Weekly Review 89

Hello, readers! This week was a fun one. It was filled with lots of exercise (finally), a few quiet moments, a day off from work, and family fun. Let’s begin!

Monday was a holiday here in the U.S.A so I had the day off from work. My morning was so peaceful and I’m afraid I’m never going to have that again. Both Lea and Mr. O slept in longer than I thought they would, so I went downstairs and made breakfast. Then, it was finally nice enough outside for me to open a few windows to let the cool air in while I did a little bit of journaling and reading. It was probably the most peaceful morning I’ve had in a long time. The cool, fresh air was coming in through the windows, the birds were chirping on our porch, and I was able to finish this book I’ve been reading about Saint Gabriel of Georgia. It’s called A Fool For Christ. The Life, Miracles, and Prophecies of Saint Gabriel of Georgia. The author is James Mamone. It’s an incredible book detailing the Saint’s life, miracles, and prophecies. 

After I finished my book, Mr. O came running downstairs. He was in such a good mood! We watched the movie Wall-E and relaxed for a while before heading over to the neighborhood park. Mr. O rode his motorcycle there and of course he was saying hi to everyone we passed so he could show off his motorcycle. “Hi! You like my motorcycle?” Lol. When we arrived at the park, Mr. O was climbing all over the playground. He was crawling through the tunnels, running up and down the steps, playing with the steering wheel and going down the slides. Then, he wanted me to push him in the swing. He loves the swings. Especially when I act like he’s kicking me when he swings back toward me. He laughs hysterically every time, Lol. Once an hour passed we made our way home and had a couple of popsicles before going in the backyard with Lea. She recently bought him a couple of cheap little water guns and he went nuts with them. He spent the whole afternoon spraying us with water, so I grabbed the hose (the ultimate water gun) and soaked him! He definitely did not expect it, Lol. He loved it though!

Once it was on the border of late afternoon/early evening, we were able to convince him to go inside, take a bath and relax. He then fell asleep on the couch for a short nap. Later in the evening, I baked barbeque chicken, made mashed potatoes, and then I made chicken nuggets (shaped like dinosaurs) for Mr. O. After dinner, we spent the rest of the night playing. It was a great day off. 

On Tuesday morning we were back in our normal routine. I woke up early, then I had to wake Mr. O up so I could get him ready for daycare. He had a quick breakfast before we left and he talked the entire ride there. The questions he asks make me laugh: “Dada, what that? Where that car going?” There are more questions but I’ll save them for other Weekly Reviews. In the evening I brought out the grill and threw some burger patties on, while Lea was inside making macaroni and cheese with Mr. O. 

After dinner, Lea played outside in our backyard with him while I cleaned up the mess we made. Then I rearranged our plates and bowls in the kitchen. Lea bought a new set and we needed more room for them. So I moved our water bottles to where the plates and bowls used to be, and then I moved the plates and bowls to where the water bottles used to be. It sounds confusing, I think, but it’s not! It was an easy and fast switch, Lol. When they finally came inside, I gave Mr. O a bath and then he went to bed, exhausted from the sun. 

Wednesday was the start of my most recent health journey. I got up early, the sun was out, and I went to the place where the sun doesn’t really shine: my basement. I finally got a great workout in and lifted weights for the first time in over a month. I forgot how good it feels to exercise in the morning. Thankfully, Mr. O slept in again, so I didn’t have to rush through my workout. 

Unfortunately, he slept in so long that I didn’t get to see him before I started working. HOWEVER, he also woke up in an extremely good mood, so it worked out. He also went to Lowe’s with Lea that morning and played with all the lawnmowers, Lol. He was having a great start to his day. When they came home, the greatness continued. I heard his loud giggling through my window, and I looked into the backyard and saw him running and jumping through the sprinkler, Lol. I love when he is happy. 

After work I had another post-op follow up appointment at the doctor’s office. It was my last one, by my choice. It went well, but like I told Doc, I’ve used up almost all of my sick time. I can’t keep calling off work, so I told him I would check and see if there was a day where I could go back one more time (I’m not actually going to, but he was persistent). I’ve been back like 5 or 6 times already after my appointment and most of them were for good reasons, but I feel better now, I think I’m healing better, and I don’t feel the need to go back. He’s a great doctor and I appreciate all he’s done for me, so it’s not because of him. It’s simply because of these two reasons: I don’t want to and I have no sick time left, Lol. 

When I came home, Lea and Mr. O had eaten dinner already. I don’t blame them, I was gone for a while. Plus, we agreed it was a “free-for-all” night, so we could eat whatever we wanted. I made a delicious egg and cheese sandwich. We watched the movie Ice Age while I ate, and then I let Mr. O play Rocket League on our PlayStation. Later in the evening, Lea gave Mr. O a bath and I read to him and finally got him to fall asleep at his normal time. He’s been regressing lately, and has been very argumentative about his bedtime. He hasn’t wanted to sleep at his normal time and he’s been going to sleep between 8-10 PM. The bedtime routine has been taking almost 3 hours now! It’s exhausting and I’m hoping it’s a phase, Lol. He used to be such a good sleeper. 

