Playing in the Street

It was almost 8am by the time I rolled out of bed and made my way to my toothbrush. I gathered my running clothes and tip-toed out of the room. Don’t think that Mindy budged or flinched.

It was cloudy again and the deck wet. Must’ve rained over night. And even though Saturday was supposed to be rain free, we got brief but hard shower while we were at Barley’s. The good news was that it was fairly warm – 60 degrees. I started some coffee then took to my PC. I was anxious to read about all the players the Vikings drafted on Saturday.

Back at home I downloaded the pictures I took on Saturday, all 140 of them, while also enjoying some coffee. Sometime near 930a I prepared for a run. The sky brightened a bit giving me hope for sunshine, but that never fully materialized. I ran three miles like usual. No problems.

Mindy and Eiknarf were up when I got back home. Mindy said they had just come back in from a walk. Shortly after getting back, I started a pan of bacon. I was bent on having an eggs and bacon breakfast. Once the smell of bacon permeated the house, Mindy wanted some too. I knew she would. While the bacon fried, I headed out to the garage to get Bella’s bike down from the ceiling. As expected, the tires needed inflating. I was gonna remove the training wheels but opted not. We’ll see how she feels about it.

Mindy and I enjoyed our eggs and bacon breakfast. Hit the spot. Honestly, I was still super hungry. I didn’t eat that much at the wedding on Saturday. I cleaned up the kitchen then asked Mindy when she wanted to go fetch the Honda. Said on her way to the grocery store. That’s what I figured. While she finished her grocery list and took a shower, I headed out to cut the back lawn. This marked the first time I recall cutting the entire back lawn with the push mower in about 10 years. Looked really nice when I was done even though the back hasn’t thickened up like the front quite yet.

Before stowing the mower I decided to try starting the tractor again. This time it started, although just barely. To be fair, I didn’t get it out and drive it around after charging the battery a few weeks ago like I should’ve. But as soon as I went to back it out of the shed it started to pour. Just my luck! I stood in the shed waiting it out. I was hopeful that it would stop quickly. It did. Lasted no more than five minutes. I drove the tractor around the back 40 for about five-ten minutes. We’ll see if it starts like normal next weekend. If not, it’s time for a new battery. 

After securing the shed I topped off the hot tub. I was hopeful that Mindy was already out of the shower. Assumed she was. Even though the weather wasn’t at all conducive for yard work, I kept at it. After the hot tub was filled I did a little edging around part of our rear flower beds. Kenny and I still plan to go in on a power edger soon, but I really wanted to get the western section done before then so I can over seed the grass in that same area without disturbing it again later.

Mindy was ready to leave for the grocery store near 1230p. I drove her to Barleys in the Trooper. It started to spit rain on our drive there. Said she was gonna go inside and say hello to Monica, who we haven’t seen in a long time. I headed back home.

It rained the entire drive home but stopped just as I pulled up out front. After a few minutes inside I headed back out to finish more yard work. I spent another 90 minutes weeding and clipping dead growth from the rear flower beds. Jacob’s soccer game was set to begin at 330p. Mindy was back from the grocery around 2pm. I needed to be in the shower no later than 245p. I worked up until the last minute. Freshly showered, we left for Jacob’s soccer game at 315p.

By the time we arrived his game was already underway. I wore my thick new fleece jacket knowing how much cooler it always is at the soccer field. It felt almost silly when we left the house – too warm – but as sure as I am typing this, it was necessary. It was chilly and windy. Darn glad I had my jacket.

Jacob’s team had their way with the opponent, although they let them score three goals in the last few minutes. I think they won 8-4. Headed for home at 430p. I decided to detour through Mindy’s old subdivision to see how nice her old yard looked. Not very good.

At home, the kids rushed out to play. Jacob was trying his best to get on everyone’s nerves. I went to the sofa for a nap while watching the Reds game. At the time I joined they were losing 3-2. Mindy started making dinner – tacos. Smelt good. I didn’t sleep long, but just enough to clear the fog from my head. We ate dinner around 6p – tacos and southwestern rice. I had three tacos and a bowl of rice. I put some of Jacob’s hot salsa on the rice. Good!

While I did clean-up, Mindy headed down to chat with Chrissy. After clean-up I spent a little time on the PC, or until Jacob came calling looking for help with his new bike. The peddle axle looked about ready to fall out. He’s had it for a little more than a week and it’s already falling apart. Cheap! After a fair amount of toil, I was able to get it fixed.

While messing with Jacob’s bike in the driveway I spotted Bella, Makayla, and Brooklyn up the sidewalk a ways and out in the street poking a dead rabbit with a stick. Jacob had earlier been telling them that it was a rabbit. They were certain that it was an opossum. I hollered for all three of them to get out of the road.  Read them the riot act.

Inside, I told Mindy about Bella and the others being the street. Mindy wasn't pleased. Both of us know how dangerous that is. We ended up tuning the TV to a program called Madagascar. Amazingly informative. I'd put it right there with the Galapagos & New Zealand.  Lots of cool critters and an interesting landscape, especially the lemurs and spiny forest.

Mindy headed to be just before me. I wasn't but a couple minutes behind. I was once again tired and achy.