Macy's Tooth Fairy

I was up a couple minutes early after a really good night of sleep. Was most pleased to find the deck dry and at least partly cloudy skies overhead. In fact, I could see a waning crescent moon hovering at about 10 o’clock in the eastern sky.

I slipped into my exercise tennies and whipped out my sit-ups. After that I checked the weather. It was really warm - 66 degrees. The day promised to be the warmest this week, but unfortunately expecting rain and cool temps again as soon as Friday. I headed to the family room for push-ups next. It was still only 550am.

My shoulders remained stiff, and I knew the push-ups wouldn’t make them any better but did them anyway. I did windmills and arm stretches before hand. I poured some coffee next. It hit the spot. I returned to the PC where I read the Daily OM, some of Glenn’s blog, and then printed off a Macy’s coupon for 15-20% off. Thought I might shop for more dress slacks at lunch.

Sometime after 6am I peeled away for meditation. I did that until 615am when I deemed it time to deliver Mindy’s coffee. As usual, she woke as I set her coffee on the night stand. After a brief hug and kiss I was back downstairs to stretch and prep for my run. I wore long running pants but a short sleeved shirt. It was as nice (warm) as it’s been all month. I hit the door just after 630am.

I ran the full 4.1 miles without a problem. The time seemed to fly by, too, which is always nice. Back home a tad earlier than usual, I fed and watered the dog soon after toweling off. The sky wasn’t crystal clear by any means but there were plenty breaks of blue.

Mindy made scrambled eggs topped with cheese. There were plenty to share with Eiknarf, and even enough for the following day, too. Won’t she be happy! Mindy wanted to leave a little early to make a meeting where she expected a new temporary principal to be introduced, while, Jim, her permanent principal, convalesces for undisclosed reasons. She expects it to be for a couple/few weeks. I’m thinking she left at 725am after reminding the kids to bus home with Noah.

I was off to the shower at 736am after getting my lunch together beforehand. Mindy didn’t make my salad. She was too tired and overwhelmed the evening before. I took the extra time to pull one together for myself.

I was downstairs and ready by 757am. Can’t recall what I did with the ten minutes or so before bus time. The kids headed out ahead of me. Bella waited for me by the rear of my Accord. She had yet another very loose tooth hanging on by only a thread. I asked more than once if I could twist it out. Nope!

As a neighbor walked his big brown dog by both Woody and Eiknarf after they started their usual doggie rant. We can usually get Eiknarf to stop pretty quickly, but when Woody’s doing it too it’s understandably harder. She wants to be in full alert too.  I find there incessant barking to be quite annoying.

Soon the kids were on the bus, and Eiknarf and I heading back towards home. I walked her briefly out front like I always do,  but she didn’t take advantage of the opportunity to relieve herself again. However, I suppose she did get some benefit, like some extra fresh air. The kids’ school bus passed on its way out of the subdivision just as Eiknarf and I reentered the house. I made a few last minute preparations then left for work.

I arrived at the office near 840am and was settled in a few minutes later. We had our staff meeting set for 9am. I joined the team in one of the nice conference rooms. Our meeting went for about 45 minutes.

I thought I was gonna have time for some proactive stuff before a conference call but as it turned out, I got roped into taking care of some urgent/emergency stuff again. But that’s the nature of my job. One day it's all proactive, then the next a big hair ball. I had an important conference call organized for 11am to discuss process improvements. It was all internal. But for whatever the reason, I hadn't been looking forward to it, thinking it could get a little ugly. However, I was feeling much better about it that morning. Perhaps a good lesson in how ones mood impacts ones perception? And I am happy to report that it went even better than I hoped. Felt like we really accomplished something of worth. The call took me right up until almost noon.

After the call I bounced back to the urgent/emergency stuff until I left for lunch around 115pm. As promised, I drove to the Tuttle mall Macy’s and headed directly to the Men’s department. Long story short, I picked up three pair of dress slacks and a new black button up. One of my others ripped along the sleeve.  I think I snagged it on something. I used my 15% coupon. I could’ve saved another 5% by using my Macy’s card, but opted not. Haven’t used that account in years and years.

