Lupercalia

Up near 550am, I didn't sleep that well. Wanted more sleep. Drug myself from bed anyway. Downstairs, glanced out back then started calisthenics: sit-ups, windmills, curls. Already time to deliver Mindy's coffee. Back downstairs for some internet and coffee. Read about the coming asteroid and weather. It was 31 degrees under cloudy skies with an expected high in the upper 40s. Supposed to get cold again beginning Friday afternoon and remain that way through the weekend, setting us for a decent ski weekend. Hooray!
Didn't rush. Planned to take it easy, run late, head into work some time around 9am. Fooled around online through both Jacob and Mindy's departure. Walked the pug right after Mindy's departure. Saw Bella onto the bus at her usual time. Kenny was there with Makayla. Can't remember the last time that happened. Shared a little bit about their Snow Shoe trip. Told me about Chrissy racking her good knee on a long fast run. Said she did no turning whatsoever. Tried to control her speed with the "pizza". Eventually fell and twisted her knee. Apparently on crutches with a doctor's appointment next Monday.

Bus arrived at 815am. Headed back to the house. Before a run I called Alarm Force to report the false alarm and ask what they intended to do to correct the issue. Spoke to a couple folks but bottom line, Husain said he could most likely get a tech out that day. Asked if I could be home he would call me back with an ETA. Agreed. Figured I would simply work from home.

As soon as I was off the phone with Alarm Force, I called Wasatch Shuttle Utah. Got their VM. They're 2 hours behind us in the mountain time zone. Figured I'd call again later. Left for run around 9am. Dressed warmly. Ran only three miles, a habit whenever I work from home.

Back at the house, I poured another cup of coffee then checked my phone to see if Alarm Force called back. Nope. Tried reaching Wasatch shuttle service again. Still getting VM. Tried again just before 11am (9am there). Still no answer. Kept busy with work, too.

Around 1130am I got a call from a 801 area code. It was Wasatch Shuttle calling me back after seeing my number three times on their caller ID. Too funny. The guy, Andy, was very cordial and took our shuttle reservation over the phone. I threw in the Mindy return early wrinkle at the end. Said he'd love to have that business too, but offered that it would be far cheaper for her to take a shared cab. Said that would be $37 versus $96 for the private shuttle ride. Appreciated the tip. Sent me a confirmation email. He called back five minutes later after forgetting to get my VISA number. I called him back 10 minutes to reaffirm the # of passengers 4 not 3. No problem. Was relieved to have that taken care of, the final piece of our reservation.

Kept busy with work for the rest of the day. Never did hear back from Alarm Force. Shortly after Jacob got home from school which seemed only a blink of the eye after he left. I gave them an earful. At first, Husain tried denying he promised to call back. But I called him to the mat. He confessed but tried pinning the blame on his tech for not calling him back. Then said our appointment was for Friday. Said he would still try and get a hold of the tech and have him come out Thursday evening. Sure, but I also made him give us the Friday appointment from 1-4pm and insisted they call 30 minutes ahead.

Mindy and Bella walked in together, almost as if they schooled together. After a quick Valentine's greeting, Mindy asked how the security thing went. I gave her the whole story. She knew I was pissed. We exchanged Valentine's gifts. Nothing big - greeting card and chocolates. I like it that way. Too many big days in such a short amount of time (Xmas, Valentines. Anniversary, Mindy's b-day).

Discussed evening plans. Mindy had manicotti already prepped and ready to stick in the oven. Made it the night before. Come 5pm, she put it in the oven. She planned it so we could eat when she got back from dropping Bella at gymnastics. She and Bella left a bit earlier than usual to allow enough time for stops both at her Mom's and then Jodi & Larry's. She was dropping off Valentine's Day cards and candy for maw-maw, and taking our baby monitor to Jodi & Larry. I guess they adopted a baby. :)

While Mindy was away, I worked on my neglected blog. I thought I had most day's written. Somehow I lost last Tuesday's. I think I failed to save it, either at home or work. Eithe way, had to write it from memory, which was borderline ridiculous. When the manicotti timer went off, I added an additional 8 minutes, but with the foil top peeled back to crisp it up a little. Mindy was home around 630pm. Jacob was back just ahead of Mindy. I believe he was off playing basketball with neighborhood friends. The manicotti was exceptional. However, had I made it, there would've been sausage integrated with the beef. I had two helpings. No wonder I weigh 180lbs these days! Mindy confirmed that I would be going after the peanut. Yes.

I continued work on my blog before leaving at 715pm. Made good time arriving at 727pm. Kelly was just wrapping up practice. Got to see Bella working on her stationary back hand spring. Nice! She hasn't been to too many practices since Xmas. Bella was in good spirits and also hungry. Couldn't wait to get home and dig into some manicotti. ON our drive home I asked what new nickname she'd like to give herself. Geesh! The simple question traumatized the child. Said she only wants to be called peanut - nothing else. :) She asked what I called my girls. Courtney: Barney, Lindsey: Linzy Lou, Ashley: Pidgeon or pidge. She reiterated her desire to stick with peanut. :)

At home Bella went immediately for dinner. As soon as she finished eating she and Mindy tuned into American Idol. I avoided it like the plague. I sued the time to catch up my blog. Don't miss Idol at all. Mindy tried the guilt trip thing. About halfway through she cited missed family time. You're right, dear. Come in here with me. :)

Around 9pm I quietly and purposefully slipped off to bed where I tuned into the History Channel and The Universe, watching a program about asteroid and comets. I dosed on and off until Mindy joined me around 10pm. But once she turned the TV off I found myself lying there eyes wide open and my mind racing. After 20 minutes of that I decided to get up and head downstairs. My exiting woke Mindy. She doesn't like me to slip out of bed.

Downstairs I checked work email then headed to the familyroom where I rejoined the History Channel for more asteroid and comet programming. After about 45 minutes I started to dose off, so I headed back up to bed. But once again, once I laid my head down on my pillow my mind began racing and I couldn't sleep. Laid there for about 30 minutes before getting up a second time and heading downstairs. This time Mindy was oblivious to my departure.
I was stealthier.

Rejoined even more asteroid and comet programming, some of it a repeat. I was OK with that. I had two bowl of Cookie Crisp too. Yum! Headed back to bed around 130am. I planned to work from home again Friday, so I didn't need to get up at 530am. This time I fell asleep a bit easier.