Pawpaw Pat

HaPpY 8tH bIrThDaY rOcKy!!!!

I woke sometime between 7-730am, brushed my teeth, then quietly slipped out of the bedroom and headed downstairs.  I started a pot of coffee then took a peek out back. The windows were once again completely covered with dew eliminating any kind of view of the weather.  I could tell that it was sunny, however.

After whipping out 55 sit-ups I checked the weather online. It was 76 degrees under mostly clear skies. Expecting the high once again to reach into the low 90s with high humidity and a chance of thunder storms. Just before the coffee finished brewing I completed 55 push-ups. I spent at least an hour enjoying coffee, writing in my blog, and playing around online.

Just after 9am I headed out back for a walk around the yard. It was quite lovely but incredibly humid. I had my camera along so I could photograph some summer blooms, but the humidity fogged over my lens rendering the camera temporarily useless. After spending ten minutes walking around the yard, I headed inside where I prepared and left for a run.

I ran the usual weekend route running a total of three miles. The sun was already heating things up and I was dripping in sweat head to toe by the time I made it back home. By then, it was somewhere close to 10am. I saw our bedroom door was opened so I guessed that Mindy was up and awake. She was out on the deck drinking coffee in the sunshine.

I poured some OJ then joined her. She commented that she didn’t feel all that great, and at the time wasn’t entirely sure she’d be going to yoga. However, as the morning progressed she decided to go. I didn’t have a whole lot planned but shared that I would likely spend some time in the flower beds pulling weeds and then fertilizing all our flowers with Miracle Grow. They’re all due for a shot.

Mindy reminded me that at some point we needed to shop for Rocky’s birthday present. Jimaken was set to pick-up the kids around noon,  and he called near 1045am to ask Mindy to make sure they packed swimming gear. Sounded like he was taking them to the Jazz & Rib Fest downtown along the Scioto Mile park. Offered to come get ‘em early too, but Mindy stomped on that. Kids weren’t fully up or ready.

Just before Mindy left for yoga, must of been around 1130am, I took Bella out to pick her first ripe cucumber. She was stoked. As soon as Mindy left I headed out to work in the front flower beds. Said she’d be back around 130pm. The kids, meanwhile, were still hanging out in their bedrooms. I was dripping with sweat as I pulled weeds and trimmed the dead flowers from the purple salvia.  Jimaken showed up to get the kids around noon. He had his pal Pez with him, and he had a young boy who I presumed his son in tow. They headed inside while I toiled in the yard.

They must’ve hung out inside for a good 20 minutes before reemerging with Jacob and Bella. Pez made some comment about heading inside before I’d melt. I shared how much I enjoyed the summery weather. One surely has to tire of hearing people complain of the heat. Lord, we know the same folks will be complaining about the cold and snow six months from now.

They were soon gone. After they departed I worked my way around back where I cut the dead flowers from the geranium baskets hanging on the deck before hitting all the deck pots and baskets with Miracle Grow. It was already 1pm when I headed inside to appreciate the AC.

I could just as easily have cut the lawn, but I didn’t have the energy to spend two more hours out in the hot humid sunshine. Instead, I played on the internet, updating my blog and uploading pictures from the past couple weeks. Mindy was home around 130pm. She talked with Chrissy about combining Rocky’s & Jake's birthday celebration on Sunday. We did the same thing last summer.

Mindy kept after me about going shopping for Rocky’s b-day gift. She showered around 3pm, and me about a half hour later. We had a couple ideas of what we might get him, but at the same time had some concerns with each. In fact, when we left for the Hilliard-Rome Rd Target we still weren’t entirely sure what we’d get him.

We drove the Accord and parked far away from everyone else. Looks like they’re finally widening

Hilliard-Rome Rd

around Target, Wal-Mart and Meijer, a project that’s 10 years overdue. At least it's getting done. In Target, we picked out a couple birthday cards first, then head around the perimeter of the store. We picked up some of Rocky’s favorite snacks and drink to put in his gift bag (mini-muffins and a twelve pack of orange soda). I guess you could say I’ve been influenced by my Grandma Wright’s b-day antics. She used to do that for us, though on a smaller scale.

As we passed the seasonal department currently outfitted for back-to-school, Mindy turned overtly away not wanting to even begin to consider summer’s demise and her imminent return to work. Too funny! As she moved on I peeled off into the car supplies aisle wanting to pick-up a new shami as well as a folding shade for my windshield. I ended up getting two, one for the Accord and one for the Pilot. I also picked up a micro- fiber carwash mit.

