Janie's Love Life Revealed

While I could’ve slept even longer, I got out of bed around 815am. More surprising than me sleeping past 8am was that Mindy was up before me. Not sure what got into her. She must’ve been motivated by the Xmas spirit.

Mindy was sitting at her laptop when I joined her in the kitchen and poured some coffee. It was cloudy at the time though expected to clear some time soon. The kids didn’t stir for a couple hours yet. During that time Mindy worked on the Xmas list while I played with my photo collection. I took Eiknarf on a walk at some point, too. She and I spent most of our time in our own backyard so to avoid two other dogs walking our trail with their master.

As expected, the back yard is really squishy with all the recent rainfall. I had to walk deliberately. Mindy showered around 9am in preparation for some solo Xmas shopping. Think it was near 945am when she left the house. She suggested I leave the kids a note if I left for a run.

I decided I’d rather speak to the kids before leaving for my run. Near 10am I headed upstairs and called to Jacob who didn’t budge. Tried Bella next. At least she responded with an, “OK” before rolling over and going back to sleep. It was still chilly and near 30 degrees but now under clear skies. I wore the usual winter running attire.

I ran three miles without any problem.  Was actually very nice. I had an hankering for some bacon, and planned to make some when I got back home. Jacob was up first and shortly after I was back from my run. I put the entire package of Oscar Meyer applewood extra thick cut bacon on a foil covered baking sheet in the oven on 340 degrees. I continued work on my PC while the bacon cooked.

It was about 1115am when the bacon was ready and when I began cooking an omelet. I made enough for myself and Eiknarf. I was surprised when Mindy came in after being gone something less than two hours. Asked if she wanted any. She didn’t. She & Bella did have some bacon, however.  Kenny had invited Jacob to go back to MRM again on Sunday, but Jacob said he was too stiff to board again so soon. Didn’t think he would go. Bella wasn’t formally invited but we figured they’d take her too if they were going up. But as it was, they were at church.

We invited Lindsey over to do laundry, which would also allow me the opportunity to get a better look at her car. After talking with Kenny, I wanted to check the alternator mount. We told her she could come over around 130pm. Until then, I lounged around the house in my running attire and eventually tuned to Sunday NFL action come 1pm. As often happens, I started getting really nappy as 130pm neared. I dosed from the sofa. Of course, as soon as the boys arrived they asked if they could play Wii. I knew that was coming. I shared that today was football day. Rocky headed outside with Jacob and his pals to play football in the neighbors yard.

Lindsey started some laundry and then asked if she could leave the boys and run home to complete some Xmas errands. We agreed. She was gone only briefly. And when she got back, I motivated myself up & off the couch and headed out to look at her car. I pulled it in the garage and up on the two ramps I picked from a neighbors trash a couple years ago.

Mindy came out and shared that Lindsey asked to go grocery shopping with her. I told Mindy that it was OK with me. I didn’t plan to be long under her car. I could keep the boys as long as she didn’t mind having Lindsey with her. She was good with that and took her along.

I could see right away what Kenny was talking about. The alternator pulley is out of line with the engine pulley. It’s at about a 5-10 degrees out of align. What I couldn’t determine, even with being underneath, how the alternator mounts to the car’s frame. I also looked the transmission over. Being front wheel drive, it’s all up front. Nothing leaking, but then again, I didn’t expect it to be. I decided the best thing to do is take it in the shop, but this time to my buddies at Aarrow Radiator in Amlin (west Hilliard) and have them fix the door handle, the alternator, and check the transmission. I planned to call on Monday.

I pulled Lindsey’s car back to the curb then headed inside to watch more football. It was about 3pm. Happily, the Bengals won, effectively reinserting themselves in the playoff hunt. The Vikings, meanwhile, we suffering another embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Saints. Think high draft pick! Mindy & Lindsey were back around 4pm. Lindsey continued work on her laundry. She must’ve had three or four loads in total. Our kids were leaving with Jimaken around 5pm until Wednesday. When the boys asked if they could stay for dinner we shared that we were going out to dinner. We planned on visiting the Fish Market.

5pm came quickly, and Jimaken showed to pick up the kids. Lindsey and the boys hung out for another hour or so while the last load of laundry finished drying. I’m thinking they left near 6pm. Mindy enjoyed a Brew Kettle Winter Warmer just before we readied for dinner out. We headed out near 630pm. Traffic was almost nil. I was surprised then to find the Fish Market lot damn near full.

Asked Mindy where she wanted to sit. She opted for the bar. Cool. The bar was lightly populated, maybe two or three couples. Janie was working bar along with another young gentleman.  We chatted briefly, me asking if they might have the CBC Hop Odyssey on tap. Nope, but they did have Great Lakes Xmas Ale, a hot commodity in these parts. They also had CBC regular IPA. Mindy chose the G.L. Xmas ale while I went with the CBC IPA. I’m not too big on the Xmas ales anymore. Too sweet.

Asked Janie about her love life given that’s been the topic of out last two visits. Funny though, we don’t get there very often. This was just our 3^rd visit since the Sunday before Xmas last year, or right after the Mannheim concert. Our last visit was in the spring time when we met the chiropractor from PA, and the same night we picked nephew Joe up in Savannah. :)

Mindy and I perused the menu, but I wasn’t really that hungry. I suggested we share an entrée. We ordered the lobster bisque and then a surf & turf special – the filet oscar. We shared the bisque which was really good, and then I was done. Mindy enjoyed the entire filet and tater while I nursed a 2^nd IPA. We picked up a gift certificate while we were there. I picked up the check.

We arrived home near 8pm or just after. Felt good to get out of my clothes and into my PJs. I poured a Cousin Eddie then tuned into the Sunday night football game between San Diego and Baltimore. Mindy asked me to rub her sore shoulders and back. Of course, I obliged. She begged off to bed shortly after 9pm. I stayed up until 10pm after dosing from the sofa.