Growler Exchange

I woke a few times earlier but ended up sleeping in until after 630am. In fact, I didn't get out of bed until Mindy was in the shower. I noticed that she prepared her own coffee. It was sitting on the dresser near the shower. I brushed my teeth, gathered my running clothes, then headed downstairs. Mindy cracked open the shower door asking for a quick smooch before I could slip out.

Downstairs, I checked out the weather from the deck. It was clear, sunny and warm. I did exercises next, whipping out sit-ups, windmills and push-ups. Was settled in front of my laptop with coffee by 7am. Jacob had just recently headed out the door to catch the bus.

I checked the forecast. Still calling for a high of 85 with mostly sunny skies early on but a chance of storms later. We could actually use a good soaking rain. Just don't want it to stick around for a week. As for work, my early focus was on knocking out a report I compile every Friday. I was still working on that when Mindy left for school around 730am. By then Bella was up and downstairs. We chatted a little as she prepared for her school day.

Bella and I headed out at our usual time of 752am. We took the pug, who up to that point hadn't yet been outside. We were the first at the bus stop, but the others were just a minute or two behind us. Big Jake came to the bus stop with Chrissy. She was taking him to see the doctor later that morning after his eczema started flaring up. Told her about Mindy's new cream that might be of some help.

After the bus swooped up the kids I headed across the street with the pug. It was a glorious morning, and the last work day of summer as autumn arrives on Sunday. And it's almost as if the weather gods were in tune with the seasonal switch. Rain and a high of 70 set for Saturday, and then upper 60s and sunny on Sunday.

Back home with the pug near 815am. I all but finished the report I was working on then headed out for a run. Like many work from home Friday's, I ran only 3 miles. Was back at home by 910am. It was trash day. Our can was emptied early on. Our side of the street is always one of the first to be taken care of. I drug our can back to its resting place before heading in.

Much like the day before, I didn't have any scheduled calls or meeting and was hopeful that it would remain like that for the entire day. I've needed a couple low key work days. The work day cooperated. AS such, I was able to take care of a couple lingering to-dos that always seem to get cast aside as more pressing matters arise. Yippie!

Near 1130am I headed out to mow the lawn. Took something less than an hour start to finish. There were so many walnuts down in the back that it sounded similar to a machine gun as I ran over them. In hindsight, I probably should've raked them aside before mowing over them. Back inside before 1230pm. I checked on work and things were quiet. I had a couple errands that I very much wanted to run, so I rushed off to the shower. At 1pm I loaded up our snow skis and my ski boots and headed off to ASBCO.

Dropped off our skis for their annual tune-up. Through September it's only $10. What a deal! A couple weeks back when I picked up Jacob's new board, I asked about getting new sole plates for my ski boots. They were in so I left my ski boots this time too. Eric shared that since they were altering my boots that they should really do a release check with my bindings on both pair of skis. OK. I was in and out of there in 10-15 minutes.

My next stop was Saturday's where I got a quick haircut. Same girls working there for 15-20 years. I joked with the manager that her hair color and cut are different every time I come in. She agreed. After my cut I ran across the street to Lowes where I picked up a couple colorful hardy mums for the front stoop. I wouldn't want to miss out on having some fall color out front.

Finally home again by 230pm. I was quickly settled and back at work. It didn't seem like too long at all before Jacob & Bella arrived home from school. We talked the night before about the possibility of going to the Hilliard Davidson football game Friday night with the kids. They both asked about it after school Said we'd decide for sure once Mindy was home. Speaking of Mindy, she was home around 430pm. While I wrapped up my work day she headed out back on the deck. By then it was a hot, dry, sunny late afternoon. Around 515pm I wrapped up my work day then headed out on the deck to water the plants, which were looking more than a little thirsty. Mindy was down at the neighbors talking with Kenny. She shouted out and then walked back home while I was watering. She shared that Kenny informed her that a lot of rain was moving our way and that going to the football game sounded like a bad idea. She offered to take over he watering chore so I could walk over and chat with Kenny. But I was happy to do the watering. Relaxes me, especially after work.

