I peered out the door glancing skyward. I was a little surprised that it was cloudy again given all the gleaming stars the night before. I slipped into my exercise shoes, hit the go button on the coffee maker, and completed 50 sit-ups.
Coffee was ready by 535am. I poured a cup then headed to the PC. I checked the weather first. It was 36 degrees – as chilly as it’s been in more than a week. Wasn’t expected to reach much beyond the mid 40s throughout the day. Didn’t spend more than 10 minutes online. Off to meditate at 550am. That time went incredibly fast. It was 605am before I knew it, and time to deliver Mindy’s coffee.
I was back downstairs to stretch and ready for a run by 610am. I needed to be nimble and quick if I were to leave the house with Bella at 735am. To that end, I headed out the door for my run by 620am. And even though I was out the door early, I decided to cut my run to 3 miles to ensure I had enough time to eat, shower and dress appropriately for a customer presentation downtown after dropping the girls at Beacon singer practice. I was back from my run at exactly 650am.
I quickly walked Eiknarf and then started on breakfast. Before Mindy left, I confirmed that the kids were already up and getting ready. They were. Jacob was just getting out of the shower, this the first day taking one in the morning. Bella was up and alert too. Hollered down to let me know.
Mindy left around 710am. I saved a few bites of my eggs for Eiknarf, but didn’t bother frying one just for her. I needed to hustle off to the shower if I were to be out the door in no more than 20-25 minutes. I was quick and efficient, back downstairs by 730am. Bella and Jacob were ready to go too.
I spent the last few minutes powering down my laptop. I left the kitchen in somewhat disarray at least compared to its usual state when I leave. I thought it very likely that I would stop by the house on my way back to the office after my downtown meeting. Jacob & Bella headed out the door at 734am. Jacob was headed down to Chrissy’s. I planned to drive to Chrissy’s to pick-up Makayla, but when I got to the car they were both already aboard. Off to school.
The girls giggled form the back seat during the entire drive to Beacon singers practice. I was making even better time than I hoped for. Had them at school by 745am. I verified their entrance before taking off. They got in fine.
I was a tad worried about the traffic on I-270 south with all the construction. It was slow but never at a standstill. It’s a mess though. Not entirely sure what they’re doing. I was on 70/670 in a hurry. In fact, I was downtown at my destination just a couple minutes after 8am – a whopping 45 minutes early. I parked in the adjacent parking garage which is the same garage shared by the Arena Grand theatre.
Walked to the customer’s building only to learn that I needed a badge for access. Crap! I stood outside in the chilly morning air for quite a while. Sent an email to my peer who I was supposed to meet there. Thankfully, a former direct report of mine but who now works for the customer was making his way in for the day and stopped to chat. He took me inside to the security desk. In fact, during the first 15-20 minutes that I was there, I ran into four people I knew.
Three of my peers arrived near 9am and we all headed to the conference room designated for the monthly presentation. While everyone was getting set up I headed to the Men’s room. When I returned they were all heading out. Said wrong room. Dang it! We moved to another conference room down the hall. No biggie. We set up again and then waited. We waited for 20 minutes for the customer representatives to show. They never did show. Around 930am we agreed to head back to the office. I’m still not sure the reason for the disconnect.
After paying $5 for parking, I headed back to the west. Instead of heading back to work, I stopped at home. There, I poured a cup of coffee then grabbed the Hyundai tags and headed out to get them installed. I started the car and let it run too. I could only get the rear tags on. The old plate bolts were snapped off in the front. I took it for a quick test drive to check the brakes again. During the short drive I was convinced more than ever that the brakes needed looked at sooner than later. Seems like the back brakes are bad. The parking brake doesn’t grab at all. I also discovered that the defroster wasn’t blowing out properly/ No matter what the setting, most of the warm air was deflected to the floor. Winter approaching, I figure that’ll needs fixed now too.
I was home for about 45 minutes before heading towards the office, but not before two quick stops. I stopped at the auto parts store to buy some license plate screws. While there, I also picked up two blind spot mirrors, one for the Accord and one for the Pilot.