 I met Mindy in the toys/movie department. By then we had a number of items in our cart. Still not entirely sure what to get Rocky, Mindy suggested a Nintendo DS, something we know he really likes, but worry about it getting lost ,stolen, or even worse, traded away. While looking over the electronic games options, we noticed an employee removing items from our cart around the corner. I went to ask what she was doing. She embarrassingly shared that she thought it was a cart full of departmental returns.

We opted to get Rocky the DS along with a Mario DS game cartridge and a real nice carrying case. Combined, all those items were nearly $140. I paid for the game system and accessories in the electronics department. We looked at a few other items as we made our way around the rest of the store, but miraculously we didn’t buy anything else. Mindy paid for the rest of the carts contents.

At the car, Mindy asked where to next. Home, I shared. On the drive home, Mindy called Pat Shultz to see what their plans were for dinner and then after. We missed them Friday night after both of us fell asleep so early. They were swimming at sister-in-law Lori’s. Invited us over. We declined, but discussed meeting up some time after dinner, their place or possibly ours.

At home, we carried everything inside and then I headed out to try the new windshield shade in the Accord. Couldn’t get it to work/fit. Tried three or four times. I gave up in frustration. Headed inside where I looked over the wrapper and learned that we needed a bigger size for both the Accord and Pilot. We’d have to take both back. Mindy said she’d do that another time.

I spent a little more time updating my blog through Thursday. I think that Mindy walked down and talked with Chrissy again. When she got back we nailed down our dinner plans. Decided we’d visit and eat at the bar at the Columbus Fish Market. I offered the Buckeye Hall of Fame Café as an alternative. She liked the sound of the Fish Market.

I’m thinking we left for the Fish Market around 630pm. Got there cutting across

5^th avenue

through Grandview. I dropped Mindy at the door and went to park. Ran into a co-worker who was just leaving when I pulled in to park. Met his wife and talked for a minute or two. Headed inside where Mindy was already sitting at the bar. Matt was our bartender/server, though our friend Janie was there too, but just going off shift.

I made some small talk with Janie asking how her love life was going with the new boyfriend she went on about last time we were in (I think it was around Memorial Day weekend). She shared that she was ending it tomorrow. Said something about him being too narcissistic and how she’s almost 30 and needs to find the right guy fast.  Too bad. She did nothing but gush about the guy last time. Relationships are so fragile. And while her shift was over, she stuck around and bellied up at the bar next to a threesome of men. If you asked me it was an unbecoming move – desperate looking even.

Matt was very attentive. Served me a CBC IPA. In their Hop Odyssey tower they had the CBC Summer Teeth offering, which is not a fave of mine. We settled on a couple appetizers, barbequed bacon wrapped shrimp and then some muscles. Thought we might share a dinner entrée later, too.

The shrimp and muscles were quite good. Mindy suggested we deshell all the muscles first, and then eat them like soup. Good call. Worked out well. The bar filled up fast. Soon there was standing room only. We made conversation with the guy and two girls next to us. He was a chiropractor from Pittsburgh in town for a convention. The two young woman were assistants of his. We talked with them through the rest of our visit and dinner. Nice folks.

We eventually decided to follow through on the entrée and went with the special shrimp and scallops. They brought us the salad split into two portions (nice). Our main entrée didn’t arrive even after about 30 minutes of waiting. Finally, Mindy asked Matt about it. He was ashamed and shared that they’d be comping our entrée. The manager brought it 5 minutes later and apologized again. It was good, but not out-of-this-world good like some of their dishes.

All totaled, I drank three CBC IPAs with dinner. Mindy had one or two glasses of wine. She agreed to get the check. After deducting our entrée, it was only $38 before tip. Great value!

Mindy drove us home. It was dark when we arrived. Mindy asked if we should call Pat & Lisa. I suggested we simply walk over. I could see their deck mood lighting from our yard. That meant they were up. She agreed. She poured a glass of wine and I grabbed a few refrigerated beers and walked over taking Eiknarf along too.

Turns out, Lisa was just getting ready to head up to bed when Pat spotted us walking across the yard. He called for her to return and join us. She did. Good thing. Every time we visit seems Lisa is in bed. We joked that she hurries off when she sees us coming. Their youngest, Alaina joined us too.

As we often do, we made political small talk. Among other things, Pat shared his perspective on the budget crisis. I asked who he wanted to be our next president. Can’t recall his/her name now. But think it’s a congressman from Wisconsin - republican of course.

We hung out for a couple hours. Asked Lisa about her new job. Seems to like it a lot. Pat & Lisa eventually shared that they’re going to be grandparents. That’s great news! Asked how Jake’s liking his new gig at Time Warner. Lovin' it.

We hung out until after midnight. Mindy was yawning and suggested it time for us to leave. Lisa was tired too. We walked home this time taking the sidewalk versus cutting through the yards. We headed straight to bed. Good night moon.