As Good as it Gets

I was smart enough to choke down three Ibuprofen just before hopping in bed the night before, which left me only a little sleepy come 745am Saturday morning. But sleepy I can deal with; a headache and hangover is something else. I pulled myself from bed, and after brushing my teeth I headed downstairs to start some coffee and my day.

There was a fresh coating of snow on the ground but no more than another inch since Mindy shoveled and swept away what was there near 6pm the night before. I fooled around online for about an hour before readying for a run. It was cloudy and 24 degrees while I sipped coffee. And according to MRM’s website, they got 5 inches of powdery snow over night. Wasn’t sure if that was marketing or fact. The forecast for Bellefontaine was calling for temps in the 20’s all day. In other words, an excellent ski day and perhaps in the best conditions so far this season.

I left for my run around 845am wearing full winter gear as well as sun glasses. I ran just three miles like most other Saturday’s. I felt good throughout, doing my best to run in the soft, untrampled snow pack within 3 or 4 feet of the curb the entire way. I was back home around 920am, and still no sign of Mindy. So much for an early start.

After topping off my coffee cup, I decided to start gathering/organizing our ski gear. Mindy was up by 930-945am. While she enjoyed some coffee I made us both some peanut butter toast. We didn’t walk Eiknarf until after 10am. After finishing my peanut butter toast, I made two sandwiches to take skiing. I cut up some cheese and summer sausage, too. Eiknarf was crying for some peanut butter. She can smell it a mile a way. I rubbed a bunch of it on her muzzle. She couldn’t stop licking her face. She kept licking the floor, too, I assumed because she could smell the peanut butter but wasn’t sure where it was coming from. Too funny.

Mindy had very little to do to get ready for our ski day. I packed all the food and drink in two coolers, one with food and soft drinks, the other with a growler of IPA. I also topped off  our flasks, hers with Goldschlager, mine with a new batch of lemon nip. I headed up for a shower around 1030am. Mindy was skipping a shower just as she often does on ski days. Instead, she’ll take one when she gets home.

The Pilot was coated in ice and snow. I headed out to thaw and warm it near 1040am. And rather than turn it around for loading, I figured it just as easy to load it while it sat thawing. Mindy carried out our ski bags and then called the neighbors to see if they were heading up. Yep, soon.  We saw Lillian, Emily & Evan while we finished loading the Pilot. The O’Connell’s were heading up too. Nice!

Mindy was yacking on the phone with Bella’s teacher before and as we left the house apparently discussing Bella’s inability to stay on track and focus. It’s quite likely that  Bella is either ADD or ADHD. Mindy recently completed a widely recognized worksheet evaluation, and apparently Bella has all the tell-tale signs. Mindy was still on the phone as we pulled into Thornton’s to fill-up. We had only about a ¼ tank. I didn’t want to worry about gas. We filled up for $3.19 per gallon. It was near 1120am by the time we actually hit the road.

Mindy called brother Craig for some medical advice pertaining to Bella. The call lasted until we were merging onto route 33 west. Halfway up route 33 Mindy talked with Jimaken and then Bella. Jacob was at his friend, Josh’s place working on their catapult project.

Once west of Marysville, there was a significant difference in the amount of snow on the ground. Hard to believe really. Looked like the five inches MRM bragged about was a reality. That pleased me much. We pulled in the jam packed lot at 1201pm. Confident that we could find an up close spot, we did the drive around thing for about 5-10 minutes. After a lot of back and forth, we finally found a spot in the 7th row against a snow bank, but right between the lodge and gift shop. A fairly decent spot, really.

By the time we geared up, got our lift tickets, hit the potty, and were on our first ride up Fur Star it was darn near 1230pm. The snow was as nice as it looked. Surprisingly powdery soft, but also pretty quick, about as good as it ever gets at MRM. We kept a loose eye out for ski peeps but didn’t see any of them. Not sure what they were doing. Perhaps they took a ski trip out of town. Once again, Mindy & I got chair 50, I think on our 3^rd ride up. We skied the treed run a few times. It was a blast and some of the best virgin snow to be found on the mountain.

We didn’t ski that long before we decided to take a break. I’m thinking it was 2pm. Both of us were super hungry having eaten only some peanut butter toast a few hours earlier and the lines were crazy long. I went to the Pilot for our cooler while Mindy went to scout for a table, which she’s yet to fail at doing even on the most crowded days. Sure enough, she was able to rustle up one of the smaller round tables close to the bar. After degearing, I headed to the bar for a single beer. I figured I would save the jug of Centennial for later if some of our peeps arrived.

A ‘large’ Sam Adams set me back $8.25. Yikes! Probably should’ve gotten a pitcher. Mindy & I shared it. The lodge was crowded. We ended up sharing our small table with a couple and their 13 year old son. Actually, they were more like friends with benefits. I can’t readily recall their names, but remember them instead for what they do professionally. She is an attorney in Cincinnati doing real estate stuff. He distributes reptiles and snakes, supplying several of the most well known pet shops. Said it has been a passion and hobby since he was a boy. Now it’s his livelihood. I asked his son if he would follow in his father’s foot steps. He responded favorably.  They were an interesting couple. We enjoyed the opportunity to share about 30 minutes with them. He’s a big Bengals fan, by the way.

Headed out near 3pm. Ran into the neighbors just gearing up near ski check. Kenny said that Jake and Makayla were both in a snow board lesson until 330pm. We skied with Kenny, Chrissy while Mike O. took Emily, Evan and Lillian with him.  Skied with the neighbors until it was time for them to retrieve their kids.  Mindy and I headed off to do some runs on our own, once again doing the trees and then several runs on the face. The snow was great. We took yet another break sooner than we might’ve otherwise just so we could synch up with the neighbors who we knew were inside the lodge with a table. Mindy wanted a grilled hot dog from the outdoor grill. I headed to get that while she went after chili or chicken and dumplings for me. We planned to meet in the lodge.

