Last full day of Winter

I was up and out of bed by 555am. That extra 5 minutes made a huge difference. Downstairs I started the coffee maker (still not using the autobrew feature after Monday's coffee make explosion) then completed calisthenics. It was Wednesday which meant it was a push-up day. Aside from a minor catch in my left wrist, all went well. Delivered Mindy's coffee by 610am and was soon back downstairs enjoying some for myself.

I would be working across town at a customer's campus and planned to be there by 9am. To that end, I wanted to leave for my run no later than 7am. Was actually well ahead of that. Finished playing around 630am and then meditated, stretched and dressed for a run over the next 10-15 minutes. Got out the door around 650am, or before Jacob needed to head out to the bus stop. A couple of his peers were already there waiting. The bus whizzed by just as I completed my warm-up lap. Jacob in turn, was just coming out of the house as I ran past again.

It was fairly warm for so early in the AM - about 45 degrees. Rain was forecasted to move in to the area within the next couple of hours but it was dry at the time. The temperature was forecasted to top out near 50 degrees. I ran the full 4.1 miles and I am happy to report that I felt even better than I did the morning before. Mindy was still at the house. The Pilot was warming in the driveway.

Mindy was on her way out just as I was headed in. Kisses and hugs. Inside, I promptly leashed up the pug then headed out on our walk. Back at the house by 740am. Bella was busy making sure the pug had food & water. As she does almost every other day, she headed upstairs for final grooming of herself and her room while I enjoyed my cheesy scrambled eggs.

I was off to the shower by 745am, the earliest in a while. Bella was out the door for the bus shortly after I was out of the shower. In kind, I was downstairs and ready to head off to work by 820am. I still needed to pack my lunch. I did that over the next 5 minutes or so. Enjoyed a cup of coffee then headed out. Must've been around 840am when I backed out the driveway.

Started raining just about the time I merged onto the freeway and by the time I arrived at the customer's site it was pouring. Good thing I had my umbrella in the back. Made decent time, arriving on site near 9am. Had about 90 minutes before the monthly presentation. Took care of several smaller tasks before the meeting. My boss and a peer showed up for the cause too. Presentation went well, but then again, it usually does. Went almost an hour. My boss headed back across town to the main office immediately afterwards. I simply got back to work. Thought about taking a lunch but opted not. Kept busy instead.

According to others who went out for lunch, it was raining for the better of the entire work day. Exchanged a couple texts with Mindy. She shared that Jimaken and Molly agreed to take care of both kid events that night - Jacob to his first soccer practice and Bella to gymnastics pictures. That meant we could have date night after all. Frankly, I was a little surprised, and pleasantly so. In kind, Mindy suggested CBC. OK by me.

Stayed busy at work until near 420pm. After working straight through, decided to head home a little early. Left brother Tommy a VM on my drive home, a last ditched attempt to get him to come with us. Talked with Mindy briefly too. Said that Jimaken picked the kids up a little earlier than usual. I got home near 450pm. The drive left me sleepy. I excused myself to the livingroom recliner for a quick nap. And to help fall asleep, I read for a few minutes. Worked better than a pacifier. Out! Slept for no more than 10 minutes but woke completely refreshed.

We both tidied up a little then headed off to CBC agreeing to take the Pilot. Arrived before 6pm. Parked in the lot directly across the street. Standing room only at the bar. Warmly greeted by staff, some working and some there simply for pleasure. The owner Doug was there among them and there to greet us. The girls marveled over Mindy's purple hair. Bodhi on tap! Kate poured us both one. Thinking we stood for a good 15-20 minutes before a couple stools finally came free.

We'd already enjoyed some freshly baked bread. Man did it hit the spot. We eventually ordered food, some spinach artichoke dip and later some wings for me and a burger for Mindy. Ordered a 2nd beer, too, This I went with Uncle Rusty. Pretty good - different. I probably won't' order it again but it was a interesting change of pace.

There for about 2 hours. Mindy picked up the check. Took half her burger and half my wings home in a to-go carton. Arrived home near 8pm. Still no kids. Jimaken sent a few texts from Bella's gymnastics pictures event. Sounded like there was a scary dude peeping around checking out the girls in the tights. Yuck! Jacob apparently grew so tired of the event that he went to wait in the car. Oh yeah, his first soccer practice was canceled due to rain.

Kids were home by 815-820pm. I read for the remainder of the evening getting through all of chapter nine before calling it a night and heading to bed. Wasn't much later than 910pm when I crawled into bed.