The Clock & I

I woke just ahead of 530am feeling completely rested and ready to start the new work week. Maybe, just maybe I’ve finally adjusted to the time change, or perhaps it was a fluke or a byproduct of napping so much on Sunday afternoon. Regardless, it was nice to be up a little early and feeling so rested.

Because it was still before 530am, I hit the go button on the coffee maker on my way to the living room to start calisthenics. There I whipped out 50 sit-ups then headed to the family room for windmills and push-ups. I much prefer doing push-ups on the hard surface that the tile provides. The coffee’s brew cycle was just ending when I finished the exercises. I poured a cup even before it beeped.

I played around online until 605am when I delivered Mindy’s coffee. I headed back downstairs where I spent just a couple more minutes online before moving on to meditation and stretching. I was determined to get the door for a run somewhere close to my usual time of 635am. To that end, I finished meditation around 625am and then spent 5-10 minutes stretching. That always feels good.

By the time I was fully dressed for a run and heading out the door, it was 637am, or the earliest I’ve managed myself out the door in a really long time. It was a chilly 33 degrees and raining steadily, about the most miserable conditions possible. By the looks of most windshields, the rain was snow at snow at some point. No such luck during my run – pure, cold rain.

I ran the full 4.1 miles, my legs for whatever reason stiff as boards. That and the chilly rain made for a very uncomfortable run. It rained hard enough that it was next to impossible to avoid stepping in the occasional puddle, which sent cold water squishing through my running shoes. I hate that! The rest of me gets so warm that I barely feel it.

I was happy to see the house. By the time I made it home I was dripping from head to toe. Mindy had a towel by the door for me to use. Instead of drying off, I simply asked for a leashed pug. No sense drying off then heading right back out into the weather. Once Eiknarf noticed the rain, she wanted to turn around and head back inside. I wouldn’t allow it. Instead, I coaxed her onward until she took care of her business. As one might expect, she took care of business quickly. We rushed back to the house.

Inside, Bella asked for a bath towel to dry the pug while I stripped out of my drippy running clothes and back into my PJs. I tossed my running clothes in the dryer. I put my running shoes on a register vent. Mindy left without making any eggs. It was still ahead of 730am. I went ahead and made a plain, three-egg omelet severing a small section just for the pug. Mindy did cut up fresh fruit the evening before. I enjoyed strawberries, cantaloupe, and pineapple with my eggs.

Bella was still really excited about her new guitar. She suggested that she and I have father daughter time playing each evening. Sure! Before racing off to the shower, I finished packing a lunch and completely organized myself for my work departure. It was 750am before I rushed off to the shower. It took a little while to ready. Bella beckoned at 806am to see if I was coming. Yes. I hurried through my final prep and raced down the stairs. Because of the moderate rainfall, we opted to wait for the school bus from the comfort of the garage. Makayla joined us, too.

The bus stopped at the base of our driveway and the girls rushed aboard. I headed back inside where I poured a 2nd cup of coffee then fooled around online a while longer. I left for the office just after 830am. Still raining through my brief commute.

I had a case of the Monday blahs. I did my best to fend them off by immersing myself in work. That worked only marginally. I glanced down the hall out the window at the weather more than once. It was still raining. Despite the gloomy weather, I left for lunch, driving to the Hilliard Post Office to pick-up a change of address packet. According to friend, it comes with a 10-15% off any Lowes purchase. And with the basement project on the immediate horizon, that could amount to a significant savings. Worth the trip, and as it turned out, waiting in an incredibly long and inefficient line. Bet I had to wait at least 20 minutes. If nothing else, it was good therapy.  After all that, not exactly a coupon, but directions to complete an online form where they’ll email it to you. Of course nothing’s free. I’m sure I’ll get pummeled with spam from Lowes from here to eternity.

Headed back to the office by 130pm. Still raining. In fact, it rained for the duration of the afternoon. Stayed busy until 515pm when I finally bailed for home. Mindy sent a text earlier sharing that she planned to heat leftovers for dinner unless I wanted to go out. It was a Jimaken night. We’re back to Monday’s since he’ll be teaching on Wednesday’s again. I wasn’t up for going out. Eating at home sounded good.

Arrived home around 540pm. Still raining, though reduced to a light sprinkle. A strange car in front of the house. It was Phyllis, one of Mindy’s teacher friends. I gave Phyllis a hug then went about my usual routine chores. They were sipping wine, which Mindy explained was homemade by John & Carolynn, the parents of Kelly F., Bella’s gymnastics instructor. Carolynn volunteers in Mindy’s classroom a couple days each week. They also gave us a brochure for the Kentucky Bourbon tour. Said it’s a hoot! May have to give it a rub and whirl one of these weekends.

Mindy & Phyllis said Bella excitedly played guitar for the two of them as soon as she was home from school. Phyllis left for home 10-15 minutes after my arrival. Without missing a beat, Mindy warmed a plethora of leftovers, including sea bass, steak, gyro meat, cooked carrots, & risotto. She also whipped up another fresh garden salad. I know that sounds like a lot, and it was/is, but the portions were small. Still, I was pretty full after dinner. Including clean-up, we were done in the kitchen by 630pm. We weren’t expecting the kids until close to 8pm.

I soon got comfy on the sofa with the pug. I thought about reading but didn’t. Instead, I took a brief nap while watching How It’s Made. Let’s see, I saw how they make diapers, mufflers, and maritime barometers. Cool! Woke around 730pm and headed upstairs to change into my PJs. Dosed on and off again until the kids got home a little after 8pm. After Bella got ready for bed, I suggested she grab her guitar and show me what she learned at school that day. She said she learned two songs, all on the high e-string. She struggled but didn’t give up. Actually seemed to be enjoying herself. I was impressed that she picked up picking and strumming.

Mindy was off to bed early. I stayed up watching a Stephen Hawkings Grand Design program. His argument was that we don’t need a god to explain creation or the universe. Interesting point of view. Now the only one remaining downstairs, I headed for bed at 10pm sharp. Mindy must’ve had trouble falling asleep as she moved over to snuggle as soon as I plopped down on the bed.