Patio Season @ 229

I didn't get up until almost 6am, but I planned to work from home so there wasn't a need to be up any sooner. The sky was clear and once again scattered frost across the back lawn. I knew then that it was going to be yet another chilly start. I started some coffee then completed calisthenics. With the coffee still brewing, I headed to my PC around 615a. Checked the weather and NFL draft headlines. The Vikings grabbed most of the draft headlines after a record 3 first round picks. As for the weather, it was 33 degrees but expected to rise into the 60s by midafternoon. And Saturday was supposed to be even nicer - 71 and partly sunny.
Coffee was finally ready around 620am. I headed upstairs to wake Mindy. After a quick hug I headed back to the living room and my make shift office where I fired up my work laptop. There I spent the next hour or so until Mindy was downstairs preparing to leave for school. I planned to walk the pug when Bella and I headed to the bus stop. After Mindy left and before the bus stop, I spent a little time writing in my blog. Around 8am I stretched and got into my running clothes since I planned to run after walking the pug and seeing Bella off to school.

Bella and I headed out at 811am. Chrissy & Makayla were already there, as were the new folks. It was chilly but gorgeous. By then it was near 40 degrees. Decided then that I wouldn't need hand and ear covers for my run.
Eiknarf took care of her business while we waited for the bus. Bus showed up a couple minutes early.

I was home for no more than five minutes before heading off on my run. I just needed to make sure that work wasn't beckoning, and they weren't. I ran the full 4.1 miles in lovely conditions - sunny and warming nicely. Spent my mind's cycles thinking about all I hoped to accomplish over the weekend. Was back home near 910am where after pouring a 2nd cup of coffee I headed to my laptop.

I was busy with work for the next 3+ hours. Around 1230p I took a lunch break and headed out to cut the lawn. My plan, however, hit a snag when once again the Toro wouldn't start. After starting on the first pull last weekend, I was hopeful that I actually fixed the starting problem once and for all. Notice I said hopeful, not confident. I messed around with the mower longer than I should've, for at least 30 minutes trying everything under the sun. Finally gave up on the Toro and went for my tractor and cut as much as I could with it. But cutting the front with the tractor pains me, especially early in the mowing season. Given the terrain, it's almost impossible to leave behind clean lines and a well-manicured look.

I'd already spent way more time on the lawn than originally planned, stopping several times to check my blackberry for calls/emails. With nothing pressing, I trimmed, edged and blew. And since it was only the second mowing session of the season, all three extra touches took twice as long as normal. I didn't finish until almost 3pm, and even then there remained three large areas where I absolutely needed the Toro for mowing.

After brushing myself free of loose yard debris I headed inside for water and work. Jacob got home a couple minutes later. I stayed busy taking care of my weekly administrative duties and a few loose ends. Bella and Mindy were home at 4p and 430p respectively. I told Mindy about my mower horrors. I shared how defeated I felt after preparing my mowing equipment beginning back in early March, which is far earlier than most even consider the task. But now, here I was in the midst of mowing season still having equipment issues. Ugh!

As the work day wound down, I browsed Home Depot's website for new push mowers. It pains me to even have to consider buying a new one, but I also realize that I'm spending too many cycles fooling around with the problem. While Mindy prepared the kids stuff for a weekend with Jimaken, I wrapped up my work day. At 515p I headed out to the garage to try starting the push mower one more time. I happened to notice a slight bend in the throttle cable assembly that likely occurred last fall when mowing along the wooden guard rail that runs the length of the stream. Figured it was worth the effort to try and straighten it. I used my blue Klein pliers to put it back in place. And don't you know that it started on the next pull. Hmm? Without hesitation, I cut the three remaining areas and then ran over some of the uneven lines left behind by the tractor as well as any large piles of loose clippings. Looked nice by the time I finished.

Mindy & Bella were out relaxing on the deck. She asked how I fixed it. I shared what I did but was quick to point out that it might simply be coincidence. While Bella was out in the yard, I suggested she come try push mowing. Unlike Jacob, she jumped at the chance. I let her mow up and down the backyard for two or three passes. She couldn't keep a straight line to save herself. :) Mindy & I got a laugh out of her efforts. Her real joy, though, was when I let her drive the tractor. She digs it. I let her drive around the yard for 5-10 minutes before stowing both mowing machines for another week.

