My body trained to be up for work, I woke sometime near 530am. Thank Goodness that wasn’t the case. I didn’t feel that great after perhaps one too many beers the night before. Instead I was able to seek out that sweet spot between my pillow and the mattress and sleep for another couple hours. I probably woke a few more times before finally getting up for good around 830am. I was still sleepy but it was TG day. Sleeping longer was not an option.
I heard Mindy up earlier choking down some Advil. I didn’t expect her up for good anytime soon. The way I see it, there’s a direct correlation between her counter top dancing and hangovers.
I started a pot of coffee while I continued to assess my well being. By the time I completed my sit-ups I had determined that I’d be fine. Once the coffee was ready I poured a cup and played around online for about 15 minutes. I turned on the Macy’s TG Day parade a little after 9am.
As recent as the night before, the weather forecast was calling for sunny skies. As it was, we were completely socked in under cloud cover with a temperature of 39 degrees. However, the forecast was still calling for clearing skies and referred to the cloud cover as fog. Uh, I don’t think so.
It was just before 10am when I headed out for a run. I ran just three miles, once again treating my day off much like a weekend. There were several couples out on morning walks, something I've come accustom to seeing on this particular holiday. I was back at home around 1030am. I grabbed my camera and headed out to snap some pictures of the dredging and bank work along the waterway.
Back inside, I charged the batteries for both of my cameras, and then figured I’d better get started on those sauerkraut balls if I were to stay on plan. The first thing I did was retrieve the new deep fryer that Mindy bought for me around last Xmas. It was still in the Macy’s bag. I unpacked it from the box, washed it well, then read the simple instructions.
I set up a mini-production line of sorts comprised of 4 bowls, two cookie sheets, and bakers rack. One bowl contained the cooled sauerkraut mixture that I concocted the day before while the remaining 3 bowls held either the egg and water mixture, the flour, and bread crumbs. I rolled the mixture into 46 balls and sat them on the 1st cookie sheet. I sat the second cookie sheet at the end of the production line where it would hold the ready to be deep fried balls. I prepped all 46 before deep frying even one. I find that works a lot better.
Mindy was finally up just as I was rolling the last of the 46 balls into shape. She said she was feeling a whole lot better than she did earlier when she went for some Advil. Still felt a little queasy though, but said she had a fun time with the neighbors. While I continued the sauerkraut ball preparation, she sat at the kitchen table cutting up blocks of cheese to take to her mother’s feast.
I turned on the new deep fryer about 10 minutes prior to dipping the first batch into the hot oil. About the same time, the Macy’s TG parade was wrapping up with its customary arrival of Santa. Somehow they’ve morphed Mrs Santa Claus into the picture. I’m sure it won’t be too many decades from now when the legend will be further altered to give her, Mrs Santa Claus, a much more prominent role in delivering Xmas.
Once the parade was over, I let some Xmas music (Sarah McLachlan & Mannheim) whirl from my PC. Systematically, I deep fried the 46 sauerkraut balls about five at a time. The new deep fryer cooks slower than my old Fry Pappy, but then again, I didn’t have the temperature control set on its highest setting either. My old Fry Pappy had only one temperature (on) whereas the new one has a variable temperature control.
I left the balls on the cooling rack while I cleaned up the unavoidable mess created by the production process. Once clean-up was completed, I stowed the balls in a pyrex baking dish, covered it in foil, then placed it in the oven. Mindy suggested we turn the oven on low about 20 minutes before setting out for her mother’s. Made since to me. We’d then transport them in an insulated cover.
The balls now complete, I whipped up a tasty dip comprised of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, Texas Pete’s buffalo sauce, and creamy horseradish. Mindy and I taste tested the dip. It was delicious but also cleared the ol’ sinuses.
Mindy headed off to the shower. We were supposed to be at her mom’s near 2pm. Time was flying by. I called Lindsey & the boys who were having TG dinner at Rosemary’s. Also there were Ashley, Stephen and Olivia. Oh, and Kelly too.
I frosted the cheesecake with chocolate icing then sprinkled some Hershey’s chocolate chunks on top of that. I had some chocolate and toffee bits to add too, but because they’re almond based, I didn’t sprinkle them on. Instead, I stowed them in a plastic storage container that folks could add as they saw fit. That way those allergic to nuts can enjoy some cheesecake too.
Once again, I had a little kitchen clean-up to do. It was 115pm when I considered myself completely done. Before heading off to the shower, I organized four beers for the trip and placed them in the kitchen freezer to get them really cold. Among the four were two Great Lakes Xmas Ales leftover from last year. In fact, I still have about 8 more Xmas ales in the garage from the year before (Great Lakes, CBC, and Bell
Of to the shower. Mindy mentioned that the folding handle on our blow dryer broke. Still blows hot air though. Actually, I was happy to hear that. I’ve never cared much for that particular blow dryer. I was showered and dressed still ahead of 2pm.
