No Creeper, No Bodhi, No ...

Despite being well rested, 530am came around fast. I stole as many extra winks as I could before finally rolling out of bed around 550am. I didn't prep coffee the night before, so I took care of that before anything else. A few minutes later I was on the deck gazing at all the stars against a crisp black sky. No morning moon. I'm guessing we're still a week or so away from that. It's setting in the early wee hours right now.

It was a push-up day. Had all my exercises done by 605am. Coffee time! Spent time online playing. Sent David an email with Glenn's flight info. I thought he was getting in Thursday evening but instead early Friday morning. Still plan to do Yellow Springs that day.

Headed upstairs to wake Mindy at 620am. Once again she asked that I bump up the heat. Yeah, about that programmable thermostat. Enjoyed a little more PC time. If I didn't need to be across town and at work by 9am, I'd have played even longer. Broke away for meditation and a stretch around 632am. Dressed for my run in the bathroom. which isn't the usual, but I didn't want to embarrass Jacob.

I headed out about the same time as him. In fact, he had to step around me as I stretched my hammies from the front stoop. Yahoo said it was 43 degrees, but it felt much chillier than the past two mornings. First time my mind & body have registered the chill this season. Winter's coming. Ran the full 4.1 miles. Felt good.

Home again near 725am. Mindy's Pilot was warming in the drive. And she was just about to walk out when I was walking in. She took a second to grab a tissue to wipe the slobber and snot off my face before planting a light kiss. Hey, you run 4.1 miles out of bed and see what's on your face. I leashed up the pug then navigated my way between her Pilot and the Accord. She waved the pug and I on. She pulled away just after we crossed the street.

Eiknarf was very fast to relieve herself. The mention of eggs easily redirected her attention towards home where they awaited, mine in the microwave, her still in the skillet cooling. I asked Bella to fill her food bowl but she either didn't hear me or was ignoring me. I took care of it. The pug & I enjoyed our breakfast. I had a few minutes to throw together a simple lunch before heading out the door with Bella.

As she often does on dewy morning's, Bella wrote all over my windows and the back of my car on her way to the bus stop. There we met up with all the others. Don't think the bus showed until almost 810am. As soon as she pulled up and Bella was on, I bolted for home and a shower. Left for New Albany near 840am. It was a quick drive. The tight traffic initially merging onto 70E quickly thinned.

It was such a gorgeous morning. My walk into the building was relaxing and enjoyable. Felt as though I was touching a little slice of heaven. It's there in all of us. Check!

Soon I was immersed in work and those peaceful feelings I had coming into the office were quickly gone. So sad.
Had our usual 930am call though there was some initial confusion surrounding whether it was on or off. At 11am we had our monthly service review. That went well, and perhaps even better than expected. Received some genuine praise for a job well done, which always feels good.

Had a 1pm organizational call that I was expected to join, otherwise I might've taken a lunch break. I joined the call as requested. It was lengthy call, well over an hour, covering our 3rd quarter results. At the end there was recognition for a handful of folks. Much to my surprise, I was one of them. Always nice to be recognized amongst peers and by senior leadership. Afterwards, I sent a follow-up email to my boss and his boss thanking them for the praise.

Stayed busy for the duration of the afternoon. Packed up for home around 455pm. Phoned Mindy once safely merged onto 270. Jimaken had just arrived to pick-up the kids. We made plans to have dinner at CBC. Our conversation was brief so she could see the kids off. I tried calling my mom shortly thereafter. She didn't pick-up. I left a VM. Hey, at least I tried.

Traffic was slow around the west outerbelt. Arrived home close to 535pm. Could see that Mindy worked hard to have the downstairs sparkling. Always feels good coming home to a clean and tidy house. We readied and left for dinner within 10-15 minutes of my arrival home. Talked shop all the way there.

Traffic on 70E backed up well ahead of the Front St exit. Always does. Decided to take 71S to Greenlawn - the back way in. That worked well. Arrived at CBC a few minutes later. Parked across the street in Kroger's rear lot where I could maintain eye contact with my vehicle. We were disappointed to learn that they were out of Creeper, Bodhi, and Sohio Stout. Learned a little later than the Stout was still pouring but about to blow anytime. I opted for a regular IPA, which for my money is still one of the best anywhere. Mindy enjoyed the Sohio Stout.

Kate was bartending. We talked with her when the opportunity presented itself. However, it got really busy in spurts. For dinner, Mindy went with the Walleye while I went with the tried and true wings. We ordered sum of their yummy bread, too, but Kate forgot to bring it. That's Kate - lovely, sweet, but forgetful.

The cornbread that came with Mindy's fish was out of this world delicious. Holy smoke. I likened it to deep fried French toast cornbread. Like many of our visits to CBC, we met a couple who were in from Cleveland just to try their beer. We met another couple (term used loosely) who work in CMH three days a week but are from different cities and share an apartment while in town. They were fun to chat with. The guy shared that his younger brother is an artist and lives in Sedona, AZ. Says you've got to visit. Awesome! Adding it to the bucket list.

Mindy picked up the check and we left for home around 740pm. Arrived still ahead of 8pm. No kids and already dark. They got home while I was upstairs changing clothes and brushing my teeth. Mindy offered her leftovers to Jacob, who turned up his nose to the walleye and cornbread. I think he ate cereal instead. It's not like he didn't get dinner. They ate with their dad & Molly. Jacob eats constantly.

While Mindy sat in the living room playing on her phone, I stretched out on the floor near her feet. I might've dosed off for a few minutes but otherwise just relaxed. I upped with new found energy. Around 9m Mindy declared it her bedtime and asked that Bella head to bed at the same time. I stayed up watching Through the Worm Hole, with Morgan Freeman. Episode about extending human life through cloning and other means. Interesting.

Headed to bed around 1005p but after falling asleep for as much as an hour I found myself thinking/worrying about work. I know myself well, the only escape is to get up and out of bed and go do something else. To that end, I headed downstairs where I updated my blog then watched more TV. After an hour or so I was calm and sleepy enough to return to bed. Perhaps better stated, my mind was off work and at peace. I knew sleep would come easy and it did.