Turn Off the Lights!

Happy 5th Birthday Livy!

I was woken abruptly when Mindy flicked on the bathroom lights to start her shower. The bright light coupled with the sound of pounding water were far from ideal sleeping conditions. Once I realized that there wouldn't be any further good sleep, I rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and pee. I saw that Mindy had already poured her own coffee.

 I headed downstairs to start exercise. It was somewhere close to 645 am. I completed sit-ups and push-ups then headed to the PC where I enjoyed coffee and internet. It was pleasant outdoors - 45 and clear. Expected to remain that way through most of the day with a high temp of 64. In fact, it was a perfect fall golf day, but I didn't have a playing partner. Just as well, my plan all along was to get busy in the basement preparing for Wednesday's bulk pick-up.

Mindy and the kids were downstairs around 715am to have breakfast. I didn't plan to run until the kids were off to school on the bus. Mindy left at 730am sharp. She asked that I send confirmation of my ability to get the kids from the bus before 4pm.

The time between Mindy leaving for work and the kids and I heading to the bus stop went fast.  It was a lovely morning though still a little chilly. I was out in my PJs but with a fleece jacket. I made the kids wear jackets too. Once the kids were on the bus I walked Eiknarf leisurely out front. Once back inside I played around online for 15-20 minutes tops. I dressed and left for a run near 840am.

I ran only three miles in lovely conditions. I did a walk about the yard before heading back inside. The thought of leaving the lovely weather behind and working in the basement was painful. I kept tinkering with the idea of scrapping the day's agenda and going golfing even if it meant golfing alone. I poured a cup of coffee but didn't let too much time expire before I fought off the urge to play and headed to the basement to see what I could get done.

I can't explain what comes over me down there but it's almost a feeling of helplessness. Where to begin, that kind of stuff. A look around gets me antsy and angry. For one, as much complaining as Mindy does about me having so much stuff (junk) down there, I'll bet 75% of it is hers. I decided to start with some easy stuff - old work stuff - tech manuals, books, files etc. Soon an hour had passed. I had already sorted through 4 or 5 boxes. I was making progress. The relatively few things I found that I wanted to keep I sat aside and later placed them in a small plastic tub. I created a pile for Kelly too, not having the heart to throw away things I thought she might treasure, including old love notes from boyfriends from her childhood.

By mid-day I had way more ready to be hauled up and out than what I guessed when I scheduled the bulk pick-up some two weeks prior. It was too late to add to the list, and they're very strict about not adding more arbitrarily. I'd have to schedule yet another pick-up. We also have a mounting pile of stuff needing donated - mostly baby/toddler toys and gear, like a high chair. And that doesn't include the toy room toys that still need gone through. By the time I was done, it was near 230pm. I felt dirty and itchy from the fiberglass insulation tacked up against the basement walls.  

A couple treasures I pitched, were  my first PC, a TI-99 still in mint condition, and then a Teddy Ruxpin. I decided to keep the old Viewmaster and Atari game system and game cartridges. I also kept the post card collection Kelly's grandpa gifted me back in 1982. All in all, what I kept versus what I threw away was minimal. Now I just needed to get the stuff to the garage and out to the curb no sooner than 6pm Tuesday and no later than 6am Wednesday. I headed up for a shower after spending a solid 4.5 hours in the basement. I felt good about my accomplishments.

The weather was gorgeous. After a shower I headed outside in the yard. It felt like 70 degrees. Forecasting cooler temps and rain on Tuesday. in fact, rain through Thursday. Yuck! As requested, I sent Mindy a text letting her know that I would be home to intercept the kids. She planned to stay late for a meeting.

The kids were home near 4pm. Both enjoyed a snack then started their homework. I helped both.  Mindy got home around 440pm. Somehow I'd been sucked into the junk food trap with the kids and as a consequence, had little to no appetite for dinner. I ate a bowl of tortilla soup earlier in the day as well.

Bella had gymnastics at 7pm. Mindy made Bella a hot dog beforehand. I took a brief nap in the living room. Mindy and Bella left near 650pm. They were running behind when Bella couldn't find her shoes. I suggested that I was gonna visit Barley's.  Mindy countered by offering to stop on her way back from dropping Bella and pick me up a jug of Galaxy 500. That sounded good, although I wouldn't be able to partake until Bella was picked up at 830pm.

I was somewhat bored through early evening. I could've worked on my blog, but opted not. Instead, I played mindlessly on the PC being about as unproductive as I ever am. This is the danger of taking an entire week off without something planned to totally consume me. Mindy was home around 730pm. Not only did she bring me a jug of Galaxy 500, but she brought home buffalo chicken tenders for Jacob.

Just before leaving to get Bella, Lindsey called asking if we could help her out by picking up the boys at Magdalene after work on Tuesday. What a mess. She started her new regular working hours and has no plan for after care beyond 6pm, let alone transportation. So far, she's been counting on the undependable help of her baby-daddy, Rocky and his new girl friend. I could just scream!

I headed off to get Bella in the Accord around 825pm arriving at 831pm. Once in the car, Bella let me know that I was a minute late. Told me she placed 6th in the trampoline competition that we had to leave abruptly following. She had her 6th place sticker in hand that she needed to attach to her trophy back at home. She didn't ask for Wendy's this time. Hmm?

At home Mindy insisted both Bella and Jacob get showers.  I poured myself a Galaxy IPA and tuned into MNF already in progress - Jets vs. Miami. Mindy let Jacob watch football until almost 930pm. She and Bella headed to bed fairly early. She asked me to come to bed early, but being on vacation, I view staying up somewhat late as my right of passage. I stayed up sipping two pints of Galaxy 500. I watched the game until I could take it no more. I eventually fell asleep on the sofa.