I DID IT MY WAY!

With my daughter away for the week, I was going to have to keep 'tabs' on myself.  I would have to take note of the time in the morning, and not rely on my alarm clock to tell me to 'stop what you are doing, and get ready for work'.  Of course, this did not work very well!  Samantha's arrival normally lets me know that it is time to start 'winding down', so that when my alarm does sound, I am ready to call a halt to proceedings.  I was late everyday baring one, and that was Wednesday, when I am late to work anyway!

The trip had been planned for sometime, and a couple of months ago we were both rather conscious of the fact that Frank's health was failing, and concerned that something might happen whilst they were away.  However, the concern was taken from us.  "I don't want to leave him on his own", she said.  It was a little bizarre, but I suggested she bring him to my house on the previous Friday. Perhaps some might think it a little macabre, but I felt better having him in my house rather than leaving him alone.  He was placed on the little table in my bedroom, next to my crocheted dachshund. I think it helped us both with the grieving process, not least of all because we could laugh at the situation.  "At least you wont have to take him for a walk at 1 am", she joked.  

I arrived at work on Monday, having completed my housework, and settled into routine.  At lunchtime, I drove home, and as the weather was slightly turbulent, I walked back to the office.  Samantha called just before I got to the 'woods' at the top of our complex.  "Oh good.  You can be my companion while I walk through the scary bit", I told her.  "How was the dog last night?", she asked.  "I hear you had storms".  I told her that he had not made a sound!  "What would you have done if he did?" she asked. I contemplated the question and decided not to 'go there'!

The rain was pouring by the time I exited the copse, and my umbrella was a very welcome accessory.  It was still quite warm, and I was aware of the bugs that had come out in force, and had been nipping at my skin.  "I am out of the woods", I told Samantha.  "Literally or metaphorically?" she responded.  "I think, both", said I. By the time I reached the office, my arms were starting to irritate.  However, the rain had subsided, and I was quite dry. Thank goodness for small mercies!

Monday was Columbus Day, and whilst our courthouse did not close, there was no post, and the phone calls were not as abundant as is the norm on the first day of the working week. Of course, the solicitation calls were as prolific as usual.  During the afternoon, I received a call from a radio station to say that I had been selected to receive reserve seats for a preview to see 'First Man'.  I was quite excited about the prospect and went to tell Dana.  He was not keen on the idea of going to the cinema midweek, but told me I could bring him home some popcorn!  I was not quite sure that I wanted to go alone, especially my last experience, when I was proposed to and dumped in the matter of seconds!  However, I decided if I did go alone, I would talk to no one!

My 'alternative' banana bread took over an hour to cook on Tuesday morning, which meant that it would not come out of the oven until five minutes after the time I should have been in the office.  I decided that as I am not only the boss's wife but apparently, a 'partner', I should be allowed some privileges, and if I was also feeding 'the troops', the excuse would be more valid!

I walked round to the post office at lunchtime, and watched the deep, dark grey cloud follow me back.  It was moving quite slowly and although I was fully equipped, I did not relish the thought of wading through the puddles that a storm would create within a matter of seconds.  I arrived back at the office as the cloud caught up with me.  

The rain lasted for most of the afternoon, and the puddles turned into small lakes across the car park.  I was thankfully dry, and by the time the 'bell rang' for the end of the day, the rain had moved on to distant climes.  I drove myself to the cinema.  Due to the inclement meteorological conditions, the 'first come, first served' ticketed people were being allowed in early.  I was looking for a single female to ask if she wanted a 'reserved' seat, (I thought it safer to stick to asking females!) but all seemed to be accompanied.  I was handed my green wristband and entered the theatre.  The usual crew were in place.  "Those are reserved seats.  You have the wrong wristband to sit there", shouted (and I mean shouted) the woman in charge.  Being one of the 'elite', I would have thought I could sit anywhere, despite there being a section cordoned off for green wristband holders, but anyone with a green wrist band who did not want to sit in the allocated space was given the same verbal reprimand.  I sat myself down on the end of a row and waited.  It suddenly occurred to me that the film may be longer than anticipated, and I performed a very rare task.  I checked the information on my phone!  Accessing the Internet on my phone is something I do not do as a rule, for no other reason than, 'just because'.  The answer was two and a half hours, or as near as!  That meant I would not be heading home until nearly ten!  Way past my bedtime!  

