Tandoori Masala

I slept a little later than I did on Saturday but not by much. I was up by 715a. The sky was cloudy, but the forecast called for it to move out in a hurry. Within the hour it was fully sunny. Expecting it to reach 90 degrees too. That’s a quick switch. 

Because it was Sunday I didn’t plan on doing calisthenics, but did plan on running. I walked Eiknarf while the coffee brewed. We were out for about ten minutes like most other days.

I spent no more than 15 minutes online sipping coffee. I was eager to get my run completed. I dressed in fresh running clothes and headed out the door somewhere near 830a. It was completely sunny when I headed out. Mindy was still asleep in bed.

I ran the usual Sunday loop, just 3 miles. It was heating up in a hurry. Worked up one heck of a sweat. By the time I got back from my run Mindy was up and on the deck talking with Chrissy, who was back home after last night’s costume party. She didn’t stick around too long after I got back.

I didn’t have a ton of activities planned for the yard. Instead, we had two parties to attend: Kapil & Pabina’s going away party, and then Mindy’s three nieces b-day party. With the hour or so I had before the first get together, I transplanted leftover annuals into medium sized deck pots. The first get together was to begin at noon. That’s roughly the time I headed in for a shower.

We walked over to Kapil & Pibina’s around 1p. We took a card and a bottle of wine. Kapil’s parents were there along with a number of his friends and coworkers. Most of his peeps are doctors like he. In fact, one of his best buddies recently accepted a pulmonologists position in Portland, Oregon. Kapil’s headed off to Sacramento.

The catered food was really good- Indian cuisine. Very colorful stuff, and all very spicy.  Meanwhile, the afternoon was really heating up. Word was that it had already topped 90 degrees – our first scorcher! Jimaken dropped the kids at home near 3p. Mindy headed across the street to greet them. Surprisingly, neither wanted to return with her. When Mindy returned she said Bella didn’t feet well and Jacob was tired. They’d been swimming all day long.

We may have hung out for another 20 minutes before heading home to prepare for the nieces b-day party. We left the house around 340p.

I suggested we stop by Hugh White Honda so Mindy could see the new Civic. I promised it would only be a drive through – wouldn’t stop. The kids, of course, pleaded that we not, but Mindy was game. The sales guy I met last week told me that they’re typically open on the last Sunday of the month but that they’d be closed since it’s a holiday weekend. Well, he was wrong. The dealership was alive.

It just so happened, they had a 2012 black Civic EX-L right up front just like the one I built online. We stopped and took a peek inside. Mindy really liked it. As promised, we quickly headed off for Todd’s.

We arrived shortly after 4p, but even then we were still some of the last to arrive. We had to park out along the quiet road. The party was an outdoor yard party, and it was an excellent day for it. Most folks sought out some shade. Us Ohioans haven’t yet acquired our 2011 sun tolerance. The spread was plentiful and good. A couple of us started at the wrong end of the line and used the birthday cake plates for our food. Mindy’s mom made  a couple derogatory comments about those of us that followed that same pattern. It must be tough being perfect.

Todd had a few George Killian’s stashed in the water cooler. I partook in one of those. It was refreshing, especially given the sweltering summer heat. Nephew Joe arrived late. Mindy and I chuckled that he must’ve been at home sleeping it off. Todd has a nice trampoline in his big back yard. In kind, Mindy took the opportunity to run through the ‘Thompson’ technique – it’s one I think I’ve seen all of her sibs do a time or two. Todd did it a little later, although a bit daringly.

Cake and presents were next. The Barbie ice cream cake was a huge hit, especially with the kids. Bella, however, made ice pops into dinner. She must’ve had 4 or 5 of them. She was wearing the red one on her pretty white summery blouse. Oh well.

We hung out with family until 7p or so. I didn’t hear any of it, but apparently Mindy’s  mother was running us down to anyone that would listen for not having anything for our kids to do in our yard. Mindy felt inclined to defend our honor by showing off pics of yard to those gathered around. Mindy was incensed and shared as much on our drive home. Because I didn’t hear it, I wasn’t too bothered. I realized a while ago that there’s nothing I can do to please Gloria. Can’t control how she feels or what she says. What I need to do is please myself, and, well, Mindy. J

As we passed the auto mall I joked about pulling in again. The kids let out a resounding no! We were home a couple minutes later. I was excited to sit in the cool AC. Mindy and the kids quickly headed back down to Kapil & Pabina’s. Mindy returned a few minutes later encouraging me to join them. Said Kenny & Chrissy were there and all the kids were having fun. Said I’d be down in 5-10 minutes.

A majority of their guests had departed, but the party still going on. The kids had the hose out and were spraying one another. Kapil was noticeably  buzzed. He allowed the kids to soak him with the hose. Kapil’s parents, Raj and Gita were quite patient with all of us crazy Americans. Very warm and inviting. Gita kept replenishing the snacks. I initially brought over two beers and eventually went back for two more.

As darkness set in the party moved inside. Mosquitoes were really starting to bite. The conversation eventually turned to religion. We joked that Chrissy always is trying to save the world. Kapil and his parents were raised Hindu. They remain open to any religious beliefs others may hold separate from theirs. They made that very clear – nonjudgmental. Still, I am very weary of talking religion especially when drinking.

We probably hung out until almost 11p. Kapil was falling asleep on the sofa, and Makayla and Bella were sound asleep on Pabina’s cousin’s shoulder. Discovered Kenny headed off for home about an hour before everyone else. He and I made plans to golf the following morning. Mindy the kids and I headed to bed as soon as we got settled in at home.