What Time is It?

After a so-so night of sleep, I woke a few minutes early, though wasn’t 100% certain of that initially. You see, at some point Monday my bedroom clock must’ve lost power causing it to flash and stick. I didn’t realize it until I was already in bed that night. Rather than get up and reset the time 2.5 hours ahead like it had been since the move to DST, I simply started it from where it was then made a quick glance towards Mindy’s clock to calculate how far off it was. Such a quick maneuver has burned me before. Another variable was not knowing how far ahead Mindy's clock was set. I guessed it to be about 15 minutes fast. I ended up waking at 520a. I apologize for taking the long winded way to explain. I made the most of the early rise. I had my sit-ups done even before the coffee maker kicked on. Oh yeah, it was cloudy and raining – pretty hard too. Ugh! After sit-ups I checked the forecast. Rain all day with a high of 50. Sunshine and 60s both Wednesday & Thursday though. Wahoo! Next up, push-ups. Both shoulders remained stiff, but not enough to warrant taking any Advil, at least not yet. I enjoyed some coffee and a little more internet time before tending to Frankie. She and I headed out a few minutes later. It was still raining but not nearly as hard. We walked towards the east and she took care of all her business fairly quick. Didn’t seem to mind the rain much at all. I enjoyed a little more coffee before doing meditation. That went much better than it has in a while. I am determined to straighten out my morning priorities. Stretching was completed by 615a and Mindy’s coffee delivered 5 minutes later. Mindy wasn’t even out of bed yet. Said she typically likes to sleep five minutes longer. Who knew? Frankie wanted up on the bed with Mindy. I obliged her request before heading back downstairs to ready for my run. I dressed in fresh running clothes, a thin wicking shirt, fleece, ear covers – no gloves. That proved about right. Out the door, the rain was reduced to just a sprinkle. For that reason alone I was thrilled. I ran the full 4.1 miles. By run’s end I was completely wet – not soaked but wet. Mindy made scrambled eggs covered in cheddar cheese. Had some left in the pan for Frankie, though I didn’t serve her hers until I was done with my own. She was whining profusely. She wanted some eggs – dammit.  Mindy gave the kids after school instructions, which included busing home as usual. And given that Bella had gymnastics, it was gonna be a leftover night. Mindy left for school at 730a. Right behind her, I was on my way to the shower. I was back in the kitchen by 750a packing my lunch. Mindy made it simple by making me one of those yummy salads topped with ham and cheese the day before. All I had to pack was cheese and fruit. That took no time at all. The kids and I headed for the bus stop at 757a. Met Chrissy and Makayla there. Bus was there and gone by 804a. Frankie and I headed back towards home, allowing her a few more minutes to sniff around the yard. Once it was clear that she was looking for goose crap, we headed inside. It was a Rachel day. To that end, I ran the dishwasher before heading out the door. I thought about taking my golf clubs but didn’t. Off to work at 815a. Arrived at work just ahead of 830a. Thankfully, the day got off to a much better start than the one prior. Participated on a couple calls, one started at 1p, the time I usually take lunch whether I leave or simply close my door. Such is life.  I wasn’t able to enjoy my packed lunch until almost 230p. By then I was ravenously hungry. It rained pretty much all day long, though the sky began to brighten to our NW around 4p. I left the office for home around 530p remembering that it was a gymnastics night for Bella. I called Mindy once I hit the road. She was still at home but preparing to leave. Said Jacob was going with. She did ask that I be prepared for Jacob to request we shoot his new airsoft guns when they got back. Said she warned him that I might decline due to the rainy weather. I figured that request would be coming, and understand where he’s coming from. But still, I had no desire to got out in the rain to shoot the airsoft gun. I arrived home to a squeaky clean and empty house. Nice! I went about my usual after work chores and then went through the day’s mail. By then the sun was fully out, the dark rain clouds now to our immediate east. Knowing how happy it would make Jacob, I opened his airsoft guns. The sealed plastic packaging was ridiculous to open. In the process, I cut my thumb on the hard plastics shards after cutting into it with scissors. I was still at it when Jacob and Mindy got home. I probably used a swear word or two. Mindy had chicken & noodles simmering on the stove, which would serve as our dinner. I wasn’t expecting anything, so I was delighted. She dished them up while I finished opening the airsoft packaging. Once we got into the packaging, I sat the guns aside until after dinner. Jacob hurried through his dinner. I suggested he begin reading the instructions that came with the guns familiarizing himself with their operation. He did as I suggested. I took care of the quick clean-up while Mindy left to fetch Bella from gymnastics. Jacob and I together went over the airsoft instructions. The rifle runs on battery power and required a 4 hour charge. We wouldn’t be experimenting with the rifle that night. Even though the sun was out, the yard was a big mud puddle. I suggested he shoot the pistol from the perch of the deck at the lazily lounging geese. He was very excited to do that. I had him load the pistol with 14 airsoft (plastic) BBs, following the direction to a T. He must’ve reloaded the pistol 5 or 6 times. He eventually got out the gel target and took aim at that from only 10’. Pretty good shot. I went for my BB gun to compare velocity. Mindy & Bella were home in short order. Mindy asked if she could shoot the airsoft pistol a few times. Interesting - fun. Inside, Mindy had the kids ready themselves for bed. Afterwards, Bella did her reading while Jacob watched TV. I went horizontal on the sofa thinking there no way I would fall asleep with Bella reading right behind me. She’s not exactly a quiet reader. Within minutes I was out cold. Sound asleep. I didn’t wake until 930p when I heard Mindy & Bella going back and forth about some TV program that Mindy caught her watching from her room. Mindy doesn’t allow the kids to watch Cartoon Channel. Whether one agrees is irrelevant. Both Jacob and Bella know the rules. Get caught, you lose screens. The heated exchange involved a lot of pleading on Bella’s behalf. She kept insisting she had merely surfed by without watching on her way elsewhere. Choosing to stay out of it, I headed off to bed. Mindy caught up with me half way there and asked that I tuck in both kids. I was still half asleep, but did as she requested. Bella immediately pleaded her case with me. I assured her that all would be OK and to get some sleep. Tucked Jacob in too. Much less drama in there. Just before Mindy and I closed our eyes, Mindy shared that she wanted to believe Bella this time. OK. While lying in bed, instead of getting sleepier, I got a second wind. Little wonder after that 2 hour power nap. Much to Mindy’s dismay, I got up and headed downstairs to watch TV (hopefully the late Reds game from San Diego). It was on. I watched into the 5th inning. They were up 2-1 when sleep came over me once more. It was near midnight. Good night very bright moon!