Ran into Fat Julian and his festive Orthodoxed Friend @ CBC

Decided over the holidays that after 10 years or more that it was time to formally change my default wake time from 530 to 6am. Plain and simple, it’s no longer necessary to be up any earlier. To that end, I was up and out of bed just ahead of 6am. Fairly promptly, I was downstairs and fully engaged in calisthenics. It was Wednesday, which meant it was a push-up day. Did sit-ups, windmills and curls.

The coffee was already brewed and waiting. I poured two cups, one for me and one for Mindy. I took Mindy hers before enjoying my own. After waking Mindy with a hug, I was soon back downstairs for a little PC time. I played until 640am when I abruptly stopped in favor of meditation, stretching and a run.

Jacob was downstairs preparing to leave for school just as I was wrapping up a thorough stretch. Never felt better! It was expected to reach well into the 20s later that day but at the time still only 10 degrees. Still, that sounded almost like a heat wave after Monday & Tuesday’s subzero temps. I was out the door a few minutes after Jacob. He and his bus were already gone once I hit the pavement.

I wore the long johns again, and as a result was plenty warm during the 4.1 mile run. Felt good, too. Mindy was still at home but just about to depart. Had to thoroughly defrost the Pilot since we hadn’t driven it since Saturday. Inside, I it occurred to me that this was Bella’s first day of school since Friday, Dec 20, which seemed like eons ago. They enjoyed 18 days off in a row. By and large, she was on top of her routine. I woofed down breakfast then walked the pug ahead of bus stop time. By the time the pug and I were back, it was time for Bella and I to head out - 756am. She had me sign her Friday folder last second. No worries.

Everyone was at the bus stop and accounted for. Due to some very slippery ice on Trena’s sidewalk, Ryan, the kindergartener from down the street, fell as soon as he excited his momma’s car. Taking notice, I planned to throw some road salt on it before Thursday’s pick-up. The bus was there by 8am. Cool! Back at home I enjoyed a little more coffee before rushing off to the shower. I was working across town and really wanted to be there by 9am or close to. We did, however, agree to move our 930am call back to 10am which works far better for me

I was showered, dressed and ready to go before 830am. Tidied up the kitchen while allowing the Accord to warm. Left the house near 835am. Traffic wasn’t an issue. Still cold – only 10 degrees. Arrived at the top of the hour. Had to park far removed from the walkway bridge. Logged in and settled by 910am. Customer cancelled our 10am meeting – no concerns. Sweet! Immediately, I dug into monthly reporting.

Spent most of my day working on the monthly report. Took a lunch around 1230pm and headed to Macy’s at Easton to exchange the shirt Mindy got me for Xmas. It’s a RL sleeping shirt made of 100% cotton. She bought a medium. After trying it on I figured I’d do much better with a large. Couldn’t immediately find them so I went to the desk in the men’s underwear dept. The woman was most helpful. She knew right where they were and went and found me a large. Perfect! She also pointed out that the current day’s sale price was $3 cheaper so she credited that same amount back to Mindy’s card – a win/win.

I took several minutes to shop/try on a couple sweaters. Didn’t like the fit. I left without buying anything else. Was gone from the office little more than 30 minutes. I briefly toyed with the idea of going for a sorely needed haircut too but nixed it in favor of an early return to my desk and that monthly report. Figured I could get my haircut anytime in the coming week.

Back at the office, I worked on the monthly report as well as other closely associated activities until approximately 430pm. Headed for home a few minutes later. I called Mindy shortly after merging safely onto 270. She was busy putting away groceries. Ended the call quickly. It was date night. She’d already made it clear that she wanted to do dinner at CBC. I tried calling Tommy with no luck, and then called mom. She and I talked for the duration of my commute home. Hadn’t talked with her since the morning after Xmas.

Said she was doing OK. Shared the results of her recent appoint with a back surgeon here in Columbus. Said he told her there wasn’t anything he could do for her. Tommy apparently went along with her. Had a endoscopy procedure scheduled at the Chillicothe Adena hospital for Saturday or Sunday. She also asked about our trip.

Arrived home a little after 5pm. Mindy shared that Jimaken came early to pick-up the kids – even before she got home with groceries. It was just past 530pm when she and I left for CBC. Traffic wasn’t an issue until we neared the Front St exit. That time of day you can count on a traffic jam as traffic merges onto 70E from 71N just before the exit. Always messy. Arrived at CBC around 555pm. We parked in the preferred lot directly across the street.

Kate was working the bar, and Vince was managing. By body language alone, I knew instantly that they didn’t have any Bodhi. Said their last keg was bad – no pressure – and wouldn’t have a new batch for 10 days or so. Not a big deal. I opted for the Actual Brewing Orthodox – a non-spiced winter stout. Mindy opted for a glass of wine. Without asking or ordering, Vince or Jamie brought us a plate of calamari. Somehow or another, we missed Kate all through the holidays. We never did verify if she got the small gift we left for her. Guessing she did. Said she and Zach want to join us at MRM soon. She’s a boarder but hasn’t been in a while.

Early on, and out of the blue, Mindy leaned over and shared that she wanted to talk. Told me she’s been feeling unappreciated and overwhelmed. Talk about dampening a festive mood. For me, that always translates into I am not doing something right or have failed. My mood was soured for the rest of the evening. We still enjoyed dinner, however. Mindy had salmon and I had their wings. I had a 2nd beer too, only this time an Actual Fat Julian, a double imperial stout. Mindy ordered some bread too. We left for home near 755pm. Mindy picked up the check.

Failed to share that the temperature made into the 20s. Many were joking about the ‘heatwave’. It’s all relative. At home the kids were already back. I offered up my leftover wings to Jacob, but he declined. Mindy was in bed by 9pm. I wasn’t far behind.