Clothes from Oregon

Slept comparably late, not rolling out of bed until almost 625am. However, because I planned to work from home I was still in good shape. I started the coffee then knocked out calisthenics. I briefly toyed with skipping them. How sad is that. That just shows how tired I've been feeling. With the exception of Thursday, I had a hard time getting up all work week long.

Took Mindy coffee somewhat late near 640am. Spent the next 80-90 minutes working/playing, and enjoying coffee. After seeing Bella onto the bus and then walking the pug, I headed out for a run near 830am. It was another soggy run but this time with slightly warmer temps. It was 57 degrees with light rain when I left the house. Ran just three miles. Darwin was just exiting the Darmada when I ran by his home. I stopped briefly to chat a little. Said he’s been working, painting during the wee hours. Unlike me who complained of jet lag, he said the west coast jet lag was probably helping him stay awake. He looked tired.

Back home near 905am, I put my damp running shoes on the heating vent and then I poured another cup of coffee then got back to work. I was hosting an 11am call with one of my clients along with a peer. The call went well, and also brief. Spent the rest of my day working on monthly reporting. Instead of making eggs, I skipped a regular breakfast and instead heated up a bowl of chicken & noodles around noon.

Shortly after noon, the mailman came to the door leaving a small package on the stoop. It was the running/ski clothes I left in Govy Camp. I was eager to open the box. Inside was everything I believed missing along with a couple more items. What I hadn’t remembered was an extra pair of ski and dress socks. Cool! Again, well worth the $15 cost of shipping. I sent Heather at Collins Lake an email letting her know they arrived and again thanking her for taking care of all that.

I was expecting the Orkin Service manager to show up sometime between noon and 2pm just as we agreed on Tuesday. He never did call or show. That in and of itself is very telling of their credibility. I called him around 445pm to ask what happened. Of course he played dumb at first but the fell on his sword. But what could he possibly say that would justify him not even giving me a call? While he stumbled, fumbled for words, I decided to move on and simply suggested he show the following Friday. It’s not that I was accepting of his no call, no show. Instead, I was embarrassed for him and his company. Believe me, it was going in my back pocket for later.

Mindy was going to a retirement party for her teaching partner after school She didn’t expect to be home until 6pm. And honestly, I wasn’t banking on that. I figured it more like 7pm. We talked about going up to see Ken once she was home, and then the possibility of taking the kids to Barley’s. Heavy rain moved through midafternoon, or at about 3pm. At the time it was fairly warm – a balmy 67 degrees. However, it got really windy, too, as the front blew through. Behind it were much cooler temps. In fact, by 6pm it was almost 20 degrees cooler. Big drop!

Both kids were home from school near their normal times. And Mindy got home from the retirement party near 6pm just as she had planned. Soon after arriving home she asked about plans. I wasn’t so sure. To me it made little sense to get ready, head to the hospital to visit Ken, head back home to fetch the kids and then head to Barley’s. At best, we wouldn’t get there until 8pm or later. Heck, we’re often heading home from dinner with the kids by that hour. I eventually suggested that we skip the hospital visit. That would make things far easier and made a lot more sense. We’d simply head to Barley’s with the kids arriving near 7pm. Makayla was over, and of course Bella asked if she could join us.

Mindy mentioned that Kevin & Kerianne might be heading to Barley’s too. I only shared that I didn’t really want to sit in a booth with a bunch of children. Later it became just Kerianne. Kevin, I guess, was staying home with the kids. We arrived at Barley’s near 715pm. I found Rick C. over at the far end of the bar. Took up refuge talking with him while Mindy and the kids stood in the lobby waiting for a table to open.

Mindy and the kids finally got a booth near the bar. I chose to remain standing at the bar talking with Rick. Among other things, we talked about his new (second) grandson. Very proud grandpa. Mindy joined us on and off while waiting on Kerianne to show. Think she showed around 8pm. And it had to be around 830pm when I finally sat down in the booth with all of them. There I ate some of Mindy’s hummus and pita. In all, I had three beers, which was plenty enough to feel relaxed and buzzed.

Grandpa Tom & Steve showed up around 9pm. Always late arrivers. Talked about their fast approaching European vacation. We laughed about the funny stories that the trip will almost certainly foster. Something always seems to go awry when they travel, making for hilarious stories later. The plan all along was for Mindy to drive us home. I think she had one beer. We were home by 930pm. Bella asked if Makayla could stay the night. Why not? They’re pretty good about entertaining themselves without causing commotion. Mindy and I were in bed by 1030pm.