Back downstairs, I readied a cooler while Mindy packed a laundry basket with all the other ‘take withs’. Eiknarf was going too. I’m thinking that it was 2pm when we loaded up the Pilot and headed to Gloria’s. Eiknarf cried from the back seat through the entire drive.
Despite arriving 15 minutes after the stated start time, Craig & Jeff were the only others there before us. They brought all the meat (ham, smoked turkey, and roasted turkey). They were in the kitchen unpacking the honey baked ham shortly after we arrived. It was probably 30 minutes before any of the others showed. Over the next hour, most everyone else arrived. Missing was b-in-law Larry, who was on-duty at the firehouse. Todd was on duty too, but was able to get away long enough to pay a brief visit and have some of his mother’s prized stuffing. Also missing were Pat & Mel, family friends, who unless I’m mistaken, have been at every TG dinner celebration since I’ve been part of the family (2006 and counting). Never did hear why they weren’t in attendance.
Before dinner, I enjoyed a couple Xmas ales. Despite being a year old, they were as good as ever. Watched the end of the Packer/Lions game (Packers won), and then the beginning of the Cowboys/Dolphins.
Jimaken dropped off Bella and Jacob around 4pm. This would be their second TG dinner of the day. Jacob headed immediately to the basketball court out back while Bella came in with all of us. At some point before dinner I received a panicked call from Lindsey stating that her check engine light was on and that the car smelt like burning rubber. She was worried and wanted me to come look at it immediately. Really? Can’t I have just one day of peace? I could only shake me head in disbelief.
Ten minutes hadn't passed when she called again, this time sharing that the rpms were up around 3500. She was sure that the transmission was going out. Likely not, I insisted. 3500 rpms is normal. In the red is abnormal. She pleaded once again that I stop by to look at the car and reminded me that she can’t afford to miss or be late for work on Black Friday. I shared that we hadn’t yet enjoyed our TG dinner but once we did, I would stop by on the way home to look at the car. Truthfully, the whole idea left a rock in my stomach. I’ve already spent almost $4000 on this damn car. What now? I wanted to scream … or move! J
At some point I headed out to play some basketball with Jacob. He insisted we play one on one. We agreed to play to ten with each basket counting as one point. Though much improved over the last year, I crushed him 10-3. J Next, he wanted to play PIG. Why not? I beat him at PIG too. I was done. Wanted to head inside. Of course, my heading inside prompted Jacob to ask if I was afraid to lose. Hardly. Didn’t I just whip you in one on one and now PIG?
Soon we were called to dinner. It occurred to me that we hadn’t been there for Sunday dinner in an awfully long time. In fact, I can’t recall the last time but I’m guessing it last spring. My assigned seat was at the far end by the screen door and under the ceiling fan. It was quite warm. I turned on the fan and slid open the storm door exposing the screen. Much better!
I’m thinking that there were 17 of us seated for dinner. I was careful not to over eat having only one plate full. I had a little of both types of turkey, stuffing, corn pudding, cooked carrots, green beans, and a roll. That’s it. At some point during dinner, Mindy espoused that she was there for the pumpkin pie. Then Bella quickly chimed in that she was there because she had to. Everybody at the table burst into laughter. It was as much her tone as it was the verbiage. Too funny!
We learned during dinner that there was a misunderstanding regarding the prep of the TG turkey. It seems Craig called Gloria to ask about TG dinner plans and whether she was planning to host. Gloria shared that she was willing to host but wasn’t really able to cook a turkey having dropped last year’s bird while pulling it from the oven. Craig apparently shared that he could take care of that to which Gloria agreed without any further confirmation.
What Gloria heard was that Craig was bringing the turkey, but what Craig apparently meant was that he would help get the bird cooked and out of the oven. I didn’t quite get when they finally realized the oversight, but got the idea that it was just in the last couple days. Craig fixed the dilemma by simply ordering honey baked ham and turkey. Voila! Thanks Craig!
After dinner, I headed to the lower level where I watched more football and took a brief, but much needed nap. Felt terrific. Still whirling in my head was Lindsey’s latest car troubles. In my mind, I would’ve far better off buying a new car for her. But as it was, I simply wanted to put it out of my mind for at least one day.
Mindy woke me a while later to share that we were starting the lottery ticket game. Sister-in-law Jodi brought 16 lottery tickets. She also brought a pair of dice and a timer. The rules of the game were simple. Set the timer to an agreed amount of time while everyone around the table takes a turn rolling the dice. The first person to roll doubles takes possession of the lottery ticket. They hold the ticket until the next person rolls doubles. Then, the person who has the ticket when the timer expires, gets to keep it.
