Frigid Night at the Zoo

I wisely took a few Advil just before going to bed to help ward off the potentially ill side effects from the 4 beers the night before. And I am happy to report that while I may have slept in a bit longer than normal for a Saturday, at least I woke feeling decent.  I was up and downstairs by 815am. It was clear, sunny, and cold. Heavy frost coated everything in sight. Depending on the source, it was anywhere from 19-21 degrees.

I started coffee then played on the internet. Did that for an hour or more. Mindy was up surprisingly early. I’m thinking it was even before 9am. I took Eiknarf on a walk in the cold winter air. Very refreshing!

Somewhere between 930-10am I headed out for a run. I bundled warmly and added sun glasses to the recent winter uniform. Like most Saturday’s, I ran only 3 miles. Mindy was in the shower when I got back. We planned to go Xmas shopping that afternoon before heading to the zoo to watch Bella sing with her school mates.

I headed up for shower after Mindy was out but before she was fully ready. Even though we knew we were going Xmas shopping, neither of us had much of a plan, and that includes where we might be going. I figured Target a good start, however.  

Not sure the time when we left for Target but I’m guessing it was somewhere close to noon. Traffic was heavy but  I expected that. I parked about as far away from the building as humanly possible hoping to avoid door dings and crazy folks. It took us a few to get in synch, but little wonder after neither of us shared a plan. We finally decided to take care of one kid at a time (our kids, grand kids). We also agreed to cut back on the number of outfits for the grandkids this year. Kids want toys, not clothes.

We didn’t have a lot of ideas for toys, but both agreed that getting Landon his own DS made sense. We looked at DS’ and Xbox’s but bought neither. Lines were too long for mandatory electronics assistance. Mindy declared that we’d be better served buying those items via the web. Good call! In the end, it was a good start, but still lots more to go. I couldn’t help but share my recent bah-hum-bug outlook with Mindy. For whatever the reason, the entire Xmas thing isn’t resonating well with me this year. Hopefully my outlook will improve as the season progresses. Come what may.

We saw Chrissy pulling in as we were leaving Target. Mindy was on the phone calling CBC to see if they had the Cousin Eddie on tap yet. Talked with Jen, the manager. Said they did. Yippie! We only waved as we headed for some lunch. Mindy suggested the Vaq, which pleased me much. That was my choice too. It’s right up the way from Target and only a few patrons at still a relatively early hour.

We were seated in a booth and quickly approached by a friend from Mindy’s past. I think her name was Ty. She talked a mile a minute and went on and on about hospital talk. I couldn’t keep up, but Mindy seemed to. Funny, the girl talked to Mindy like she’s seen her just the day before. Lots of complaining interlaced in the conversation. Before she left, she acknowledged talking a lot, but also added that I’d seen or heard nothing until I met her sister Ta. J Ok.

Honestly, I could’ve survived on chips and salsa alone. They were fresh and delicious. Almost always are. I ordered a regular Coke to boot. One of the rare occasions when I drink regular soda pop. Mindy ordered a side of guacamole to go with our chips. It hit the spot too. I ordered a lunch dish, beef taco, burrito and Mexican rice. Mindy ordered a mexican seafood combo, something she orders almost every time we go there.

Like every other time, the food arrived fast. I ate my taco first. It was just OK. Not nearly as good as normal. It didn’t help that I was quickly full. I thought I’d take one bite or two of my burrito and then take the rest home. I cut into it revealing chicken even thought I specifically ordered both beef. I called it to Mindy’s attention who later flagged down our server, whose name now escapes me. He quickly addressed the problem whisking my plate away but promptly returning with an entirely new plate. I figured he do that.

I ate just a couple bites then requested a to-go box, caring not to make a pig of myself.

We headed for home where Mindy carried in our complete haul after I opened the house. It wasn’t that much though. She headed to the basement with all of it and apparently even started wrapping. While she did all that, I stole a quick nap. At some point I heard Mindy on the phone with Chrissy making arrangements for us to get Makayla around 415pm so we could be at the zoo by 5pm, where we planned to meet Jimaken and the kids. Over hearing their conversation, I butted in and said 4pm because I planned to stop at CBC for some Cousin Eddie before heading to the zoo.

I freshened up while Mindy walked Eiknarf. It was 4pm in a jiffy. Chrissy & Makayla were at our door right on time. Makayla didn’t look happy. Not sure what the matter was, tired I presume. I also think she thought Bella was would be with us. It was getting cold and expected to dip into the teens overnight. I asked if she had on long johns and also made sure she had gloves. Chrissy ran back home to fetch her ski pants. Mindy was taking hers. I know this, it always a lot colder at the zoo.

We left the house by 415pm and arrived at CBC near 430pm. Mindy ran in with two empty jugs returning with them full five minutes later. Said the girl working the bar at first said they were out, but eventually realized they put more on tap overnight. Yes!

