Consensus from friends and family is pretty much becoming unanimous: February is the lamest month of the year. Although I did enjoy a nice California vacation in 2007 during February, both 2008 and 2009 – and now this year – have contributed to giving the month this unique distinction. So why is it so lame you ask? Well, for starters the weather in Ohio is the biggest contributor. We see our biggest snowfalls, do the most shoveling, and traditionally develop the greatest number of sicknesses.
As I entered this month, I was already sick. In fact, I stayed home from work on Monday, February 1, pretty much showing that I had already accepted defeat from the month. The coughing continued through the entire week, so I stayed home again that Friday and went to the doctor. He gave me antibiotics to clear up potential bronchitis and an antihistamine to dry up the mounds of snot building up in my body parts.
In the middle of all this, I had an eye doctor appointment because I had been getting headaches and though my glasses prescription may have changed. It had slightly, so I picked out new glasses for the first time since I got them in 2004. The only highlight of this particular week was going out to eat at O’Charley’s with Kristy and Sly on Thursday the 4th, transitioning my DVD viewing from The Abbott and Costello Show to What’s Happening!!!, and the season premiere of the last season of Lost on February 2. This was the first time ever that I simply watched it as they broadcast instead of on DVD.
The week ended with more snow that Friday night, so I worked again from home on Saturday the 6th, instead of driving to Cincinnati to report sales and answer phones. That night the roads cleared up enough that I went over to Kristy and Sly’s for tacos and poker. Jamie and her kids joined us as well.
On Sunday the 7th, Kristy and Sly came over to watch the Super Bowl with me. We ordered Domino’s pizza and watched the New Orleans Saints upset the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.
The only real consistent event of February is Mom’s birthday. She turned 60 on Tuesday the 9th, but due to the weather the weekend before, and the snows that came once again on her actual birthday, we didn’t get to celebrate with her until the following weekend. I was snowed in from work once again on Wednesday the 10th.
Due to the cabin fever, once the opportunity to get out of the house came, I took it. So we had an uncharacteristic weekday gathering at Kristy and Sly’s for some Marion’s pizza, poker, and spades with Jamie, Jake, and Kat on Thursday the 11th.
On Saturday the 13th, we were all finally able to get together to celebrate Mom’s birthday. Denise & Aaron and the kids came down and we met at Red Lobster by the Dayton Mall for some great seafood action. After dinner, we went back to Mom’s house for some chocolate birthday cake, Farkle (Denise won both), and to play with the kids. Megan is now taking her first steps and it was both hilarious and heartwarming to watch her take her make her way across the room to me. I went home that night to uncork my Valentine’s Day wine.
Red Lobster or not, Megan preferred pretzels
Bob and the Birthday Girl
The gang at Red Lobster
Megan is learning to walk – and delights in showing of this new talent as she heads toward me
Farkle time!
Adam and I partner up. Actually I try to talk him out of slinging the dice across the table and onto the floor
It was about this time that I realized that I was addicted to Facebook poker and really began wasting many hours gathering chips. I had also become addicted to Burger King’s double cheeseburgers and spicy chicken crisps. So that’s how I spent the following Sunday and pretty much every weeknight for the rest of the month. For those wondering why the website fell behind, that’s it!
More snow came on the 15th. We were sent home from work mid-day and I worked from home the next day again.
In a desperate attempt to do something memorable this month, I decided to get tickets to go see Wicked, which was playing at the Schuster center. My friend Kimberly Adkins was anxious to see it too, so we decided to see it together. We met up on Thursday, February 18, and attempted to get the tickets at a Kroger Ticketmaster, but alas they weren’t selling them there. We drowned our sorrows in Harp beer, buffalo dip, and salmon spread at T.J. Chumps in Miamisburg. I went home that night and purchased the tickets online.
On Friday, February 19, I had another fun wine night with my friend Jennifer. We hadn’t had one of these since August 2009, so it was a welcome return. As usual, she prepared much more food that was needed, but I loved every minute of devouring the turkey burger shooters with feta and spinach, the array of cheeses and sausages, doused by select red wines. We watched Celebrity Rehab and The Hangover as we enjoyed our delights. The dogs Rosie, Tinkerbell, and Maddie provided comic relief.
On Saturday the 20th, Kristy and Sly invited me over for a nice dinner of strip steak and rice. Jamie stopped over for a bit too, but she had a raging toothache so she was no fun. Back at home Ashleigh and Stephen were breaking up for the umpteenth time – but once again, it didn’t take.
I had a nice little surprise in my own garage the next day when I went to take out some trash and saw a furry animal run by and hide behind the garage in the couch. As I moved the couch around and some boxes out of the way, I came to find out that it was a raccoon who had set up shop in there. I tried to prod him every which way I could, but he was a stubborn one. He even tried hiding inside the lawnmower bag. Finally, after moving my car and virtually ever item in the garage, I finally managed to get him out without getting bit.
On Saturday the 27th, I met up with Heidi and our friend and fellow BHS Class of 1990 graduate Jennifer Staffan. I was sporting the new glasses that I had finally picked up that Wednesday for the first time in the public eye (besides work of course). Get used to them because you’ll most likely be seeing them in subsequent postings.
So anyways, we met up at Sake by the Dayton Mall for some sushi. This was to celebrate Heidi’s birthday which was coming up on March 3rd. We got an array of 12 sushi rolls, which was actually a bit much. The rolls at this Sake were much heartier than the rolls at the Sake in Beavercreek. Among the delights were the Hawaiian Roll, the Spider Roll, the Jaguar Roll, the Dynamite, and the Dragon Roll. It was scrumptious – as sushi most always is.
Lots and lots of sushi
With Jennifer and Heidi at Sake
I rounded out the month on Sunday the 28th being especially lazy – with more Burger King, a couple of movies (Roy Roy, The Highland Rogue and Swing Vote), some Arrested Development, and some more Burger King. The plan was naturally to try and get back on a healthier regimen once March hit – but it would be a little slow going.
2010 will continue…
The horrible weather in February really is a good incentive to get away on a warm Carribean Cruise next year. Let’s make plans!
Mom
March 15th, 2010
And as a side note to the cruise comment, don’t go the first week of March – 90% of ours was spring breakers!
Darlene
March 16th, 2010
Once again, my Mother can beat any price for a cruise that any F@rrell’s & Murphy’s can come up with.
Brad’s new glasses are very keen indeed.
Peter
March 16th, 2010
OK -maybe the middle of February (hey maybe for my birthday)before the spring breakers show up. Peter, we may take you up on getting prices from your mother!
Mom
March 20th, 2010
You’re on! My Mother would be glad to — just give the word!
Peter
March 21st, 2010