See Ya in an Hour or so, Carmella

Happy 50th Brother Tommy!

After oversleeping on Thursday, I'm happy to report that I was up on time on Friday morning. Falling asleep around 830pm the night before didn't hurt at all. I got about 9 hours of sleep. Not sure why I was so tired. The heat?

I started coffee before cranking out sit-ups. It felt good to get through my exercise regimen. In between, I checked the weather and headlines. Supposed to be another hot & sunny summer day with the high temp once again reaching well into the 90s. At the time, it was 81 degrees, the first time I can recall it not dipping below 80 overnight.

 I enjoyed some coffee while sitting in front of my PC reading the Daily OM. I read some of Glenn's recent goings on, too I don't typically do that during my morning routine because too easily time can get away from me. Friday was no exception. It was 612am when I checked the time. Yikes! I had to move on.

Collectively, I spent about 20 minutes meditating and stretching, which is perhaps the best use of 20 minutes I can think of.  Felt terrific and in tune. I made sure to lube up well with Vaseline to eliminate the possibility of chaffing during my run. I headed out the door in just a pair of shorts between 635-640am.

The sun was just making its way above the houses on the horizon. It was already ridiculously soupy. In fact, it was 81 degrees with 90% humidity. I was dripping with sweat from head to toe in a hurry.  I wasn't over heating though, just warm.

I ran the full 4.1 miles without any problems and was back at home toweling off by 719am. I made a spinach and cheese omelet that I enjoyed with a big glass of diluted OJ along with some assorted fruit. Breakfast was good. At 740am I headed upstairs to wake Mindy and shower. She asked that I make sure she was up at shower time. When I entered the room she was lying in bed awake. I sat her coffee on the night stand then headed in to shower.

The morning plan called for me to meet Mindy and the kids at the Fletcher cemetery in Springfield for her Aunt Teet's graveside funeral. Mindy left printed directions to the cemetery on my computer desk. I'd no sooner be getting settled in at work when I'd be turning around and heading out again at 930am.  But that's the way I wanted to handle it. That way, I figured,  my day would be much better managed.

I was ready to go perhaps even a few minutes ahead of schedule. Mindy asked if I cared to spend some time on the deck. Are you kidding? I shared how warm and soupy it was.  She had no idea.  I didn't want to work up a lather in my work/funeral attire. We enjoyed a little more coffee in the comforts of the AC before I said goodbye then headed off to work.

It was a pleasurable drive into the office. I was there by 825am. I had just an hour to get settled and then crank out a handful of to-do's before I'd need to leave again. I was very focused on what I wanted to accomplish, and did just that. Felt good about the few big rocks I tackled before turning my attention to Aunt Teet's funeral.  Before leaving for the funeral, I sent brother Tommy an email wishing him a happy 50th b-day. Around 920am, I set my out-of-office to read that I was away but available via blackberry if needed. I left at 928am.

I took I-270 south to I-70 west. Springfield is about 30 miles west of CMH. I exited 70 onto Rt 40, or the Buck Creek exit. The turn for the cemetery was quick, not even a half mile after the exit. I missed the turn onto Center St the first time and had to turn around. The directions were inaccurate after that. Said to turn right off Center St onto Plattsburg, but Plattsburg only went to the left. Trusting the directions I stayed true and remained on what I assumed was still Center St thinking I would find Plattsburg to the right up ahead (a jog). After making my way to the railroad tracks about two miles further, I decided I 'd better turn around and try making that left after all. Oh boy! By the way, the area was very rural.

I headed back to the north and took the left (now right) on Plattsburg. I took that for about 4 or 5 miles before I decided I'd better call Mindy to make sure she didn't get lost too. She answered quickly but shared that she was already at the cemetery. I didn't like her wording at all, which went something like this: "where you went wrong was when you made the left on Plattsburg. You were supposed to keep going straight". No, the directions clearly said to turn right on Plattsburg. There was no right turn. Well, as it turned out, I was going the right way after all. Center St turns into Plattsburg. I got straightened out and found the cemetery five minutes later about another mile past those railroad tracks I found earlier.

