Celebrating a Life, a New Bike

It was 805am when I rolled out of bed and headed for the kitchen. Like the morning before the last couple hours of sleep was broken into small micro bursts of sleep. The sky was currently cloudy but appeared to be thinning. And by the time I had the coffee going there were even a few breaks of sunshine. 

I enjoyed coffee and internet for about an hour before Mindy was up. She poured her own coffee. Like I did the morning before, I took Eiknarf out on her initial walk. By then there was plenty of blue sky overhead, though still not completely clear. I enjoyed the walk. It was significantly warmer than it’s been that early in a long while. It had to be near 60 degrees. Took a few photos along the way.

Mindy was ready to get moving towards her day’s goal of grocery shopping. At the same time I was ready to do my Sunday run. She headed off to the shower while I headed off for my run. It was sunny enough for sun glasses and warm enough for shorts, but I opted to go with my long running pants. By mid run I regretted not switching to shorts.  

As soon as I was back from my run I whipped up a burrito with last week’s taco meat. Man, was it good! Mindy was soon ready to leave for the grocery. Reminded me that Lindsey would be dropping her laundry by around 1130am.Mindy expected to be gone for about 90 minutes.  I helped Mindy load the recycling in the Pilot then as soon as she was gone I got out the aluminum extension ladder and started the arduous task of scrapping the ivy clings free of the trim on the front of the garage. 

To make the work more pleasurable, I brought my Bose dock and iTouch to the garage. I already knew I’d have to get my heavy, fiberglass extension ladder out to get to the pinnacle of the roof, but I took care of the lower areas reachable with my lighter, more maneuverable aluminum ladder first. The works a bit more daunting 10-15 feet above the concrete. Took my time being careful not to over stretch, which equated to more times shuffling the ladders. I’ll bet I spent two hours on that section alone. Lindsey showed up with her laundry near noon. She made sure to tell me that Mindy said it was OK. Rocky looked handsome dressed in his good suit. They weren’t there long. After five minutes or less they were off to her grandma Rosemary’s. 

Mindy pulled up just as Lindsey and the boys were pulling away. I helped carry in the groceries then asked Mindy’s opinion about removing the rest of the ivy on the front of the house. We both agreed to take it all down save for that growing on the side of the garage stucco wall. For that I got out my branch loppers. A few of the ivy trunks running up the stone front were nearly 2 inches in diameter. For the most part, the bulk of the ivy came off pretty easily. But not before covering me in ivy fleck and bird nest parts. I’ll bet there were four nests on that wall. Once I had all but the most difficult pieces removed I began the tough task of scraping again. I ended up working on all of that until 230pm, or four hours in total. It’s nice to see the stone front again after almost ten years of camouflage. And even then I only cut it back away from the wood trim, not completely off the stone. 

Mindy expected the kids home around 3pm and we were planning to leave for Kenny’s grandpa’s calling hours soon after that. I headed to the shower pronto. By the way, since getting back from the grocery, Mindy spent plenty of time tending to Lindsey’s laundry.  The kids were home by the time I finished my shower, and Mindy dispatched both immediately to the shower and to ready for the calling hours. We left the house around 330pm. Jacob didn’t want to go citing not even knowing Kenny’s grandpa. I thought Mindy handled it perfectly sharing that we weren’t going for the dead but for the living, to support Kenny. We didn’t expect to be there too long. 30-40 minutes tops. 

Tidds funeral home s in Old Towne Hilliard and just around the corner from the ever popular Oties Tavern. It's a well kept place in the middle of an old neighborhood that gives me a good feeling. I was last there for Steve Weis' funeral, gosh, maybe 8 or 9 years ago. As we entered the funeral home one of the greeters informed us that we had a burnt out brake light, which we already knew but haven't yet dealt with. We thanked him for keen observation. 

As expected, lots of Kenny's extended family present for the calling hours. We know a lot of his family, having met them at countless cookouts and yard parties. His grandpa was 87 years old, and by almost all accounts quite a character. One recent story Kenny shared, just in the last week or so he fired Kenny & Ben from cutting his lawn citing his disapproval for the way they did it. Said he'd rather pay somebody. Mindy and I walked up to pay our respects. Handsome fellow. Can see his resemblance in Kenny's mom, Lisa. 

The plan all along was for us to take Lillian and Makayla back home with us since Kenny & Chrissy would be there for the entire four hours then dinner at grandpa's favorite pizza place, Luigi's. We weren't there but 25 minutes before we were on our way out the door. That was near 425pm. Mindy thanked the gentleman who informed of our burnt out brake light as we exited. 

We headed north on Hilliard-Rome/Avery Rd destined for the Dublin Wal-Mart. Jacob didn't know it at the time but in addition to Mindy picking up a few grocery items, we planned to look at bikes. I had to chuckle when Jacob asked if we would drop him home first. Uhhhh ... no! 

It doesn't take that long at all to get to Wal-Mart from old town Hilliard. We entered through the garden center end. Jacob and I headed toward bikes while Mindy and the girls went for the food items she wanted. Jacob suggested we look at bikes. OK! 

I pointed him towards their better bikes, Mongoose. They had about four or five variations of the 20" BMX, not only in different colors, but also with subtle differences in accessories (I.E. peddles, seats, brakes). He found fault with each, and actually pointed to a cheaply built, less expensive off-brand which I quickly pooh-poohed. He said he didn't like any of them that much but when pressed said he'd settle for the black and green. Not a chance in hell of me buying him a bike that he'll settle for. I know that  game all too well. I suggested we leave. After all, he has a bike now that works fine. 

