Returning the Bike

I slept pretty well and right past my normal rise time of 530am. Running a bit behind, I wasn’t downstairs until almost 550am. The smell of fresh coffee already permeated the entire house. I slipped into my exercise shoes then glanced out back. Still mostly cloudy though I could see a few breaks directly overhead.

More sleep sounded good but not really possible. I whipped out sit-ups effectively putting an end to the sleepies. I wasted little time going from sit-ups to push-ups. Because I was a little stiff, the push-ups weren’t as easy as usual, but I managed to get them done. I headed to the PC with coffee near 6am.

I checked the forecast. It was currently only 41 degrees under cloudy skies. Calling for clearing skies, breezy conditions and a high only in the low 50s. But after a cloudy weekend, just having sunshine in the forecast was a welcome addition. As is often the case, time on the PC went fast. It was 610am before I knew it and time to move on. Meditation was next, but not as fruitful as usual. Already after 620am, I decided I’d better wake Mindy ahead of a stretch.

We went to sleep with the ceiling fan going and the window cracked, but I turned off the ceiling fan sometime during the middle of the night. Mindy asked that I close the window just after I woke her. I left her coffee on the night stand and headed back downstairs for a stretch.

The stretch felt great. After reading that there would be a cold wind blowing out of the north, I dressed for a run in full winter attire including wearing hand and ear covers and headed out around 640am. I ran the full 4.1 miles comfortably. The hand covers were a bit much but I opted to leave them on for the run’s entirety.

Not sure the time when I made it back home buy figured it had to be close to 720am. Like most mornings, I sat at the bottom of the stairs waiting for the pug. She came down fairly quickly and we headed off on our walk. The scattered clouds around earlier were gone. It was mostly sunny but still cool and breezy. Eiknarf took care of her business speedily. We headed back home for breakfast.

Mindy had my eggs ready and waiting in the microwave. Bella was having a maple log for breakfast. She asked that I pour her some OJ when she saw me pouring some for myself. Mindy soon left for work while we finished breakfast. Mindy reminded the kids to bus home as normal. Just before I headed up for a shower Bella asked me to warm her yet another sliver of the maple log. I granted her wish then headed off for a shower.

After a shower, I had a rough time managing my new haircut after trying to avoid doing the heavy get thing. I ended up using a gel sparingly to plaster down the stubborn spots. I wasn’t happy with the results but it would have to do. I was downstairs organizing my lunch and tidying up the kitchen by 8am. The kids and I headed out at 808am.

We met Chrissy and Lillian at the bus stop. Makayla wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t going to school. Chrissy shared that Kenny took Annie in to have her fixed. The bus arrived a couple minutes late. Noticed one of the boys on the kids’ bus was sporting a new do – a full-on Mohawk. I gave him a thumbs-up sign. He just smiled. Headed back home with the pug to finish my ready.

Poured a 2nd cup of coffee then logged off my laptop and packed it up for work. Left the house near 825am. Running low on gas, I thought about stopping for a fill-up but ended up driving right by. Maybe after work. Arrived around 840am parking in one of the many spots open in the front lot.

It was 9am by the time I was settled and logged in. My boss stopped by soon after to see how the Sunday conference call went. He was apologetic when I shared that the call went 14 hours. Told me to take OT/comp time.

Ended up being one of the easier days I’ve had in quite some time. That was nice after a two week run of being almost too busy. I used my lunch time to do a little writing. Hopefully the entire week plays out similarly.

The day moved quickly. It was late afternoon in the blink of an eye. I left for home around 505pm. It was only in the low 50s, sunny, but also very windy. I left my Droid at home my accident, so I paired my blackberry with my car’s handsfree feature and then gave Mindy a call. She sounded tired. Shared that she was so tired that she actually took a nap after getting home from school and just before the kids showed up. Wasn’t sure what we’d be having for dinner.

I hoped to take Jacob’s bike back to Target after dinner. It’s a lemon. I’m not paying $130 or a bike and having to fix the same things every other day. I wasn’t sure the policy on bikes and found myself a bit anxious when thinking through the whole ordeal. I envisioned them giving me a hard time about it. We’d just have to see.