Fletcher Cemetery is rather small - quaint even.  Towards the very back, I spotted a gathering under a tent, the only gathering nearby. That had to be it. I then spotted the Pilot. Yep, that was it. I walked up with another group that had just arrived. I introduced myself to them.

Mindy quickly greeted me and then introduced me to her cousin Shelly, Aunt Teet's daughter, whom I've never met. She introduced me to Shelly's son, Dane too. I then greeted b-in-law Craig, the only other person I knew in attendance. Mindy shared how the others (Larry, Jodi, Gloria, Todd and Julie), who were all riding together, were lost too. She called them via cell to help guide them in. Turned out, they were further off course than I was. Her tone wasn't a very pleasant one while giving directions. In fact, many of those already gathered under the tent chuckled at her curt instructions.

Already 10 minutes behind schedule, Shelly declared it time to get started for the sake of those with time constraints. Made sense.  The eulogy and funeral was brief. The others pulled up just as the pastor was telling a closing story, "See ya in an hour". It goes without saying, it was painfully hot and sticky. Felt like a 100 degrees in the sunshine.

After the funeral, the plan was to make our way to Shelly's house and spend some time together before going our separate ways. Wasn't sure where that was, but Mindy said she thought she knew the way. I remembered Mindy saying their house was close to the cemetery. I checked out a few old tombstones before exiting the cemetery. Some dated back to the mid 1800s (births mid to late 1700s). Cool!

Mindy lead a pack of us back towards Rt 40 and then west again towards Buck Creek, where I've been before with the boat. In fact, got the only ticket I've ever received while boating there back in circa 1992 for making white water in a no-wake zone. Officer reminded me of John Candy. I let him know it too. :)

The drive to Shelly's house was a winding drive. I was certain that Mindy was lost, but she knew the way and got us there after about 15 minutes of driving on the back side of Buck Creek. I didn't realize it until we arrived that Shelly's house sits on her mom's property (Aunt Teet). Beautiful piece of land, too -a golf course right behind them, and lots of gorgeous shade trees overhead.

As we got comfortable at Shelly's, I learned that she and her late husband built the house themselves. They did a real nice job. Built halfway into the ground. We spent about an hour visiting and eating. Shelly's fiancée ordered pizza. We brought a veggie tray and drinks. I wasn't hungry. I nibbled on some veggies and fruit, but that's it.

I planned to be back at the office by 1pm and prepared to depart at 1230pm. Craig left just before me, returning to work too, I assumed. After saying goodbye, Mindy walked me to my car. We toured the yard she had such fond memories of as a child. Gloria came out too. Showed me a maple tree she and her late husband, Dick (Mindy's dad) transplanted from their flower bed to Teet's yard. The tree is massive and towering providing lots of shade over Teet's old house. I took a photo of Gloria standing near it.

I left my keys in Mindy's purse, which was still in the house. Mindy went back in to retrieve them for me. Once in my car I programmed my Droid's GPS to help navigate back to Hilliard. Much to my surprise, it suggested going north, or the opposite of the way we came in. I trusted it and headed north. Turned out being a good move. Not even a quarter mile up the road was rt 334 east which connected with Rt 4 north to rt 29 east through Mechanicsburg. I am very familiar with that drive having used it to get to Indian Springs golf course a handful of times.

It took quite a bit longer to get back to work than I expected. Didn't arrive at the office until 130pm, but the drive was efficient and largely carefree. Hardly saw another car. I quickly got settled in and started tackling the few issues that cropped up while I was gone. I didn't mention it earlier, but I helped drive a couple issues while at the funeral and followed up a couple times while at Shelly's. I was discrete.

