Venus, Jupiter Rendezvous with a Crescent Moon

For the first time in recent weeks, I was up just ahead of 530am. It’s not like I slept that great either, in fact, I slept rather poorly. Regardless, I felt surprisingly well rested. The coffee kicked on just as I was making my way into the kitchen.  I gazed out the back door seeing nothing but clear skies. NO sign of frost. Couldn’t gauge the temperature. 

I whipped out sit-ups and push-ups by 540am then waited a couple more minutes for the coffee to finish brewing. Spent about 15 minutes online, including a check of the weather and forecast. It was 35 degrees with an expected high in the low 50s. Supposed to warm for most of the week with Wednesday reaching into the mid to upper 60s. Goodbye MRM snowpack!

I broke away from the PC at 6am and headed in to meditate, the earliest such doings in quite some time. Meditation went well. Finished at 613am. Prepped & delivered Mindy’s coffee a couple minutes later. Back downstairs to stretch by 620am with a goal to be out of the house by 630am. Took about 7 minutes to complete the entire stretch routine. Had just a couple minutes to get dressed and head out. Bottom line, I didn’t get out the door until 631am but that’s still the best I’ve done over the past few weeks.

Daybreak was apparent on the horizon but at least for the next ten minutes or so it remained dark overhead. About a mile into the run I realized that it was daylight. Funny how it just happens. I ran the full 4.1 miles feeling good the entire way. Mindy was and scampering around the kitchen when I returned home. She hollered for Bella to wake Eiknarf while I went for the leash, a bag, and Mindy’s keys. After starting the Pilot I headed in to leash up the dog. We walked west, with Eiknarf taking her dear old time. We were probably out there for a solid ten minutes.

It was already 725am by the time we made it back inside. One of the kids, Jacob presumably, needs to start walking the dog in the mornings. I feel like I’m doing too much and the kids not enough. Mindy left a couple minutes later I was back. Reminded both kids to bus home with Noah, which was met with a groan.

My farm fresh fried eggs were waiting in the microwave. I made quick work of my breakfast and really enjoyed the fresh fruit, something that’s been largely missing since we got back from Oregon. Off to the shower near 740am. For the first time in several months, I decided to shave with a razor. Don’t ask me why. Don’t know. Was showered, dressed, and ready by 757am. Back downstairs to finish packing my lunch.  I threw together a fruit medley and some sliced cheese – three varieties. The kids and I headed out at 810am.

Met Kenny & the girls at the bus stop. Asked Kenny about the bachelor party. Said it was pretty tame, but what else was he gonna tell me? The bus was late. Didn’t show up until 820am. Kenny must’ve really needed to be somewhere. He practically ran back to the house. I headed back home with the dog where I took care of a few last minute to-dos before heading off to work. Left the house at 829am.

Arrived at the office around 850am. Parked in the front lot. It was 9am by the time I was logged in, had my lunch stowed and a fresh pitcher of ice water. Ready, set, go! I expected to be busy again this entire week since I’d be covering for a peer out on vacation this week. And right out of the shoot I had an email from one of his customers asking for some assistance. That issue kept me hopping all day long.

Mid- morning I received a call from the guy I covered for last week wanting to catch-up on anything he might’ve missed. We talked for a while. He shared that he and his wife spent the week in Arizona celebrating their 24^th wedding anniversary – Feb 20^th.

I had to take care of my own stuff too. Needless to say, I was very busy. I used my lunch hour to do some writing, something that always calms me and simply makes me feel good. I noticed that the stock market was flirting with 13K all day. Been hovering near there for the past few sessions, but just can’t seem to pierce the 13K ceiling. Give it time. It will.

I kept extremely busy all day long. Word had it that it was gorgeous outside – sunny and mid 50s. I didn’t get a chance to breathe any of it until I left for the day. Headed for home close to 520pm. I called Mindy but we chatted only for a few seconds. She was busy writing sub plans for Tuesday as well as making dinner.