I headed back to work after being gone just slightly more than an hour. It was almost 230pm by the time I was resettled at my desk with my packed lunch in hand. I was really hungry too. The chunks of cheese were especially good. I just love that smoked gouda and then the fontina. I appreciate Mindy spending the extra money for good quality cheese.

Talked with Ashley late afternoon. She was wondering if I planned on going with her to the 2^nd phase of her root canal at OSU next Wednesday. Unfortunately, I can’t. But not to worry, all she really needs is for me to pay the bill. I don’t really need to be there for anything beyond moral support.

Talked with Mindy a bit later, and real close to the end of the day. She was just picking up the kids. Called me back a few minutes later asking if I wanted a salad for Friday. Yes. Didn’t discuss dinner. Thought there might be chance that she, Bella and I would be dining at Barley’s. Jacob had soccer practice. I left the office at 535pm. It was surprisingly warm, and according to the Accord’s temperature gauge, 78 degrees.

The sky was partly sunny but thicker clouds were looming on the far western horizon. Mindy was in the middle of making dinner; brats, dogs, and salad. She boiled then grilled the brats. Like I often do, I snacked on roasted peanuts before dinner was ready.

Mindy shared the outcome of her doctor’s appointment for her rising blood pressure. After inexplicably enjoying a month or so of normal, or even low blood pressure, it's started creeping back up again. Her doctor put her on a alpha inhibitor (?) that would lower her blood pressure but not her pulse. I believe she was taking a beta blocker before. She attributes the sudden rise to work.

The hot Italian brats were good. I had only one in a bun smothered in shredded sharp cheddar cheese. But during clean-up, I ate another entire brat piece by piece and without a bun. They were so good. During clean-up Mindy and I talked about how to change Jacob’s habit of leaving his stuff all about the house for others to fall over. My suggestion was to make it routine before anything else gets done (I.E. homework, food, snacks, play, etc). Mindy's point was for me not speak to him in such a mean spirited tone, or something like that.

I understood what she meant, and proved it by asking if she meant the way she rips into Bella when she find her clothes scattered about her bedroom floor for the 5^th time in as many days. That brought a smile to both our faces. Funny thing, those pet peeves.

Jacob got home from practice I’m guessing around 730pm. By then, Mindy was off to pick-up her prescription and then to Target for something else. I took the opportunity to practice asking nicely. Jacob, will you please make sure to put your soccer shoes and ball in their proper place before doing anything else? Said he would. Hmmm?

I also took the opportunity to make small talk with Jimaken about the soccer team’s progress, or in some cases the lack there of. I shared that our players were yelling at each other frequently during the game, something I knew he missed being so far removed from the action on the far sideline. Sure enough, he didn’t know about it.

Jim soon left. I’m thinking that Mindy pulled up just before he pulled away. Mindy greeted Jacob in her normal jovial manner. Asked what he wanted for dinner. She knew he wouldn’t eat brats or dogs. Never does. Not sure what he ate. While he ate we all chatted. Noticed that his soccer ball was once again rolling around on the kitchen floor despite my earlier request. I kindly reminded him that I had already asked once that he put it away and that he agreed. He waited for his momma to tell him he needed to do as he was told. Tisk tisk tisk.

Bella did her 20 minutes of reading - Garfield again. Jacob asked if we could watch the Thursday night college football game. Sure. Wasn’t sure who was playing at the time. It was NC State vs Cincinnati. Cincinnati took an early 21-0 lead. I poured a Jack & Coke around 830pm and settled on the sofa. Mindy had the kids shower and prepare for bed. Jacob hung out watching football as long as he could.

The kids were in bed by 915pm. Mindy and I weren’t far behind. She acted surprised that I was joining her, but I was probably just as sleepy as she.