We had Eiknarf in our bed, and her snoring woke me numerous times. However, despite the interruptions, I still slept pretty well. Because we didn’t have the kids to be concerned with, I figured I could sleep a little longer. To that end, I didn’t get out of bed until 540am.
I glanced out back where there were clear skies and no visible frost. I later learned the temperature was above freezing, or a balmy 37 degrees. It was Monday, which in my world was a sit-up/push-up day. I quickly whipped out both ahead of enjoying any coffee.
I was a little surprised to read that the Chargers manhandled the Ravens the night before. I didn’t see any of the second half. I played on the internet until 610am. Again, I wasn’t in a big hurry since I didn’t have to be back from my run to take care of the kids before Mindy’s departure. I did, however, need to wake Mindy, and did so with coffee in hand around 615am. I then returned to the living room for meditation and stretching.
I was done with both by 630am and dressed for my run maybe ten minutes later. I know it had to be after 645am when I left for my run. In the brief hour since I woke, the sky managed to cloud completely over. It didn’t impact my run in anyway. I ran the usual 4.1 miles about 15 minutes behind my usual schedule. I happened upon the old couple I frequently see out walking at three junctures. We exchanged brief holiday pleasantries.
Mindy was about ready to leave when I got back to the house. She reviewed all of her planned after school Xmas related stops. I reminded her how important it was to stop and have her left rear tire checked/plugged before anything else. I filled it to 32 lbs psi on Saturday morning but by the time we left MRM Saturday night the low tire indicator light was on again. I looked for a nail/screw but didn’t see one. It definitely needs addressed before we leave for our ski trip. This was dad’s 76th birthday, too. We invited him over for pizza on our way to dinner the night before. He was noncommittal at the time but promised to let us know by Monday afternoon.
With Mindy already gone, and no kids to contend with, I enjoyed my breakfast at a more leisurely pace. That was nice. I think it was 750am when I finally headed up for a shower. It didn’t take me long to ready. I was downstairs around bus time. Instead of heading to the bus stop, I checked in with work since I still had my laptop fired up from the weekend. Things were quiet. I think it was near 830am when I left the house for work.
I had a handful of Xmas related errands I wanted to run sometime during the day. I decided on my drive into the office that I could focus better on work if I made two of the stops even before heading to work – Target & Home Depot. I stopped at the Mill Run Home Depot first picking up two new CFL spot lights and some AAA batteries. I then headed to the Target next door where I planned to get gift cards for the girls and Rachel. While there, I picked up some stocking stuffers and a gift for Lindsey from the boys. Much to my surprise, they were out of Xmas themed gift cards. I was a little frustrated but what could I do. I simply smiled and told the clerk that I’d stop by another Target later, and probably at lunchtime.
Work was as quiet as I expected it might be. A lot of folks are already off for the holidays, and many who choose to take the week before Xmas off. Personally, I’ve tried both. If staying home, I definitely prefer the week before. I called Aarrow Radiator sometime during the morning asking about bringing in Lindsey’s car possibly Tuesday morning. Dean suggested we bring it in on Wednesday instead. Tuesday looked way too busy.
Still had our usual 1pm Monday meeting. As soon as it was over I left for lunch. It was 140pm. I planned stops at Target, Aspen Ski & Board, and perhaps even Dick’s. I took my laptop just in case I wanted to work from home for the rest of the afternoon. I headed to the Sawmill Rd Target first. It was packed. I was in and out of there pretty fast, though, after finding a plethora of Xmas themed gift cards.
From there, I headed across the street to Dick’s hoping to get Steven a gift card. It was crowded too, and they do the single line checkout thing. They has an associate directing guests to the next available register. The looked to be at least 20 deep and only two or three folks working registers. I asked a clerk if I needed to wait in the line to buy a gift card. Yep! Thanks, but no thanks. I figured I’d hit Dick’s again at a more convenient time later in the week.
Aspen Ski & Board was next. I was hoping to pick-up a snowboard bag for Jacob while using one of the $20 off coupon we received from MRM. I didn’t realize it at the time but they sell the board bags by size. I found one a bit longer than Jacob’s board but with a lot of extra padding that I thought would be ideal. We’ll most likely stow Bella’s skis in it too. With the coupon, I got it for $34.
