Earth Craters

I woke at what I thought was 530am. It actually turned out being only 520am. But by the time I discovered I was up early, I was already downstairs and wide awake. I’d use the early rise to my benefit. For starters, I’d take a more leisurely approach to my morning.

I glanced out back. It was raining … again. I just can’t believe how often it's raining at my rise time this year. Seems like half my mornings have been rainy ones. Nothing I could do about it, so I did my best to let it go and move on to things that were under my control, like exercise. I completed sit-ups and push-ups over the next 15 minutes. Sandwiched in between was a little internet surfing.

It was warmer than it’s been early morning’s of late – a balmy 63 degrees. The forecast promised brightening skies as the day progressed, though I wasn’t going to hold my breath. What’s more, the five and ten day outlook wasn’t pleasant at all, with more rain coming in by Friday and hanging around for 5 days. The only upside that I could see was that I’m on-call over the coming weekend anyway. If there’s ever a weekend to have less than desirable weather it would be that one.

Turned out, I spent all my extra time playing on the computer. Boy, how time flies. I headed to the familyroom where I did a little more than ten minutes of meditation. I delivered Mindy’s coffee at 615am.  Back downstairs I stretched and dressed for a run. It was 629am when I turned for the front door. I wore a long sleeved wicking shirt and long running pants. Skipped the fleece. It was wet and humid, and also trash day. I placed our can at the curb the night before even though it’s really Jacob’s job.

It rained lightly on & off throughout the duration of my run. Mood aside, it wasn’t much of an inconvenience at all. I ran the full 4.1 miles and drug our can back to its resting place before heading to the deck entrance for reentry. I waited patiently at the door for Mindy to reemerge from the basement. I stripped out of my wet running shirt and shoes right at the door. I was wet from a combination of rain and sweat. After toweling off I switched back to my sleeping t-shirt.

By then my eggs were ready. I was hungry and ate every last bite without even thinking about it. I felt for Eiknarf who counts on me leaving some for her. I fired the stove back up and fried one just for her. 

Mindy left for work at her usual time after reminding the kids to bus home to Noah’s. She had a planning meeting scheduled for after school with her peers. She also reminded Jacob to do his homework while there, too, since he had a soccer game that evening. I was downstairs just long enough to finish prepping my lunch. I was off to the shower by 733am.

Bella headed out a little early with ‘duck’ bread in tow. I wondered when she headed out if she might be going to pick-up Jacob’s pennies. Sure enough, she came back in a few minutes later with about 20 pennies she said she picked up from the side walk.

We headed out to the bus stop at 810am. I chose not to bring up the whole penny thing, but Chrissy brought it up to Jacob. My whole thing is, we need to be able to trust the neighbors’ kids in our house without worry. After the kids boarded the bus, Chrissy shared how excited she was to be starting her last quarter of college on Wednesday. That is a good feeling.

Eiknarf and I headed back home. By the way, the rain had stopped and it looked like the sky was trying to clear, but still no blue overhead. Eiknarf and I walked out front before heading back inside. Can’t recall if she went or not.

I made last minute preparations and left for work at 825am. It was the first time driving my Accord since last Thursday on our way to Barley’s. Arrived at work around 840am. Took a while to get situated (laptop fired up, lunch stowed, and ice water). By the time I was settled and organized, it was after 9am. I joined a 9am call ten minutes late. I received the invite while I was off. I only got to hear the last few minutes.

I talked to my boss but only very briefly. I congratulated him on the arrival of his grandchild. Don’t think it was his first. Noticed the sun shining a few times during the afternoon. I didn’t leave for lunch but did take time to eat at my desk and then catch up  on some writing.  I sent brother Glenn an email asking about his knee/MRI. Brought up winter skiing too.

Talked with Mindy around 330pm. Her after school planning meeting got canceled. She’d be home to intercept the kids after all. Said she called the school to let the kids know. Also said she planned on talking with Emily to get to the bottom of the penny ordeal. We agreed to meet at the soccer field near 6pm.

Mindy called me back sometime near 4pm. Said she talked with Emily and sorted out the penny ordeal. Apparently Makayla took all the pennies and once they were outside walking Eiknarf she put them all in Bella’s hood. They then took them out and tossed them about the sidewalk. Mindy called Chrissy back to give her the story too. Kids!

