Saying Grace

Despite a strong urge to sleep a while longer, I rolled out of bed at 540am to get my work day underway. I brushed my teeth then headed downstairs to exercise. While slipping into my exercise shoes I stepped out onto the deck to peer briefly into the starry predawn sky. Another lovely late summer day in the offing, though at the time it was chilly enough that I could see my breath.

With relative ease, I quickly whipped out 50 sit-ups, windmills, then 50 push-up, after which I was ready for just about anything. Coffee was ready, so I poured a cup and enjoyed a couple minutes on the internet ahead of waking Mindy and Jacob. I was anxious to see if the Reds won Tuesday night’s game against the Pirates. It was tied 3-3 last I checked. Yep, they won. I broke away from the computer briefly and headed upstairs to wake Mindy with a cup of coffee in hand.

She asked that I extinguish the ceiling fan. Yes dear. I headed straight to Jacob’s room but didn’t bother knocking or entering. I could see that he was up as evidenced by his bedroom light being on. I headed back downstairs where I spent another 15 minutes or so on the internet.

Around 620am I headed to the family room for meditation and stretching. Both went well. I planned to wear my pullover fleece again for my run. It was only 51 degrees last I checked. I dressed the same as the morning prior and headed out the door near 640am and off into the morning chill I went.

It was a good run. During the 4.1 miles I contemplated the coming presidential election, the work day ahead, and then the days I might schedule off work for the remainder of 2012. I have 12 more that I need to take or lose. By run’s end I had worked up a good sweat with that fleece. That made me consider the benefits of buying an even lighter running jacket. For that ‘tweener’ weather.

Eiknarf was standing at the front door staring out the glass screen door presumably awaiting my return. She bounced and woobled as I entered the house. I retrieved the leash on my own after confirming that she hadn’t yet been walked. She and I headed east towards the O’Connell’s. Steam was billowing from my still warm body. Would’ve been a great portrait. Mindy walked towards the two of us as we stood out front of Kenny & Chrissy’s place. She needed to leave for work. A quick hug and kiss and she was off to work, but not before asking if I planned to meet her at Jacob’s soccer game at 630p, or if I was coming home first. I shared that I could only play it by ear. Eiknarf and I, we headed inside for some eggs.

Before enjoying eggs, I headed down the basement to fetch the dehumidifier jug and emptied its contents on the deck flower pots. By the time I completed the task Bella had already given Eiknarf her eggs. Bella and I sat at the table together through breakfast, though she was already done eating. She was actually playing on her Kindle Fire. For her it’s like crack.

I threw together a fruit medley to go along with the cut veggies Mindy already packed me then headed up for a shower. It didn’t’ take me long to ready. I was back downstairs by 8am.I cut chunks of 4 types of cheese, plucked a banana from the bunch, and tossed two types of almonds in a container. Voila! My lunch was ready. I tidied up the kitchen some before heading out to the bus stop with Bella.

Aelana’s mom dropped she and her two younger sisters at the bus stop again. I don’t mind at all but for some reason Mrs. Vanorder doesn’t want it to continue. She told them when she pulled up around 815am that they need to get on the bus at their assigned bus stop. Eiknarf didn’t poop earlier so I walked her front until she finally did.

Inside I enjoyed another cup of coffee while checking on driving directions to Lucas Field. MY blackberry rang. It was my boss. I missed the call but called him right back. There was a significant event at work and he needed to make sure that I was aware. I shared that I would dig in a bit more once I arrived at my customer’s locale in New Albany. It was 835am when I left the house. I was close to E so I stopped at the Circle K and filled up. Gas was $3.98 per gallon. Damn! The Accord took almost 16 gallons. I forgot to reset my trip odometer until I was about half way there. Decided not to fool with it until next tank.

It was an easy drive up to New Albany, but I didn’t get there and settled until 915am. I had a very busy agenda. Not only was this monthly presentation day, but I had my regular 10am call to jump on , too. And on top of that, I had to deal with that major event my boss alluded to earlier. Between those three items my morning was completely spoken for. And the thing is, that doesn’t stop others from asking for more stuff. When it rains it pours it seems.

