Lunch Date with Mindy

Like I have all week, I slept in for an extra ten minutes or so. I finally drug myself from bed around 540am and headed downstairs to exercise and then enjoy some coffee. It was clear again with a waning half moon hanging in the southern sky. I completed sit-ups and curls then poured a cup of coffee and took to the internet where I spent the next 15 minutes.

It was cold, only 33 degrees. I remembered to cover the hydrangea the evening before. It’s the only temperature sensitive flora we currently have blooming. I pulled myself away from the PC around 615a and headed to the family room for some quiet meditation and a stretch.

Finished both around 630am and then dressed for a run. I decided to wear full winter gear, including ear covers, and I’m glad I did. It was chilly with lots of scattered frost about. I ran the full 4.1 miles in daylight. Felt good. Finished near 620am and headed inside to fetch the pug. Mindy was up and in the kitchen tending to our breakfast.

We walked across the street which is a path we’ve begun taking more frequently, but for no other reason than a change of pace. Mindy made me a plain omelet. I enjoyed fresh fruit and a glass of OJ along with it. I quizzed Bella on a couple of her more difficult spelling words. She struggled a little, but I was confident that she’d get ‘em later in the day during the weekly spelling test.

I headed for the shower around 740am and was all ready to go by 8am. I started to organize a lunch when Mindy reminded me of our lunch plans. She wanted to meet me at my office, but I offered that we should just plan on meeting at PF Changs. We both headed out with the kids at 808am. It was chilly but sunny. Supposed to warm up into the 60s and 70s over the next three or four days, certainly a very welcome change.

We chatted with Chrissy at the bus stop, her sharing the few details she had about Kenny’s grandpa’s funeral services. She expected to know more later in the day. Once the kids were safely on the bus Mindy and I headed back home. Mindy asked once more if she could come see my office before we went to lunch. I urged against it and once again insisted that we meet at the restaurant.

I left for the office at 825am after enjoying a little more coffee. It was a quick drive into the office. It took about 15 minutes to get situated and then I jumped head first into more monthly reports. However, I didn’t have a lot of time, needing to be at our weekly staff meeting at 930am.

The meeting lasted longer than most, a little more than a full hour. I spent the rest of my morning working on monthly reports working right up to time to meet Mindy for lunch. I called her around noon to confirm. She was in the process of getting ready.
I left the office at 1240pm meeting her at PF Changs just a few miles away. She was already there and sitting on the bench out front soaking up the warm spring sunshine.

The main dining area was packed pretty tight, so they gave us a “tall” table in the bar area instead. I was happy for that. As a bonus, I got to see part of the Reds game against Washington. Their menu’s changed since our last visit, which I believe was about a year ago. We both ordered from their much larger lunch menu and then some lettuce wraps from the appetizer menu. Mindy went with diet soda. I went with water.

The lettuce wraps arrived as did Mindy’s soup. I ordered soup too, but it came with my entrée. It didn’t come until later. The lettuce wraps were really good. We ate most of them. Mindy had some chicken dish while I had Mongolian beef. Mindy cleared her entire plate in what seemed like the bat of an eye. I, on the other hand, was slow to finish. I’m not really used to eating a heavy lunch. I’ll bet we weren't there for more than 45 minutes. Mindy said she was tired and planned to go home, sit on the deck, and possibly even take a nap. She picked up the check. I headed back to the office.

It was closing in on 2pm. I picked up right where I left off working hard to finish another monthly report. I worked on it well past 5pm when I finally ventured next door to chat with my peer. We ended up talking for quite a while. And then around 545pm my boss joined us for a couple minutes. He was taking Friday off.

I was a little surprised when I got back to my office and saw that it was 605pm. Yikes! Where had the day gone? I called Mindy to let her know that I was running late. She shared that she and the kids were already sitting down to eat leftover tacos. I teased her about leaving me behind, but really didn’t mind. I left the office at 610-615pm.

Arrived home around 630pm. Bella handed me her interim report card and made some comment like I was going to be mad. In reality, it was all very good and she was obviously proud of herself. There’s no denying that the Focalin has made a world of difference. I snacked on the remainder of Bella’ nachos then made myself a burrito. That was plenty. Bella soon ran off to play with the neighbors. Jacob, meanwhile, was already done with dinner and off playing with friends even before I got home.

It was after 7pm in a hurry, but that’s what happens when I don’t leave work until 615pm. I headed up to change into my PJs around 730pm and then spent the next half hour online and updating my blog. Just like that it was time for Idol elimination night. Before settling in I poured myself a White Rajah. It was just OK.

As much as I didn’t want it to happen, I was sure that Holly would be the one going home. Big surprise though. Instead of Holly, it was Jessica, many peoples front runner. I realize that one must consider who's doing all the voting and what their tastes are but I think most everyone was surprised. The judges didn’t even let her finish her 'save me' song before running up on stage and invoking their one and only season 11 save. All of that made for one of the most dramatic finishes on Idol this season, and it was certainly great for ratings.

We tuned into Touch right after Idol. It was a good episode but I was fighting the sleepies for the last half and missed a few key parts. However, I did catch the very ending just before we all headed up to bed. Good night moon.