I headed in for a much needed shower. By the time I was once again downstairs Jimaken was there to pick-up the kids. Mindy asked about evening plans offering up a couple options. I had an idea too but wanted to hear hers first. As often happens, one of her ideas was on par with my own. She suggested 229 for drinks and appetizers where we could watch the sunset, and then head to CBC for dinner. I liked the sound of that idea, which was what I was thinking we could do, too. It was perhaps a little on the cool side for the patio but nothing a spring jacket wouldn't cure. So that's what we agreed to do. I think we left the house near 630pm.

Got the only open meter along the southern bank of fountain park. They had the fountains running, which was a bit of a surprise. The smell of chlorine hung heavy in the air, especially once in close proximity to the mist. I snapped a couple photos as we made our way into 229. The manager, Daniel, was in. She only recently gave birth to her 5th child, a boy, Joseph, and the only boy in the fold of five. Mindy chatted with Daniel for a few minutes before she ushered us to the patio and a table of our choice. We chose one at its very edge that peered out over the river. Perfect! And I chose to sit with a direct view of the sinking sun. It was in my eyes but I was prepared and wore my sunglasses. Before we left the house I suggested Mindy grab a jacket but she declined. I was wearing one, my heavy fleece and was comfortable. And while Mindy said she wasn't cold, I still believed otherwise.

Mindy drank two glasses of wine before we even left the house. She followed suit and ordered another at 229. I, on the other hand, ordered a beer, their Great Lakes seasonal, a Rye of the Tiger IPA. We ordered some pretzel bread too. Jade was our server. She asked a couple times if we wanted to order dinner. We didn't think so, and Mindy finally told her that we likely wouldn't. Mindy soon admitted to being chilly as the sun sunk further in the western sky. It was about 730p when we settled our tab and headed for CBC.

It's a short drive from 229 to CBC, not even a mile. We lucked out and got a primo parking spot in an otherwise nearly full lot. Inside, the bar wasn't as busy as most Friday evening's, but still a decent crowd. I grabbed the only two side by side stools while Mindy chatted with Jen, the manager. Kevin & Vince were tending bar. Without asking I was served a Bodhi. When Mindy finally joined me she ordered a glass of wine.

Sitting next to me were three other CBC regulars. We chatted with them while also enjoying some risotto balls. One of the three is a single 50 something, who shared some online dating horror stories. She also went on and on about her weight loss program which sounds like it has been an up & down work in progress for many years. Seemed obvious to me that she believes it the key to finding her ultimate mate.

I eventually ordered a 2nd Bodhi and Mindy had a 2nd glass of wine. But that was it for me. No more. I would be the one driving home. We hung at CBC until 930p, opting to skip ordering dinner. As a result, our tab was lighter than usual. Once at home Mindy texted Chrissy and learned that they were down at the O'Connell's, who invited us down as well. Mindy poured another glass of wine - I believe her 6th - and I grabbed three Southern Tier XXIPAs from the garage fridge and then we walked down to the neighbors.

We hadn't been to the O'Connell's house in a long time. We hung out inside for awhile but eventually ended up out on the patio, I think because Kenny & Mike were enjoying cigars. And as she often does, Mindy had a few tokes from Mike's. When Mindy's wine glass went empty, I volunteered to walk home and get her a refill. While hanging on the patio, we saw a familiar couple walking by with their dogs. We went out to talk with them. Their names Doug and Stephanie, I believe. He's an attorney and his wife/girlfriend a probation officer. We chatted for about ten minutes before they headed for home. I'm guessing they considered us a bunch of drunks because, well, we were. :)

As she often does, Mindy snuck off for home while I was in the kitchen talking with Teri and Chrissy. I stayed perhaps a half an hour longer than Mindy. And by the time I headed for home and joined Mindy in bed. she was out cold.