I actually felt a sense of relief as 11am neared for my presentation. I felt good about it and the results showed. Garnered lots of praise for the detail and organization. As usual, it was a very positive experience. That always feels good. Spent the next 75 minutes dealing with fallout from the morning’s event but then forced myself to leave for a lunch break. I headed to the Easton (M.A.) Target where I bought an 8-pack of doggie doo-doo bags and a light weight C-9 wicking running jacket. Target has some very reasonably priced running garb, though I prefer to buy name brand running shirts as they tend to have much softer stitching which is critically important for an everyday runner. Think chaffing.

I thought about making another stop at Dick’s or possibly even Macy’s but in end decided to simply head back to the office. I checked my blackberry once in the Accord. Nothing urgent but a few items I’d need to follow-up on by the day’s end. The afternoon was a lot calmer than the AM, but still busy enough that it moved by swiftly. In fact, it was time to head home sooner than I realized.

I called Mindy from the customer’s campus since traffic exiting was backed up. It was about 525pm when I called and she said they planned to have dinner ahead of leaving for the soccer game at 545pm. Both my dad and her mom were both there and going to the soccer game with us. I doubted I would be home anywhere close to 545pm. She asked that I call once I was closer. Traffic moved around 270 without much of a backup. I was at the Roberts Rd. exit by 550pm. I called Mindy again as requested. They’d just finished eating. She asked if I wanted to eat before or after soccer. Before. Said she wanted to leave for soccer by 615pm.

My dad’s minivan was out front of the house, but no sign of Gloria’s car. However, she was inside. Mindy must’ve of fetched her. They had already finished dinner but Mindy quickly dished me up a plate of pasta and meatballs. I woofed it down. It was good! Just like that we were ready to leave for the soccer game. Dad planned to drive separate needing to stop for a prescription on his way home. I opted to ride with him. Threw an extra camp chair in the back of his minivan.

Arrived at the Spindler Rd. soccer complex a few minutes early. Sadly, after 3 or 4 years of soccer this was one of only a few games where the weather was actually really nice – sunny blue skies and warm temps with just a slight breeze. The only issue we fans had to contend with was the setting sun directly in our eyes.
I about fell out of my chair when dad referred to Mindy’s mom as Grace, and then asked if she’d like for him to fetch his extra pair of sunglasses from the minivan for her. She, of course, declined citing never owning a pair.

The game was incredibly boring – no scoring for the first 70 of 80 minutes. Bella was so bored she pleaded with her mom to text Kenny, who was said to be somewhere at the soccer complex with daughter Makayla. Mindy refused and asked Bella to entertain herself right there. She wasn’t pleased. Like most of Jacob’s soccer games we attend, they ended up losing 2-0. Mindy predicted that he would cite the parent curse, or the fact that when she and I show up they always lose. Sure enough, he did. Sadly, though, it’s true.

In addition to the loss, we had to endure one of those over-zealous parents routing for the opposing team standing next us. He found fault with the referees about every 30 seconds and was hollering at them the entire time. I was hoping he’d get tossed from the match. You’d think the World Cup was at stake the way he was getting excited over there. The match ended just before sun set. Said goodbye to dad and headed to the Pilot. Gloria left a couple things at our place and needed to go back to our place and get them before Mindy took her on home.

Bella, Jacob and I stayed at home while Mindy ran her mother home. Jacob enjoyed what was left of the pasta and marinara sauce. I was still crazy hungry so I enjoyed the few leftover meatballs and some corn tortillas. That hit the spot. At the same time I played around on the internet reading about brew pubs in and around the downtown Indianapolis area for our Sunday day trip. We talked about overnighting but don’t think that’s going to happen. I found a couple interesting brew pubs, but what caught my eye even more so was that I could buy Three Floyd’s Gumball head at a beer wine shop just two miles from the stadium. That’s a beer I really like but can’t get in CMH. They distribute a handful of their other offerings locally but not that one. Still not sure why. I may stop in there while in town.

Mindy headed up for a shower soon after she was back from dropping her mom at home, and not long after that she headed to bed. It was only 9pm. She told both kids that she wanted them in bed by 910pm. Not a problem for Jacob but a fairly large one for Bella. She’s our night owl. I was surprised when Bella gave the right answer – OK Mommy.

Bella stayed up a little later than that but not by much. She was off to bed with lights out by 920pm. I stayed up watching an episode of The Universe. I chose that over the Reds game that was tied 1-1 in the 6th inning. I ended up falling asleep on the sofa not waking until just after 10pm. I secured the house, topped off my water glass and headed for bed. Good night moon.