Union of the Mind

Comparatively speaking, I slept really late. I didn’t get out of bed until 840a. More than anything, I was surprised that the grandkids were still sleeping. They’re usually up at the crack of dawn. As quietly as I could, I started a pot of coffee then went to my PC. Because it was Sunday, I wouldn’t be doing push-ups or sit-ups. I still planned a run, however. About the time the coffee was ready, the grandkids were awake and downstairs. So much for morning peace. I asked them numerous times to whisper in lieu of hollering. I’m not sure that Rocky and Olivia know how to whisper. Both are very loud. Soon all the kids were up and playing in the basement. I took Mindy a cup of coffee near 10a. I noticed that she had ear plugs in. Couldn’t hear a thing. Smart! She was up a short time later. Once she had a little time to get acclimated to the noise, I begged off for my run. Jacob asked if he could join me. But as quickly as I agreed, he immediately retracted his request. It was nice and sunny, but the yard was still a muddy mess. Mindy had denied his repeated requests to play out back. It must’ve been 11a when I headed out for a run. For the first time in a long while, I was able to comfortably run with out hand and ear covers. Like most Sunday’s, I ran three miles. Jacob & Rocky eventually headed over to Evans to play. Bella went to Makayla’s. We kept the wee ones (Landon and Olivia) inside. Shortly after my run I got in the shower. We were expecting Ashley and Stephen between 12-1p. Ashley called at some point to share that she couldn’t get a hold of Lindsey. Planned to come without her. Fine. Ashley & Stephen arrived as planned just as Mindy was making grilled cheese for the kids. Ashley had one too. Earlier, I asked Ashley to have Stephen bring his hair cutting equipment so he could cut my hair. Said he brought it. Cool. Stephen agreed to cut my hair but seemed really nervous. He later admitted as much. I reminded him that it wasn’t that big a deal. After all, hair grows back. He did a decent job, but it took twice as long as the girls do at Saturday’s. He’s still learning. He left it longer than I would typically have it cut, but I understood his position – leave room for error. After finishing my hair, Mindy called Chrissy and asked that she send Bella home. Mindy asked Stephen to trim Bella’s dead ends. Again, he was very slow and methodical but did a good job. I gave him $20 for both. After the hair cuts we celebrated Ashley & Landon’s birthdays by having cake and opening presents. Landon seemed embarrassed by all the attention. Too cute! And he really loved his gifts. Wanted to head outside and play with his skate board immediately. The weather was nicer than forecasted, all the kids headed out front to skate board. Mindy & I soon followed with Frankie. It was gorgeous – sunny and 60. Frankie insisted on walking down to Woody’s. I went to the door and asked if we could have him for a while. Chrissy handed him over on his leash. We hung outside for a good hour. As is often the case on the first few warm days of the year, the neighbors were out in droves, some walking their dogs and others walking with their families. Saw more people outdoors than I have since trick-or-treat. Ashley, Stephen, Olivia and the boys left around 230-3p. Jacob & Bella stayed out playing with their friends while Mindy & I headed back inside to tidy up the house. I even took a mini nap, and put both my running and ski clothes in the washer. Mindy started preparing sides for our dinner with the neighbors. Kenny was grilling steaks, the first such event since last October. Been a while. Both of us were craving a Kenny grilled steak. After my nap, Mindy & I both enjoyed a pint of the Southern Tier porter. Mindy was just finishing up the green bean casserole and the baked potatoes. We walked down to the neighbors with the food and both pugs around 515p. I took another beer too. There we watched the last ten minutes of the Buckeye/Hoosier basketball game. Wasn’t even close - a blow out. Buckeyes won by 20 points. Kenny grilled the steaks around 6p. Neighbor Teri came over too- Evan and Emily’s mom. She brought a salad. My steak was grilled to perfection – a T-bone, and as big as my entire plate. There wasn’t any room for sides. During dinner, we got into a heated discussion about unions, and based largely on the Wisconsin Governor’s efforts to squash collective bargaining rights for all state employees in an effort to balance the state’s budget. Having just read a lengthy overview of his position and reasoning, I simply wanted to clarify his position and share his logic. I then went on to share some of my personal views, which Mindy wasn’t happy with at all. In fact, she even launched some verbal barbs my way in front of our friends. I was a little taken back but ultimately undaunted. I believe what I believe. Still angry 30 minutes later, Mindy rounded up the kids and headed for home. I soon followed behind with Frankie. It was obvious that she was still holding grudge. At home we went about our usual business of preparing for the following day. At some point Bella and I sat on the sofa watching one of the knowledge channels – a show about biblical events and how science could explain what some have largely proclaimed as miracles. Interesting spin. I watched intently until 10p or so. Mindy and the kids were already in bed, though Bella rejoined me briefly, or long enough to get a snack.