Sure enough, the neighbors were sharing the long table near the stage with another family. Pamode was there to play, but there was a snowboard company there using the stage, so he couldn’t perform. He was a little frustrated that he couldn’t play. Not sure whose screw up that was. Mindy learned that he’s also a ski instructor there. Offered to help her further her technique for free. Wink-wink.

Meanwhile, I wasn’t feeling like drinking any more beer, especially since we planned on leaving around 7pm and heading to CBC for dinner. Instead, I drank water and a Fresca with my MRM chili. We didn’t stay in too long. I’m thinking it was 5pm when we headed back out. The lights were on but it wasn’t quite yet dark, but we probably should’ve gone for our clear goggles. They day was moving by quickly. We did a few runs battling the long lines at every lift when Mindy asked if it made more sense for us to leave closer to 6pm versus 7pm. I agreed. Just about that same time we spotted Darwin on the balcony of the lodge with his son, Lane. Darwin had actually texted earlier sharing that he was in the house.

We didn’t see him again until dark, or somewhere close to 6pm, and about the same time that the crowd began to disperse. That meant the lift lines were no longer an issue. The three of us skied together for a little more than an hour bombing down run after run. As Mindy pointed out, some of the best skiing of the season by far. The snow firmed a little but it still had that fluffy give with little to no ice anywhere but the initial descent from the lift area. Darwin shared that he was able to match our flights for the trip out to Oregon. Going back the same day too, but not sure he’s on the same flight.

After about the 10^th run together Mindy & I declared it a night. We still wanted to do dinner at CBC. Darwin, meanwhile, was heading into the lodge. Figured he’d hook up with the rest of the neighbors. I took both sets of skies while Mindy headed into the lodge to get our cooler. And then after degearing and warming the Pilot, I pulled up at the foot of the lodge to pick her up. The timing was dead on. She was just coming out. Mindy opted to remain in her ski gear for the drive home. It was about 730p when we left the lot.

The drive home went really fast. The cloud cover must’ve been really low because the Honda plant and the city lights over Marysville were bouncing off the clouds giving an eerie amber glow to the eastern sky. Very cool effect. Mindy wanted to shower before heading to CBC. Thank goodness! J I offered that she could head straight inside to shower while I unloaded our ski gear and then walked the dog. We figured we could accomplish everything we needed to do and still get to CBC by 9pm. We arrived home near 810p and did just that. Mindy headed in to shower and I unloaded our gear. The driveway was crazy slippery, and too slippery to pull the Pilot up without sliding. I parked at the curb, instead.

After carrying in all the ski gear I shoveled some of the snow, at least what would readily come up, which wasn’t a whole lot. I then threw down some kitty litter and salt.

After getting all of our geared stowed I headed off on a walk with the dog. I chose to walk her out back. She took her dear old time and unsurprisingly, liked the area under the tree house best. She only peed, however.

Inside, I headed upstairs to get ready for our date at CBC. Mindy was just about finished with her ready. Good timing. We were heading out the door by 840pm. We drove the Pilot, in part so we could pull it in the drive when we got home. Figured the salt would’ve done its job by then.

Arrived at CBC ahead of 9pm. Yeah! The lot was almost full. I dropped Mindy at the door and then went to park. I met her inside at the bar, where there were 4 or 5 empty stools all in a row. Mindy already had a sample of a new winter stout (different than the batch they put out a couple weeks back). I tried it, too. Both of us liked it enough to order pints. This batch is less intense and has a hint of coffee flavor. Mindy ordered some bread before we were ready to place food orders. Jamie and Vince explained the reason for the late crowd. Said it was restaurant week. And speaking of restaurant week, they handed us their $20 three course meal offering menu.

We eventually ordered entrees, Mindy going with the restaurant week special, fried risotto, salad, and steak, and me going a more high brow dish - buffalo wings. J Mindy let me try the deep fired risotto. Wow, it was absolutely delicious. Reminded me of pasta salvi. Where’s that been my whole life?

I enjoyed another beer with my meal, a Bohdi. The bar area cleared out significantly after 10pm. And at some point the host walked over to chat. I took the opportunity to ask the price of their new long-sleeved CBC t- shirts. Returned a minute later sharing that they’re $20. I asked for a large.

Earlier in the evening while we were still skiing, we got a call from Lindsey sharing that she was scheduled to have a  root canal in Worthington at 730pm. She was worried about her condition after and if she would even be able to drive. Said her mother refused to help out, whether taking her or even just watching the boys. Such a loving relationship. 

Now, I’ve never heard of getting a root canal on date night, but hey, whatever works. We tried calling/texting Lindsey numerous times through dinner but all of our calls and texts errored. And since it was happening on both our phones we figured it either the area, though we had full bars, or an outage of some sort. I guessed it an outage.We never could get through to learn her fate.

Since I picked up Friday night’s tab, Mindy agreed to get this one. Turned out, though, our bill was ridiculously small given our orders. They refused to charge Mindy for her steak after she shared that it was a little overdone.  They didn’t’ charge us for the t-shirt either citing me wearing it as free advertising. Cool!  I will wear it proud.

Mindy started fading and fast. Said she was getting super sleepy. I’m guessing it was near 11pm when Mindy drove us home. She wasn’t kidding about being tired, she was off to bed straight away. Also shared that here stomach was hurting. With her all but asleep, I opted to bounce out of bed and head downstairs to try to and catch Saturday Night Live.  I poured myself a Bohdi and headed to the family room. I saw the opening monologue but not much more. I fell quickly to sleep.