Hoppin Down the Bunny Trail

I didn’t sleep that well after waking initially around 6am. I got up for good around 730am and headed downstairs to start coffee then play Easter Bunny just as Mindy asked me to do the night before. It was a cloudy start but they appeared to be breaking up just to the west. I carried up the Easter baskets from atop the freezer in the basement. I went for the gift bag I put together for Mindy a few minutes later.

I sipped coffee at the PC until 815am when I heard Mindy up and stirring. She soon joined me downstairs and started hiding eggs all around the family room. The kids weren’t up for a while yet. I told Mindy how it rained overnight thus leaving my freshly washed Accord spotted with water droplets. Once again, I can’t seem to buy a clean car.

Mindy called and invited my dad to join us for Easter morning festivities. She made him a small Easter bag full of Snickers. He accepted. The kids were soon up and engaged in the annual egg hunt. Mindy stuffed several eggs with $1 bills and then two large eggs with $5 each but with each kids name on one. That way, Mindy figured, they would both be guaranteed at least $5.

Dad must’ve shown up around 930am while Mindy was still in the shower preparing for church services. We sat at the kitchen table chatting, Mindy eventually joining us. Mindy gave dad his little felt Easter bag. Shared his plans to head to Bob’s with his new i-Pad. We visited for about 30 minutes before Mindy and the kids needed to leave for church. Dad asked if I was joining them. No, not this time. Mindy had me snap a photo of she and the kids all dressed up. As usual, Jacob acted overtly uninterested.

Dad and I continued our conversation after they left for church. I asked if he nailed down Florida plans. Said he had half a mind to contact Kenny to cancel. Doesn’t really have the urge to be in Florida this year. Dad also shared a story about his recent encounter with a gentleman close to his age that runs every other day. Stopped by his property near his friends, Pete & Vicki’s house to look at a pull behind camper trailer he had for sale. Said the guys wife died unexpectedly while vacationing in Florida in January. Incidentally, dad was looking at the camper on behalf of brother Bobby. Spent about an hour with the guy.

Once dad learned that I hadn’t yet ran he was quick to head out. Now around 1030am, it was time for me to do my run. By then the sky had fully cleared with just a few scattered puffy white clouds. It was chilly but was happy for the sunshine. I ran the usual weekend route of just three miles. Back at home just after 11am I pulled a few slices from the ¼ Honey Baked ham Mindy bought at Kroger then headed out for some more yard work.

This time I pulled the tractor and trailer around to the front where I continued my quest to gather up all the edgings. I filled the trailer about ¾ full. Mindy and the kids were home from church I’m guessing near 1230pm. After dumping the trailer full of edgings out by the tree house I headed back out front where I hacked down all the English Ivy I’ve let grow up and around the front door. I love the look but the mess from all the birds is getting out of hand. I may cut it all down another time. I hadn’t seen the stone around the front door in years. I carted all the English ivy clipping to the compost pile. While I busy cutting down the ivy Lindsey and the boys showed up to do laundry. Mindy offered that they could come over at 1pm and hang out while we headed to Gloria’s place. Mindy gave the boys their Easter baskets too.

Mindy made me a grilled ham and cheese sandwich while I finished my work. I was really hungry, but wanted to get all my stuff put away before heading inside to eat. I blew the front porch clear of any remaining ivy clippings with my blower.

It was 130pm when I headed inside to eat my sandwich and shower up for Easter dinner at Gloria’s place. I didn’t have even two words with Lindsey but interacted some with the boys. Rocky asked if he could join us for Easter dinner. I declined, not thinking it acceptable to invite them last minute. Rocky blurted out something about Courtney, but was quickly cut off by his mother. But Landon quickly filled in the blank, sharing that she’s pregnant. Ummmmm? … Good for her. Isn’t that just wonderful new?

We left for Gloria’s around 215pm. Mindy commented how nice the stone looked around the front door. She had no idea that it was so ornate having been barricaded in English ivy ever since she’s been around. Arrived at Gloria’s around 230pm. The place looked desolate. Not another car out front or in the driveway. I asked mindy if she had the plans straight. Said she did. Supposed to arrive between 2-3pm. Sure enough, Gloria was holed up inside. Jacob headed directly around back to the basketball court. Could hear him bouncing away even before the rest of us were inside.

After a formal greeting I headed out to shot some baskets with Jacob. It was gorgeous, not a cloud in the sky, though still a tad chilly. Couldn’t have been more than about 58 degrees. Jacob and I played two games of PIG. Surprisingly, I won both. I really expected that he would beat me. Pat & Mel were joining us for Easter dinner. We see them only once or twice each year at Easter and sometimes Thanksgiving. They had just arrived. Headed inside to say hello. Mel shared that Pat was happy I was there since he would otherwise be out numbered my girls. Todd & Larry were both on duty and Craig & Jeff were vacationing in Florida.

We sat around visiting for another hour or so waiting on everyone else to arrive. Finally around 5pm we sat for dinner. I nailed it, chicken and ham were the main courses. But there were plenty of sides too – cooked carrots, corn pudding, pasta salad (2 kinds), and plenty more. I had chicken since we had Honey Baked ham at home. Everything was delicious. It’s a good thing we don’t do Sunday dinner anymore lest I’d be 10lbs heavier.

After dinner we shared stories all around the dinner table but none better than Pat’s catastrophic waterbed story. Bottom line, while away his daughter hosted a party that quickly got out of hand. Someone punctured Pat’s waterbed with scissors causing the entire bed to drain ruining two stories below. He was able to share the story with a tad a of humor but we could tell that the mental anguish and wound was still healing. Katie assured him that he’ll be laughing about it 12 years from now. She only added that had it been her that caused it, she would’ve ran away to sleep under a bridge. Most of us found humor in the story but at the same felt empathy for Pat.

Dessert was served around 630pm – ice box cookies and strawberry flan cake. I had the ice box cookies. As usual, it was delicious. We helped Gloria get her house back in order before departing. And she gave all the wee ones Easter baskets. I didn’t check the exact time but I’m guessing it was 715-730pm when we headed for home.

As soon as we were home the kids ran off to play for about 30 minutes. I checked the final score of the Reds game. Actually, I already knew they had won but wanted to read how they did it. I headed up to change into my PJs around 8pm and then cut myself a slice of keylime pie that Mindy bought for me on Saturday even thought I wasn’t hungry. At least the keylime pie was light.

Mindy and I tuned into The Frozen Planet on NatGeo. The kids were home around 830pm and quickly readied for bed. Both the kids and Mindy headed to bed just after 9pm. How sad is that? Mindy’s on spring break yet going to bed at 9pm on a play night! I stayed up for another half hour watching a program about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and what scientific research hypothesizes really took place. I’d seen it before and started getting sleepy around 930pm and headed for bed.