My Personal Easter Bounty ... and Mindy with hers

I purposely allowed myself to sleep in by about ten minutes, justifying it by way of Mindy’s spring break. I had to prep coffee having not done so the night before. By the time coffee was started and I was ready to exercise it was 650am. By the way, another clear start.

Completed sit-ups and push-ups in a hurry. Headed to the PC with coffee near 6am. I checked the weather and headlines. It was just above freezing: 34 degrees, and wasn’t expected it to get much warmer than the low 50s. I spent most of my PC time trying to figure out how to pay my state tax bill. Again, I e-filed in March but opted to pay the tax bill later. I just couldn’t find the details anywhere on the Turbo Tax site. And then I wondered if I set it up to pay on a specified date later this week. Oh boy! I definitely didn’t want to pay it twice. I stressed over later when I set out on my run. After PC time, I completed both meditation and stretching by 630am. Took another 10 minutes to completely ready for my run. I heard the trash truck picking up our garbage while dressing for my run. I headed out the soon close to 640am.

It was downright chilly with a cold breeze blowing in my face from the west. I didn’t wear ear covers, but it wasn’t a big deal. I warmed a half mile or so into the run. I ran the full 4.1 miles, and most of it in daylight.

Back at the house I carted the trash can back to its resting place then headed in to collect the pug. Mindy was up making breakfast. Said she felt a lot better than the morning before. The pug and I headed out for about ten minutes, her taking care of all of her business. Fried eggs were ready and waiting upon my return. I was happy to see that Bella had already fed Eiknarf. And speaking of Bella, she was still coughing her head off. Mindy made mention of taking her to see Dr Craig later that day. Nothing seems to be doing the trick on that incessant cough.

I was showered and dressed by 8am and spent the few minutes before heading out to the bus stop packing my lunch. That was easy since Mindy already packed my cut veggies. All I had to do was pluck loose a banana from its bunch, cut some cheese, and grab a lime yogurt. Last second, I threw a few nuts in a snack-sized baggie.

We headed out to the bus stop at 808am where we met Chrissy. Learned that Kenny’s grandpa was gravely ill. Kenny was at the hospital with him. Back at the house I enjoyed another cup of coffee while chatting with Mindy, who asked if I remembered to pack everything I’d need to work remote at my customer’s site. I did. I left the house at 825am dead set on taking 670.

Traffic started to back-up just west of the Grandview exit and crept along slowly for the next mile, but then loosened up again and it was mostly smooth sailing the rest of the way in. Arrived just ahead of 9am, but it took a good 15 minutes to get situated and logged onto the network. Right away I saw a note canceling our 10am call. Cool. That gave me time to prep for our monthly service review. I headed to the conference room at 1035am to give myself plenty of time to set-up. That way, come 11am I was relaxed and ready to go. There were four of us there on site and then another four on via bridge, including my boss. As expected, the presentation went well. I felt about as confident as I ever have. The presentation was over by 11:40am.

I spent almost an hour working on a couple escalations before leaving for lunch at 1235pm. I headed to Macy’s where I planned to buy two new bed pillows as long as I could find a good deal. But even before finding my way to the bedding department, I stopped in the Men’s department with my 20% off coupon and bought two new Ralph Lauren Polo shirts. I paid too much for them even with the discount, but sometimes it pays to buy quality. I’ve learned that the hard way. I also bought a 2-pack of white t-shirts. I haven’t bought white t-shirts in 10 years. I need a couple.

Finally headed upstairs to bedding where after an exhaustive search through their pillow selection I settled on a two extra-firm king-sized bed pillows that were 50%. Got them for $25 each. While there, I looked at pillow top mattress pads, a 4” thick version. I about fell over when the associate told be it was on sale for $370. No! After sleeping on that pillow-top mattress at Collins Lake in Govy Camp, it made me a believer. I’ve never slept better. On my way out I looked at Queen Anne recliners in the furniture department. Found one or two I like, but we need to settle on paint first. It has to be a coordinated effort.

Now 1:15pm, I headed back to the office. I stayed busy all afternoon and at times too busy thanks in part to the fact that I was covering accounts for two others. Somehow or another I managed to keep my head above water. It didn’t hurt that my biggest customer sent a note to my boss complimenting the job I’ve done for them. That left me feeling good as the day wound down.

I left for home around 510pm and for the first time in more than a month, I took 270 around. It’s longer but with far fewer traffic snarls. That turned out being a wise move. Traffic was moving near 70 mph the entire way around. I passed the office at 532pm and arrived home near 540pm. I talked with Mindy on the final leg of 270. She was in route to CVS to pick-up prescription for both she and Bella. Both, according to Dr Craig, have sinus infections.

I arrived home ahead of Mindy. I quickly unloaded my gear and even updated my blog before mindy got home. Mindy and I already agreed that it was leftover night with so much stuff in the fridge. I opted for chicken tenders from Easter dinner along with some of Mindy’s fresh pasta salad. Mindy cited being ridiculously hungry. She was eating everything in sight. She had some chicken, pasta salad, Bob Evans chicken and noodles that she and Bella brought home, rolls, and more. Bella had only chicken & noodles. During dinner we practiced Bella’s spelling words, which were some of the hardest words yet (aquarium, turquoise, television). She struggled with those three. I suggested that rather than try and spell them verbally, write them instead. She agreed and it seemed to help.

After dinner she asked if she could head over to the neighbors to play with Makayla. Mindy tried dumping that responsibility on me, but I threw back adding only that I didn’t think it wise. Mindy agreed and told Bella no and that she needed to stay in and get better. She wasn’t happy and tore off to her room.

Once kitchen clean-up was completed Mindy & I walked down to the neighbors to see Kenny. His grandpa passed away earlier in the day and we wanted to be there for him. Turns out, though, he was gone taking Lillian to gymnastics. We hung out talking with Chrissy for a few minutes then headed back home. However, Mindy promised to return with pasta salad. After all, we’d never eat all that was in the giant bowl she made.

Once back at home I headed upstairs to throw on my PJs. That felt nice. I then spent a little more time looking through the hard copies of my tax documents finding the pay voucher I set-up for 4/15. Cool. That left me feeling one heck of a lot better about the tax thing. All taken care of for another year.

Ben & Ryan knocked at the door around 730pm. There were down at Kenny & Chrissy’s to have a cookout. Ben and Kenny are cousins thus share the same grandpa.  Ben & Ryan visited with Mindy and I for about 30 minutes before heading back to the neighbors for the cookout. Jacob arrived home from soccer practice while they were there. He scarfed down what was left of the chicken along with a bunch of other stuff. Said he was starving.

After our company left we tuned into Idol. By the way, Mindy kept Bella home from gymnastics practice due to the sinus infection. We watched all of Idol and as much as I hate to see it, I think Holly will be going home on Thursday. And if it is her, the judges won't use there one and only save.

Idol was over at 10pm and we all headed up to bed at roughly the same time. I was tired but overtly so. I was looking forward to giving our new bed pillows a go.