Bella Double Digits

 

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY BELLA

I was up at 540am in what has quickly become my new default wake time. It wasn’t too much longer before I was downstairs engaged in exercise. The coffee had just finished its brew cycle as I wrapped up curls. Outside it was cloudy and fairly warm. This I learned by poking my head out the back door. I poured a cup of coffee then headed to my PC.

I had to laugh the night before when Mindy asked that I bring her coffee a little early, say around 615am, so she could get up and put some cinnamon rolls in for Bella’s birthday. Uh, I usually bring your coffee at 605am. She laughed then said, “never mind”. I played around online for few minutes while also enjoying some coffee. As usual, come 605am, I took Mindy some coffee. Once she was up I checked on Jacob. He was already up and moving, too.

Instead of going right back to my PC, I headed to the family room where I did a very thorough meditation and then a healthy stretch. Then, instead of preparing for a run, I logged onto my laptop so I could follow up on that late night email I received from a customer. I spent about 20 minutes getting all that sorted out. It could’ve been worse. At 640am I quickly readied for a run. Given that the temp was a tweener – about 57 degrees – I opted to forego a jacket and instead wore a winter weight wicking shirt. The mock turtleneck was a bit bothersome, having not worn one since way back in mid-spring. Other than that, I was comfortable throughout the 4.1 mile run.

I decided during my run that I wasn’t going to hurry. I was going to enjoy the morning. Mindy was in the kitchen when I got back from my run, asked if I would hold off walking Eiknarf so that we could have a mini-birthday celebration for Bella. We put a single candle in a batch of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and then sang the happy birthday song. Bella was giddy with excitement. It was her 10th b-day!
Mindy prepared to leave right after the festivities, and I headed out with the pug, who was more than eager to go for a morning walk. Mindy was gone by the time we got back to the house. Bella was in a great mood. She confirmed that I still planned to stop at Kroger and bring cookies to her classroom. She made sure I knew that there are 25 kids in her class and two with some sort of food allergy. I was off to the shower by 740am.

Didn’t take too long to shower, but I did take the time to iron both my slacks and dress shirt. We were having a customer service week luncheon at the office with my VP. I wanted to look as crisp on the outside as I am on the inside.  Bella was ready to head out the door as soon as I got back downstairs. I quickly leashed up the pug and followed behind.

Bella asked that I have the cookies there before noon. I laughed because I planned to pick them up and deliver them on my way to work. The bus was on time. No sign of that curious looking white beater car. I ended up working from home until just before 9am. I arrived at the Cemetery Rd Kroger shortly after 9am. There I picked up 4.5 dozen cookies of three varieties. Was in and out of there fast. Bella’s school isn’t that far from Kroger. I was there by 915am. I headed directly to the office to sign in. There were two familiar receptionists working. They both gave me a look of concern when I announced my intentions. Shared that school policy no longer permits cookies or sweets of any sort. Said that it’s a published policy and that they’d have to consult with Mrs Leach, the principal.

Sure. I apologized for causing trouble and even offered to leave without delivering cookies. No, they insisted I talk to Mrs Leach. I could hear them whispering to her just around the corner. Soon Mrs Leach came out to chat, and pretty much work for word shared what the receptionists had already stated. Said they’re trying to promote a healthy life style. She went on to share that it’s even published on their website. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings but I never once have visited their website.  She took it even further suggesting that instead of bringing sweets (cookies, cakes, etc) that we bring erasers for the kids, or come in a read a story. OK, it was all I could do not to laugh in her face. Really? What 4th grader wants a stinking eraser? I was ready to give up and leave with my cookies when she said, but you paid money for them. I turned around and asked Mrs Leach what she wanted me to do. She said to do what I felt was right. OK. I signed in and walked the cookies down to Bella’s classroom.

Ms. Leahy saw me at the door and motioned me in. I was a tad concerned that she too might read me the riot act, so instead of waltzing in, I waited for her at the door. She was smiling ear to ear. I whispered my intentions and she gleefully shared that regardless of the stated policy she tells the kids to bring whatever they want. She welcomed me to come in for a minute. I talked with the class briefly. Handed the cookies over to Ms Leahy, snapped a picture of Bella and some of her classmates then asked them to help me wish her a happy birthday. It was fun but brief. I walked back to the office and signed out. There were a number of folks gathered in the office. I quipped that they better not have any cookies. 

Off to work. Took about 5 minutes to get to the office from school. It’s not too far at all. Arrived around 935am. I walked down to the fifth floor to fill my water pitcher and chatted with some old peeps. It was after 10am when I got down to business. The luncheon was slated to start at noon. I took care of several tasks, including closing the loop on a couple lingering issues from Monday. I was anxious to dig into my monthly reporting, but that wasn’t as urgent as the other tasks. I ended up spending the rest of my morning knocking those other tasks out.

Headed to the luncheon at 1205pm. There weren’t too many of us, as many of my peers work remote in other cities these days. I think there were seven or eight of us including my VP. It was an informal gathering and the chat light. Somebody brought up my running to which my VP quizzed me about the length of my streak. 15.5 years and counting. Some ten years ago, he had some folks interview me about my running streak and published in our department newsletter.

The conversation quickly turned to business, mostly questions about strategy/direction. The luncheon lasted about 1.25 hours in total. I headed back to my office near 120pm and eagerly dug into my monthly reporting. Talked with Mindy around 330-4pm. I shared the details surrounding the birthday cookie delivery. She laughed but shared that her school has tried to enforce a similar policy. We planned on taking Bella to dinner for her birthday. As of Monday evening her preference was Barley’s. Her call.

I left work just before 5pm. I talked with Mindy in route to home. She confirmed that Bella still wanted to dine at Barley’s. I wasn't home too long before we turned right around and headed off to Barley's. However, just before we headed out Bella opened her birthday presents from us - two American Girl doll things. Bella wasn't as perky as I expected. I learned that she picked Barley's by default after Mindy pooh-poohed a request to pick-up carryout at City Barbeque. During the entire drive there and then at dinner, Jacob kept asking us "You know what?, My name is Eric." It got old after the second time. He must've said it 50!

Barley's was quite full, especially for a Tuesday. Inside we got a booth near the bar. Tristen (aka Russell Brandt) was our server. Both Mindy & I ordered a Sunshine Dreamer, a session IPA. Quite good - lighter than most. Jacob ordered lemonade, Bella a Dr Pepper. We enjoyed two baskets of community fries before ordering our entrees. We ordered dinner after about 10 minutes. Mindy ordered a brisket quesadilla. Bella & Jacob ordered chicken tenders. I ordered a Cuban. Our food was good. Bella remained mopey through dinner. Mindy took it as her being ungrateful. I did not. Bella likes hanging with her peeps. She was concerned with eating, getting home, and hooking up with Kayla.

While there Calvin came in for about 45 minutes. Looks as good as he has since his bypass surgery. No longer using the walker. That's good to see. While in Barley's we could the rain pounding against the roof. Mindy & Bella went to look. Holy smoke was it ever raining! I got roped into the check. We had to wait an inordinate amount of time for Tristen to pick-up our check. He was at the booth next door taking a lengthy order for a very high maintenance customer.

Headed for home near 710pm. By then it was no longer raining, but the roads were still very wet. We weren't home long before Bella ran off to Makayla's. Meanwhile, I snuggled up in the familyroom chair. I fell asleep by 8pm and slept for almost 1.5 hours. When I woke up everyone else was off to bed. Bella was still awake, however. She dropped her doll over the balcony railing. Scared me. Gave her a hug and headed off to bed near 10pm.