@ the Funny Farm

Our power went out sometime after heading to bed. Not sure why or exactly when. However, I do know that all four of us were up around 2am. Both kids were in our room sleeping on the floor. I’m still not sure why. It’s not like there was a storm. Mindy ushered the kids back to their rooms while I reset my bedroom clock. I took that opportunity to set it back to 2 hours and 7 minutes fast. I fell back asleep easily.

I was up for good at 525am after another fairly restful night of sleep. Like most work mornings, I could’ve slept longer, but at the same time knew I needed to get up and after it. I was downstairs even before 530am. There was bright moonlight shining onto the deck from the west. Looked gorgeous.

I started coffee then gathered up my exercise shoes. I whipped out 55 sit-ups in a hurry. I was eager to see the final score of the Cowboys/Jets game. I expected to find that the Cowboys ran away with it. That wasn’t the case. Instead, the Jets pulled out a win in the waning moments of the 4^th quarter. Hmm?

It wasn’t long before I had 55 push-ups out of the way and was back seated in front of my PC with a hot cup of coffee. I read more of the painful details surrounding the Vikings defeat as well as the box scores to a few other key games. I walked away from my morning entertainment at 555am and moved on to meditation.

At 610am I was just about to head upstairs to wake Mindy when I suddenly remembered that she wasn’t going to school. Instead, she was taking Bella to see a pediatric ophthalmologist, an appointment that’s been scheduled for many months now.  I remember Mindy saying she was going to sleep in until 7am when she needed to wake Jacob, who wasn’t too thrilled to learn that Bella wouldn’t be going to school.

Instead of waking Mindy, I moved directly to stretching. And then after finishing that, I dressed and left for a run. It was only 59 degrees so I chose to wear a winter weight wicking shirt along with long running pants. Again, I could’ve done without the mock part but there wasn’t much I could do about that. I needed the overall thickness the winter weight provides. The good news was that the day’s high was expected to be summery and in the mid 80’s. Hasn’t been that warm since Saturday the 3^rd when it reached 96.

I ran 4.1 miles like most other work days, the first couple miles under the shroud of darkness. The run went well and went by in a hurry. Felt good. My mind was occupied with the planning of many home projects. Finished strong. I took a few minutes to shami off the Honda again, now for the third time since I washed it near noon the day before.

Mindy was already up and in the kitchen at her PC. I asked if I needed to make my own breakfast. Nope. Mindy had it waiting in the microwave. Just didn’t want any surprises. Mindy was having a hard time getting Jacob up, again angry that Bella was getting a ‘day off’. He eventually came down and took Eiknarf out for a walk.

I finished my eggs and then headed up for a shower. Bella came into the masterbath mid-shower calling out to me. Said she was hearing strange noises in her room and wanted me to check it out. Sure dear, but after my shower. J I think she was dreaming.

Was back downstairs around 750am. Both kids were in the kitchen and Jacob still giving Bella grief for not going to school. I asked Jacob if he realized that they put needles in your eyes to do a full eye exams, knowing full well that Bella was within earshot. Bella quickly chimed in that she knew better.

Jacob and I headed out to the bus stop at 810am. We met Chrissy and the girls there. The girls were concerned with Bella’s whereabouts but then quickly remembered even before I could explain. The bus arrived at 815am. I headed back home with Eiknarf.

I told Mindy that I planned to stop and visit my dad at lunch. She then handed me a card that the kids had for him celebrating Grand Parents Day. They slipped a mini Snicker bar inside the envelope too. Mindy planned to give me a call if Honda called with the Pilot part in. Just before I headed out the door, Mindy and I chatted about Lindsey. Both of us were frustrated with the conversations we had with her yesterday afternoon. We’re lost about the best way to help open up her eyes and foster the real change she says she wants to make. Time slipping away fast, I left for work in the Accord at 830am.

Arrived at the office around 845am and quickly moved to get myself situated. Not only did I have to get logged on, but also had to stow my lunch and fetch fresh ice water. It was 9am before I was digging into the day.

