1st Friday in June

I slept a bit later than I originally planned, not waking for good until 550am. Downstairs I still had to prep coffee before getting exercises underway. That didn’t take too long though. For the first time in a while, there were cloudy skies overhead. In fact, I half expected to wake with Bella in our bed as a thunderstorm rolled through around 11pm. It was only sprinkling as I exercised and sipped coffee. I opted to let the irrigation system run its course too. What the heck! It’s been so dry lately. I woke Mindy around 725am, ahead of meditation and stretching.

It was almost 745am by the time I headed out the door for my run. Did my regular run getting back home just before 730am. Mindy was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, attire more fitting for cleaning. She left near her usual time. The kids were up and obviously excited that it was their last day of school too. Technically though, their last day is supposed to be Monday, but since they’re leaving for the Outer Banks on Sunday this was it. Mindy sent notes to their teachers sharing as much.

The kids and went through our usual pre-bus routine. We headed for the bus stop for the last time of the school year at 808am. It was a bummer that the last day of school was so cloudy and cool. I’ll bet it wasn’t even 58 degrees. After tidying up the kitchen I left for work at 825am. Just as it is on many Friday’s, the lot was near barren. The hallways were empty too. At one point my boss stopped in pointing out that he and I might be the only two on our floor.

My day was a busy one despite the local stillness. The weather, meanwhile, was subpar. On more than once occasion when glancing out the window the rain was coming down a pretty good clip. I forced myself to take a lunch just to get away near 1pm and drive to Lowes. I wanted to see if they had the 5/8” z-bar and Armour wood just like the Lowes near Easton. They have the Armour wood but not the 5/8” z-bar I need. Crap. I’ll have to check another Lowes. They did have doggie poop sacks, though. And while picking up package with eight rolls, I priced their electric dog fence kits too. One can spend anywhere from $150-$300. They have a wireless system available now too. I plan to ask Kenny about his. Wireless would be great.

I spent most of my afternoon on a couple conference calls and then some time taking care of weekly administrative stuff. I was able to leave the office shortly after 5pm. And more than ever I was much looking forward to the weekend.

Arrived home around 530pm. Jimaken had already been there and gone after picking up Jacob for Hilliard Elite soccer tryouts. Jimaken left his work clothes laying in one of the living room recliners. I think that was an accident as we didn’t expect him to return before they leave for vacation Sunday. Even though it was technically a daddy weekend, Bella was staying home with us and going to a birthday sleepover on Saturday. Mindy planned to take Bella to one of Jacob’s two soccer games on Sunday for the hand-off.

I was a little stressed, tired and needing a nap. Mindy gave me an earful after I gave her some crap about all the clutter strewn about the downstairs. Said she hadn’t yet had the time to deal with it all. Meanwhile, Bella and her friends were upstairs playing. After checking a few emails I kicked back in the recliner for a nap. Mindy suggested that we take Bella to Barley’s for dinner later. I’ll bet I slept for about 30 minutes. Felt terrific. I’m thinking it was about 630pm when I pulled myself up for the recliner. I heard Bella tell Mindy that she didn’t want to go to Barley’s but Mindy quickly trumped her.

I’m thinking it was 650pm when the three of us headed out. Bella seemed happy that Mindy let her take the Kindle. I was a little surprised that Bella didn’t ask if all her friends could go. But I’m not so sure I would’ve been so eager to go had that been the case.  The lot had the look of summertime with plenty of opened spots scattered throughout. Still a decent crowd though. Mindy chatted with peeps sitting on the patio while Bella and I headed inside. Mindy wasn’t too far behind and intercepted Bella not 30 seconds later. I spotted Steve W. at the corner of the bar and quickly joined him. After mulling over the beer menu I picked a White Rajah. That was easy. I think Mindy ordered one too. She and Bella grabbed a small barside table while I stood by Steve.

A handful of regulars trickled in over the next couple of hours. Amongst them, Rick C, Dan the banker man, Kurt, big Bob, and little Bob. Mark of Mark & Trudy showed up too. Haven’t seen him in a while. Mindy and Bella ordered some food. Bella, just a basket of fries, and Mindy an order of steamed muscles, which she always makes into soup. We readied to leave near 9pm after I ordered 20 wings to-go. I also ordered a rocket of Widmere Raspberry Imperial Stout for Mindy, and then had a jug filled with Hoptopus. Bella asked if I we could stop at Wendy’s for her. Yes, of course. But by the time our wings were ready and we settled the tab, Bella changed her mind. She just wanted to go straight home. Mindy and I surmised that she wanted to hurry home so she could play with friends.

We were home long before we walked down to the neighbors with our jug of Hoptopus and the rocket of Imperial stout. We took the pug, too. Already there was Josh, Rachel, Scottie, Mike & Teri. Kapil was in town too, but was off visiting friends. He was expected back anytime.

We partied with the neighbors all the while catching the Miami Heat/Boston Celtics game. Once Kapil got back, it got a little wild just like old times. Mindy’s mother would’ve been so proud! At some point Ivan showed up with a bottle of tequila. While I drank plenty of beer, I resisted the call for shots. Mindy, however, did not. She and the others partook. Soon there was loud music, counter top dancing, and dry erase markers. Everyone’s face became target for the markers. Somewhere along the line Ivan took a spill, the victim of too much tequila.

Bella and Makayla long since fallen asleep, Mindy opted to let her spend the night while she and I shuffled off for home. I’m not sure the time but guessing it was near 1am.