When Ten is Two.

Once again, I had enough foresight to squirt a dose of Sinex up each nostril before heading to bed. As a result, I slept soundly waking only once around 3am to pee. I remember glancing out the window and seeing no snow. I didn’t wake again until almost 730am. By then the forecasted snow storm had started, but there was no more than maybe a ½” of new snow on the ground.

I started coffee then checked the updated weather forecast. It was 25 degrees and still calling for decent snowfall, but the total had been reduced from as much as 12’ to 4 to 6”. We had talked about heading up to MRM. I left Mindy sleep as late as she wanted. I played around on the computer for almost 2 hours before heading out on a run. I didn’t really want to, but still walked the dog before heading off on my run. There were a few brief periods of heaving snow but mostly just a steady light fall. About 2” by the time I was off on my run.

I was happy to discover that the ice/sleet they forecasted as a predecessor to the snow didn’t happen. They snow pack was light, fluffy and dry, and made for a very cushy running surface. Covered with snow upon my return, I knocked on the back door asking Mindy to snap a photo. She obliged my request after hanging up the phone after talking with brother Craig, this his 51st b-day. Happy b-day, Craig!

It was already near 1030am. Early on we decided that snow skiing wouldn’t be in the cards. For one, I still wasn’t feeling that well and besides, we’d have to be home by 330pm to intercept the children. Just wasn’t worth it. I believe they’re planning to remain open through March 17th. We’ll need to get out there at least one more time for the Gipper!

Mindy asked if I would go grocery shopping with her that afternoon. While she headed off to the shower, I fussed with her laptop, which had lost its connection to our wireless printer. After several minutes of troubleshooting, I discovered that the printer was offline to my PC too. Simply needed to reboot the printer. By then I had already emailed her Excel based grocery list to my own PC. I headed up for a shower of my own just about the time she was finishing her ready.

It was still snowing when we left the house for the grocery in the Pilot. Her gas tank resting near ‘E’ and the fuel light on, I quickly declared that our first stop would be the gas pumps. Mindy promptly nixed that idea sighting her desire to fuel up at the Kroger gas station thereby redeeming her fuel perks after shopping. Reluctant to drive on E with the fuel light on, I obliged her request. The snow ended during our brief drive through Arlington to the Chambers Rd Kroger. Been a while since I’ve been there. Last time I think was sometime last summer with Mindy & Bella. At the time they were mid remodel. The store was still opened for business, however, but a bit disorganized, too. Looks really nice inside.

One advantage of joining Mindy for grocery shopping was picking out some goodies for myself. I can never remember when she asks what I want on the list. Early on she told me to get whatever I wanted. Sweet! Good thing I am not 12. Would’ve loaded up on candy bars!

We filled our cart to the brim. It took quite a bit longer than I remember taking back when I used to do the shopping. By the time we loaded up on groceries and added a couple gift cards, we’d managed to spend nearly $400. Yikes! What I tossed in the cart for myself was just a couple blocks of really good cheese and then a couple boxes of cereal.

Still no additional snowfall. Mindy called her mom on the drive home. Unloaded the groceries and then also shoveled more of the driveway. Both of us were really hungry. We kicked around making a run to the Dragon Palace for lunch but ultimately decided to simply enjoy snacks at home and then get take-out from there for dinner.

I spent the middle afternoon reading and napping. Midafternoon Landon texted/called Mindy asking if he could come over. Yes. Near 330pm, Lindsey dropped off both boys. Turns out, that was about the same time that Jacob & Bella got home. Jacob, Rocky & Landon headed out to play a few minutes later. Unfortunately, that didn’t last too long. Rocky came running back just short of crying sharing that Cody, one of Jacobs neighborhood buddies, punched him in the face. Always a story with Rocky. He’s exceptional at alienating himself from others. Mindy hollered for Jacob and Cody to come to the house to sort out the story. Only Jacob came home. His story was far different than Rocky’s. Oh boy!

Soon all the boys were playing in Jacob’s room. It must’ve been around 530pm when Mindy ordered take-out from the Dragon Palace. She planned on picking up McDs for the kids. Because I wasn’t feeling too well, she went for the pick-up too.

Mindy wasn’t gone more than 20 minutes. Efficient! I heard her pull-up so I stopped reading temporarily and went out to help carry in the dinner haul. One bag from Dragon Palace, three from McDs. The kids loaded up on chicken nuggets and fries. Evan ate with us too. Mindy and I enjoyed won-ton soup, egg roll, and fried rice. She had chicken and I had beef. Plenty of leftovers for a leftover meal later in the week. Lindsey sent a text sharing that she wasn’t feeling well and asked if we would bring the boys home. Yes. Apparently still feeling bad after last Wednesday’s gall bladder surgery.

Mindy took the boys home around 7-730pm. We’ll see them again next weekend when we get together to celebrate 4 birthdays: Lindsey, Ashley, Landon and Mindy (Jan 18, Feb 17, Feb 28 & Mar 5). This time Mindy was gone only a few minutes. Returned sharing that Lindsey showed her the incision. Mindy commented that Lindsey’s inflated stomach has already receded greatly. For the last year that was one of Lindsey’s personal gripes – that her stomach was swelling up inexplicably.

I spent the rest of my Sunday evening reading from a livingroom recliner. Very relaxing. Closing in on the end of my first ebook – about 50 pages to go.