Sharpen Blades, BM'er Battery, Hedge Trimmers & Lunch @ Piada

I woke eager and rested near 615am. Jacob wasn’t up yet so I knocked on the wall as I passed down the stairs. Downstairs I quickly whipped out calisthenics, including sit-ups, windmills, then push-ups. Happy to have them behind me, I poured myself a cup of coffee then headed to my PC. I didn’t take Mindy coffee since she took the day off school so she could take Bella to a mid-morning doctor’s appointment to have a wart burnt off of her ankle.

Jacob was downstairs near 640am and out the door 10 minutes later. I read a few headlines and checked the weather forecast. At the time it was 56 degrees with very light rain. What little rain that was around wasn’t supposed to stick around. Instead, the skies were expected to brighten throughout the day. Mindy was up around 8-815am. I headed out for a run around 830am. At the same time, Mindy said she was off to the shower.

I skipped wearing my brand new running shoes for the light rain. In so doing, I complained to Mindy that more often than not my first day with new running shoes is hampered by rain. Like most Friday’s anymore, I ran just three miles. Back at the house near 9am, I was a little surprised to find Mindy still milling around in her PJs. I guess she never got around to getting that shower, though she headed for one for real in short order.

Meanwhile, I got busy with work, joining a call at 10am. Next thing I knew, Mindy and Bella were ready to head off for the doctor’s appointment. However, before they left, Mindy gave me a brief rundown of her plans. After taking Bella back to school after her doctor’s appointment she planned on running a few errands. She also planned on picking up her mom and taking her shopping at Kohl’s. I asked if she wanted to meet for lunch. She did, but I don’t recall agreeing on a specific time.

Stayed busy with work until noon. In addition to meeting Mindy for lunch, I planned to have my mower blades sharpened at the annual JD Equipment open house for $2. Once a year they have this event and so the sharpening while you wait. That’s a good deal given that the price is usually $7 per blade and it typically takes a few days. I thought I might buy the Echo gas powered hedge trimmers from them too. In addition, I planned to stop in Advanced Auto Parts and buy a new BM’er battery. The two venues are less than a mile apart.

I stopped at JD Equipment first. I expected there to be crowd but there wasn’t. In fact, I was one of only two or three customers there. One of the employees was outside manning a grill full of meat (brats, burgers, and dogs). Took my blades in and was promptly advised where to take them. In the back, which is the same place I took them last year, I waited for someone to help me. A young woman had me complete a form similar to the one I completed the year before. I made it clear that I was there for the same day $2 sharpening. I immediately got the sense that that might not happen. And it turned out that I was right. A gentleman came in and told me he would call me when they were done. Hmmm? I thought you were going to sharpen them while I wait? Said he wished he could but that they were too backed up.

I didn’t want to make too much of a fuss about it. After all, it wasn’t like I needed them back that instant anyway. He must’ve seen the frustration on my face because as I turned to walk out he shared that he would still get to them that day and would call me when they were ready. OK. Back in the showroom I looked for the Echo hedge trimmers. Even though their website says they carry a full complement of Echo gas powered yard tools, I didn’t see them. Instead, they were prominently displaying Stihl equipment. However, in the center of the showroom they had a small little rack of Echo equipment. When asked, the sales guy told me that they didn’t have the model I was looking for but could likely get one transferred in my early next week. He called two of their other stores: New Albany and Washington Courthouse. W.C. had one. New Albany didn’t. Said he would have it in on Tuesday. In kind, I offered that I would simply pick-up both the trimmer and mower blades on Tuesday.

I headed just down the road to Advance Auto. I opted to leave the old battery in the car this time until I confirmed they still had the right battery as well as the venting kit. Turned out, they had the battery but not the venting kit. Offered to check two other local stores: Hilliard Rome and then West Broad St. West Broad had both the battery and venting kit. He had them hold both for me.

Mindy called just as I was leaving Advance Auto. Agreed to meet for lunch at Piada Italian Street Food in about 30 minutes. On my way to west Hilliard decided to make a quick stop in Hilliard Lawn & Garden to see if they still carried Echo power equipment. They used to. Just like JD Equipment, they had switched over to Stihl, they had the stuff hanging on three of the store walls. Josh, one of the sales associates, asked how he could help. I simply asked if they still carried Echo. Nope! Carrying Stihl instead. I could see that. I, in turn, asked why. Said they got tired of fighting with Echo to back-up their products. He in turn asked if I was dead set on Echo. Not deadest, but very happy with my other Echo products, a chain saw and blower.

After asking what Echo model I was looking for he offered to show me the Stihl equivalent. Stihl has an equally good reputation and quite possibly better, but they also cost more and come with a tighter warranty (2 years versus 5 years). I was going to stick with my original plan and move on, but decided to give Josh a chance and take a closer look at the Stihl. They had a smaller model and a slightly larger model. The smaller was $10 more than the Echo and the larger was $70 more. I was immediately impressed that the larger, despite being more powerful, was actually lighter and definitely more balanced in the hand, which is critical after a few minutes of use. In fact, everything about it seemed a notch better. Skeptical at first, I quickly decided to take the plunge at buy the Stihl. Forgot to mention, simply buying a 6-pack of the Stihl oil extended the manufactures warranty by two more years. I bit on that offer too.

