Stimulated

I was up near 535am and downstairs a few minutes later. I didn't prep coffee the night before so I took care of that before anything else. I stepped out on the deck checking out the clear sky and bright crescent moon hovering low in the eastern sky still playing near Venus.

I whipped out 50 sit-ups, windmills, and curls next. Took about 10 minutes for all three. The coffee wasn't quite ready. It waited patiently by the island. Once I had my coffee in hand I enjoyed a few sips along with the internet before taking Mindy some. I headed upstairs near 605a after scraping away the whipped cream I sprayed atop hers. It's a habit. She prefers to skip the whipped cream any more since discovering that she's lactose intolerant.

Passing by Jacob's room I could see that his light was on. I didn't bother walking in or knocking. Back downstairs I enjoyed more coffee and internet until almost 625am when I finally peeled myself away for meditation and stretching. Ten minutes later it was time to head out for my run. It was about 10 degrees warmer than the past two mornings, somewhere near 60 degrees. I still wore my brand new running jacket over top a short sleeved wicking shirt. Unlike my pullover fleece, the new jacket has a full zipper, which in and of itself will allow more air in if I get too warm.

And get too warm I did. In fact, I probably would've been better off wearing a long sleeved wicking shirt and skipping he short sleeves and jacket all together. I managed to warmth by unzipping the jacket to its start. I ran the full 4.1 miles without issue. My hamstrings felt really good from the outset. I am encouraged. As I neared the run's end I happened upon Mindy and Eiknarf walking near Kenny & Chrissy's. I stopped there and finished the walk with them. Mindy came inside just long enough to gather a couple things and to tell Bella to spend more time on her hair, then left for work. Bella and I enjoyed each others' company through breakfast. She was busy playing on her laptop at the breakfast table.

I was off to the shower near 735a, or just after emptying the dehumidifier. As usual, it didn't take me long at all to get showered and dressed for work. I wore nice black summer dress slacks and an old, but still in good shape, white Time Warner polo. It was only 751am when I was back in the kitchen prepping my lunch. Mindy made me a salad. I threw together a fruit medley, banana, and then some cheese and nuts. Bella and I headed out near 810am. It was a gorgeous morning, sunny and near 70 degrees. Expected it to reach into the low 80s by afternoon. I considered driving the BM'er but didn't. Lazy about moving the Accord and what not.

Alena's mom must've got word from the school about dropping her kids at our bus stop. She didn't show up. I hope she doesn't think that we complained. The bus must've been on time. Eiknarf and I were back at home just after 820am. I took care of a few last minute tasks, including spraying the weeds in the east front flower bed with another dose of Round-Up. Inside, I enjoyed another cup of coffee then started the dishwasher. I left for work near 830am and drove the Accord even though it was an absolutely gorgeous morning.

Arrived at the office near 850am and quickly got myself situated. It was ridiculously quiet. I walked the hallways checking to see who all was at the office. Not many! Looked like my boss was working from home. I hunkered down in my office and reviewed my daily to-do list. I had a few things i wanted to get done as well as two scheduled calls - one being our weekly staff call. But within the next five minutes I saw an email come through canceling our staff call. Wahoo! I stayed busy putting a full assault on all my to-dos. I joined the other Thursday call at 11am only to figure out that it was canceled too. I IM'd a peer who forwarded me the cancelation email. They sent it to the wrong Mii. Happens often.

I ended up sticking around the office through lunch opting to the use the time to get caught up on a few things. After all, I didn't have any pressing errands needing run. I had an enjoyable afternoon, one where I was able to get all the things done that I wanted to with little disruption from outside sources. I even completed another 2 hours of online training. Three classes, or 6 more hours to go!

Around 4:30pm I jotted down a Friday to-do list. But figuring to be around the office for at least another 30 minutes, I ended up taking on one of the Friday tasks right then. Just as I was finishing up someone knocked at my door. It was a former peer who came back for a brief visit. We ended up chatting for more than 30 minutes. The thing I knew it was after 530pm. I didn't get on the road for home until 540pm. I called Mindy as soon as I backed out of my parking spot. She shared that she was on her way to drop Bella at gymnastics and in a serious traffic jam on Phillipi and Georgesville Rd. We talked pretty much through my entire commute home. She also shared that the casino is nearing completion and that they have a giant TV screen on the side of the building. She asked if I would pick Bella up later. As much as I dread driving through the 270S construction I agreed. She asked that I put the squash/zucchini in the broiler as soon as I got home. She said we were having inferno chicken for dinner. It was already done and on low on the stove. I asked if Jacob was with her. Nope, still at home.

Once home, I rinsed my lunch containers and prepped Friday's coffee. I thought about watering flowers out back but didn't. I noticed the new door closers I ordered last Sunday arrived. Cool. Now I can stop the storm door from slamming. I ended up replacing the closer while Mindy put the finishing touches on our dinner. Only used a couple swear words. :)

Dinner was delicious. We had inferno chicken, rice, and grilled zucchini. I had two helpings of rice. Once serving of chicken. I managed clean-up then readied to go after Bella. Mindy suggested that take the BM'er and surprise Bella. I wasn't going to, thinking about the stop and go traffic I'd almost certainly face, but after Mindy shared how happy it would make Bella, I changed my mind and took the BM'er. Mindy agreed to pull the Accord along the curb to make it easier on me. I left the house at 710pm. I didn't even try 270S, no way! Instead, I took Wilson to Broad, then Broad to Georgesville Rd. I really expected the businesses along West Broad to be further along in their remodels since the casino is slated to open in just about another month, but that isn't the case. There's a lot of upgrading going on but far behind the pace of the casino. Still a blight as I see things.

The casino, on the other hand, is looking nice. Hopefully the surrounding properties will be significantly upgraded in the next 5-10 years. Arrived at Gotta Flip around 725pm. There was quite a contingent of parents on hand to watch their kids practice. I stood near the door watching from afar. It was quite warm in there. Practice ended a couple minutes later, and Bella came running with the rest of her class. On our way out to the car Bella asked if we could stop for ice cream. But once she noticed that I was in the BM'er her focus moved to riding in the convertible. She was excited having rode in it only to and from Tim Horton's twice before.

It wasn't that enjoyable of a drive for me. We took 270N. There wasn't a lot of traffic, but it's tore up the entire way. bumpity-bump, the entire way home. Bella shared how much she enjoys her new gym. Glad it's working out. Jacob and Mindy were both out front on the bridge with a few neighbor kids when we pulled up. Bella jumped out and joined them while I pulled the rest of the way into the garage. Inside I headed upstairs to change into comfy lounging clothes then spent a few minutes on my PC checking personal email. I read a couple financial articles, too. One about the day's big stock market jump spurred by Bernanke's promise to keep interest rates low through at least mid 2015 and then agreeing to buy 40 billion dollars in mortgage backed bonds, and effort to ignite the housing market. The market reached high's it hasn't seen since 2007. I read an article about the iPhone 5 too. Mindy and I are due for upgrades. I want to wait a little while longer though before we make a change.

There was a good NFL match-up on TV, but not on Time Warner. The game was carried only on the NFL network and Time Warner doesn't carry it. I ended up retiring to the family room to start my new book, Subliminal, by Leonard Mlodinow. I read only the prologue. Mindy headed for bed ahead of 9am and told both kids to find their way to bed by 9pm. I stayed up and tuned into a college football game on ESPN - Rutgers & South Florida. I watched the entire game. Rutgers won 23-13. During the 2nd half I poured a Jack & Coke. I stayed up later than I have in an awfully long time. I didn't head to bed until 1110pm. I was starting to dose from the sofa when I upped and headed for bed.