Seeking Security

I was up and out of bed fairly close to 530am. I could’ve used more, but slept soundly all through the night. Downstairs, I glanced out back seeing a clear sky a frost, a sure sign that the cold made its triumphant return just as promised. It would be short lived, however. The temps are supposed to increase steadily through next Tuesday.

I checked the coffee maker which was still in the middle of the brew process. So far no spillage, this our first time using paper filters with Starbucks. I headed to the living room where I whipped out 50 sit-ups. After sit-ups I headed to the family room for windmills, back stretches and curls. Time for coffee! Happy to report the brewing process completed without incident. The paper filter did the trick.

Enjoyed coffee at my PC for about 10 minutes before heading upstairs to wake Mindy. I wasn’t feeling particularly motivated, thus wasn’t in a rush to be out the door for my run by 630am. Instead, I returned for a bit more PC time before giving way to meditation and stretching. Finished both of those near 630am and then took my time getting dressed. It was only 27 degrees. I made sure to put on a pair of shorts under my running pants. Makes a big difference.

Jacob was downstairs for breakfast dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. I informed him that it was really cold. Without any further dialogue, he headed back upstairs and changed into long pants. He was still upstairs when I headed out for my run. It was close to 740am as I dashed off.

I ran the full 4.1 miles, once again, my legs feeling almost like new. I rarely check my exact times anymore, mainly because it really has no bearing on why I run these days. However, I know I ran at a faster pace again. Having fresh legs makes a big difference, especially on the final stretch. Way back in the mid 80s when I first started running, I would literally run as fast as I possibly could for the last stretch to home. These days, however, I am much more careful, not wanting to risk injury or a bad pull.

Inside the house, I went for Eiknarf’s leash but had no luck finding it on its usual hook. At the same time, Mindy asked if I would start her car. At her prompting, I went back to the laundry room row of hooks and found the leash one hook over half covered by one of Bella’s many jackets. I started the Hyundai before heading back inside to leash up the lazy pug. By then she was on her way down the stairs.

We walked east, down by the O’Connell’s and the Russians, the neighbor’s whose house was broken into Wednesday afternoon. Word has it that Mike had a face to face encounter with the robber just prior. Has a tattoo of tear drops on his left eye, weighs about 150 lbs, 5’ 8”, and guesstimated to be 25-30 years of age. Cops apparently got some real good finger prints and figure they’ll catch him, which is good news for all of us. Apparently he was on foot and carried a backpack to stash his loot. Obviously going for cash, fine jewelry, and small electronics.

Mindy was about to leave for school. I advised that we need to be even more diligent about securing our home. I was very worried about leaving the house all day. If I could’ve, I would’ve worked from home. But I committed to working at my customer’s location every Wednesday & Thursday through Xmas. I didn’t want to beg out. Bella and I ate breakfast together. She asked me to pick-up Toaster Strudels after work again. “Maybe”.

Was off to the shower by 745am. It didn’t take me long. Was back downstairs by 8am. I pulled all the blinds in the eating area & family room. Packed some cheese, nuts and a banana to go along with the vegetable medley that Mindy prepped for me. Bella and I headed out at 810am. It was sunny but still pretty cold. Kenny was at the bus stop with Makayla. He’s the one that filled me in on the robbery details shared above.

After the bus arrived, I headed back home where I enjoyed another cup of coffee and warmed the Accord. I reached out to a security system company online looking for detailed information on their monitored system. They promised a return call soon. I left for work around 855am.

Traffic wasn’t an issue. Arrived near 915am. Had to take a spot further away than I’m used to. But no biggie. It was a pleasant, though chilly, walk into the building. Just as I was getting situated my personal cell rang. It was Jay from the security company. He asked if it was a good time to talk. Sure, why not. We talked all the while I got logged onto the network. He gave me the details (costs, equipment, and process) that I requested. Admittedly, I am a little naïve as to how the security technology works these days. For example, most companies have gone wireless. As expected, there are many options that can drive the cost higher and higher.

One consideration is the lack of a landline. We went completely cellular many years ago. You might say that I was an early adopter having done away with my landline Xmas 2003. Not an obstacle, as monitoring can easily be done over a cellular connection. The best solution, however, uses both a landline and cellular. We ended out conversation with me asking for a detailed email outlining all that we discussed, including all the pricing options.

Once I was settled into my work day, I called Time Warner to inquire about adding digital phone service to our current package. I spoke with an impressive young woman, Twanda, in inbound sales. She’s based out of Akron, Ohio. She insisted that she could get me one heck of a deal and asked that I allow her to proposed a completely new Time Warner package. She only added that I would almost certainly be very happy. We talked for a while, with her assessing our family TV viewing & internet habits.

Her offer was upgrading us to whole house DVR, adding a 2nd converter box in our bedroom, doubling our RR speed, and adding phone service for only $10 more per month. Let’s do it! She gave me our new phone number and promised a Saturday install between 10-11am. We recently donated all of our old landline phones to charity. We’ll need to buy a new one, I guess. I felt good about the set-up. From their website, I can see that Time Warner is reentering the home security business as well, but it’s currently only available in New York. It’s looks very high tech (video, smart phone, remote heat & light control, etc).

Spent pretty much my entire work day compiling a customer facing monthly report. I took lunch at 1pm and headed to the Easton Target. The primary purpose to pick-up birthday cards for my mom, dad, and Chrissy. Picked up three funny cards. Looked at a few other things, too, but bought nothing else.

