I slept really well but still woke at 530am as if it were a work day. I happily returned to sleep until 715am when I got up for good. It was mostly gray but with a few large breaks in the cloud cover. I started a pot of coffee then played on the internet waiting for it to brew.
The first thing I checked was the final score of the Big Ten championship game. Wisconsin
With the temperature a very mild 54 degrees, I headed out minus hand and ear covers. I ran just three miles like most other Sunday’s, and it went very well – easy. It spit a few sprinkles while I was out but that soon changed to the more steady variety not long after my return. Mindy was up a short time later and started making the kids waffles. She also worked on a grocery list but didn’t think she’d go until Monday. Instead, she planned a run to Target to pick-up a few essentials while running Jacob to a friends birthday party.
The kids slept until 930-10am. At my prompting, Mindy laundered the sofa cover. And with the cover off, I did a little work on yet another broken spring. I turned the sofa on its face providing access to the springs underneath. It took me a while, but I was finally able to reattach the loose spring. Before putting it back down I removed several needless rusted staples from the donut shaped legs that were starting to transfer their corrosion to the carpet. Always something. Ashley called while I was toiling with the sofa so Mindy talked with her. She shared what she’d need for her next dental appointment. Think money. Not in a very chipper mood, I shared that the girls only call when they want something.
While Mindy showered, I vacuumed under the sofa then the tile around the back door. I left the vacuum out for a more thorough job later. Mindy still upstairs getting ready to run errands, I started the sauerkraut ball production line process. I pulled the previously made mixture from the fridge and then filled three bowls, one with egg, one with flour, and the last with bread crumbs. Took about 30 minutes to prep the balls for deep frying. Mindy was downstairs apparently ready to head out just as I was rolling the last of the balls in the bread crumbs. She and Jacob left around 1230pm.
Deep frying the sauerkraut balls is the easy part. I did five at a time. All totaled, I deep fried 46, or the same amount as the first batch on TG day. Lindsey called from Ashley’s house at some point asking if she could stop by for money to cover her cell phone expenses. I only offered that she could stop by to talk about it, but that we had an alternative to her spending $50 a month on a phone. She didn’t sound enthused but agreed to come over and hear me out.
Before shutting down the deep fryer, I offered to refry all the leftover Barley fries from the night before to serve as Bella’s lunch. She was agreeable to the thought of fresh again French fries. They turned out nice and crispy, though probably a tad over cooked, this being their second dip in hot oil. Still, Bella enjoyed them.
After cleaning up the all dishes from the sauerkraut ball extravaganza, I put the freshly laundered sofa cover back on and then vacuumed the entire family room carpet and kitchen tile floor. Lindsey and the boys showed up just as I was finishing up the vacuuming. As usual, our initial discussion was contentious at best. Lindsey went on and on about how she couldn’t believe I wouldn’t give her, her own money for the phone. I asked where was this expense when we created the budget, and why did we only learn about it yesterday, just hours before it would be turned off. This is how she handles everything. Everything becomes an urgent emergency, and in my mind, a horrible way to live one’s life.
I offered instead that we would let her use our ‘spare phone’ and she would only need to pay us the $10 fee. She didn’t want to hear it citing that we would be able to spy on her call activity. She went on to cite having a monthly surplus of $211 in her budget. First, I understand wanting to have a cell phone, everybody’s got one these days. But why she wouldn’t want to save another $40 a month without losing anything seemed asinine to me. I reminded her that her car was never purchased as a long-term solution. She needs to be thinking/saving for a more reliable car as well as any other emergency. I also took the opportunity to blast her once again for not signing up for the medical insurance benefits provided by her employer. Said it's too expensive. How much are cigarettes?
The entire time we talked, I was mopping the kitchen tile floor. Lot of footprints in and around the rear entry door that were driving me insane. In fact, I pretty much had the whole 1st floor spic-and-span prior to Mindy’s return. Lindsey eventually said she’d switch to our $10 phone next month after she had time to alert all of her peeps of a pending number change. I thought that was a foolish reason to spend another $40 but agreed to the compromise. I also curiously asked why she, her mother, and Ashley hadn’t already considered a shared cell plan.
Landon asked several times if he could play the Wii, but I was trying to watch my beloved Vikings and told him no. He and Bella busied themselves doing other things until Mindy got back home. I soon shared the compromise that Lindsey and I reached. Mindy then gave Lindsey the $50 to cover her December cell bill. Lindsey wanted to head home to do laundry. I offered that the boys could spend the rest of the afternoon with us while she headed home.
