Busy Wednesday

I was up on time and actually even a few minutes early. It looked like another gorgeous morning – not a cloud anywhere in the predawn sky. The coffee kicked on while I was doing sit-ups. It was Wednesday, which meant it was a push-up day, too. I did 50 of those as well. I logged on to both my home and work PCs while waiting for the coffee to finish brewing.

At the PC with coffee, I checked the weather and headlines. The Reds won, extending their winning streak to 5 games. The temperature was only 57, a few degrees chillier than it’s been the past few mornings. Expecting a high around 80, and then a streak of 4 or 5 days at or above 90 just in time for the long Memorial Day weekend. Played around online until 605am when I headed in to meditate. Spent a solid ten minutes doing that. Completed a stretch next, taking me up to 621am. Delivered Mindy’s coffee next.

Because it was only in the 50s, I opted to wear a short sleeved wicking shirt but with my pullover fleece. I thought that would be more comfortable than a thick, long-sleeved wicking shirt. That proved a little too warm by the 3rd mile, but rather than stop and remove a layer I trudged onward to the finish completing the 4.1 miles by 709am. Mindy was busy in the kitchen making breakfast. I grabbed Eiknarf’s leash then waited at the foot of the stairs. We headed off on our walk a few minutes later.

Before heading off to school Mindy reviewed the evening’s plans. Bella would have gymnastics and Jacob soccer practice w/ Jimaken, who was freshly home from his 4 or 5 day trip to the Florida Keys where he competed in a 100 mile marathon. He made it 50 miles before his feet began hurting too much. He texted a picture to Mindy. I never did see it but the kids said it was gross. Mindy offered that she might be taking Jacob to see Craig again. His cough sounds terrible. We didn’t have specific dinner plans.

Mindy soon left for school and I headed up for a shower. I was ready to go by 755am and spent the few minutes before bus time finishing packing a lunch and picking up the kitchen. Bella headed out early to scooter around with her pals. I met the kids outside a few minutes later. It was field day at Beacon, an entire day dedicated to fun & games. Bella was very excited. Jacob, not so much. Chrissy was at the bus stop with the girls. Kenny left early for work in Cincy. The bus was on time.

Eiknarf and I headed back home, me pulling her away from the oodles of goose pop in Trena’s front yard.
I fooled around at home for another 5 minutes or so before heading off to work. I drove the Accord since I’d cutting across town to New Albany. I took 670 east, which quickly backed up somewhere before the Grandview exit. I was listening to the Blue Collar Comedy channel on XM. Nothing I could do about the traffic so I simply savored the minutes crawling east on 670. There was a broken down truck blocking a couple lanes just before the heart of downtown. Once we got past it, it was smooth sailing the rest of the way in. In fact, the flow of traffic was exceeding 70 mph after the back-up. I arrived later than usual, not getting to the customer’s campus until 910am.

It was a beautiful morning, thus a pleasant walk from the far parking lot into the building. We had our usual 10am meeting that went for about an hour. It’s usually over in 15 minutes. All in all, though, it wasn’t that busy of a morning. Near 1pm I left for lunch with stops planned at Sherwin Williams and Lowes. At SW I bought a gallon of solid wood stain, the same color as our home’s trim, to cover the cedar lap siding I installed last weekend. At Lowes I looked at alternative exterior trim board options. They have Amour wood, which is real wood, but comes knotless and primed. It has a rough sawn side and then a smooth side. It’s finger jointed together to make the various lengths. It’s also treated but not with heavy metals like deck woods. Seems like a viable option. They also have vinyl boards that look just like wood. They also come with one side rough and the other smooth. I was just looking, still undecided on which direction to go.

While there I bought the next lawn fertilizer application, which I hope to get down this weekend, as well as another toilet rebuild kit, only this time for the one in the master bath. Just this week I noticed that the valve isn’t working properly. It’s probably 7 or 8 years old. It was pushing 2pm by the time I headed back to the office. I was hungry and much looking forward to my packed lunch. After washing my hands I went for my lunch and spent the next hour eating while working.

I stayed busy through most of the afternoon but still managed to get out of the office by 510pm. I gave Mindy call once I was on the freeway but got no answer. I made good time until I got near Hilliard where traffic often backs up. Mindy called me back sharing that Lindsey called/texted asking if we’d see the boys off to school for the next two days so she could work early hours (545am to 230pm). We agreed to do it, but insisted the boys spend the night so we don’t have to alter our lives too dramatically. Her plan was to drop them off at 5am. Mindy also shared that Jacob’s cough wasn’t as bad as it sounded. Just the virus he had last week running its course. Good to have peace of mind. He was already off to soccer practice with his dad.

At home, I had an issue I needed to follow-up with for work. Plus, I failed to set my out-of-office for my Thursday comp, so I needed to take care of both those things. I ending up spending my first hour at home working. Can’t recall what we had for dinner – odd – but I’m thinking it was a fend for yourself night. I don’t recall eating anything. Not sure what Mindy & Bella had, but do remember Bella having a piece of that strawberry pound cake and then asking for seconds. I nixed the 2nd piece since she had to be tumble/flip ready in 20 short minutes. Mindy ran her to gymnastics at 650pm. She wasn’t gone long. Back 15 minutes later.

I spent time between work and leisure for the rest of the evening while Mindy worked on grade cards again. Don’t recall her spending so much time on grade cards before. Mindy asked Lindsey not to bring the boys until about 830pm or just ahead of bedtime. That way we would have our house stabilized for the night by the time they arrived. Jacob was home from soccer practice just after 730pm. I wanted to crack a beer but since I planned to pick-up Bella from gymnastics I knew I should wait until I was back. But as that time neared Mindy suggested that she would go get her so she could see Bella do her flips, something she specifically wanted to show her momma. I saw it on Monday.

By the time Mindy left we were already watching the Idol finale results night. Both of us were surprised to learn they would be dragging it out for 2 hours. I poured a beer just before Mindy left to get Bella. And unless I’m mistaken, Lindsey dropped off the boys soon after Mindy left. They were already in their PJs and just had baths. Nonetheless, Rocky still wanted to go outside and play. Sorry, dude. We’re in for the night.

Mindy & Bella got home around 850pm. Bella told me that she asked her mom for Wendy’s but that she wouldn't stop. I asked if she demo’d her flips. Yep! Mindy had Jacob and Bella get showers and then tucked Landon and Rocky into bed at 930am. Rocky didn’t like having to be in bed before the others, and Landon wasn't thrilled with wearing a pull-up. The rest of us stayed up long enough to see the final Idol results. Phillip Phillips was named season 11's American Idol. During the two hour program, Steven Tyler performed live with Aerosmith. The band sounded great, but Steven Tyler's vocals, bad. I wouldn’t pay to see their upcoming tour.

Mindy and Bella headed for bed right after Idol. I stayed up about 20 minutes longer since I didn’t have to work on Thursday. Before 1030pm, I joined Mindy in bed but was quickly up again after hearing Rocky crying for his momma. He doesn’t like to be away from her long at all. I went to comfort him, and eventually took him downstairs to get a snack. Revealed that he hadn’t eaten dinner. Whether it was true or not is anyone’s guess. No matter what I offered her refused. Finally, said he wanted some Cheezit’s. OK, I poured a handful in a bowl. He nibbled the corner off of one. He then told me he was going to throw up. Oh boy! I sent him to the bathroom. He stayed there only a few seconds before coming back out telling me he was fine. We eventually made our way to the living room where I played on my computer and also checked in with work again. I played around online until I started to nod off. I upped and told Rocky it was time for bed. And when I glanced over, he was starting to fall asleep too. He pretty much went right to sleep this time around.