Lack-a-Moon

I was awake and out of bed shortly after 530am. And while my bedroom clock is still set 4 hours fast, the new cable box resting just below it on the armoire has the 'real' time. Takes some of the fun out the game. Took a gander out the back door right after I slipped into my exercise shoes. The sky was still cloudy. If memory serves, that's five days in a row. It wouldn't be too bad at all if it were cold enough to snow, but unfortunately that hasn't been the case. Though had it been, we'd be buried in snow after getting more than 3" of rain in the past week. Despite the warmth, it's not like the entire midwest is basking under warm air. Hardly, Michigan, Minnesota, & Wisconsin are getting cold and snow. We simply need the jet stream to slip a couple hundred miles to the south.

Did calisthenics, whipping out sit-ups, windmills, and push-ups. Did some back stretches too. I was more than ready for coffee. Enjoyed my first cup while playing on the internet. I checked the current weather conditions as well as the SNF results. It was a balmy 51 degrees, but the temperature was supposed to drop through the day nearing freezing during the overnight. The Packers held on to beat the Lion's. The Vikings really needed the Packers to lose.

Vacated the PC around 605am and headed upstairs with coffee for Mindy. I took a glance under Jacob's bedroom door and noticed that his light was on. That was all I needed to see. Back downstairs I spent a couple more minutes online before segueing into meditation and stretching. Both went well.

I'm finally gaining some flexibility in my shoulders. What once was a very painful stretch (lying on my back with my arms crossed beneath me) is almost comfortable. Ultimately, I'd like to be able to join hands behind my back, one over my shoulders and the other up from behind. Still have a long way to go before that's a reality. In the end, however, what I am really after is simply pain-free flexibility.

Got out for my run by 640am. I wore a thin wicking shirt and jacket. I didn't bother with ear covers or gloves. Despite the reasonably warm temps, the air was a little chilly, especially with a 8 mph breeze. I turtled my hands up into my sleeve for the first mile or so. That took care of that issue. The run was a good one. Psychologically, very therapeutic. Bella brought me the leash as soon as I was in the door. I didn't want to walk across the tile floor due to damp and dirty running shoe soles. Eiknarf was still in bed. I jingled her leash, and then after a few minutes of sitting with my back to the steps she came down for her walk.

We walked the old route, which is to the west. She took care of business without issue. It felt much cooler than it did just 40 minutes prior. Mindy left for school a couple minutes after I was back inside. Can't recall if we discussed dinner plans. We had plans to meet the Imber's at BJ's Brewhouse. Bella and I enjoyed some breakfast time together. Actually, she played on the iPhone while I ate.

It was 745am before I ran off to the shower. I briefly contemplated taking a shower after the bus pick-up but opted not. I had no good reason. I wasn't downstairs until 806am. Bella was already preparing to walk out the door. I must say, she's far better at being ready without being cajoled. I started prepping the complements to the salad Mindy made for me, but had to leave it half done and head out to the bus stop. Eiknarf was slacking on the recliner. I left her inside and headed out right behind Bella.

Met Chrissy & Makayla at the bus stop. Makayla looked like she'd just woken up. I teased her about it. Bus arrived around 815am. Chrissy and I chatted about a couple things, but nothing worthy of mention. Back at the house I picked up where I left off with my packed lunch, cutting up cheese and tossing some nuts in a baggie. I played on the internet for about five minutes all the while enjoying another cup of coffee. I ordered a couple more Xmas gifts via Amazon and then mailed off my mom's b-day card. Time's slipping away. Not that many shopping opportunities remain.

I reminded myself not to rush for the sake of rushing. Sometimes that's exactly what I catch myself doing even though, more often than that not, I'm the only person that knows I'm running behind is me. I left for the office near 850am. My gas gauge showed less than a quarter tank. I figured to wait and fuel up on Tuesday. Arrived at the office around 910am. Arriving after 9am avoids the flashing school lights at the corner. And by the time I was settled and logged on, it was darn near 930am.

I had a team call to join at 11am. Before then I chatted with my boss, him sharing how well his weekend went. I was happy to hear about it. He had a horrible work week prior. We might've talked for about 15 minutes. That's the only time I saw him for the entire day, though that's not at all unusual.

I had plenty to keep me busy, including the fact that I was covering for a vacationing peer again this week. I don't mind covering. He'll be covering me in a couple weeks. Didn't bother taking a real lunch break. I simply ate while I worked, completing some of the last pieces of Wednesday's monthly presentation. The only piece remaining by day's end was throwing into Power Point. I figured to address that on Tuesday. Mindy sent a text mid-day sharing that she left school and headed home with a tummy ache.

Took call from our home cell phone a little after 4pm. It was Bella sharing that she poked her mom but she wouldn't/didn't move. It was kind of cute, but also a little worrisome. We were supposed to have dinner with the Imber's who we haven't hung with even once since last ski season. I thought we might need to cancel. I told Bella to call me if she couldn't wake her momma. She never called back.

I left for home around 5pm and called the new home landline. Bella answered. We talked for a few before Bella handed the call off to Mindy, who was finally up amongst the living. Said she slept for three solid hours and didn't even hear Bella come in the room earlier. Also said she felt better and wanted to keep our dinner date with Bob & Mary Ann. OK. I arrived home around 515pm. Mindy asked what time we'd need to leave to make it to BJ's by 630pm. I suggested 610pm. During the next 50 minutes I prepped Tuesday's coffee and brushed up a bit. Mindy && the kids did the same. Mindy had to stay on top of them the entire time, making sure that were moving and then dressed appropriately. By then the temperature had dropped to 35 degrees. It was even spitting snow flurries on my way home from work.

