Gently Weeps

I slept as late as I could without messing up my rhythm or routine. Was downstairs engaged in exercises by 545am. It was Tuesday, which means it was a no push-up day. How sad is that? And it’s not that I despise the push-ups but there not the thing I’m looking forward to most fresh out of bed.  In fact, they’re quite grueling with some days better or worse than others. After curls I remembered that it was trash day. I headed out to move our can to the curb. I really need to remind Jacob to take care of that on Monday evenings. He was really good about it before we came upon the holidays when the pick-up schedule moves out a day after each one.

Poured coffee then played around online until 610am. Headed upstairs with coffee to wake Mindy next. Once she was awake, I headed back downstairs to start meditation and stretching. Both went well. Thanks to the work Mindy’s did on my back the prior two evenings, my neck and left shoulder felt about as good as they have since Utah.

Double checked the temperature. It was about 29 degrees under clear skies. I dressed accordingly for a run heading out the door near 645am. By legs felt about the same as they did on Monday, tired – dead even. I did the 4.1 miles on nothing but pure determination. Because the sky was crystal clear, dawn was apparent on the horizon from the outset, and by about the 2.5 mile mark it was for all intents and purposes daybreak.

Mindy was just backing out the drive upon my return. I headed in and leashed up the pug, who was waiting my return by the front door. We walked across the street out for no more than five minutes. Back at home I quickly transitioned into breakfast and lunch prep. Bella shared that Mindy may not be making breakfast (eggs) ever again. I got a kick out of that.

Made fried eggs this time, frying up two for me and one for the pug. They were delicious. Enjoyed the eggs along with some fresh fruit. As for my lunch, Mindy made me a salad the evening before. All I needed to do was pack some cheese, nuts, and fruit. Rushed off for a shower around 750am.

Joined Bella downstairs again near 805am. We headed out for the bus a few minutes later. It was a brief but chilly wait. I let Eiknarf spend a few more minutes outside before heading in. She pooped a second time in our own yard. I left for work a few minutes later arriving near 850am.

I took a mandatory online training class while preparing for a 10am call. I had to pause the class temporarily to participate. I picked up where I left off after the call. It was a busy and productive morning. I took lunch around 110pm and headed to Wal-Mart just up the road. I get in there about 2 or 3 times a year. I was hoping to pick-up some pellets for our air gun along with pellet loaders. They had both. I also picked up some carb cleaner and gasoline additive for the Toro mower. I headed back to the office after being out for no more than 30 minutes.

I enjoyed my salad and cheese soon after my return. Had a productive afternoon too. Mindy called around 4pm to remind me about the retirement party she planned to attend as well as confirming that I could be home in time to take Bella to gymnastics. I planned to leave no later than 5pm to make that happen.
She was heading home first to freshen up. Said she stopped at the grocery on her way home to pick-up more fresh fruit.

I wrapped up my day around 440pm and headed for home. Felt good to get out of the office so early. Made it home by 5pm. Mindy was still there as were Bella and Makayla, who were playing on the laptop. Mindy left not even five minutes after I arrived home. Mindy shared that Bella already ate a hot dog and that Jacob was off playing with friends. I reheated roast beef and risotto. Yum!

Bella and I departed for gymnastics at 535pm. Seemed odd to be doing the delivery having done it only three or four times. Perhaps even odder was the fact that the sun remained fairly high in the evening sky. Spring coupled with last week’s time change at work.

We made excellent time arriving at the gym by 55pm.Bella was happy to arrive early. I made sure it was opened waiting to watch her walk inside. I headed back home arriving by 605pm. Jacob was home. Before she left, Mindy shared that she would likely be able to pick-up Bella. I was hoping so. I decided to spend my quiet time updating my blog, which I have neglected since our return from Utah. However, from a writing perspective, I was caught up through the prior day. I edited a few but for the most part posted as they were written. Even had time to add photos here and there. Still haven’t added any Utah photos yet, though. I will.

Mindy called around 715pm to let me know that she was on her way to pick-up Bella. That was a relief. I had even more time to get caught up. I stayed busy with my blog and photos until those two arrived home, which was somewhere just before 8pm. As expected, Mindy stopped at McD’s for the kids.

I changed into my PJs then rejoined the others in the family room. While the kids ate, I surfed the TV looking for something of interest to watch. I bounced between a NCAA tournament basketball game and a NatGeo program about Beowolf, but nothing truly captured my interest. I ended up watching another program about alien viruses. That was somewhat interesting. Mindy headed to be shortly after 9pm. She only asked that I try to be in bed by 10pm. I agreed.

I didn’t last that long at all. Fell asleep watching TV by 930pm but didn’t get up and head to bed until just before 10pm. I remember waking once while Bella strummed her guitar from the family room floor. I didn’t want to discourage her joy so I didn’t ask that she stop.