Falling Down

I was up on time after another pretty good night of sleep. Downstairs, I glanced out the deck door and immediately noticed clear skies, bright stars, and a frigid landscape. No time to waste, I quickly gathered my exercise shoes then headed to the livingroom to complete sit-ups. After sit-ups I checked headlines and weather. It was a cold 12 degrees, but at least the wind was still. I checked for local school closings but there were none impacting us. I did push-ups then headed out with Frankie who was up and swarming, a sure sign that she was anxious to head out. Her eagerness swayed once she felt a blast of the cold awaiting us on the otherside of the deck door. I coaxed her on out. We both struggled with our footing. Now, even I wasn’t heavy enough to collapse the icy snow pack, which made for some very slippery maneuvering. Frankie managed to only pee. Both of us cold, we headed back inside. I briefly enjoyed some coffee then turned my attention to meditation and stretching. Both went well. My chronically stiff right hamstring felt as good as it has in a year. Encouraging! Next, Frankie and I delivered coffee to Mindy, a drill we hadn’t done together since Monday. Mindy was in the shower. I made sure she knew the coffee was there and told her that Frankie would almost certainly need to go out again soon. I headed back downstairs to dress for a run. I dressed in my usual winter layers, nothing extra, although briefly considered adding one more layer. I really like to save that for the really cold stuff, you know, zero and below. I headed out cautiously, still concerned with slick streets and walks. Wednesday's inch or so of fresh snow hampered my ability to judge the terrain effectively. I could no longer see the texture of the ice to determine my next step as I had on Tuesday & Wednesday mornings. I proceed with caution. As luck would have it, I encountered cars at all the most inopportune moments during the 4.1 mile run. The thing is, there are some mornings when I don’t see any passing cars beyond one or two school buses. This time I’ll bet I had to contend with 20 or more, and the fact that I planned to run only in the streets made it even more daunting. At a dangerous curve near the 3 mile mark, I had to stop and run in place while a school bus and two cars passed by. Wouldn’t you know, I fell and busted my ass on the ridiculously slick ice. It all happened so suddenly too - in an instant. One second I was standing, running in place, the next I was lying on the ice. I quickly leaped to my feet but busted my right knee and right shin pretty good. I wasn’t sure if I was hurt. I was moving on adrenaline alone. The cars quickly passed and I continued my run. At the same time, I turned my attention to my knee and shin. They ached a little from the impact but otherwise seemed to be in working order. I was thankful and angry all at the same time. From that point forward you best believe that I was even more careful as I made the trek back towards home. At one point, car traffic was so prolific, I had no choice but to bounce up on the crazy slick sidewalks, which I totally dreaded. Several times I could feel the soles of my tennies slipping on the extra smooth ice. As soon as the opportunity presented itself, I trotted back into the streets to finish out the last half mile or so. Mindy had already started the Honda, and upon reentry said she was a little worried that it was taking me so long. I then shared the story of my fall, and how I had to deal with so many damn cars. The nerve of them to be out driving on my streets. We both laughed, but believe me, I was still a little shaken and pissed. I heard Bella asking Mindy why I was so angry. Mindy shared that she would be upset too if she fell. I pretty much let it go after airing my anger, which after all, is part of the healing process. I checked my knee and shin more carefully now in the house. Just a small mark on my knee. No biggie. I sat down to enjoy my breakfast just as Mindy was leaving for work. She reminded the kids to bus home as normal. I was in the shower by 735a. It was a shaving day, too, so naturally it took a bit longer. Still, I was pretty quick. I was downstairs with a few minutes to spare. I started throwing together a lunch, including leftover beef stroganoff. I figured it would be OK to skip a salad one day. The kids and I headed out at 758a. We proceeded cautiously, the walks still extremely slick. Kenny was out with the girls. The bus pulled up almost immediately. We didn’t chat long at all. Frankie and I headed back home, but not before she took another dump in the snow