Hyundai Pains Me

Not too concerned with being up right on time, I slept in a few extra minutes. It was near 540am by the time I was downstairs doing sit-ups. Frustrated with the weather both home and in New York, I decided to avoid looking at the forecast and instead looked only at the current temperature for my run's sake. It was 44 degrees and cloudy near 6am.

Mindy was already done with school so I didn't need to wake her. That gave me more play time and widened the time window for my run. I didn't bother heading out the door until 640am after a decent meditation and stretch.

It was nice to run in dry conditions after two rainy runs in a row. I ran the full 4.1 miles and felt good throughout. I was in good spirits, this being the last work day of the year. It was also trash day, and Jacob put our can at the curb the night before. It was still setting unemptied when I returned from my run.

I was surprised to return and find Mindy already awake and preparing to walk Eiknarf. She wanted to get an early start to her day. Said she would make my eggs while I showered. Cool. That saved me lots of time. She asked if I wanted a lunch. No. Figured I'd take only a banana. I had tuna in my desk if the urge arose. Besides, I didn't envision myself working a full day at the office.

I had to pick-up Lindsey and the boys. I agreed to take the boys to their dad's place and then drop Lindsey at work.  I left the house close to 8am. I didn't have to wait long at all at Lindsey's. They were all up and ready. Right away, Landon asked if he could stay home with Mindy. When I told him that he couldn't he cried quietly for the rest of the drive to his dad's place. I felt bad for him. And then when we got there he didn't want to go in. That kind of stuff bothers me. The boys father and his new baby momma live in the dilapidated Lincoln Park West apartments. Not exactly a place that exudes health and happiness.

Dropped Lindsey at work next. I told Mindy that I might stop back home for more coffee since I felt so rushed earlier. However, it was already nearing 830am. I went straight to work instead.

Not a lot of folks in the office. The lot might have been as barren as I've ever seen it on a week day. That made me happy. I figured that would equate to a very easy day. However, things don't always go as planned. Turned out, we had a couple large scale issues brewing that required my attention and intervention, and kept it for the better part of the first half of the day. My boss was working remotely and asked that I give him a call. We talked about a number of work related matters including a conversation about a another call he and would be joining at 2pm.

If everything went well, I figured I would leave after that 2pm call. Aarrow called sometime around 130pm to let me know the car was ready for pick-up. Would be open until 530pm.  I talked with Mindy and arranged to pick-up the car. I would drive home and then she & I would head to Aarrow in the Pilot. Mindy would then head off for a few more Xmas errands and I would drive the Hyundai home.

Things pretty much went as planned. The 2pm  meeting lasted about 30 minutes. I tied up several loose ends and left for home just after 3pm. Mindy wasn't there when I arrived, but showed up about 15 minutes later. It was pouring rain again, something I didn't think was forecasted. But then again, I swore off reading the weather forecast for the day. We left for Aarrow around 345pm and arrived there just after 4pm. Dave reviewed the work they performed an I settled the tab. I asked Mindy to stick around long enough for me to get the car started. We parted ways at Avery Rd. She went south and I continued to the east. The Hyundai drove fine all the way home. Sad there are so many issues with it. Every time I drive it, including the test drive, it seems the ideal little car.

I was home by 430pm and had the house all to myself for at least another hour while Mindy ran  a few more Xmas errands. The kids were at Mindy's mom's for the afternoon. Mindy planned to pick them up on her way home. Mindy called to let me know her status, and while we were talking, Bob I. stopped by dropping off Xmas gifts. He and M.A. were heading north to Wadsworth later that evening for the Xmas holiday weekend. Thanks Bob! It was pouring rain. Bob didn't stay long, maybe 10 minutes. 

I'm thinking it was near 530pm when Mindy & the kids got home. Bella was going to a Xmas party at the dance studio with her gymnastics team. Mindy planned to drop her off near 7pm, run an errand, and then pick-up Lindsey from work on her way back home. I would then head out at 830pm to fetch Bella. Up to that point, I played on my PC listening to music, updating my blog, and creating an Elf Yourself using pictures of Mindy and her sibs from their youth. It amused Mindy enough that she forwarded it to her sibs for their viewing. I paid $5 to download into my video collection.

I sent brother Glenn an email earlier that day asking if he still needed a battery for his Mac book. If so,  I planned to order it for him for Xmas. Said he did in fact still need it.

I left to get Bella around 820pm. Jacob was going to go with but opted out last second. None of us had eaten dinner. I thought I might stop at Wendy's on the way home. Bella and her gymnastics peeps were playing on the trampoline when I showed up. We wished everyone there a merry Xmas then were on our way home. Bella liked the idea of Wendy's. I asked if she had an idea what Jacob might want. Yes. Spicy chicken sandwich with lettuce. Bella ordered chicken nuggets and fries, and I ordered a spicy chicken sandwich and large fries for Jacoby. I then ordered two Dave's Hot n' Juicy's, one for me and one for Mindy.

Pushing 9pm, we woofed down our food in a hurry. Being the beginning of my Xmas vacation, I poured a pint of Cousin Eddie and we watched the LAs Vegas Bowl - Boise State and Arizona State. It was a blowout. Boise State dominated from the outset. Mindy headed to bed well ahead of me, and asked that the kids be in bed by 1030pm. That's about the time that I headed for bed. Both kids were in their rooms but wide awake. Jacob was playing a game on his Play Station and Bella was watching TV while  also bouncing off the walls. I asked that they keep the noise to a minimum and went to bed. Good night.