Skating Away on the Thin Ice of a New Day

I slept well and didn’t get up until almost 8am.  I felt fine, and after brushing my teeth I headed downstairs where I started coffee then played on the internet. Mindy, by the way, didn’t budge. I guessed she wouldn’t be joining me anytime soon. However, she couldn’t sleep too late, because we needed to be in Marysville for Jacob’s soccer game by 10am. Oh boy!

It was beyond crappy outside, blustery even. It was rainy, windy and only 40 degrees. Heading out for a run was gonna be a real treat, but even worse would be sitting/standing on the sidelines of a soccer game.

Mindy was up just ahead of me heading out for a run. She planned to shower while I was away. Said she had a bit of a hangover. No, really? Without many options, Around 845am, I headed out for my run in the sloppy autumn weather around. Believe me, I wasn’t looking forward to it.

I ran the typical weekend trail – only 3 miles. It was chilly and raw but I warmed quickly with my own body heat. It was near 930am by the time I was back home and Mindy was downstairs ready. She shared that Jacob called and reported not having his soccer shorts. Needed us to bring them. Not good. I had already decided not to shower. Why? I’d just get all wet again, and besides, I planned to wear my wicking running clothes anyway. I did change out of my sweaty/wet shirt and pullover fleece. I woofed down a cheese stick or two as well ,but was still hungry.

Mindy was struggling to get directions to the soccer field in Marysville. Said we’d have to use GPS. I only asked that she get it ready before we walked out. She was stressing about us being late while fumbling with her Droid. Never did get it working. I said I’d use mine after I finished my cheese stick. I also shared that we wouldn’t be stressing about getting there. If we were late, we’d simply be late. Nothing we could do about it.

I programmed my Droid to get us to the Millcreek soccer park in Marysville. Found it, no problem. Said it was a 30 minutes trip. We left the house at 945am. I had just over a ¼ tank of gas, so I planned on stopping. Mindy stressed over needing to stop for gas a little too. I asked what our options were. She agreed. We stopped and filled up. No worries! Once we were on the road I asked that she try phoning Jimaken to at least let him know our ETA, which would be about 1015am. He didn’t answer. She left a VM.

We made good time. The directions were spot on. We arrived by 1010am, or five minutes earlier than GPS predicted. We talked about watching from the parked Accord, but that proved to be impossible given the proximity of the parking lot to the field itself. The parking lot was across the street from the soccer field which was down a hill in a little holler. The field was fine, but nowhere near the accommodations of Hilliard or Gahanna. And the weather had only worsened if that’s even possible. It was 42 degrees with

sideways blowing rain. Bella was standing at her daddy’s side with just a light zip fleece on. Once she spotted the two of us she came running over.

We brought her a camp chair, which we ended up not using. Instead, she sat on Mindy’s lap bundled up in the blanket we brought along. But even that was little comfort in the almost wintry conditions. While we suffered with the other parents on the sideline, the kids played their soccer game. It wasn’t long before Jacob’s team was behind 3-0. At the half, we could take it no more and walked back to the car to warm up. Not dressed for the inclement weather, Bella was freezing. Mindy and I were wet and cold too. We sat in the car for a while getting warm. Finally overcome with guilt, Mindy headed back out to watch the rest of the 2^nd half. I sacrificed my desire to see more soccer and volunteered to stay back in the warm car with Bella.

Figuring the game about over, we backed out of our parking spot after about 10-15 more minutes and pulled up alongside the soccer field. The game was over, but Mindy was down yacking with another soccer family. She, Jimaken and Jacob were the last folks off the field. And since Bella came with her daddy, she left with he & Jacob for home. Jimaken was bringing both kids back to our house around 3pm so we could go to Bella’s b-day skating party. Mindy and I headed towards home.

As we neared home we decided that lunch at El Vaquero sounded awfully good. We both agreed the Riverside Dr  location would suit us best. Not entirely sure of the time, but I’m guessing it was near 1145am when we pulled in. Much to our amazement, the place was a wreck, at least on the outside. Going through an external renovation. However, despite looking as if it were recently bombed, they were open for business. We headed in the through the temporary entrance where we were quickly ushered to a table.

The Vaq, more often than not, is crowded and often requires a wait. Not today. We were one of only a handful of patrons. Service was fast and efficient – always is. I woofed down a basket of the complimentary nachos in no time. Mindy ordered enchiladas. I ordered a burrito/enchilada combo. Food was good. Hit the spot. We ate pretty fast and were out of there and on our way home in a jiffy.

