It's Fun to Stay at the YWCA

I woke for good at 745am but was sure that I had slept past 9am. Once I saw that it was still before 8am my spirits were lifted. Before I could slip out of the room, Mindy asked that I bring her coffee.

I treated it much like a work morning starting some coffee then jumping headlong into calisthenics. It was another cool gray start to the day, but this time only 57 degrees and a bit breezy.  About 45 minutes later, after exercise and coffee, I took Mindy a cup and sat it on her night stand. She thanked me but then went right back to sleep.

Like I often do on weekends, I didn’t prepare and leave for a run until almost 930am. I wore long running and a long sleeved wicking shirt, the first such time in long running pants since probably early May. That worked out well. Remained comfortable throughout. For some reason, though, my calves were stiff, something that rarely happens. Hadn’t consumed enough water over the 3 day weekend, I guess. Not wanting to risk injury, I cut my run to just 3 miles like most other weekend days. About the 2.5 miles mark the stiffness abated. I really should’ve done 4 miles but didn’t worry about it either

Mindy was up when I got back this time. She asked how my chilly run went. Fine, dear. Bella was up too. We were both surprised with that. Figured she’d sleep till noon. Instead, it was Jacob who slept in. By then, Lindsey had left a couple messages, one early on around 830am letting me know that she and the boys planned on taking the COTA bus from the Y to our neck of the woods and expected to be there at noon. Called back later to see if I got the message. Yes.

I would need to pick her and the boys up at noon near Ashley’s place in Westgate. I took a shower and left around 1140am in the Pilot. Arrived about ten minutes early. Experimented around with my small camera using the both the aperture and shutter speed priority settings. Just as Lindsey shared, the bus pulled up right at noon. Must have these bus schedules down to a science. Observing from across the street, I was surprised that Lindsey got off first leaving both boys behind to fend for themselves. In fact, Landon was so far behind, I assumed she left him elsewhere. I worry that one or the other might get hit by a car.

I made my way over to the NE corner of the intersection to the KFC lot where they loaded into the Pilot. Before they were even buckled in Landon asked if he could play Wii once at my house. I had to laugh. Rocky then said he had to pee really, really bad. I took him across the street to Ashley’s so he could pee. Olivia answered the door and started jumping up and down right away. I waited in the car but could see from the driveway. She came out asking if she could come along. Of course! Soon we were destined for home.

The kids asked about playing on the tree swing before we even got to the subdivision. I was quickly reminded that I need to have my energy cap on. These kids go a mile a minute, but also have a very short attention span. At home, Bella and her peeps were already playing Wii, but she was nice enough to include Olivia and Landon. Thanks Bella.

I eventually headed out back with Olivia and Landon, both wanting to swing. We played outside for about 20-30 minutes. Back in the house Mindy asked if I still planned to take Jacob after soccer socks & soccer shorts. I agreed to do so only after offering Mindy the opportunity to go and me stay home with the others. She wanted me to go. OK.

Jacob and I asked Rocky if he wanted to go along. He did. Had to discourage Olivia. She wanted to come along too.  We headed to Dick’s on Hilliard Rome Rd. Found soccer socks right away. Finding black soccer shorts proved a bit more challenging, especially given that Jacob will only wear shorts than practically cover his knee cap. I found three different pair for him to try on. While he tried those on Rocky and I browsed elsewhere.

Rocky was suddenly on stimulus overload, dragging me all over the store wanting me to look at this and that and asking me t obuy him things he’d never even use. He would lead to an aisle without knowing what was down it, but acting as if he knew what was there and where he was heading. I felt bad for him, but I wasn’t going to spend sympathy money, either.

I eventually made my way to the youth section and found a much bigger supply of boys black soccer shorts. Moreover, they were on sale for $11 a pair. I took a pair over to Jacob to try on. Said he liked them but wanted to skip trying them on. No way! I told him that he had to try ‘em on. I know Jacob, and if he got home and found them a centimeter too short he’d never wear them. He agreed to try them on and liked them.

Meanwhile, Rocky continued to lead me/us around the store begging me to buy him this and that with reckless abandon. To some extent, I understood. After all, I was buying Jacob a handful of items. But what Rocky probably didn’t realize was that we had a plan. We weren’t just going to the store and shopping impulsively.

We picked up everything on our list from Dick’s, including a giant jar of 6mm airsoft BB’s. Those alone were $20. We still planned a stop at Wal-Mart across the street to look for a new airsoft pistol clip/magazine. Jacob’s other one broke. Just because we left the store didn’t mean that Rocky’s requests stopped. Nope! He begged for fast food next.  Not wanting him to feel totally defeated and deprived, I agreed to take him to Burger King. And you’d have thought he won the lottery. Geesh!

We were in my new Accord, so I was adamant about going in to eat. Rocky ordered for himself, a hamburger kids meal with Coke. Jacob ordered a nine piece chicken fries combo with Dr Pepper. I wasn’t planning to get anything but caved and ordered a double cheese burger. This particular Burger King isn’t the cleanest, and never has been. We weren’t in there but about 15 minutes max.

The Burger King sits out front of the Wal-Mart. We cruised closer to the store where we parked by the home & garden department. That’s the entrance we used, too. Jacob seemed to remember where their airsoft stuff was. I let him lead. Just like in Dick’s, Rocky began asking for everything he laid his eyes on. Oh boy! We found the  replacement clip in a hurry. It had a price of $12.97 – kind of pricey. On the other hand, we could buy a whole new pistol for $20 and that came with more ammo. I thought that a wiser buy.