Off to the zoo. We took 315n all the way to Hard Rd. We then cut across Hard to Smoky Row then north to

Powell Rd

to the zoo. That turned out being a wise move affectively avoiding all

Sawmill Rd

traffic. We arrived at the zoo just before 5pm as planned. Jimaken and kids were already there.

Mindy celled Jim to let him know we were on our way to the gate. He was getting in on our new family pass. I was bundled warmly, wearing my thick fleece jacket zipped to the neck and then my long wool overcoat, ear covers, and thick running gloves. I was quite comfortable. Mindy had hand warmers for those wanting. I passed. Not only was Jimaken there with the kids, but so was his friend Pez and his son Vincent. Mindy offered each of them hand warmers. The girls’ show was in a covered outdoor stage area that also had wind blocks. It was chilly but not nearly as cold as it was just out from the cover.

The stage was adjacent to the large pond surrounded by tree covered in Xmas lights. It was really pretty. However, I can’t see myself going up here just to see the lights. As we made our way to the stage, Mindy pointed out that one of my customers was having their Xmas party there that night in one of the heated buildings. Nice!

We had a good 30 minutes to go before show time. Jim, Jacob, and Pez fled to get everyone hot cocoa. I didn’t want any. I enjoyed a bottled water instead. The first event, and the only event we were there for, was Beacon 2^nd and 3^rd graders performing 6 or 7 Xmas songs. The performance was cute. I captured their first song on video. Their final song was a medley of Xmas songs played on kazoos. That was pretty cool, and all the kids seemed to enjoy it.

The show might’ve lasted about 45 minutes. Mindy talked a bout looking at the lights afterwards. The kids wanted to see animals. But I wasn’t that eager to stay much longer. I snapped a few pictures of the Xmas lights then made a beeline for the men’s room. Many of the others did as well. I was happy to hear that everybody was ready to go soon after Mindy shared that almost all the animals are indoors. Duh, they’re not stupid. It was cold!

Bella asked more than once if she could come home with us. And Mindy and I were prepared to let her if she had her dad’s blessing, but he said no, which was probably the right thing. I was actually very proud of Bella for keeping her chin up and not crying. I could tell that she was fighting it once or twice.

We hustled to the waiting Pilot which seemed a lot further from the gate than when we first arrived. Couldn’t believe the number of cars lined up to get in. The zoo marketing department is to be commended for their efforts. Like on our way up, Makayla was out cold in a matter of minutes. We took

Riverside Dr

all way to Trabue stopping only long enough to mail my mom’s birthday card at the upper Arlington post office near

Fishinger Rd.

Makayla woke as soon as we pulled in the driveway and ran right home. We told her we’d be down shortly for her mom’s graduation party. Mindy and I headed inside where we spent just a couple minutes before leashing up the pug and heading down to the neighbors. We took a jug of Cousin Eddie. Mindy said she’d drink that too. Hmm?

Eiknarf was hugely excited to be going to see Woodie. We really wanted her to pee first but she’d having none of it. She wanted to see Woodie. Out on the front porch was presumably Chrissy’s dad along with his girl friend. Chrissy was anxious for all of us to finally meet him. We could hear him from our place as we made our way down. Mindy stopped and chatted. I headed directly inside eager to release the pug and put down the growler.

Greeted everyone is sight, and when Chrissy’s father came back inside I finally got a chance to meet him. Can’t recall his name. I didn’t realize it at the time but he didn’t have any teeth. I only discovered that after offering him some smoked deer that Mike O. brought over. Chrissy joked all week that he promised to wear his teeth. I’ll say this. He’s a rowdy soul. Took a real liking to Mindy as well as couple other girls in attendance. Chrissy handled his presence well. Missy, here sister, not so much. She seemed mortified by his behavior. I talked with her about it some. She’s embarrassed by him. That’s how I would feel too. I fully understood where she was coming from. I only reminded her that it was no reflection on her. She’s done quite well for herself and her family despite his antics.

As often happens at one of Chrissy & Kenny’s parties, soon the girls were dancing on the counter tops. And one of Kenny’s relatives brought a mason jar filled with holiday moonshine. He offered me the first nip. Having never experienced moonshine before, I was sure what to expect. This had an apple & cinnamon flavor and went down easily with no burn. He shared that it’s all in the distilling process. I was careful not to drink too much of it.

Mindy & I went through the first growler of Cousin Eddie in no time and soon went home for the 2^nd jug. We gave Chrissy her combo graduation/birthday gift – 3 Pandora bracelet charms. The dancing continued for an hour or two, culminating in Kenny exchanging shirts with a female co-worker of Chrissy’s. Her boyfriend didn’t seem amused. Don’t blame him either. I would give Mindy an earful for such antics.

Mindy said it was near 130am when we headed for home. I’ll have to take her word. I didn’t bother looking at the clock. Good night full moon!