Edging Pie

Since I planned to work from home, I allowed myself to sleep in a few extra minutes. Was up and out of bed by 615am. Still a little stiff from all the recent yard work, decided to skip calisthenics. Slacker, I know! I still planned to run, of course, but not until after seeing Bella off to school. So instead of exercise, I went right to coffee and internet, enjoying that until 7am when I got busy with work.

Weather-wise, it was another cool, cloudy day, but no rain in the immediate forecast. Like the day before, the high wasn't expected to top 55 degrees. I walked the pug before Bella left for school and then meditated and stretched shortly thereafter. Headed out for a run around 830am. Like most Friday's, I ran just three miles. I felt decent, though my hamstrings noticeably tight.

I had an easy morning of work. The biggest contributor, no surprises. Jacob was home again ill and Mindy asked that I check on him from time to time and see that he eats and drinks. It must've been around 11am when I took a break and headed outside for a little yard work. Before heading out, however, I checked on Jacob. He was sound asleep. Didn't budge. Outside, I grabbed my square shovel and started spring edging the flower beds. The past two years I've rented a large commercial power edger which does the work in less than hour leaving only a trail of top soil needing blended in to the existing beds, but in each of the past years, sprinkler heads have been damaged (thanks Kenny). :) This year I decided to employ the square shovel routine. And with all the cool wet weather, the edging was easy as pie, not to mention keeping a fairly decent edge on all the beds already thanks to the string trimmer and blade edger. It took no more than an hour to edge all the way around the house. I didn't bother picking up any of the dings. I'd do that later.

Back to work. Things remained calm & quiet for most of the afternoon despite covering for a couple of my peers. I was even able to take a 2 hour online technical training class. Also during the afternoon, I contacted three concrete companies (two by phone, one by email) to get estimates on having extensions on both sides of the driveway and then a walk from the east extension back to the deck. It's a feature I've wanted to add for years.

Once I wrapped up my work day I headed back outside to collect the edgings. I must've filled a 5 gallon Home Depot pail 6 or 7 times, dumping the contents against the front foundation to further accentuate the slope away from the house.

Mindy & Bella were home within 30-40 minutes of one another. Jacob still wasn't feeling well and opted to remain in bed. Bella was soon off to play with Makayla. Funny, shortly after getting home from school she shared that the two of them had been distant of late. Had some catching up to do. :) Mindy and discussed out evening. Thought we'd visit Barley's. Bella opted out, asking instead if she could go with Makayla to watch Lillian play soccer. And since Jacob was ill, it would be just Mindy and I. Dandy!
We agreed to bring home food for Jacob.

Mindy and I headed off to Barley's just ahead of 6pm. Shared that we'd be mulching on Saturday, of course provided they deliver as promised. Mindy reminded me that she planned to go into school and start packing up her classroom, not only for the summer, but for the move into the new building. I remembered. Told her that Jacob and Bella could help, and then she could later, once she got home.

At Barley's a little earlier than usual, As a result, not many regulars when we arrived. New server this time. I am pretty sure that Ashley was her name. Cute! Mindy ordered a sampler of four. I ordered a Hoptopus, which is their wheat IPA. Very good! We ordered spinach artichoke dip for an appetizer. Don't thinks we've had theirs before. It was good.

David the manager stopped by to chat. Shared that they'll be unveiling their new menu next Wednesday. He couldn't give away all the details but did share a few things, namely that the Thursday Reuben will become a regular menu item as will the Saturday brisket special.

Rick C. showed maybe 15-20 minutes after us. And just about the time we were asking if he'd seen Steve W. of late, in walked the devil. Always good to see those two. Like me, they're longtime regulars. Mindy eventually ordered a burger. I went with just another beer only this time a Centennial. Actually, though, I planned to order some wings to-go. As usual, Barley's served the intended purpose handsomely. I relaxed with friends and had a lot of fun. I enjoyed a third beer (2nd Centennial) before we placed our to-go order. I ordered K.C wings. Mindy ordered chicken tenders for Jacob. Mindy drove home.

At home, I woofed down 7 or 8 of my wings while Jacob woofed down his chicken tenders. I poured a White Rajah to wash my wings down. Yum! It still before 10pm when Mindy said she was going to bed. Bella called and asked if she could have a sleepover at Makayla's. We said yes. I joined Mindy in bed where we watched a couple episodes of Modern Family. I told Mindy that we must be getting old as evidenced by finding ourselves in bed before 10pm.