Mindy was arguing with Jacob about what jacket he would wear. He wanted to wear his thin soccer jacket, and then shared that he doesn't have anything warmer that fits. After listening to them go back and forth for a while I offered up my Free Country soft shell ski jacket. Jacob begrudgingly agreed. Actually fit him nice. Bella's now at an age where she follows Jacob's lead good or bad. She tried pulling similar antics, but was quickly shut down. Funny, really.

Arrived at Tuttle mall and BJ's Brewhouse just ahead of our 630pm meet time. As usual, the lot was packed in pretty tight. We took a spot far removed from the entrance. Believe I spotted Bob & Mary Ann pulling in just as we crossed the lot to enter. We asked for a table for six and were quickly taken to a table far in the back. I alerted the hostess that we were waiting on two others and asked that they guide Bob & Mary Ann back. They happily agreed. We weren't even seated when we saw them walk in. Mindy flailed her arms to get their attention. Both kids were doing the grumpy thing, feeling sorry for themselves for having to be there. Poor souls, having to go out to dinner with their parents on a Monday night.

Once the Imber's joined the kids softened. They like Bob and Mary Ann a bunch. After hugs for all, we perused the beer menu for a spell. Bob ordered some special Belgium they were selling for a limited engagement. Mindy and I ordered Great Lakes Xmas ale, but were disappointment when Kyle, our server returned to inform us that they were out of it again. Mary Ann went with a soft drink. Mindy & I hemmed and hawed over the beer menu eventually settling on a CBC IPA. I knew when Kyle brought our beers that it wasn't CBC IPA. Too dark. I know my CBC's even better than my ABCs. :) I sipped to confirm. Nope, not even close. This had light cinnamon flavor, a Xmas ale, I guessed it Sam Adams for the lightness of it. You know, brewed for the masses. We opted not to say anything.

We ordered two plates of appetizers, calamari, and a appetizer platter. Honestly, there was enough food on the appetizer plates to serve as my dinner, though I still ordered a roast beef sandwich as my entree. Mindy went with a complete steak dinner. So much for being sick with a stomach ache. First a beer and now a steak dinner. The kids went with pizza. Bob with large fried shrimp, and Mary Ann with some sort of salad. She was eating healthy for the good of us all. :)

We got caught up on what all's been going on over the last year through appetizers and dinner. We also commiserated over the lack of snow and cold, comparing this year's early season to last. We talked a little shop too, but not much. We touched on possible winter trips, too. Doesn't sound like we'll be able to hook-up much over Xmas. They're heading up to Wadsworth Friday, the 21st and won't be back until Xmas night. Of course the following morning we bolt for HV. It's highly likely that we won't see them again until next year. A few of us had leftovers and requested to-go boxes from our server, Kyle. During a bathroom break, I sought him out again to hand him my card to cover dinner.

We vacated out table and parted ways shortly after 8pm. We still wanted to make out way to the Sawmill Rd Dick's to find Jacob a new ski dome. Passed out hugs once again, promising to not be strangers. But with ski season here, we should see plenty of Bob. That is provided it gets cold enough for snow. Speaking of cold, it was below freezing as we made our way to the Pilot. Burrrrr! Felt colder than it was simply because it's been so warm of late.

We made our way further north around 270 to the Sawmill Rd exit and south about a mile to Dick's. Not many people there on a Monday night at 830pm. It was eerily quiet. We rode the escalator up to the winter sports section. Jacob and I perused the helmets while Mindy & Bella swooned over their colorful selection of women's fleeces. Jacob found a ski dome the same color as his pants and jacket, which was fine, but I cautioned that he may not want a sky blue helmet when it comes time to retire the jacket and pants. He agreed and opted for the dull black. Mindy wanted to get him a new pair of ski gloves too. He needs them. I had to laugh when I looked at his pair from last year. They look like Bella gloves. In fact, by the end of last ski season, he was wearing my old back-up pair.

For the money, it's hard to beat Hotfingers. I get a full season out of a pair and they're warm, comfy, and only $29. I try to always have two pair in my kit. I also keep a pair of thick running gloves in the kit too, for the warmer, blue bird days.

As we perused a few aisles on the lower floor, we ran into a co-worker of mine, Sven. He's a wireless acct executive. He was there shopping with his young son, Simon. We chatted for a while, me introducing Mindy and the kids. Turns out, his wife is a former Hilliard school teacher, as was his mother, who has long since retired. It was near 9pm when we checked out and headed for home. Everybody claimed they were tired. And by the time we arrived home Jacob was complaining of a tummy ache, just like Mindy earlier. uh-oh! We weren't home long before all of us got into our PJs. When I came out from our room I found Jacob sprawled out on the hallway floor asleep. Not good! Mindy eventually got him up and to bed. Didn't look good for school on Tuesday. I know Mindy took his temperature but not sure the reading. I don't think he had a fever.

I headed to the family room and tuned the TV to MNF featuring New England and Houston, a highly promoted match-up. The Patriots were already kicking their ass 21-0 and only minutes into the 2nd quarter. Mindy soon begged off to bed. About the same time ESPN inexplicably kept fading in and out like something was wrong with the digital signal. I rushed up to our bedroom TV to compare. Looked fine there. Must've been the box itself. When I got back downstairs it was fine, at least for about 5-10 minutes. It wasn't long before it started flaking out again. Eventually gave up and headed up to bed where Mindy was reading. I asked if I could watch some of the game from bed. She signed but agreed. I'm certain she was banking on my knack for falling asleep within the first five minutes.

It took a little longer than five minutes, but I eventually began to dose. She tried to turn it off once a tad too soon and I pulled the remote away. She hit it again but I was too tired to wrestle it back on. Good night lack-a-moon.