Mid-Week Enlightenment

I was up and downstairs by 535am. That’s as early as I’ve been up in the last couple weeks. I slipped into my exercise shoes then glanced out back. It was completely clear overhead. Great! I headed to the living room where I grunted through 50 sit-ups then headed to the family room where I whipped out 40 curls. By 550am I was sitting at my PC enjoying coffee.

Played around online for a good 15 minutes. It was only 41 degrees and still breezy. Expected a high in the low 60s’s with an abundance of sunshine. It’s always a struggle walking away from the PC, but I had to do it. Started meditation near 610am. That went OK. I headed upstairs to wake Mindy with a cup of coffee at 622am. At her request, I bumped the temperature up a few degrees when I headed back downstairs.

By the time I finished a stretch and dressed for a run it was 635am. Because it was so cool, I wore hand and ear covers again. The air didn’t really feel that chilly but the wind, oh yeah! I ran the full 4.1 miles without any problems. Felt great, in fact. If nothing else, the cool temps make for easy running.

I was back at the house with Eiknarf already downstairs awaiting my return. I leashed her up and headed outside. We walked across the street again. She likes the new territory. Must smell another subset of dogs. Her business finished, we headed back to the house for some eggs. Bella and Jacob were at the breakfast table. Bella was excited to be having Jello for breakfast. I insisted she eat something else as well sharing that Jello isn’t much more than a glass of Kool-Aid. Mindy agreed.

I had a plain omelet. It was good. Enjoyed that along with fruit, OJ and dry toast. Mindy reminded the kids to bus home with Noah and then asked if we would be going out to dinner. Wasn’t sure, but it was a Jimaken night. Mindy left for work, and I headed off to the shower.

I was ready and downstairs again by 851am. I put the finishing touches on my lunch then played on the computer until it was time to head out with the kids. I was surfing for pop-up sprinkler heads to augment or improve our existing irrigation system. The materials are dirt cheap. I just want to make sure I buy the right stuff for the desired affect.

The kids and I headed out for the bus at 808am. It felt warmer than I expected, though still chilly in the shade. The sun really warmed things up. Chrissy joined us at the bus stop. As soon as the bus was gone Eiknarf and I headed for home where I did some last minute prep and then started the dishwasher. I left for work around 825am.

I was busier than I was on Monday but still my day manageable enough that I could enjoy my work. That’s important. I talked with a couple old peeps down on floor 5. My boss shared a few nuggets relative to a new reporting structure. I’ll still report to him, but it looks like he’ll have a new boss, our VP.

I ate lunch at my desk choosing not to take a formal lunch break. The day flew by. It was 5pm in a hurry. All of my immediate to-dos addressed, I left for home. It felt good getting out of the office at 5pm. What a difference. Called Mindy as I was leaving the lot. She sounded way more alive then she did the evening prior. She shared that Jimaken was there to pick-up the kids. Said she’d call me back as soon as they were gone. That wasn’t necessary, heck, I’d be home in the matter of minutes. She called me back about the time I was entering 270s. We made plans to dine at CBC. We both needed a fun night after a very busy and tiring weekend.

Lots of mail, certainly more than usual. Mindy shared that it was two days worth. I almost pitched a check from my mortgage company reimbursing me for an overage in my escrow account. That’s happened like three other times. Cool! We didn’t waste too much time at home before heading off to CBC. All I needed to do was freshen up. We left the house near 535pm taking the Accord.

Traffic backed up almost to a standstill on 70 east between West Broad and the Mound St entrance ramp. The I-71 south lane (far right) was at least moving. We opted to take it to the Greenlawn exit and then east on Greenlawn to Front. That was slow but at least it was moving. We arrived at CBC near 550pm.

Wow, CBC was as sparsely populated as we’ve ever seen it. Maybe ten cars in the lot. It was a Tuesday and only 6pm. Only four or five others in the bar. Kate was tending bar and was as delightful ever. We both opted for Bodhi’s. yum-yum! We chatted with a young woman sitting just to our left. She’s a hospital administrator at Mt Caramel, and a former school teacher. Her name is Melissa. We had a lot in common, both professionally and family-wise. Enjoyed the conversation. Said she’s a regular.

Mindy and I ate some deep-fried asparagus and later ordered dinner. Mindy went with the salmon special, a spicier variation of their usual salmon dinner. I opted for a 2nd appetizer, artichoke dip and flat bread. I had a 2nd Bodhi too. Near dinner’s end, Mindy asked if I would/could drive. Yes. I stopped after two beers and switched to water. Mindy ordered a 2nd Bodhi.

Stuck around another 30 minutes or so while Mindy enjoyed/finished her beer. Mindy picked up the check. We left for home around 740pm. Mindy chatted with peeps on our way out the door. Me and the host joked about her propensity to chat.

Arrived home still before 8pm. The kids were long behind us. They pulled up while Mindy was upstairs changing and while I was walking the pug out front. Bella asked if she could run down to Makayla’s. Yes. Jacob asked about leftovers and was bummed to learn that there were none. We tuned into Pawn Stars and eventually American Pickers a few minutes later. I fell asleep even before 830p in the family room chair. I was out! I woke when Mindy and the kids headed to bed around 9pm. I slept a few more minutes then tucked in Bella then joined Mindy in bed. But just as often happens after a long nap, I got my second wind and couldn’t sleep. Around 955pm I got back up and headed downstairs to check on the Reds game and then to do some reading.

The Reds won big, 9-2. I headed to the family room to read around 1015pm. I read until almost 11pm, or until I was sleepy enough to crash. Bella came to railing around 1030pm telling me that she couldn’t sleep either. I suggested she read, but with the door closed so the light wouldn’t wake Jacob across the hall. She liked that idea. I headed to bed around 11pm.