On our drive home Jacob asked if we could visit the Hilliard Wal-Mart after dropping his mom and the girls at home. Given that it was essentially his birthday, and if Mindy concurred, I didn't mind. She agreed. At home, I ran into grab a slice of leftover pizza to help tie me over until dinner. My stomach was growling something fierce. Jacob and I headed off to the Hilliard Wal-Mart.  

Just like we did in Dublin, we parked by the garden center and entered through that end. Jacob seemed to know right where to go, having been there a few times to get airsoft supplies, which are right next to the bikes. On our drive to this Wal-Mart Jacob said he'd like to find a Red or Blue BMX. Low and behold, this Wal-Mart had both a red & a blue Mongoose BMX. You'd think we found the holy grail. But Jacob didn't care for the orangish rims matched with the electric blue frame, nor did he care for the seat that came with the red. And quite honestly, I agree. Both 'features' spoiled an otherwise attractive well-functioning bicycle. Oh boy! Once again, he tried steering me towards the off brand bike that was admittedly pleasing to the eye, but just too cheaply put together. I had to protect him from himself. We ended up leaving after agreeing that it made little sense to 'settle' on one he wasn't really that fond of. 

As we headed to the lot we agreed to try one more stop, Target, which is just up the road a quarter mile. We wound our way around the back of Wal-Mart cutting through the Giant Eagle lot ultimately finding our way to Target. IN the last year Target has changed their bike suppliers, and fir while there they carried very, very few. I wasn't sure what to expect. Quite frankly, I wasn't that hopeful. We found their bikes with no trouble hanging from a wall using self-service racks similar to those at Wal-Mart. Right away, Jacob spotted a Mongoose that looked an awful lot like the flat black and green model at the Dublin Wal-Mart. However, this one had white handle bars and 3 to 4 times more spokes in the wheels. This one he said was the one, and he even seemed excited about it. It was either genuine or damn good acting. OK. Because it was on the top rack we had to figure out how to lower it and then remove it from the rack. Both Target and Wal-Mart employ a 'ready-to-ride' policy. The bikes come fully assembled and ready to ride for no extra charge.

I had Jacob wheel to the checkout line which was unusually busy on a Sunday evening. Seemed as though all the customers were trying to checkout at the same time. The overall store wasn't crowded but each of the 5 or 6 checkout lines open was backed up 4 or 5 deep. Yikes! We waited patiently. The line moved fast. I told Jacob he could ride it to the car. He did. He was excited. Mindy called as we fought through the horrible Hilliard-Rome traffic, which has become all too routine. She wanted to know our ETA. Dinner was ready. Jacob quietly pleaded that I tell Mindy that we didn't find a bike. Not sure why I complied with his diabolical plan but did. After we hung up, he complimented me on how convincing I was. 

At home we parked along  the curb to give room to enter and exit the garage. My thinking was that he'd want to ride it after dinner. As soon as we unloaded he took off on it towards Evan's. I headed in to eat. The meatloaf looked and smelt terrific. Mindy was busy getting food on the plates of all the girls, neighbors included. Bella asked how it went then asked where Jacob was. I shared that he was riding his new bike. Mindy turned to me inquisitively. I assured her that we had in fact found a bike he liked. I knew what was coming next ... Why did you lie to me. I shared sheepishly that Jacob insisted as much.

Soon we all sat to dinner, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn. It was yummy. I had a 2nd helping of meatloaf though that time a much smaller portion. All the kids headed out after dinner while I managed the clean-up. Seemed to take forever. Meanwhile, Mindy was just finishing up Lindsey's laundry. Texted her when it was done. Lindsey soon responded that she was at big Rocky's having the boys hair cut. Would be by in 30 minutes. 

Mindy headed down to the neighbors (the O'Connell's) to talk to Teri by way of the backyards. Meanwhile, Eiknarf was whining at the door so I took her on a walk out front. I really think she just wanted to join Mindy. Regardless, it was a pleasant evening so why not. I hooked up with Mike O'Connell out front after Shamrock came running after Eiknarf, her bff. Mike shared how they had to cut four kids out of a Mustang near Central Point the night before. Said it was difficult to believe that no one was injured too badly, let alone killed. Said the car was completely mangled and they cut right through a telephone pole. Just as his story ended I spotted Mindy heading back towards home. I called out to her and she joined Mike and I, albeit briefly.  

We headed back home where we were soon blessed with Lindsey's presence, there to pick-up her laundry. Mindy talked with her about Landon's bed wetting, evidenced by his bedding in the laundry every week. Mindy suggested pull-ups. Lindsey fired back that he won't wear them and how her bed and sofa are ruined because of it. Mindy went off asking her if she could hear herself. She's letting the tail wag the dog and giving the kid all the power.  

Mindy suggested that he'd wear it our get spanked, plain and simple. In fact, last time he stayed here he wore one all night, no problem. Mindy also asked if Rocky's taking his meds. Same answer as before. No. Mindy reminded Lindsey that she committed to making him take it in front of his principal and teacher. Blah, blah, blah. Hearing all these pathetic excuses makes we want to throw up and stop helping because she's not listening and doing.  

Lindsey left thanking Mindy repeatedly for doing her laundry. It was near 8pm. We tuned into Frozen Planet and then American Pickers. Mindy headed to bed shortly after 9pm. Bella and I stayed up a little longer, me heading to bed last near 940pm.