Ice Ice Baby

I slept in until just before Mindy's alarm went off. That had to be near 610am. Since I planned on working from home, the late start didn't put much if any pinch on my routine. I exercised, played, meditated and stretched all within the next 90+ minutes. In that time, Jacob & Mindy left for school.

It was cold and cloudy. The temperature a chilly 21 degrees. I planned to run after seeing Bella onto the bus. For some reason, I was stiff all over, not horribly so, but just 'old' stiff. :) I was working from home so that I could once again, meet the Alarm Force service guy between 12-3pm. I also planned to take care of numerous pre-Utah stuff, like washing my ski attire, packing regular clothes, and printing copies of the many trip confirmation details (I.E. flight, condo, shuttle, and ski passes). Before doing that, I had to replace the spent ink cartridges. What a scam. Cost's about $50 to replace all 5 ink cartridges. They don't last very long. And I print very, very little. The only thing I know for sure that Mindy prints is a grocery list. I've been trying to encourage her to using a smart phone app in lieu of paper. Thus far she's been reluctant to adapt.

Couple Eiknarf's walk with seeing Bella onto the bus. Chrissy was out with Makayla, but walking tentatively many steps behind. I witnessed this from across the street, eventually joining her once the pug finished taking care of her business. Chrissy shared that she plans to still ski the green runs. Regardless of the colors, I encouraged her to take more lessons. The bus arrived near 815am as usual.

The pug and I headed back home in a hurry. Still really chilly. I did some work, responding to a few emails, then readied and left for a run. I dressed warmly running 4.1 miles. I took notice how warm my hands were by runs end, almost as if I had hand warmers inside my sheerest running gloves. It's become a common occurrence, and one that allows me to use rather light gloves even when snow skiing in the coldest of conditions. I suspect it a byproduct of excellent circulation.

Back home around 930am, after getting out of my damp running shirt I poured another cup of coffee and fried a few eggs, two for me, one for Eiknarf. I then got busy with work. I started some laundry, too, first washing a couple sweaters using the gentle cycle. Organized the street clothes I planned to pack, too.

Happily, work was relatively calm. No unexpected fires. Didn't hear from Alarm Force, but then again they weren't expected until sometime between 12-3pm. Time went fast. It was afternoon in the blink of an eye. In my spare time I printed off those travel arrangements referred to earlier. Felt good about having that behind me.

As the clock neared 3pm I still hadn't heard from AF. I decided to call. At first they claimed to be unaware of our scheduled service. I almost lost it. I have worked from home now on four occasions to make appointments. I wasn't in the mood for anymore dysfunction. They put me in touch with the remote service tech who scheduled the appointment. He finally agreed that he scheduled the appointment and placed me on hold to contact the local tech via cell. Came back minutes later sharing that he would be at our home between 3-5pm. I continued working, still not having showered for the day.

Jacob, Bella, and Mindy were all home during that same span of time. 5pm came and went, still no AF tech, or for that matter even a call. Mindy picked up a meatloaf from her mom which would serve as our dinner. Mindy planned to eat then deliver Bella to gymnastics. Had several errands to run as well. My original intentions were to dine with the family, but at 510pm I called AF to see what gave. Same old run around. At first acted as if there were no appointment. I asked to speak with a manager or director. Eventually they called the service tech, Dan who said he was on his way. I appreciated that but wanted to speak with a manager/director just the same.

Mindy and the kids left before I was off the phone. Dan showed up around 545pm. Before doing any work, Dan and i discussed what occurred past just to make sure we agreed on what had been renamed, replaced, and moved. We both saw it the same way. And from our recap, Dan was sure it was another bad sensor, the one in the livingroom. His thinking actually made sense, since the false alarm followed if from the kitchen to the livingroom. Still, I wasn't so sure. We went with his recommendation, though. After all, he's the expert.

Went through the somewhat arduous sparing process then tested. Seemed fine until we inserted Eiknarf. With both of is out of the sensors way, I tossed treats towards her favorite livingroom chair. Not long into the test the sensor detected her at least three times. Even Dan was convinced, and perhaps even a little embarrassed too.
I surmised that it was the angle, aiming right down at her chair, despite the sensitivity set for nothing less than 50lbs.

Obviously the sensors are total BS. I suggested we remove the angled bracket and go back to aiming straight out. Of course my concern then became would it detect me. Seemed so-so. But after all the problems Dan and I both concurred that the best solution.

I'll say this. Dan is a very pleasant, likeable fellow. Smart, but not arrogant - wise. He shared some of his recent hardship, his mother-in-law in Riverside hospital. Said he'd be heading there after this job. Asked where he might stop for some decent food on the way. Geesh, with Gloria's giant meatloaf still on the stove and Bob Evans mashed potatoes in the microwave, I couldn't let him leave without offering him some. I offered that he could enjoy dinner with me. He jumped at the offer for some home cooked meatloaf. I prepped him a plated then reheated my own. We ate and bonded. Really super guy. He's 61 and on what I believe he said was his third wife. Six kids and nine grandchildren. Said Gloria's meatloaf was restaurant worthy. I assured him that I would pass along the compliment.

He left around 7pm. Once he was gone I cleaned up the dinner mess, including using Copper Glow on Gloria's Revere Ware Dutch oven. I could tell that it hadn't been polished in a really long, long time. Most stubborn tarnish ever. Much heavier metal than my set. I'm guessing hers a decade or two older.

Mindy and the kids got home around 8pm. Stopped to pick-up Bella on her way. She was really surprised to learn that Dan and I broke bread together. As angry as I am and was at his company, he's was a super guy. Bella was excited to be home and digging in to her second plate of meatloaf. She was also eager to share that Lane McVey joined her gymnastics team. Said he impressed everyone on his first night doing double back flips.
With Bella being grounded at least there's no fight for the TV. She asked if I would DVR Idol again. This time i complied, but then quickly tuned to How It's Made and then just as quick off to the History Channel watching a program about the evolution of Satan in Christianity. Like a lot of Christian dogma, Satan's existence morphed or evolved over many centuries. Very nicely done episode. Do try and catch it.

All the scuttle was a winter storm making its way towards CMH. Forecasted to hit middle of the night brining ice sleet and snow and rain. Mindy and the kids were hoping for a calamity day. Dang. Monday &Tuesday is when we wanted it to hit. That would've given Mindy the two extra days she wanted/needed to stay in Utah for the entire week.

She and the kids headed to bed before 930pm. Pretty much par for the course. Bella was back downstairs for a snack later though - strawberries and whipped cream. I watched TV until I dosed off. Woke and headed for bed around 11pm.