Overdue Hair Cut

I woke initially near 430am and quickly realized I had another hour or so to sleep. I took full advantage falling back asleep and staying that way until 540am. Once awake I brushed my teeth then headed downstairs to kick out some exercise. Wasting little time, I gazed out back at another clear sky then slipped into my exercise shoes. By 545am I was fully engaged in sit-ups and as soon as they were completed I whipped out 50 push-ups. The push-ups were tougher than usual. Hadn’t done any since the Friday prior.

Finally got to enjoy some coffee just before 6am. And I ended up playing around online until 617am when I remembered that Mindy wanted up a little early so she could tend to her potluck preparations. I delivered her coffee ahead of meditation and stretching. Completed both of those by 635am and then dressed for a run. It was about 64 degrees so I dressed in just shorts and a short sleeved wicking shirt. That proved ideal.
It wasn’t nearly as humid as it had been. And the 5-day forecast is calling for a cooling trend carrying through the coming weekend with highs only in the 70’s under partly cloudy skies, for many a welcome transition from the early oppressive heat and humidity. We haven’t had any appreciable rain since Mother’s Day, and for those north of I-70 even longer. Many lawns are showing significant stress, much like you might expect to see come mid-July. I left for a run around 640am.

I ran the usual 4.1 miles without issue. It was unclear to me when I left if Mindy was leaving early for school, but she was still there when I got back home. She ended up meeting Eiknarf and I out on the walking trail to say goodbye. My eggs were ready and waiting in the microwave. While I enjoyed eggs, Bella enjoyed honey nut cheerios. And even though they’re sweetened, she adds sugar to them. I was finished with breakfast and off to the shower by 740am. I left the dishwasher door open thinking I would run it before leaving for work.

Was back downstairs and ready by 755am. My hair, I noticed, it getting entirely too long and unmanageable. It’s been 5.5 weeks since my last haircut. I thought I might make that a lunchtime priority. It was Wednesday so that meant I’d be working from one of my customer’s offices near New Albany. If I planned a haircut for lunch, it would be at the Saturday’s up there. Threw together my lunch while Bella headed out early to scooter with her peeps. At the same time, Jacob played Wii until bus time.

Met Chrissy at the bus stop. She asked if we would water their flowers while they’re in Jamaica mid June. Yep. The bus was on time. I headed back to the house where I paid a bill online then headed off to work. Just before I left the irrigation system kicked on. I had to time my exit out the front door just right so to avoid the sprinkler head closest to the driveway. It really needs re-aimed/adjusted. It’s traveling too far counter-clockwise covering almost half the driveway. But that’s a task better suited for a weekend, not right before work. Add it to the list. 

I headed to 70 expecting to take 670 east, but as I neared the on-ramp I could see eastbound traffic at a complete standstill as far as the eye could see both east and west. No thanks! Instead, I turned around at the BP station and opted for I-270 north, a much longer trek mileage-wise but certainly faster this time. That proved a smart move. Traffic slowed only briefly as I near Rt 23 but was otherwise undaunted. Made decent time arriving at 905am. The walk from the far lot was heavenly on such a gorgeous morning.

We had our usual 10am call, all of the time spent talking about one challenging site. The call was over by 1030am, and I spent the rest of the morning working on a host of other issues. There was another call for that same site that transpired near noon. That lasted until 1pm or so when I left for a lunch break and headed to the nearest Saturday’s.

There was much more activity this visit. The only other time I visited this Saturday’s (think it was last September), I was the only customer there with only one employee. This time there were three customers and three stylists. Even still, Jessica took me right back. Great! She was very assertive and seemed to be the one in charge, which suited me just fine. She used the #3 clippers then steered me to the sink for a quick wash. Never before have I gotten a head massage during the wash. It felt great, all the tension releasing almost instantly. I told her how good it felt. She did a really good job with the cut too. She tried styling my do with gel but didn’t quite understand how I like to wear it. I smiled and shared that I would fix it once in my car. I have a kit, I explained. I tipped her well then headed directly across the street to browse Home Depot’s garden center. I didn’t buy anything, instead just looking around for some ideas for another flower bed. Gone about 50 minutes I headed back to the office.

I spent the rest of the afternoon taking charge of my to-dos relative to the two calls I was on earlier that day. All that took my right up to 5pm when I wrapped up my day and left for home. I didn’t try calling Mindy until I was well on my way home heading west around 270. We chatted only briefly since Jimaken was there to pick-up Jacob for soccer practice. After that brief call, I tried calling my mom again. This time I got through. We talked for a good 20 minutes. Said she was doing well. Wanted to know if I planned to let Glenn stay at our place while we’re on vacation. Said she’s got a new doctor. Likes him. Thinks she’s doing good. Had her car’s AC looked at. Will cost $300 to have the compressor replaced – labor only, the part is covered under a lifetime warranty. Asked about the family. End our conversation as I was exiting 270 onto Roberts Rd. It was almost 6pm by the time I arrived home. Traffic was slow around the western corridor.

Mindy had leftover chicken breast out to make wraps. She asked if I wanted her to make one for me of I would do it. I wanted to make my own. Bella had leftover corn on the cob and cereal. Clean-up was a snap. Mindy said she planned to run a couple errands after taking Bella to gymnastics. Fine. The two of them left near 650pm. Shortly after they departed I headed upstairs where I changed into flannel pajama boxers and a t-shirt then headed out to water flowers. I watered all the flowers front and back save for the geraniums handing from the rear ash trees in baskets. Because they’re under the constant canopy of the ash trees, they can go almost a week between waterings.

I finished up the watering then headed inside where I spent a little time working on weekend blog entries, though I didn’t post anything. Jacob got home from soccer practice around 740pm. Said tryouts went pretty good but his left calf muscle cramped up badly which inhibited his ability to run like he wanted during the brief scrimmage. Mindy got home around 815pm