Cut Here

Wasn't up until almost 6am. Downstairs, I stepped out onto the deck to get a glimpse of the clear September sky. Gorgeous. Took a minute or two to check out all the stars. Back inside, I quickly whipped out calisthenics, which included sit-ups, windmills, and push-ups. Delivered Mindy's coffee next. It was already near 615am. Spent the next 20 minutes online enjoying coffee. Completed meditation and stretching before heading off on a run near 705am. Said goodbye to Mindy since she'd be gone before my return. Once again, it was cool morning, somewhere in the 50s. Expecting a high in the 70s - gorgeous September weather.

I ran 4.1 miles without issue. Was back at the house near 745am. My breakfast was in the microwave and Mindy long gone. Bella confirmed that she walked the pug. We enjoyed our breakfast time together. We headed to the bus stop at our usual 755am. The bus was there and gone by 8am.

I planned on sticking around the house until 10am to meet a tree guy supposedly stopping by to give us an estimate on removing the 6 dead ash trees in our backyard. He was originally supposed to come by Tuesday evening but called and said he couldn't make it. Of course leaving that late for work meant that I'd have to join our 930am call from home. I called my customer contact to let him know not to expect me in the office until 1030am.

I joined the 930am call from home. Went the full 30 minutes. The tree guy never did show. I was more than a little frustrated but also motivated to call a couple other tree companies for estimates. Left VMs for two others. Before leaving the house, I headed out back with a can of orange marking paint and spayed an "X" on all six dead ash trees. That was something the tree guy suggested I do that just in case I wasn't around when he showed. I wore work gloves to prevent getting any on me.

Left the house for New Albany near 1010am. One of the benefits of leaving so late was next to no cross town traffic. Arrived near 1035am. Quiet day working at the customer's campus but also very productive. Worked straight through opting not to take a formal lunch break. Not only did I make significant progress on that year-to-date presentation but also got started on my monthly report. Left for home a little later than perhaps I wanted. Told Mindy I'd be leaving no later than 445pm. Didn't get out of there until 5pm. Compounding that, traffic was backed up turning immediately out of their parking lot.

It was supposed to be date night, but I wasn't committed to going anywhere after a very busy past week. I think we were out every evening going back to the previous Wednesday. Plus, we'd be back at it again this Thursday evening at the Zappa on Zappa show. Traffic slowed to a crawl near Hilliard on 270. Didn't get home until 550pm. Mindy asked about going somewhere. I suggested we simply stay home. She wasn't disappointed, or at least she didn't act as such.

We ended up enjoying leftovers. She ate Benihanna leftovers while I enjoyed the leftover steak and sea bass we grilled Sunday night. It was good. I took a brief nap on the living room floor after dinner and then did some extensive reading in the recliner. All that made for a very relaxing evening. Quite nice. The kids didn't get home from an evening with Jimaken until almost 830pm. Bella was excited, sharing that his girlfriend, Molly gave her a bag full of salt water taffy.

Mindy headed to bed early - near 9pm. I stayed up about an hour longer eventually enjoying a bowl of cereal and some internet time. I had to shoo Bella off to bed just after 930pm.