Cold & Snowy

We were expecting the boys again, but if memory served, not until 9am or so. To that end, I got up around 830am, or about as late as I have through our entire 11 day Xmas vacation. I felt good, though, and quickly started a pot of coffee. And since it was Monday, I completed 50 sit-ups and 50 push-ups, something I haven’t done since the Friday before Xmas. Gave myself a nine day reprieve.

While sipping coffee, I remembered that I left Lindsey’s white load in the dryer overnight. Oops!  I restarted the dryer for about 5 minutes to fluff away any wrinkles. I folded the entire load before she arrived to drop the boys.

Predictably, the boys asked if they could play Wii, but this time with the caveat of once the kids were up. They're learning. For the time being, I put in a DVD, Toy Story 3. Mindy was up a little later. I’m thinking it was near 915am. We had to remind the boys more than once to keep the noise down at least until Jacob and Bella were awake. They both needed more sleep.

Holiday Valley sent an online survey regarding our stay. I took the time to complete it. My reward was a 10% off coupon for our next stay as well as a chance at winning a complete skiing/lodging package via a month-end drawing. I printed off the coupon then also sent a copy of it to Bob I. 

Mindy worked on her grocery list and then started tearing down Xmas decorations, starting first in the livingroom with the leaning shelves. Jacob must’ve called to Rocky from over the railing. Rocky came running to the living room sharing that Jacob invited him up to play Xbox. Rocky was very excited.

I prepared for my run a little later. I’m thinking that I got out just ahead of 10am. It was cold, about 26 degrees, with continuous light snow. I dressed warmly remembering to add long running socks to my wardrobe. That helps a lot. There was a stiff, cold breeze out of the west. A bit shocking, at least initially. I ran the full 4.1 mile track. My legs, I am happy to report, were almost back to normal.

Freshly back from my run and really, really hungry, I suggested that I make some ham salad. Mindy liked the idea. I used our Pampered Chef chopper to dice up leftover Honey Baked ham, a red onion, and a stalk of celery. I then added a little garlic, horseradish mustard, and mayonnaise. Took no more than five minutes to whip up the concoction. I didn’t bother searching for a recipe, rather, I simply went by instinct. I made Mindy and I sandwiches. Mine was good, and Mindy liked hers too. I left the rest out on the island to put on crackers through the afternoon.

I called Ashley around noon to see what she was doing. She and Olivia were at Targhetto. I invited them over, and if not both then perhaps just Olivia. She accepted the invite for Olivia citing the need for some time away from one another. Said she'd bring her by in about 20 minutes.

We tuned into the Buckeye game (Gator Bowl) at 1pm, the last time we will see them in a bowl game until 2014. With that in mind, I was hoping for a super showing. Early on, it became apparent that we weren’t gonna get the super showing. Instead, we looked slow and predictable. Keep in mind, we were playing a Florida team that went 6-6 just like us. But we made them look like a top ten team.

Jacob gave up hope early, just after the first half. He headed out to play in the snow with the other kids around 230pm. There was only about a half inch of snow accumulation, but it was the season’s first, so the kids were very excited. It was still coming down, too, and it felt really cold, especially after experiencing lots of unseasonably warm temps the past few weeks. All the kids followed suit and wanted to head out to play in the snow and cold. Mindy found snow pants, hats and gloves for all.

The boys minus Landon played football in the neighbor’s back yard while Bella, Olivia and Landon rolled around in the snow and then fed the ducks. I didn’t feel comfortable with the kids playing too close to the pond so I kept a close eye on them the entire time. In fact, I had to holler for Olivia to step back away from the water at least twice.

At some point Landon and Olivia ran over to Chrissy’s without asking. Mindy called down and insisted they head back to our place immediately. Landon came right away. Olivia, well, she was slow to return, but did. Mindy gave her an earful for leaving the yard without permission. Perhaps a bit difficult for her to understand since all the kids tend to bounce from house to house on the island.

I kept a loose eye on the Buckeye game until it was obvious we weren’t gonna win. I headed in to work on my blog when we went down 28-14 with 7 or 8 minutes to play.  I was able to get caught up through New Year’s Eve and added lots of pictures dating back to Xmas Eve, Xmas, and our HV trip. I could still hear the game and it sounded like the Buckeyes scored again late. Mindy confirmed but said there were only a few seconds left. We tried an onside kick but it proved unsuccessful.

Where had the day gone? Just like that it was after 4pm and darkness already beginning to set in. Lindsey showed up much earlier than we expected. Said they released almost everyone despite her request to stay. They sent her home due to very low call volume. She left for home with the boys and her clean laundry near 5pm.

Save for the tree, Mindy had all the Xmas decorations down by about 500pm. She left for the grocery store just ahead of 530pm. Said Jacob was due home anytime.  Well, he must’ve been heading up the walk as she was backing out, because a minute later Jacob came inside to tell me that he was going with his momma. Meanwhile, Bella and Olivia were next door playing at Chrissy’s only this time with permission. All of the sudden, I had the house all to myself.

I spent most of that alone time playing on the internet and then writing in my blog. I spent a little time reading brother Glenn’s too. There, I learned that one of brother Tommy’s old girlfriends, Phyllis, passed away sometime in 2010. Glenn only recently found out after having his Xmas card returned with a note. I also read where he’s going to cease daily blogging after 10 years. We’ll see.

Ashley called to see what time she should come pick-up Olivia. I suggested close to 6pm. As a result, she showed up a little after 6pm. We visited for a while, me showing her most of my late November and December photo collection. We watched some old Olivia videos together too, many of which I gleaned from her old camera, which either broke or was stolen. Glad I downloaded the videos and photos for her when I did.

Mindy & Jacob were home from the grocery just after 630pm, or about the same time that Ashley asked for me to call Olivia home from Chrissy's. I headed out to help carry in the groceries first. I in turn asked Mindy if she would make the call down to Chrissy’s to have Olivia come home. She made the call. Before they left, I had Olivia sit on my lap and watch a couple of the videos. As you might expect, she was enamored with herself. I’m thinking it was about 7pm when they finally left.

Just like that, it was me, Mindy, Jacob & Bella. Save for the tree, Xmas was already a thing of the past. The house was in relative order too. Mindy whipped up some pork nachos with the leftover pork roast.  I asked that she set some of the pork aside for me, however. She topped the nachos with Mexican seasoned pork, cheese and hot pepper rings then baked them in the oven. They smelt terrific. I ended up having a plate full of ‘em.

There’s little doubt that I gained weight over the holidays, and most of it after TG. I haven’t weighed myself but I’ll bet anywhere from 8-10lbs. It’s time to return to my regular eating & drinking habits. Been eating way too many snacks and drinking alcohol almost every day for the last three weeks.

We watched the end of the Rose Bowl, me cheering for Oregon over Wisconsin. Oregon was sporting chrome-like helmets. They were very cool. Oregon won after Wisconsin tried to down the ball with 2 seconds left and down on the Ducks 20 yard line. Duh!

We joined the Fiesta Bowl next, #3 Oklahoma State versus #4 Stanford. It was back and forth from jump, and unless I'm mistaken, 28-28 at the half. Since it was a school night, and the first since Thursday, December 15^th, Mindy quoted the kids and 830 bed time. But that quickly turned into more like 915pm.

I was now in full return-to-work mode. Come 950pm my eyes were heavy, so I headed to bed. You’d of thought Mindy was gonna fall over. We headed to bed together, but with the understanding that we'd tune into the second half of the game from bed.

Stanford scored right away to take the lead. Now about 1030pm and both of us very sleepy, we turned the TV off and went to sleep. Good night Xmas vacation 2011.