Shredding Solution Planned

Was up and out of bed by 535am. Brushed my teeth then headed downstairs for exercise. Glanced out back at a completely clear sky. Nice to see. Completed sit-ups, windmills, and push-ups. My legs were still stiff and tired after Sunday afternoon's backyard baseball game. I am still a little surprised at how worn out I felt afterwards.

I enjoyed coffee and internet until 615am when I headed upstairs to wake Mindy with a cup of coffee in hand. Back downstairs I double checked the temperature. It was a chilly 39 degrees, but expecting a high near 70 later that afternoon under clear skies. Moved on to meditation and stretching. Finished both by 635am then readied for a run. While getting dressed for a run, I heard the recycling truck dumping our can out front. I wore winter attire minus gloves and ear covers. I headed out the door near 640am.

Despite weary legs and tired feet, I ran the full 4.1 miles without issue. Back home around 720am, I beckoned the pug and leash then turned right around and headed out for our morning walk. Eiknarf took care of her business in a hurry. We hustled back home where Mindy was just heading out. I started packing my lunch and frying a few eggs immediately. It was after 750am by the time I finished packing lunch and eating breakfast. That meant I wouldn't get a shower until after bus stop time.

I checked and responded to some work email and then read a few more headlines before it was time for Bella and I to head to the bus stop. Bella complained of clogged sinuses before heading out. I let her use some nasal spray. She's been suffering from allergy issues for the past few weeks, but clogged sinuses were a first. With the brilliant spring sunhine it was warming fast, though still cool and in the low 40s. The bus arrived a couple minutes early. Makayla was inside getting her jacket when it showed. The new kids had to hustle too. They pulled up just as the bus did,

Eiknarf and I headed back home where I quickly showered. Before heading off to work I headed out to the shed to fetch the near dead tractor battery. I hoped to get a new one at lunch. While grabbing some wrenches from the garage, decided to see if the BM'er would start after trickle charging the battery eight days prior. Yep, fired right up. Hmmm? Maybe I'll get another year out of the existing battery after all. Wish I could say the same for the tractor but that isn't the case. I tried starting it before removing it. Just a few cranks before it was dead. I toted the dead battery to the trunk of the Accord and packed it in there along with the shred-it boxes. Incidentally, I planned to call them sometime during the day to learn where I might be able to drop them off and then how much it might cost. I left for the office near 945am.

I had no idea that the entrance ramps to 270N were closed for temporary construction. Hmm? Ended up taking the western back route into the office - Trabue to Leap. Thought about stopping at JD Equipment since it was just a block out of my way into work but didn't. When I called on Friday they didn't have new tractor batteries n stock. I planned to call first, and then make a run to fetch one at lunch, that, of course, provided they got some in.

Arrived at the office near 10am. Was busy from jump following up on the issues I was dealing with from home earlier. Joined a weekly team call at 11am. That went smoothly. Shortly thereafter, got a call from my mortgage processor sharing that my loan was officially approved and that they wanted to close as soon as Wednesday provided that would work for me. I was almost shocked that it was approved and done so quickly. I confirmed that Wednesday morning would work. Get this, the title company was willing to come to me, wherever I suggested, be it home, work or elsewhere. That's service! She promised to call with the actual final numbers sometime Tuesday. You gotta love these low interest rates. In the end, we'll reduce the term of the loan by five years yet the payment will still go down some. Perfect!

I didn't leave for lunch. I called JD Equipment and learned that they were still waiting for their shipment of new tractor batteries to arrive. Said they hope to have them Wednesday. I can wait. Also called Shred-It. I learned that there's a place in Gahanna where the public can take their shredible boxess. It's $20 for up to 4 boxes. I have three. Given the long wait at the 'free' WCMH TV4 Shred-It events and the fact that I typically give a$10 donation anyhow, $20 and no line sounded like a good deal. Thought I might make that stop on my way to New Albany on Wednesday. If not on my way, then perhaps at lunch. Either way, I am very eager to finally rid myself of these boxes I've had ready for shredding since spring 2012. Yikes!

The afternoon involved three more conference calls: one at 2pm, 4pm, and then 5pm. All that added up to a very busy afternoon. A couple of times I took a brief walk to the end of the hallway and glanced out the window. Man, was it ever gorgeous. Checking the temp from my phone, it was in the upper 60s and sunny.

Sandwiched somewhere in between my calls, I talked with Mindy mid/ late afternoon. Shared that I had a couple back to back calls I still needed to join. She wanted to know my thoughts regarding dinner. Even though it was a Jimaken night, Bella was staying home with us since Jacob had a soccer game. I opted to have my leftover prime rib from Saturday at Dakota’s. Bella, of course, would be having manicotti. She loves that stuff.

My last conference call ended near 545pm and I quickly packed my gear for home. At home, Bella shared that she wasn’t feeling too well and battling a stuffy nose all day. Said the nose drops I gave her earlier didn’t really help much. She kept placing used tissues on the kitchen table. Mindy and I both admonished her for it. Yuck! Not only that, but the kid must’ve used 5 napkins to hold various portions of her dinner. Nobody makes a bigger, faster mess better than Bella!

Clean-up didn’t take too long at all. And since it was so nice outside, Mindy and I planned to take a walk and take the pug. More than once we prodded Bella to join us. But each time she declined citing her preference to ride bikes. But with our bikes still hanging from the ceiling, that wasn’t an immediate option. Instead, Bella lounged from the sofa.

We didn’t get half a block down the sidewalk when I noticed Bella peddling our way. We were happy she changed her mind and joined us on her bike. Eiknarf, meanwhile, was digging the fresh new grass. She must’ve peed three separate times and was sniffing everywhere. We walked for maybe 25 minutes. Bella eventually peeled off and headed home. We could see her trying the back door, which Mindy locked while we were parallel to the O’Connell’s house. We both chuckled knowing that Bella would be annoyed. Sure enough, she gave us some attitude once we got home.

Nearing 745pm, Jacob was soon home from the soccer game. Jimaken shared that they lost. I think the score was 4-3. Jacob scored two goals in the loss. He takes the losses in stride these days. I think being part of a winning team this past winter helped tale the edge off losing so often.

Mindy peeled off for bed while I was playing on my PC. I’m pretty sure that it was near 915pm. I promised to join her soon. A few minutes later I poured myself a bowl of Life cereal. Actually ate two bowls worth. It was good. Mindy poked her head over the banister asking if I was coming up soon. It was still before 10pm. I shut down the house near 10pm and joined Mindy already in bed.