Celebrating Mindy @ 45

 

Happy Birthday Mindy!!!

Come 530am, I just didn’t feel like getting up and out of bed, and really didn’t need to. The kids had a scheduled 2 hour late start, for which I was taking responsibility. From that point forward I woke about every 10-15 minutes but each time reaching the same conclusion, which was to remain in bed for a little while longer. I didn’t get out of bed until almost 630am. By then, Mindy was already up and downstairs. She being up before me is extremely rare. Might happen two or three times a year.

When I joined her, she was just about to head back upstairs to get in the shower. It was her birthday, so I gave her a hug and kiss and wished her happy b-day. Lying on the island was a birthday card from her mother. Appeared that she had just recently opened/read it. I read it too.

Still a little groggy, I finally started calisthenics, knocking out sit-ups, windmill, and push-ups over the next 10 minutes or so. Was happy to have them behind me. Fired up my work laptop while enjoying coffee. At a minimum, I planned on working from home until at least 10am, which was Bella’s late start departure time. I sent a note to my main customer contact asking if we would be having our weekly call at 10am and advising that if we were, I’d be joining the call from home due to the late start.

Turned out, he was out of the office dealing with personal matters. We canceled the day’s call. With the two hour delay, that meant that Jacob would need to be up by 8am and Bella by 9am. I stretched, meditated and left for a run shortly after 810am, or after making sure that Jacob was awake. I also popped in Bella’s room to let her know that she needed to be up by 9am and that I might not be back from my run by then.

It was 18 degrees just before I left the house, so I dressed in my full on winter get up. About halfway into my run I started to overheat a little so I unzipped my top layer. Still too warm, I exposed my ears and later removed my gloves. Bottomline, I was still way too warm. I really needed to shed the extra fleece layer. Was breathing really hard by the time I got back home and was soaked head to toe in sweat.

Before my run, I left a b-day card on the island for the kids to sign for Mindy. Bella told me that she made sure Jacob signed it then signed it herself and then sealed the envelope. When I asked what she wanted to get her mom for her birthday she said flowers. OK. I planned to find my way to Kroger sometime during the day to make that happen.

Enjoyed a spinach and cheese omelet and then headed up for a shower. Turned out that was about the time that Bella needed to head out for the bus. I was careful again to let her handle her schedule on her own. She did good. For all intents and purposes, it was 1030am by the time I was showered and dressed. And because I had a very important conference call slated for 1130am, I opted to do the call from home.
It was looking more and more like I would end up working from home for the day’s entirety.

The 1130am call morphed into 2 calls lasting until almost 1pm. By then it made no sense to drive all the way across town just to make a cameo appearance. I could be much more productive staying put. Around 115pm I took lunch and drove to Kroghetto to get Mindy some birthday flowers. If they were from me I would have gotten roses, but because they were to be from the kids, I did my best to think and select like Bella might. I chose a lovely mixed bouquet. I also picked up a Kohl’s gift card for Mindy even though she already got her gift from me in Park City.

I sent a text to the girls reminding them that it was Mindy’s birthday. Not too long after, Ashley responded letting me know that she’d already sent Mindy a text wishing her a happy birthday. That was nice. I spent the rest of the afternoon crunching numbers for my monthly report and then following up on a lingering technical issue. Jacob was home before I knew it. My how time flies. Also received numerous texts from David sharing his skiing experience from Beech Mountain in NC. Said the conditions were good.
Like clockwork, Bella was home at 345pm. And then Mindy was home by 415pm. By then we had her birthday cards and the flowers placed strategically on the island. She was most appreciative of the flowers and went to work arranging them in a vase shortly after arriving home. By then Jacob was already off playing basketball at Evan’s house. He’d be back soon to leave with his dad since it was date night. I’m thinking that it was about 450pm when Jimaken got there.

And then just after 5pm, the UPS man showed up with my new suitcase. You may recall the trouble I had with my old one while on our ski vacation in Park City. I threw it out in the trash on Monday. Hopefully the new one will hold up a little better than the old one. It’s a High Sierra 3 in 1 – a 32” rolling duffle, backpack, and suitcase all in one. I’ll see here very soon!