Mindy phoned around 2pm to make sure I got back to work. She and the kids were just leaving. Planned to stop at Lake Choctaw to drop-off Tara and Doug's boat keys she's been toting around for two weeks. I stayed busy for the remainder of the afternoon closing out 4 or 5 lingering to-do list tasks. Glad I returned to work and got all that done.

I spent the last hour of the day making flight and lodging arrangements for a possible two week stint in NYC coming up in early August. I'm excited about the trip, although I'll be working an awful lot of hours. Looks like I'll be staying in midtown Manhattan at a really nice hotel that's close to central park, the theatre district and Rockefeller plaza.

Talked with my boss and a peer as the day wound down. Left the office for home at 540pm. Avoided an incoming call from Mindy as I pulled into the Hilliard-Cemetery Kroger lot to fetch her some roses. I just figured if she wasn't going to buy me some, I'd be tall and go ahead and get her some. I was rewarded with a sale. Two dozen for $10. Wow, now that's a great deal! Occurred to me that I hadn't stopped in Kroger for flowers in a long time.

Called Mindy on my drive home from Kroger. By then it was already 10 till 6pm. She shared a little more about her afternoon with Shelly and family and How her Aunt Teet's mom's maiden name was Wright - Mary L. Wright I do believe.  I guess Gloria insisted she's shared that with us numerous times past, but Mindy says not. Hmmm? Related? Anybody's guess. On the other hand Gloria has more than once insisted that she may very well be related to my ex Kelly's father, Al.

I shared details surrounding my NYC trip. Mindy's thinking of joining me for a weekend in Manhattan. We'll have to see. Could be fun, though I'll be working god awful hours.

At home I presented Mindy with the roses. She immediately prepped them in a large vase. Look nice. We discussed our evening plans which included a trip to Barley's, one in which the kids, especially Jacob, were stoked about. I relaxed for a little while before we left spending some time online checking email and reading about the NFL labor dispute that continues.

We left for Barley's around 650pm in the Accord, Bella's first such ride. Jacob's first ride was from the cemetery to Shelly's earlier that same day. We arrived to a fairly packed lot but there were still a few spaces available. I opted, instead, to protect the Accord best I could by parking in the wide open adjacent lot in an end space.

As usual, Mindy greeted her peeps who sit at the table just outside the main entrance door. I waved and said hello, but headed inside to the AC with Jacob. I bellied up to the sparsely populated bar where I was immediately greeted by Katy & April, who laughed and joked about last Friday's antics - the singing and all. April said it was too much fun. Seems only Mindy didn't think so. I ordered a yummy Belgian IPA and sat at the bar to finish it. Mindy and the kids grabbed the first bar area booth served by our friend Sarah.

Bella briefly  joined me at the bar and asked me to come to the table. I'd only been there maybe ten minutes talking with Steve Wonn, but not wanting to disappoint, I joined the family in the booth where we eventually enjoyed some food.

I ordered nothing specifically for myself. Instead, I ate some of the smothered fries Mindy ordered for everyone.  Jacob and Bella both ordered chicken tenders, though Jacob got the adult portion with gates of hell sauce on the side. Mindy ordered the smoked half chicken dinner - think it was the lower half -   with a side salad. :)  I knew early on that I wasn't going to be a party animal that particular Friday night. I was feeling sleepy after just one beer, though did find the energy to enjoy a 2nd Belgian IPA.

We didn't stay too late at all. Thinking we left for home by 830pm. I picked up the tab after Mindy picked up Thursday's. I drove us home, too. Had Mindy snap a photo of the sun setting over I-70 west. Gorgeous. Missed the best shot, however.

Wasn't up too long. Ended up falling asleep on the living room floor.  Mindy wasn't up much longer than me. I remember hearing her say she was heading to bed. At the time, both kids were in the family room watching TV. I joined Mindy in bed around 930pm. She was reading a magazine or book. I was right back asleep in no time. Good night Carmella. We'll se ya in an hour or so.