I talked with my boss early on after he popped his head in my office to ask a technical question. Among other things, I asked about vacation time approvals. He asked that I simply send him an email with the dates and the name of my planned back-up. I went ahead and sent dates for all my remaining 2011 vacation and personal days (total of 13 days). Included amongst them was taking off this coming Friday and the following Monday. After checking and seeing a lovely weather forecast (mid 70’s and sunny), I was hopeful of getting the deck stained. Of course with a 4-day weekend, I hope to get in some golf too. Wahoo!

I planned to take lunch and go visit dad. But before that I had to join a 1pm call first. The call lasted all of 25 minutes. I left for Arlington Ct at 130pm. It was a lovely afternoon, but probably more clouds overhead than I expected. Still, it was nice. I wasn’t sure of the exact location but knew that Mindy had the address. I phoned her right away.

Turned out, Mindy, Bella and her mom were just sitting down for lunch at Bob Evans. Mindy said she’d text me the address and number shortly.  I remembered her saying it was on Old Henderson Rd. I headed that way figuring I might find it on my own. It doesn’t take that long to get there – about ten minutes. Once I turned onto Old Henderson Rd I spotted an Ohio Health Rehab center. I was sure that was it. But as I parked and walked up it occurred to me that this didn’t look like a facility that hosted guests overnight. I entered anyway and immediately went to the reception desk asking for help finding dad.

She asked what he was there for. I told her physical rehab after a knee replacement. We both laughed. She then asked for a name when another nurse asked if I might be looking for Arlington Ct. Yes! That’s the name of it. She said it was right around the corner. OK.

I found it easily from there, though it didn’t look like a rehab center at all. Looked more like a retirement community. I headed inside where I was quickly greeted by a receptionist. And after giving dad’s name, ‘dad’, she promptly shared that there were many dads there and would need more detail. Of course, how silly of me. OK, that didn’t really happen. J She happily gave me his room number along with instructions on how to get back there.

I arrived at his room but no one was home. I knew I was in the right place because his name tag was on the door. A nurse stopped by to tell me he was most likely in physical therapy just down the hall, and that it was more than fine for me to head down there to see him. I set his Grand Parents Day card on the night stand and then head to the physical therapy room.

Sure enough, there he was bouncing/passing a large rubber ball with another older gentleman. Rather than a couple older men recouping from knee surgery, what I envisioned were two old guys that lost their minds simply passing time by bouncing a ball back and forth. Reminded me much of the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Alright boys let's play ball nicely.  

Without being noticed, I walked up and introduced myself into their seemingly silly little game, asking them to pass it to me. The other gentleman willing did without batting an eye. It took dad a second or two to figure out it was me. He later admitted that the oxycodone was kicking his ass.

After playing bouncy ball, the nurse had dad walk across the room, then down the hall, with only the use of a cane. He did really well. I fixed my focus on the characteristics of his legs from behind, noticing a big difference from the left to the right. His left, the one with the knee replacement, is now much straighter whereas the right bows out a little.

His walk took him back to his room, which has a view out to a very lovely courtyard and fountain. We chatted for about 15-20 minutes, me telling dad all about our latest Honda Pilot dilemma.

I begged out around 215pm. Told him I might be back again on Wednesday if he's still there. But thinking more clearly, I'd be working out east that day. I was just a 1/2 mile from Aspen Ski & Board. It didn't make sense to be that close and not stop, especially since we plan to do the trade-in thing for both kids this season. The early bird gets the worm. I headed that way realizing that all I could do is ask and look. Need to have the kids in tow for sizing purposes.

I was the only customer in the store. The girl at the desk referred me to a manager who came out and greeted me then showed me the new boys and girls trade-in packages. Said we'd get $100 back for each set regardless of whether they stay with skis or move to boards. The difference, of course, being the price of the new package. Board packages are about $60-$80 more. Certainly not ridiculous.