Headed back to the office after being out for about 45 minutes. It was a lovely sunny afternoon with temps in the low 40s. Spent my afternoon on the monthly report. Mindy texted around 4pm asking how pizza sounded for dinner. Said she would pick one up on her way home from dropping Bella at gymnastics. Sounded good to me.

I stuck around the office until 510pm. It was just about dark as I made my way to my car. Placed a call to Mindy once I was safely merged onto 270NW. I sent her the security info as well as the Time Warner info in an email earlier. She had a couple security system questions that I hadn’t considered. Talked until I was halfway home. Mindy also shared that she got her Pilot back from the body shop. They had to replace our hitch, too, which is something we hadn’t expected. Apparently it was bent.

Traffic slowed considerably once I got south of Tuttle mall. Arrived home around 550pm. Jacob was home but up in his room. I asked if he’d like to go to Dick’s Sporting Goods and look for a new ski helmet after dinner and before picking up Bella. He found the idea agreeable but wanted to make sure we’d have time to eat pizza first. Yes. Was on my PC doing a comparative analysis on security systems when Mindy got home with the pizza. I shared that Jacob and I planned to leave for Dick’s soon after dinner. In turn, we ate quickly. Jacob and I headed out the door for Dick’s at 640pm.

Arrived at Dick’s before 7pm. We walked around looking for their ski gear. Having visited the Easton Dick’s on Wednesday, I knew they carried quite an inventory. Unable to locate anything but jackets, gloves, and socks, I decided to ask. Nope, don’t carry that stuff at the Hilliard store any longer. Wasted trip.

It wasn’t quite 7pm as we headed back to the Pilot. Jacob asked if I would take him home, sparing him the pain of going to pick-up Bella, which was our original plan. I suggested that he was being selfish, but in a friendly way. We hopped on 70 east to 270 south and made our way towards the gym. It was only 710pm when we exited Georgesville Rd – 20 minutes early. I suggested we stop at the nearby Kroger and pick-up the Toaster Strudel’s Bella’s been itching for. It was either that or sitting at the gym for 20 minutes waiting. Jacob reluctantly agreed to stop at Kroger.

We made a fast stop in Kroger. Took no more than 5 minutes. We picked up two boxes of Toaster Strudel – blueberry & cinnamon. Arrived at the gym at 720pm. Jacob opted to wait in the Pilot while I headed inside. I stood and watched a painfully disorganized practice. Kelly wasn’t in. She had other commitments, so there was a young sub coaching in her stead. Bella seemed to be running amuck. I waited patiently as they went over by five minutes. Bella was surprised to walk out and find the Pilot. She was even more surprised to walk out and find Jacob waiting inside.

Jacob tossed Bella the bag of Toaster Strudels as we jumped on 270 for home. You would think we bought her, her own cell phone. She was giddy with joy. Too cute! Arrived home just before 8pm. I headed upstairs to change into my PJs while Bella ate some pizza. I was surprised to hear Bella bellyaching about the pizza. She went as far as to refuse to eat it because Mindy had it topped with hot pepper rings, double pepperoni, and double cheese. Mindy insisted she simply pick-off the peppers. That’s what she did, but not before lots of moaning and groaning.

It wasn’t too long before both Jacob and Bella dug into the Toaster Strudel. With kids, food is a novelty. They’ll eat it two, three times a day until the novelty wears off. Got an email from my mom detailing her latest ailment, which its lymphedema. Apparently it’s not her knee replacement causing all the pain, but I’m fairly certain it was the catalyst. I Googled lymphedema to learn about its causes and cures. Hopefully she’ll learn to heal herself quickly.

Tuned into Thursday night NFL action, Denver & Oakland around 850pm. Denver was already ahead 10-0 after less than 10 minutes into the first quarter. I thoroughly enjoy watching Peyton Manning play football. I’ve said it before, he might be the best quarterback ever. As it turned out, it wasn’t his best performance of the season but still a really good one. Seemed they were inside Oakland’s 5 yard line every time I looked. However, they had to settle for field goals several times, which didn’t sit well with Manning.
Mindy headed to bed around 925pm. She asked me not to be long. I stayed up another 15 minutes, heading up to bed before falling asleep on the sofa. Mindy was happy to lie on my chest and fall asleep. Just as I was starting to dose, Bella came in our room advising that Eiknarf was scratching at her bedroom door. Mindy was aggravated, having had to walk the pug while we were away earlier at Dick’s. I agreed to get up and take Eiknarf out. As much as I hated to, I appreciate that she tells us when she needs to go.

She was very excited to have me up and out of bed and heading downstairs. However, instead of running to the front door and her leash, she ran to the pantry as if I was going to give her a snack. Bella may not realize it, but she often will come back downstairs and get the pug a rawhide and take it back to her room. The pug is a creature of habit more so than any dog I have ever seen. I still took her out, not willing to risk and accident indoors. Sure enough, she pooped and peed. Of course, she pooped in the Russians’ yard up by their garage door. After just being burglarized, I was concerned that Alex might come out bearing arms.

Back at the house, I was now wide awake after being outside in the chilly night air. Mindy wasn’t at all happy when I told he that I would have to head back downstairs to read and play. She only asked that I lay there with her for a few more minutes first. I did as she asked, lying there with her for another 5-10 minutes. Around 1010pm, I got up and headed back downstairs to catch more the football game. The score was still 26-13 with less than five minutes to go when I headed back to bed. It was just after 1030pm.