34 Degrees of Separation

I was out of bed somewhere close to 540am after a restful night of sleep. Downstairs I glanced out back at the clear skies and quarter moon. Looked cold and it was. After exercises I saw that it was only 34 degrees. It was Thursday so I did sit-ups, windmills, and curls. Headed upstairs with Mindy's coffee near 605am. She asked that I turn the heat up to 70 degrees, which was something I had already taken care of. I turned the ceiling fan off when I first got out of bed.

Back downstairs I enjoyed coffee and internet until just after 620am. I was in a lot better frame of mind than I was on Wednesday morning. Wasn't stressing over work. Dressed warm again, this time going after my thickest winter running shirt and new light jacket. For the first time all season, I added ear muffs, too. I didn't get out the door until 647am. And between it being late as well as so clear, I could already see daybreak on the horizon.

I was comfortable through the entire 4.1 mile run. While running, I remembered it was Kidney Foundation day. We had it all just inside the overhead garage door ready to moved just the other side. I planned to take care of that as soon as I was back at home. I didn't even bother heading inside. I raised the garage door using the code and moved everything into position. Mindy left for school just as I finished.

I walked Eiknarf next. Took about ten minutes door to door. Headed inside where I enjoyed the cheesy scrambled eggs Mindy had waiting for me. There was a fresh fruit tray too with watermelon, strawberries, and blackberries. I've never been a blackberry fan at all. I ate plenty of the others.

Bella was fooling around on her laptop when I headed upstairs for my shower. Didn't take me too long. I was back downstairs to ready my lunch and head out to the bus stop around 8am. We headed out together at 810am. I asked Bella to guide the pug while I started the Accord. It was still quite chilly but also pretty. Wasn't a cloud in the sky. I took a couple photos.

Chrissy was at the bus stop and commented about me wearing jeans. Declaring it jean day! The bus was a few minutes early. Even after letting Eiknarf stay out long enough to pee again, we were still back inside by 822am. I loaded and started the dishwasher then headed off to work. I had a 9am call to lead and didn't want to be rushed. I'm thinking I left the house at 830am sharp.

It was 855am by the time I was in my office and logged onto my laptop. The 9am call went well, and probably no more than 10 minutes. I had to join another call at 930am. That one was a bit more involved but went reasonably well too. Once those two calls were behind me I was able to focus all my attention to monthly reports. I worked straight through the day, though I took a few breaks to stretch my back using an old t-shirt. I ate my packed lunch while working.

Not wanting to feel too much pressure on Friday ahead of a week's vacation, I took care of as many things as I could Thursday afternoon. I was actually surprised at how many tasks I squeezed into my afternoon. I even prepped my timesheets for this week and next to minimize the time I'd have to spend on administrative tasks. I sent emails to my customer base as well, letting them know I'd be out all of next week and then who my back-up was.

I left for home around 515pm. Called Mindy once I neared the second roundabout, where there's a better cellular signal. We didn't talk for long. She was prepping dinner while also getting ready to take Bella to gymnastics. Meanwhile, I refused to tune into the last couple innings of game 5 of the Reds/Giants. Last I heard they were behind by 3 runs. What an epic collapse!

Mindy and Bella were already gone when I pulled up at home. I quickly readied Friday's coffee and rinsed my lunch containers. I played round online for a few minutes before Mindy got back and put the finishing touches on our spaghetti and meatballs dinner. For the first time in a while I had a glass of milk with dinner. I couldn't eat the last bit of spaghetti on my plate. Mindy took my leftovers. Jacob headed off to play with friends right after dinner. I managed clean-up while Mindy did some school work at her laptop. She double checked to make sure that I was going after Bella. 710pm came around fast. I wasn't quite done cleaning up the kitchen, but hurried through the last few steps. I didn't want to leave it for my return. Left the house at 715pm.

Still made good time. Decided to listen to Spa on XM still avoiding any word on the Reds outcome. Arrived at the gym at 727pm. It was already pitch dark. Arrived in time to see Bella do a back flip from the double mini. She came running to depart immediately after. Asked if we could stop at Wendy's. Told her no, we've got a spaghetti dinner waiting for you at home. Decided it was time to catch the Reds final They lost 6-4. Done! Too bad.

At Bella's request, I switched the car stereo to FM WNCI. She sang along to the next two songs. Made me smile. Arrived home by 742pm. Mindy was still busy with the school work. As soon as I was downstairs from changing, Bella asked that I warm her spaghetti and meatballs. I happily did the deed. While Mindy worked and Bella ate, I tuned into Thursday Night football on the NFL network pregame. I turned the volume low so I could read at the same time. I read about 5 or 6 pages of Subliminal. Interesting chapter, discussing the roots of our unconscious emotions. Most people, no matter their ethnic origin, and even those isolated from all others as well as technology express sadness, happiness, fright, pleasure, etc. with the same body language. Never gave it much thought before.

The NFL game featured the Steelers/Titans. Even though the game was in Nashville, the Steelers were favored. The Titans scored first but then the Steelers quickly took the lead. Mindy headed to bed at 915p and offered that we could watch the game from bed. I declined, desiring some quiet sofa time. Bella stayed up for a while longer too. I sent her to bed at 930pm. I think the Titans took the lead just before I fell asleep on the sofa. As I often do, I woke close to 10pm sharp and headed for bed. Mindy was already asleep.