I walked around checking out their new skis and jackets too. Nice, but pricey. Saw a jacket I liked but it was $600. Uhhhh, NO! Back to the office. Much like Sunday, when I picked up Lindsey, there was one dark gray cloud overhead. Otherwise, the sky was generally sunny. As soon as I walked out of ASBCO, big rain drops began to fall. And by the time I was back on Henderson Rd, it was a mini downpour. Inconceivable! I could only laugh at my predicament. I know one thing for sure,. I won't be hurrying home to shami off the Accord, at least not this week. Screw it!

I was back at the office by 3pm. Seemed late, but I was gone for only 90 minutes. I ate my packed lunch while working. Mindy called mid-afternoon to let me know the results of Bella's eye exam. One, she doesn't need glasses, at least not yet. However, the doctor  predicted she would by the time she's ten. Not entirely sure how that works. In fact, I can't see it :) She also shared that her mom agreed to take her home from Hugh White Honda after dropping the Pilot to get the new bearing installed. They called to let her know the part was in. Thought they might even get it back to us later that evening.

If it was, I'd take her after it when I got home from work.

Left the office for home around 535pm. Called Mindy once I was on the road. She offered an option for good or bad news first. Bad! The bad news was that in replacing the bearing they discovered that the shaft that the bearing attaches to was stripped. Said they could rig it up but wanted to replace it too. Unfortunately, they'd need to order it and it wouldn't be in until Tuesday around noon. They'd have to keep it over night. Jason agreed to give Mindy another free oil change, probably the 4th or 5th freebie they've given us over the past couple years. The good news was that it was covered under warranty too. Duh!

Mindy was grilling pork chops for dinner. I let her go so she continue on making my supper. Got home around 6pm. Bella met me out front walking Eiknarf. We walked in together. Mindy was putting the finishing touches on dinner. At some point Mindy asked which if any part of getting Bella to gymnastics I wanted to do. I gave her the choice.  She chose me dropping her off.

Mindy went on and on about how well the pork chops turned  out. She must've sampled them before we sat for dinner. She was right. They were incredibly juicy and flavorful. Along with the chops, we had green peas and garden salads. Jacob was the lone abstainer, having grilled chicken breast in lieu of pork. Bella said it was the best ever, too.

All the kids headed out back for an airsoft battle after dinner. Mindy warned Bella that she wouldn't have too much time before we'd need to leave for gymnastics. Kind of funny watching the girls run around out back with their eye goggles on and toting rifles.

I whistled for Bella around 645pm. We needed to leave by 650pm. She was already in the proper garb. We took the Accord, of course, the Pilot still at the dealership. Arrived a few minutes early. Bella asked if I could be the one to come after her at 815pm. That wasn't the agreement that Mindy and I had and I didn't want to mislead. I left it up in the air.

Back at home, Mindy and I sat in the livingroom chatting. I eventually took up refuge on the floor with my legs resting on the cushion of the non-reclining Queen Anne chair. Mindy was sitting in the recliner. That felt good on my back. I closed my eyes while we chatted and eventually fell asleep. Next thing I knew, I woke and Mindy was gone, presumably after Bella. I headed to the family room feeling wide awake. I had a piece of the variety cheese cake Mindy bought for my birthday celebration. I believe the slice I had was caramel.

I tuned the TV to the early MNF game already in progress. With just about 7 minutes left in the first half, the Patriots lead the Dolphins 14-7. Mindy and Bella were home a few minutes later. Mindy had both kids get showers while she and I watched football. She and the kids headed off to bed just a little after 9pm. Mindy said she slept poorly the night before and needed a really good night of sleep. I figured to stay up until 10pm or so. I tucked the kids into bed then headed back downstairs. I took a couple more moon photos, this time experimenting around with both aperture and f-stop settings.

I watched the game well into the 4th quarter. When I gave up and headed to bed he Patriots had a commanding 31-17 lead with roughly 10 minutes to go. Good night moon!