ReLeaf Management

I was up just after 530am feeling rested and ready for whatever the day might offer. It was a no push-up morning, without the question the most grueling calisthenics in my repertoire. I was happy about that. I finished sit-ups, windmills and curls. The sky was clear and the temperature fairly mild. Had about 15 minutes to enjoy coffee before heading upstairs to wake Mindy. The day's high was expected to touch 80 with nothing but sunshine. Unfortunately, that would be the end of it. Beginning later that evening, it was expected to cloud over, cool off and rain for the next several days.

My thoughts turned toward the thick blanket of fallen leaves out front around the two street maples. This past week was the big 'come down'. I thought how I might come home mid-day to for leaf management. Otherwise, it could be another week or more before the weather presents another opportunity.

Woke Mindy around 610am. I was astonished with how much warmer it was in our bedroom that it was downstairs. Had to be at least ten degrees warmer. I went to the register vent and noticed heat blowing. Crap! Several windows were opened. Most importantly, the window in the dining room nearest the thermostat was wide open allowing the cool air in. It only registered 66 in there while it had to be in the mid 70s in our room. Mindy reminded me that she didn't bump up the heat and that she has no idea how to change/alter the program. Good point. I simply tuned off the heat.

Downstairs I did a thorough meditation and stretch then readied and left for a run. Left the house near 730am. It was only in the mid 50s, I wore a thin wicking shirt and jacket. Was comfortable throughout after letting the zipper down about midway. My legs felt good through the entire 4.1 mile run. That made me happy. During my run I contemplated my quarterly presentation as well as the early meeting I was hosting at a customer location. I was fairly comfortable with all I'd be covering. That helps ward off the willies.

Mindy was just starting my eggs by the time I got back home. I quickly headed out with the pug on a morning stroll. Mindy made and egg for herself, too. The first such time in awhile, at least that I've witnessed. She briefly touched on the evening ahead, which included only Bella getting to and from gymnastics. She left for school near 730am. I wasn't too far behind, heading up the shower. I needed to leave by 8am. Mindy made arrangements for Bella to go to Makayla's so I could leave early.

In a hurry, I was showered and dressed by 745am. I shaved close for one of the few times in the last several years. Around 750am Bella asked if she could head down then. Sure, why not? I planned to leave at 755am. And when I did, I drove by Chrissy's just to make sure that Bella actually got it. She did. I headed off to work. It was a gorgeous morning and turned out being an easy commute across town. Traffic slowed down on 670 just before 315N exit but loosened up quickly.

My meeting didn't begin until 9am, but I needed to get logged on and then prepared. I arrived by 815am, and because I was so early, I got one of the up close temp parking spots. I found the conference room quickly too, and was logged on and set-up just after 830am. My peer, the account manager, walked by and popped in. She's the one that requested I do this meeting. We talked for a while. A few minutes later my boss celled. Said he was in the lot and attending my meeting. I went to greet him in the lobby and guide him back.

The meeting convened about 5 minutes late, or real lose to 905am. Many of the folks were unfamiliar to me, but I'd talked with several of them via phone. Nice to put a name with a face. The meeting went well, with me leading them through an escalation process and then the use of one of our online tools.

The quarterly review meeting was immediately across the hall in another conference room. One meeting to the next. This was a much larger audience, and a host of their execs. My piece was about 50-60 minutes in. I walked up front to present. I think I did a good job. As often happens, my data inspired new questions and ultimately more to-dos. I didn't fully commit to the new ask, knowing that my time is very precious. I wrote everything down so I could discuss it with my boss later. The presentation ended just after 1130am. After a little light banter, I headed out and for home.

