End of Summer ... sorta

I overslept by roughly 15 minutes after waking initially at 507am thinking I’d sleep perhaps another 20 minutes. That meant I’d have to alter my routine ever so slightly to help get back on track.

I gazed skyward while slipping into my old black exercise tennies. I could see a few stars but it wasn’t nearly as clear as it was on Tuesday morning. I headed to the livingroom where I whipped out sit-ups then jumped on the PC just long enough to check the current weather. It was 66 degrees under mostly clear skies.

I headed to the familyroom next where I did 55 push-ups. Felt good. It was already after 6am. I poured two cups of coffee, one for me and one for Mindy. I went ahead and delivered hers right then. She asked that I close the bedroom window and turn off the ceiling fan. Yes dear.

Back downstairs I spent a little more time on the PC, or until 615am when I moved on to meditation and a stretch. Both of those took me just past 630am. I was dressed for my run still ahead of 640am. I decided to go with a short sleeved wicking shirt given the much warmer temps (ten degrees warmer than Tuesday).

I stretched my hammies from the stoop then dashed off on my 4.1 mile morning run. I felt great and full of energy from the outset. I ran hard and finished strong. No struggle whatsoever. I was back at home near 715am. Jacob was out front of Chrissy’s house just finishing up a walk with Eiknarf. I took the leash so he could dispose of her waste and heads inside. He went in the back, me in the front. As I entered the house I asked who left Eiknarf wandering around out front. My joke fell on deaf ears. Mindy was upstairs.

Mindy was back downstairs putting the finishing touches on breakfast. Soon I had two farm fresh chicken eggs cooked over easy resting in front of me with half a dry English muffin. Just the way I ordered it. Bella was having a toasted bagel but complained about it being burnt. It really wasn’t. Instead, it was just brown from the toaster. She was making a mess picking off the toasted part.  I showed her how to use a butter knife to scrape away the toasty part.

Mindy soon departed for school leaving me and the kids behind to finish our own prep. She reminded me about Jacob’s school open scheduled for 6pm. Wondered if I planned to make it. Left it open-ended since I’d be commuting home from the New Albany area in rush hour traffic.

Off to the shower soon after 730am. Found myself back downstairs around 750am. Made double sure I packed the  power cord and mouse for my laptop this time, though I finally got the replacement battery I needed, so I wouldn’t be SOL without it like last time had I somehow forgotten again. The kids and I headed out around 810am. Met up with Mike O, who was out walking with his two puppies, Chester & Shamrock. They love playing with the pugs, and the pugs seem to like them too. Chrissy and the girls were out a few minutes later. Mike hung out at the bus stop with us until the bus arrived.

Eiknarf and I headed home in a jiffy. I gave her a chance to relieve herself again, but she didn’t take advantage.

I finished my cup of coffee then left for work. After taking I-670 across town the last time, I learned my lesson. I took I-270 all the way around this time. It might be a few more miles but it goes so much faster. Didn’t have any back-ups and only a brief slow down right at I-71 but the passing lane maintained near normal speed. I was there by 855am.

Hadn’t been there since Aug 3, a full 4 weeks. I greeted my peeps as I made my way to my once-a-week digs. Had my phone working this time. My space is about as bare bones as it could possibly be, but I don’t mind. I suppose I could and might ask for some storage shelves later. We’ll see. A couple folks stopped by joking about my extended absence. I took my packed lunch to the fridge, this time remaining totally in the moment so not to forget where it is.

One of the managers stopped by to let me know that they canceled the 10am call, the thinking being that we’d simply combine it with my 1pm presentation. That made total sense to me. I spent the entire morning working ongoing matters. 1pm came around fast. I headed to the conference room to set up a few minutes early. I was joined by the actual account manager, who also works onsite, but in a different building. Several others, including my boss, joined remotely via conference bridge. The presentation went perhaps even better than I expected. We finished in just over 30 minutes.

Headed back to my cube before 2pm. I tinkered with leaving for lunch but in the end decided to not. Instead, I caught up on more work and went after my packed food. The afternoon went fast. No one brought me any urgent-emergency type stuff.

I packed for home just before 5pm hoping to get a little jump on the traffic. I talked with Mindy as soon as I got on I-270. She was home and prepping to head to Jacob's open house. Planned to leave the house at 530pm, which was about the same time that I expected to arrive home. Traffic around 270 was heavy but not in a snarl, at least until I got around to north Hilliard.

Thankfully though, it loosened up just south of Hilliard Cemetery Rd. Mindy called just as I was turning onto Wilson off Roberts. We passed a few seconds later. It was 530pm on the nose and they were on their way to the open house. Looked like I'd have some alone time. Yippie!

Immediately in the door I looked for my new running shoes, hoping they might've arrived and that Mindy just forgot to tell me. No such joy. I took care of my chores and prepped Thursday's coffee. After about ten minutes I headed to my PC to check email. What's this? There in my computer chair was a box from Finish Line. My new running shoes did arrive after all! Yeah!

I opened the box and verified they were the correct model and size. I slipped them on loosely (untied). They felt good and looked good - black and vibrant green. I wore them around the house while I puttered. I finally got around to sorting my bill pile. Haven't done so, at least completely, for about three months. It really doesn't take that long at all, and most I find can be pitched. Lots of credit related junk mail. Felt somewhat cleansed once done. I'm sure you can relate.

Now full of energy (funny how that works), I headed out to water the strip of grass between the walk and street as wells as the flowers around back. I was expecting Mindy home anytime. After watering all the flowers I walked around to visit my tomato plants. I wasn't quite prepared for what I found. Instead of 5 healthy plants full of promising green maters, most of the plants had been ravaged either by man or beast. And on closer inspection most of the plant stalks were broken off about a foot above ground. The plants now withering without roots or water. I was pissed! The break looked almost too clean to be by beast, almost as if done my man's hand. But who would be so mean? That set me in a funk for the rest of the evening.

I spent the rest of my alone time updating my blog and adding pictures. Mindy called at some point to let me know they were done with the open house and planning a stop for fast food. She offered to bring me some.  I refused the kind gesture having a greater yes burning inside. I'm guessing she and the kids got home around 730pm. They quickly settled in at the kitchen table eating their fast food.  I actually ate the lone leftover chicken enchilada a bit earlier.  

The rest of the evening was pretty much a blur. We chatted some and then tuned the TV to the Discovery Channel, though I can't recall what we watched. Mindy and the kids were in bed by 930pm. I was just a little bit later. Good night new shoes!