PsycHOPathy @ Dirty Franks

I got up at 6am feeling pretty good. Downstairs I started coffee then completed Friday calisthenics, which included push-ups. Jacob asked for scrambled eggs again, so I had the pan reheating with olive oil even before beginning calisthenics. I used three eggs and added a tad bit of water. I whipped up his eggs shortly after delivering Mindy's coffee. Back downstairs, I enjoyed coffee of my own and then read about the rest of Thursday night's 1st round NFL draft.

Oh my! The Vikings, it seems, made yet another splash by trading back into the 1st round and taking Louisville QB, Teddy Bridgewater, the quarterback I hoped that would someday land in our lap. Just a month ago many had him slotted as the overall #1 pick, but after a poor pro day he slipped. Having him in the fold made me smile. And as soon as Jacob was downstairs to enjoy his eggs before leaving for school I shared the news with him. I'd forgotten that he went to bed before the Browns 2nd first round pick until he asked if they got any other picks. He's a Manziel hater! If nothing else, Manziel will sell tickets!

Around 7am I stopped playing and started working a little, though things were fairly calm. The weather, by the way, was partly cloudy but also a warm 64 degrees. Expected to approach 80 by the afternoon. Mindy was downstairs by 710am and out the door 20 minutes later, or shortly after Bella was downstairs for breakfast. Mindy and I swapped cars again just in case I wanted to make another nursery run that afternoon. It wasn't a high priority but having the option seemed favorable.

I headed out with the pug between 730-745am and we were out for no more than 7 minutes. Bella headed to the bus stop a few minutes early for a change while I stayed inside sipping coffee and digging back into work. I headed out on a run once I completed a meditation and stretch. I'm guessing that it was near 835am when I finally hit the pavement. Once again, it was warm enough to comfortably run in shorts and short sleeves.

Like most Friday's, I ran just three miles. Felt pretty good. Back at home, I watered the new grass which isn't doing so well - spotty germination. I didn't consider the impact of putting down the annual spring premergent and then seeding a couple weeks later. I'm guessing that has a lot to do with the poor results. Not one to wait too long, I may just sod the area and be done with it. Bam!

Inside, I quickly got back to work and stayed busy until lunch time when I headed out to pot some of the flowers I picked up on Thursday. I thought I'd do the two largest deck pots first, which meant I had to get them from the shed. I left last season's potting soil in them over the winter choosing not to spend the money to replace it. That gets expensive ($100) each season). Full of soil, they're really to heavy to carry up from the shed so I used the tractor and trailer to transport all four large deck pots. I also brought up the two large hanging baskets.

Spent the next hour or so potting the mini hibiscus and geraniums. At times the sky looked a bit threatening but only once and very briefly did it materialize into anything. Rained (sprinkled) for maybe 5 minutes. Before heading inside I sunk a few of the bulbs I recently purchased (cannas and dahlias). I hope I have better luck with this year's batch. I am sure I that I will.

Having skipped a traditional breakfast earlier, I opted to reheat one of the yummy cheeseburgers still in the fridge from Monday. They're so thick that I decided to slice one in half, longwise. It was really delicious. Worked through the afternoon. Jacob and a friend, Joe, arrived home from school around 3pm. They quickly headed out to play basketball. Seemed just a few minutes later that Bella was home. Around 4pm I headed out back to put my tractor and mower away. I watered in the freshly planted pots and hanging baskets too. Birds, squirrels, rabbits, come and get it!!! :)

Mindy was home from school around 415pm. We didn't have any specific dinner plans for the evening, but Mindy did share that she would be taking Jacob and his friend to the mall at some point and would be picking them up too. Bella had a gym meet Saturday and needed to be there by 845am which means Mindy would need to be up much earlier than she might otherwise. As such, I expected her to be in bed earlier than usual.

Mindy shared a story about a situation with a young homeless boy from her school. He was acting out in class so she took him under her wing for the day giving him loads of one on one attention. She was sad and convinced that if she could only bring him home he would be a wonderful, happy kid. To ease her mind, I offered that it was OK from my perspective. If we could actually help change the course of this young boys life I was all for it. She left a couple messages for her principal. While I got a shower, Mindy ran Jacob and his buddy, Joe to the mall.