After Jimaken and kids left, it wasn’t too long before Mindy and I left for dinner. Her birthday, she chose Martini’s. Haven’t been there for years, and I don’t think ever with Mindy. We had a Cameron Mitchell gift card we planned to use, too. There was strange car hanging near the bridge as we backed out the drive. He slowly pulled away once we exited the house. He came to a rolling stop near Chrissy’s place. Security system or not, I wasn’t comfortable with him. Just before we exited the subdivision, I turned around in the last cul-de-sac and drove back by the house. I asked Mindy to write down his license plate. Lucky for him, he was already gone. We could see him rounding the curve deep into the subdivision. It was a newer looking car, but nonetheless, suspicious.

We took the back way into the short north – Riverside Dr. past the post office where it turns into Long St. Long to Neil Ave to Vine St. We parked in the North Market lot. Appeared as though some event going on in the Arena district. Figured it a Blue Jacket game. We didn’t bother making a reservation. After all, it was mid-week in downtown Columbus. Chances of it being crammed full seemed almost illogical. Well …

Inside Martini’s we quickly learned that there was a 90 minute wait. Others were walking out too. I would’ve waited had Mindy wanted to, but she didn’t. Heck, we figured to be home by 8pm to intercept the kids. We headed right back to our car in the North Market parking lot. We sat there for a minute until Mindy decided where else she wanted to go. A creature of habit, she opted for CBC. I know, big surprise. I was a little surprised, especially since we’ll be there again on Friday to celebrate her b-day with friends.

Even though we’d been there only five minutes, the gentleman still charged us $2.  No worries. We took High St all the way through downtown to Mound St. Looking good. Don’t know the last time I saw High St during the daylight hours. CBC’s parking lot looked full. No matter, we took our favorite spot in the ancillary lot across the street.

Mindy stopped to photo a couple and their baby outside of the restaurant. Before Mindy offered, one of them was going to have to sit out the photo. I went on inside where I was immediately greeted by Jen, the GM. She asked if this was the night of Mindy’s b-day party. I tried explaining that it was her actual birthday but not the party, which will still be Friday.

We chatted with a few CBC folks, one being the owner and Jen’s father who was sitting at the corner of the bar. Several of the employees were getting ready to head over to the Actual Brewing Company for a brewery tour. We eventually made our way around the bar to our preferred stools where I stood and Mindy sat (there was only one stool available). They didn’t have Bodhi on tap, and Kate, who was working the bar, shared that they wouldn’t have any for Mindy’s party on Friday either. However, they did have perhaps our 2nd favorite beer in the world, White Rajah. We ordered that.

Talked briefly with Aubre who is now about 5 months pregnant and as cute as ever. Still barely showing. Out of the blue, Jen came over to talk with us again. This time sharing the news that she and her wife, Keri are pregnant after two years of trying. We hugged again. Very happy for them. It’s been a long, arduous process. Sounds like Doug’s going to have 2 grand kids in the span of about 4 months.

We met a new server/greeter/ bartender. Believe h name is Amanda. She reminded us both of Tara Paige – petite, cute, young, and short hair. Very attentive. Talked with her on and off through our visit. Kate too. Kate soon shared that longtime boyfriend, Zach was coming in to get a burger. Zach, as you may recall, used to manage Barley’s until he started his own sign company. I guess business is booming.

We soon ordered food. Mindy ordered salmon and I ordered wings. They blew the keg of White Rajah while we were waiting on our dinner. What was left, about ¾ of a pint, they gave to us. Kate said not to worry, there was more in the back. Zach showed up around 730p, or about the same time that we got our food order. Wow, his hair has grown much longer to go along with his beard. Looking all woodsy. Chatted for a while. Had to woof down his burger so not to be late to a last minute sign repair gig in Lancaster.

Mindy and I ended up at CBC until 815pm, at least 20 minutes later than I expected. I, of course, covered our tab. Headed for home arriving somewhere close to 830pm. The kids were already home and anxiously awaiting our return. On the island was a card and bday gift from Molly & Jimaken. Mindy was excited to open it. How thoughtful, a manicure/pedicure gift card. Mindy sent Molly a thank you via FB in a hurry.

CBC sent Mindy home with a complimentary dessert – banana cream something or another. We sang happy birthday before partaking. We all tried it. Mindy loved it. Me, not so much. Having drank nearly 3 beers, Mindy was off to bed by 9pm. I stayed up a little while longer playing around online. Headed up to bed around 940pm. By then, Mindy was out like a light.