A Pretty Decent Friday

I was up a few minutes later than normal but because Mindy & the kids were off school, it didn’t put me behind schedule in the least. I casually went about completing sit-ups and push-ups. It was 555am when I headed to the PC with coffee.

It was clear and cold, only 33 degrees. There was scattered frost around. I covered the hydrangea with a bed sheet the night before. Since I didn’t have to wake Mindy, I played around online until 620am or so. It was 640am by the time I finished meditation and a stretch. I dressed warmly for a run wearing full winter attire, including hand and ear covers. I hit the road at 745am and ran the full 4.1 miles in about 38 minutes.

Back at home, the house remained dark and quiet. I quickly began frying a couple eggs and prepping my lunch. I warmed a couple slices of leftover bacon too. The smell must’ve tickled Eiknarf’s nose, who was sleeping in Bella’s room. She started crying and even barked a time or two. I didn’t really plan to walk her since Mindy & the kids were, but didn’t want her waking everyone either. I fried an egg for the pug then headed upstairs to leash her up and take her on a walk.

It was 755am by the time we were back from our walk and the dog was fed. Mindy was up by then. I headed up for a shower and was back downstairs ready to go by 815am. Mindy briefly touched on how their day might unfold, which would include coloring eggs and physical therapy. My dad was coming by to keep an eye on the kids while she ran off to physical therapy. Mindy scribbled her Kroger card number on a piece of paper so I could use it to get a discount on gasoline at Shell. I left for work near 825am.

I headed to the Shell at 70 & Wilson. It took some doing to enter the Kroger fuel perks stuff. Mindy figured the discount would be at least $.20. In reality, it was only $.10 – hardly worth my trouble. The Accord took 15 gallons after 392 miles, or 26 mpg. 250 of those miles was the trip to WV – all highway.

Arrived at the office near 845am and was settled in somewhere near 9am. Spent most of the morning working on monthly reports. Neighbor Kenny called around 10am to ask if I wanted him to edge my flower beds. He rented a power edger for $`120. Yes. I agreed to pay half the cost. That would save me two days of grueling square shovel work. I left for lunch at 1pm and headed to Lowes where I bought Mindy’s Easter presents. This year’s theme was the outdoors. I bought her five solar landscape light fixtures that change colors, one of which was in the shape of a hummingbird, and then a new copper bird feeder to replace the one that fell apart last fall. I planned to stop for chocolate and roses on the way home from work. I headed back to the office arriving near 145pm.

I spent the afternoon doing the most tedious part of the monthly report which involves me reading/summarizing 20 lengthy trouble tickets. Ugh! That took me right up until the end of the day. By the time I finished my mind was mush. I did my weekly time report then happily left for home. It was just before 520pm. It was sunny but still fairly cool – only 58 degrees. As planned, I stopped by Kroger first and picked up a dozen red roses and some Easter chocolates for Mindy.

Called Mindy in route to home. By then, Lindsey had already picked up Landon & Rocky and Jimaken had picked up Jacob & Bella. Mindy was out walking the dog while we talked. I passed her a block or two from the house. I opted to leave her Easter presents in my trunk until later, though I carried in the roses and placed them on the island. We planned to go to Barley’s but not for a while yet. After a brief greeting, I headed out to scope out the Kenny’s handy work. The edging looked great, creating deep sharp edge around all of our beds. Looked like he hit one of my sprinkler heads ripping it completely out of the ground and tearing it into several pieces. Oh boy! I’d have to dig it up to see if he got the hose too. I’d have to do that on Saturday.

After the walk around, I ended up taking a nap while sitting at my PC. While I napped, Mindy walked down to chat with the neighbors. She wasn’t gone too long. I’m thinking she was back by 6pm, but then she headed up for a shower. She wasn’t back downstairs until 645pm. While she showered I wrote Thursday’s blog. I hadn’t posted an entry for two weeks, but was written through Thursday. One Mindy emerged ready, I headed upstairs to freshen up. We left the house near 7pm.

The lot was crowded by not full. We’re getting close to the time of year when the Friday crowd thins. Mindy let me know that she sent a global text to all of our peeps inviting them to join us. Mindy and I took stools near the corner of the bar, me ordering a Centennial and she a Maharajah. Chatted with Rick C., who was in early for a change. It wasn’t too much longer before banker Dan stopped in and we got to chatting about Calvin complaining of chest pains last Friday. And since Calvin’s a regular, we asked if anyone had seen him during the week. No one had. Worried for his well being, we asked if anyone had his phone number. Banker Dan did, and gave him a call on his cell. Turned out, he was in the hospital after having heart bypass surgery on Wednesday. Holy smoke! Get well soon, Calvin!

Within the next hour Bella teacher, Mrs A. and her husband Mike showed up, as did brother Tommy and Darwin. When Bella called I handed the phone to her teacher.  We hung out at Barley’s until at least 1030pm with me having a total of 4 Centennials across the evening. Mindy drank 3 Maharajah’s, which are IIPAs. She definitely wasn’t driving. I picked up the tab and drove us home. Having snacked on leftovers before we headed out to Barley’s, I wasn’t hungry while we were out. But by the time we arrived at home I was starving. While Mindy readied for bed, I whipped up a plate of nachos covered in sharp cheddar cheese. I ate some potato chips too. We headed to bed near 11pm and both of us were quickly asleep.