Finishing the Season Strong

I was up somewhere near 8am and before anyone else. It was sunny outside, and something I certainly appreciated. I started coffee then spent a little time on the internet. I didn’t plan to exercise – sit-ups or push-ups.

Of course, I did plan to run and before Jacob’s soccer game. His game wasn’t until 1130am in Dublin. I had plenty of time. I think it was near 9am when I headed out for my run. Everyone else remained quietly in bed. It was a lovely three mile run under clear blue skies but slightly cool temps. It was somewhere in the upper 30s.

Mindy was awake shortly after my return. I took Eiknarf out for a walk as soon as I was back. Mindy shared that Jimaken agreed somewhat begrudgingly to come pick-up Jacob for soccer since the Dublin soccer field is so close to his residence. Mindy’s point was that she didn’t want us to be there 30 minutes early.

Glenn was the last up, waking about 15 minutes after Bella, I think. He agreed to keep and eye on Bella while we headed to the soccer game. That made her happy. I opted not to shower until after the game. I did change into a dry (non-stinky) running shirt and jacket, however. Mindy and I left the house shortly after I Googled directions to the soccer fields off Cosgray.

Neither of us had been to this soccer complex before. And boy was it nice – big too. Top notch. But then again, we were in Dublin. We arrived at the field shortly after the game was underway. Don’t think we missed any scoring action. The Dublin team had beat us prior on our home field. It was one of our first games as I recall.

This time we played a much better game, and Jacob scored three goals himself. I think we won 6-0. Our goalie had one heck of a game too. Made some absolutely dazzling stops.

Game ended near 1240pm. Traffic was ridiculous leaving the soccer complex and then turning onto Cosgray and 161. We told Glenn to expect us home near 1pm. It was just after that when we pulled up.

Mindy headed off to the grocery store shortly after arriving home. We made plans to host a cookout later that evening. The kids headed out to play with their friends. Still waiting on Kenny, Chrissy and the kids to get home with their new puppy pug. Drove to Michigan in their beater SUV : ) to get it.

While Mindy whizzed off to the grocery, I took an abbreviated nap on the sofa while enjoying some college football. Glenn was busy playing on his laptop both before and after. With such lovely weather, I decided to get up and head to the car wash to give the Accord a much needed bath. I gathered a few dollars worth of quarters and headed that way after making sure Glenn was OK handling the kids briefly in my absence, should they return home before me.

I hadn’t been to the spray car wash for a few years. Used to be that I would begin each Saturday there back in my pre-Mindy days. In those days one would be hard pressed to drive right up and find and empty bay. This time they were only about half full. I pulled up to the $.25 vacuum first. I was able to vacuum the inside on one quarter with plenty of time to spare.

Like I did years past, I took advantage of the already wet and soapy scrub brush to pre-treat my wheels and tires before using my own quarters to spray wash & rinse the entire car. I was able to wash and rinse the Accord for $2. But even after spraying it with powerful hot soapy water it was still dirty and difficult to dry with my shammie.  I really need to get a coat of polish on it soon – certainly before winter.

I had her gleaming beautifully in the sun before speeding off for home. Glenn was surprised that I was back so soon. Mindy got home from the grocery mid-afternoon. I was in the shower when she got back.

Mindy wanted me to start grilling at 5pm. She started baking potatoes and heating some corn in crock pot right away. I waited until I lit the grill to crack my first beer of the day. Truth be told, I was a little bummed knowing this was my last party night before heading back to work after a week off. I get to feeling that way with almost every vacation.

Mindy had me grill 8 burgers, 14 brats (5 hot Italian, 5 regular, 4 turkey cheddar), and 8 hot dogs. She invited all the neighbors, kids included. Teri said she was bringing cowboy beans. They were awesome too, and kind of like chili. We started eating around 6pm.

Teri & Glenn struck up a conversation and kept it going for an hour or more. Teri is a hoot. Between Teri’s conversation about bean induced gas and Glenn’s penchant for gothic organ music, we were all entertained.

Kenny didn’t come down with everybody else. According to Chrissy, he wasn’t feeling too hot. I walked down earlier to see their new black puppy pug. Cute as the dickens! Come 8pm we tuned to the Wisconsin vs. Michigan State game. Neighbors were gone by 830pm. Glenn, Mindy and I drank a few more beers while enjoying the game. Jacob hung with us too, although w/o beer. J Bella played by herself in her room - no interest in football.

Mindy peeled off to bed around 11pm after quipping that she was already well past her usual bedtime. Glenn and I stayed up till the bitter end. We saw Michigan State pull off a hail Mary TD pass for the win. I headed to bed soon after. How do you top that?