Wax On Wax Off

Mindy was out of bed first, which might be record. I’m thinking it was near 815am when she got up. I slept a while longer getting up just after 830am.

It was the weekend so I didn’t plan on doing calisthenics. Instead, I went right for the coffee and then chatted with Mindy. We both sipped coffee and surfed the internet independently for at least 30 minutes. I took Eiknarf on a walk before I readied for a run.

I’m thinking it was near 930am when I headed out on a run. It was sunny and cool – frosty even. It was only 31 degrees. I wore sunglasses, hand and ear covers. It was a very nice, relaxing run. Considering the season, couldn’t ask for a nicer morning.

Back home sometime after 10am. Talked with Lindsey who called Mindy’s phone. Mindy was in the shower, or just finishing up. Lindsey wanted to know when we’d be coming to get her and the boys, this their last morning at the YWCA. Figured to be there within the hour.

I checked with Mindy. She nixed yoga. After changing out of my sweaty running clothes I headed to wards the YWCA giving a Lindsey a call just before I left the house and once again once I was around the corner.

She had all of their belongings in 5 or 6 large trash bags. Several other sheltered children helped drag it all out to the curb and Pilot. Sad really. One cute young boy asked for my car keys. He couldn’t have been 6. Promised he wouldn’t steal my car. An entire family stood watching congratulating Lindsey for ‘getting out’.

We headed towards her place. It had to feel good to leave that place in the rear view although I reminded Lindsey how she needed to be most thankful for their extended generosity. Where would she have been without their help? But if you’re looking for that type of emotion or a sense of gratitude from Lindsey you’ll almost certainly walk away disappointed. It drives me crazy.

We stopped at Lindsey’s apartment to drop the bags of clothes and other stuff. There was a broken beer bottle smashed on the approach to the apartment building. There were countless cigarette butts all about the steps leading up to her apartment. Yuck! The apartment itself was decent – reasonably clean and functional. Lindsey, of course, did nothing but complain about the carpet and the nicks in the stove. Understandably so, the kids were very excited and wanted to stay and bounce around in their new apartment. We didn’t stay long. Mindy was waiting for us back at home. She planned to take Lindsey shopping for a few basic cleaning supplies and then some things to get her started, like pans, glasses, shower curtain, etc.

As we exited Twin Creeks, I couldn't help but share how frustrated I was that Lindsey bought a TV and the cable TV yet she still has no car. She also let me know that she was planning on going to Bingo with her mom around 5pm. We headed to Tim Horton's before home. I promised Bella I'd stop for donuts. Landon went in with me. We picked a dozen donuts and then ten Tim Bits. As usual, the kids were excited to be at our place.

Lindsey knew that I was pissed. I think she headed out for a smoke or to call her mom, maybe both. I shared the Bingo and cable news with Mindy. She was even more incensed than I. I just want to turn her over me knee and spank her. Stupid is as stupid does.

I knew Mindy would say something but I didn't expect her to rip into like she did. She let her have an earful even tossing in a few choice swear words. Don't know that I've seen Mindy that mad in years. Lindsey didn't lash back. Honestly, I was surprised. Mindy eventually calmed and took Lindsey in the other room to discuss a budget and a plan. They emerged together ready to go shopping for cleaning supplies.

I wasn't quite sure my role beyond staying home with the kids while they shopped. Wasn't sure if they were heading to the apartment to clean after shopping or coming home first. Turned out, they went to the apartment while I watched the kids. That made the most sense. Wouldn't much if anything done with the kids there.

I took the kids out back to play. The older boys played with the airsoft guns while Landon played on the swing. When the boys started getting too rowdy, I offered up a walk in the woods. Jake & Jacob didn't follow. Following me into the woods were Bella, Rocky, Landon and Evan. We hiked to the waterfall where we played briefly just below the damn. We headed back walking near neighbor Scott, whose yard also backs up to the woods. He was burning brush. I let the kids poked at his fire for a few minutes before heading back home.

Back at the house we happened upon a dead musk rat in the backyard, the same one that's been working around the pond for years. Pretty fur, but dark orange teeth. Not sure how he died. Looked like he just keeled over while going about his daily trek. The kids were amazed and poked and prodded the poor thing.

Not sure the time when I finally heard from Mindy. They were heading back out for more supplies and then back to the apartment. Figured to be gone at least another 3 hours. I didn't realize it was an all day thing, but appreciated Mindy showing Lindsey how to do it right.

All the kids ran off to play save for Landon who stayed back with me. I watched pieces and parts of the OSU game, not joining initially until the 3rd quarter. It was 20-13 but then 20-20 within the first few minutes of me watching. The Buckeyes pulled it out in the end by two touchdowns. Around 3pm Landon and I headed out to wash and polish my car. He washed and rinsed the low stuff. It was nice to get the Accord squeaky clean again, but my real motive was getting a coat of polish on it before winter sets in. Landon abandoned the car washing exercise in favor of Chrissy's bounce house. She had it set up for her nieces b-day party. All the kids were out there playing.

While the kids played next door, I was able to polish the Accord to a brilliant and hopefully lasting shine. Took almost 2 hours from start to finish. I finally got a shower after finishing the car. And boy did that feel good. Landon and I walked down to chat with Chrissy. She was just rolling up the bounce house. I hung out for a few with her and Julie.

Mindy & Lindsey got back home around630-7pm after a long day of cleaning & organizing. By then, I had already started drinking beer, first polishing off my growler of Centennial and then moving onto some White Rajah. Mindy brought two extra-large pepperoni pizzas home. The pizza was delicious. I ate a bunch.

Chrissy and Julie came down for a visit. Must've been around 8pm. We hung together for about an hour before Mindy took Lindsey and the boys home to their apartment. They'd be sleeping on our air mattress until they get their furniture next week.

I watched some of the Alabama/LSU game but it wasn't very exciting - very low scoring. For a Saturday night, all of us were in bed early - probably before 10pm.