The Aussies, The Crows & Jeff Smith

I was up on time in fact a few minutes early. I glanced out back before doing calisthenics. It was cloudy and looked cold – frosty even. I promptly completed both sit-ups and push-ups and then spent a little time enjoying coffee and internet. It was supposed to clear up and be sunny later in the day but the temperature wasn’t expected to get out of the 40s. The weekend was supposed to be mostly sunny and chilly all the way through Trick-or-Treat on Monday.

Just after 6am I did meditation and a stretch. Delivered Mindy’s coffee next. It was close to 615am. And like I did most days that week, I left for my run still ahead of 630am. I wore hand and ear covers and felt comfortable throughout. I ran the full 4.1 miles. It remained dark for the duration of my run. We set the clocks back in another 10 days or so. For a little while, anyway, I’ll get some daylight back.

Once inside the door, I asked for Eiknarf and Pilot keys. I went to start Mindy’s car while she leashed up the dog. This marked the first time that her car needed a thorough defrosting this season. I walked Eiknarf. She was quick to relieve herself. We were out there 5 minutes.

It was 720-something by the time we were back inside. Mindy was already prepping to depart. My eggs were ready and waiting in the microwave. Mindy was soon off to work and I was soon off to the shower. I gave Eiknarf the remnants of my eggs.

It was Friday and that meant jean day. I wore black t-shirt, too (my old uniform). Felt good. The kids, Eiknarf, and I headed to the bus stop at 810am. Started the Honda before walking the bus stop. Bella was shivering and stood close for added warmth. The bus arrived early. As soon as the kids boarded Chrissy and I headed our separate ways, but not before I confirmed the time she’d be bringing Woody down – 630pm. Still planning to leave Annie (new puppy) with Bill & Marilyn (her in-laws).

I briefly walked Eiknarf out front again before taking off for work. She pooped a 2nd time. Had the Honda warming, but still needed to squeegee the side windows. The car was nice and warm, and it was a quick drive into the office.

My boss stopped by early on, this his last work day before a two week vacation. I thought he was kidding when he shared how challenging of a day it was gonna be. In fact, I expected that he’d work from home all day.  I asked if there was anything I could do to make his last day easier. Nope.

All in all, it was a fairly calm Friday. I received a call from the XM folks for like the 10^th day in a row. And for the third time, I had to explain the recent changes we made to our account. They’re really starting to get on my nerves. Mid-morning my old peer, Ken stopped up to share some recent changes impacting his team. Let’s just say I’m glad I made the move that I did back in June. He visited for nearly an hour.

I didn’t leave the office for lunch. In fact, I don’t think I took a formal lunch break even once during the entire work week. Although I could’ve, I simply chose not to. I talked with Mindy mid-day. She asked if I had heard from Glenn or my mom. I hadn’t, but took note of the question and planned to call and find out, one, if my mom was coming up for the weekend, and two, if Glenn was coming to our house or going straight to Bobby’s Halloween party.

After talking with Mindy I called Twin Creeks Apts seeking information on Lindsey’s behalf. Both Mindy and I feel that’s the best place for Lindsey and the boys to get a place, especially after learning that other apartment complex seems to be stringing her along. Not only is this place close to us, but it’s well-maintained, and has a lot of amenities you’d only expect to find at a higher end complex. The young lady on the phone was quite pleasant but wasn’t able to give me much information. She asked that Lindsey stop in on Saturday to fill out an application. I ran the numbers. Lindsey qualifies financially. But like a lot of places, her past track record could harm her chances.

I called my mom and Glenn next. My mom sounded good but shared that she wouldn’t be coming up to stay for the weekend citing being in too much pain. Talked with Glenn, too. Said he’d meet us at Bob’s. Not interested in an evening at Barley’s.

The rest of my afternoon went smoothly. Tied up a few loose ends before my on-call weekend and then headed for home sometime near 515pm.

The kids were gone and the house was quiet. Mindy poured herself a glass of wine while she tinkered. Bella called soon after I got home to share that Jacob was going to the Wisconsin game with daddy Saturday night and she would be staying at home with one of Jim’s friends and his young son. Actually, we already knew, but were waiting for Jimaken to tell her. She wasn’t happy but not distraught, either.

We planned to head to Barley’s before Bobby’s Halloween party, but because we were watching Woody for the neighbors, we had to wait for them to bring him down. I think it was near 630pm or just after when Kenny brought him down. Meanwhile, Mindy was decked out in her costume, a 60s era dress and go-go boots. I was decked out in, well, jeans and a t-shirt. We left for Barley’s shortly after Kenny headed back home.

Barley’s was fairly crowded - standing room only when we first arrived - although that’s not too unusual. Mindy got lots of compliments on her costume. Talked with Calvin and one of his peeps, Chuck. We’d seen him before, and may have actually met him, but I couldn’t recall his name. Met his wife, too. Her name is Becky. They live on Lake Choctaw. Talked with Chuck and his wife for a while. Mindy had another glass of wine. I had two beers, a Centennial and then a Galaxy. Mindy ate a salad. Me, nothing. Jim Bosch paid for our first drinks again.

I ordered a jug of Galaxy to-go. Planned to take it to Bob’s party. Weren’t at Barley’s much more than an hour. On our drive to Bobby’s party, Lindsey phoned crying that her and boys were still at the bus stop waiting for the bus to take them home. As much as it pained us, we opted to stick with our plan and went straight to brother Bobby’s. I’m thinking it was near 830pm when we got there.

Lots of decorations both in the yard, on the roof, and then, of course, in the house.  Most were in costumes. In fact, Glenn and I might’ve been the only two without. Bobby was Jesus. I think he said he got the idea the night before when April hollered his name by mistake. J

Met Bobby’s friends in town from Australia. Word had it they were much looking forward to attending an American Halloween party. Apparently not too big a deal back home in the Outback. A few of Bobby’s work friends showed too. One of his co-workers is married to a guy, Jeff Smith, that I went to high school with. We talked for quite a while. Turned out, he worked for CompuServe form 81-85 in accounting. Knew lots of old peeps. Ended up meeting a 2^nd guy that worked there only for much, much longer. He knew several folks that I know. Think his last name was Edwards.

I drank only one beer a Bobby’s. Not only was I driving, but I was on-call  and tired too. Had one heck of a spread of food, all of it done up in some sort of  Halloween theme. His buddy from Australia is a GM for an Australian rules football team, the Crows, I believe. Can’t recall the town. Bob was taking he and his son to the Buckeye/Wisconsin game on Saturday. Said he’s been to two other big college games in the US over the years, one at the Rose Bowl stadium and then one in the Orange bowl.

I’m guessing that it was 1030-11pm when we left for home. I was getting sleepier by the minute. One by one, I walked the pugs once home. They were going wild. Mindy and I were in bed 20 minutes later.