Virtual Mannequins

It was 535am before I made it downstairs to begin preparing for my Monday. Ahead of starting coffee, I glanced out back looking into a steady rain. Ho-hum. After getting the coffee going, I whipped out 50 sit-ups and push-ups. The coffee was ready just about the time I wrapped up calisthenics. Great timing!

Online, I checked the forecast which was calling for steady and heavy rain all day long with a temperature hovering near 50 degrees. Flood warnings abound, too. And last night we learned that we’re within three inches of an annual rainfall record. As of Sunday afternoon, we were sitting at 49.5”. Too bad it’s not cold enough to snow. It’d surely be piling up! The long range forecast is calling for much colder temperatures, especially during the overnights.

I spent entirely too much time online, not breaking away for meditation until almost 605am. Meditation was brief, in fact, too brief. I headed upstairs with coffee for Mindy at 612am. She was still feeling under the weather and sounded congested. However, despite feeling ill, she was going to work.

Back downstairs I stretched and readied for a run. I wore handcovers but nothing over the ears, although I did wear my well-worn OSU ballcap. I headed out the door right at 630am. It was raining but only moderately. I barely noticed it after a mile or so into to it. I ran the full 4.1 miles.

Home near 710am, Mindy hooked me up with the dog while I waited at the door. Eiknarf no longer is falling for the ringing of the doorbell. I have to give her credit there. She wasn’t too enthused about heading out into the rain, but then again, I didn’t care whether she was happy about it or not. She took care of business relatively quickly and we were back inside by 715am. Just before we headed out, Mindy asked how I wanted my eggs prepared. I asked for omelet style again. They were ready when I got back inside.

It wasn’t long before Mindy was heading out the door for school. She reminded us that she’d be stopping at the grocery store after school. Bella asked if she should do her homework at Noah’s. Yes. She reminded us we’d have Rocky and Landon after school too.

I was off to the shower near 730am. I had to shave so it took a bit longer. But even with that, I was still back downstairs by 753am. It doesn’t take me long. I have this process down pat. J Lurking in the back of my mind all weekend was the need to pay my credit card bill online before this coming Friday. I decided to take care of right then. I hate having that hanging over my head. I took care of that in a matter of minutes.

Due to the rain, the kids and I headed to the garage to wait for the bus. This time Jacob suggested it. He’s a smart kid. Bella remember that she left her umbrella at the neighbors the evening prior. She ran down to get it. Jacob and I hung in the garage for maybe five minutes before the bus came a calling. All the kids were safely aboard before 820am.

Eiknarf and I headed back inside where I finished a few last minute prep tasks. This was a Rachel day. I know Mindy was happy about that. I left for work at 822am.

Drove through an absolute downpour making my way into the office. I had my umbrella in the trunk. There were several available parking spots in the front lot. I took one of those. It was just before 9am by the time I was logged in and ready to go.

My boss stopped by early on and we discussed an issue that he and I worked on together heading into the prior weekend. Still wasn’t fixed but he had the right folks engaged to get it squared away once and for all. I had three conference call/meetings I needed to join between 11am and 2pm. That made the day go really fast. Before I knew it was mid to late afternoon. Looking at my schedule, I saw that I had a fairly important meeting at one of my customer locations on Tuesday. I made arrangements to make that my work from their site day this week. That would work out well for both of us. The kids have a late start Wednesday. This way I can work from home for a couple hours until the bus comes.

Lindsey sent me a text sharing that her car was acting up again. Wants to plan to get it in the shop. Talked with Mindy late in the afternoon. Said she was just leaving the grocery and on her way to pick-up the boys and then Jacob and Bella. Sounded congested. Also shared that she was feeling under the weather. Reminded me we’d be having rotisserie chicken for dinner. Sounded good to me. Also asked if I would be agreeable to taking Bella to and from gymnastics. Yes. I promised to call once on my way home.

I wrapped up things in the office near 520pm and then headed out the door for home. Tried calling Mindy more than once. She called me back a couple minutes later and shared that her phone was left in the Pilot. Mindy shared that the dredgers appeared to have gotten the mess in the pond cleaned up again after freeing the stuck excavator late Friday. But with the water up so high from all the rain, I’m not sure how she could tell with any certainty how much progress they really made. It continued to pour during my entire drive home.