A rainy, dreary day, and a belly full of food, I plopped down on the sofa to watch some college football. Mindy, meanwhile, begged off for a formal nap in our bed. She slept for nearly two hours. I slept a little too, but only for about 15 minutes here and there. I got off my rear around 230pm and began to straighten up around the house. Looked like a tornado had been through. We’d be having a houseful of Bella’s friends over before and after the skating party. I wanted our house to look presentable.

Mindy was up a short time later. I asked her to jump in and help. She wasn’t too thrilled with me barking orders being fresh out of bed, but she still jumped in to assist. It took us about half an hour to get the house back in order. I headed for a shower around 315pm. The kids were home around then too. Jim planned to meet us at the skating party a little later.

Mindy left to fill-up the Pilot just before 4pm. Somehow she always seems to disappear at the time when guests are supposed to start showing up, leaving me to do the meet and greet. She knows I hate it. Sure enough, the first kid and parent arrived right after Mindy left. I did my best to struggle through the details. Thankfully, Mindy was back home before any others showed up.

Instead of having parents drop their kids at the skating party, Mindy agreed to be the shuttle service to and fro. We were worried about travel accommodations for as many as ten kids were expected. Chrissy agreed to bring her three. That helped big! We traveled with 8, including Mindy & I.

I knew right where we were going having worked out there in my Time Warner days. However, I’d never been in United Skates of America before. I figured it had to be similar to the old Skateland and it was. Missing was the organ, but added was hip music, a DJ, and a bit more pizzazz and color. Aside from that, pretty much the same thing as it was some 40 years ago.

Mindy and I outfitted ourselves with skates too. I headed out as soon as the kids were all skated up. I negligently wore half sock which caused some rubbing action around the ankle area. Hadn’t been on roller skates since my girls were small when we used to visit the Grove City roller rink once a month with Magdalene.

I bored of the skating quickly. Plus, it got ridiculously crowded in a hurry. I was somewhat entertained by the ‘skate heads’. You know, the guys that obviously do this almost every day. They would dance, bob, and weave in and out of the mostly beginner type skaters showing off their roller prowess. I could see them looking for watchers out the corners of their eyes.

I kept a loose eye on the Buckeye game too. But that was looking hopeless. We were at risk of being shut out for the first time at home since 1982. We got lucky and scored a TD with only seconds left. And because we only allowed 10 points, we still had a chance, albeit a slim one, for an onsides kick recovery and a miracle play or two for the win.

The onside kick should’ve been recovered by the Buckeyes, but like everything else all game long, the break didn’t come our way. We lost 10-7. USofA did a nice job organizing the skate party. They had drinks, pizza, game tokens, decorations, and a hostess to help. We sang happy birthday and then watched Bella open a few gifts. We were welcome to stay until 8pm, but we organized everybody for the trip home at 715pm. By then Jimaken was there. He was helping shuttle kids back to our house since Chrissy had to leave to make dinner out with her hubby.

Jimaken took Jacob, Evan, Jake, and Emily. We took the rest. It was starting to get dark as we arrived home. They sky was partially clearing too. Wahoo! I wasn’t going to hold my breath, but they were promising sunshine on Sunday – chilly but sunny.

Lillian was in charge of Bella’s birthday balloons as we got in and out of the Pilot. Sure enough, as soon as the door was opened at home they went airbourne. Needless to say, Bella wasn’t pleased – cried even. Big Jake went in hot pursuit but to no avail. Don’t think they ever came down.

Jimaken and Jacob soon departed for his place. Jacob was in heaven having his daddy all to himself. Mindy had crafts ready and organized for all the girls as well as Jake and Evan. While they did crafts, I poured myself a CBC IPA and tuned the TV to Saturday night college football. Neighbor Teri came down to drink a beer. Enjoyed her brief company. Didn’t stay long. Girls headed upstairs for a movie and make-up around 830-9pm. They weren’t loud at all. That I appreciated. Shelly came to pick-up GD Kaileigh around 9pm. She couldn't spend the night for having a cheer leading competition the following morning.

After one CBC IPA I cracked open the rocket of Two Brothers Hop Juice double IPA that I bought from Barley’s the night before. It was their last one. It was good, but not as good as I remembered it being. I like my new White Rajah way more.

The football game featured Nebraska at Wisconsin. Back and forth early, but Wisconsin started pulling away even before the half. I headed for bed around 11pm. Mindy was already there. All seven girls, meanwhile, were sleeping in just two beds – their choice. Good night and goodbye rain!