Phlegmboyant

 I was up around 7a after Bella joined us in bed around 630a. She was up awfully early and eager for some family interaction. I convinced her it was OK to come in. Unfortunately, not only did I have that pesky dry cough, but now I had the sniffles too. Uh-oh! Could I have the dreaded summer cold?

I headed downstairs and started some coffee then peaked out back at the less than lovely morning weather. It was cloudy but the temperature warm - about 70 degrees. It wasn't expected to be that warm, only the low 70s for the next few days.

I did some internet surfing then walked Eiknarf who slept with one of the kids. I headed out for my run around 830a. Mindy was up when I got back. I talked her into making a family breakfast. She made sausage links and French toast with thick deli style Italian bread. It turned out really good. I think I had three pieces.

During breakfast we made plans to host an early Father's Day event with my dad, the girls, and grandkids. However, after calling Lindsey we learned that Landon had strep so they didn't plan to come over. Happily though, Ashley and Olivia did, but only after a little prodding. Mindy planned a trip to the grocery store to pick-up our weekly groceries as well as a few things for the F.D. get together. The kids wanted to stay home with me and play with their friends.

I headed out to attack that large tree branch that fell on the tree house. Last minute I decided to use my little folding arbor saw in lieu of the chain saw. That would be a little more physical work but less clean-up.

After taking care of the tree branch, I cut down the spent wild climbing rose bush on the east side of our deck. In its place I planted our new ever-blooming climbing rose bush. I hated cutting down those large canes but the blooms only last for a couple weeks then it's done. Instead of transplanting it, I threw its carcass on the compost pile.

Still time on my hands, I decided to go ahead and mount the bench supports on the exposed 4x4 posts. I cut the three 8' 2X4s into eighteen 11" inch supports then used my handy grippers to hold them in place while I screwed them to the posts. Kenny stopped over briefly while I was working away to assure me that I was doing it correctly. Once all my supports were in place I could tell that I'd have to modify my original plan to some extent. It wasn't unexpected. Again, I had to work within the framework that was already in place. I'm thinking it took about 2 hours to finish.

The day was moving along fast. It was already around 130p and Mindy was back from the grocery. We were grilling steaks for dinner (filets). They looked awesome. At some point I took a shower, which felt absolutely terrific ridding myself of all that itchy saw dust. I did a little reading and napping afterwards.

Around 3p, both Mindy & I commented about the day slipping away in a hurry. We also both agreed to invite the neighbors down to dine with us. Kenny would be grilling their steaks at his house but dining with us. Mindy made green bean casserole and baked potatoes, and we'd be having bakery fresh cookies for dessert.

My sinuses really started to run mid-afternoon. I took a pseudoephedrine to help. It worked only marginally. It also left me feeling out of sorts. Ugh! I went through numerous tissues.

Can't remember who arrived first. Mindy had me start the grill around 5p. Olivia was eager to play with all the kids. She ran down to Emily and Evan's where all the other kids were playing. Dad and I talked while I grilled the steaks. Among other things, he shared his plans to finish redoing the trailer with the wood I provided earlier in the week.

The neighbors planned their grilling to coincide with ours. Mindy started fixing the kids plates first. Chrissy joined us a few minutes later. Said Kenny wasn't feeling good and wasn't gonna join us. Be that way! :)

My steak was really good. Mindy and I shared one of the filets. Despite being ill, I was hungry, but half a filet was just about right. After dinner the kids wanted to play kickball in neighbor Trena's yard. At their insistence I decided to join them. Everybody played with the exception of dad, though he watched from the sidelines. Sometime during his visit, dad pointed out that he'll most likely need knee replacement surgery. Showed me how they buckle outwards and to teh side when he walks. Gross!

We must've played kickball for more than an hour, and it was a whole lot of fun and provided tons  of good laughs. I forgot to mention that we presented dad with his Father's Day cards and gift, a Bob Evan's gift card before we started playing kick ball. When dad left for home, we sent him off with a few leftover tomato plants ( cherry, pink girl, and roma), too.

The kids played ball until it was totally dark. Mindy called them in around 930p. We weren't up for long. And it didn't take much convincing from Mindy to get me to take some Nyquil. I was feeling awful and there was no way I could miss work on Monday.

Thinking we were in bed before 1030p. Good night Phlegm.