Finally ... A Deck Day

I was up on time and perhaps even a few minutes early. With my running clothes in hand, I gazed out the deck door towards the predawn sky. What was this? Clear skies! I could see stars and already a slight hint of the coming daylight. That served as a pick me upper.

I quickly got into my house shoes then started my sit-ups. After sit-ups I played around online for a while. Jumping out at me right away was the chilly temp. It was only 35 degrees – as colder than it’s been since the first week of April. I read a few insignificant headlines then headed to the familyroom where I completed 55 push-ups. Soon after that I leashed up Frankie and headed out for our walk. To accomplish that I had to coax her out of her pen.

It was chilly but didn’t feel as cold as I thought it might. Frankie only peed. I’d need to remember to relay that info to Mindy later. Inside, I poured some coffee and returned to the computer, albeit only briefly. I read a little of Glenn’s blog and then the Daily OM. It was 610a and time for meditation and stretching. My neck felt good again, and that’s without taking any Advil the past two nights.

Both meditation and stretching went well. I delivered Mindy’s coffee and the pug before dressing for a run. Mindy was still in bed, extra tired I guess. I helped her make the bed before heading back downstairs.

 I dressed warmly wearing a winter weight long-sleeved wicking shirt and pullover fleece. I wore my running gloves too. I didn’t wear ear covers. I headed out at 634a. By then it was dawn, and I could see some scattered frost here and there. A few homes had some of their fragile landscapes covered in bed sheets. I ran the full 4.1 miles. Felt terrific to run in the early sunshine. Wahoo!

I rolled the trash can back to its resting spot after my run. I asked Mindy if she wanted me to start the Honda. It was still chilly and her windows were still slightly frosted over. She brought me the keys.

I wasn’t sure if Mindy planned to make my breakfast or not.  I asked. She did. When she served my eggs I asked Bella to take the first bite. Mindy laughed. Mindy seemed to be in a better place, better mood. She shared that Jacob wasn’t in good spirits after she told him that he couldn’t wear shorts. Too cold. Reminded the kids to bus home as normal before she left. Instead of a kiss she leaned over and bit me. Bella wasn’t amused and for some reason became very sad. Doesn’t like it when her momma is mad at me.

Soon after Mindy departed for school, I headed up for my shower. The kids ran off to take care of their teeth and rooms. Scott, their dentist, gave both of them orders to start taking better care of their teeth. In Bella’s case, I guess he asked her to spend as much or more time on teeth than she does on her hair. Actually, she doesn’t spend that much time with her hair just yet. Both of their dental exams went well this time.

I was showered and ready by 750a. I headed back downstairs where I threw together my lunch, including a spinach and lettuce salad, fruit medley, cheese, and a banana. We were ready for the bus stop 755a.

Chrissy was out with her girls, both of whom were wearing shorts. It couldn’t have been 40 degrees, but the sunshine was admittedly warm. Makayla asked me why the kids weren’t in shorts. Too cold. Chrissy shared that Kenny texted pics of himself in the pool with a beer. Said it was 86 degrees. Lucky him! He’ll be home Friday night.

After the kids were on the bus I let Frankie walk a little more out front. She didn’t do anything other than sniff. I left for work at 810a. It felt especially nice to drive in under perfectly sunny skies for the first time in longer than I can remember. Would have been the prefect hooky day, but sadly, I would be the only manager in the stateside office that day. I couldn’t afford to be off.

The day went extremely fast, especially the morning. It was such a nice day outside that it would’ve been a sin to not go out for lunch. To that end, I took a trip to Strader’s where I bought two hanging baskets of geraniums and some vinca vines to add in. I left Strader’s and headed just up the road to Giant Eagle where I bought some good beer for Mindy & I.  I made one more stop before heading back to work. All three stops were within a half mile of one another. The last stop was Ohio Mulch, right across the street from Strader’s. I just wanted to check out the texture of their playground mulch. I plan to put some around the tree house and tree swings. After my three stops I’d been gone about an hour. It was time to head back to the office. Would’ve been a nice day for the golf range, too. Maybe Friday. 

Back at work around 2p, I ate my packed lunch while also working. I worked until 415p when I decided to call it a day. I needed to get out in the sunshine. Mindy called just as I was backing out of my parking spot. Let her know that I was on my way home.

I called brother Tommy on my drive home, too. He didn’t answer until the 6^th or 7^th ring, or when I was just about to hang up. Hadn’t talked with him for more than a month, though I’ve tried reaching him a time or two. He and Wally were working in the yard. Shared news about Wally’s 4^th birthday party, which came and went in March. Also shared that Wally’s now in preschool, and really smart. Already talking about running the pizza empire some day. J

I asked Tommy why he’s avoiding mom – something she brings up every time her and I talk. Tired of the negativity. Finds something wrong with all aspects of his life.  Wears on him.  Negative begets negative. Mom?

I ended the call just as I arrived at home. It was just after 430p. Mindy was inside vacuuming up piss ants. Said there were hundreds of them crawling in from around a window on the east side of the house and making the trip along the wood work towards the kitchen. Not a coincidence that the wood pile is just outside that window. I told Mindy that we’ll need to relocate the wood pile. Just where, however, I am still not sure. Perhaps out by the shed.

I got out the unscented ant spray and hit their well-traveled path pretty hard. I also took a few minutes to empty the under the sink cabinets and spray under there too. The confined area caused me to breath in some of the noxious stuff. Made me cough.

Just after 5p, Jimaken showed up to pick-up the kids for Thursday dinner, a weekly occurrence, but one that I am not typically home to witness. Mindy asked if I wanted to got to Barley’s. I suggested we not. Instead, I offered that we stay home and enjoy the sunshine from the deck.

We both headed out with a beer. Me, a Brew Dog Imperial IPA, and Mindy a Black Stout. Even though the new cushions have been on our deck chairs since April 9^th, we hadn’t used them since then. Save for the one 80+ degree Sunday, the weather hasn’t been nice at all. It was quite warm and pleasant in the sun, but still a little chilly in the shade. We moved to the lower deck as a compromise – filtered sunlight through one of the red maples. Nice! We talked about life while waiting on our Minelli’s pizza to show up.

Pizza arrived after 20-25 minutes. Paid to have it delivered, which for us is rare. We enjoyed pizza from the deck. As the sun sunk behind the house it got a little chilly. We headed in. It was 721p. I remember asking Mindy for a time check.

Mindy headed upstairs, I am assuming to mess with laundry. I spent some time on the computer. Kids got home just before 8p. Jimaken didn’t come in. We all readied to watch American Idol elimination night.

I poured another beer (CBC IPA) after drinking the 22oz rocket of IPA earlier. America voted … Jacob was sent packing, just as I suspected he might. We stayed tuned to FOX at Idol’s conclusion for Bones. I fell asleep maybe 20 minutes in. Mindy let both kids watch with her. They woke me for the tuck-in and bed. I felt like I might vomit. Bella insisted I still tuck her in. She even asked me to sleep in her bed. No!

Mindy expressed a little disappointment that I needed to sleep right away, no cuddling (15 touches). Bella came in our room. Pleaded with Mindy to let her sleep with us. Don’t know that she’s ever asked that before aside from during thunderstorms. Not sure what was up. Probably the scary Bones TV show. Mindy didn’t back down. Stuck to her guns, and shewed her back to her own room.