Meteorological Winter's Demise

This according to our good friend Rick C. Though it may very well be, subzero temps and more snow on the way.

Not feeling too well, I slept about as long as I could stand without messing up my routine. I planned on working from home but at the time that was little consolation given the way I felt. I considered skipping calisthenics but decided that would be a sign of weakness. Once I got through the sit-ups, the rest came a little easier, including the 50 push-ups. The on-set cold symptoms haunting for most of the week finally seemed to be coming to roost. Can’t recall my last cold, but guessing it was more than a year ago.

After coffee and a little personal internet time, I got busy with work, firing up my laptop around 7am, or just after wishing Jacob a fabulous school day just before he walked out the door. Worked for the next hour or so stopping only to bid Mindy farewell and a lovely school day, and then seeing Bella out the door for the school bus around 8am.

I did a stretch and meditation once Bella was gone and then headed off on a run around 830am. Like most Fridays, I ran just 3 miles. Despite not feeling the best, it was still a nice and easy run. Very much digging the drive pavement.

At home again, I was super hungry. Rather than fry a few eggs, I decided to reheat Bella’s 229 cheeseburger leftover from the previous Sunday. It was more than delicious. Fairly low-key work day from home. I literally forced myself upstairs for a shower around 1145am for not wanting to sit around all day in my running clothes. Good choice. Felt much better afterwards.

Stayed busy through the afternoon mostly on proactive stuff. I even got in a couple hours of online training, too. The afternoon went especially fast. Jacob was home near 245pm and then Bella about an hour later. Jimaken and Molly showed up to pick-up the kids for the weekend somewhere between 430-5pm. Mindy still wasn’t home from school. She showed up while we waited for the kids to finish packing their stuff for the weekend. Said she stopped for a beer at Applebees with a teacher pal.

Once the kids were gone, we discussed the Oregon condo options. Made our choice and booked one. Come 6pm, I wasn’t feeling too well again, Felt a tad feverish. Wasn’t sure that I was up for any of the usual Friday night
Antics, though we loosely discussed going to Barley’s. I took a couple Advil while fooling around on my PC listening to Pandora. Once they kicked in I started feeling much better and ready for a little time out with friends.

We left for Barley’s around 640pm. The lot was full. Before heading to the back 40 to park, I let Mindy off at the door. Soon in the door, Mindy shared that Darwin sent a text sharing that he and Connie were coming to Barley’s for dinner as well. Figured it a great opportunity to discuss our Oregon ski trip.

Opted for a Barley’s pale ale. Always a good change of pace as well as a good starter beer (it doesn’t wreck my palette). Darwin, Connie and the two older boys showed up probably 20-30 minutes after us. Lane seemed disappointed that Jacob wasn’t with us. Connie and the boys procured a booth while Darwin stood with me near the bar. He sounded a little disappointed that we booked our own condo for the Oregon trip. My thoughts are that 10-12 in one condo would be way too many.

Didn’t want to leave Connie hang on the booth with the boys. Suggested we join them. Darwin and I headed over to sit with his family while Mindy continued a conversation with someone at the bar. She joined us maybe 10 minutes later. It wasn’t too long before we ordered food. Mindy went with a burger. I went with a hummus & pita plate. For my 2nd beer, I enjoyed a powerful Hi-Res IIPA. Can’t recall the brewer. Mindy was having just the one. That determined, I eventually ordered a 3rd, a Bitter Dan IPA.

Still fairly early when we paid our tab and left for home. Couldn’t have been later than about 915pm. Mindy said she was feeling incredibly tired, and not 15 minutes after arriving home she was off to bed. I stayed up a while longer listening to some tunes, eating a homemade chicken & cheese burrito, and washing it down with a Southern Tier IPA that Jimaken left in the fridge. Yum! Emailed back and forth with brother Glenn, discussing lodging arrangements for