August Steamy & Hot

Saturday, August 1 – Pins & Needles

Another warm and gorgeous sunny day. Didn’t head out for a run until 930am or so.  Ran three miles.  It was a kidless weekend. Sadly, I couldn’t relax too much with a looming deployment to Texas hanging over my head. I wouldn’t know for sure until the wee hours of Sunday morning. As it was, I treated as if it was a foregone conclusion that I was going.

Our plans for the day included Josh & Rachel’s house warming party up in Dublin. It was an open house beginning at 3pm and going until 7pm. We planned to stay for an hour or two. During the late morning and early afternoon, I finished packing for Texas double checking my list in hopes of not forgetting anything essential. Of course, with an open ended length of stay, it was difficult if not impossible to pack everything I might need. I resigned myself to packing relatively light – almost like a week’s vacation.

Mindy asked me to spackle a crack and a few holes in the master bedroom wall before my potential departure so she could move forward with the bedroom redo. While I had the ladder  and spackling out, I took care of a couple drywall nail-pops on the vaulted ceiling that have literally been there for the last 10-15 years.

We readied for an afternoon away and left for Josh & Rachel’s near 3pm. Easy drive around 270 and north on Sawmill for a few miles. Nice place. Neat and tidy, just as we expected. They don’t have any children … yet, though Rachel’s pregnant with their first.

Having partied with Josh & Rachel numerous times past, there were lots of familiar faces. Lot of good eats too. Rachel (Ben’s sister) is one heck of a cook. Matter of fact, it runs in their family.

Eventually kicked back on their backyard shaded patio. Very nice. A little drama ensued when neighbor Chrissy confiscated her step-daughter’s iPhone for texting drama. Caused quite the stir, at least for a little while. I went out to talk Chrissy off the ledge when she briefly retreated to Kenny’s Jeep. We talked for maybe 15 minutes. Nobody said being a step-parent would be easy.

I drank only ice water for not knowing for certain how my Sunday would unfold. We left for home around 5pm. Mindy asked that we stop at Pier 1 on Sawmill Rd. She’s looking for some unique, old-fashioned cabinets for our basement. We didn’t find anything we liked at Pier 1. I suggested we stop at World Market at Tuttle mall next. They didn’t have anything that fit the bill either.

After 6pm by the time we arrived at home. Thinking it was near 730pm when I chose to do dinner at Barley’s. Since I was potentially leaving town for an undetermined amount of time, Mindy left it entirely up to me. And of all the places we like to frequent, it’s usually Barley’s I still crave most when away.

Next to no one there when we showed up. Jersey was working the bar. Started with a ZIPA then ordered a Smokehouse Reuben – yum. Haven’t enjoyed one of those for a really long time. Jersey pointed out that their annual Hop-IPA-looza was coming up the following Thursday. Dang it! Sadly, there was a strong chance I’d miss it.

Enjoyed another IPA but this time a Warped Wing Space Food. Very good! Mindy ordered one too. We were about to leave when our peeps John & Carolyn stopped in. I was in the restroom when they showed up and could hear Mindy hooting and hollering when they surprised her. We ended up sticking around for another beer.

Had to be near 1030-11pm when we finally headed home.

Sunday, August 2 – No go!

Four years ago, I forced myself to wake near 3am just to check on my deployment status. This year, however, I decided to wait and wake naturally. I woke around 640am and headed downstairs to learn my fate. Before checking, I made a cup of coffee and settled into my office chair. I took a deep breath and popped open my email. No go! Wahoo!

I sense of calm and relief befell me. I opted to enjoy my first cup of coffee before heading up to notify Mindy. Despite the coffee, I was sleepy again so after sharing the good news with Mindy I briefly tried going back to sleep. Might’ve slept lightly for another 1—15 minutes but that’s it. Back downstairs to enjoy the sunny morning.

Headed out on the run around 9am. Because of the situation, I had absolutely nothing on the agenda. my day was a blank slate. Mindy was up around 10am. We spent a little time on the deck eventually agreeing to spend the day kayaking Darby Creek at the Darby Battelle Park put-in. Mindy wasn’t as eager as me, but seemed to warm to the idea once we continued with our ready.

