Enjoy By (with) Friends

My plan was to sleep as late as I wanted within reason, so when I woke just after 6am feeling completely rested I was at first a little hesitant about getting up. I laid there for a few until it was clear that I wasn't getting back to sleep anytime soon. Downstairs I checked on the coffee then exercised. It was a push-up day. Knocked out 50 in no time. Always happy to have them behind me. Nothing gets the blood flowing at 6am like push-ups.

I stepped out onto the deck to look skyward. It was chilly but with a gorgeous clear sky speckled with oodles of stars. I remembered Bella's request, and promptly headed upstairs to wake her so she could come witness the star-filled sky. She uttered something, not sure what. I did catch that she'd be down soon. I quietly headed right back downstairs.

A couple minutes later Bella came down. Frankly, I was a little surprised, as she's not much of an early morning person. We headed out back to look at the stars. She was amazed with the clarity. I pointed out the dippers she immediately asked about. It was chilly and both of us out there without proper attire. We headed back inside, Bella back upstairs and me off to prepare coffee.

I delivered Mindy's coffee just as she was entering the shower. I don't know that she even realized that I was there. Back downstairs I grabbed my own coffee then headed to my office. Like most work at home Friday's, I didn't think I would run until after seeing Bella onto the school bus. So for the next 90 minutes I enjoyed coffee, toyed around on the internet, and got busy with work.

Mindy clarified my intentions once she was downstairs. Asked if I wanted breakfast. Nah. She left for school around 730am shortly after seeing the Bella was up and moving. I shared that Bella was up earlier but just long enough to look at the stars. Mindy found that humorous.

I took the pug on a walk between Mindy's departure and bus time. That left little time for anything else between As soon as the pug and I were back it was time to head out with Bella. The actually showed up a couple minutes early, or by 755am. I was quickly back at home and reengaged in work. My plan was to leave for my run no later than 830am. However, that plan was promptly thwarted by a work crisis. The extreme Colorado flooding was wreaking havoc. I had to address a couple urgent requests for help before I could leave for a run.

I think it was 9am before I finally got out the door. It was sunny and 53 degrees. I opted for shorts and a light, short-sleeved running shirt. A little chilly at the outset but comfortable once I got heated up. Like a lot of recent Friday's, I ran just three miles. Back at home, there was little time for anything else. I was quickly reengaged in the Colorado flooding issues. In fact, in one way shape or form, I spent my entire day dealing with that. I didn't even have time to take an hour lunch break and take care of the lawn. That left me a little agitated.

Before I knew it the kids and Mindy were home from school. I was still at my PC in running clothes and stinky. I asked for help keeping things quiet as I needed to join an executive conference call around 430pm. The call went about 40 minutes. And given the circumstances, it was sounding like I might be working well into the wee hours of the morning. I definitely wasn't looking forward to that. After all, Mindy had a birthday celebration planned for me at Barley's.

My boss, who was about to start a week's vacation, offered that he would cover through the evening hours if I would take over again Saturday morning. Sounded good to me. I let him know how happy that would make my wife given our plans. I wrapped up my work stuff by 545-6pm, or shortly after the kid left with Jimaken, and then headed upstairs for shower. Felt really good to get out of my stale running clothes.

I'm thinking it was close to 630pm when Mindy and I left for Barley's. We parked in the back 40, though there were probably a few spots in the main but I don't like squeezing my car in crowded spaces. That just begs for dings.
Inside, I was greeted at the bar right away by a couple older guys who we see in there fairly regularly. Both, I believe, are now retired. While we laughed and joked, Jersey, who was tending bar, handed me a beer. Didn't say what it was, though I correctly guessed that it was the Stone Enjoy By IPA - a powerful complement to their already popular IPA labels. This particular iteration is a whopping 9.4% abv but is easy to drink. Yikes!

While I stood talking, Mindy meandered around the bar to greet others. A few minutes later she suggested I turn around and look at the booth behind me. It was a table full of former work peeps from CompuServe. Wow! I walked over to say hello. A couple of these folks I haven't seen for several years. We hung out for quite some time. My buddy, Jeff G. stuck around even after the others left. He & I moved over to where Mindy, Steve W. and Rick C. were sitting. Ben & Ryan were there now, too. I greeted all of those I hadn't yet seen or spoken with. I also introduced Jeff to all the others.

Mindy was concerned that I eat something but knew I wouldn't order anything. She placed half her brisket sandwich & remaining fries in front of me. The ploy worked. I ate everything left on her plate.

Jodie and Larry came in around 8pm as did Bob I. Prior to Bob's arrival, I had just the one beer. That soon changed. Bob asked what was good to which I suggested Stone's Enjoy By IPA. He bought one for himself and then one for me. In fact, unless I'm mistaken, I think he bought three of them for me. Doug H. showed later that evening, too. Always good to see Doug. Mindy's ex-principal, Jan and her husband Jeff came in later, too.

I had a wonderful time and I think the others did too. Always fun celebrating the birthday with friends. Mindy & I were the last customer's inside. Behind us all the stools were up on the tables. It couldn't have been much later than 1030pm though. We headed for home and of course she drove.

We didn't stay up too long once home. Mindy was off to bed first. I stayed up long enough to eat two wraps, one with prepackaged chicken breast and the other with just cheese. Yum!