I’d been gone about an hour. It was roughly 245pm. I opted to head home and work the rest of the afternoon from there. I drove straight down Kenny to Tremont, to Lane, to Riverside
While my laptop booted up, I whipped up a burrito with last week's leftover taco meat. It was delicious. I’m sure that was due in no small part to being ravenously hungry. Thankfully, there weren't any urgent emergency issues going on, but I did have a 4pm call I needed to join. I kept thinking I’d need to squelch the kids once they got home on the bus, but just before the call began I remembered that they were with their dad and on Xmas break. Duh! I used my blue tooth headset for the call for comfort's sake. Otherwise, I find them offensive. Nothing worse that someone walking around in public presumably talking to themselves, but then only to spot the small black bud in their ear.
The call was an important one but brief. Didn’t last but 20 minutes. For that I was excited. I heard from Mindy near 430pm. Said she was on her way to get the tire checked. I asked where, she replied, Brown Tire. I laughed and said that’s where I’d expect Lindsey & or Ashley to take their cars, but not her. She said that she got the idea from those two. Great! When I suggested she try Discount Tire or somewhere equivalent, it did little more than angered her. She ended up bagging the tire repair altogether and instead said she was heading to Target for wrapping paper. Now that’s having one’s priorities in their proper order. J However, to be fair, she was feeling overwhelmed still needing to pick-up the boys at Magdalene, too. I offered to do it, but couldn’t until after 530pm. Lastly, Mindy shared that my dad would in fact be joining us for dinner, and would arrive near 530pm.
Like a watch, dad showed up at the front door at 530pm. Mindy and the boys weren’t yet home. Dad and I chatted briefly, him explaining his recent knee woes, which are relatively few and far between. However, he’s still experiencing periodic discomfort in the second knee replacement now after about two months. Pretty much to be expected.
Mindy and the boys must’ve shown up around 540pm. And after a quick birthday greeting for my dad and a peck for me, she wasted little time ordering a pizza. She also shared that we would celebrate his birthday with sugar cookies in lieu of a cake. The boys didn’t disappoint, asking almost instantaneously if they could play Wii. I agreed, but with stipulations – no bickering. Now, having said that, I knew there was no way in hell they could play without bickering. Still …
They started bickering even before the game was live, arguing over controllers. Rocky’s quick to take advantage of Landon if permitted. I did my best to govern without a heavy hand. I left to get the pizza not five minutes after it was ordered. I'm guessing they keep basic pizas queued up for baking using stats from years of operation. It was ready when I got there. Ran into Mrs Dent, Rocky’s kindergarten and first grade teacher. She was there having dinner with her four boys. They were just on their way out. She introduced me as Rocky’s grandpa. Geesh, I feel old!
Back home, Mindy quickly served dad and the boys some pizza. It was good, though perhaps a little overdone. The boys each had at least four slices. Rocky initially stopped after two until I declared that you could only have the same number of sugar cookies. He then opted for two more slices of pizza. Too funny!
While Landon was there in my grasp, I took the opportunity to measure his weight, height, and waist line after preparing to buy him some husky jeans online from the Osh-Kosh website. They boy is a tank! He’s 45" tall, weights 62.2 lbs, and has a 25.5” waist. Good thing I didn’t order the day prior, because I would’ve bought too small. I had to go with a size 7H, and even then he weighs more than the recommended fitting, but is 3” shorter”. The waist should be ideal. I figure we can always roll ‘em up a little. And hopefully, he’ll begin to stretch out length-wise without more girth. J
We sang dad the happy birthday song with a single candle in a sugar cookie. He seemed to enjoy it. We all partook in the cookies afterwards, with Rocky eating the lion’s share. I’ll bet he had 6.
Lindsey arrived near 745pm. She seemed in good spirits. We talked about getting the car in on Wednesday. Even though she hoped for Tuesday, she understood the limitation. That’s when they can get it in. Otherwise, it would simply sit there. She didn’t stay long. Soon she and the boys left. Dad left about the same time too. I can’t recall who left first. Asked dad if he was coming over on Saturday. He seemed to draw a blank. Hmmm? I was sure that Mindy invited him.
It was just Mindy and I after 8pm. I quickly changed into my PJs then completed Landon’s Osh-Kosh jean order online. Mindy did some more wrapping. Was down the basement for about an hour. By then I had updated my blog through Thursday last and then finished writing Saturday’s, too. I poured a Cousin Eddie near 9pm and headed to the family room where I tuned into the Science Channel catching The Universe, and another program about black holes – probably the hottest topic in space theory these days. Mindy soon joined me, asking me to rub her sore shoulders and upper back. We watched the next program, too – The Meteorite Man, or something like that.
We stayed up until 1020pm, I believe. I was already dosing from the sofa. Even still, Mindy was surprised when I joined her heading to bed. Eiknarf was more than stoked to be joining us. Us, not so much. She takes up an incredible amount of room and she makes a lot of noise.
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