Friday, February 28, 2025

Friday, February 28, 2025

Day 199

Good morning, everyone!

It’s fun-filled Friday, and we’re off to an early start.

We’ve got an hour’s drive to Glenbrook Hospital for PT and OT at 7:30 AM. That means hitting the road by 6:15 AM and playing speed racer with the morning commuters. Once upon a time, I was a pro at this—back in the days when my left hand held a cigarette, my right hand balanced a coffee cup, and somehow, in between, I managed to shift gears without completely losing control. Honestly, I have no idea how I ever arrived anywhere in one piece.

Now, I’m in a Buick (not my father’s Buick—he never even owned one), the cigarettes are long gone, coffee rarely joins me in the car, and I’m perfectly content obeying 25 mph speed limits. Really, I don’t have many reasons to put the pedal to the metal these days. Fun fact: I’m on my longest streak without a speeding ticket—just over ten years. Coincidentally, that lines up perfectly with how long I’ve been retired. Go figure.

Yesterday was a marathon. Tax season chaos was in full swing, and within the first hour, we were already behind. By 10:00 AM, chairs started filling up; by 11:00 AM, there was nowhere left to sit. So many people packed into one room, you could practically feel the temperature rise—both literally and figuratively. And let me tell you, cranking up the heat never does much to cool tempers.

I had warned the team in the morning that I’d be leaving at 2:00 PM for an “appointment.” What I didn’t mention was that this very important meeting was actually a get-together with my high school friends at Bill’s Pub in Grayslake—over an hour’s drive from Huntley. Priorities, right?

Of course, leaving on time didn’t quite happen. I stayed an extra 30 minutes to finish up with a client—sharp as a tack and pushing 90—who pulled out a hand-written 1040 with all the numbers penciled in. So there I was, line by line, cross-checking everything with what we had entered. Honestly, she did an impressive job—probably with the help of one of those old-school, oversized adding machines. Imagine if her numbers had been right and ours had been wrong? At that point, we might as well shut the whole operation down.

Finally, I wrapped up, packed my things, wished the team luck with the last 90 minutes of madness, and hobbled my way to the car. Cindy, my lifesaver, loaded my briefcase, and off we went.

We arrived at the pub by 3:45 PM—first ones there. Cindy and I found a spot at the bar and settled in as people slowly trickled in. We knew some couldn’t make it right away, so we hung out at the bar until about 5:00 before finally grabbing a table. Not sure how many of us ended up there, but I’d say at least a dozen.

Carl showed up, freshly clean-shaven since we last saw him in December. It made me pause and consider doing the same… maybe one of these days. Or not.

One of the highlights of the night—aside from seeing everyone—was Carl digging up old photos from his basement. Pictures from our teenage parties, complete with PBR signs in the background, pitchers of beer, cigarettes dangling between fingers, and intense foosball matches where the competition was fierce, and the words were even fiercer. Those were some legendary years.

Cindy and I were the first to leave, knowing we had another early morning ahead. Monica, Bill’s girlfriend, helped Cindy get me to the car. My legs had officially clocked out for the day, so with an arm around each of them, we slow-walked to the car. Not that I was in any hurry—I had two wonderful ladies guiding me, and I was happy to take my time.

Another great day filled with friendship, laughter, and memories—both of the past and the present. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I am so grateful for the people in my life. I look forward to every single day. Time to hit the road for another adventure.

Be safe out there, and remember—I love you guys! ❤️