a positive note, it was crystal clear, the moon visible and bright, about 2/3s full. Unfortunately, it was expected to get down to 37 over night. After sit-ups I checked the actual temp and forecast. It was currently 35 degrees with an expected high of only 53 with sunshine. I’d take it, but not exactly what I had in mind.

After push-ups and coffee I headed out with Eiknarf. I stopped to zip my fleece all the way up to my neck. It was chilly! Frankie took care of business in a reasonable amount of time, but because we got a late start, it was already after 615a when we got back home. I insisted on doing a meditation and stretch. Can’t let that slip. I did both in the course of the next 15 minutes. I headed upstairs with coffee and Eiknarf at 635a. Mindy was still in the shower.

Downstairs, I bundled for a run wearing ear covers but no gloves. I used my sleeves like a turtle uses his shell, drew my hands up inside until I was warm and sweaty. I ran the full 4.1 miles without incident. Soon, I was back at home and tending to our emptied trash can. After placing it back in its usual stash I headed inside where Mindy already had my eggs waiting. She was all but ready to head out. It was 724a.

Both kids were still asleep, not needing up for a while due to the scheduled late start. Mindy suggested a kinder, gentler way of waking them. Apparently they complained about the last late start when I opened their doors and woke them with a normal voice. Mindy advised that she accomplished this by opening their blinds and turning off their fans then gives them a kiss. Ummm, let me see … No! How about this? Mornin' Soldiers. Welcome to mamby-pamby land!

Although by accident, Mindy fried an egg for Eiknarf, too. The yoke broke so she made me another. I fed it to her before heading off to the shower. I opened the kids blinds as Mindy suggested and turned off their fans. They didn’t budge. I tapped Bella’s mattress and said good morning. She acknowledged my presence but remained in bed. Jacob, on the other hand, seemed to wake up naturally. I was out of the shower and almost fully dressed when I heard the door bell. I automatically assumed it Dad. It was. He let himself in.

I joined him downstairs a minute later. We each enjoyed some coffee while I made last minute lunch preparations. Jacob joined us around 805a. I asked Dad about the Delores story he was telling Mindy when I fell asleep the evening before. He filled in the blanks some. I agreed that Jacob could head outside with his airsoft rifle and shoot the resting geese. Rats with wings! He loves doing it. Just scares them away, nothing more.

Bella remained asleep as I prepared for departure. I told Dad that she could sleep as late as 9a, and then reminded him that bus stop time was 957a. He’s done it before and acknowledged the times. I left for work.

It was a beautiful drive in. The sunshine was awesome. Hard to come by this month. I arrived on time. I spent the first 30 minutes of the day preparing for our department meeting. The meeting went really well. I was quite pleased. We have a good team. I was energized and inspired afterwards.

Once again, I was just too busy to consider leaving for lunch. I thought about a visit to Home Depot but couldn’t remember what was on my list, Happens a lot. When I think about it in advance, I send the list via email that I can access on my smart phone. I ate my lunch at my desk around 2p, an hour later than usual. We held our 2nd department meeting at 3p. Went just as well as the morning session. I was again very pleased.

From 4p to 515p I was once again very busy. My boss and I had an informal discussion about the following day. He was scheduled off. I’d be getting his escalations, too. I was happy to do it. I left for home just before 530p.

I called my mom on the drive home. She sounded good and said as much. Talked about her recent ailings. Said her neck is still bothering her but refuses to do the physical therapy recommended which is designed to help strengthen the muscles in that area of her neck. Wouldn’t take my advice. I quipped that if she knew so much, why she didn’t just do the surgery herself too with scalpel and mirror. Said she never hears from 3rd son Tommy and/or her brother Chuck, though expects him home from Vegas next month. I asked if she’s sought a tombstone for aunt Linda’s grave yet. Hasn’t, but plans to come to town and visit Modlich’s with dad once the weather warms. I ended the call when I pulled up at home.

Mindy was on the phone when I arrived home. I noticed quickly that she was sporting a strange new haircut and style. My face must’ve gave away my initial reaction. She shared as much with the person on the other end of the call. I don’t recall giving her permission to change her hair style.  With few words, we prepared for a dinner date at Barley’s. I tried coaxing Mindy into letting me fix her hair the way I like it, but she’d have nothing to do with my preference. Thing is, I know style like I know the back of my hand. Just ask me!

Phone rang while I was taking care of my personal electronics at my PC station. Mindy answered. Turned out being my mom again. Told Mindy that aunt Linda’s husband Steve passed away. I guess she just got word. He made it only 4 months longer than Linda.

We left for Barley’s around 6p. The drive was quiet. We sat at a barside table. All the stools were taken. Busy. I ordered a Centennial. Mindy only a glass of water. I tinkered with my camera while Mindy played on her smartphone. We eventually ordered food. I went with buffalo chicken tenders and fries. Mindy went with steamed muscles. I had a second Centennial. We settled our tab near 730p and left for home.

We beat the kids home by roughly ten minutes. Looked like they had an egg hunt. Not sure if it took place at their dad's or elsewhere. Bella came in waving $6 dollars around in addition to a basket full of candy.

It was Idol elimination night. We settled in front of the TV five minutes early catching a little knowledge TV first. I managed to stay awake long enough to see Jacob sent to the bottom three but no others. I woke with 10 minutes remaining in the show when Mindy shared that Haley was also in the bottom three, but had already been sent back to safety. It came down to Jacob and Stefano, Bella's personal favorite. America voted and after 52 million votes Stefano was sent packing. he took it well, about as good as I've ever seen anyone. His Idol peeps rushed to embrace him as the show ended.

It was 9p. We watched Bones next. Quite sure Mindy let the kids stay up. All of them were off school Friday - Good Friday. Lucky them! I, however, still had to work. I didn't make it all the way through Bones either, ending up dosing from my chair. We headed to bed at 10p sharp. I was out before Mindy's head hit her pillow.