I think it was near noon when we arrived at the D.B. put-in. Not knowing the current conditions, we opted to leave the kayaks in the Pilot and walked down to the water’s edge first. Apparently Darby Creek was a flood stage while we were away on vacation. Today, however, the water level looked normal and the flow leisurely.

Soon we were paddling, and at first a little ways up stream. I left it up to Mindy which direction we would go. She suggested we paddle south since we’ve spent so much time hiking along the creek to the north many times past. That also meant we’d be paddling with the flow, which made for a very leisure ride.

Couldn’t really ask for a better day. Nothing but blue skies, warm temps and a slight breeze. I loved it! We kayaked for perhaps a mile or two south taking on three sets of shallows and mini-rapids. We might’ve had to get out once to pull the kayak a few feet to deep waters, but that’s it.

After the third shallow rapids, Mindy suggested we not go much further for having to paddle upstream the entire way back. I could have gone all day but agreed. We turned for our return. Paddling against the usual current was no big deal, especially once some momentum was gained. The shallow rapids presented a bit of a challenge. At each one Mindy simply got out to pull her kayak through em. I opted for the challenge. I made it through one of the three without vacation the kayak. Once you go sideways, I learned, you’re done!  And rowing through the rapids was an incredible workout.

The last shallow wasn’t really navigable, especially since we had to take the shallowest fork in the creek to avoid a large faming of swimmers. Most of happened upon a dozen or so other kayakers out that afternoon too. All totaled, it was about a two-hour adventure and one well worth the effort.

Arrived home near 4pm. Mindy helped me stow the kayaks in the shed before any relaxing.

Monday, August 3

It was nice to have a normal Monday work morning. I was up around 630am to exercise, meditate, stretch and run. Had I gone to Texas, my tentative plan was to run in the evenings since I was expected to be in the office by 6am. Ugh! To maintain my current rhythm and routine meant I would’ve needed to wake at 3am. No way!

Enjoyed everything about my morning prep. As usual, I ran 4 miles. Worked from home for the first couple hours. Headed into the office near 10am. All things considered, a relatively easy work day.

Tuesday, August 4

Ran 4 miles. Worked across town for most of the day. Stopped at Lowes before jumping on the freeway to buy window film for the master bedroom half-moon window. Stopped in Target, too, which is right next door where I bought a permanent filter for our Kuerig 2.0.

Mindy was busy painting the master bedroom. Made decent progress – first coat applied to main bedroom area.

Once she finished for the day, she and the kids suggested we have dinner out at Barley’s. Had just one beer with dinner, which was a plate of wings for me. Stopped by dad’s to water and walk Archie on the way home.

Wednesday, August 5

Ran 4 miles. Still a painful right hamstring but slowly but surely getting better. Worked across town. At lunch time I made a Home Depot run. Above all, I finally got around to returning about $20 worth of plumbing parts I bought but didn’t need or use in the basement. No questions asked. Pretty sure these were all April purchases. Yikes! Didn’t head for home until almost 5pm.

Despite the late hour, I opted to give 670W a try despite knowing that a 670/70W back-up was inevitable. Arrived home just after the kids left with Jimaken. Mindy was busy painting our bedroom. Around 6pm she came downstairs insisting we head out somewhere for dinner. Given that we were out to dinner the evening before, and really no wanting to eat out or drink alcohol, I requested we not go anywhere. She wasn’t too thrilled.

Thursday, August 6

Ran 4 miles. Hamstring still tight. Worked from the Hilliard office.  Mindy still painting the master bedroom. Mindy enlisted Bella’s help and she seemed to be doing a good job. Working in the water closet. Nothing left but a clean-up coat.

Friday, August 7

Ran 3 miles. Worked from home. Took lunch break around noon and drove over to Dad’s house where I walked Archie and ripped a small channel in a piece of door trim to accept the insulation strip. The piece will replace a rotted section on our side entry door.

Stayed busy until almost 515pm. As usual, the late afternoon was the busiest part of my day. Around 530pm, while Mindy ran out to pick-up more paint and also to drop the kids at the St Brenndan’s festival, I cut the lawn. Finished the entire job in less than an hour. With the exceptionally dry weather over the past week, I didn’t have to edge. I did blow though.

