Sick Sigmund

I slept rather soundly. I was up and out of bed by 605am. I purposefully didn’t set the coffee maker to auto fearing a recurrence of Monday’s coffee debacle. Instead, I hit the go button just as was passing through on my way to the living room to start calisthenics. It was Tuesday, which meant that I whipped out sit-ups, windmills, and curls. Poured coffee for both Mindy and I near 625am. It was 630am by the time I was back downstairs to enjoy coffee of my own. Coffee pours much better with the new carafe lid, which was the culprit all along.

Played on the internet for about 15 minutes. Engaged in a stretch and meditation shortly thereafter. Jacob was sitting on the steps waiting to see his bus zoom by before heading out. He headed out just before I finished my stretch routine. And by the time I was dressed for a run it was after 7am. I headed upstairs for two reasons, one to get the running shirt I mistakenly left on the side of the soaking tub, and to bid Mindy farewell. Given the time there wasn’t any way that she’d still be home when I got back.

It was about 30 degrees and mostly clear. I dressed appropriately, if anything, erring towards being a little chilly. It was expected to make into the mid 50s with sunshine during the afternoon. Calling for rain on Wednesday. Spring is definitely in the air. Happy to share that my legs felt much better though I still felt a little tuckered at the outset. I ran the full 4.1 miles.

Got back home around 745am and promptly leashed up the pug, who was waiting patiently by the door. Our walk was brief but fruitful. Back home by 752am. Enjoyed the eggs and toast Mindy had waiting for me. I gave one holler to Bella around 755am just to make sure that she remained task. Said she was.

Even though it was Tuesday, I planned to work from the main office all day. I was enrolled in a 2-hour Six Sigma class which was scheduled to begin at 10am. I hoped to be at the office by 9am if at all possible As soon as Bella was on the bus, I was off to the shower for a quick ready. After a shower, I packed some nuts, cheese, veggies, and fruit then left for work. Got out the door by 840am. MY car windows were partially frosted over but nothing a little windshield juice wouldn’t cure.

Arrived at the office near 9am. And as a consequence, I had nearly a full hour to knock a handful of miscellaneous tasks before the training started. Headed down for the training at 945am. The class was 2-hours long and very informative. Having been through several quality process initiatives in my career, and some very good ones, I have to say that Six Sigma seems to have more meat.

The class wrapped up near noon. Toyed briefly with the idea of hurrying across town to make our standing 1pm technical meeting with a client but in the end I decided to simply join via conference bridge remotely from the office. Between then and the call, I received a group text from Ken’s wife sharing some really good news. She said that he was able to sit up on the side of his bed that morning. Moreover, the doctor had decided to send Ken directly to rehab at Dodd Hall, completely bypassing the step-down IUC process. Awesome! I quickly responded asking if she had a date for the move. Within the hour she shared that it would likely be Wednesday.

I joined the 1pm technical meeting via bridge. Not the same as being there but informative and meaningful nonetheless. Spent the afternoon reviewing my monthly presentation which I’d be presenting the following day. Talked with Mindy around 3pm. I had my cell on silent but just happened to glance down and saw her call coming in. It was just before 3pm and she was already on her way home. It was one of those rare days when she got out of the building right after the kids left. Among other things, I shared the news about Ken. I also reminded her that the Orkin man was supposed to come by the house for our March application. Unless I’m mistaken, there is only one more visit left on our contract.

She shared that after dropping Bella at gymnastics that she’d be taking Jacob to be measured for his tux as well as stopping to get him some new sweat pants. Apparently he’s grown out of his others again. She added that I’d be on my own dinner wise and still would need me to fetch Bella after gymnastics.

We had our standing staff call at 415pm, and the call lasted about 30 minutes. A few minutes later I wrapped up what I was doing and headed for home. I think it was 452pm when I started my car. And since I talked with Mindy within the last couple hours, I decided to call my mom instead. Haven’t spoken with her since our Utah trip when she managed to alienate herself from Mindy by making some inappropriate comments about Jacob & Bella.

Ronald answered the phone and quickly handed me off to mom. Sounded good. We exchanged a few pleasantries and talked a little bit about our Oregon trip. After a couple minutes or so I broached the Utah phone conversation topic. She either doesn’t remember exactly she said or simply opted to skirt around it. In the end, I only shared that one has to be careful not to alienate themselves for everyone. Her point was only that she cares about Lindsey’s wellbeing and wants me (us) to help take care of her.

We chatted about a few other things, including her health. Said her most recent appointment for being short of breath netted nothing concrete. I suspect that her symptoms might be psychosomatic. Unlike the last, we ended our call cordially.

It was only 520pm. Mindy, Bella and Jacob didn’t need to leave for another 20 minutes. Mindy was busy with report cards and a couple other things. To help out, I made Bella a breakfast burrito for dinner – her choice. Just before all of them headed out, we collectively carried in and up all the skis, board, boots and poles so I could pack them for our trip. My goal was to have all of that taken care of before the evening’s end. Once everything was in the living room Mindy and the kids bolted.

Didn’t take me long to get it all packed. A finding myself still with lots of energy, I decided to further my personal packing by gathering the rest of the clothing I’ll be taking. About the only thing left to prep will be my preferred running attire. Just about set. While staying busy with trip related tasks, I snacked on some good cheese and sadly even a few Cheezits (not good for me). I also took a few minutes to load up my BB air rifle and headed out on the deck to take a few pot shots at my annual spring nemesis – rats with wings.

Spent some time online doing both a little work and pleasure. Almost forgot that I was expected to go after Bella. Earlier, while organizing for our trip I changed into my PJs. Oops! Come 705pm I quickly slipped out of my PJs and into my running pants. I left to get Bella at 715pm. Got there almost too quickly. Got to see Bella do several passes on the double-mini. The first I saw was by far the best. The rest were a little crooked. By then I think her concentration was elsewhere – on heading home.

Immediately out the door she asked if we could stop at McDs on the way home. Mindful of to wanting to say no too much, I agreed. We stopped at the McDs nearest our home. Since Jacob and Mindy were out shopping I was certain they’d stop for food since we didn’t’ have dinner, so I only ordered something for Bella – chicken nuggets and fries.

Mindy & Jacob were already home when we arrived, which had to be about 750pm. It was still light outside but fading fast. Jacob was out practicing his soccer kicks since spring practice officially begins Wednesday. I jokingly told Bella to hurry up and finish her McDs so Jacob would be none the wiser. Before she finished, I headed to the living room to read. Mindy, by the way, was upstairs packing for our trip.

She was downstairs and Jacob back inside by 815pm. Jacob didn’t’ say a word about Bella’s McDs. He did, however, ask Mindy to prep him a breakfast burrito. He loves those things. After Mindy obliged Jacob’s request, she joined me in the livingroom in the opposing recliner. She brought her book and glasses. After about 20 minutes of up and down and then some talking I finally shared that she was making too much noise – distracting me from my quiet reading time. Mindy knew that she was making an inordinate amount of noise but briefly tried to justify it by sharing that she hadn’t had an opportunity to lay eyes on me all day. She ultimately took her stuff and moved to the kitchen table where there was already plenty of other ambient noise.

At 9pm I wrapped up chapter 8 and then announced that I was heading up to bed. I was very much looking forward to a good night of sleep.