Sloppy, Slushy, Puddles

 

 

Was up near 730am to partly cloudy skies with a strong push towards clearing. I enjoyed coffee and played on my PC for an hour or so before taking Mindy some coffee then heading out on a run. I ran three miles in gorgeous early spring conditions. It was about 40 degrees.

Mindy and the pug were up and downstairs by my return, which was around 930am. It was so nice outside, we let Eiknarf out the deck door on her own. She ran out back to relieve herself. Weather permitting (think no rain), we planned on heading up to MRM later that morning. Mindy had already begun carrying up everyone’s gear from the basement.

Thinking it was near 10am when I got a shower and into my base ski layer. While Mindy and the kids readied, I made breakfast sandwiches for Mindy and I and then loaded our gear into the Pilot. We left the house near 11am. Tommy responded to an earlier text sharing that he wasn’t going to make it up to MRM. On the way drive up, Bob I. shared that he wasn’t going to make it either. We got there around 1145am. Lot might’ve been about half full. They were hosting the annual pond skimming and cardboard sled contest that afternoon. It was partly sunny & warm, already about 50 degrees.

I chose to ski my Mantras. Good choice. Rather short lines at the 4 Star lift. Snow was thick and slushy. There was even a sizeable puddle at the top of the mountain. Yikes! Lots of youngsters in shorts and a couple without shirts. You’re so cool!  I might’ve skied three or four runs before decidedly calling it quits. Just wasn’t worth the risk of injury. And although I was largely separated from Mindy, who did her last couple runs with Tina Cubra, we called it quits at the same time. The kids, however, stayed out a while longer keeping an eye on the pond skimming and later the cardboard sled races. Mindy and I headed in for a beer. Tina promised to join us shortly.

Got a pitcher of Deschutes Black Butte Porter as well as a coffee and Bailey’s for Mindy. Mindy and Tina each had a beer, but I drank the rest. The kids soon joined us asking if we could leave. Not until we’re ready. Mindy ordered the kids a pizza. Thought that would hold them over for a little while. Jacob put on a full court press to leave and then go to the mall with his new girlfriend. Mindy said no, in part because we had birthday dinner plans with her teacher pal Kerrianne and her husband, Kevin later that evening and we planned to have Jacob watch Bella. He continued asking even after Mindy gave him an emphatic no. He finally realized the answer wasn’t going to change.

Think it was near 3pm when we called it an afternoon. Before we left, Jacob headed out to do one more run. Frankly, I was a little surprised. Mindy and I had no regrets. Simply wanted to get out for a couple runs. This season we skied MRM Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb and March. Great season MRM team! Doubt we’ll make it back for next week’s finale weekend unless the weather takes a deep winter dive, though that’s not in the forecast.

Got home around 330pm. While the others rushed inside to pee, I started the unload. Once done, they all contributed to the unload process. Whether the drive home or the night before, Mindy declared early on that she was heading up for a nap. Somewhat surprisingly, so was Bella. Jacob, on the other hand, headed out and off to Evans to play basketball. By then the partly sunny skies had given way to clouds and even some very light rain. He didn’t mind. I eventually joined Mindy for a nap. I wasn’t that sleepy but figured I could use one ahead of round two later that evening with Kevin & Kerrianne.

We snuggled for a while before I eventually fell asleep. Mindy got up for a shower around 5pm. I got in immediately after. Had her leave it run for me. I told Jacob earlier when he headed out to shoot baskets to be home by 6pm, which was the time we planned to head to the short north and the Japanese steakhouse. We were actually ready by 530pm, so Mindy texted Jacob to come home. We made our expectations abundantly clear, that he needed to stay with Bella the entire time and be nice. He asked if he could return to shoot baskets if Bella agreed to come along. Yes. We informed him that the house would be secured. I think it was 545pm when we actually left.

Didn’t take long to get downtown. Like last Wednesday, we parked in the North Market parking lot, but unlike that evening when they had timed parking rates, this time there was a flat, pay-ahead parking rate of $8. The Japanese steakhouse is on the corner of Vine and High St, or just a couple store fronts down from Barley’s Ale House #1 and Novak’s.

One other from our dinner party was already there, Tina. But gathered over in the corner were a couple familiar faces. It was the Dooley family celebrating their mother’s birthday, though noticeably missing was my old pal Joe. Apparently he couldn’t make it. I talked with Kenny and then Joe Sr. until their table was ready. Wished Mrs. Dooley a happy birthday as they rushed off to their table. Good family!

Soon Kevin & Keri showed up. Keri let us all know early on that she wasn’t too surprised that all of us were there despite Kevin keeping it secret. Said she knew he was up to something. There were nine of us in all, four couples and one single. I ordered Jack & Coke while Mindy partook in one of their exotic rum drinks. It was bright green but tasty.

Food was good. I ordered sea scallops & filet. Mindy, I am pretty sure, stuck with filet only. Still, one of the complementary appetizers included shrimp. It was decent too. Our Su chef was good at his craft and entertaining as one might expect. I find the Japanese steakhouse experience fun and certainly a good setting for large dinner parties, but it would never be my choice for a dinner out with my wife. I guess I prefer my meal served more traditionally.

We had a good time sharing conversation with the seven others. The Dooley family was maybe 15 minutes in front of us out the door. I just happened to be heading back from the restroom as they were heading out. Wished them well and asked Kenny to give my best to his brother Joe.

Our kids were home alone, and the plan all along was to take Wendy’s home to them afterwards. However ,sometime during dinner they sent a text asking if we would bring Chipotle instead. At first Mindy said no, but I offered that we go ahead and honor the request. It’s not that far out of our way. Mindy agreed. Some of the others in the dinner party headed next door to Novak’s after dinner. I asked Mindy if she wanted to stop for one. She briefly tinkered with the idea but then decided it best to get home. It couldn’t have been later than 8pm.

Two Chipotles locations came immediately to mind, one on Rome-Hilliard Rd, and the other on 5th ave in Grandview. We opted to stop at the one in Grandview. Mindy went inside to place the order while I waited in the car. Got there just in the nick of time to beat the rush. Must’ve been a line 6 or 7 deep right behind Mindy.

Got home around 830-840pm. Both kids were grateful for the Chipotle stop. Woofed down their food in a hurry. I headed upstairs to change into my PJs pretty quick. Once I was downstairs and comfortable, I poured myself a Jack & Coke, which was a far cry better than the two I had at dinner. Guessing they were made with Pepsi. Mindy headed off to bed pretty early. I’m thinking that it was no later than 930pm when she headed up. I stayed up a while longer, joining Mindy in bed somewhere between 10-1030pm.