After a 4.1 mile run, I completed my 54th Lap Around the Sun

Dining under the Rainbow!

That's an in Salt!

 How big are you, Jimmy? "So Big!

I was up and downstairs very near 540am. The first thing I did after donning my dog walking shoes was step out onto the deck to get a feel for the weather. It was warm and muggy under partly cloudy skies. Was happy that I could see stars. It felt more like August 11th than September. Was expected to be in the low 90s sometime in the afternoon. Tucked my toes under the lip of one of the recliners and whipped out sit-ups. Next up I did windmills then push-ups.

Enjoyed coffee while playing on the computer until almost 610am. That's when I headed upstairs to wake Mindy. These days it's hard to find a spot for her coffee, between the magazines, her phone, a book or two as well as other miscellaneous stuff. I feel my way through its placement. She wished me a happy birthday for which I expressed thanks then hurried back downstairs to carry on with my daily agenda. For the first time I more than a year I read the Daily OM, an article about gazing deep into someone's eyes to reveal their true self and soul. I had to laugh though when the author suggests gazing deep for upwards of 20 minutes. I tried that in a staff meeting one time ... :)

Meditation and stretching were next. Both proved beneficial helping frame the rest of my day around positive thoughts. Headed off on my run near 635am. Ran without a shirt as the current temp was a balmy 74 degrees and near 90% humidity. Cool weather coming, though. Come Friday only in the 60s and night time lows around 42. Friends, that's gonna feel icy cold!

Ran the full 4.1 miles. Reminded myself several times that it was my birthday. Those brief thought patterns harkened me back to younger days. But as quickly as they entered, my mind just as quickly turned elsewhere, almost on autopilot. Other thoughts included work, home life, retirement, and the weekend ahead. My run was over in a hurry.

With little hesitation, I leashed up the waiting pug then headed off on a walk. Was back at the house near 725am. Mindy had my breakfast - eggs - waiting in the microwave. Bella reluctantly gave me a birthday hug, dreading wrapping her arms around my sweaty body. Mindy gave me another birthday hug, kiss and well wishes. She left for school near 730am. Before heading out the door she reminded me of two things: one, don't set the security system since Deena was coming by to clean the house for the first time. She also clarified our plan to meet at the Fisherman's Wharf for my birthday dinner. Yep. Didn't make any sense at all for me to come home first. I'd working just a few exits away in New Albany.

Decided to hold off on a shower until after Bella was on the bus. Enjoyed the next 25 minutes fooling around on the computer and what not. Received a couple early birthday well wishes via text. Bella and I headed out at our usual 852am. There we met all the others. Chrissy made sure to tell all that it was my birthday. I was happy keeping it under cover. The bus showed up a few minutes late, but still close to 8am. I was back home, in the shower, out and dressed by 821am. No wasting time here.

Packed a light lunch then left for New Albany arriving near 850am. Traffic presented no issues. It was a gorgeous morning - sunny and warm. I was soon so wrapped up in work that I once again lost sight of the fact that it was my birthday. My boss called to let me know that he was on his way, planning to sit in on my monthly presentation. Cool! As soon as he got there we chatted about the following weekend's planned cabin trip. I let him know that Mindy gave it her blessing. He soon shared that I was misinformed that the date was October 19/20, not September. Oops! He scrambled to find other dates that might work. Suggested a couple in early Nov. Shared that I'd have to run those by Mindy as well.

Did the monthly presentation at 1110am in one of the director's offices. Went well. Informative. Lots of questions, too, which I actually appreciate. Means all of my work is not falling on deaf ears. Shortly after we wrapped up my boss suggested we do lunch in the cafe'. Not wanting to always refuse the invite, I accepted, my refrigerated lunch be damned. :)

They have a vast array of freshly made choices including a grill, assorted wraps and pita sandwiches, stir fry, and salads. I opted for a cheese burger and fries. My boss laughed at my 'bad' lunch. Said he's never seen me eat so poorly. Not far from the truth. We talked through lunch, covering all sorts of topics - all work related.

He didn't stick around too long after lunch. He had a meeting in another campus building with other leaders. I spent the afternoon tackling an assortment of to-dos. When given half a chance, I checked my phone where I received a handful of more birthday wishes.

Packed up for home at 450pm. Felt good to get outside and feel my life again. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in work that I lose sight of myself, if that makes any sense. As I made my way to 270N, I decided to detour into the nearby Speedway and but the winning Power Ball ticket. Why not? The jackpot was about $250 million and it was my birthday. I could feel and see my reaction after waking Thursday morning to find out that I was in fact the winner!!!!!!!! Took just a couple minutes to wrap up the winning transaction. Once on 270, I noticed what looked like a developing thunderstorm just north of downtown complete with cloud to ground lighting strikes.

I called Mindy once safely merged into the center lane. She and the kids were just about to leave the house for Polaris and the Fisherman's Wharf. Said she'd cell me back once on the road. Meanwhile, I made excellent time arriving at the Wharf near 505pm. Didn't even take 10 minutes. I was on the phone with Mindy when I arrived. They were just coming up on Tuttle mall and were in a storm. I could see it coming but it was moving really slow - almost like it was developing overhead instead of moving swiftly across town like usual.

I sat in the Accord listening to ESPN on XM waiting on Mindy and the kids. About 5 minutes later all hell broke loose. It started a very sparse, large rain drops but soon turned into a deluge with lightning strikes, sideways winds, and pea sized hail. I was a little concern about my car but what the hell could I do? Nothing! It rained hard for about 15-20 minutes. By the time that Mindy and the kids showed up the sky was already trying to clear and there was rainbow directly east of me. For meeeeeeee??? I snapped a couple photos.

We headed inside. At the time there weren't too many cars in the lot and even less customers inside eating dinner. Most of the current patrons were sitting around the bar. We were taken to a table but not before getting hugs from Maria, the owner operator. Her family also owns the Big Fat, which years ago used to be called the Fisherman's Wharf. This new one is supposed to be a first class seafood place. We've been looking forward to giving it a rub and a whirl for a long, long time. I think it's been open for two years or so. This our first visit. It's right next door to Quaker Steak & Lube.

We ordered drinks then appetizers - me a Jack & Coke, the others all soft drinks. The appetizer, shrimp dynamite. We went big on the entrees. Mindy ordered their pricey baked variety: shrimp, scallops and a large lobster tail. That was my green light. I ordered the Alaskan Red King crab legs broiled. Upgraded my sides too, and threw in a small Greek salad as well. Jacob went with Niki's sea scallops. Bella, well, she went for the kiddie cheese burger.

Everything was delicious. During dinner I received still more birthday well wishes via text. In addition, Mindy showed me her FB wall with loads more birthday wishes. Also received a couple pesky texts from unknown sources rambling on about this and that. Nefarious troublemakers, I suspected. We ordered a couple desserts to go. Maria insisted on gifting me a luscious dessert complete with a birthday candle. It was a giant piece of cheesecake. And let me assure you, hard to beat Greek desserts. This was no exception. All four of us shared it. Yum!

Headed for home. Both kids rode with Mindy. I took 270 all the way around. Mindy and the kids were behind me leaving but still beat me home. Once home, Mindy and the kids presented me with cards and gifts. Bella was proud of the card she picked, a audible card telling me that I was ancient. They both got a kick out of it. My gift was something I've been coveting for some time, and something I've hesitated ordering for myself, a jawbone jambox! Bluetooth wireless speaker. Sweet!!!!! We did the cake and candles thing again, too. What a wonderful wife & children. I am truly blessed!