between the walk and street. I let the Trooper warm for another 10 minutes. It was clear of all ice and nice and toasty inside when I finally departed for work. I’m guessing it was somewhere near 820a. The drive into work was slow but without incident. Nonetheless, I was still in my office before 840a. I had a crazy work day. Haven't been that busy in a long while. I believe it was Wednesday when the zipper blew out on my old work backpack, and my efforts to make the necessary repair only made it worse. Broke the zipper completely. It had to be 15 years old. I decided I would make a trip to Target at lunch in hopes of finding a relatively inexpensive replacement. I left for Target just after 1p. Once at Target, I knew approximately where to find backpacks and headed straight to them. I stumbled upon the one highlighted on the aisle endcap. It was Target's own brand and only $20. I picked one up, but continued looking. It felt cheaply made: the zippers, material, everything about it, really. Just around the corner I found many more options ranging anywhere from $24 to $50. I didn't need or want to spend $50. Just wanted something to serve as my 'murse' - my man purse. I found a black Jansport for $30 that appeared to meet all my criteria. But even that seemed a little pricey but I liked it. I bought it. I checked out and headed back to the office, gone for less than 40 minutes door to door. The afternoon was as crazy as the morning. Happily though, crazy equated to a swift moving afternoon and the end was soon upon us. I talked with Mindy later afternoon. As planned, the kids were going to dinner with their dad and she and I heading to Barleys. I often try to leave a few minutes early on Thursdays to facilitate our dinner date. To that end, I left at 520p and was home by 540p. Because there was sunshine for most of the day, our street as well as our driveway was mostly dry and clear. That was nice to see. Inside, I made quick work of my few chores then headed upstairs to brush my teeth and primp before heading off for dinner. I'm thinking we left the house even before 6p. It was close. There wasn't a lot of parking available in Barley's lot. We parked in the back 40. Mindy spotted Calvin almost immediately. We stood and talked with him. I ordered the Bitter Dan offered by Janet, who like most Thursday's was working the bar. Mindy had a St Joan's Revenge, perhaps her all time favorite. I later learned that they were out of Centennial, but did have it on cask. Yikes! We eventually slid down and talked with Tom, the guy we met 3 or 4 years ago that sells Mary Kay products. He had just befriended a 27 year old named Ashley, I believe, who was some sort of nurse. He was working it if you know what I mean. I tried to pull Mindy away so he could continue his courtship because Mindy was now dominating her time. Mindy didn't take my subtle hints, so I whispered as much in her ear. She didn't believe me. Tom's like 49. I think Ashley heard part of our whisper and asked if we were talking about her. I quietly apologized to Tom. Ashley eventually left without Tom getting her number. Kind of funny really. Mindy & I ordered food, me the Reuben special and Mindy a salad. I ordered a second beer too, a White Rajah. All during our meal Tom went on and on about his most recent break up with his girlfriend. I was convinced we were serving as his therapy, although taken on his word alone, you'd think that he dumped her. I got the impression, however, that it might've been the other way around. Undertones! Janet suggested a third beer, and Mindy offered that perhaps I should. So, against my better judgment I ordered another White Rajah. I don't think that I have ever enjoyed a 3rd beer on a work night. It was quite good. We listened to more of Tom's break up story. Before we knew it was 8p. Yikes, we needed to go. I picked up the check and tipped Janet well for her ongoing great service. Mindy drove home. Our timing was impeccable. We pulled up right behind Jimaken and the kids. Inside, one of us took Frankie out. Think it was me. We also quickly prepared for bed by getting into our PJs. Mindy & I tuned the TV to American Idol, who were holding auditions in L.A. Pretty good show. Both kids still grounded from screens, they weren't permitted to watch. This was the last night of their sentences, however. Mindy really wanted to watch Bones after Idol, but I didn't have it in me. As an alternative, I switched the channel to one of the knowledge networks catching a show about the Cincinnati police department. We watched for maybe 30-40 minutes but headed for bed before it was over.