Spring Can Wait

I slept in late by design. Mindy wasn't going to school due to an early doctor's appointment and agreed to see Bella onto the school bus. That allowed me to sleep an extra 30 minutes without harming my schedule. I was up and downstairs just before 6am feeling fairly well rested. Whipped out sit-ups, windmills, and curls then headed to the computer with a cup of coffee. I wasn't sure what time Mindy's appointment was, so I didn't bother waking her with coffee. Figured she'd much prefer to wake naturally.

Played around online for almost an hour before I did meditation and stretch. Mindy was up and in the kitchen pouring her own coffee just after 7am. She shared that her appointment was at 930am. I dressed warmly for a run. It was a chilly 23 degrees and there was about an inch or so of snow on the ground. In fact, it started snowing again just before I headed out the door around 720am.

I felt fine, but decided to cut my run to only three miles. I was back at the house around 750am. I walked the pug who was up and seemingly eager to head outside. As soon as we were back Mindy asked what time Bella needed to be on the bus. 810am. I headed out with the two of them. Bella shared her joy that both parents were taking her to the bus stop. It was a cold wait. The sweat from my run still trapped between my jacket and wicking shirt was quickly child by the cold air. Makayla joined us at the bus stop.

We saw Rachel pull up at Chrissy's. Haven't seen her for several months. Said hello and asked if she was there to change Chrissy, who's still convalescing after recent knee surgery. :) Bus arrived around 820am. Mindy, Eiknarf and I hustled back to the house where I whipped up a three egg plain omelet while Mindy hit the shower. After my breakfast, I got a shower. I was dressed and ready to leave the house around 915am. Mindy left before me, though we were ready around the same time. I stopped at the bank on my way into the office to deposit a check from Mindy.

Arrived at the office near 940am. Didn't take long to get settled. With no meetings/calls on my calendar, I dedicated most of my day to sharpening the saw - taking an online technical training class that I've been interested in for a couple years. It was supposed to be a 2.5 hour class but with a handful of interruptions and several pauses so I could take copious notes, It took about 5.5 hours. Took care of a handful of important emails after I finished the training.

In the background, I kept a browser aimed at Mt Bachelor hoping to see my buddy Chris who was in Bend for a week's vacation. I knew he'd be excited. They received more than a foot of fresh snow and issued the proverbial powder alert - exactly the conditions he'd been hoping for. I never did see him, but then again, I couldn't keep an eye on it all day.

I talked with Mindy mid/late afternoon. She shared how excited she was about our weekend ski trip. She also shared that Jacob's soccer practice was canceled again, though didn't give a specific reason. Wet fields? Reminded me that Bella had gymnastics at 6pm. I assumed she would take and I would pick-up. Didn't say anything about dinner.

I wrapped up my day by 445pm then headed for home. Called Mindy again on my drive home. We talked only briefly, her sharing that we could eat leftovers for dinner. Got home just after 5pm. Saw neighbor Mike barreling down the road just as I was entering the house. Inside, Bella with playing Wii with friends Makayla and Alena. I snatched up the Pilot keys then drove down to Mike's to get the Thule. I sent him a text earlier in the day sharing that I wanted to pick it up.

Teri was just backing out of their driveway when I parked out front. Mike met me in the garage. We talked for a few as he cleared a few items away from the Thule that's been in their garage since they got back from Snow Shoe early February. When I asked for the key he shared that it left with Teri. It was on her key chain. Crap! Not a big deal, though. I have an extra key. I left the Pilot sitting and ran home to get it. By the time i got back, Mike had the Thule sitting next to the Pilot ready to open and mount.

He helped me lift it on. A lot easier with two people, I can tell you that. He showed me a video clip of his dogs coming upon a goose nest earlier that afternoon in the woods. Hilarious. They went at it for a couple minutes. In the end the goose slapped the Jack Russell's away with her wings. I wished that they ate the damn goose and its eggs. Mike was curious if we were going somewhere. Yep, HV. We talked about that for a few before i headed back home.

Back home, Mindy stopped working on report cards to run Bella to gymnastics. While she was away I worked on my blog and packed and prepared a bit more for our ski trip. When she got back she made dinner for herself and Jacob. I wasn't that hungry having snacked on cashews and chips a bit earlier. She made Jacob a burrito and also sliced off a section from one of the Wal-Mart subs intended for our drive to HV. She made herself a taco meat and rice bowl. She couldn't finish. I ate her leftovers.

We discussed our Friday departure plans, which hinged on my working from home and her taking the Accord to school. That way I could load the Pilot and deliver the dog to Gloria's along with Jacob's help. Bella & Makayla were planning to go to school with Mindy (our kids are already on Spring break). The idea is to leave pretty much as soon as Mindy gets home from school.

As the time to leave for Bella drew near, Mindy suggested I offer to take Lane saving the McVey's a trip. Good idea! I sent Darwin a text offering as much. He responded quickly offering that he would pick-up Bella, hoping that we could take Lane next Tuesday when both he and Connie have other commitments. Worked for us. Agreed and thanked him.

Once that was solidified, I headed upstairs to slip into my PJs and then back to the kitchen where I poured a pint of Great Lakes Alchemy IIPA. Yum! Enjoyed that and some TV, tuning into The Universe on the History Channel at 8pm. Thursday's episode was all about the speed of the universe and how everything in the universe is in motion. Cool stuff! I finished off my pint fairly fast and then poured a 2nd, only this time a Bodhi. Without question, the CBC jugs and caps fare so much better than the others, keeping the beer fresher longer.

Bella was expecting Makayla to come down to spend the night, but not until Alena's mom arrived to pick her up. Makayla called around 9pm to share that Alena's mom was running late. Mindy peeled off to bed. Asked if I minded staying up until Makayla arrived. No, not at all. I started getting sleepy as I polished off that 2nd pint. (30pm came and went and still no Makayla. I told Bella that I was staying up until 945pm but then heading to bed. Makayla still wasn't there when 945pm arrived. I headed to bed as promised reminding Bella to secure the home and turn off the lights. She agreed. I heard Makayla arrive even before I was under the bed covers. And it wasn't too much longer before I was out for the night.