Tiberius, Caligula, & Lloyd Xmas

Wasn’t immediately sure why, but I woke a few times after 4am to the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Each time I managed to fall back asleep before finally getting out of bed for good near 535am. Felt good. My head & sinuses felt almost normal again, too. That was a really good sign. Downstairs I checked the coffee maker and learned why the coffee brewed early. Its clock was somehow set about 90 minutes fast. I completed calisthenics before enjoying any coffee.

Went to my PC around 550am. There I spent the next 20 minutes. Learned that Alabama continued their mauling of N.D. Alabama won 42-14. Guess that makes the Buckeyes the only undefeated team for the 2012/2013 season. We win!  It was colder than I expected, only 22 degrees. I was expecting it to be above freezing, but I learned it wasn’t supposed to starting warming to that degree until later in the day. Forecasting rain and warmth through next Wednesday now.

Woke Mindy near 610am. Soon headed back downstairs where I spent a few more minutes online before finally breaking away for meditation and stretching. Both went well. Made sure to do an extra good stretch, especially with my hamstrings. They stiffened up on me during our recent HV ski trip.
Headed out for my run between 745-750am, or just after Jacob made his way downstairs for breakfast. For the first time all season, I decided to wear wicking long johns under my running pants. Very cozy! However, no need to go that route unless them temp is well below 25 degrees.

I ran the full 4.1 miles. Of course there was less ice to contend with, too, making my run that much faster. Still had a few transition spots that were tricky to navigate, but as always, I was extra careful. Happened upon Mike O. out with his two jack Russell’s as I near the house. Didn’t bring up the football game. He’s a big N.D. fan.

It startled me when Mindy rolled down her window as I walked between our two vehicles heading back into the house. Didn’t realize that she was already in her car and just preparing to back out of the drive. After a quick kiss goodbye she was off to work and I was in the house to leash up the pug.

Took about 8 minutes to walk the pug. Back inside, I remembered to reheat the leftover scrambled eggs for Eiknarf then microwaved the two fresh fried eggs Mindy made for me just before she left. Bella was quickly off to her room while I finished eating. I was once again running behind schedule. Didn’t get to the shower until 750am. In kind, it was 808am before I was back downstairs.

I had just enough time to organize myself for the bus stop. Figured to finish packing my lunch afterwards. Bella and I headed out at 810am. We met Chrissy and Makayla at the stop. Not much going on. Bus showed up on time. – 815am. After some idle chit-chat, Chrissy & I parted ways. I allowed the pug a few minutes to sniff around out front in the snow. I don’t believe she did anything, however.

Inside, I finished packing my lunch, tidied up the kitchen, then started/warmed the Accord. Enjoyed a 2nd cup of coffee while waiting for it to warm-up. Left for work around 845am.

Arrived at the office near 9am. Already warming up with bright sunshine. It was supposed to reach into the low to mid 40s later in the day. Worked on monthly reports and lead a conference call at 11am. Was another fairly easy work day, and one with few surprises, which always helps. Looked like my boss was working from home. Said he was feeling even worse that he was Monday. All but finished one of my customer facing monthly reports. At their request, we changed the presentation day to Friday in lieu of the usual Wednesday. That’ll be different.

Didn’t hear from Mindy all day. Left work a little early – 450pm to be exact. Gave her a call once I was rolling down the road. Reminded me that she was taking Bella to gymnastics as well as taking Jacob to see niece Lindy for a haircut. I’d have to fend for myself, dinner-wise. Sounded like she would pick-up Bella on the rebound meaning I would be able to get into my flannels and read fairly early. That sounded great! I also asked about the Utah trip and if she talked to the superintendent. She hadn’t talked with him but did send an email requesting his time and ear. She’s got an excellent argument. Basically, they quoted policy as the reason she couldn’t take the unpaid days, but she works untold hours/days unpaid both getting her classroom ready for the new school year and then in early and staying late on numerous occasions. If they want to work to the letter of the rules, OK. We’ll see where this goes.

Arrived home just a little after 5pm. Mindy and the kids were still there. Makayla was there still too. Bella asked if I would be willing to take her to gymnastics so Makayla could go along. Not tonight. After Bella woofed down some dinner they headed out and Makayla headed home.

After prepping coffee and changing into my flannels, I retreated to the family room chair with my book. I toyed with building a fire but didn’t. I read and napped for the next 30-40 minutes. Around 630pm, I got up and made myself a burrito for dinner and took care of a couple overdue chores. I also took the time to remove the rest of the Honey Baked ham from the bone and put it in a zip-loc and stashed it in the freezer. Had to be about 2lbs worth left. Enjoyed a piece of Xmas fudge too. Yum!

Mindy sent a text asking if I wanted more hair product. Lindy gets it for 50% off. I had Mindy pick-up another tube of Tea Tree Styling gel. I’m not completely out, so I should be set for year or so, especially given that I only use gel for the first week or so after a haircut.

About the same time Mindy was texting, I got an email from Glenn sharing that his time-off was approved for our Utah ski trip. Wanted to know if it was still a go. I shared that we hoped it was, but that Mindy had hit a bump in the road with the requested time off. Shared that we hope to have it resolved by week’s end. He also shared news about Stephen, his ex-girlfriend’s son, who was recently released from prison and is staying with him temporarily. Said he paid his winter term college tuition to get him back on his feet. Facing a fork in the road, Glenn hopes to be the difference in his life.

Got back to reading my book, The Super Brain. Really digging it. Read until and even after Mindy and the kids got home around 745pm. Jacob ran upstairs to the bathroom immediately in the door, presumably to deal with his haircut. I heard him groaning as if he hated what he saw in the mirror. Mindy shared that she insisted he allow Lindy to put gel in his hair and style it before leaving the salon. But when he showed his face a few minutes later the gel was brushed out and he had it lying flat against his head. I joked that he looked like Lloyd Xmas, from Dumb & Dumber with his hair that way.

I continued reading until sometime after 830pm. At which point I turned on the TV and tuned to the History Channel watching a program focused on two early roman emperors, Tiberius and Caligula – an interesting watch and learn. As much as I was fascinated with the program, Mindy was equally tormented by it. Said she’d likely have bad dreams and refused to watch with me. She went up to our bedroom to read around 9pm. I stayed downstairs watching and dosing until sometime after 10pm. I woke at some point to Bella offering me a new snack she created – Cheezits and peanut butter. No thanks. I soon upped, secured the home, and headed for bed. I developed a kink in my shoulder while sleeping on the sofa. Mindy graciously rubbed it out. Ahhh!