Coveted Cleaner

It rained through most of the night. In fact, it was still raining, though only lightly, when I woke for work near 6am. From the outset, my plan was to run early, or before Bella left for school. To that end, I exercised, enjoyed coffee and internet, meditated and stretched, and headed out for a run all before 7am. I ran the full 4.1 miles, too.

Mindy was gone by the time I got back from the run. I grabbed the pug's leash then beckoned her presence from the bottom of the stairs. She and I headed out near 750am. By then the other bus stop parents arrived in their cars. I waved as we walked by. Inside, I ate my breakfast while Bella dashed out for the bus. Off to the shower by 815am. It didn't take me long. I was ready and left the house by 840am. I had about a 1/4 tank of gas, which was probably plenty, but then again, I didn't want to put myself in a predicament I could easily avoid. I stopped for a fill-up at Circle-K. Excellent mileage last tank full, almost 28 mpg. Arrived cross town near 9am. I looked for a close parking spot but there were none. It was raining again so I used my umbrella for the long walk to the entrance.

Stayed busy through the AM hours knocking out a number of to-do's. Amongst them was a personal to-do, reaching out to the two doctors I found by using our benefits resources page to see about making an appointment. My first choice was not accepting new patients. Dang it! My second choice was and has excellent ratings. Made a get-to-know-you appointment for Monday, May 12 at 330pm. That made far more sense. Already more personable than Dr. Coyle. Come 1230pm I left for a lunch break and a trip to the Easton Macy's. It was the first day of their Friends & Family sale, everything in the store 25% off, which also included items already on sale. I tried on a few things but bought just the lavender Polo shirt I'd been waiting to go on sale. I tried on a pair of cargo shorts but looked like a total dork in them with my short, stocky legs. I headed back to the office near 130pm.

Stayed busy through the afternoon, leaving for home near 410pm. By then the rain had stopped but the sky still mostly cloudy. I tried calling Mindy but she didn't answer. However, she called back about 10 minutes later sharing that she was just leaving school. By then I was only a few miles from home and beat her there by several minutes.

We had the house cleaned professionally for the first time in something like a year. The woman, Debbie, is the mother of a teaching partner of Mindy’s whom we met a couple weeks ago. She did a decent job, especially for the first time. I am confident that Mindy will work with her to address the areas that need more attention moving forward.

It was a Jimaken night, though with Jacob not feeling well, it was just he and Bella. Jacob said his throat hurt and he was ridiculously tired, essentially his bimonthly illness. Mindy and I planned an impromptu run to CBC even though we strongly considered staying home. Arrived at CBC near 545pm. The parking lot was full so we took our favorite spot in the ancillary lot across the street, our car within eyeshot. Standing room only in the bar, a company having an organized happy hour. Soon, however, some folks offered up stools they were standing by. Sweet.

They had Bodhi on tap, but both of us decided to try one of their guest drafts instead, the Mad Tree, PsycHOPathy. Not sure why but it left me in a very antisocial way. :) As usual, Mindy chatted it up with the staff, especially, Jen, the general manager, who is expecting a baby along with her wife, Keri. She also talked with Aubrey who is due in something like 6 or 7 weeks. Seems only last week that she shared that she was pregnant. Said she was inviting Mindy and I to her baby shower at her fiancée, Matt's house. And by the way, men are welcome too.

Enjoyed some fresh CBC bread along with our beer. Later, Jen comp'd us some fried asparagus shortly before we ordered dinner. Mindy went with the salmon and I with wings. Ordered a Bodhi as well. Haven't had one in quite a while. And boy was it ever tasty. It was approaching 8pm when we wrapped up our CBC visit and headed for home. Jim and Molly were still there with Bella. Mindy insisted I show the two of them some of the wedding photos.

Off to bed fairly early, and definitely before 10pm.