I left work a couple minutes after 530pm.  I wasn’t sure the best, fastest, most efficient  way to get to the Spindler Rd soccer fields. I eventually opted to take I-270 as if I were going home. The difference being a right versus a left at the Roberts Rd exit. That worked well. Took Roberts all the way to Spindler (about a ¼ miles east of Alton-Darby Rd.) where I headed south.

 

For a moment I thought I needed to go north, but realized my mistake when I discovered it doesn’t go north. I Parked one spot over from Mindy and Bella, who were already there and setting up their chairs. I could only laugh at the weather. It was actually warm and sunny when I left the office. But there was one lone big dark cloud in the sky and it was hovering over the soccer field making it feel much cooler. Wise to the Hilliard soccer fields, I asked Mindy to bring me my fleece jacket.

The sky was literally blue all around us and I could see the sun was shining nearby too, but just not on us. Bella said she felt a few rain drops. Aside from a few brief spurts of sunshine, that one cloud managed to hover overhead for the game's entirety (one hour). Perhaps the cloud was foreshadowing how Jacob’s team would play. They got outplayed yet again, losing 5-1. I almost dreaded face to face interaction with Jacob afterward. He’s never pleasant, and recently has been more than eager to cast blame on his team mates, a character flaw I totally disapprove of.  In fact, he and his team mates more than once were yelling at one another during the game. There’s no doubt that the caliber of players in this league is far superior to what he’s accustom to. They’re small but mighty!

If I know Jimaken, he’ll get them up to speed soon, but it might not be until next season (spring). This is Hilliard’s first year in this league.

Mindy asked if I had heard back from Lindsey while we were watching the soccer game. Up until then I hadn’t, but don’t you know that when I checked my droid I saw I had an email waiting from her. In it, she went on about needing our help with before and after school care for the kids as well as help with transportation to and from her new job. Oh boy!

Sure enough, Jacob moped over to us after the game. I did my level best to tune out the dialogue he was having with Mindy. Honestly, not sure what he was saying. Bella was riding with me. We’d already agreed to stop at Wendy's on our way home, a promise I made to her the night before when I picked her up at gymnastics. Mindy asked that I get Jacob a spicy chicken sandwich with lettuce and no mayo, fries too.

We stopped at the Wendy’s drive-thru at Hilliard-Rome and Trabue.  We had our order filled and were on our way in no time. Mindy and I would be eating leftovers. My mom called as soon as we pulled out of the Wendy’s. We chatted over Bluetooth handsfree the entire drive home. She talked mostly about her upcoming knee replacement surgery. Seems likely that she’ll do both too. I mean she’s got to keep up with dad. I purposefully kept dad’s latest surgical procedure a secret because next thing you know, she’ll be scheduling a face lift too.

Not in the best frame of mind, I gave her an earful when she shared that she’d likely skip the recommended rehab. I even accused her of making poor decisions much like daughter Lindsey. 

I handed the bag of Wendy’s to Bella while I finished my call with mom and then carried in my work gear. Immediately in the front door I nearly tripped over Jacob’s soccer cleats, which were left smack dab in the middle of the entry way on the rug. Damn it! For the last time, move your frikin’ shoes out of the door way.

I find the act dangerous, not to mention rude and offensive. His mother let him eat the Wendy’s I bought him before making him follow through with moving them. I was beside myself. It was all I could do to restrain my thoughts from going verbal. And it wasn’t just the shoes. He did the same thing with his soccer ball, dropping it once inside the door and leaving it rolling around on the tile floor. Yet another serious danger. It’s white just like the floor. Somebody’s gonna hurt themselves.

Mindy asked if I wanted her to prep me some leftovers. I declined. After blowing off some steam and waiting for the soccer shoes & ball to be picked up, I made myself a real chili dog.

Mindy had the kids get showers after they finished their dinner and homework. Like it often does, dinner sat heavy in my stomach. It made me incredibly sleepy, that along with a little History Channel, which incidentally was another show about significant asteroids that have impacted the Earth. I fell asleep in short order. Probably even before 845pm. I didn’t wake again until everyone else was already in bed. I’m not really sure the time but guessing it was close to 11pm. I know this, I had not trouble at all falling right back asleep.