Car Wash times 3

With the promise of gorgeous spring weather in the offing, I couldn't wait to get up. I was downstairs by 720am where I quickly started coffee then stared out the windows to the backyard while awaiting its completion. With nothing but clear blue skies it looked lovely, but temp was still somewhat cool, only 46 degrees. Expecting a high near 65 on Saturday and then 75 Sunday. No real chance of rain until Tuesday.

Enjoyed coffee until 845am or so when Mindy called for me to join her for a little snuggle time ahead of my run. Somewhat reluctant to head back to bed before a run, but did. It must've been around 930am when we both got up and I headed out for a run. Ran three miles in brilliant sunshine. Very nice! Back from my run a little after 10am, Mindy, the pug and I hung out on the deck and in the yard for a while. The skies were so clear and the sunshine so brilliant that it felt a lot warmer than it actually was. By then it was in the mid 50s but felt at least 10 degrees warmer.

We puttered around the yard and house for the next hour or so eventually deciding to spend our afternoon washing all three cars. I told Mindy that I'd need some time to get the hose ready. Each year rather than simply hook it up to the spigot, I replaced the rubber washers in the females end of the hoses and sprayers as well as lubricating all the threads, diverters, and sprayer handles. All that took about 25-30 minutes.

While I washed the accord. Mindy vacuumed and cleaned the inside of the Pilot, which took her at least 90 minutes. It was plenty filthy, but not as bad as it's been times past. Bella's side is always the messiest, hands down, but at least she's getting out of the trinket and bubble gum stage. Mindy likes to point out that the Pilot is dirty because we use it as the travel/vacation vehicle, which is true.

Even though I took the Accord through a carwash the Friday prior, it was still in need of a good hand scrubbing. And even then, I wasn't able to get all the crud off of it. As usual, a good washing reveals all the imperfections that have stacked up over the last 6 months or so. For some reason, lots of minor scratches and mars, and with a black car, everything shows when it's clean and in the sunshine. I used the black car polish on several of the mars, and most came out. I really need to polish the entire car, but that requires another hour or two in and of itself. I wasn't mentally ready to give that much time to it on this occasion. I should probably ask future son-in-law, Steven to detail it for me. Aside from his new job at Marzetti's, he still details cars a day each week. I may look into that.

Once the Accord was clean I moved it to the curb then backed the BM'er from the garage. Mindy was still busy working on the interior of the Pilot. She naturally works at a much slower speed that me. The BM'er washes up quick. Not a lot to it. I took the extra time to wash the top too. Otherwise, it smells musty. And even though I drive the BM'er so little, the front rims are always caked in brake dust. I've learned that Fantastik gets them clean. The inside of the BM'er was dirty, too, but not as bad as years past. This winter I put and left the top up.

Once the BM'er was clean we worked together to wash the Pilot. It's silver, which is probably the best color for not showing dirt. I am always amazed, however, how much nicer it looks after a bath. Shiny is the word. AS soon as the Pilot was washed, Mindy headed in to get a shower. We planned to make the second of Jacob's two soccer games, which started at 4pm. I'm guessing that it was near 230pm when she headed in. It was probably another half hour before I had everything wrapped up and put away outside and then headed inside for a shower of my own.

In addition to going to Jacob's 4pm soccer game, we planned stops at Macy's to get a wedding gift for Lindey, and then stops at Target and Home Depot. We left for Jacob's game near 335pm and by the time we arrived, parked, and found field #6 at the Spindler Soccer facility, the game was just about to start. Until then, we didn't know if Bella & Molly would be there or not. They weren't, but Jimaken was. Said Those two went to see a movie, the new Muppet movie. Even though it was bright and sunny, like always, it was a lot cooler at the soccer complex than it is at home. We always say that's it's 10 degrees cooler. These days were come prepared. I had my running jacket and glad I wore it too. Chilly breeze blowing from the NE, which is rare.

Soccer game ended in a tie. Jimaken and I both noticed that Jacob didn't seem to playing with the intensity that he usually employs. He injured his groin a week or so prior. We think that was bothering him. He won't take any Ibuprofen for it. After the game was over Mindy gave Jqacob and hug goodbye and the two of us headed off to Macy's at the Tuttle Mall taking Avery Rd to Hayden Run and then to the mall from the back entrance. While Mindy went to find the restroom in Macy's, I headed briefly to the Men's department. I wasn't there long. Met Mindy in the crystal, china department where we agreed to meet. It didn't take us long to pick out a gift. Mindy knew she wanted to get them some real crystal, which wasn't even on her registry, but something Mindy knew she'd love. I was surprised that Mindy listened to my opinion on the style and pattern. We dropped a couple hundo on the two pieces.

We wasted little time getting back to the car and onto Target and Home Depot. They're side-by-side on Trueman Rd near my office. Mindy suggested I drop her at Target and then head over to Home Depot by myself. Sure. She headed in Target to get gift wrap and cards while I headed in Home Depot to get can lighting for the basement. I bought three boxes of six for a total of 18 cans. I also bought 250' of 14/2 wire. I also did a propane tank exchange and purchased a new hose nozzle. By the time I got back to Target, Mindy was just coming out. Perfect timing!

By then both of us were hungry and I'm guessing that it was near 630-645pm. We dropped our purchases off at home and then headed to Barley's for some dinner and beers. Barley's is often very low-key on Saturday's. And this occasion was no different. Not too many patrons at all. Jersey was tending bar. David, the manager was there as always. We chatted with him while he changed the labels in the new beer taps. Looked like a tedious process.
I enjoyed a regular Pale Ale to begin while Mindy enjoyed a Fortune Teller at my recommendation. On her own she simply couldn't choose.

We both ordered burgers, each of us craving one when discussing our dinner options earlier. She had a regular Barley burger, while I went with the Texas, Pile it On burger. Double yum! I had a second beer, a Centennial. I am pretty sure that Mindy had just the one. We weren't there too long, 90 minutes tops. The Blue Jackets playoff game was on but they were losing 3-1. It didn't look good. I told Mindy they were done. Just a handful of diehard fans gathered at the bar watching. Arrived home near 9pm. Took a gander towards Pat & Lisa's but didn't see any sign of life on their patio. Looked down toward Kenny & Chrissy's too, but it looked dead down there as well. Just as well. I was happy to get into my PJs and relax. Once in my PJ's, I poured a beer, a Uinta Dubhe black IPA. At the same time, Mindy headed up to bed. It wasn't even 10pm on a Saturday. I drank about half my beer then wrapped it in saran wrap and joined Mindy in bed watching TV. I was asleep within minutes.