While I watered, several boys, including our Jacob, played football in neighbor Trena's backyard with Kenny. Sounded like they were having fun. By the time I finished watering the once sunny skies turned cloudy almost in an instant. Figured there must be some substance to Kenny's calling for imminent rain. Both kids were pressing Mindy for an answer about the football game. I headed inside to check the radar. Sure enough, I significant line of storms were about to roll through and the forecast was calling for the rain to last through Saturday afternoon. The front stretched all the way from New York to Texas and was moving east - northeast. Sorry, no football game. Jacob promptly asked if we could then do Barley's for dinner. Have we raised them right or what?

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. To unwind and help let go of work, I snuggled up in one of the living room recliners and did some reading. It was just what the doctor ordered. I read for about 45 minutes. And the next time Mindy asked what we were going to do, I was ready to commit. I agreed to do Barley's for dinner. Bella wasn't too pleased with the decision but her vote was vetoed. We were going. We freshened up and left the house near 730pm. We took an older Barley's growler hoping not only to bring one home full of Centennial, but also to trade it in for one of their brand new ones.

The lot was packed but we were fortunate enough to get a parking spot real close to the door that had to just come free. There was a wait for tables so we ordered drinks from the bar, me the Epic pumpkin porter and Mindy a Red Molly. The kids both ordered Dr Pepper. It was about a 15 minute wait for a table. Justin was our server and offered us seating at the new tall community tables or a booth. We opted for the community tables. Before we headed over. Mindy had already worked out the growler exchange with Sarah at the bar.

Mindy ordered a plate of smothered fries as an appetizer at the kids request. And in usual Mindy fashion, she got up and headed off to talk with someone just before the fries arrived. I wisely dished a few onto her plate before the kids and I devoured them all. In fact, I had to push Bella's fork away from Mindy's plate. Mindy thanked us for saving her some. As a rule, I typically don't order food until I've downed my first beer. This evening was no exception. We all put or dinner orders in soon after I finished my 1st beer. Mindy and I ordered burgers, though two different versions. I ordered a bowl of the chicken and sausage soup too. Yum! Jacob went with his regular only with onion straws in lieu of fries. Bella enjoyed the smothered fries so much that she ordered them as her meal. I ordered a Centennial for my 2nd and final beer.

Mindy wasn't going to have a 2nd but eventually did. Neither she nor I could finish our burgers. I boxed up more than half of mine. Since we had two tabs, one at the table and another at the bar, we agreed to take one or the other. Mindy took the table tab and I took the bar. I think I came out ahead on that deal. We left for home at 925pm. It rained for most of our stay at Barley's though it was reduced to a light sprinkle by the time we left for home.

The kids and Mindy suggested we walk down and visit the neighbors once we arrived home. I followed behind, grabbing two White Rajah's from the garage beer fridge. I opted to keep the fresh growler of Barley's Centennial whole for Saturday. Started to rain again at a pretty good clip almost as soon as we stepped upon the neighbors deck. Teri was outside chatting it up with Ivan. I headed in so not to get wet.

Greeted Kenny & Mike. Haven't talked much with either for a couple weeks. Chrissy was there too, but being fairly quiet. I'd just cracked my 2nd White Rajah when Kenny & Mike left to go pick-up Jake from the Davidson football game. He's in the marching band, so he's there rain or shine. Mindy suggested we head home shortly thereafter. It was 1015pm. Both kids asked if they could stay and play with the others until 11pm. Frankly, I was more than a little surprised that Mindy agreed. At home, she headed straight to bed while I stayed up finishing my beer and waiting for the kids.

As agreed, both kids were home just before 11pm. And just before I headed off to bed it began to rain really hard. I was happy for the rain. The lawn and flowers needed a good soaking.