Mindy asked for help readying some potatoes for baking. I soaked all the taters we had, about 16, in the kitchen sink. While away, she confirmed our dinner plans with the neighbors. Planning to cookout near 5pm. We’d be providing salad, baked potatoes, and sauerkraut balls.
Just prior to Lindsey heading out, Rocky had a bit of a meltdown and as a consequence he was doing a time out in the spare room. He pitched one when he heard Lindsey leave. Well that eventually upset Landon too. Bella, bless her heart, she went upstairs to comfort Rocky and talk him down off the ledge. Landon was better seconds later without counsel. The Vikings, meanwhile, were holding on to a slim lead in the mid 3rd quarter. I decided to let the kids take over the TV and play Wii. I needed to shower anyway.
I turned on the bedroom TV to the Vikings game and let it whirl while I showered. As it stood, the Vikings were still leading. I wasn’t too long in the shower. I was downstairs by 4pm. I did a little writing in my blog while passing the time before our cookout with the neighbors. Around 445pm I checked the Vikings final. They lost 35-32. Oh boy! It doesn’t bother me much this season. Getting used to losing. They’re 2-10.
We didn’t head down to the neighbors until 515pm. I carried the potatoes, sauerkraut balls, and jug of beer in a laundry basket while Mindy carried the salad bowl. Rocky took Eiknarf. As wild as the Rocky was at home, he was most pleasant and kind at Chrissy & Kenny’s house. Mindy commented that sometimes all that’s needed is a change of scenery. Like night and day. Hmmm?
The O’Connell’s showed up about 15 minutes later, or just as Kenny was putting the meat on the grill. Apparently there was a miscommunication regarding the meat. Not enough thawed steak. I only shared that I would be OK with a hot dog, and really OK with just sauerkraut balls, salad, and beer.
Dinner was ready by 6pm. Kenny cut the steaks in half, but even then, Mindy and I didn’t go for any. Mindy was feeling under the weather, and thinking she might have a cold coming on. Oh boy! Mindy, by the way, didn’t have word one with Terri for the entire event. She’s still a little miffed with the comments she made at our place Friday night. Unbeknownst to me, in addition to the comments about working harder to be a family, she apparently asked Mindy if she was a high school whore after a fire fighter friend of theirs told she & Mike stories of having his way with Mindy back in high school. Mindy assured Terri that he was telling tall tales.
The gathering wasn’t about us. Instead, it was a 47th birthday celebration for Mike O. After dinner Chrissy unveiled a cake and everybody gathered around to sing the happy birthday song and then enjoy some cake. Landon had two pieces. Lindsey showed up to get the boys at some point. Not at all sure of the time. I’m guessing it was close to 7pm. She came in with her hair down. Hadn’t seen her hair down before. She usually wears it up in a bun. I was surprised at how long it is – well beyond the middle of her back. She refused any cake. Happily, she thanked both Terri and Chrissy for keeping the boys on Saturday without being prompted.
With Mindy not feeling well, we didn’t hang out much longer. We walked back home with Lindsey and the boys. I told Jacob & Bella they could stay and play for another 15 minutes. Lindsey asked for more gas money. With the fuel gauge inaccurate, she said she didn’t want to chance it. I only asked that she let me know how much fuel it actually takes when she filled it.
We also worked out the nights we could pick-up the kids after school – Monday and Wednesday. Not sure what she’s going to do the other nights. Right now, neither her mother or her sisters are stepping up to help even once. Dreadful.
After Lindsey left, Mindy dispatched Bella to the shower. Jacob took one earlier that day now that he’s on the morning shower routine. We all gathered on the sofa catching some of the BCS bowl match-up show. LSU & Alabama will be playing for the mythical national championship. The Buckeyes won’t be playing in a BCS game for the first time in years, but will still be in a bowl game (Gator Bowl) on Jan 2nd playing Florida. Both teams finished the year 6-6. Should be a good game.
At 830pm Mindy put the final Harry Potter movie in the Blu-Ray player picking up where they left off a few days prior. I hadn’t seen even part of it before, but watched with the rest of the family. Must've been about an hour remaining. Mindy & Jacob seemed to follow along with all the characters and their arch rivals and such. I haven’t seen but one or two of the entire movie series, and those were the first two. I was completely lost. Still, I was able to watch and somewhat enjoy the dramatic ending despite how predictable it was.
Mindy and the kids were off to bed as soon as the movie ended. I’m thinking that was near 930pm. I tucked Bella into bed then headed back to the sofa where I watched a little more of the SNF game between the Saints and Lions. Once I started to dose off I got up and headed for bed. I think it was 1030pm when I plopped into bed.