Snagging Some Rajah!

Artwork look familiar?

I was up and downstairs by 545am. Once again, I failed to prep coffee the night before so that was first on the agenda. As soon as that was taken care of I stepped out on the deck to measure the weather. It was clear and fairly warm, though a bit cool given the day’s expected high of 92. Gone are the early morning temps in the mid to upper 70s. It was more like 66 degrees.

I whipped out sit-ups and push-ups then poured coffee for both Mindy & I. I delivered hers and then made sure that Jacob was up before enjoying any myself. I checked the weather forecast and read a few headlines. Still expecting sunny skies and a high in the low 90s. In fact, it was supposed to remain that way through Sunday with no real chance of rain until Monday, and even then it’s a slim chance.

I did meditation and a stretch ahead of a run. Jacob was downstairs just as I was about to head out the door near 640am. I noticed right away that most of the stuff we carried to the curb for bulk pick-up was gone save for a few empty boxes. I reorganized the pile then dashed off for my run. I ran the full 4.1 miles again not seeing the sun until just before the 3 mile marker. And like most other days that week, I happened upon Mindy and Eiknarf out on their walk in front of the neighbors. I stopped and walked back home with them.

Mindy wasn’t long in the door before she was off to school. Bella helped me get Eiknarf fed and watered then headed up to her room to play. I didn’t need to pack anything for lunch since I had all of Thursday’s stuff, including my snack, at work. I was off to the shower by 735am. It didn’t take me long to ready. Just like I have every other day this week, I weighed myself right out of the shower. I dropped a little more weight and was down to 178.1. It was Friday and jean day at the office. I wore comfy worn jeans and a black t-shirt, just like the old days. Felt good.
I was back downstairs in the kitchen around 755am, right on schedule. I went ahead and paid the Time Warner bill, one of the few I don’t have set to auto-pay. I also renewed my vehicle registrations online. All that took no more than five minutes. I gathered my electronics and carried them to the kitchen where I loaded them into my back pack. Like many Friday’s, I included my iTouch.

Bella headed out what she thought was early- around 808am. I was a minute or two behind still tidying up the kitchen and then leashing up the pug. As we headed out, I could hear a bus barreling down the road. It was Bella’s bus already. The girls were nowhere in sight. They were off scootering. Chrissy was out and could see them from her perch. She hollered for them to hurry it up. Bella left her scooter for me to take back home. Mrs. Vanorder shared that this should be her new arrival time – 810am. Noted!

Eiknarf I headed back home but not before enjoying a few more minutes out front. I couldn’t help but notice how nice our front lawn looks – dark green and lush, though it really needs cut. I listened to a song or two via iTunes while sipping another cup of coffee. After pulling the Accord to the curb, I chatted briefly with neighbor Carl who was wheeling his garbage can back to the garage. He said this is the worst drought in 37 years. Chatted briefly about the hit or miss showers in and around CMH this summer, both of us noting that we’ve missed quite a few storms where some of the other suburbs have gotten pounded. And we haven’t had an all night/all day kind of rain since probably May. I headed off to work in the BM’er near 835am.

Arrived at work near 850am and went for fresh ice water first thing. I spent most of my day taking care of several required monthly tasks while listening to some tunes from my iTouch. I guy just down the hall stopped by and asked if I could turn up the tunes. Said he loved the music I had playing.

I left for lunch at 1230pm and headed to the Market District in U.A. to hopefully get some White Rajah. It was a gorgeous after drive in the BM’er somewhere close to 90 degrees. I didn’t see any White Rajah out on display. I asked one of the many attendants in the wine/beer department. Yep, took me right to it. I took the only 2 six-packs they had readily available. Cool! From there I headed to the soup aisle where I picked up there cans of chicken broth for risotto balls. Next, I headed to the cheese department where I picked up three types of cheese, some fresh Asiago, to put a creative spin on the risotto balls) some sharp NY white cheddar, and then an 18 month Beemster. Lastly, before checking out, I picked up a couple boxes of Crystal Light singles packets for Bella.

Because it was so warm, I didn’t want to leave the cheese and beer in my car all afternoon so I took a detour towards home where I sampled some of the Beemster cheese then fridged one of the White Rajah six-packs. I was home for no more than five minutes. In total, I was gone from the office for about 90 minutes. Back at the office I enjoyed my packed lunch while taking care of the afternoon’s to-do list. I toyed with the idea of cutting out extra early but like I often happens, I got wrapped up in a couple last minute tasks that took more time and effort than I planned for. I called Mindy around 445pm, shortly before leaving the office since I wouldn’t be calling while on the road since I was driving the BM’er.

I got home from work around 520pm. My blackberry was ringing while I was driving but I couldn’t get to it. I checked the missed call once I arrived home. Mindy was soon back from taking Jacob to soccer practice and shared that Jimaken was going to bring him home. While I did my best to unwind, Mindy began making dinner, Boboli pizzas. I was in a funk of sorts. I never do well on stay-at-home Friday’s. My mind is set on going out somewhere, with or without the children. Just doesn’t feel right staying in on a Friday – depressing. I shared the chance that I might be golfing Saturday afternoon. Mindy quickly chimed in that she had a wedding shower to attend. Add to that, the boys were coming over at 8am Saturday morning so Lindsey could work all day. Suddenly it felt like a no-weekend weekend.

Jacob was home from practice well before 7pm. Pizzas were by then too. I wasn’t too quick to want some. Instead, I poured the last pint of Bodhi from the growler we brought home last Saturday. At the same time, Mindy poured a cold White Rajah and headed out on the deck with the kids. I ended up having just one slice of the Boboli pizza – pepperoni.

Near 730-8pm I tuned the TV to NFL preseason football. The Browns & Eagles were playing. The Vikings were playing too, but they weren’t on TV. I checked the score a time or two. Mindy was off to bed early. I’m betting it was before 930pm. I ended up watching the football game by myself, though Jacob peeked his head over the railing a time or two asking for the score. During that time I drank two more beers, both White Rajahs. I fell asleep on the sofa just after the game was over not waking until almost 1am when I finally headed for bed. Good night moon.