Despite the heavy rain, I took a quick look at the pond before heading inside. Water was higher than I’ve seen it in years due to the extra heavy rains. That has to wreak havoc on the dredging.

Inside, the kids were playing one thing or another. Bella was busy making her Xmas list. She was reading it to Mindy while I unloaded my work gear. I had to laugh as I listened. Must’ve been about a $2K list. Holy smoke! While checking email, Bella was asked to have me quiz her on the week’s spelling words. She  soon joined me in the living room pouting. When I asked what was the matter, she went on to tell me that Mindy hurt her feelings. How, I asked. She said her momma told her that she shouldn’t expect everything on her list. Among other things, on it was an iTouch, an iPad, American Girl clothes, a trophy case and a new bed spread. We’ve reminded her more than once that their MRM pass and HV trip should be considered their Xmas present from us. Jacob gets it. Bella, apparently not.

I did my best to cheer-up Bella. We then proceeded to knock out all the compound words on her list. She got them all right after a little help. Dinner was soon served. Mindy prepared plates for the kids. In addition to the rotisserie chicken, we were having leftover baked potatoes and rolls. I got the kids their drinks. I made my own plate after the kids were all set. Mindy made her own, too.

The rotisserie chicken was delicious, but then again, when isn’t it? Landon was hilarious. When Jacob said he didn’t want his chicken, Landon began pillaging his plate. The kid loves to eat dinner. He must’ve had three helpings of chicken. He had everybody at the table laughing at some point. He’s a very funny little guy.

It was 630 by the time we finished dinner. I asked Bella to ready for gymnastics while I finished clean-up. The rest of the kids picked out and ate their treat of choice. I fed Eiknarf some chicken carcass scraps, but also explained that would be her dinner. Bella and I left for gymnastics at 650pm taking the Accord. It was still pouring and our front yard as squishy as ever. You know the grounds saturated when the front gets squishy. With its heavy slope, it  typically drains really well.

Dropped Bella and was back at home just after 7pm. I started work on my blog while Jacob, Landon, and Rocky played Wii. Mindy joined me in the livingroom in the recliner under a blanket. She wasn’t feeling well at all. The kids were doing more bickering than playing. Then, at some point I heard a crash and what sounded like broken glass. Rocky knocked two glass coasters off the end table causing them to shatter An accident to be sure, but one that should’ve never happened. According to Jacob, he had his feet resting on the side table. I made him sit in timeout for a few minutes as much for his bouncing around as anything else.

Lindsey came to get the boys around 745pm. We sent them home with their advent calendars and soon our house was quiet again. Mindy asked if I could hear it – the silence. It was nice. I continued work on my blog until it was time to go after Bella. I left near 820pm. This time I took the Pilot, in part so I could park it nose first on our return. Mindy had it backed in to unload groceries and it was blocking any other access to the driveway and walk forcing me to walk in the mushy wet lawn.

Bella and her gymnastics peeps were goofing around when I showed for the pick-up. Seemed to be having fun. She did a few more practice runs before we set out for home.  

Arrived home at 840pm. I carried in the soda (Fresca & Diet Coke) that Mindy left in the car when carrying in the groceries.

Mindy headed up to bed soon after I got home. I was reluctant to want a hug and kiss given her cold symptoms. I understand that most colds are airborne viruses but don’t want to tempt fate and press my luck.

Jacob and I watched a little of the MNF game – Jacksonville/San Diego. I wasn’t interested in the outcome at all. I eventually returned to my PC where I updated my blog and download weekend photos. I tucked both kids into bed near 920pm. Bella fussed about not having Mindy there to tuck her in. Said I don’t do all the little things her momma does, like close her blinds and turn on her fan. I did those things but she still hungered for her mother’s touch. I spent a few extra minutes with her to settle her down. She seemed content as I exited her room. Jacob was already all but asleep. It was 935pm. By then, I was ready for bed too. Mindy was still half awake and asked why I was coming to bed so early. I really don’t think she realized that 45 minutes had passed since she hit the sack. I shared the time and that I was tired. Good night rain.