With the kids at the festival, Mindy and I planned to go out for a while, though we’d have to pick up Bella and her friend around 930pm. I suggested we try Zauber Brewing again. Haven’t been there since late June 2014 with Glenn. Neither one of us was too thrilled with it back then but hearing nothing but good things about it lately. They were quick to open perhaps even before they should’ve last year. We also wanted to stop in at Sideswipe if time permitted.

We left the house near 7pm, best guess. Enjoyed two Belgian IPAs – Mindy only one. Also enjoyed some grub from the Food Truck. I had two chicken tacos while Mindy had the meatloaf sandwich. Both very good. The bartender, Oliver, bought Mindy and I a shot of our choice. I went with Jack while Mindy went with Capt’n Morgan’s.

Just before we left, we spotted Sideswipe pal, Paul at the other end of the bar. Talked with him for a few. Surprisingly, he wasn’t going to make it to Sideswipe that night. He lives in Valleyview, which is right around the corner.

We both enjoyed Zauber. Glad we decided to give it another try. Onto St. Brenndan’s to pick-up Bella. Took a few minutes for Bella and her friend to come to the car. Mindy had been texting with her for the past few minutes. We dropped her friend at home, which wasn’t too far away at all. Near my office, in fact. Arrived home around 10pm. Mindy headed almost directly to bed while I cracked open another beer, this time a Big Vic – a double IPA from Elevator. Not very good. After about half, I dumped it and headed for bed.

Jacob was still at the festival but expected home around 1130pm. I heard him come in just about the time he was expected home.

Saturday, August 8 – Syzygy & Sideswipe

It’s that that time of year, the grand reopening of Aspen Ski & board and their annual summer sale. We planned on heading up to the Polaris store with Bella. Jacob couldn’t go due to a soccer game. After a run and a little breakfast, me, Mindy and Bella headed north.

The crowd was large. Not a lot of wiggle room. While Mindy and Bella looked for a pair of ski pants, I checked out the deals on last years (14/15) skis. More specifically, I was eager to see if they had Amphibio xti82’s in a 168cm. They didn’t. The Elan guy saw me looking and urged me to check out the new 15/16 model inside. I did.

Ran into Scott, one of the managers who I deal with most often. So crowded and busy. No time to talk. Checked out the new Amphibios. Supposedly better technology. This year’s model 2mm wider under foot. In the end, we just looked. Bella, meanwhile, found a great deal on a pair of 5K ski pants.

Sometime midafternoon we received word that grandpa Al, Kelly’s father, passed away quietly at home. I was saddened by the news and offered to help in any way possible. I sent Kelly a text expressing my condolences. I’d talked with Ashley a day or two prior. According to her, it was immenent.

Installed the window tinting on the master bedroom half moon window. Not nearly as easy as the instructions implied, but the fact that it’s a half moon shaped, I think, was the biggest challenge. Made a couple mistakes but in the end it looks OK.

The opportunity to visit Barley’s presented itself. Mindy and I headed there around 8pm. Opted for Seventh Son’s new double IPA – Syzygy. Wow! All the sudden Bodhi has some serious competition. Not only is the Syzygy very drinkable, but it’s also stronger, and by quite a bit. In fact, it’s a whopping 10.9%. I enjoyed a couple of them along with a Cuban with bacon. Yum!

Sunday,  August 9

After some coffee, a banana, and a run, we once again readied for a drive up to ASBCO. This time, however, Jacob was with us. He wants new ski pants too – waterproof this goa round. The last pair we bought him were barely water resistant.

Crowded, but nearly as much as Saturday, which made shopping a bit easier. Ran into manager Scott again. He had time to chat. I soon asked if he wanted to sell Mindy and I new skis. Heck yeah!

I decided to buy the 15/16 Amphibio 84xti. Mindy wanted the Elan Delights – lightest, nimblest new ski on the market. We demo’d both last March and both of us loved what we skied. The Amphibio comes flat or with an integrated binding. I opted for the flat with the Attack bindings. By most accounts, the flat supposedly gives one more control.

Jacob and I found new ski pants, too. I found a pair of bright lime green Descente 10K ski pants that fit perfectly and 50% off list. Sweet! Jacob found some gray 20K ski pants, which should be perfect for him.

