Spectacles

 

 

Happy 6th Birthday, Olivia!

I woke Wednesday near 725am. Mindy was already downstairs and getting ready to depart. I started exercised immediately, completing 50 sit-ups, 28 windmills, then 50 push-ups. I opted to throw in 20 curls, too, even though I haven't been doing them on push-up days.

Mindy asked if I had a preference for which vehicle she took. No, not really. I didn't think I would be heading to Home Depot for any lumber just yet. And even if I did, it would only be for one 2X10"X8' that I could have cut in half and easily fit it in my Accord. I appreciated the offer just the same. Mindy was soon off to school, and I was soon sitting in front of my PC with coffee.

While enjoying coffee I thought about my day and how I didn't have anything that I had to do. That felt great. From that point on I decided I was simply going to have a relaxing day. I headed out to the bus stop with Bella around 810am. I shared our Friday hiking plans with Chrissy. I then asked where her kids were going to spend COTA day. She said they were staying home with big Jake since she had to work. I planned to ask Mindy about inviting them to go with us.

Once the kids were safely on the bus I walked Eiknarf out front a little while longer. At the time it was cloudy but fairly warm - about 53 degrees. It was expected to reach well into the 70s as the day went on, and they promised sunshine by the afternoon. After heading back inside I spent quite a bit of time on computer writing in my blog. I didn't stop and ready for a run until almost 905am, or later than I had all week. My goal was to not worry about the time, and just enjoy the day. Once into my running clothes I took the time to meditate and stretch without worrying about the time. Felt great. It was closing in on 935am by the time I headed out the door. During my three mile run the sun broke through the clouds making for a partly sunny morning.

I am not even sure the time when I returned from my run, but I felt good and relaxed. Mindy had been after me to come have lunch with her one day this week. I didn't plan on it being Wednesday. Again, I wanted a day without a plan. I played on the computer some and then made a ham & cheese sandwich. At some point I decided to go to the basement and take care of a few minor tasks necessary for the basement project. I ended up moving the security system wires back away from where the top plate will attach. As it was, they were right in the path. That took no more than 15 minutes. I also trimmed the foil backed insulation that the builder installed right against the electric panel, revealing the 3/4" plywood panel they used for mounting. I plan to install a second 3/4" panel right next to the existing for the CATV and security system. It was 2pm when I finished up in the basement and headed upstairs. It was really nice outside, Spur of the moment, I decided to head out front and trim more of the ivy using he electric hedge trimmers. Not only did I trim back the English ivy growing on the house, but I also thinned that growing in the front flower beds. That turned into trimming all the deciduous shrubs as well as the weeping mulberry tree.

By the time I was done I had enough debris to fill half a tarp. Before dragging it back to the compost pile, I raked and blew the leaves out front to the curb then drug the already half full tarp to the street to pick-up all the leaves. BY the time I finished the tarp was full and heavy. It took lots of muscle to drag it to the back of the yard and dump it.

Jacob was home and brought the house cell phone out front so I could field a call from Mindy. She was on her way to pick-up Bella from school and then take her to get her new eye glasses. Apparently they called her at school to let her know they were in. As soon as the yard work was done I headed inside for a much needed shower. I worked up quite a sweat.

It had to be approaching 430pm by time I was showered and dressed. Jimaken came by to pick-up Jacob for soccer around 5pm. Soon after those tow left, I headed out to walk the pug. At the same time, Mindy & Bella pulled up. They joined me walking the pug. Bella was excited to show off her new spectacles. She looks nice in them - natural even. They're no-line bifocals so she needs to learn to move her eyeball to use the different lens areas. I know, I had to do the same thing a few years back when I wore glasses.

We firmed plans to have dinner at Barley's. We left soon after we got back from walking the pug. Mindy let Bella take her Kindle. I reminded Bella to take a sweater as she often complains of being cold in Barley's. Called my mom in her hospital room during the short drive. Seemed in good spirits. We arrived even before 6pm. April was tending bar and also taking care of the few near bar tables where we opted to sit. I ordered a ZIPA ( a zesty IPA, supposedly with a hint of orange). They've brewed it before. Mindy tasted it but then opted for a Russian. We ordered loaded fries as an appetizer.

About halfway through my beer, we ordered food. Bella ordered grilled cheese. Mindy and I both ordered burgers. She went with a regular cheese burger while I went with a Texas pile it on burger. I ordered mine medium rare. As usual, it didn't take long for our food order to show up. And my burger was delicious. Haven't had a Barley burger in a really long time. About halfway through my dinner I ordered a 2nd beer, a Centennial. Planning ahead, we brought an empty growler. But when it came time to place Jacob's to-go order and have our growler filled, Mindy expressed a desire to have a 2nd growler filled with Russian. No problem. April agreed to comp us one.

Mindy picked up the pricey Barley tab. We left for home around 735pm. Jacob was home not ten minutes after us. He wasn't in the best of moods. We figured that meant his team lost. However, that wasn't the case. They didn't win the game either. Instead, they tied 2-2. Jimaken and Jacob said they had two goal inexplicably taken away by the referees for one reason or another.

I told Jacob we brought him home some Barley's. That made him happy, and once he ate he was his usual jovial self. I poured a Centennial and Mindy poured a Russian. It was so nice outside that we headed out on the deck. It was a rare warm autumn evening. Didn't even need a jacket. We stayed outside for about 30 minutes. Mindy was off to bed shortly after heading inside. I stayed up for another hour or so.