I sat, messaging Dana and Samantha, the latter having asked if I was going to see the film, and would Dana be okay on his own with the puppy!  I told her that Dana was still unaware that we had the box in our bedroom, and each time I mentioned it, he presumed I was joking!  

"You can't sit there!" came the familiar sound.  The couple moved back a row.  "You can't sit there", said the couple whom had been told to move, to another couple whom had taken up residency in my row.  They looked at the first couple with indignation, and silently indicated that they would sit where they liked.  Mrs. Sergeant Major had told them, but had then hounded another individual who dared to question her authority!  However, your mistakes will always find you out, and the lady of the indignant couple went out of the theatre to retrieve some fodder.  As she returned, the colour of her wristband alerted Mrs. Sergeant Major to her wrongdoing, and she was all but frogmarched out of the row!  "But there are no seats together", came the forlorn moan from the couple.  "Told y'all before.  You aint got the right wristbands.  Shoulda listened."  As the film was due to start, and the 'reserved' section was less than half full, I saw little point in moving the couple, but I was not in charge, and perish the thought that the previous couple mentioned may have screamed, "revolt!"  

"I wanna give her the chance to eat something, and I will look after the baby", said a new entrant. I assumed she was discussing a future event with someone, but then saw her walk out and return with what looked like an infant's car seat.  She sat down in the front row with another couple, and then proceeded to rock a child in her arms.  Did she really bring an infant into the theatre?  Were the reviews for the film that good?  I was surprised that a baby was permitted into the cinema, but then decided that it was their right, and if it cried, they would remove it.  This is Austin, after all!  Anything goes!  But who would want to take a baby to the pictures. Anyone and everyone maybe.  How many times had I said, "I would have loved to have gone, but could not get a sitter".  

The film started, and I was less than impressed.  The quality appeared to be rather bad, but then I wondered if it was on purpose.  The camera seemed to be wobbling slightly and I considered the fact that it was meant to make you feel slightly disorientated so that you could empathise with the astronauts.  I spent a lot of time looking away from the screen.  I was not alone.  Down at the front of the theatre was a young woman pushing a pram back and forth.  The baby had awoken and she was trying to get her back to sleep.  Back and forth she went, and heads moved from side to side, in order to see the screen.  No one suggested that she take the pram outside, and eventually, as the rocket plunged into outer space, the baby stopped crying!  Only in Austin?  Answers on a postcard addressed to 'the moon'!

The film did not leave me 'wowed', but as I did not feel the need to check the time every few minutes, I thought it must have been reasonably compelling.  I arrived home a little after ten, and found Dana in the kitchen, making me a cup of tea.  What a treasure!

I travelled across town to Joe's on Wednesday morning, and then back across the river to Michele, who painted a copy of my blouse on my nails, before heading into the office.  It was a short work day for me.  I was late on Thursday.  I didn't bake.  I just got 'carried away', with a project, and failed to take note of the time.   The week was speeding by and I wondered if it was doing the same for the travellers.  I walked at lunchtime, and took an alternate route to the end of the road, bobbing and weaving through car parks, and along grass verges, and then circled back around before getting back to the office.  It was windy, yet warm, and I wondered if I would have been better off braving the water, but the sound of rumbling thunder assured me that I was taking the right course of action.  I drove myself home at the end of the day and waited for Dana to arrive before heating up some leftovers for dinner.  Samantha messaged me to say she had forgotten to 'check in' for her flight the next day.  The airline with whom they were travelling do not assign seats, and instead a number is given when you check in.  The number indicates how far down the line you are for boarding.  However, the first time I flew with Southwest, many people did not realise the bulkheads and exit rows were a 'free for all', and I was pleasantly surprised when having boarded around the middle of the queue, the bulkheads seats had not been taken!  However, I digress.  She had managed to get into the 'B' section, which apparently was good!