Rocky was excited because we would make that his airsoft pistol with the understanding that it would remain at our house. The only problem was, you’ve got to get a sales associate to release any of type of weapon purchase from the secured racks and there wasn’t anyone around. We walked around the larger department area where not a soul was to be found. Rocky was beside himself wanting to find one at almost any cost. I’ll bet we waited 10 minutes before I threw in the towel.

We were able to pull the spare clip from an unsecured rack. We took it to the checkout in the home and garden section. I assured Rocky that he would have an airsoft  pistol to use back at our place where he, Jacob and Evan planned to have an airsoft battle. Much to my liking, the replacement clip rang up for $6.97, or $6 cheaper than the price sticker.  That seemed more reasonable. We headed for home.

The first thing Jacob did was make sure the replacement clip we bought fit his pistol. It did. He let out a big sigh since I told him he’d have to pay me for it if it wasn’t the right one. After all, he assured me in the store that it was. I wasn’t so sure. The boys excitedly ran off with all of Jacob’s airsoft stuff. 

While I was away, Mindy did crafts with all the kids, including Bella and all her peeps, as well as Olivia and Landon. I wasn’t in the door for 20 seconds when Olivia asked me to push her on the swing again. I asked for a brief break from the madness.

Mindy made plans for all of us to cookout with the neighbors. We’d be supplying and grilling our own meat, and Mindy made a salad and scalloped potatoes too. Planned to be down there around 5pm. Meanwhile, Lindsey shared how she’s been looking for a job, a new home, and childcare. We know it’s not gonna be easy with two little kids, an eviction on her record, and no car, but hey. She didn’t have the nicest things to say about the Y either, but we kept reminding her that at least she had a roof for her the boys.

But if there’s a bright spot it’s this, both she and the boys look so much healthier than when they were living with Kelly. Could be coincidence, but I suspect that being away from all that nasty pet dander, especially that from the many cats, plays a large part in that.

We headed to the neighbors around 5pm and after I woke from a nap from the livingroom recliner. Felt good. I asked Mindy if I still needed to grill. Nope, Kenny agreed to do the grilling. It was getting chilly. In fact, so much so, that I wore my fleece jacket to the neighbors. Funny. It was almost 100 degrees on Saturday and now here I was wearing a jacket.

We chatted all the while Kenny grilled the meat. Mindy brought gourmet burgers, boneless chicken breasts, and hot dogs. Kenny had the golf tournament on the TV. Like many tournaments this summer, this one was heading for a playoff.

Dinner was ready by 530pm. Mike & Teri came down to join us too. We had a nice time – a little chaotic with all the kids but still fun. Most of the adults were drinking, but I was sticking with ice water only. Not only was it a work night, but I’d be running Lindsey and the boys home too. They just recently extended her weekend & holiday curfew to 10 or 11pm from 5pm.  I guess when you’re under their roof you live by their rules or else. Hmmm? Sound familiar?

We hung out with the neighbors until 630-645pm. We said goodbye to everyone then headed for home. Mindy asked Chrissy if she’d keep an eye on Jacob and Bella while we tag teamed taking the Gkids home. Mindy was taking Olivia in the Accord, and I’d be taking Lindsey and the boys in the Pilot.

Until we were just about ready to leave, I had wrongfully assumed that they were staying at the downtown Y. Nope! Good thing I clarified. Instead, they were at the YWCA out near

5^th Ave

& Leonard. I printed off Google Map directions before we left. Lindsey said she had no idea how to get there. Oh boy!

It turned out being a quick drive, and almost all freeway.  Along the way, Lindsey asked what that awful noise was coming from the Pilot. Reminds me of an airplane engine. We really need to get it in the shop to have it looked at. My internet research tells me that they’re going to tell us it’s the tires. We’ll see. Our warranty expires the last week of December. We really need to get it in before then.

We found the place with little trouble. Unlike some, the directions were spot on. The Y itself is a very nice newer building, almost home-like with a gated drive. The neighborhood isn’t very nice, however. Two hardened looking woman roamed the parking lot, I assumed them volunteers or employees. They gave me/us the once over. Lindsey and the boys exited the Pilot and made their way into the building. You’ve got to know how difficult it is for me to watch my two grandsons walking into a place like that. It just seems wrong. I really believe, however, at least for now and for Lindsey’s sake, that this is the best thing.

Snapped a quick picture then zoomed off back to the freeway and eventually home. The drive went so quick that I pulled into the subdivision right behind Mindy, who just dropped Olivia at home. If I recall correctly, I wasn’t even gone but about 35 minutes.

Even as darkness was setting in, the kids remained outside playing kickball with the neighbors. I tuned the TV to the History Channel watching a program about Yellowstone Park, and how it might be resting on the world’s largest, most dangerous volcano.

Like almost every other night that she’s been home this past week, Bella came running into the house crying after becoming injured while playing, only this time with a kickball injury. And one of those nights, she came in crying two different times for two different injuries. And when Bella cries, everyone knows it. It gets under my skin. Her friends always come running to her aid too. To no avail, I tried impressing upon her the crying wolf deal. She said she understood, but so far it hasn’t helped one iota.

Jacob soon followed saying that the ball barely nicked her and was moving crazy slow. However, I’m not so sure that Jacob’s a good judge in this case. Mindy requested both kids get showers. Over the next 20 minutes they both readied for bed. Near 930pm, Mindy and the kids headed off to bed. And while I was dosing off from the couch a little earlier, I was now awake and eager to finish watching the next show up, which was about asteroids colliding with Earth.

I watched until it was over at 10pm. I secured the home and headed up to bed. I peaked in on the kids first. Everyone looked to be asleep, including Bella. Eiknarf was lying lazily but still awake. Good night summer.