Slick Morning ... Delayed Run

I heard a few low-level pulses, at first not recognizing its source. It was Mindy's phone resting on her night stand. While she listened to some automated VM, It was the call she'd been hoping for, the calamity day call. No school! A few minutes later I rose from bed to start my work day. Just as I exited the bedroom, Mindy uttered something about Jacob, and I believe it had something to do with school being canceled.
Downstairs I completed calisthenics, which included push-ups. Man, were they tough! I then poured some coffee then hit the internet. There I verified all the school closings. At the same time, my cell phone rang. quickly dismissed the call. Soon a text arrived. Both the call and text were from Lindsey. The boys' school was closed and she needed someone to keep them while she went to work. Sadly, we're the only ones that she can routinely turn to.

I rolled my eyes, knowing that Mindy would be a little frustrated with the question, but headed up anyway. I poked my head in the door then shared Lindsey's dilemma. Yep, she was agitated with the ask, but after a minute of processing agreed to keep the boys. I headed back downstairs and responded to Lindsey via text. Said she'd be by with the boys in 30-40 minutes. I replied again to drive safe. Everything was covered in a sheet of ice. No snow.

I planned to work from the office, but of course wanted to do my run first. When Lindsey dropped the boys a half hour later I could see that it was too slick and icy to run right then. They could hardly walk up the drive and walk. Even the yard itself was covered in ice and slick. Lucky for me, the temperature was expected to climb into the mid to upper 40s by afternoon. At the present it was 27 degrees.

. I know it's hard for a 5 and 9 year old to sit still, but I asked the boys to sit quietly since Mindy and the kids were still soundly sleeping. Rocky asked if they could head upstairs to the guest room and watch TV. Heck no! My laptop was still logged onto work, so I got a little busy with work related matters. Over the next hour or two I bounced between work and pleasure, periodically checking the temperature as it approached and passed the freezing barrier.

Mindy and the kids were up around 9am. By then I was buried in the day's work and dealing with a mini-crisis, something, frankly, I hoped to avoid, especially given that my head was already in vacation mode. It is what it is, however. we take what comes.

With Mindy, our kids and g-kids, it was a bit challenging to focus on work all the while home life was going on all around me. I had to make several calls and only asked the family to keep it down. I'm thinking that it was near 10am when I first set out to run. I stretched then changed into my running clothes and headed out. I exited the house via the deck door, not foolish enough to attempt to navigate the slippery front stoop and driveway. But even that was a bit treacherous. Out to the sidewalk and road it was quickly evident that there wouldn't be any running just yet. Just about as slick as it could possibly be, ice with the top surface wet and melting. Yikes! I turned around and headed back inside. I was too bummed. The temp was already above freezing and headed even higher. I knew it was just a matter of another hour or two.

I spent another two hours working, still in the midst of the crisis that began my day. Oh boy! I know it was after 1230pm when I finally was able to break away for a run. Before getting into my full attire, I walked out front to check the walks and road. Perfect! The ice finally melted. Just wet. I quickly slipped into full running gear and headed off. Inside, Bella and Landon were busy playing cards. Very cute. Jacob and Rocky were playing upstairs. I think Jacob was torturing him as we heard several screams and pleas for help coming from Jacob's room.

I ran just three miles, finding myself up against the clock. or one, I still needed to grab a shower, dress, then be at the office before 230pm for a conference call with my boss and others. Got home safely feeling better now that I finally had my run behind me. It's awfully rare to go into the afternoon with it still pending. Makes me anxious.

I took a quick shower and ready. Downstairs I purposefully logged off and packed up my laptop and gathered the rest of my work things. I didn't bother packing snacks of any sort, though perhaps I should've. I was hungry. I did woof down a couple of the home made waffles Mindy whipped up earlier that morning. I left for the office around 145pm. I opted to stop at bank branch to get some vacation cash. First time I can recall using an ATM machine in probably two or three years. Wow! I wasn't through. I wanted some $1's and $5's, so I pulled around the bank, headed inside and up to see a real live teller. There I swapped two $20's for six $5's and ten $1's. Onto the office.

Arrived at the office around 210pm. Quickly docked and logged on my laptop. Stopped by my bosses office to see if he planned to join our 230pm call. Turned out he was double/triple booked. Happens a lot. Furthermore, he wasn't even aware of the call. Back in my office I double checked the invite. They sent it the wrong 'him'. Happens to me often, too. There are many 'me's out there.

I joined the call as planned, finishing up just before 3pm. The crisis I'd been dealing with all day was finally winding down. For that I was most grateful. But there was still plenty of dangling clean-up to contend with. Not only that, but I had to take care of the usual Friday administrative tasks s well as preparing for my week's vacation (forward phones, and set out-of -office) Sounds easy enough, but getting the messages recorded and then setting both my desk and bb to the proper message is always tricky process. Not very intuitive.

Talked with a work pal via IM while also wrapping up all of administrative tasks. Was able to depart the office right at 5pm. Felt terrific. Was still feeling a little stressed, both from the harrowing work day, and the fact that I hadn't yet picked up Mindy's anniversary gift. Seemed every time I tried to get there this week, I was confronted with a roadblock. Now it was down to crunch time. I did, however, already have the card. Off to Macy's I went. I knew what I wanted to get if they had it. Trusting the universe, I knew I would find it. Felt secure in that as I arrived and parked.

Sure enough, it was almost as if it were calling to me. I wanted a heart necklace similar to the one I bought her for our 1st Xmas but this time with a purple amethyst, the February stone. Not only that, but it was on sale, too! That only made a good deal better. I asked the gentleman at the counter if he could possibly gift wrap it. Told me that Macy's no longer provides such a service, but ... would be happy to wrap it in plain white paper they keep stashed under the register. Yes, please! Felt good about the gift. Made one quick swoop through the Men's department on my way out. Most of their sweaters were at almost unbelievable close out prices. It is the end of February. In a month or so, many will relegate their sweater collections to the back of the closet. I picked up a blue quarter-zip Oscar de la Renta for $15. Friends, that's a steal!

To the Accord and then home. I thought about another stop for roses, but given that we were leaving Saturday, it made little sense. I opted not and headed directly home. I called Mindy once safely on the road. Jacob answered. Apparently, she and the kids were out running errands, too. According to Jacob, they were just leaving Target. But once Mindy was on the phone she said not. Didn't say where they were.

They were home before me. Mindy's anniversary gift and card were in my work pack. Inside, Mindy and the kids were in good spirits. I was still trying to let go of a work issue that actually had me seething inside, which is never good, but certainly not right before vacation. But hanging with the kids and Mindy just before Jimaken showed to get 'em took the edge off, if only temporarily. Mindy asked if I wanted my anniversary gift then. No, not until tomorrow. I assumed it beer of some kind.

Jimaken arrived to get the kids in short order. They were headed to the Mellow Mushroom for dinner. We've heard good things about the place. In fact, Craig, a former Barley's manager, manages one of them. Not sure which one. Hugs around, both for Jacob and for Bella. Jacob's not a hugger, but Bella is. He is just about thirteen. That's an awkward age for such things.

Mindy went into packing mode. And instead of getting antsy, it actually helped my mind transition from work to vacation mode.