I was late on Friday!  I had been discussing a culinary dilemma with Gail, on Wednesday, and had told her about what I call my 'nervous breakdown' dessert.  A chocolate roulade.  It must be cooked enough so it will roll, not too much that it will crack, and cooled enough so it will roll and not crack!  She suggested I roll it while warm, in greaseproof paper, like a Swiss roll.   "But it has no flour", I argued.  "But the cocoa acts a flour", she corrected.  I had to try it!  In the oven it went, for twenty minutes, at twenty minutes before I was due to be in the office.  Oh well!  It worked!

After my late start, I thought an early lunch break might help to get me to concentrate a little better!  I drove home, and as the storms gathered yet again, I walked up to the top of the hill, and started through the thicket.  Deciding not to call anyone, as it is a short walk, and fearing nothing, I ascended along the uneven, rocky path.  As I saw the clearing to the road at the top, I suddenly felt the urge to quicken my pace.  What a mistake to make!  I missed my step, twisted on my ankle and decided to let myself fall, rather than attempt to regain my balance, and perhaps twist further.  Fortunately, there was no one around to see me make this ungainly faux pas. Right?  Wrong! Unfortunately, there was no one around to see me make this ungainly faux pas.  I got up and started to walk up the remaining rocky steps.  My ankle was hurting, my arms were bleeding, and my hand was stinging.  My legs had been partly protected by my trousers.  I was out of the woods literally, but metaphorically was another matter!  I hobbled along and managed to 'walk out' whatever had happened.  

Once I got back to the office, I assessed the damage.  My legs had been partly protected by my trousers, but were cut and grazed.  However, my arms had been cut and grazed rather more badly, and I was still bleeding.  I washed them and then applied some 'germ x' that was in the ladies bathroom.  Second big mistake.  I managed to suppress the screams which would have been much louder than the noise made when I fell!  I ran back into the office and Dana wondered what on earth had happened to me!  

The afternoon trudged along, and eventually we left the office.  I was feeling a little sorry for myself and found it rather difficult to get comfortable once I was home.  Samantha had called to say she was at the airport, and messaged me to say the doors of the plane had closed and they were almost on their way.  I received two more messages to say she had landed, and that she was home.  I finally fell into a deep sleep.

After my usual Saturday morning 'at home', I headed out to my daughter's house, with Frank on the seat next to me.  She met me at the door and took the box, gingerly.  It was a little sad, but he was home again.  I was quite astounded at how comforting it was!  I did not waste time lamenting and tackled the debris in her 'front room', before we headed out to do our shopping.  I was still a little stiff from my 'faux pas' the previous day, but waked around the stores.  Suddenly, as I was standing looking at the food colouring, I felt a pain in my right side.  It was a sharp thud, and one that I was not expecting, especially as I had fallen on my left side the previous day!  Samantha had a look of horror in her eyes, and I heard a scream.  Hoping it was not me, I turned and saw a woman yelling at her (probably) son.  About mid to late teens, the boy had (apparently) been running away from her, backwards, and had not seen me!  The mother was so embarrassed, and demanded he apologise.  He apologised, and was also embarrassed.  I stood like a statue, still in shock.  Limping on both legs, now, I continued to shop. I tried to smile as I saw the couple in the next aisle but my energy was taken up with attempting to stand upright!  This was turning into a very bizarre weekend!

Upon returning to Samantha''s house, I took all my purchases to my car, whilst she put Edward to work, and made him take all the excess items upstairs.  He remained upstairs, probably in fear that his mother-in-law would have him 'clean' something!  Rather than embarrass my daughter with the details, I will simply say that we spent another two hours making the place sparkle!

I was glad she was home, and even more glad when I returned home!  Dana was watching the football.  He was rather concerned about my 'episode' earlier, but then showed the same level of concern when the opposition gained control of the football!  Oh well, life goes on!

Swimming was on the agenda today, but I think this year's 'dips' are coming to an end.  It was a balmy 87 this afternoon but the temperatures are dropping to below 60 tomorrow!  Dana asked if anyone was down at the pool with me, and I replied, "Honey", (I am in America now!)  "It is mid-October, a little cloudy, 87 degrees, with the chance of rain later, and we are in Texas.  What do you think?"  He nodded and understood.  

The sun is setting and the day is coming to an end,  as I finish this post.  I am a little later than usual, but then there has been nothing usual about this week. I can only hope that next week will not be a painful!  Literally or metaphorically?  That is ........... another story!