Shades of Being

I was up a little early again (that’s two days in a row) and downstairs byt 531am. I glanced out back where I could see a few stars then slipped into my exercise shoes just ahead of whipping out 50 sit-ups.

I waited a few minutes for the coffee to finish its brewing cycle then headed to the PC where I checked the weather. It was 34 degrees with an anticipated high near 50 degrees under partly cloudy skies. I played around online for quite awhile, not breaking away until after 6am. I’ve been battling a tight chest/throat since Monday and now a dry cough. I took some Delsym to hopefully curb the cough. The last thing I wanted was to vacation with a cold.

It was 615a when I finished a brief but good meditation. I headed upstairs to wake Mindy with her coffee in hand. She asked that I crank up the heat. Yes dear. I headed back downstairs, adjusted the heat, then completed a thorough stretch. The stretch felt great. I took a few extra minutes to roll a tennis ball under my left foot to help stretch the tendons.

I wore full winter attire for the run and headed out the door just before 640am. I ran the full 4.1 miles. I remembered that it was Ground Hogs day, and judging by the clear skies, I expected him to see his shadow, at least here in Columbus. It was completely clear with a beautiful sunrise coming. I was back at the house by 718am. Mindy hollered for the pug while I grabbed the leash and the Pilot keys. I headed out to start the Pilot before Eiknarf came downstairs, but she was waiting by the door when I got back inside. We headed out to the west where she took care of business in fairly short order. Mindy reminded me & the kids about her parent conferences and said she didn’t expect to be home until about 8pm. My dad was scheduled to get the kids off the bus and then stick around until I arrived home after work. She headed out at her usual time – 730am.

Bella and I finished our breakfasts then fed the pug. I headed to the shower and Bella to her room. Because of Wednesday’s internal strategy meeting, I rearranged my schedule so I could work at my customer’s site in New Albany today. I dressed accordingly. I was downstairs and ready ahead of 8am and quickly threw together a light lunch.

The kids and I headed to the bus stop at our usual time of 810am. Barely got a chance to talk with Kenny before the bus pulled up.  Just like that the kids were gone and Eiknarf and I were headed for home. The first thing I did was start the Accord. It was coated in frost. I then spent a few minutes making sure I had my access badge, mouse and power cord to my laptop. I enjoyed part of a 2^nd cup of coffee then headed off to work. I knew leaving the house that I’d most likely need to join our weekly staff call from my car. It was slated to start at 9am.

It was a sunny drive east on 670 to 270N. Traffic wasn’t an issue. Arrived by 855am. There wasn’t anyway I could be in my office and settled before 9am, so I did our weekly staff call from my car in the lot. The call lasted beyond 30 minutes. Knowing that I had a 10am meeting with my customer, I sent my boss an IM letting him know that I was going to drop from the call for a greater good.

Things went pretty smoothly all day long. After finishing up our weekly meeting, I spent the rest of my day working on January monthly reports. Given that I’ll be out the first full week of February, it was critical that I got as much done before hand so I am not scrambling upon my return. I dealt with a couple escalations, too, but nothing out of the ordinary.

With the afternoon fairly calm, I was able to get out of the office somewhat early for a change, leaving for home by 430pm. I took 670W and didn’t experience heavy traffic until I neared the 670/70W split. It slowed to almost a standstill. Lucky for me, the slow down was just before the 33W exit off 670. I quickly diverted to that exit and took Riverside Dr. north to Trabue then home.

Must’ve gotten home just ahead of 5pm. My dad was there with Bella, both of them sitting in the familyroom with the TV on and Bella doing homework. Dad was helping her. I said nothing, just observed. Bella, I could see, was only half listening. I could see that one ear and eye was on the TV program. She knows doggone well that Mindy or I wouldn’t allow her to watch TV while doing homework.

Dad and I chatted briefly. Said Jacob was out playing with friends. Said he heard from mom, knew about her negative carotid artery test and then the cancelation of a bone scan. He didn’t hang out for too long. He asked for clarification on our travel plans, and then shared the days/evenings he would be there to help with the kids while Jimaken’s at school. I really appreciate him doing that for us. It’s nice that he’s so close and the kids like/enjoy him.

I took note that it didn’t get dark until about 610pm, but it comes on really fast. Days are getting noticeably longer. Bella ran off to play with her friends. I had the house to myself. I snacked on peanuts, cheese, and then a few potato chips. I watched perhaps the coolest program ever, A Journey to the Edge of the Universe on NatGeo. It didn’t dive too deep into any one thing but did a great job expressing the entire universe in terms most can relate to. I will recommend this program to many. It ran for about two hours. Later, when searching it via Google, I learned you can replay it from the web. Cool!

After the program, I changed out of my work clothes into my comfy night clothes and then took a brief nap on the sofa. Mindy called around 8pm to say that she was done with her conferences but was stopping at Target and then Chipotle for food. I asked that she call Chrissy and have her send Bella home. Said she would. Jacob had been home for a while and was up in his room playing video games with Evan, until his mother beckoned him. Bella was home a few minutes later and snuggled with me on the sofa while watching American Pickers. Jacob soon joined us.

Mindy got home around 840pm. She brought Jacob and I Chipotle. It was really good. Mindy asked me to check Bella’s homework. I was disappointed with her work, very careless mistakes. She needed to correct almost half the problems. I tried my best to put the problem in terms she could easily relate to. She struggles mightily with division.

No one asked about watching Idol, and I didn’t mention it. I cut my Chipotle burrito in half, and stowed what was left in the fridge. I ate darn near an entire bag of their chips, though. They’re so good! Mindy didn’t have anything. Said she ate earlier at school, a meal provided by the PTA, I believe.  She changed into her PJs then started a load of laundry.

She was online for a while and watched part of Swamp People with me (alligator hunters). That’s a cool show, too.  She was off to bed around 940pm. She asked if I was joining her. But having napped earlier, I got my second wind and certainly wasn’t ready for sleep. I figured to be along in 30 minutes or so. Can’t recall what I watched, but started getting sleepy within fifteen minutes of tucking Bella in. Fell asleep on the sofa and didn’t wake until somewhere near 11pm when I headed up to bed.