Scott took care of getting our entire purchase together. I agreed to buy Mindy’s new skis too. Happy birthday, dear! While I took care of all that, she and headed out to the MRM tent to purchase our family membership. We talked about not buying the kids a season pass this year since they didn’t go nearly as much last winter, but in the end we renewed theirs too.

Talked with GM Greg’s wife, who was the one processing the new memberships. Shared that she and Greg are moving on. He was promoted to Peak Resorts premier resort in Vermont – Mt. Snow. That’s where they’re from anyway, so it’ll be a homecoming of sorts. In turn, there will be a new GM in charge at MRM this year.

Now after 12noon, all of us were really hungry. I suggested gyros at Kabob’s and everyone agreed. I’d been craving one of their gyros for a long while. Haven’t been there since David visited first week of June.

Me, Mindy and Jacob each ordered a gyro combo. In fact, Jacob ended up eating two gyros. Their gyros might be the best in the entire world. Bella decided to not eating anything. Man, was it delicious!

Sunday evening, we headed over to dad’s to walk Archie. We weren’t there too long, maybe 30 minutes.

Sunday evening was the Hall of Fame football game featuring the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers. I was much looking forward to the game despite a meaningless outcome. The Vikings won easily. Defense looked awesome.

Monday, August 10

After a 4 mile run, I headed into the Hilliard office. Scattered but severe thunderstorms rolled into the central Ohio area midafternoon. Lots of lightning and heavy rain, though very brief.

Daughter Ashley called and asked if I would serve as a pallbearer for grandpa. I was honored to do so. I let my boss know that I’d be taking Thursday as a bereavement day.

Tuesday, August 11

The stormy weather from the overnight moved out of the area leaving in its wake slightly cooler temps and lots of sunshine. Ran 4 miles. Worked across town.

That afternoon, Mindy took a large pan of rigatoni and another pan of salad to Rosemary’s to help feed the extended family expected in town for Al’s funeral. We got the recipe from neighbor Teri, who did the same for us back in June for dad.

Wednesday, August 12

Gorgeous sunny day.  Ran 4 miles then headed across town. Headed home a little early to finish my work day so I could get ready for Al’s calling hours. It was a Jimaken night for the kids. He picked the kids up around 5pm. Mindy and I left for Scheodinger’s in Grove City around 515pm.

Arrived before anyone else. Had a few minutes to see Al with just Mindy and I there. Looked really good. Lots of beautiful flowers, including those from us. Displayed proudly at his side was a letter from the OSU department of athletics. How thoughtful.

Soon Kelly’s extended family showed up. Beyond Rosemary, I hadn’t seen most of her aunts and uncles for almost 20 years. Many of the Connecticut contingent came in town. Good to see everyone. Sad it was for such an event. Suppose that’s how it often goes.

We stayed at the funeral home until 730pm or so. After leaving, we drove a couple block south and parked along Broadway (rt. 62) right across from Plank’s Grove City and walked another block to Hop Yard 62. A guy I work with owns the place. Just so happened, he was there. Said hello and introduced Mindy. We enjoyed a couple big IPAs – 10% from Stone. Very good! Several folks were in from the Grove City running club after a run, or course. And it just so happened that Mindy recognized one of them as the mother of a former student. We talked with her at length. She’s actually been to our house. She also knows some of our neighbors.

We left the Hop Yard happy but hungry agreeing to make a pits stop at Kabob’s on West Broad near the casino. It was date night but the kids were staying the night with Jimaken. I kept forgetting that. And because we didn’t need to be home at any particular time, we opted to eat-in. We weren’t disappointed either. Easily the best gyros ever! The Greek salads were good too, but the gyro’s, out of this world!

Thursday, August 13 – Goodbye to Al

Ashley and family asked that I be at the funeral home by 915am to serve as a pall bearer. To that end, I wanted to be there by 9am allowing a little time for the unexpected. With that in mind, I was up by 630am to allow myself plenty of time to exercise, meditate, stretch and run.  Mindy had to attend school retreat, the official kick-off to the new school year. She planned to meet me at the church (OLPH) during her lunch hour.