Traffic was crawling on 270 southbound, but it often is near the 5pm rush hour, especially since late fall when they started the 270 construction. However, it only got worse. A flashing sign just ahead read that 270 was closed and to exit on 70. We crawled all the way to my exit,

Roberts Rd

, one exit prior to I-70. The closing had all the minor arteries backed up too – Roberts, Wilson Trabue. They were all bumper to bumper. Mindy called to check my whereabouts just as I approached our subdivision from the north.

Traffic was so heavy on

Wilson Rd

that the chicken lane for turning into our subdivision was being used by northbound traffic. I had to rely on good Samaritans to allow me to slip through and get home. Mindy was busy at the stove stirring the chicken and noodles. Smelt good. Sounded good, too.  Dinner was ready in short order. Heck, it was already just after 6pm.

Along with the chicken & noodles, Mindy prepared a fresh garden salad along with fresh rolls and bread. I had 1.5 helpings of the noodles. Mid clean-up, I asked mindy if she wanted me to run Bella to gymnastics. Nope, she wanted to do it. Of course, that was so I would do the pick-up. We both agreed that if traffic was still an issue, we’d cancel gymnastics. Mindy left with Bella near 650pm. They weren’t back in the first few minutes. I could only conclude that traffic must’ve cleared.

The two books I ordered from Amazon arrived today. Mindy set the box on my computer chair. I can’t wait to crack ‘em open. While Mindy was out, I edited a couple recent blog entries. Once again, I way behind on publishing, but caught up with the initial drafts. After the editing I actually fell asleep for about ten minutes in my computer chair. It’s not the most comfortable place to nap but it sure felt good. It was 8pm in a hurry and I needed to leave to fetch Bella in 20 short minutes. I fooled around online until it was time to leave.

Traffic was nonexistent all the way to DCW. I had just walked in when the owner/manager pulled me aside to tell me that there was a mistake with the recent fees Mindy paid. Apparently she told Mindy that we needed to buy a new outfit for the March competition, but that wasn’t the case. If we didn’t want it, they owed us a $5 credit. I told her to work it out with Mindy. I didn’t see it as a big deal.

I headed to the gym to see Bella. She was already getting her street shoes on. We left after a minute or two. Bella asked if we could stop at McDonalds. No, but I did offer to make any snack she might want. She didn’t commit. It was a remarkably clear night. I  pointed out Venus & Jupiter just below the crescent moon. Bella found it fascinating and asked how we could be sure they were planets. Good point. I guess it comes down to trust. J After all, they don’t look much different than the nearby stars.

Inside, Bella headed upstairs for a shower. It was 9pm in a hurry. Jacob spent most of his evening in the basement playing mini basketball. It makes a ridiculous amount of noise. Sounds like thunder. I do my best to ignore it. My only request is that it ends by 9pm. Mindy & Jacob headed to bed at 930pm or about the time that Bella was out of the shower and heading down for a snack. Mindy asked that I see her to bed at a reasonable hour and soon after a snack. Yes dear.

I was tired, too, so I didn’t expect it to be too long. Bella wanted a bowl of cereal, Krave. The very cereal I requested mindy buy for me on Sunday. The box of double chocolate was already all but gone thanks to Jacob eating four bowls in one day.  I wasn’t at all pleased, especially since I’m the one that specifically requested it. Mindy bought the 2^nd box later that same day since Jacob devoured the first box as soon as they got home from Target. Now it was almost gone and I still hadn’t had any from either box. After Bella poured a bowl, I poured one for myself. Good thing I did because that was the end of the 2^nd box. We both enjoyed our cereal from the sofa then headed up to bed.

Bella was quick to point out that this was Jacob’s night to have Eiknarf.  It’s sad that they squabble over NOT having the dog. I was tired, but struggled to fall quickly asleep. Under normal circumstances, I fall asleep within five minutes of my head hitting the pillow, however, that hasn’t been the case so much of late. Good night solar system.