About that Yard

I slept well, and like most work days I woke naturally somewhere between 5-530am. I managed to fall back asleep again until 615am , which was when I decided it was time to get up and out of bed. Downstairs, I went immediately to the guest bath to take a leak, but as soon as I grabbed the door knob, David let me know that he was busy in there. Until then, I didn’t realize that he was up.

Seconds later I heard the coffee maker beep, alerting that the brewing process was complete. Although still a little bleary eyes, I knew something was amiss. After all, I had the brew cycle set to begin at 530am, which meant the coffee should’ve completed its brew cycle about 45 minutes earlier. Once David was out of the restroom he shared that he hit the go button again, which prompted the second completion beep. Mystery solved.

David soon shared that he’d just woken up too. I had to laugh to myself. He literally hits the ground running and talking as if he’s been up for hours. I was still in the fresh out of bed mode, you know, quiet, and still having to process every thought. I slipped into my exercise shoes then headed to the living room for calisthenics. After sit-ups and windmills, I altered my routine a little, choosing to whip out push-ups in the foyer instead of the kitchen by the laundry room door. I didn’t want to be a spectacle in front of David. Once 50 push-ups were behind me, I felt much more awake and headed back to the kitchen for my first cup of coffee.

David was busy online looking at ski jackets. He shared some of the deals he turned up online for North Face ski jackets. After calisthenics I took Mindy coffee. Back downstairs I headed to my desk where I played and worked a little. I planned on delaying my run until Bella was on the bus and David on the road for home. Around 7am I headed upstairs to grab my little worn Descents ski jacket to show David. It’s a really nice jacket but one I wear infrequently. Instead, I opt for a lighter, more layered approach.

Mindy and Bella were downstairs around 715am, and very soon Mindy was out starting the Pilot. Before leaving for school, Mindy gave David a hug goodbye. Once Mindy was gone, David soon loaded his truck for home. I gave him the baggie full of mini-ham sandwiches we packed for skiing. That would save him some time, not needing to stop for food on the drive home. He departed for home near 745am.

Approximately ten minutes later, Bella, the pug and I headed to the bus stop. Like usual, there we met all the others. The bus showed up near 8am and soon Eiknarf and I were across the street doing our morning walk thing. Suddenly, life was back to normal.

Back at the house, I spent a few minutes enjoying another cup of coffee, then did a thorough meditation and stretch before seguing to my run. I headed out the door for it near 9am. Felt great. Like most work days, I did the full 4.1 miles. Weather-wise, it was rather mild, at least for this time of year. It was cloudy and 36 degrees. Expecting a high approaching 50 and then even warmer through Thursday just ahead of the next winter storm. But thankfully, they’re promising more snow and cold by Friday.

Back home around 945am, I checked in with work and then fried the pug and I some eggs. Enjoyed breakfast ahead of my standing Monday team call. Team call went well. Stayed busy through about 1230pm when I set work aside and forced myself outside to address some yard chores, namely yard/deck winterization. Typically have all that done before TG, but the cold and snow crept up on us fast this year.

I unlocked the shed, fetched the tractor and trailer, then spread out a tarp. I pulled and cut all the dead potted plants then tossed them on the tarp then carried the large, heavy pots still filled with potting soil to the shed for winter storage. Last year I dumped all the potting soil, but that stuff is expensive. No sense throwing it away. All totaled, I stowed four large pots and several hanging baskets. Next, I pulled the cushions from the patio furniture. I could stow them in their winter bags until they have some time to dry out a bit more thoroughly. I carried them to the garage for the time being. I was able to pack up the deck pillows. They were already dry. Quickly, the deck took on its winter character – barren.

Still not done, next, I disconnected the hoses from the spigots and removed the nozzles. Like last year, choosing to leave the hose reels out for the winter. They’ll be fine with both ends opened to air. I wasn’t quite done. Next, I fetched my blower and blew the leaves that collected in the rear flower beds again. I then mowed and mulched over them with the tractor. That was fun and efficient. I am very impressed with how good a job the Deere’s mulching blades did, even in thick leaf coverage. The conditions weren’t ideal either. Because of the recent snow, most of the leaves were wet. Still, they didn’t hold a candle to the tractors dual mulching blades.

I put away my things and headed inside around 2pm. All that remains to complete yard winterization is to pull up cannas bulbs. I hope to get to that soon before they’re ruined by a freeze. I spent the rest of my day working on monthly reports. Jacob got home at his usual time, which is between 245-3pm. After a snack, he asked if he could go outside to play basketball. Bella was home an hour later. She went to work on her routine chores without being asked. As usual, she was in a great mood, which always brings a smile to my face.

Mindy stopped at Kroger on her way home for a few necessities. She was home by 430pm. She planned to make fajitas for dinner using the prepackaged steak and chicken that’s been buying lately. It’s really good. The fajitas smelt terrific. Mindy’s gotten pretty good with her concoction: meat, peppers, onions, etc. She whipped up some plain brown rice and then some salsa too. She used black beans and corn in the salsa. Dinner was ready near 530pm. Bella took a hall pass on fajitas, instead opting for leftover pasta and meatballs. Her loss. The fajitas were outstanding. Clean-up was fairly simple. We used paper plate for our individual meals. Of course I had to hand wash the pots and pans, but rarely mind doing so.

After dinner, Bella headed down to Makayla’s house. Jacob had basketball practice from 8-930pm. Mindy planned to take him but wanted me to do the pick-up. Mindy ran him to basketball practice at 740pm. While she was away, I spent time working on Xmas projects. Did a little online shopping too. Mindy was back before I knew it. I remained at my PC through most of the evening ahead of going after Jacob, though I did take some time to chat with Mindy when she came into the living room to relax. She headed to bed between 8-830pm. She’s still not sleeping well. Bella was home from Makayla’s a few minutes later. She was surprised when I told her that her momma was already in bed.

I left to get Jacob at 915pm. It was raining and 38 degrees. Bella told me that there was a slight chance that it would turn to snow, but even if it did it wouldn’t last given the spring like warmth moving in on Tuesday. I arrived at the middle school complex about 5 minutes early. I listened to ESPN radio while waiting. They were talking about the MNF currently in progress. The Seahawks were putting an early beating on the Saints. 930pm came and went. I wondered if I might be at the wrong middle school. I heard Mindy say Heritage. Problem is, I don’t know them by name. But again, they’re right next to one another, so it’s not that big a deal. When the last car pulled away from where I was parked, I drove just down the way to the other middle school. Yep, that was it. I actually tried calling Jacob’s cell but he didn’t answer. Seconds later, I saw him walking out the school doors. On the drive home he shared his frustration with some of his team members. Arrived home by 955pm.

We weren’t up too long after arriving home. I joined Mindy and bed only to learn that she was once again struggling to fall asleep. I asked if I could turn on the MNF game. I also rubbed/scratched her head like she does for me. Ten minutes later I turned off the TV. I guess scratching Mindy’s head made me extra sleepy. 