My New Do

Slept quite soundly, not waking even once until about 430am when I had to get up and pee. I headed back to bed and slept for another 70 minutes, waking for good around 540am. I felt completely rested, much like one might expect this first work day after our return to EST.

The coffee was already brewing. I glanced skyward then started calisthenics. Whipped out 50 sit-ups, windmills, and 50 push-ups. Felt good. Stretched my back, neck and shoulders too, something I’ve added to my daily repertoire. Seems to be making a significant difference. By the time my exercises were done and I had coffee in hand, it was darn near 6am. I spent a few minutes online before taking coffee upstairs to Mindy.

Sometime Sunday afternoon, I reprogrammed our thermostat to kick up to 68 at 515am. It's much more comfortable that when it was set at 70. During the heating season, our bedroom is the warmest room in the house. I'll bet it's 4 degrees warmer that the thermostat setting, which is located in the dining room. Come to think of it, I probably ought to alter the duct deflectors feeding the master bedroom, especially before I drywall the basement ceiling.

Back downstairs I completed another Hurricane Sandy status report but didn't send it. Planned to do that when I got back from my run. I was online until almost 620am. Did meditation and stretching next, and both went well. It was well after 640am when I headed out for my run. In fact, Jacob was already out at his bus stop before stepped out of the house. That's rare. I greeted him and all his bus peeps as I passed.
I ran the full 4.1 miles and felt good doing so. Legs are feeling strong, something I am very happy to report. I wasn't surprised to find Mindy long gone when I returned home. It was already around 730am. Our recycling can was emptied. I drug it to the top of the driveway next to the overhead door. Inside, I quickly leashed up Eiknarf and started towards the door when Bella hollered down that Mindy had already walked her. Hmm? She was just short of whining at the door and seemed extremely eager to go out. I took her on another walk anyway. And sure enough, just the other side of the bridge she took a big dump. Good thing I was paying attention to her signals.

Enjoyed my eggs, but only after micorwaving them for 12 seconds. They were cold as they sat. Enjoyed some fresh fruit along with the eggs. Bella was already off to her room doing who knows what. Mindy left a check for nephew Joe, who was coming by to clean the house later that morning/early afternoon.
It was already 755am by the time I finished breakfast. I went ahead and sent out that report. I didn't plan on showering until after Bella was on the bus. Instead, with the ten or so minutes I had, I did a little work, including gathering data for my almost never ending monthly reports. Bus time came quickly. Bella and I headed out with the pug at 809am. It was lovely outside. We met Chrissy and Makayla at the bus stop. Chrissy guessed that I wasn't going to work, as evidenced by me still in running clothes. Nope, just had some work stuff I needed to take care of early.

I noticed that their recycling was still at the curb and full. I shared that they were already by. But Chrissy insisted that theirs was out the night before. Hmm? They must've forgot to stop at their place. The bus arrived on time. Eiknarf and I headed back home. After a few minutes inside, I remembered that I needed to thaw my car. There was a healthy coating of frost covering it.

I left for the office somewhere close to 9am. I felt good, unrushed, and ready to tackle a Monday. Arrived and was settled before 930am. Walked down to chat with my boss, who was very apologetic for putting me through that fire drill the night before. While I don't like to be bothered over the weekends, I assured him that I am always willing to help him out.

I spent most of my day on quarterly reports. I got a call from Chris from Germain Honda around 11am sharing that he couldn't find Lindsey's old car - Accent. I asked if he was at the AAA shop across the street from his dealership. Nope, said they were looking along Sawmill Rd. I reminded him of our conversation and its whereabouts. He apologized, shared that he wasn't listening carefully. Considering that they gave us $300 for it, that was pretty amusing. I know that's not a ton of money, but it's something.
Took lunch around 110pm and headed to Saturday's at Mill Run bent on getting a haircut. There were two employees on the floor, one I recognized the other I did not. Connie came from the back, apparently after finishing her lunch and did my haircut. She's the manager and the one who's been there for something like 23 years. She was fast. Washed, cut, and greased up in less than 10 minutes.

Afterwards, I headed across the street to Lowes where I picked up paint, primer, and two cheap paint brushes for refinishing the two basement window frames. Of course I bought Rustoleum paint. I headed back to the office after only being gone for about 45 minutes. I stopped by the fridge and grabbed my lunch on the way back to my office. Of course I washed my hands first.

I ate my packed food all the while working on quarterly/monthly reports. Jacob phoned me around 4-430pm asking me to settle a pug walking disagreement. I didn't m,ind the call, but refused to dictate who needed to walk the dog. I only asked that the two of them work it out and have her walked before leaving with their dad.

I stayed busy until 515pm when I packed up for home. Of course given the time change, the sun was already setting in the west. I remembered Mindy wouldn't be at home, and nor would the kids. Mindy had parent conferences and the kids were having dinner at their dad's. I called my mom on my drive home. She sounded drugged, and as it turned out, probably for good reason. Said her knee was swollen, red, and painful. Went in last week and the quack, I mean doctor, advised that it might be infection and to come back in a week. Said it went from being almost pain free to its current condition suddenly. She called me Tommy at one point. On a more positive note, she said her second cataract procedure went well.
Told her to call me after her appointment on Tuesday to let me know what she learns. I really felt like she should go to the emergency room. Swelling and infection after surgery is nothing to play around with.
At home I quickly addressed my routine chores. The house was cleaned by nephew Joe earlier that afternoon and still looked in order even after the kids were there for an hour or more before their dad came after them. I played around online and tuned the cable box to the holiday music channel. I eventually made myself a rotisserie chicken burrito. It was really good. Everything needing done was completed before 630pm. I headed upstairs and changed into my PJs then sunk into the family room chair with my book and glass of ice water. I finished the last 10-12 pages of my book and even squeezed a nap in before the kids got home. I'm thinking that was near 810pm.

Bella and I snuggled on the sofa. I had been on my PC while she was watching her trash Disney Channel TV shows. She hollered in wanting me to come join her. I did so willingly. I love to snuggle with Bella, but I can't stand those stupid kiddie sitcoms. I just reminded myself to endure.

Mindy didn't get home until around 840pm. By then it was time for MNF. Again, I wasn't that keen on watching any football but changed the channel to the game anyway. It was the Eagles/Saints. From what I saw, the Eagles looked pretty bad. I watched only passively. Bella and I shared some popcorn before bed. Like the night before, Mindy and the kids headed off to bed well ahead of me. Mindy said she had a sore throat. She didn't have school on Tuesday, Her entire district shut down for election day. I guess all in the name of safety for the kids.