Dress Not Quite the Same

I slept in until almost 630am. Mindy was up before me again and poured her own coffee. She was back up for a shower just as I was heading downstairs to exercise. I did sit-ups, wind mills and push-ups, after which I felt wide awake. I planned on working from home which meant I wouldn't be running until after 8am.

Started working around 7am, first completing a quick weekly report for one of my clients. Mindy and Bella were downstairs around 715am. Mindy soon headed out to warm her Pilot even though it was fairly warm. At the time it was near freezing but also bright and sunny. Expected it to warm nicely and into the low 60s by midafternoon. Mindy was soon off to school while Bella headed back upstairs to finish her ready. And Bella was out the door to catch the bus at 8am sharp.

A few minutes later I completed a thorough meditation and stretch then slipped into my running clothes and headed out to walk the pug. She took her dear old time sniffing everything in sight. In the end she only pooped even though I knew she needed to pee. Before heading off on my run I made sure that all the bedroom doors were closed so she could sneak off and pee in one of them.

It was Friday so I ran just three miles. Couldn't ask for better conditions: cool and sunny. I wasn't over dressed either, however, despite ideal conditions, the three mile run took its toll. I was gassed and stiff throughout. The last half mile was probably the best I'd felt. Not really sure why all my runs have felt so laborious of late. I do know that it happens a few times each year where I simply have to gut out the runs for a couple weeks until I get to a better place. On a positive note, I have no nagging pain or injuries bothering me whatsoever.

By run's end, the weather was already shaping up quite nicely. I briefly took Eiknarf out back in part so I could enjoy the warm sunshine and also so she could have a second whack at going pee. Success! Inside I was quickly back to work. Instead of a couple eggs I made a burrito. Yum!

During a midmorning break, I prepped our snow skis and Jacob's board for our ski trip by not only cleaning them but also cleaning up the edges and then applying some wax. It didn't take that long at all - 20-25 minutes. Work was busy. I spent a great deal of time on a problem that carried over from the day before. Not only that, but I was covering for a peer who's on vacation, although work from his client didn't surface until much later in the day.

Around 1pm I used what I'll call my lunch hour to haul the honey suckle cuttings from a week ago back to the compost/brush pile at the rear of our property. Always exhaustive work lugging large branches through the lawn and then chopping and stacking it. Was most pleased that I was able to get to it that day. I even found time to unload the dishwasher that afternoon.

Jacob was home from school at his regular time of 245pm. He wasn't in the house but 2 0r 3 minutes when he came to my office asking if he could go out and play. As always, I asked if his chores were done. Yep. He soon headed off to play basketball at Evan's. Work got a little busy towards the tail end of the day. Had something popping up from all corners. Sometimes that's just how it is. Lucky for me, things calmed down almost as soon as they seemingly went haywire. Bella was home around 345pm and Mindy about 25-30 minutes after that.

Jimaken was over to pick-up the kids near 5pm, but Jacob was still off playing basketball and Bella still needed to walk the pug. Bella was very stoked for the her school's 70's dance that evening. And since it was a daddy weekend, Molly agreed to take her and be a chaperone. That made Bella very happy. What's funny, she wore the same costume that Mindy wore to Doomie's (Doug & Jamie's) holiday 60s party a few years back. Looked good but not quite as good as it did on Mindy. We snapped a few photos before they left the house.

meanwhile, Mindy and I not only planned a night out at Barley's but also quick stop up to see my buddy Ken at Riverside. We left the house near 530pm taking the same route we took the evening prior - through Arlington and up Kenny Rd to North Broadway. Ken was awake and alone save for the male nurse that trollied in almost right behind us. He was in good spirits and as alert as he'd been all week.

Ken asked about work, and more specifically one of his clients. At the same time the nurse was giving him something intravenously. Not sure if it was nutrition or simply more pain meds. In any case, Ken asked him to put some beer in it. Mindy asked if he was thirsty and wanted anything to drink. He softly asked for range pop. Turning around we noticed a large Wendy's cup with orange soda. Mindy held it to his lips with a straw. He polished off what remained. There wasn't a whole lot. Our visit lasted about 20-25 minutes before we wished him well and headed for Barley's. We walked out encouraged with his speedy progress..

Arrived at Barley's to a full parking lot, which for all intents and purposes is something we've simply come to expect. Without hesitation, I headed to the back 40 and parked. Inside, the bar was full and there was a wait for restaurant tables. We took up refuge amongst the many Barley peeps standing in and around the bar. For me it's like coming home. Feels good to be at Barley's enjoying good beer, people and food.

Centennial was back on tap. Ordered one of those. Mindy was undecided until I suggested a Deschutes Black Butte. They're very tasty and not so strong - only 5.2%. It couldn't have been more than 30-45 minutes before a couple stools came free at the bar. Of course we snatched 'em and soon ordered some food. Like we did last time in, we ordered a sampler platter that comes with all sorts of goodies, including wings, ribs, sauerkraut balls, pita and hummus. This time the balls were a tad over fired and the meat all tough. We opted to not register a complaint though we probably should've.

Enjoyed a Bitter Dan next, and Mindy had a 2nd Black Butte. A young kid we see there often anymore, I think his name is Josh, spent considerable time talking with the two of us mostly about Utah having once lived in SLC. We talked about Utah's almost laughable liquor laws and how right next door one can't legally buy and smoke weed yet in Utah you can't buy 'big' beer anywhere outside of a state controlled liquor store.

We headed home around 9-930pm. Once at home I poured a beer from growler of Creeper still in the fridge. I took one or two drinks then dumped it out. It had lost most of its qualitative features. Happens. Mindy was buzzed and sleepy and off to bed before 10pm. After a few minutes playing around online, I followed her lead and headed up to bed, too.