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I was up near 630am and still a little groggy. However, once calisthenics were completed I was wide awake. Enjoyed coffee and internet for a solid hour. Also followed up on a couple lingering work issues before giving way to meditation, a stretch, and ultimately my run.

Before heading out on a run, I went to the basement to find a box for mailing David’s iTouch. I brought up the packing tape too. I left it setting on the island figuring to address it once I was back from my run. Got out the door near 8am, a bit later than I hoped.

It was a gorgeous morning – sunny and 57 degrees, chilly enough that I wore a short-sleeved running shirt. My run went well. Back at the house somewhere close to 830am. Before starting my breakfast, I boxed up and addressed David’s iTouch for mailing. It didn’t take too long. Enjoyed a couple eggs, toast and fruit before heading up for a shower. Took Mindy some coffee.

Ready to go by 915am. We enjoyed a few minutes together on the deck before I left for work in the BM’er. It was a spectacular day to drive the BM’er, sunny skies and temps hovering near 70. I exited to the west on Hilliard-Cemetery in order to stop at the post office ahead of work. Good news, no line whatsoever. About $4 to mail the small box first class. I figured it would be more. In and out in the matter of about 2 or 3 minutes. Arrived at the office shortly after 930am.

The office was well attended, especially for a Friday. Like me, one of my peers who normally works at home on Friday’s was there, too, since she also worked at home on Thursday. We laughed about it. Stayed busy through the lunch hour at which point I made a Home Depot/Lowes run. There I planned to look for and purchase tandem circuit breakers made for our current breaker box. Turned out, they were out of them at Home Depot, so I made the half mile drive from there to Lowes who did have them. Frustratingly, they actually sell two types for my make and model, one twice the price of the other. And the documentation as to which one fits my panel box was sparse. I ended up rethinking my electrical design and opted instead to purchase only one 15amp tandem breaker and then one 20amp GFCI breaker to feed both the new bathroom and kitchen. The GFCI was really pricey – about $70. The tandem breaker was about $20.

Back to work for the rest of the afternoon, and I was there until 5pm or so. By the time I left the place was darn near empty. Mindy wanted to leave the house for niece Julie’s birthday party at 530pm in an effort to be there near 6pm. Given my druthers, I would’ve preferred to have an hour to decompress from the work day. It was supposed to be a kidless weekend but Mindy wanted the kids to attend Julie’s party too, so we agreed to drop them off at Jimaken’s place after the party. It wouldn’t be a big deal. They both live up off of Sawmill Rd.

We left for Julie’s party shortly after 530pm. I wore what I had on, only freshened up a bit. Mindy made cucumber salad to take along. She also took a bottle of wine. Sawmill Rd was its usual self – heavily traveled, but we still made decent time. Arrived near 6pm. Julie & Katie were using their garage to host the food and drink – completely cleared out of the usual garageable stuff. I love the look but also recognize that it’s an impossibility in our world of stuff. Oh so we e stuff! 

The food spread was good and grew as more family arrived. There was Jet’s pizza with extra thick crust and yummy toppings to go along with all the sides the family members brought. I was careful not to eat more than enough to sustain me – one piece of pizza and a couple of the side salads. Plus, I drank only bottled water. I was banking on a stop at Barley’s later on the way home.

Once everyone was there the party moved around back to the patio where the kids played volleyball. It was a gorgeous evening, by the way, still sunny and somewhere near 80. I opted to skip the volleyball in order to not break a sweat. Didn’t want to get all sticky. Mindy partook in a couple helpings of the food and a few glasses of wine. I, in turn, stayed true to my resolve to drink only water.

We did the usual family birthday stuff – conversation, cards, gifts, and dessert. I’m thinking that it was near 830pm when we prepared for departure. Took Smoky Row to Snouffer to Sawmill to Bethel Rd. And I am quite sure that we got stopped at every stinkin’ traffic light along the way. By the time we arrived at Jimaken’s condo, it was all intents and purposes dark. I waited in the car while Mindy walked the kids in.

From Jimaken’s place we headed to Riverside Dr and then south all the way the way to Barley’s. By then I’m guessing it was near 910pm. Not much of a crowd, and only a couple of the ole regulars – Steve & Grandpa Tom. We cozied up next to the two of them. Said they were just talking/thinking of us.

Still something very comforting to me about Friday’s at Barley’s. And I suppose that’s because it’s become part of my very fabric. Heck, it’s been part of my Friday’s for some 15 years. Like I have the past few visits, I ordered a Barley’s Pale ale to start. Mindy went with only water. While Mindy chatted it up with G. Tom, I talked with Steve, sharing our chaotic thwarted burglary story as well as the many subsequent middle of the night paranoid wakings.

I ended up having a second beer, only this time a ZIPA (my new pattern). And by then I was hungry, too, so I ordered a brisket quesadilla. It was exceptional. We hung at Barley’s until almost 11pm. As we left for home I took notice of how I felt – complete. Barley’s, you complete me.  At home we were promptly off to bed.