Josh took the time to gather the paperwork, register my product warranty, and then getting it fueled up, started, and quick demo. I very appreciated the service – the difference between buying at a small specialty shop versus big box. I headed to Piada to meet Mindy. On my way, I noticed they put a new Moo Moo car wash in at the north end of Target. For a brief second, I thought about turning around and getting my car washed. Lord knows it needs it. Figured I better head to the restaurant. Mindy wasn’t there yet. I waited maybe five minutes before she pulled up. Neither one of us had tired Piada prior. I was eager to give it a try. Very similar to Chipotle in the set-up, menu selections and process, only with an Italian spin versus Mexican. Mindy ordered a pasta dish. I ordered what was essentially a chicken burrito with an Italian bent. It was really good. Glad we gave it a try. We hung out for maybe 30 minutes. Mindy needed to go after her mom and I needed to go get my battery and then get home and back to work.

Before heading to the New Rome Advance Auto Parts on West Broad St. I headed back to the Moo Moo car wash just down the road a bit. And while the sign advertises a $5 carwash, I opted for the $8 wash which included an under body wash as well as a blow dry. Considering how filthy my car was, they did a decent job. I thought about asking if I could go through a 2nd time but didn’t. I did, however, take advantage of the free vacuuming. Spent about10 minutes vacuuming the interior and trunk.

Traffic was tight near Hilliard-Rome and Trabue. Always is. For my money, one of the worst intersections in town. Took Hilliard-Rome all the way to Broad St. A little seedy, but they were really nice and helpful. Hooked me up with the battery and vent kit. Sold me an anti-corrosion kit, too. Headed home via West Broad to 270 N.

Got home at 215pm. In somewhat of a surprise, Mindy was home. She explained that she stopped home to put the food items she purchased for Jacob’s bday party away. Eric, the Orkin service manager was there too. I’d almost forgotten about the appointment. Mindy left within a couple minutes of my arrival. I talked with Eric about the return of the piss ants. I quickly gathered that he must’ve talked with Mindy since he already knew where she spotted them and where he planned to treat with bait. While Eric did his thing, I got back to work. Thankfully, things were still quiet. Within the next hour, Jacob was home from school. He headed out to play minutes after arriving home. Don’t blame him. It was sunny and nearing 70 degrees.

Around 3pm I headed out to install the new battery in the BM’er. Not only is the battery located in the trunk, which is why venting is necessary, but it rests in a deep recess, too. Not a problem, but getting the clamp around the base of the battery shell is a trick. I was lucky and got it installed first try. However, I had to pull it back out after somewhat boogering up the venting hose coupler. That took some rigging but I got it. As expected, started flawlessly.

Just inside the front door were two packages, one for me, and one for Mindy. I opened the one for me. As expected, it was the trimmer parts I ordered online Monday or Tuesday. No time to fool with them right then. Instead, I put my focus on closing out my work day and week. Bella was home from school around 345pm. Mindy and her mom got home from shopping around 415pm. The plan all along was for Gloria to stay for Jacob’s birthday party. I’m pretty sure that Jodie & Larry agreed to give her a ride home. Mindy, Gloria and I readied the house for the family birthday party. Among other things, I vacuumed and watered plants.

The family began arriving near 6pm, just as Mindy requested. We ordered Sparano’s subs and Minelli’s pizzas. Until all that arrived, we had chips and dip laid out. Jacob’s cake remained in the freezer since it was an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. According to Mindy, it’s to be left in the freezer until 10-15 minutes before use.

Present were all of Mindy’s sibs and their spouses minus Missy and the girls. They apparently had a school event to attend. Julie, Katie, Joe and Lindey were there too, as were Jimaken, Molly and Candy, Jimaken’s mom.

The 10 Sparano’s subs arrived first. Pizzas arrived maybe 10 minutes later. Let the feeding begin. Many enjoyed wine while I enjoyed a couple beers. Cake and gifts took place after everyone got their fill of pizza and subs. After singing the birthday song, I cut the cake. Took some doing since it was still half frozen. As for the gifts, Jacob cleaned up. Lots of gift cards and cash. Of course Mindy and I got him a new pair of Nikes that he picked out when we were in Oregon.

The kids and their dad had a silly string battle on the deck. In all, 4 cans worth. Most were gone by 830pm. Jacob went home with his dad and Molly since they were taking him to his Cincinnati soccer tournament early Saturday AM. If memory serves, they needed to be on the road by 5am. Ugh!!
Near 930pm by the time we had the kitchen/familyroom back in order. We headed to bed fairly early too since we needed to be on the road for Bella’s gym meet in Rio Grande at 9am.