Hermoine Granger, You'll Be a Woman Soon

I was up on time and woke feeling rested and rearing to go. I had to prep coffee after failing to do so the night before. I did that then started my exercise regimen. In between sit-ups and push-ups I always allow about 5-10 minutes to rest. In that span of time I checked headlines and the weather. It was already 73 degrees under clear skies. Expecting it to be hot later with highs in the low 90s. A slight chance of rain lingered, too. Looking ahead seven days, there wasn’t high below 93 and a low lower than 73. Can you say Sultry?

After push-ups I enjoyed some coffee again at the PC. I looked for any news about the NFL lockout ending but there was nothing new. I read the Daily OM then moved on to meditation and stretching. Both went well.

Somehow I managed to let time slip away. It was already after 635am by the time I slipped out the door for my run. It was incredibly humid and warm. I could feel the moisture in the early AM air. Soon I was dripping with head to toe with cool sweat. I ran the full 4.1 miles with no troubles. I passed the city trash truck in the cul-de-sac as last week. Both of us are creatures of habit, indeed.

Back home near 715am, I quickly but smoothly transitioned into food prep. Mindy was gracious enough to make me a salad the night before. I added some cut cheese, fruit, and a banana. That didn’t’ take long at all, and did so while the frying pan warmed. For breakfast I made an omelet. I was hoping to find spinach in the fridge but there was none, or at least I couldn’t find any.

Off to the shower by 735am. I delivered coffee to Mindy. She was asleep but woke when I walked in. After a shower she got up to join me for the few minutes I had before I needed to depart. We spent about ten minutes on the deck basking in the dappled morning sunshine. At the time, Mindy wasn’t sure what their entire day might entail. Originally, she planned to spend it with Wyoming friend Christa, who’s heading back home on Tuesday, but Christa let Mindy know that it wasn’t going to work out. Mindy did have plans to take Lindsey to a morning appointment downtown. While Lindsey was in the appointment, Mindy planned to take the boys and Bella to the new fountain park. She expected to be home by noon. I left for work at 810am.

I was looking forward to work and possibly completing my monthly reports. I compiled a to-do list to help keep myself on track. Had and have a lot of lingering to-dos. Bet even with the best laid plans, seems something always comes up that upsets the apple cart.  That was my Monday in a nut shell. For the first time in my new role, I was feeling completely inundated and overwhelmed.

Mindy sent a text with a photo mid-morning showing the boys and Bella in the fountain. Jacob wasn’t in the picture. She talked about allowing him to remain at home. I assumed that the case.

I took time to eat my packed lunch from my desk, but didn’t leave the office or take anytime just for myself. Because of that, I didn’t have an opportunity to release any work related frustration. Kept it with me all day long.

I ended up working fairly late too. Didn’t leave the office until almost 7pm. I talked with Mindy I’m thinking around 6pm t o tell her I’d be late. The one thing I noticed was that in that extra 1.5-2 hours, I was able to make some serious progress. No distractions!

Called Mindy via Bluetooth handsfree. Said she and the kids did some shopping. Jacob bought some new ear buds for his iTouch that has a mini-microphone which allows him to make VOIP phone calls as long as he’s attached to someone’s WIFI hot spot.

Mindy cubed most of Sunday’s leftover chicken breasts so we could make wraps. We had those and a salad. Mindy’s been busy with her weight watchers online, tracking her every point. I’ve noticed she drinking less soda pop (Fresca) and eating more healthy options like salad. She shared that a lot of veggies are zero points. If nothing else, weight watchers exposes one to portion control via simple awareness. 

I really needed to cut the lawn, but I had no energy or desire to head out in the heat, especially with a full belly after dinner. And besides, out of no where, a large storm cell was quickly moving our way from the north/northwest. On the radar there was lots of deep red, which always worries me. Think hail! They said as much too: “persons in the impacted areas should be on the lookout for large hail, strong winds and heavy torrential rains.” It got super windy and rained pretty hard, but thankfully, no hail. My new car was spared.  

I spent a little time online while Mindy and the kids settled in to watch a movie, the first Harry Potter movie. I joined them about five minutes in. I saw the first two in the series at the theatre. We watched the movie while it continued to rain outside. I hung in there as long as I could. I’d say about halfway through I grabbed one of the large pillows we stash behind the chair and tossed it on the floor where I could fully stretch out and sleep. I didn’t last long once down. I was out.

I slept while Mindy and the kids enjoyed the movie. I woke with plenty still to go and headed for bed. Mindy said she planned on pausing the movie until Tuesday at some point, but I think they ended up watching it all. Once in bed, I was quickly out. Good night Hermione Granger.