My plan was to stop at home for an hour or so to manage leaf fall. It was absolutely beautiful, and easily the warmest it's been in a long time. According to the Accord, it was 82 degrees. Was home near noon and quickly upstairs, out of my work clothes, and into my running attire. I grabbed a rake, tarp, and blower then headed out front. Checked my Blackberry before getting started. Nothing needing my immediate attention. I've learned that blowing the leaves into the street along the curb is by far the most efficient means of collecting the leaves. Most of the leaf fall was either on the sidewalk or the strip of grass between the sidewalk and curb. I blew those in the front lawn too. Didn't take more than 10-15 minutes to blow the leaves into the street. Once they were in the street I carefully blew the few that strayed out back along the curb. I then set the blower aside and used the take a tarp to collect all the leaves. Took no more than 30 minutes start to finish. I was pleased with my work. The tarp was heavy and full. Dragging it to the compost pile is no easy task. Doing so forced me into a big sweat. I folded the tarp then stowed my tools and headed inside. I toweled off twice. Man, was I sweating. I sliced some cheese and put it in a baggie then headed upstairs to get back into my work clothes. It was 1245pm when I headed back to the main office.

Arrived near 1pm. Got busy right away. I ate my packed food near 2pm. My veggies and fruit medley were warm, having traveled in my backpack all morning without the benefit of the fridge. The afternoon went fast. I didn't have any calls scheduled until our weekly team call at 415pm. The call lasted no more than 10 minutes. I left the office for home around 505pm. I was eager to get home, have dinner, and watch the Vikings on TV for the first time all season.

I called Mindy during my drive home. She said we were having grilled chicken over rice. Asked that I grill the chicken while she ran Bella to gymnastics. She and Bella were still at the house when I got home but quickly out the door. It was a lovely evening, still well into the 70s. Mindy didn't even notice the work I did removing the heavy leaf fall. tisk, tisk.

Jacob, by the way, was off somewhere playing with friends. Near 545pm, I grabbed my camera then headed outside to take photos and grill the chicken. I must've taken about 15 shots from the deck, marveling at the many flowers still in bloom contrasted against those that are withering away. The chicken grilled up real nice. It was ready by the time Mindy was back at home.

I topped my boneless chicken breast, as did Mindy, with peach mango salsa. Yum, yum. Dinner was a success. Mindy asked somewhat sheepishly if I still planned to fetch Bella. She wanted to work on report cards. Yes. After clean-up, I went after Bella. Arrived at the gym at 728pm. As usual, there wasn't anywhere to sit. I stood until practice ended.

Bella asked if we could stop somewhere for food on the way home. No, your mom made dinner - chicken. I did tune the car stereo to WNCI for her listening pleasure. We were home by 745pm. I quickly changed into my PJs then poured a Russian Imperial Stout to enjoy from the outset of the Vikings/Bucs game. The actual kickoff wasn't until 830pm. Lots of pregame hype and banter. Can't recall the last time I watched a regular season Vikings game on TV. Been a while.

Like so many times past, the Vikings played poorly from jump and quickly were behind 3-0, 10-0, 13-0. The only bright spot was Adrian Peterson running for 6 or 7 yards every time he touched the ball. Our new quarterback, Christian Ponder looked confused and even lost at times. I think he started 0-5. Midway through the 2nd quarter we started to turn the momentum, scored a touchdown and were right back in the game. After the touchdown and a stop, we had the ball and were driving again, but then AP fumbled during an otherwise remarkable run. The Buc capitalized, scoring a TD making it 20-7. The Vikings scored a field goal right before the half to make it 20-10.

Mindy called it a day at the half and headed for bed. With little hope of a major turnaround, I decided to bag it and head to bed too, which may very well be a first - leaving a Viking TV game for bed. Getting a good night's rest was simply a higher priority. I headed to be with little to no angst. Bella asked that Eiknarf not sleep with her. She suggested, just as I had earlier, that she sleep in her pen. But knowing that she'd whine all night, we opted to slip her into Jacob's room. I heard Jacob try and coax up onto his bed once or twice, but then heard Bella telling Jacob no. He took her right to Bella's room - Eiknarf's preferred sleeping venue. Bella came to us complaining, but then caved and let the pug sleep with her. We may very well need to address the concern another time soon. Good night!