No CBC & No Barley's

Finally Friday, I was really looking forward to the weekend. However, before any celebrating I had to get through another work day. As usual, I completed sit-ups and push-ups, and coffee time at my PC. And it was another gorgeous start to the day, though rain was forecasted to move in late afternoon and then hang around through Saturday somewhat dampening my spirits. At the time it was 62 degrees with an expected high of 82 degrees.

After meditation, a stretch, and then delivering Mindy’s coffee, I headed out for a run. The conditions were ideal. Not too cool and not to warm. I ran the full 4.1 miles track with minimal effort. Back at the house after my run, I walked the dog like any other day. During breakfast, Mindy made no mention of any after work plans relative to what we might be doing as a family for dinner. It was a kid weekend.

Mindy was off to school and me off to the shower around 730am. I wore jeans and a black t-shirt for the first time in a long while. Felt great! Wore loafers without socks too. What a rebel!

The kids and I headed to the bus stop at 808am. Kenny shared that they were taking Annie in for surgery on her hip. It’s gotten progressively worse over the past few days. Shared the costs - $2500 for the surgery and then $4700 each if they want her hips replaced with prosthetics. Yikes! Kenny said the replacement hips were out of the question. You think?

Once the kids were off on the bus I headed back home for another cup of coffee before taking off for work. And since rain was forecasted, I drove the Accord. I stopped at Thornton’s for a fill-up on the way in. Paid something like $3.86 per gallon. Must’ve been bone dry. It took 16 gallons, the tanks limit. Last tank – 25 mpg.

As planned, I spent almost the entire day working on monthly reports. With lots of changes going on at the office, I was already feeling behind. I didn’t get out for lunch, instead, I worked the entire day away without ever leaving my office, though I did have a few visitors stop in casually throughout the day just to chat.

Initially, I thought I might get out of the office a little early and get home and cut my lawn, which was already too long. But that never happened. Instead, I ended up at the office until well past 530pm and by then it was threatening rain. In fact, it had already poured in Hilliard. I called my mom on my drive home. Said she was doing/feeling well. Talked about her POS Cadillac and how she thinks it’s on its last leg. Having all sorts of issues with it. I once again suggested she buy a Honda Civic. With her SS income, I figured that car a good fit for her budget. She went on to share that her credit is not good enough to get a loan for a number of reasons. That’s something I can’t fix. I went on to jokingly compare her to Lindsey, to which she proudly trumpeted that she’s glad that at least one of her granddaughters is like her. I suggested I run a credit report to see exactly where she stands.

Arrived home to Mindy in a very favorable mood. Makayla was over playing with Bella and Evan with Jacob. Mindy wanted to make dinner plans. But I feared dinner at Barley’s with our kids as well as the neighbor kids with me being rushed (as always) and then getting stiffed with the check. The thought wasn’t pleasant. And when Mindy asked me a 2nd or 3rd time I shared my thoughts in an admittedly sharp tone. Needless to say, she wasn’t happy. Not making excuses, but I wasn’t anywhere near where she was yet. She’d been home for 2.5 hours. I’d literally just walked in the door. I needed my veg time.

Mindy pressed the dinner out issue and eventually decided to go on her own. Inside I could only laugh because it was the very thing I would’ve preferred – go out alone. It started to storm heavily and lasted about an hour. I spent the next 30 minutes online while Mindy waited for the rain to end. I think she asked both kids if they were interested in joining her for dinner. Neither wanted to go. Bella and Makayla hung out, as did Jacob and Evan. Mindy opted to go to CBC by her lonesome.

I was fine with her going out. I figured to use the time to read and relax. I hoped to get an early start on yard work the following day as well as make a run to the semi-annual Shred-It day at the Schott. Mindy left near 7pm during a break in the storm. Bella worried on and off about her mom’s safety out in the storm. It was cute!

I plopped down in the family room chair and read for almost two hours. And then around 8pm I poured a CBC Bodhi. Still had a jug in the fridge. I enjoyed my relaxation time. The kids were low maintenance the entire time. Mindy must have got back home around 915pm. She had a big bag and another fresh jug of Bodhi. Jacob tore up a bunch of wings.

Mindy and the kids were in bed by 10pm. I stayed up reading and sipping my beer. I had two pints throughout the entire evening. Mentally, I was in a lot better place when I headed for bed.