Watchin' Woody / A Night at 229

I could hear the pugs making considerable noise through the night. At roughly 8am I got up for good and headed downstairs to start some coffee and then walk the pugs.

I had my blackberry at my side through the night since I was on-call. I checked for any urgent messages/calls. There were none. Yippie! I walked the pugs separately, taking Woody out first. I walked him in his own back yard figuring that the familiar territory would best suit his needs. He did a lot of sniffing around but did take care of business.

After about ten minutes I headed inside with Woody but then got Eiknarf. I walked her out front like usual. She went quickly too. Back inside, they continued going at it almost constantly. It’s really nerve racking. It was cold outside – our first killing frost of the season. The frost was so thick in some places that it looked like snow. All of our hibiscus and impatiens took some significant damage – severely wilted. Tis the season!

Mindy was up surprisingly early – just a little after 830am. She got up because my dad was there outside waiting on Glenn. I think I shared that when I delivered her coffee. I think she thought he was coming inside, but he didn’t. Glenn bolted out the door and he and dad headed off to breakfast.

Mindy planned on taking Lindsey to apply or an apartment but she wasn’t coming until about 1030am. It must’ve been around 915am when I dressed for and headed out on a run. I wore hand and ear covers. I was cozy during the 3 mile run.

Mindy was in the shower when I got back. Because my tire pressure light had come on the past couple days, I decided this a good time to check all my tires. All four were at or near 26lbs PSI, though the manual called for 32lbs PSI. I checked the Pilot’s too. They were low as well. I drug out my Craftsman compressor to add air to all eight tires. The compressor kicked off shortly after it kicked on. From experience, I know the front exterior shares a breaker with the masterbath. Sure enough, Mindy was blow drying her hair and popped the breaker. I reset and asked that she hold off for a minute while the tank filled. I think she thought I meant for a lot longer.

While I was adding air to the tires, Dad and Glenn returned. Immediately started looking for one of Charles’ keys he thought he heard drop off the key ring late last night. We scoured the ivy in the flower beds and then looked under both cars in the drive. No key. After about 5-10 minutes of looking, Glenn produced the key from his pant pocket. ???

Mindy came out front briefly to see if she could restart the blow dryer. Yes. She also greeted dad. As soon as I had the tires inflated I left to fetch Lindsey and the boys who projected their arrival at the Binns & Sullivant Massey’s pizza at 1035am.  I was a tad late. I grabbed the mower gas container just before heading out. Figured I’d stop and pick-up two gallons on our way back home.

Headed to Massey’s cutting through the Westgate Park neighborhood. Lindsey and the boys were already there waiting. As usual, the boys were running around at an uncomfortable distance from their mother. They quickly loaded in for the drive back to our house. We hadn’t gone even a block before the million questions began. Can we play Wii? Can we swing? Cute, but also overwhelming.

 I also noticed that Lindsey was wearing tattered jeans and a flannel shirt. I asked why she was dressed like that when she knew she was going apartment shopping. Oh boy!  I had to listen to a lengthy discourse on discrimination and how it’s against the law to judge someone by their appearance, and then how she’s only allowed to have seven sets of clothing and that all the others are dirty. She just doesn’t get it.

I decided to lower the boom. I made it clear in no uncertain terms that she needed to stop talking and listen to me very carefully. I essentially told her that if she wants our help then she needs to listen and follow our advice. It’s either all or none. I prefaced that by asking where not following it had gotten her to date. That, of course, was more of a rhetorical question. I stopped at Circle K and got the two gallons of gas. That didn’t take but a minute.

At the house, Lindsey was practically in tears. The kids quickly went for the Wii, but also asked for some breakfast. Asked if we had any bacon. We did, and I was happy to bake some. While Lindsey went outside to phone her mom, I shared the conversation in brief withy Mindy. I asked if she could wrestle up some nice jeans and perhaps a sweater for Lindsey to wear. She whole heartedly agreed and took immediate action. Lindsey bucked the offer at first, but ultimately complied once she understood we were serious about helping with ground rules that weren’t negotiable.

Dad and Glenn were sitting at the table taking in our conversation. I apologized to them and then to Lindsey that they were going to hear our conversation but also asked that they not chime in, as at one point Glenn started to do. Lindsey agreed to wear the jeans and sweater, and actually looked nice in them. She and Mindy left after about 10 more minutes passed. Not only were they stopping by Twin Creeks, but also by Target and perhaps elsewhere.

Mindy wanted that additional time to talk with her about a few of our ground rules, which one I was sure would go over like a lead balloon. Specifically, that would be us managing her money for her for a defined period of time along with establishing a strict budget. Our end goal, to teach her good financial management skills and to show her that it was possible to have a car, apartment, food, and pay necessary bills on her salary. Right now, she blows a lot of money unnecessarily. 

While they were away I finished making the bacon and then made scrambled eggs for me and Rocky. Landon wanted only some bacon and chocolate milk. Dad and Glenn wanted nothing having just come from breakfast. Dad left after about 20-30 more minutes.

Lucky for me, work was completely calm. For that I was most pleased. After breakfast, I took the boys out back to play. Of course, Landon was all about swinging at the tree house. We did that for awhile, but then started launching walnuts with the giant slingshot. Both boys thought that was the coolest thing ever. I’ll bet we did that for an hour. Landon actually got the hang of that before Rocky. His lower center of gravity gave him an edge.