The early AM went as planned. Left the house for the funeral home at 840am. Made great time arriving just ahead of 9am. First one there. I headed inside and had my last look and chat with Al all by myself. Rosemary and one of her sibs actually pulled up as I was walking in. They must’ve waited outside for a few minutes to greet others.

I wasn’t quite sure of the plan but did know they’d be taking Al to OLPH for the actual funeral. Turns out, there was a brief and semi-informal ceremony at the funeral home first. Me, Joey, Steven, along with three of Kelly’s older uncles served as the pall bearers. They made sure that us younger guys were on the end.

I had grandson Landon step up and help me as we placed Al into the hearse. He did a good job. The ride to OLPH was quick. It’s less than a mile up the road. We did the pall bearer duties once more, getting Al into the church sanctuary. I opted to sit in the 2^nd row with Ashley and family. I wanted to video Ashley delivering her tribute to grandpa. There ceremony was very nice. As Rosemary said more than once, Al would’ve loved it. I am sure he DID love it. He was there. I could feel him.

As nervous as she was, Ashley delivered a beautiful tribute to Al (Grandfather). I decided to take part in the holy communion, though like many others, opted out of the wine. Landon rode with me to the cemetery – St. Joseph’s which is a few miles south of Scioto Downs on rt. 23. Al’s resting place is way in the back under a big shady tree and as it turns out, directly across from Guy Ferelli, the founder of Minelli’s Pizza. I took a photo of his grave. Al received a military graveside service after serving in the Air Force. Very touching as they formally removed the flag from the casket, folded it, then handed it to Rosemary.

There was a wake immediately after the cemetery service back at OLPH. Mindy met me in the parking lot. We headed in and conversed with Kelly’s extended family as well as Shelly and Joey and kids. Enjoyed a little food too, but I was careful not to over eat. Very much enjoy Kelly’s extended family.

Mindy needed to get back to her school retreat. I left about the same time as Mindy, choosing to make a rather quiet exit.

I had the house all to myself for most of the afternoon, or until Mindy and the kids got home. Can’t recall what time that actually was.

Friday, August 14 – Ben & Ryan dinner

Absolutely gorgeous weather on Friday. Expected a high of 82 with oodles of sunshine. Back to work after a bereavement day.

Stayed very busy during the work day. During lunch, I spent about 15 minutes wrecking out the rotted wood on the garage side entry door jam and exterior trim. I made the same repair to the deck entry door some years back so I knew exactly what to do. I cut the jam off about 18” above the sill. I spent another 5 minutes fabricating the replacement jam piece, which entailed ripping a ¼’ wide – 1/2” deep grove in the door stop to allow for the insulation. I then glued and nailed that with brads to the new piece of jam. I still needed to cut the new piece to fit snuggly into the area cut away, but planned to do that over the weekend. I was just happy to get started on the repair after ignoring it for the past two years.

Work kept me busy through 445pm. Shortly after that, I headed out to mow the lawn. Took about an hour and fifteen minutes soup to nuts. The kids left with Jimaken in there somewhere. Mindy and I had plans to have dinner with friends Ben & Ryan. We asked what we needed to bring. Even though they said nothing, I insisted on taking something. Figured we’d stop at Giant Eagle and pick-up a dessert and also make a stop at 7^th Son brewing to fill a growler or two with Syzygy.

We didn’t leave the house until 615pm. Headed to 7^th Son. I wasn’t sure they would sell growlers of Syzygy but they did. Agreed to do it but shared they’re no longer supposed to given that it’s available in rockets. We each sipped one on site too from a comfy leather sofa. While there, we chatted with a neighbor whom we see at other brew pubs on occasion.

We stopped at Giant Eagle Market District at Grandview Yard where we picked up a cheesecake and hummus for Ben & Ryan’s, too. We were gonna get some stuff for brother Bob’s Saturday cookout but couldn’t agree on what to get from there. On our way out we decided to make a Sam’s Club stop on Saturday to get brownies and all the fixins for green bean casserole.

Arrived at Ben & Ryan’s around 715pm. Ben was off to the drive-thru to get some beer. We enjoyed Ryan’s company until he returned while also sipping some fresh Syzygy – yum!!