Make it Pretty For Me

 

Can't Wait !

Thanks in part to a holiday trade, I was officially on TG break. To that end, I slept in until 730am, and by then I felt 100% rested. Downstairs, I glanced out at the weather, which was nothing short of a winter wonderland. It was cold, snowy, and icy. I started coffee then slowly completed calisthenics. It was Wednesday which meant it was a push-up day. Exercise was complete and the coffee brewed by 750am. I settled down at my desk near 755am.

It wasn’t more than 30-40 minutes later before Mindy was up. Frankly, I was a little surprised. She had some errands to run, including a dental appointment and then a stop at her mother’s to help her get our TG turkey in the oven, but neither of those required her to be up so early.

Shortly after enjoying some coffee, Mindy started taking down TG decorations. I teased that it was almost sacrilege to do so. While Mindy headed off to the shower, I headed off on a run. Footing was downright treacherous. The walks and roads a blend of uneven ice and snow. I was extra careful. I ran the full 4.1 miles perhaps a little slower than usual, but made back home safe and in one piece.

Checked my work phone. Saw I had a missed call from a peer. I listened to the VM. Obviously, she didn’t remember/know that I was off. My bad, however, I failed to set my out of office the evening before. I went ahead and took care of that right then. I sent her a message, too, letting her know my status.

Mindy was just about ready to leave the house when I got back. I asked if she intended to take the kids with her. The night before, she told them that they were going, but she confided in me that she might let Jacob stay home. Nope, they were going. Had them both up a few minutes later. She planned to leave them at Mawmaw’s while she headed to her dental appointment. Said she most likely wouldn’t be home until 1pm. Oh!

Before they left, Bella asked if she could scrape my car free of the ice and snow. Sure, but only on the sidewalk side. We didn’t want her going out in the road. The kid loves playing in the snow. Soon after they left, I headed out to the shed to fetch the snow shovels and sleds. Winter snuck up on us this year. Still haven’t winterized the yard (I.E. stow flower pots, disconnect and blowout the hoses). I exchanged three rakes currently in the garage with snow shovels. I took a few minutes to clear the ice & snow from the stoop and walk leading the driveway. Afterwards, I sprinkled a little icy melt.

Back inside, I spent my time working on my blog and pictures. Exchanged a couple texts with David asking if he was serious about coming into town to ski MRM with us on Saturday. He was serious. Said he planned on arriving Friday evening – just him.

Mindy and the kids were home around 1pm. Jacob bundled warmly as was soon off to play with friends. Bella dressed for winter snow play and headed out in the backyard by herself. She came inside asking for a rope for one of the sleds. She kept busy outside in the snow by herself for about two hours.

While the kids were out playing, Mindy was busy decorating the house for Xmas, which is generally a job she completes on the Friday after TG. Her main focus was the living and dining rooms. I helped a little by carrying heavy totes stuffed full of our regular knick knacks to the basement. In a hurry, the afternoon turned to evening. The kids were scheduled to spend the night and then TG day with Jimaken. He arrived near 5pm, or shortly after I began making sauerkraut balls. Jimaken planned on dropping the kids at Mawmaw’s house around 5pm TG evening.

Mindy and I planned to go to Barley’s. Figured we’d leave the house around 630-645pm. I finished concocting the sauerkraut balls and then cleaning up my mess by 6pm. I headed for a much needed shower shortly thereafter. The shower felt terrific. By the time both of us were ready it was closer to 645pm. We took the Pilot because it was already scraped. As it was, the Accord remained partially packed in cold, icy snow. I asked if we had an empty growler on board. We did. Anymore, Mindy’s really good about keeping one in the Pilot for the ready.

Never sure what to expect crowd-wise at Barley’s on TG eve. Over the years, I’ve seen it standing room only, and then other times sparsely attended. Judging by the parking lot, it was very crowded at all. We got a parking spot in the main lot. The bar was about 2/3s full, and sitting at the corner was Steve W. along with Ben & Ryan. The three of them made room for Mindy and I to squeeze in.

Katie and Janet were working the bar. Mindy ordered a St Joan’s Revenge while I went with their flagship pale ale. We didn’t really plan to stay too long so we were pretty quick to order food. We ordered a carnivore sampler with a double order of St Louis ribs and brisket. With no preference, I let Mindy choose the sides: fries and green beans.

As long as I’ve been a loyal Barley’s customer, I’ve eaten their ribs only once, and that was just last month. They were delicious then and just as good or even better this go around. Impressive! While I ordered a 2nd beer – a Centennial, Mindy opted for ice water. Instead of beer, she ordered dessert - bread pudding. We agreed to take a growler of St Joan’s home, too. It wasn’t even 830pm when we asked for our check. I covered it. Ben & Ryan asked our plans. Suggested they would stop by and hang out for a few. Why not? Just before we left, I ordered a 2nd growler, only this one filled with Centennial.

Got home still a few minutes ahead of 9pm. Mindy & Ryan enjoyed some St Joan’s while Ben and I enjoyed some Centennial. We hung out until 1030pm, the evening culminating in the four of us playing cards. After Ben & Ryan, I was really hungry, so I raided the fridge eating a tub of veggies (carrots, tomatoes and celery) and then a bowl of chicken & noodles. Yum! While worked to satisfy my late night hunger, Mindy did a little more Xmas decorating. We headed to bed around 1130pm..