Perfect Evening at 229

It was only Wednesday but effectively my Friday. You can bet that I was much looking forward to a four day weekend. I was up near 530am and quickly did my exercises - sit-ups and push-ups - before settling down at my PC with a cup of coffee. It was another clear and chilly start. The temperature was only in the low 50s.

I played around online until just after 6am when I headed to the family room for meditation and stretching. With it being so chilly, I opted to wear my fleece pullover, something I hadn't expected to wear again until late September. And I am glad I did too. It was chilly. I ran the full 4.1 miles without incident.
Back at the house I started breakfast and threw together a lunch. I decided to skip a salad opting instead for tuna, cheese, yogurt, and a banana. That was easy. I made a three-egg cheese omelet with mozzarella saving half for Eiknarf and Mindy. Just as I was getting ready to head up for a shower Mindy sent Eiknarf downstairs. I learned later that she was whining incessantly once she smelt eggs cooking. However, before I allowed her to enjoy the eggs, I took her for a walk, which is always good incentive for her to hurry.

I took Mindy coffee when I headed for a shower. Mindy's planned to paint the kids bathroom. Not sure what else was on her agenda. I was ready for work before 8am. We spent at least ten minutes on the deck enjoying the lovely sunshine. By then it had warmed considerably. Our deck is very calming and lovely that time of day. I planned to take the Pilot again so I could make a lunch run to Lowes and hopefully pick-up the Armour wood trim boards. I remembered to pack work gloves and a beater bath towel to protect the Pilot's interior from the rough surface of the lumber. Thinking it was near 830am when I left for work.

Since it was Wednesday, it was a New Albany day. I took 670 across town then 270 north. Traffic wasn't an issue. I arrived around 855am. As usual, it was a lovely walk into the building. We had our regularly scheduled 10am call which lasted a bit longer than usual. I spent the majority of the morning on monthly reports. At 1230pm I left for lunch and the Lowes at Easton. I parked outside the lumber doors. I knew what I needed and right where to go having scouted out the materials for the past couple weeks. I was in and out of there fairly quickly. I bought three 1"x8"x10', one 1"x6"x10', and a quart of exterior latex based primer. Although one of the features of the Armour wood is that it's preprimed, I plan to rip about a 1/4" off so I want to prime that fresh edge. The 10' lengths just fit in the Pilot with about 4" to spare at each end, the front edge resting on that ratty old bath towel on the dash.

I made another quick stop before heading back to work at Mary Ann's Target next door. My intentions were to pick-up another small can of roasted almonds for a snack. While there, not only did I get the almonds, but I picked up a new pair of running shorts, an Einstein t-shirt, and some sunscreen for our fast approaching beach vacation. I bought SPF 15 & 30. Out only about 45 minutes, I headed back to the office.

Like I often do, I peed, washed my hands, then headed to the fridge to get my cheese and yogurt before heading to my office. I had a number of things I wanted to get done before leaving for the day. And since I wouldn't be back until Monday, I had to do the Friday administrative stuff too. I remained on task getting everything I wanted to get done by 415pm. I thought I might leave then but as fate would have it, my customer asked for my help with a couple issues. I did so willingly, of course. Even with that, I was still able to leave earlier than usual, heading for the parking lot around 440pm.

I had a smile on my face the entire time thinking about the four day weekend ahead. The weather forecast, by the way, was ideal. Nothing but sunshine for the next several days with gradual warming each day. I didn't bother calling Mindy on my drive home since I didn't have the benefit of the handsfree feature. Traffic slowed considerably just south of Dublin. Arrived home around 530pm. Mindy was painting upstairs and had the door locked. She came down to let me in. I checked out her painting real quick then headed out again through the garage to unload the wood from the Pilot.

We discussed dinner and settled on 229 along the river - a perfect venue on such a lovely evening.


Traffic wasn’t an issue until we neared the Front St exit off 70 E. At that point it was a struggle to get over and off the freeway. But thankfully we managed. We had to park a block or so away from 229 but it was such a lovely evening the walk wasn’t a concern. Gone were the ever-present construction barricades once masking a view of the new bridge crossing over from the rear of COSI. Aside from a few finishing touches the bridge is now done providing a stunning view of the entire waterfront from the restaurants patio. Mindy headed directly inside. Before I headed inside I walked around to get a couple photos of the new bridge.

The fountains were fired up too, and a number of folks were taking advantage of the water park. I got a picture or two of all that as well. I joined up with Mindy inside who informed me that there was a wait for a table on the patio. We were fine with waiting, not in any particular hurry. We stood at the outdoor bar where we eventually ordered drinks, me a beer and Mindy a glass of wine. Within 5-10 minutes a patio table came ready. One of the owners shared that he texted our friend and manager Daniel to check to see if we did know her.

We ordered some appetizers, pretzel bread and then a variety that included spiced cashews, bacon wrapped dates stuffed with gorgonzola (delicious), pepper salami, etc. I ordered a 2nd beer too, a CBC IPA. We spent about 90 minutes along the waterfront at 229. Instead of heading directly home, I suggested we make a quick stop at Barley’s first.

We bellied up to the bar at Barley’s near 830pm. Mindy quickly headed out on the patio where she was having a lengthy conversation with Shelly, G.D. Kaileigh’s godmother. Among other things we were inquiring about her going with us on our beach vacation. I enjoyed a regular Barley’s Pale Ale, first in a long time. I ended up ordering a second beer before we left, only this time a Hoptopus. We ordered some KC wings to-go.

Got home around 10pm. Mindy pretty much headed straight to bed. Eiknarf and I stayed up enjoying the wings and catching the end of the Oklahoma City San Antonio Spurs NBA playoff game. I’m guessing that I joined Mindy in bed near 11pm.