Bellasofa

I woke initially around 530am and felt well rested, but after realizing that it was a Saturday I happily rolled over for another bout of sleep. I woke again – this time for keeps – at 715am. And for the first time in more than a week I woke feeling completely refreshed and full of energy. Oh nice it was to feel so good!

I quickly started some coffee then stepped briefly onto the deck to drink in the lovely summery weather. It was mostly sunny and 72, expected to approach 90 later in the day. I enjoyed coffee and internet for the next 90 minutes or more. Didn’t head out for a run until almost 930am. By then it was nice and steamy, and needless to say, I worked up quite a sweat. Felt good, though.

Mindy was up shortly after my return. Bella not until 1130am or so. Jacob was up around 11am. He was going to the lake with neighbor Evan and was expected to be gone until 8pm or so. Mindy, Bella and I were going to Ben & Ryan’s cookout but not until 6pm. Ahead of that, I wanted to make a Macy’s run to buy a new shirt to go along with my cool new shorts that I bought earlier in the week at Old Navy.

I was more than surprised that Bella wanted to go with me. It was a lock when I agreed to stopping at one of the Tuttle furniture store to browse. Funny kid. She loves furniture stores as well as Home Depot and Lowes. I took a quick shower and she and I were out the door near 1210pm. We stopped at Macy’s first.

I knew exactly what I wanted, and it was on sale – 40% off Saturday only, which is why I wanted to go when we did. After buying the shirt, we popped in Finish Line. I would’ve bought the running shoes I wanted too, but they didn’t have my size. I can order online and have shipped to store for the same price.

I offered to walk the mall, any store Bella wanted to visit but she declined, eventually sharing that she was too embarrassed to be seen at a mall. She went on to share that all of her friends frequently shop Tuttle without their parents. I got the message loud and clear. Don’t know that we’re ready to unleash Bella like that. We just started letting Jacob do those things in the last year.

We left the main mall and headed across 270 to Front Room Furnishings, Macy’s Furniture and Kittles. Bella was like a kid in a candy store. We both got a kick out of Joe, the furniture salesman that stalked us throughout our relatively short visit at Front Room Furnishings. He would seemingly appear from nowhere ready to answer questions about any seating group we tried out. Bella insisted on using my phone to snap photos of one or two she really liked.
We made similar stops at Macy’s and Kittles. Each have their good and bad, but we agreed that we liked the offerings at Front Room best.

Called Mindy on the drive home. She shared that she was cleaning and still in her PJs. Waiting on Bella to make cookies and cucumber salad for Ben & Ryan’s cookout. Thinking we got back to the house near 2pm.

I didn’t do much with the rest of my afternoon, though I did water the deck flowers. I took a late afternoon nap, too. It was brief but felt terrific. Near 530pm I freshened up for Ben & Ryan’s cookout. I packed a cooler with 6 beers, water and Gatorade for Bella, and a bottle of wine for Mindy. Actually, the wine wasn’t in the cooler. We left the house near 6pm arriving maybe 20 minutes later.

Mostly family members already there. We parked in the driveway. Within the next half hour many others arrived, most of whom we’ve met at their previous gatherings. The food was to-die-for delicious. Ben made pulled pork and smoked chicken quarters both of which rivaled some of the best places around. Most others, us included, brought sides. We brought cucumber salad and keylime cookies.

Talked with Lisa who shared lots about her weight loss, exercise and running initiatives. Definitely gung-ho. Good food, good people, fun. We stayed until 930pm. Mindy felt it necessary to head home to intercept Jacob after neighbor Teri sent a text letting her know that they were home. I had to pee really bad. Hindsight, should’ve gone before we left.

Home near 10pm. Cracked open a beer and took my jambox and phone to the deck to enjoy a little music. Ate most of the take-home plate Mindy made for Jacob. Headed for bed near 11pm. Bella crawled in bed with us.