Fryin' Pan for BABIES!

I was up right on time after another sound night of sleep. Yet despite the good sleep, I really wanted more pillow time. However, that wasn't in the cards. I got up anyway. It was rather chilly in the bedroom after sleeping with the window opened. I brushed my teeth then headed downstairs.

I glanced out back marveling at the clear, star-filled sky. It was as clear as I’ve seen it in recent memory. In fact, after whipping out sit-ups and push-ups I took a few minutes to head out on the deck with my mini-binoculars in hand. I gaze skyward, but struggled to get focused on the stars I was most interested in. I gave up after a couple minutes. Viewing with the naked eye was just as enjoyable.

With coffee in hand, I made my way to the PC where I checked the weather forecast. At the time, it was only 57 degrees with the promise of sunny skies and a high of 84 degrees predicted for the afternoon. Nice! And then it's supposed to get really warm by the work week’s end though – well into the 90’s, in fact. My thoughts immediately turned to Mindy and how she'll absolute hate hearing about that given her un-air conditioned classroom. . Looking ahead to next week, there's typical September weather on its way, and just in time for my birthday week - mid 70’s and sunshine. Very nice!

Come 6am I pulled myself away from the PC and delivered Mindy’s coffee. She asked me to close the open bedroom window. Afterwards, I headed to the family room for meditation and stretching. Finished up by 625am, and quickly dressed for a run. After the morning run the day before, it was an easy decision to wear a long sleeved running shirt today. Felt a bit awkward and restrictive at first but comfortable once outdoors.

I ran the full 4.1 miles without a problem. The sky was gorgeous through sunrise. Before heading back in the house after my run, I took a few minutes to water the grass between the sidewalk and street, especially where WOW dug up my yard to splice their damaged cable. The irrigation system would kick on around 845am, but that area needs a little more TLC right now.

When turning off the hose I noticed that the basement light was on thanks to the nearby  window. Inside I asked Mindy if someone was down there. Yes, it was her. She was getting some meat from the freezer for the crock-pot. Just making sure. My eggs, meanwhile, were already done. Mindy used the tiny new egg pan she bought over the weekend. She was busy prepping boneless chicken breasts for the crock-pot that would eventually become enchiladas.

Learned that Bella was grounded from screens once again for leaving her TV on all night. This is a pet peeve of Mindy’s, and something that Bella does frequently even though she knows she's not allowed to watch TV past a certain hour. Bella tried denying any knowledge of how her TV got on. Mindy wasn’t buying it. She gave no clue as to how long she’d be grounded. Bella was not happy.

Mindy left for school near 730am. I reheated some of the scrambled eggs I had stashed in the fridge for Eiknarf. She must’ve smelt them as she was crying for them. Off to the shower a few minutes later.

After a shave and a shower, I was dressed and downstairs by 750am. I played around online, tidied up the kitchen, and started the dishwasher before heading out with the kids. The time went fast. Headed out the door at 810am. Met Chrissy and the girls at the bus stop. One of her girls forgot something again and had to run back in the house. Chrissy asked Ms Vanorder to wait. She did so willingly.

Eiknarf and I walked back home, her sniffing around but not taking care of any further business. The house all in order, I was off to my ortho appointment by 822am.

It’s a quick drive up and around I-270 to Dr Monfort’s Dublin office. I arrived a couple minutes early at 838am. Janice saw me come in and called me back right away, Cool!

Dr Monfort was busy with a vendor who sounded as though he was giving him an estimate for some office remodel work. Janice got my new removable retainer ready for the fitting. Dr Monfort was over a minute or two later. I’ll bet I wasn’t’ in the chair more than 4 or 5 minutes. That’s it. I was done. Left with the retainer in. Have a good day!

