Wow, Now That's Fast

I woke around 5am happily realizing that there was more sleep to be had. I closed my eyes expecting to sleep for another 25-30 minutes, but didn't wake again until 545am. A tad disappointed in myself, I leaped from bed and headed to the master bath where I scrubbed my teeth and collected my running clothes before bolting downstairs to get my morning going.

I still had to prep coffee, having not done so the evening before. That took a couple minutes. It was 555am before I cranked out the first sit-up, and then after 6am by the time push-ups were completed. My lack of discipline resulted in a shortened internet interval. I had to get back a few minutes somewhere. Overnight I got a confirmation email from Finishline that my running shoes shipped. I guess that was good news, though receiving them prior to our departure seemed out of the question. I checked the weather. It was much colder than I imagined, only 27 degrees. I figured it below freezing after seeing frost covering our deck.

I did a brief but fulfilling meditation ahead of waking Mindy and delivering her coffee. As expected, she requested that I crank up the heat.  I should really buy a programmable thermostat. There not expensive and ideal for the way we manage the home's temperature. Note to self.

Downstairs for a stretch, it was already 630am. I ignored the clock instead taking the time I needed for a thorough stretch. I recently read a Yahoo article describing the benefits of a good stretch routine before exercise. It also defined two types of stretching that work well in tandem together - static and dynamic. Static is a stretch that is held in one position for a period of time, whereas dynamic is similar to rolling one's neck or ankles - movement. It was 640a or after when I finished and dressed for a run. I wore full winter attire. My running fleece was stinking to high heaven, especially the right arm pit. Really not sure why. You know it's bad when the wearer can't take it! P-U! I'm guessing it has something to do with what I've eaten because I don't recall sweating any worse lately. Begin Friday, there were only four days of running with it.

It was after 650am when I headed out the door. I knew I needed to clip my run back to three miles if I were to see Mindy before she departed. It was already dawn, a lovely sunrise was only minutes off. A tad chilly, but it was a gorgeous morning for a run. After curbing my run to only three miles I was home with enough time to start Mindy's car and walk the pug before she needed to leave.

Mindy was out the door before I even had a moment to sit. My eggs were waiting in the microwave. Lindsey sent a text earlier reminding me of parent/grandparent lunch with the students at St Mary Magdalene. It started at 11am. I agreed to do it, but was fretting somewhat about needing to be there at 11am. That would mean leaving work no later than 1030am. There's no simple/quick way to get there from Hilliard. I decided that working from home until time to leave for lunch would work well for all parties concerned. That way I wouldn't feel like I was just settled in at work before needing to leave. As soon as my breakfast was done I cranked up my work laptop. I took care of a few tasks including sending an email to my boss sharing my plan. He acknowledging soon after.

I worked until it was time to head out to the bus stop with the kids. There we met Kenny, who was out with Lilly and Makayla. He shared that his knee is doing lots better and that they didn't plan to visit MRM this weekend, so it would have even more time to heal. Reminded me that MRM was planning to have a giant outdoor screen set-up for Super Bowl viewing. Cool! Of course, Mindy & I will be on Mt Hood. The bus showed up on time, and Eiknarf and I headed back home. I did a little more work until about 830am then headed up for a shower. I did a little packing/organizing too.  I  suddenly remembered that it was a Rachel day. Funny, I didn't see a check left for her. I sent Mindy a text inquiring. I don't like being there when she's there to clean. And I know Rachel doesn't like it either. Seems to happen often - the day I choose to stay home is also her day to clean. Mindy soon sent a text back indicating that she attached the check to the fridge via magnet. Ahh, OK. Saw it.

I was showered and ready for work by 915am. Spent the rest of the morning balancing work and home. Left the house for lunch with the boys around 1035am. Meanwhile, it was a gorgeous morning - about 40 and sunny.

I should've expected it, but there were few parking spots anywhere close to the school. Lucky for me, I found one, though, across the street along the curb. I was early by five minutes.  I headed inside to the office where I was told what to do. They paged the boys for me. A woman in the cafeteria downstairs must've recognized me from picking up the boys a time or two from after school care. She asked if I was there to lunch with the boys. Yes. She suggested I simply wait there. She also asked for my $2.50 lunch fee. OK. I offered to pay for the boys lunch too, but she quickly shared that they were already taken care of.

Rocky showed up first and was genuinely happy to see me. No hug, though. That's just not his nature. instead, he was more concerned about whether or not I would give him money for the snack machine. Unfortunately, I see so much of Charles' Michael in him. It's going to take a lot of parenting to steer him down the right track in life. I know all too well that it starts with spending quality time at events such as this. Soon Landon showed up. By then, Rocky and I already had our lunches. I waited for Landon before digging in. He was happy to see me. Asked if his momma was coming too.  No. Not today. They both wanted to know if they could go home with me.  :) No, I've gotta go to work. They didn't want to believe it. We were some of the first to eat. The cafeteria filled up fast. Rocky ate only his pasta and meat sauce. Had no interest in the salad, roll, or Italian ice cream. Kept working me for candy machine money. I resisted.

