Too-Da-Loo Duke

One Day Work Week!

I was awake and up by 525am. I didn't sleep that good though. It was one of those night's where I couldn't quite slip into the deep sleep my body craved. It was a work day, so I had to get moving. I immediately began to question why on Earth I canceled the first two days of vacation (Monday and Tuesday). So be it.

I glanced out the deck door to find a relatively clear sky. I slipped into my exercise tennies and headed to the livingroom where I whipped out 55 sit-ups. I checked the weather and headlines next. It was 66 degrees with an expected high of 87 and a slight chance of afternoon storms. I proceeded to do some push-ups then poured some coffee. For the time being, Eiknarf remained upstairs in bed with Mindy.

I returned to the computer where I read the Daily OM (something about reincarnation) and then a few chunks of Glen's blog. I can't read too much of his stuff without feeling a sense of hopelessness and despair. Come 6a I peeled myself away and headed off to meditate. I had just settled into position when I heard Mindy casting Eiknarf from our bedroom. Not sure who initiated the sudden act. I got the idea that it was Mindy's doings because Eiknarf looked stunned/confused. I had to go to the top of the stairs with leash in hand to fetch her.  After some strokes she and I headed out for a later than usual walk.

We walked for about ten minutes and didn't get back until nearly 615a. I was slightly behind schedule, but I didn't allow that to impact my pace. I spent about five minutes in meditation (any amount of time is better than zero) then moved to stretching. It was 640a by the time I was dressed and ready for a run.

It was very summery. The sun rose near its northern most point (still about two weeks out from the solstice). I ran the regular 4.1 mile track and it went well. I was back at the house by 720a. I quickly started prepping my lunch and breakfast. Took a bit longer than I expected. I had a belly full of eggs, my lunch packed, and was on my way to the shower by 740a. I waltzed right by Mindy who remained asleep. I was sure me moving around in the bathroom would cause her to wake, but I could only try ot minimize the disturbance as I hustled through my usual primp and prep.

I gave Mindy a hug and kiss before heading downstairs. She asked that I drop off some coffee ahead of my work departure. It was 805a by the time I was downstairs prepping to go. Not much different than any other day. I left for the office at 815a in the BM'er. It was a lovely drive in under partly cloudy skies. Arrived a couple minutes late.

Work slow. Took care of several personal/administrative issues. Didn't leave for lunch. Work straight through. Received two emails from my new boss. One with the formal offer letter and another with a list of course/classes he wants me to take next week. Didn't get too deep into anything on purpose.

My boss sent the larger team an email outlining my departure. That prompted several folks to stop by for a visit, some simply to congratulate me while others asking all sorts of questions. At some point mid-day I let my boss know that I decided to take the rest of the week off as I had originally planned. I left him an out if he felt he needed me on Wednesday. Nope, he was good with me being off. I was much looking forward to 6 days off work. I really need the break in routine.

I talked with Mindy at some point during the afternoon. I debated whether or not to tell her that I was off until next Monday. But she already knew that I was planning to take Wed thru Friday off. I was simply adding one more day. During our conversation I told her that I'd now be off on Tuesday, too. Offered that we'd likely head to Cleveland's Rock n' Roll hall of fame.  She seemed excited about that. Said she was on her way out for a shopping spree culminating in a visit to Whole Foods. Thought she might call and invite my dad to dinner, too. Called back to ask if she should ask him to bring his trailer so I can use it first thing Tuesday to fetch more decking lumber. Good idea Mindy.

I packed up my laptop and left the office at 5p. Felt good to be heading home for 6 straight days off work. I arrived home around 520p. No sign of dad's rig. Wondered if Mindy got a hold of him. Mindy was busy grillin' chicken. Said dad was coming over for dinner and bringing his trailer. Cool! Felt good to shed by badge and blackberry for a number of days. Ahhhhh!

Dad arrived while Mindy was out on the deck tending to the chicken on the grill. He brought his trailer over so I could use it Tuesday morning to pick-up lumber. He and I chatted in the kitchen. Mindy joined us not even a minute later. I knew we were having grilled chicken but i didn't know much else. Mindy picked up some pineapple mango salsa along with a mixture of precooked veggies from Whole Foods. She used the salsa as a topping over the chicken breasts and also made a batch of brown rice. The salsa, along with the entire dinner, was really quite good.

We got caught up on life during dinner. Dad shared the latest about his kidney stones, Mindy talked about being out of school, and I shared the news  about my new job. Mindy commented about how quiet is was without the Jacob and Bella there to spice things up. Dad said he missed having them there. Finds them entertaining.

Dad hung around through clean-up. Mindy sent him home with some leftovers. Think it was near 7p when he departed. I walked out and unhooked his trailer then chalked the tires and placed a traffic cone behind it. I stayed out after he pulled away to water flowers. They all needed a good dousing after two more steamy hot days.

I might of spent 20-25 minutes watering everything well. Mindy and I had already talked about taking another bike ride as soon as I was done. Must've been about 745p when we headed off on our bikes. Said hello to Kapil in passing. He was just exiting his recently sold house for the very last time. Had his camera in hand. He'll be staying with Kenny & Chrissy for about two weeks before making the move to California.

As we toured the subdivision via bike, we encountered Darwin out on his driveway with three of his boys. We stopped to chat. Having never formally met his wife, Connie, he went in to ask her to come out and meet us. We chatted for a good half hour. Connie is the younger sister of Teresa Dietz (Harlor), who passed away in 2006 from breast cancer. Shared that she was one of eleven Harlor children.  One of Darwin's neighbors stopped down while we were there, too. His name is Sean, I believe. Intent on doing a bike ride, we headed off taking the outside loop around the subdivision.

I poured a Jack & Coke soon after returning home and headed out onto the deck where we sat enjoying the lovely evening. The only unfortunate thing were the pesky mosquitoes. We could hear what sounded like Chrissy off in the distance. Figured her down at Teri & Mike's. I asked Mindy if she wanted to walk down.

Despite being in her PJs, Mindy and I walked down after I poured a fresh Jack & Coke. They were having a wake for Duke, their dog of fifteen years. Duke was apparently attacked in their backyard by a deer receiving massive internal injuries. And he was already in failing health. 

 The O'Connell's had a fire going on their patio. The kids immediately took me to see Duke's memorial tucked just into the honeysuckle forest. They had his grave marked with a homemade cross and had a large candle burning there, too. We hung out with the neighbors for about an hour. At one point I walked back home to make a third Jack & Coke. We didn't stay much longer. I'm guessing we headed home before 11p. Mindy said she was incredibly tired after getting a poor night's sleep Sunday.

We headed to bed together. We let Eiknarf join us for the third time in as many nights. She was very excited to be sleeping with us.