On Thursday  morning Mr. O and I were up and getting ready for daycare. He ate some yogurt and watched his Spidey show, while I packed his diaper bag and made sure we were all set to go. When we arrived, he gave me two hugs before I left, and then he didn’t want me to leave. It was so sweet…until I saw how easily he forgets about me when “Rara” (the woman who runs the daycare) tells him she got new toys for the backyard, Lol. He immediately wanted me to stop holding him, ran over to see the new toys and waved me off. 

In the evening, I finally went and got my haircut. It was getting way too long and curly. Now, it’s short and easy to manage, just how I like it. Also, it needed to be cut because I have to go into the office twice this week (you’ll read about it in next week’s edition)! When I came home, Lea was almost done making a delicious new chicken dinner recipe. Then, we watched Psych before giving Mr. O a bath and putting him down for the night. 

When Friday came around, I was up and ready to go get a good workout in once again. When I finished, I did the dishes while Mr. O slept in again. After I finished up in the kitchen, the boss was up and demanded, from the top of the stairs, that I bring him his yogurt. Obviously, I did what he said. Then I played with him for a bit while Lea packed for their trip to my in-laws. I was going to go, but I realized I had to stay late at work. So we agreed that her and Mr. O would go on their own this time. The whole reason for going was to watch our nieces soccer game, and Lea wanted to be on time, so going on Saturday morning wasn’t an option. It’s okay. I’ll be going next time! 

After work I cut the grass, showered, and then made a delicious egg sandwich. This time I put the cheese on like I normally do, but I also added bacon bits! It was such a game changer. I watched My Adventures with Superman while I ate. I’m trying to re-watch the first two seasons before the third season comes out in June. When I finished eating and watching my show, I vacuumed and mopped the whole house. I don’t know where all of this energy came from. Maybe it’s because I’ve been exercising more? I don’t know, but I loved it. I’m sure you all can assume I passed out on Friday night, Lol. 

Due to my family being gone, I was able to have another peaceful morning on Saturday. I had the windows open with a warm-ish breeze flying through the house (which smelled incredibly nice since I mopped the floors the night before). Once again, the birds were chirping and my mind was at ease. Then I worked out downstairs, did laundry, read two of my books (The Adventures of  Huckleberry Finn and Stoner by John Williams), and watched My Adventures with Superman and Home Improvement. Keep in mind this was all before 10 AM, Lol. 

Then, around 10:15 AM, I went to the bank to deposit a check, and then walked around the store Second & Charles for about 20 minutes, looking at books and vinyl records, before heading to my friend Toby’s house. We were meeting there to wait for our other friend, “Snack” (as Mr. O calls him), to pick us up. We were heading into the city to watch the Chicago White Sox game! It was so much fun.

We got cheaper tickets in the bleachers and it was electric. Probably the most fun I’ve had at a baseball game, and it helps that the team is pretty decent so far this season too! The Sox hit at least 3 homers. They ended up winning against the Detroit Tigers 7-1. When we got there, I immediately ordered two hot dogs. They weren’t technically “Chicago style” (I went to the wrong place and didn’t realize until it was too late), but I tried my best to make them that way. 

I also didn’t realize how hot it would be in the bleachers, Lol. The breeze felt incredible, but the sun was burning me up. I didn’t care, and still don’t, it was worth it. I can’t wait to go back to another game. 

When Snack dropped us off at Toby’s after the game, I picked up Dairy Queen on my way home for myself, Lea, and Mr. O. Later in the evening, I gave him a bath and put him to bed. He finally fell asleep at 10 PM! I was about to fall asleep in there too, Lol. I was exhausted from the sun. 

On Sunday, Mr. O and I went to church with my mom and one of my Yiayia’s. Afterwards, my mom took Mr. O for the afternoon, and I dropped my Yiayia off back at her house. Then, I picked up a double cheeseburger from Culver’s on the way home, and a Dr. Pepper for Lea. Now, I’m writing this, Mr. O is at my mom’s probably doing whatever he wants to do, and Lea is working on her bathroom DIY project. It’s been a great week, filled with lots of fun and love. 

A Moment I’m Still Thinking About

I’m still thinking about that Sox game. It was so much fun, and there’s just something about being at a baseball game. I can’t explain it.

I hope you all had a great week, and that it continues into this new week as well. 

Thank you for reading this edition of my Weekly Review. If you enjoyed it please subscribe!

Peter

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