Free Oil Change

After sleeping in until 620am I woke feeling well rested. I could see clear skies out the master bath window. Looked like another sunny summery day in the offing. Downstairs, I prepped coffee then started calisthenics. I whipped out sit-ups, windmills, and push-ups. Now 635am, the irrigation system cycle had just completed. I stepped out on the deck to take a sniff of the morning air. Smelt like summer!

Inside, I poured some coffee then headed to my PC. Good news. Received confirmation that the items I bought for Glenn shipped. Should actually arrive on his birthday. Played around online until 715am. Headed to the family room for meditation and a stretch. Both went extremely well. Felt really good slipping into my running clothes. Headed out the door near 735am.

I ran the full 4.1 miles trail. And even though I got started almost an hour later than usual, I still passed a few familiar faces throughout the run. Back at home near 815am, I walked around the yard for a few minutes while recapturing my breath. I also ripped off my wicking shirt. It was soaked with sweat and felt like seal skin. I headed inside to get busy making my breakfast.

Like most days, I packed my lunch and made my breakfast. It was 845am when I headed up for a shower and delivered Mindy’s coffee. I asked Mindy if she needed the Pilot, because I needed to take the boat back. Said we could swap. I then remembered that I had an oil change appointment for the Accord scheduled at lunch time. Dang it! Mindy simply suggested I detach the boat and let it sit in front of the house all day. I pooh-poohed the idea at first but the more I pondered the solution the more sense it made. I could simply chalk the trailer tires and place a traffic cone at its rear. Should be OK for a day or so.

Mindy decided to join me walking the pug before I needed to leave for work. While waiting for her to join me, I headed out and detached the boat from the Pilot. She & I walked the pug down past Teri and Mike’s. It was already warm and steamy. Would’ve been a lovely boating day on Alum Creek. 

Enjoyed a little coffee with Mindy before I left. I also asked if she still planned to call Bridgett from the City of CMH tax department regarding the audit letter we received. She did. Among other things, she wanted to let them know that we can’t find the ’07’s tax return. She also planned to ask what the gist of the audit was about.

Arrived at the office near 930am. Once I was settled I walked over to chat with my boss. Looked and sounded a little frazzled. Had a lot of questions about the issue dominating most of my time the last month. Said he would schedule a meeting with one of his peers to discuss our overall progress. I let him know that I wouldn’t be available 1230-130pm, when I was scheduled to take the Accord in for an oil change.

I was busy all morning. And for a spell there I was worried that I might not be able to get away for my oil change appointment. Left the office around 1210p and took 270 around to Sawmill. Got there in 10 minutes. Was actually early! Quickly met my service advisor who was assigned via the internet. Very convenient. Asked if I wanted the recommended 24 month service. No. just an oil change and tire rotation. I did ask that they check the front driver’s side tire for any defects since I’ve had to add air 3 or 4 times in the two years. Presented my free rotation coupon, too.

I went to the showroom to see if my sales guy, Chris was in. Nope, but expected anytime. I looked at the new Accord as well as the newer CRV then headed to the waiting room where I grabbed a free bottled water then read several magazine articles, including one about Adrian Peterson. About an hour passed without hearing a word. I walked out to the service area. Jim, my advisor, was on a call but motioned that it would be just a little longer. Cool!
I sent my boss and email letting him know that I was running little late. Jim found me in the waiting room and shared that I didn’t need a rotation since I’d gone only 8K miles. Suggested I wait. Said they replaced a suspected faulty valve stem in the tire. Said it would be ready shortly.

Another guy came and got me a few minutes later and shared they were washing my car and that it would be around in a minute. He walked me out to intercept it. We talked about Comfest while waiting. He’s looking forward to going. His first time ever. It was spittin rain while we waited outside. I looked over the paperwork. They did my oil change for free. Hmmm? I didn’t complain. I guess it was free because they took so long. I headed back to the office.

I called Mindy but Bella answered. We talked for a while. She eventually put Mindy on the phone. Mindy shared that she completed the laundry room project. Wanted to know my thoughts about having dinner at Barley’s. Said both kids wanted to go. She also shared that she hadn’t yet called the city about the tax audit but still planned to.

Back at the office, I rushed to my boss’s office for our 2pm meeting. It was 210pm. He knew I was running behind. Three of us met for about 45 minutes agreeing on a new game plan out the door. I took away a couple to-dos and quickly got started on them one back in my office. Had our recurring 4pm call. Like most, it went well past an hour. Didn’t leave the office for home until 530pm.

Talked with Mindy again. She texted earlier that she talked with the city. Said they were cool with us missing the ’07 return, just add a note sharing that. She also said the reason for the audit was because my company sent them a note sharing that they don’t withhold CMH city tax. Duh - that’s because I work in Hilliard. Said it would all likely be a nonissue once they received copies of our tax info.

We talked through most of my drive home. It really didn’t take that long. Traffic wasn’t tight at all. I joked that many have likely given up on using 270S at rush hour. Arrived home ahead of 6pm. Jacob was still at home though wouldn’t be joining us for dinner at Barley’s. Instead, he was going to a soccer uniform try-on thing with his dad. Wanted us to bring him home his regular order. Mindy showed off the augmented laundry room shelving. Looks nice – more organized.

We readied and left for Barley’s 15 minutes later. There wasn’t a big crowd. We got a spot in the main lot, which is rare. Just the three of us, and since Justin wasn’t working, Mindy was OK taking a small barside table. Looking around, we didn’t recognize many of the employees. Rachel was working the bar. I think we were introduced a couple visits back. Mindy went up and ordered our beers. I asked for a Centennial. She went with a Hoptopus and Bella ordered Dr. Pepper. We ordered a basket of fries too. They came quickly but weren’t quite up to expectations. More often than not, they’re right out of the fryer fresh. Not this time.

We ordered food about 10-15 minutes later. Mindy ordered flat iron steak. I ordered a brisket quesadilla. Bella ordered chicken tenders. I ordered a 2nd beer, another Centennial. I actually ordered a Pale ale but they were out. Mindy placed a to-go order for Jacob about 10 minutes before we left. Mindy drank half my 2nd beer. We headed for home around 720pm.

We were expecting Jacob to be gone when we got home but he wasn’t. Not quite sure what the issue was. He woofed down his to-go order quickly despite it not being prepared quite right. I was changed into my comfy lounging attire within 15 minutes of arriving home. And not long after that, I was on the sofa relaxing. I tuned into The Worm Hole, with Morgan Freeman. Haven’t caught any of the new episodes lately. Interesting. Mostly about artificial intelligence and artificial life forms. Of course I fell asleep shortly after 9pm. I woke around 1025pm and headed up to bed. I expected to find Mindy sleeping, but instead she was reading or doing a puzzle. Bella was snuggled up with her, too. Mindy dispatched Bella to bed. I fell asleep with Mindy’s reading light still aglow.