My next stop was Home Depot to have spare keys made for the Hyundai. I picked up a key chain and a new ¼” drill bit, too. The ¼” bit in my Dewalt kit broke over the summer and I’ve needed it more than once recently.
Finally arrived at the office somewhere near 11am. Spent the lion’s share of my day on monthly reports again. Lots of data to comb through. Sometime during the day I had a revelation of sorts. Instead of trying to figure out a plan to get the Hyundai to Aarrow Radiator and Repair, why not simply take it to the Hatfield Hyundai dealership for servicing. That would certainly simplify the drop off, not to mention getting factory authorized work performed. I felt even more comfortable with my decision after I called and they told me that I could bring it in that evening and almost certainly have it back the following day fixed. Just needed to be there before closing at 6pm. It would be $107 just to diagnose the trouble, but that cost would be waived if we have the work done.
I talked with Mindy. She agreed that it made it a lot easier. She would meet me there after work. She even agreed to drive it there and have me pick her up, but the only problem with that idea, I had all the keys. J Instead, I planned to leave the office at 430pm, drive home, get the Hyundai, then drive it to Hatfield.
I left the office as planned right at 430pm. The construction on I-270 south traffic looked especially snarled just south of Roberts. I worried how quickly we might be able to get to the Georgesville exit with the Hyundai. I arrived home just after 5pm. We needed to wait for Jimaken to get there and pick-up the kids, this being dinner with dad night. I didn't waste even a minute. While waiting on Jimaken, I headed out to install the front plates on the Hyundai. Hoe showed five minutes later.
We left the house near 515pm, me in the Hyundai, Mindy in the Accord. I needed to stop for gas in the Hyundai. I had to chuckle when it took only 8.4 gallons. Just my luck, 270 south traffic was almost at a complete stand-still due to the paving project. Narrowed down to one lane pretty much all the way to the Georgesville exit. This being the first freeway drive in the Hyundai, I was only further convinced that I was doing the right thing. The brakes were poor and need immediate attention.
Despite the snarled traffic, we arrived at Hatfield Hyundai by 550pm. I tooted my horn and they raised the service door. I was soon greeted by a service writer, Jessica. She was most pleasant and helpful. Raved about the condition of the Accent as well as its low mileage. Checked a number of visual stuff without me saying anything. At the computer she pulled up the service history. Shared with me all the warranty work previously performed, most of which I already knew about having glanced through the previous owner’s maintenance records.
Mindy joined me inside just as I was telling the young woman what needed fixed. Mindy got to talking so much with the girl that I had to step on her toe to get her to stop. I wanted to finish and head out. She took the hint. J Iasked them to check the brakes and the defroster. Explained that all the hot air deflects to the floor regardless of the mode selected. She said they’d call me sometime Friday morning to let me know what they found, and that provided they have all the necessary parts, I could expect to have it back that same evening. Cool!
Mindy and I headed off for CBC. I felt really good about choosing to have it serviced there. Besides, I would be passing along the costs to Lindsey.
Traffic was slowed to crawl again as we approached downtown. Thinking it was just before 630pm when we parked in the CBC lot. We found perhaps the only two stools still open and side-by-side. Jamie was tending bar. Mindy ordered their black barley wine while I ordered a Bodhi, the new double IPA. Both are served in a tulip glass signifying a higher than usual alcohol content. The Bodhi tastes a lot like their regular IPA only stronger.
We didn't have a lot of time so we ordered food pretty quickly. I ordered wings while Mindy ordered a salad and one of their newest wood-fired pizzas. It came topped with pesto, chicken and mushrooms. I eventually ordered a 2nd Bodhi, and Jamie slipped Mindy another half glass of the black barley wine after confirming that I'd be driving home. Just before leaving, Mindy ordered a growler of the Bodhi for me to take home
We left for home at 745pm and made it there just ahead of 8pm, the same time we were expecting the kids. They weren't long behind us. Probably no more than 5 minutes. Spent the rest of the evening editing blog postings while the kids prepared for bed. We headed for bed soon after the kids were tucked in. I'm thinking it was just after 930pm.
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