I'll Have a Dubhe!

 

Was up near 8am again feeling no worse for the wear. The sky was completely clear, but also cool - only 61 degrees. Spent time online and enjoying coffee. Headed out for a run around 10am. Mindy was still sleeping when I left.

Mindy was up shortly after I returned from my run. We discussed how our day might unfold knowing that Lindsey and the boys were coming over around 1pm to do laundry. We decided once again to do more work in the pond, sacrificing the lovely weather and life of leisure, and justifying it by saying that doing then would afford as opportunity to play later.

And what we planned on addressing that day was probably the worst part, back by the shed where we had a decent sized tree growing into the water almost horizontally thus trapping debris as it flows downstream, especially during storms. What's more, a very large log, about 12"-14" in diameter and 15' long was lodged in the low hanging branches of the tree, and as such trapped loads of trash and yard debris. Looked nasty.

I attached my Galaxy III to my Bose dock and blared tunes out back while Mindy and I got busy again in the pond. This time I wisely added a heavy rope to our tools at hand. The tree growing horizontally into the water had a trunk about 6' in diameter. I sawed it off about a foot from the bank. It was way too heavy to simply pull out, not to mention the canopy stuck in the pond muck and debris. Pretty quick I knew we'd need the chain saw.

Before its use, I refueled the chain saw and the refilled the chain oil reservoir. I headed into the water with the chain saw, which was slightly more than knee deep. I had to wade out further than I was really comfortable with given the pond's mucky bottom. I asked Mindy to be ready for a rescue. I made two or three cuts then tried dragging two large branches out by hand. No joy! Plan 'B' entailed using the rope to lasso the tree branches then pulling the branches onto land. Took some serious grunting, but Mindy & I got them up and out. As usual, looked like so much more on dry land.

Took about an hour to remove the largest tree. After getting the tree branches free from the pond, we scooped out all the trash and yard debris previously trapped by the branches. That was nothing short of nasty. We used a 5 gallon pail to scoop the smaller mucky stuff up and out. Next, we had to decide what to do with the large log floating nearby. Luckily, the deepest part of the pond, right behind the shed, had a somewhat rocky bottom, so it was easy to move around. I There, the water was about 3' deep therefore I was able to move the large log around easily, employing its buoyancy. Moved it along neighbor John's bank where we lodged it between several boulders. Happy with the progress we made in the water, it was now time to manage the enormous pile of tree/shrub debris.

About the time we finished in the water, Lindsey and the boys showed to do laundry. Right away, Landon asked if he could help. He genuinely likes being around us helping. He and Mindy cut up branches while I manned the chain saw and then carried load after load back to the compost pile. This time we had to extend the compost pile along the storm sewer drain and across the neighbors yard effectively creating an anti-erosion wall of debris. Landon was a big help, not once complaining.

Mindy and I had already loosely discussed Lindsey's latest financial dilemma. Mindy planned on discussing options for truly helping her out of the problem once she was inside. We also planned on visiting Sam's Club to pick-up more of those yummy tenderloin steaks. Once we finished moving the piles of debris, Mindy headed in to shower while I cleaned up the tools.

While Mindy showered, I had to help the wee ones fishing from the bridge. Rocky came running hysterical that they needed help removing a bloody fish from the pole and hook. I walked around the house to find Rocky in his socks without shoes. I quickly torched him for doing so, insisting that he go inside and put on his shoes, that or remove the socks. I then removed the bloody fish then headed back to the task at hand. When crossing the street I noticed deep scratches from the front all the way to the back of Lindsey's Civic. And if that wasn't enough, the scratch looked orange. I was pissed. As usual, she denied any responsibility. Then, as I walked around the car, I found a similar scratch along the passenger side as well. Now I was really pissed. She went on to share that her grandpa (Kelly's dad) tried using rubbing compound and that's what turned the scratches orange. DAMMIT! The car is only 9 months old and already looking like a beater.

Not five more minutes went by before i heard more commotion from the bridge. That's right, the kids caught another bluegil and were struggling to remove the hook. Lindsey was trying but dropping it every time, all the while having her cell phone to her ear. I wasn't about to help again. This time I insisted that Lindsey get off the damn phone and focus on the kids and the fishing.