Knowing that space was limited, I upped with the boys and went for a walkabout the school. In the hall, I happened upon Mrs. Dent. We chatted briefly. I learned only earlier that she's teaching 5th grade this year. I checked out all the graduating class photos fining both Courtney & Lindsey (class of 96 & 00). For some reason, Lindsey wasn't in the class of 98 photo. I soon remembered that she was asked to leave Magdalene and came to live with me and attended Hilliard Weaver instead.

I was impressed that Rocky wanted to talk to his math tutor. She was kind - a bit odd - and asked if we needed help. As a matter of fact, yes. Where and what do I do with the boys? I needed to leave for work. She advised that I should take Landon back to the preschool across the street. Rocky could stay back at the cafeteria. Rocky wanted to walk with me to the preschool. As he does with Lindsey, he darted off across the street without even looking for cars. I made sure he held my hand as we crossed back. Off to work at 1140am.

Arrived at the office close to noon. I hit the ground running, picking up where I left off earlier while at home. I had a 2pm conference call scheduled with a customer. I was away from my office and got sidetracked not realizing my miss until 245pm. I felt awful and scurried back to my office and gave home a call. He was very forgiving for my tardiness. We dealt with the business at hand in the matter of minutes. Afterwards, we exchanged a couple emails making sure we were in synch relative to January month-end numbers.

I spent the last hour or so if my work day tying up loose ends before vacation. These days are always the best. However, I am careful to plan as much for my return as I do for my absence. Nothing worse than coming home to a mess and avoidable chaos. Talked with my boss around 430 confirming that I'd be out of the office next week. Come to learn, two other co-workers (sales guys) are off on ski trips next week, too. One I understand is headed to Bachelor, while the other off to Colorado.

I left for home at 520pm. It was fairly bright on my drive home. I called Mindy as I wound my way towards Target where I planned to pick-up some cough syrup (Delsym). She reminded me that Bella would be going to see Disney on Ice with Chrissy and the girls. They'll be in the company suite. That ought to be fun. The Delsym was ridiculously expensive, almost $10 for a little bottle. I opted instead for Dayquil, which contains the same cough suppressant as well as an antihistamine and it's was $3 less expensive and contained at least twice as much. The Delsym didn't seem to be cutting through my cough anyways.

I arrived home around 540pm. Always feels good to put the badge away for a spell. Resting on my computer chair were my new running shoes. Wow! Now that was fast. That made me very happy! Discussed doing Barley's for dinner, but only after some packing. Bella wasn't home too long before heading to the neighbors and the show. Jacob, meanwhile, complained of a stuffy nose. Uh-oh, a cold, no doubt. He still wanted to do dinner, though.

Mindy and I did some packing over the course of the next 30 minutes. My large suitcase filled in a hurry. Most of it ski and running stuff. Taking only one other pair of jeans, a couple sweaters, undies, socks.  Still need to pack my carry-on but I won't do that until sometime Saturday. It was 620pm when we organized ourselves for dinner at Barley's.

The lot was chalked full. We had no choice but to park in the back 40. Mindy ordered a table, but I had no intentions of sitting. My plan was to stand. I'd been sitting all day long. The wait was significant. We headed to the bar where I ordered a Pale ale and talked with Calvin and Brie. Mindy greeted them, too but then made her way over to Jack & Leslie.  Jacob hung with me and ordered a Dr. Pepper. After 10 minutes or so he and I found our way over to Mindy, Jack & Leslie. I'm thinking we were there 30 minutes minimum before the hostess came calling that our booth was ready. I reiterated my intentions to stand. We already had two bar stools at our disposal, Jacob taking one of them. Mindy agreed and gave our table up to others.

She & Jacob ordered food. Mindy & I both ordered second beers, the last for me since I agreed to drive home. Mindy ordered a salad topped with smoked chicken. Jacob ordered chicken tenders. I snacked on Jacob's leftovers but didn't order an entree for myself. We talked with Jack & Leslie for quite a while. They're a lot of fun, just like us. :)

Mindy settled our tab before we left for home around 845pm. Jacob and I pulled up at the door while Mindy was inside doing what she does best - talk! Nobody likes to point that out more so than Jacob. Bella was home a half hour after we got home. She asked if she could have a sleepover hosting all the neighbors. Mindy agreed. Soon we had four girls in the house. Jacob, meanwhile, complained of feeling miserable all the way home. I suggested he take some of my daytime Nyquil. Mindy laughed at my naming convention. "You mean Dayquil". Yes. Mindy agreed to dose him some Nyquil once we arrived home. She warned him that he would be asleep in 30 minutes. He denied any such affect.

As usual, I was incredibly hungry once back at home. I devoured my leftover Chipotle burrito then poured what was left of the growler in our fridge. I retired to the sofa where I tuned the TV to the NAtGeo channel but can't recall what I watched. Jacob watched too, and made sure to point out that a half hour had passed since he took the Nyquil. Mindy peeled off to bed citing being crazy sleepy. I promised to join her soon.

I could drink about half my pint for falling asleep. As I peeled off for bed, the girls were up in Bella's room giggling and playing. They had Eiknarf with them too. I was in bed before 1045pm. It felt more like a work night. By the way, the Dayquil I took when I got home from work worked like a charm. Felt almost normal.