I arrived at work by 855a and was settled in a few minutes later. While down on the fifth floor filling my pitcher with ice and water, I stopped by my old digs to say hello to my peeps. We talked for about 30 minutes. One of my former directs was excited to share that he’s taken a transfer to Florida – something he’s aspired to do for several months running. I only encouraged him when he reported to me.

Headed back to my office around 945am.The work day ended up going by pretty fast, especially considering that I didn’t bother taking a formal lunch break. I had nothing I wanted or needed to do. However, I did do a little personal writing sandwiched in between several work related tasks. My main goal for the day was to have my customer facing report in a powerpoint presentation ready for Wednesday. I’d be working from their site on Wednesday.

I left the office for the day around 520pm. Thought I might get home a few minutes early. For one reason or another, I kept thinking that it was Wednesday. Long week after just two days. On my way to my car I ran into an old friend and co-worker. We chatted in the parking lot for quite a while – maybe 15 minutes. I called Mindy once I was on the road.

She sounded as if she was in a far better place than she was the evening before. Said she was busy prepping dinner – chicken enchiladas. That sounded awfully good. We chatted only briefly. I arrived home just after 6pm. Jacob was off to soccer practice with his daddy. It was just the three of us for dinner. It was on the table a few minutes after I got myself settled.

Unless I’m mistaken, this was Mindy’s third go round making chicken enchiladas. And this batch was by far the best – super tender, moist and flavorful. She made Mexican rice too. I liked it as well. I ended up eating 1-1/3 enchiladas.  I managed clean-up and coffee prep while Mindy prepared Wednesday lunches. Mindy said something about helping Bella learn to ride her bike (still doesn’t know how). Also suggested calling my dad to come over to teach her. I begged off for a brief nap. I laid in the recliner eager for some sleep.

At one point I was lying there wondering if I could really fall asleep. The next minute I was waking up feeling totally refreshed. Couldn’t have been more than 10-15 minutes. Mindy came inside to let me know that she and my dad were outside with Bella. Said my dad just pulled up. I headed out telling my dad I lost the bet. I didn’t think he would come over.

Dad was busy guiding/helping Bella essentially with the same technique he used successfully with Jacob. Basically has her completely ignore the pedals and instead focus on learning to coast down the gradual hill in front of our house. All this effort to hopefully establish a sense of balance. As athletic as Bella is, and with a good sense of balance, I was surprised at how difficult learning to ride a bike has been for her. She gave up after taking a couple small spills in the grass. At one point she started crying and even tossed her helmet in disgust. She headed inside. Dad seemed to feel that she was right there – close to getting it. I wasn‘t so sure having experienced a similar result with her last summer.

Mindy asked dad if he’d eaten dinner, and talked him into coming inside and having some of her chicken enchiladas. He accepted and really liked them. Jacob got home soon after we headed inside. He was hungry too, after two hours of soccer practice.

I split my time between editing my blog and talking with the family. At some point Mindy shared Jacob’s journal entry where he had to write about himself. It was surprisingly well written, complete and creative thoughts. However, he totally dissed his sister Bella by writing that the day she was adopted was the worst day of his life. I wasn’t the slightest bit amused - angry even.

Dad left for home around 830pm. May not see him again before his knee surgery scheduled for the Tuesday after Labor Day. Mindy had the kids get showers over the course of the next half hour while I finished editing my last four blog entries. I was tired and didn’t’ bother publishing any of them. Maybe Wednesday.

I headed to the sofa just after 9pm, and then at Mindy’s prompting, tuned to the third episode of Rising on the Discovery Channel, the program that we DVR’d Sunday night. Despite saying that she was completely exhausted, Mindy watched most of it with me. Jacob headed to bed right after his shower, and according to Mindy was already sound asleep. Bella was another story, up in her bed but wide awake. J She sought my tuck in mid-program. I obliged her request. It’s important to her. 

Mindy headed to bed ahead of me, or around 955pm. I stayed up until the end of the program, which concluded around 1010pm. I was tired and headed up to bed after securing the home. Good night moon.