Jeepers Creepers

Up near 615am, I headed downstairs for sit-ups, windmills. and push-ups. A few minutes later, I ran a cup of coffee upstairs for Mindy who was just getting into the shower. Downstairs I enjoyed some coffee of my own while playing on the internet and then a few minutes getting organized for another work day at home. Got started on a weekly report that I put together each Friday.

Jacob was out the door and off to school near 650am, then Mindy left about 30 minutes later. Bella, meanwhile, was slow to respond to her wake up call, but eventually blessed us with her presence. Bella, the pug and I headed out at 755am. I walked the pug across the street while the others waited at the bus stop. We joined them once the pug took care of her business.

The bus showed up a bit earlier than the day before. I'll guess around 802am. Soon headed back home where I worked a little longer on that report until deciding that it was time to head out for my run. It was near 830am, partly cloudy and warm. Without giving much consideration, I ran just three miles. Seems whenever I work from home on Friday I more often than not cut it back a mile. Psychological thing I guess.

Back at home I worked on my monthly report until 1145am. Come noon, it seemed the perfect opportunity to head out and take care of the mowing. The tractor mowing was even easier now without the two large ash trees mid backyard, though I still had to navigate around the large mounds of tree stump mulch. Cut the lawn in record time. Because I haven't watered for weeks, parts of the lawn barely needed cut. Headed back inside around 1245pm. Before getting back to work I called Paul's Marine intending to schedule winterization. I asked about getting a tune-up too. Said that negate the need for an appointment and I could bring it up any time. The catch, of course, being that they'll keep it for a week or two. I haven't tuned up the boat in years. It needs it. That's what I'll most likely do.

Kept busy with work all afternoon. Before I knew it the kids were home from school. Jacob had a friend get off the bus with him. Jacob made some disparaging comment about my 'six pack' (belly) when I came in from blowing off the driveway and walks. Bella expressed as a little disappointed that her new TV didn't show. However, I finally got a shipping confirmation email that said it would likely be at our home Monday, which was well within their quoted delivery window. I put the wraps on my work day near 515pm.

I spent the early evening hours hunkered down in one of the living room recliners starting on my very first Kindle book, The Evolution of God. I like the fact that you can make the purchase and begin reading almost instantaneously. I got through the preface and a little of chapter 1 before my attention was called elsewhere. Mindy asked about dinner plans a couple of times. She was specific with the ask, are we going to Barley's. I said yes. What I wasn't sure of was when. Also, what I didn't consider was that Jacob & Bella both had friends over. Both would be going along, meaning four kids at dinner. Yikes!

I decided to suck it up and go anyway. I think it was near 630pm when we left the house. Because of so many, we took the Pilot. Got a decent parking spot recently vacated by some others. Going to Barley's with children changes the dynamic some. Instead of bellying up to the bar we always request a table. And when we request a table, more often than not it's in Justin's section. He let Mindy know that he would trade another server tables so he could take care of us.

While waiting just a minute or so, I noticed that they had CBC's Creeper on tap! That made my evening. And what makes it even funnier is that they don't have any at CBC. On our way to the table I told Justin that I wanted one of those - no question about it. He didn't disappoint. Soon brought my Creeper and Jacob and Bella Dr Peppers. He confirmed what each friend wanted as well as Mindy. She ordered a Creeper too. We both love it. Oh, and by the way, it's 10% abv. Yikes! We ordered some loaded fries to share too.

Make no mistake, with few exceptions, I go to Barley's to drink beer. Good food just happens to be a bonus. When the other's ordered their entree's I suggested Justin simply bring me another Creeper. A bit later, however, I ordered a hummus platter just so I would have some food in belly. The Creeper was going down smoothly. CBC's DIPAs are rare in that they go down so easily. Scary, really.

Had a good conversation with Jacob's buddy, Joel. Seems like very nice boy - smart, athletic, and caring. Loves his momma, too. Mindy had just the one beer. I made sure to pick up the slack drinking, count 'em, 4 of those bad boys before it was all said and done. Needless to say, I was feeling no pain. I packed up half of my humus platter for the trip home.

Mindy dropped me, Bella and Ema at home then she and Jacob ran Joel home. He lives in the subdivision just across the street - not far at all. By the time Mindy got home again, I had music blaring from my PC - mostly Edward Sharpe. Exchanged a couple texts with Darwin, who I thought might stop by. He never did, at least while we were awake. However, I knew I wouldn't last much beyond 11pm given that I was up early for a work day.