Hip-Hip Hooray for Xmas Vacation - a Double Xmas Ale

Last work day prior to my Xmas vacation

Up around 645am, I was quickly exercised and at my desk with coffee.

Seasonably warm - 34 degrees with an expected high near 45 later in that afternoon.

Headed out for a run around 845am. Ran just three miles. Easy run.

Jacob had 3 overnight guests - all were picked up by parents by 11am.

Mindy was off running errands by then. I think Joel was the last to go. His mom dropped off some baked Xmas goods. How sweet! Mindy was off to Hugh White Honda to have the oil changed, tires rotated, and have the battery checked/replaced. Ended up having it replaced without getting the official word that it was dying. But it's 5 years old and cranking a little slow on cold mornings. Mindy said she didn't want to risk it. Good call, dear!

Easy work day. Set out-of-office on both phones (desk & mobile) and email.

Planned to do dinner at Barley's.

Before that, however, Bella and I made a run to Best Buy and then Target looking for a case and keyboard for her Surface. She had $100 in gift cards from Xmas. I was surprised how expensive the compatible bluetooth keyboards are ($130). They were completely out of stock. We only bought a case. Bella asked if we could stop at Target before heading home to check there. Sure.

Low and behold, we ran into none other than Mindy & Jacob in Target. They were looking for ski mittens. We shopped together for a few minutes but then dashed off for home. Oh, they don't even carry Surface stuff. Mindy & Jacob had a couple more errands to run. Where exactly, I can't recall. We beat them home by about 30 minutes. I think perhaps they needed to stop for a prescription at CVS.

Home and ready to head to dinner at Barley's by 7pm. We must've arrived near 730pm. Bella asked if she could take her Surface. I don't think we permitted it. Sometimes you simply have to save your kids from themselves. We were seated in a booth near the bar. I enjoyed a nitro Wood Reserve Winter Ale. I knew then that it would likely be my last. Growing tired of that Xmas ale flavor.

Can't recall if we had already ordered dinner when Tom Clark came in and joined us. To my knowledge, it was by happenstance, though with Mindy you never know who she might have invited. Just sayin'. We hadn't seen Tom for a couple of months. In fact, I don't think I've seen him since I stopped by his house on a Saturday way back in early October. And while it was good to catch up, he was especially negative with his thoughts and sentiment. I think even Mindy was surprised at how gloomy he was. But honestly, it's the same Tom I've known for years. He just needs laid by a good woman is all. :)

I had just two beers, my 2nd and IPA. It was good. I'm thinking that we were home by 9pm. We tinkered with the idea of visiting the neighbors but never did. I played on the computer some then watched TV. Enjoyed another beer, too. Mindy soon headed for bed. I started getting sleepy even before i finished my beer. Ended up pouring it out and heading to bed.