Gassing Up

I planned to work from home for the first couple hours of the day before heading across town to spend the rest of my work day with a customer. To that end, I slept in until almost 6am. After completing Tuesday calisthenics I delivered Mindy’s coffee. By then it was already 620am. I played around online until almost 7am when I finally logged onto my work laptop.

Juggled work and play for the next hour or so, or until Bella was safely out the door for school. Headed out for a run around 815am. It was a chilly 19 degrees, but considering how cold it’s been for most of the winter, it didn’t feel that cold. Ran the full 4.1 miles without issue once again appreciating the dry pavement. Back home ahead of 9am, I put away all of the clean dishes still resting in the drying strainer while also pre-heating the frying pan for my eggs.

Made eggs for the pug and I. Did a little work too. Got an escalation from a customer needing my help. I dug head long into the issue at hand eating my breakfast in between tasks. Didn’t get to a point where I could break away for shower until maybe 10am. And by the time I was showered, dressed and ready to leave the house, it was near 11am. I had to stop for a fill-up at the Circle K on my way to the freeway. Took 15.5 gallons after 307 miles. That equates to 19.8 miles per gallon last tank full. Certainly not ideal mileage but considering all the warming the engine this winter, it’s wasn’t shocking.

Arrived across town near 1130am. Found a parking spot in the middle lot. I was happy about that for not having to take the long ¼ mile walk from the deep lot. Because my peer wasn’t working at the customer’s location, I took her work station, which is much more conducive for my work purposes.

Spent time interacting with the customer and more time on that escalation ahead of our scheduled 1pm meeting. The time went fast, however. 1pm in a heartbeat. The meeting was attended by nearly half the usual suspects. Missing were some from both parties – us and the customer. Lasted about 50 minutes.

Spent the remainder of the afternoon catching up on more loose ends from my week out. I think it was near 445pm when I left for home. Called Mindy once safely merged onto 270. We talked for a handful of minutes. Confirmed that Bella was indeed attending gymnastics that night. Mindy shared how exhausted she felt. I arrived home near 520pm.

Mindy was busy with dinner. Made a chicken and noodle casserole. Smelt delicious. Handed me the mail, In it was a thank you card from brother Tommy along with a check covering Utah expenses I paid in advance. Glad to get it so soon. The casserole was exceptional. A little out of the ordinary to get to eat dinner together before taking Bella to gymnastics. She, Mindy & Jacob headed out immediately after finishing their dinner. And while they were away, I took care of kitchen clean-up.

I finished up the kitchen around 615pm. I’d just settled down in front of my PC when Mindy and Jacob returned. Around 630pm I did a little reading from my Kindle. In so doing I was overcome with incredible sleepiness. I might’ve stole a 5 or 10 minute nap. Near 7pm Mindy came to me to share that she was ditching off to bed. Said she was completely exhausted. It was my job to pick-up Bella, so I didn’t mind.

715pm came around fast. It was a challenge to find the motivation to head out into the cold but I did. It was a quick and easy drive around 270 to Georgesville Rd. exit and to the gymnastics studio. The kids were just finishing up once I walked inside. Bella was very excited. Shared that she badly wants to participate in the April gymnastics event in Rio Grande Ohio, a venue we’ve been to two other times. I told her I saw no reason why we could go. That made her happy.