Love What You've Done With the Star Dust

I was up and downstairs on time. The coffee maker kicked into action as I settled into my exercise shoes and glanced out back at the clear sky. I could see the large family of geese making their way into the yard from the far back. Grrrr!

I whipped out 50 sit-ups and 50 push-ups then settled in front of my PC with some coffee. I had plenty of time to play and still pull away by 6am. The forecast was calling for sunshine and 85 degrees. Supposed to be 91 on Thursday, and aside from a couple of days in the mid 70’s, the ten-day forecast shows nothing but the 80’s. Looks like a summery Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately, I’m on-call. Looking at my calendar, I think I’ll be taking Thursday as my comp day, and hope to get in some golf.

Did meditation and stretching ahead of waking Mindy. Both went well. Woke Mindy at 623am with coffee in hand. Turned off the ceiling on my way out. Dressed for a run wearing shorts and a short sleeved wicking shirt. Headed out the door at 630am. The blinding sun was already rising above the roof tops much further to the north than I expected it to be as it makes its trek towards the summer solstice. I ran the full 4.1 miles with no trouble whatsoever. It was a very good run.

At home I waited for the pug at the foot of the stairs. She came with little resistance. We headed off on our walk across the street avoiding the goose poop coating the sidewalks on our side of the street.

Mindy had eggs waiting upon our return. I ate all of mine before dishing up Eiknarf’s. Bella filled her food bowl with chow first. I asked her to reduce the amount she put in. She tends to overfeed. Mindy reminded the kids to bus to Noah’s after school. Jacob gave her an earful about it. Doesn’t like going there. After last week’s fever and headaches, he’s now sporting an ugly sounding cough. Mindy left for school near 730am.

I was off to the shower by 740am. It didn’t take me too long to ready either. I was back in the kitchen finalizing my lunch at 756am. The kids and I headed out 808am. Talked with Kenny at the bus stop. Shared that I was pushing for taking Thursday off. Suggested that he and I go golfing, which would sadly be just the 2nd time for me this season. How pathetic is that? The early forecast is calling for sunny skies and 91.

After the kids bussed off to school, I went back home and started the dishwasher as well as the irrigation system. The lawn’s looking a little stressed in all the tough places (between the walk and curb, and then just off the driveway). We haven’t had any appreciable rain for about a week, and we’ve been in the 80s with sunshine too – our first dry spell of any sort. That reminded me that the water department is scheduled out Tuesday morning to replace our noisy primary water meter.

I drove the Accord to work. I had two regular scheduled meetings to attend. Also, as a favor, I was asked to help another team by putting together a quarterly service review. I spent most of the day on that. Between morning meetings I placed a call to 5th Avenue Lumber and then Contract Lumber looking for the rough sawn pine trim boards similar to the ones M/I used originally on our home’s exterior. Neither place carry it. And Contract Lumber was the original supplier. The gentleman there was nice enough to offer to call around to see if he could find it somewhere. I knew then that I was going to call M/I homes and ask if they had a new supplier or if they had another idea.I called M/I. They were kind and offered to have the service manager return my call around 3pm after taking my cell number.

At lunch time I made a trip to Ohio Mulch and Strader’s, right across the street from one another. I stopped at Ohio Mulch first where I bought a whopping 6 natural gray gorge stepping stones. They sell them by weight, and they weighed 61lbs. That set me back $15. We plan to place one or two just off the deck stairs into the yard, and then the rest in one of the front flower beds that we often cut through when walking the yard. I placed the stones carefully in the trunk of the Accord on a beach towel I carry around.

Across the street at Strader’s I ran into old neighbor Jennifer W.. Haven’t talked with her for a number of years. She was already in the check-out line while I was hollering her name. She was either ignoring me or didn’t hear me. I decided to approach. We talked for a minute or two. At the same time the check-out clerk said, aren’t you hot? I responded by asking if she was flirting with me.  That caught her off guard. She blushed ten shades of red. She quickly said no, but it’s because you’re dressed in all black.

I picked up three more 3” pots of herbs for Mindy’s herb growing experience. I bought another parsley and another basil, and then some chives. I arranged the tray on the passenger side front floor board. I headed back to the office. It was near 2pm. I spent my afternoon working on that service review report. At 3pm, Cliff, the M/I homes service manager, called. We talked for a while. Said I should try Contract Lumber. He went on the share that they no longer use real wood for exterior trim on any of their home lines. Instead, the use a wood composite, which are structurally more stable but much more prone to rot if not meticulously maintained. I shared my current experience with the composite panel I just removed and replaced with cedar lap siding. I asked about the Hardie board, which is made of concrete and all the rage. Said they only use it in their higher end homes - $500K and up. He shared that it’s expensive and much harder to work with, but a viable option.

A peer and I were chatting in his office when Mindy rang my blackberry wondering when I’d be coming home. I was surprised to see that it was already after 530pm. She said dinner was ready. It was somewhere near 540pm when I left for home. Arrived somewhere near 6pm. Despite running the irrigation system before leaving for work, the lawn still looked awfully dry. I wondered if the cycle didn’t complete. Mindy had dinner ready – chicken enchiladas. During dinner she asked if I would willingly take Bella to and front gymnastics while she worked on grade cards. Sure, dear. I took Bella to gymnastics right after dinner clean-up. My mind was everywhere but where it needed to be. First, I was in the turn lane at Trabue and had to get back into the forward lane last second. Duh! Then, instead of heading west on Roberts Rd to the gym, I jumped on 270N as if I was heading to work. Bella was a little worried that she’d be late. We got off at the Cemetery Rd exit and then got right back on270 south. In the end, she was only 1 minute late.

As soon as I got back home I headed out to water flowers. I spent about 20-25 minutes watering, and then a little time on the PC. Before I knew it was already time to pick-up Bella. Time flies! Bella was eager to demonstrate her ability to turn a front flip on both the mini tramp and trampoline. Awesome! She was very excited. She asked about a stop at Wendy’s. I agreed. At first I was only going to get food for her, but remembered the crap Mindy gave me for doing so one time past. Even though Jacob had a milk shake just before I left home, I ordered him a spicy chicken sandwich too. Those things are $4.50!

At home by 845pm, I changed into my PJs then settled into the family room chair with my book and the History Channel watching How The Universe Works, and incredible program about nebula’s and the creation and demise of stars. What many don’t realize is that everything on Earth – everything – comes from stardust, the remnants from an exploding star.

Mindy & Jacob both headed to bed shortly after 9pm. I stayed up watching the History Channel until 1015pm. I can’t get enough of that stuff. Bella had already taken Eiknarf up to bed by then. All I had to do was secure the home. Good night moonless sky.