Shortly after Mindy's return, her sister, Jodie and brother-in-law, Larry came by around 6pm. They gifted Mindy the fine china they received some 30+ years ago as a wedding gift but have never used. Mindy's always liked it. It's not really something we need and I have no ideas where we're going to store it either. But hey.

After conversing with the two of them for a while, Larry offered that we go somewhere to grab some food. His suggestion was a new place on the west side, Dirty Dogs which is located on West Broad between Hague and Roys where the old Western Cafe once stood. You might say it's in an economically depressed area, and certainly a part of town where you need to be aware of your surroundings with every move. Dirty Frank's is owned by the same folks that own Betty's in the Short North. The only parking we could find was directly across the street in the post office parking lot, which back in the day used to be a Big Bear and Harts.

Mindy got curt with Bella when she attempted to pull away when Mindy grabbed to hand to cross West Broad St. Bella was already in funk even before leaving the house. Said she didn't want to go. We listened but didn't give her another option. Sucks being 11, I guess. :) Inside, Bella hadn't recovered from her not wanting to be there and/or the hand grabbing incident. She did little more than hang her head, rub her eyes and pout. I whispered to her more than once to snap out of it. She left her hair hang long and into her face, too. And literally, I've never seen her act so despondent and sad. I asked again that she find her center and get it together. Nothing helped. Finally, I offered that she and I were going outside and get some fresh air. She cried even louder - oh boy! - and pleaded for Mindy to save her. Save you? What? Mindy acquiesced and took her outside for some fresh air.

Jodie Larry asked just what the heck was the matter. Not 100% certain, although we're expecting her to start her menstrual cycle just about any time now. Lots of hormones flowing. Mindy and Bella came back inside after spending less than 5 minutes outside. By then the waiter was by to get our drink orders. I asked that he wait for Mindy. Pretty sure we both ordered the PsycHOPathy. Bella went with Dr Pepper or Mt. Dew. Jodie and Larry both soft drinks too. By their return, Bella was finally collected and in much better spirits. We ordered a couple sides of pretzels, one salty the other sweet. They came with a few different dips: mustard, cream cheese, and beer cheese. And for our main entrees we ordered dogs, of course. I had two styles of a chili dog.

Bella mentioned that the many pieces of original art hanging around the place frightened her. They were definitely unique. And actually, I enjoyed most of them. The food was good, the service, however, a little slow. No biggie. Now around 830pm, we needed to be making our way towards Tuttle mall to pick up Jacob and Joey. Said goodbyes to Jodie and Larry and parted ways.

We took West Broad St all the way towards 270. Traffic was slow going headed west. In hindsight, we might've been better off taking Wilson north to the 70/270 interchange or for that matter, all the way to the Roberts Rd 270 entrance ramp. Meh! Pulled in Tuttle Mall near the north Macy's entrance. As soon as we got close Mindy spotted Jacob and Joey walking out. Perfect timing! Joey's house wasn't too far away. In fact, very near my office building as well as Davidson HS. ON the way home from dropping Joey, Mindy exchanged a couple texts with Molly, Jimaken's girlfriend. Suddenly, Mindy let out a sigh and then flashed a particular text in front of my eyes while we were stopped at a traffic light. It was Molly sharing that Jimaken was texting another woman while they were at one of her relatives graduation parties. I instinctually noted that the kids, especially Bella might see the text too, and motioned for Mindy to put her phone down and away without using words. Next thing I know Bella is crying in the back seat and Jacob was asking what the text said. He knew whatever it said made Bella cry. Great!~

Despite me advising against continued texting. She kept on. I was then that I noticed that the front passenger window was like a television screen of her texts bright and clear. Oh boy! But just like that, Mindy let out a loud laugh. Apparently Jimaken was bored and was texting an old boss, whom Mindy and I have met a few times. Not exactly a hottie. Can't recall if Mindy ever shared the discovery with Bella, who was still upset when we got home.

I made myself a Jack & Coke to enjoy while watching TV in the family room while Mindy and Bella headed to bed fairly early, though Bella was quickly back up and downstairs. As soon as my drink was toast I was off to bed, which couldn't have been later than 1030pm.