While I wrapped up my doings outside, Landon asked if I would hook up the slip n' slide. Sure, why not? It was torn slightly but still useable. AS we've learned in the past. You're lucky if you get more than one good day's use out of them. This would be its fourth deployment. Landon played alone for just a short period of time before being joined by neighbors Evan and another toe-head boy about his same size. I let them play for about 15 minutes, or until there was a puddle of mud at the base of the slide. By then the slide was trashed. I let them play in the hose after that.

Inside, I was trying my best to manage my anger towards Lindsey. I just don't know where to begin, or end for that matter. Mindy was soon out of the shower. Originally, she talked about going to Sam's before having the financial discussion with Lindsey, but I convinced her to have that conversation while I was in the shower. I didn't expect it to go well. After all, we were proposing that our help be contingent on her allowing us full access to manage her finances (bank account). I won't go into her misguided financial moves but they're something even Jacob wouldn't do.



15-20 minutes passed before I returned downstairs. Mindy had her online banking pulled up and the two of them were having a heated debate over her finances. I know Lindsey well. She was espousing pretty much what I predicted she might. Bottom line, she wants our help but doesn't want us to have any control or say. But Mindy and I already talked about her possible rebuttle and our position. We simply weren't willing to negotiate. So when Lindsey asked if we could compromise, we sternly rejected any such notion. But Lindsey stood her ground, too, even going as far as saying she'd rather go back to living at the YWCA. Hey, can't fix stupid! After all, what we offered was real help, but not enablement. As sad as her emotional response was, we weren't going to budge.

While their finance discussion wrapped up, I was preparing to leave with the boys, taking them to Great Clips for haircuts. Usually well-groomed, they haven't had a hair cuts all summer. Mindy suggested that I stop at Sam's Club for steaks while out. I agreed. She gave her membership & bank card.

The haircuts at Great Clips were quick. Took both boys at the same time. Must've been five stylists working with no current customers sitting. I described the cut each wanted. I got a kick of out Landon insisting to the stylist that he didn't want a Mohawk. Were in and out of there in less than 12 minutes.

Afterwards, we headed directly across the street to Sam's Club where we picked up two packages of tenderloin (filets) steaks. Also picked up half dozen double-chocolate muffins. Yum! As he often does in any store, Rocky asked for almost everything his eyes spotted. He also stayed on me about taking him directly home to his momma. He doesn't like to be far from her side - insecure!!!! Landon, on the other hand, was more interested in asking to stay for dinner and have a steak. :) We headed back to the house.

Lindsey was still there but preparing to head home with her completed laundry. Mindy gave me a look, a look that defined their time together. I knew instantly that it hadn't gone any better. Lindsey left with Rocky in a huff stating that there wasn't any way she would consider our offer. I guess she wanted/expected yet another hand out. Said to call when Landon was ready to come home.

Calm befell our home after the two of them departed. That was nice. We grilled one package of tenderloins. Mindy also baked potatoes in the oven and prepared a fresh garden salad. We ate dinner around 6-630pm. Predictably, Lindsey texted Mindy asking how long we'd want to manage her finances. Strategically, we opted not to respond. Simply put, our plan or no plan.

Mindy did text back that dinner was all but over around 7-715pm. Lindsey came by to get Landon a bit later. While there, she agreed to let us manage her finances just as Mindy had proposed. The whole idea is an effort to teach Lindsey how to account for every penny. The facts are that she makes enough money to easily pay all of her bills.

Calm once again befell our home. While Mindy played on her laptop, I talked Bella into a bike ride. We did about two-three miles making a brief stop at the McVey's where we chatted with Lane and Collin, who were doing bike tricks.

I was excited about the first NFL game of the season, the Hall of Fame game featuring the Cowboys vs. the Dolphins. Love football season. Not sure how they chose which teams play in the HF game. I know the Cowboys played in it 2 or 3 years ago too against the Bengals.

Mindy headed to bed extremely early. I think the weekend's pond clearing work tuckered her out. I watched quite a bit of the game from the family room, at least well into the 3rd quarter. To bed by 11pm but couldn't sleep. Was up again around 230am. Ugh! Back to bed near 340am. Fell asleep near 4am.