As luck would have it, I rolled doubles (snake eyes) just as the timer expired on the first lottery ticket. It was mine for keeps. I set it aside to scratch off later. There were 16 tickets so 16 rounds. It was a lot of fun. We let all the kids play too. Without question, there were a handful (Missy, Ryan, and Josh) that rolled more than their fair share of doubles. Ryan ended up with 4 lottery tickets, or 25% of the bounty.
At the games conclusion we scratched off our tickets. Mine was a loser. In fact, most were losers. I think there were three winning tickets in all, a $1 & $2 winner, and then a $14 winner on one of Ryan’s four tickets. We’ll have to do that again.
We hung in the kitchen until about 7pm when Gloria suggested we go to the lower level for dessert. I was very much looking forward to some cheesecake. Mindy, on the other hand, was very much looking forward to some of her mom’s famous pumpkin pie. She boasts of it to everyone who’ll listen. J
There were at least three choices: Boston
We said our goodbyes then hit the road for home around 8pm. Mindy gave Lindsey a heads up call forewarning our arrival. She shared that her neighbor said it was leaking transmission fluid or oil. Hearing that put my stomach was in knots. We arrived a few minutes later and parked so we could use the Pilot’s headlights to see the car. Lindsey and Rocky were waiting for us outside. Rocky was playing on his skateboard. Landon was apparently asleep inside. Lindsey immediately pointed out a large dried puddle of oil or some other automotive fluid in the parking spot she originally occupied. Said she moved it to see if the leak continued.
But if memory served, I distinctly remembered that dried puddle being there even the day I moved her furniture in. It wasn’t from the Hyundai. I looked and felt around underneath the car. Lighting was sketchy at best. There were no leasks readily apparent. I started the car and sure enough the check engine light was on. I turned it off. I told Mindy and Lindsey that I wanted to drive it home to see how it performed and where I could get a better look & see in the garage with a trouble light. I saw Lindsey go over and talk with and hug Mindy. Wasn’t sure what that was about. Lindsey then asked if I would at least make sure she got to work in the morning. Yes. Mindy then shared that she would keep the boys.
Mindy was off well in front of me while I drove the Hyundai home. She considerately had the Pilot parked on the street and the garage opened ready to receive the Hyundai. The funny thing is, we hadn’t even discussed it, but that’s exactly what I wanted.
I pulled the Hyundai inside. By the way, the car drove fine from Lindsey’s place to home and the check engine light was never on. Hmmm? I threw the trouble light under the car and took a gander. Nothing. No relevant leaks. I then checked all the fluids: engine oil, transmission, antifreeze, brake, and power steering. All full. I ran the car for about five minutes. Perfect. Mindy suggested I take it for a drive on the freeway. Agreed. Jacob went with.
I drove it hard, lots of quick acceleration so the transmission would have to work. It performed great. I got it up to 75 mph a couple of times. All totaled, I think we drove just under 20 miles. Nothing unusual. Ran fine. Back at the house I checked for any unusual smells. Just a slight hint of coolant, but that’s it. Mindy and I both wondered if she might’ve driven it with the emergency brake engaged. I know it was engaged in her parking spot which is unnecessary. I called Lindsey to let her know what I found. I jokingly told her that the transmission fell out while driving it hard. She bit immediately telling me that she knew something was wrong. I couldn’t get a word in to tell her I was kidding for at least 30 seconds.
However, she eventually quieted down and I shared that the car performed well, no check engine light, no leaking, no transmission failures, no nothing. She was dumfounded. I called her back to let her know that we were bringing it back so she could go to work on her own come morning. At Mindy’s prompting, I suggested she go ahead and take the kids to Big Rocky’s tomorrow as originally planned. She all but cried stating that she had already called telling him that Mindy agreed to watch them. Mindy acquiesced and said she’d go ahead and keep them.
We let the kids stay home by themselves while we ran the Hyundai back to Lindsey. We weren't gone but five minutes. Lindsey was waiting for us outside. She couldn’t believe what I told her about the car. Said she’d bring the boys over around 815am. We headed for home.
At home, I suggested we knock at the door to see how the kids reacted. Mindy told them not to answer the door if someone knocked. Sure enough, Bella came running, but Mindy had me let us in via the key before she could get there. I heard Bella giving Jacob holy hell on her way back down the basement stairs. If it were a test she would’ve failed. She blamed Jacob for telling her to go see who it was.
Once settled in at home, I had to spend almost an hour taking care of a work related matter. It was already after 10pm when I finished. I could hardly believe it. Mindy rubbed the knot that’s been building in my back for the last couple of days. Now more than ever I am convinced that it’s has as much to do with stress as it does with anything physical.
It was a work night for me. Come 1027pm I declared it bed time. Good night moon!
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