The Coming of Unwelcomed Warmth

Out of bed Monday morning at 535am. Not sure why, but Mindy’s alarm went off just after 530am. I hope it’s not set for my sake. I don’t need or want to be awoken by alarm. My sinuses were still fairly open, thanks in part to shooting Sinex up them just before bed the night before.

I prepped coffee the night before but apparently didn’t have the auto program set. I had to hit the go button just before starting calisthenics. Over the next 10 minutes I whipped out sit-ups, windmills, and push-ups. All went well. Coffee wasn’t quite ready. Went to my PC where I checked the weather and headlines. Cloudy and 30 degrees. Expecting a high in the mid-30s with a significant warming trend coming in for the upcoming weekend. Into the 60s even.

Coffee was ready by 555am. Returned to my PC for another 15 minutes then headed upstairs to wake Mindy. Stopped by Jacob’s room before heading downstairs. He’s usually up by then. Not this time. He was sound asleep. Back downstairs, I spent several more minutes online before moving on with my morning.

Did a thorough meditation and stretch. Didn’t finish until 640am. I was out the door for my run just after 645am. I ran 4.1 miles. Less ice to contend with each passing day. Thankful for that. Mindy was still at the house but just preparing to depart when I got back. This was her first day back to school after a long 16 day Xmas break.

Leashed up the pug and headed out for our walk. A bit more grass to sniff across the street where there’s more direct sunlight. Eiknarf seemed to appreciate that. Relived herself quicker than she has since the first snow fell.

Mindy left a pan of cheesy scrambled eggs on the stove. I dished up some for myself and for the pug. There was still quite a bit leftover. I eventually put those in a container and then in the fridge. Bella was already upstairs getting ready for school. It was 650am by the time I was done eating and off to the shower. Having to contend with the ice and snow has slowed my run considerably. Perhaps an earlier start would be in order. Hmmm? Probably not. 

It was 810am by the time I was downstairs again. Bella was already out the door. I hurried into my jacket, leashed up the pug, and headed out to wait at the bus stop with her. Chrissy and Makayla were out a couple minutes later. We talked about the coming warm weather after Chrissy brought up the possibility of going to MRM over the coming weekend. The warm up isn’t supposed to later too many days. Should be back to normal, or in the 30s by the following Tuesday.

The bus arrived near 815am. Soon headed back home. My head was feeling a little foggy and warm. I squirted more Sinex up my nose before leaving for work. Left the house at 840am after activating the security system. Tried calling Mindy to make sure nephew Joe had the code. He was scheduled to clean that afternoon. Couldn’t get through. Oh well!

Arrived at the office around 9am. Took several more minutes to get fully settled. The clock I bought for my office several years ago appears to be on the blink. Manages to get far ahead. Since only last Friday it managed to move ahead by as many as 50 minutes. I set it congruently with my cell phone.

Spent most of the day on monthly reports. My boss summoned me to his office around 1030am. Offered me a framed Three Stooges poster. I graciously declined, but then spent a few minutes catching up. Said he wasn’t feeling well at all. I encouraged him to go home and rest but he didn’t take heed. Talked a little football, too.

Didn’t take a formal lunch, but did eat my packed lunch comprised of a salad and cheese around 2pm. I packed a snack too (banana and nuts) but ate that much earlier. Mindy sent me two or three texts. The first indicating that Joe had the code to get in our house. The second text shared that her time-off was approved for our winter adult ski trip. I took that as my cue to seek coverage that week too. An hour or two passed before she sent another text sharing that her time-off hadn’t yet been approved. A short time later she sent another sharing that it had in fact been denied. Darn! With limited information I wasn’t about to panic. Figured we’d talk through it later that evening.

Lindsey sent a text as well, letting me know that Rocky’s boat project wouldn’t be due that night after all. I’m guessing that other cub scout parents found themselves mercilessly behind the eight ball too. Actually, though, I had his ready to go.

Talked with Mindy around 420pm. She shared the details surrounding her denied time-off request. Apparently the school district doesn’t want to make a habit of allowing teachers to take unpaid time off, even though it’s only two days. Sadly, though, that outlook is short sighted. She could simply call off ill as she gets something like 12 paid sick days each school year and typically only uses 2 or 3. She wasn’t yet sure how she would proceed, if at all. We still have some time to work through it. Just before our call ended, I shared that I would most likely be leaving work a little early.

That proved inaccurate. I’d forgotten about a 5pm conference call on my calendar, established by a peer in the central time zone. I sent Mindy a text letting her know that I wouldn’t be leaving early after all. That ‘brief’ call ended up lasting until almost 6pm. Ugh! By then it was pitch dark. At Mindy’s request, I phoned to let her know that I was finally on my way. She said dinner was ready and waiting, but didn’t say what it was.

Got home by 610pm. Next to zero traffic to contend with, which is one of the benefits of working a little late. Once in the door, I knew instantly what was for dinner, tacos. Yum! Both kids seemed in rather good spirits. Makayla was over too. However, aside from snacking on fruit, she wasn’t eating with us. Said her momma was home making tacos as well. Didn’t want to ruin her appetite.

The tacos were good. I actually made a burrito and a taco salad. Clean-up was a snap, thanks in part to using paper plates. Mindy and the kids played spoons while I managed clean-up. They asked me to play, too, but I declined. I was looking forward to my PJs and book. I headed to the recliner in the living room after changing into my new flannel PJs. Ahh! Mindy & the kids were loud but having fun. Chrissy called just after 7pm to share that there was a change of dinner plans. Going to Teri & Mikes for dinner instead. Told Makayla to join her there. Makayla apparently asked if she could stay with Bella for a while longer. Mindy ended up getting out the taco fixings and making her one.

I read until almost 8pm and then went to the family room to tell Mindy that I was going to sneak off to our room and bed where I planned to watch at least some of the national championship football game. Jacob jokingly asked if he could come watch with me. Unfortunately, he was still grounded from all screens.

Felt great to snuggle up in bed with the remote control just after 8pm. Watched the final minutes of the pregame then the kick-off. Knowing how big of a sports fan Jacob is, I felt bad for that he was going to miss the game. Had a change of heart Went to the balcony where I was going to invite him up to watch with me after all. However, when I leaned over the balcony he was nowhere to be seen.

A few minutes later he showed up at our bedroom door anyhow. I invited him in and we watched the 1st quarter together. It was a blow out from jump. Notre Dame didn’t stand a chance. Men playing boys. Mindy joined us around 830-840pm. Seemed everybody was eager for early bed. Jacob headed off to bed once the score was 21-0, which was pretty quick. I started dosing even before halftime. I think it was 28-0 when Mindy turned the TV off. It was probably close to 915pm.