Laundering for Molly

Vitayu - Ukrainian

I found myself unwilling to get up when perhaps I should’ve. Instead, I slept in until 605am. It wasn’t too big a deal. I’d simply have to remain on task and avoid any further procrastination. Downstairs, I opened the back door to the deck. It was cold – winter –type cold! It was Wednesday so push-ups were in order. I completed those and the rest of my regimen by 615am.

Delivered Mindy’s coffee next. By then it was 620am. Back downstairs I enjoyed some coffee and internet. I didn’t have a lot of time though. I stopped playing around 645am and moved on to meditation, stretching and ultimately my run. I headed out the door somewhere close to 7am. It was only 21 degrees, so it felt like the dead of winter. I was dressed for it, however, and as a result comfortable throughout the 4.1 mile run. Unlike the morning before when the cold air made my teeth ache, this time I barely noticed it.
Was surprised to see Mindy’s Pilot still setting in the driveway at home. It was running/warming, and she came out the front door just as I was getting my breath at the foot of the drive. A quick hug and smooch later, she was off to work and I was inside. Without missing a beat, I leashed up the pug then headed back out for a walk. Mindy was still in the process of backing out.

The pug and I were out for only 7 minutes. Perhaps the chilly air was enough of an incentive to push through her business. Back inside I nuked my eggs for 10 seconds and put my toast back in the toaster for a similar amount of time. Just like new! Breakfast was good. Soon it was time for Bella and me to head out. I planned to shower after bus time.

Met all the others at the bus stop. Despite their mother’s request that they remain on dry pavement, Ryan and Sarah ran around gleefully in what remained of Tuesday’s snow. Oh to be 4 & 6 again! Uh … no!
The bus came along near 8am and I headed back home. I didn’t take the pug this time since she and I were just out. I took a few minutes to enjoy another cup of coffee and some music then headed off to the shower at 815am sharp.

I was downstairs and ready to go by 835am. I headed out to warm the Accord for a few minutes, all the windows caked in heavy frost. On the road by 845am. It was an easy drive across town. Took about 25 minutes. I hurried inside so I could get settled and then join our standing 930am call. Made it! The call was quick. Not a lot of pressing issues needing addressed. Our monthly service review meeting was scheduled for 11am. I had an hour or so before it began. I used the time wisely, getting started on a last minute request from my boss.

I didn’t realize that my boss was coming in for the monthly service review but nevertheless, I was happy to see him show up onsite. We headed to the meeting together after catching up a few things. The presentation went well. Afterwards, the boss and I did lunch together in the cafeteria - a rare occurrence for me. I had a roasted turkey sandwich on rye and lemonade. It was good.

Boss man headed out soon after lunch and I spent the rest of my afternoon catching up several other to-dos. Talked with Mindy shortly before I left the office to head home and again once I was safely merged onto the freeway. I left the office near 440pm. We talked for less than 5 minutes. It was date night and the kids had afternoon dental appointments that Jimaken agreed to take them to. Mindy also shared that she received an email from Jacob's basketball coach that afternoon sharing that their first practice was that night from 8-930pm. Jimaken agreed to drop him off. We agreed to go after him at 930pm.

I called Tommy next. Haven't talked with him since casino night when Glenn was home last month. We talked for a while. He was in Michigan (a suburb of Ann Arbor) for a Domino's franchisee rah-rah meeting. Said the stores are doing well. Confirmed his participation in the family ski trip to Tahoe slated for mid February. Then, after sharing the flight info I had been looking as well as the price, he asked me to buy his airline ticket when I purchase ours to guarantee we'd be traveling together. I got home around 510pm.

Mindy was upstairs getting ready for date night. All I needed/wanted to do was brush my teeth and freshen up. We left the house somewhere near 530pm destined for none other than Barley's. Another really good crowd on hand, especially for middle of the week. The bar and restaurant were both full. We had to wait a couple minutes for stools to free. But as often is the case, a couple barstools freed right in front of us and we promptly swooped in.

After hemming and hawing over the beer menu, I opted for a Barley's pale ale even though I was originally going to go with a Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald. That's what Mindy ordered. We chatted with Janet, who's 6 or 7 months pregnant. Looks and feels good. A bit later Walt the balloonist stopped over to show us a couple pics of the Macy's TG Day parade balloon prep. He and his wife are handlers. Spent the last weekend in N.J. practicing. Cool pics.

Talked with David, the still rather new manager. Still digging his job. He's a good kid. Mindy and I ordered food around 630pm. I went with wings. Mindy ordered three something or other mini sandwiches with onion straws. We shared a basket of fries with buffalo sauce for dipping too. Lastly, I ordered another pale ale, only this time Janet brought me an Edmund Fitzgerald by mistake. Rather than have her take it back, I opted to drink it. I ended up giving at least a 1/3 of my 2nd pint to Mindy. I didn't want to drink much more.

I ate only 4 or 5 of the wings. They were decent, but I just wasn't that hungry. We left for home around 720pm, well ahead of Bella's expected return, which figured to be around 815pm since Jimaken was dropping Jacob at basketball practice first. We hung out at home relaxing in the quiet of the livingroom for about 30-40 minutes before Bella got home. I was a little surprised that Molly walked her in instead of Jimaken. Earlier, Mindy found one of her sweaters mixed in with Bella's laundry. Mindy washed it and retrieved it for Molly before she left. She and Mindy get along swimmingly. She seems so nice - sweet!

Mindy asked Bella if she was interested in all three of us riding to get Jacob around 915pm. Bella had no desire. She wanted to stay home which also meant that I'd be staying home with her. Either way was OK with me. But I certainly understood Bella's desire to relax at home. She'd been on the go since midafternoon when Jimaken picked her up for the dental appointment.

Mindy left around 915pm and was gone for about 25 minutes. We expected Jacob would tear into our Barley's leftovers when he got home but he said he didn't want them. Hmmm? Not sure if he ate anything before heading up to bed. We didn't stay up much later than that either. We were in bed before 10pm.