Arrived home just ahead of 530pm. Jacob was already off to his soccer game with his dad. Mindy was up and making cream of chicken & rice. Bella was in an exceptionally good mood. The three of us enjoyed dinner together, Bella at least trying the cream of chicken over rice. She didn’t care for it and opted instead for some of the leftover meatball sub. I ate the rest of her rice.

When Mindy asked who was taking Bella to gymnastics I volunteered sharing my plan to return Jacob’s bike. She asked if I would be doing the pick-up too. Since Mindy was so tired, I planned on doing both. Still fairly early, I took a very brief nap in the big chair, probably no more than five minutes. Felt good. Mindy shared that Lindsey texted her earlier. She called her back after dinner. She needed/wanted money for food. Was on her way over. She asked that I be kind.

She showed up a few minutes before it was time to leave with Bella, but stayed just long enough to pick-up the money. After they left I headed out to load Jacob’s bike into the Pilot. Because I had to lay both seats down, Bella got to ride up front, something she was thrilled to get to do.
Bella asked if it was OK if she took her sketch pad along with her to gymnastics. I found that a bit odd but allowed it after she assured me that she wouldn’t forget it.

I couldn’t help but notice how bright and sunny it was at 7pm. Just a couple months ago it was already dark at 7pm. I headed on to the Hilliard-Rome Target arriving about five minutes later. I felt a bit odd wheeling a bike into the store, but I had the receipt and all the associated paperwork. Jacob’s had the bike for only a week and rode it only a handful of times. And just like I shared with the woman at the customer service desk, unfortunately, I’ve had to wrench on it as many times. She wanted to know my intent, do you want it repaired? No! I want to return it. I shared that I shouldn’t have to have a new bike repaired. I went on to say that we had no faith in the bike, and the biggest problem was with the brakes. She placed a call to some guy, presumably from that department or the back warehouse. He asked if we wanted it fixed or returned. Returned. He agreed.

After hanging up the call she apologized but shared that she had to get the OK first. I went on to share that with the trouble being with the brakes, we didn’t want to chance something bad happening. I was on my way out the door in with the return receipt in less than five minutes.

I stopped at the Wal-Mart just down the road and on the way home thinking I might surprise Jacob with one of their Mongoose BMX bikes. But once I was there and looking over the BMX bike selection I decided I’d better not. Instead, we’ll need to decide on another option together. I headed for home. It was 730pm. I thought Jacob would be home from his soccer game by then but he wasn’t. Mindy was fiddling with a load of laundry. She asked how the return went. Fine.

Jacob and Jim showed up a couple minutes later. They lost 1-0. That’s three close games, all of them 1 point losses. Jim said the team they lost to was the best team in the league. Jacob was far less depressed than he was after the prior two losses. Perhaps he’s becoming more comfortable with losing.  Jim soon headed for home. Mindy gave Jacob a handful of dinner options. He eventually settled on grilled cheese, but just as she was starting to gather the stuff he changed his mind, opting instead for cereal.

I played around online until it was time to go after Bella. I was getting sleepy just sitting around. It was still completely daylight at 830pm. Had to wait a few minutes for Bella to finish whatever the heck she was doing. I reminded her to grab her sketch pad. She would’ve left it behind had I not said something.

Mindy & Jacob were watching Pawn Stars when we returned. After getting into my PJs I joined then in the family room. Mindy gave Bella a hall pass on a shower. Jacob had to take one. He headed to bed on his own around 9pm. In fact, so did Mindy. I expected that given how tired she was. At my request, she handed me my book so I could do some reading in the family room. Bella stayed up with me after Mindy gave her until 930pm. We watched American Pickers for a while, but once Bella headed upstairs, I turned the volume down and did some reading. I read about 5 or6 pages before I started to dose. I laid on the sofa until 950pm when I gave up and headed up to bed. I dispatched the pug to Bella’s room. The sound or movement of me placing her in the bed woke Bella. She asked for a tuck in and a dog toy. After quickly obliging her request I headed for my own bed. Good night!