We collected more ammo (walnuts) along the pond’s edge where I’d been raking them all autumn long. At some point we got to talking about a troll living down the steps I built to the pond that are covered in thick growth a few years back. Both boys were obsessed with the idea and wanted to look for him. The troll then became the center of their interaction for the next 30 minutes. We tossed a football too, but the entire time Rocky kept asking about the troll. J

Mindy and Lindsey were back around 1pm. Said the visit to Twin Creeks was pleasant and sounded promising. Would call on Monday. Mindy said she had a good feeling about it. The manager and  her kids live there and go to the same school as our kids. 

More importantly, Mindy said Lindsey really liked the apartments too. However, the conversation about money management was left up in the air. Said Lindsey wasn’t too keen about giving up control of her own money. Again, it’s all or none. Lindsey headed out to play with the boys and actually was outback or down at neighbor Teri’s for at least an hour. Mindy and I appreciated that.

It was 3pm in a hurry. About that time, I got a work related escalation that I had to deal with. Turns out, that was about the same time we planned on driving Lindsey home. Mindy kindly agreed to do the deed so I could focus on work. We planned to take Glenn to dinner at Milestone 229 around 530-6pm and still hadn’t showered.

I was able to get the work issue under control over the next hour. I called mindy as soon as I was out of the shower to make sure she was safely on her way home. Said they were in a horrible traffic jam at the I-670/71N a split.

I walked the pugs before Mindy got back, taking one at a time. I had both of them out back for a better part of the afternoon too. One or the other managed to pee and poop on the carpet. We believe it was Woody but can’t be sure.

I’m thinking it was near 545pm when we left for Milestone 229. We didn’t head directly there, though. Instead, I detoured to the Brewery District to drive by the new World of Beers to see if it was opened yet. It wasn’t open for business but was ‘opened’. Glenn and Mindy got out while I waited. An employee opened the door inviting them in to look around. Said they’re opening on Monday October 31, Halloween day.

From there were drove back towards Milestone 229 parking right along the completely vacated fountain park. The sun was just beginning to set against a mostly clear sky. However, there were just enough clouds present on the horizon to make for a very picturesque sunset.

We walked along the new

Mound St

bridge first and took some suns set pictures. There was  wedding party out there doing the same thing. What a gorgeous autumn evening. All three of us were hungry/thirsty. We planned to walk along the Scioto Mile too, but not before having dinner at 229 first.

We noticed vinyl panels encircling their cool patio. Last we asked, they hadn't a clue how or if they would offer such amenities. The inside was only about half full. The onsite manager seemed eager to please us. He welcomed to sit at the bar while he fired up a few heaters on the patio. That made us happy. I ordered a CBC IPA, Mindy some wine, and Glenn a Magic Hat, but not sure what style.

A few minutes later we moved to the patio. Tina, who has served us before, agreed to bring our appetizers and tab out there. The sun was now setting making for some breath taking views despite the plastic windows in the vinyl panels. I slipped my camera past the panel at a nearby post and got the shot.

One other patron made his way to the patio, but that was it. With the heaters cranking, it was very cozy. It was most likely in the low 50s or upper 40s outside. We shared some appetizers and then ordered dinner. Both Glenn and Mindy went with their salmon special. I ordered a turkey reuben as well as a 2nd CBC IPA.

Tina was very attentive. We got to talking about her son, who we met there last summer. Turns out her other job is a judge for youth gymnastics. Mindy daringly asked if she might've been in Marysville two weeks prior. And it turns out she was. Remember Bella after Mindy showed off pictures. I ended up enjoying a 3rd IPA. Glenn had a 2nd, only this time a CBC pale ale. Mindy didn't have another wine - only water.

I picked up the check. We left for home just after the OSU/Wisconsin game began. It was 0-0 when we headed out. Took us a minute or two to orient ourselves to the whereabouts of our car. There it was, right where we left it. I drove home. The belly full of food had shielded me from any kind of beer buzz.

Arrived home and Glenn agreed to walk both pugs. I tuned into the Buckeye game. The Buckeyes were down something like 7-3 at halftime. Glenn and I cracked open the growler of Galaxy 500 I bought at Barley's the night before. We ended up drinking all of it through the course of the game. The Buckeyes played lights out in the 3rd quarter and lead 17-7 and then 26-12. And if it wasn't for a fumbled punt return, it wouldn't have been that close. Wisconsin turned up the heat with just over 4 minutes to go and quickly erased the 12 point deficit taking a 29-26 lead with just over a minute to go. Smelt like the Nebraska game all over again. Bang!

This time, however, the Buckeyes had a miracle in their own back pocket. They scored a touchdown within seconds - a 40 yard bomb to the endzone. We had the lead again with 20 seconds and held off a last second effort by the Badgers to pull off the upset. Very exciting finish. I even went to wake Mindy to tell her all about it.

Glenn and I stayed up talking well after the game. After we emptied the jug, I cracked open a White Rajah. We stayed up until almost 2am. That's got to be the latest that I've stayed up in a really long time. Good night waxing moon!