DRIVE MY CAR!

The pool was amazing on Sunday.  The area was reasonably busy (within the accepted scope) on Sunday.  I swam quite a few laps, and sat in the shade, in my seat.  I read, and I swam.  Although it was still early in the year, it was a normal Sunday.  Then, quite suddenly, the few people that were by the pool, all looked up towards the sky.  We heard a plane!  It was strange.  We had not noticed the absence of aircraft, but when we heard the rumble of the engine, we realised that we had not heard this sound in quite a while.  Oddly enough, we all smiled.  Could this be the beginning of the end, or the beginning of a new beginning.  I am not going to go there!

It was Monday morning all too soon.  There was traffic on the road and I had to stop to get out of my complex. I started singing, "Beep beep. Beep beep, yeah!".  I left for work a little later than usual, as my morning had started with a strange phenomena.  The glass in my clock hanging on my bedroom wall, exploded!  When I say 'exploded', it was more of an implode, as when I was dusting around the top, the glass cracked and shattered, inwards.  Of course there was a smattering on the carpet and I had to make sure all the pieces were accounted for, as well as make sure any small shards were picked up by the vacuum cleaner.  This delayed my departure as it took quite some time.  Suffice it to say, my clock, minus the glass, is still working and back on the wall.

"What do you mean, 'exploded'?" came the question, when I gave my excuse for my tardiness.  I felt like the kid who has just told the teacher that he was kidnapped, and when the ransom was paid, they used the homework sheet as a receipt for the money!  All other excuses had been used, and he had to think of something so outlandish, the thought that went into it was enough for the teacher to know that at least the mind was active!  However, this was not the case with me.  "Okay, so what do you mean, 'imploded'?  I stood at the principals desk. "Yes, I know what it means, but how did it happen?"  Of course the answer, "I dunno!" sufficed!

The second part to my day started, and I went into auto pilot!  The phone rang.  "Hey, I have sent something to one of your tenants", the voice on the other end told me.  I was a little confused, but I used to get a lot of calls from people thinking we were a bank!  I told her that we were not a landlord, nor managing agency, and she told me to hold on.  I did.  In the background, I could hear her shouting to what I can only assume was an assistant, a very humble and suppressed assistant in my opinion, as the tone was not polite.  "What's the number?  Give me that!  Where is it?"  Back to the speaker she came, and continued.  "Let me tell you what has happened", she said.  I was all ears!  She had sent a parcel to our building and had put the wrong suite number on it.  She did not want it returned, should no one be in the suite to which it was addressed.  I was still unsure as to why she had called me. However, I assured her that if I saw the delivery man, I would let him know where it was meant to go, but I could not promise I would see the delivery man.  She was adamant the delivery personnel would contact me.  Me?  Apparently so!  After I had replaced the receiver, (or put the phone back in the charge unit - How old fashioned is that last phrase!) I realised what had happened.  Despite my note on the door being most generic, people were still assuming the number printed was for all and any deliveries to the building.  The attorneys to whom the parcel was to be delivered had given the sender the number on the door, and told them to contact it!  It being me!  Once again, if I could help, I would, but I was not 'The Gatekeeper', or was I?  

It was a glorious day.  The sun was shining, and it was still quite warm, but cooler weather had been promised, by the local meteorologist, and more importantly, my postman!  The latter is my 'go to' person for the weather!  

Through the blinds that cover a large window looking out to the space between my office and the front door, I could see movement.  I saw a Fed-Ex truck, and ran to the door.  "Did I miss him?" I asked the girl at the door, who appeared to be holding a package. "No", she said as she walked past me, "It is for me".  I went after her. "Who is it from?" I said, without thinking before asking, how inappropriate was the question.  However, instead of saying to me, "Mind your own business", she actually looked!  "I mean, is it from Debbie...I think she said Debbie.  Is it addressed to you.  I mean your suite.  Is it to 200?" I stopped.  The poor girl looked terrified.  She regained her composure, held the package to her chest, and stated, "It is mine!"  She then, slowly, pulled it back, and said, "Suite .... Oh".  I explained about the phone call, and said that I had just wanted to check that it was the package about which 'Debbie' had called, so I did not have to keep 'on guard'.  The response was quite delightful, and she thanked me most profusely.  ' The Gate Keeper' went back to work!

As we were now able to resume 'in house dining', we asked Grant and Blake if they would like to join us for dinner at our favourite taco joint.  They did.  We sat, spread out, on a long bench, separated by a wide table.  A policeman entered the establishment and Dana went inside to ask the staff if they could take our 'free meal' which we had just earned on our 'reward card', and give it to said law officer.  They did.  When he exited he came over to our table and thanked us all.  He appreciate the gesture.  We all told him that we appreciated his service and everything was almost normal!

After letting in another tenant on Tuesday morning, my role as 'The Gate Keeper' continued.  "I have lost my key", said another.  "I must get a key card", said the next.  "I have been banging on the door, no one came", said the delivery guy who almost got away!  "Why didn't you call the number?" I asked.  "We don't have to do that!" he said.  Instead, he used his phone to pound on the glass!  Oh well, each to their own.  

The new 'order' was announced on Tuesday afternoon.  Salons, nail bars and barbers were to be allowed to open on the coming Friday.  The Governor made it quite clear that the order was to allow and not order said establishments to open.  The Mayor and County Judge were not happy.  It became a bit of a political wrangle, and once again, everyone became an expert. As usual, I checked the 'order' to make sure we were compliant, and which office had the authority and passed on the information accordingly.  Of course, I have opinions, but I am not 'in charge'!  More's the pity!  Or not, depending on your opinion.  However, as I am not going to express mine, you cannot decide!  Stalemate!  It's probably for the best!  

Coffee was running low so I sent Joe a message on Wednesday. I was not sure if he was opening, under the previous weeks order, but he said they were still keeping their doors shut for the interim.  However, I was always welcome to come and get coffee, and he would have it ready for me.  I drove across town.  There was more traffic on the road.  I texted him to say I was there.  Apparently, he was not, but was liaising with his staff.  The coffee appeared outside the door, and I put some money in an envelope in its place.  Two of his staff arrived as I was leaving and I shouted across the car park that I had left the payment by the door.  All was well!

On my way back across the river, the road signs were flashing.  Someone has a very keen sense of humour.  Our road signs are usually topical.  On May 4th, it read, "May the fourth be with you.  Luke I am your father. Drive safe. Keep your distance!"  I seem to remember a similar message last year.  Various humourous signs have been displayed on the giant board which also has messages displaying 'Amber' or 'Silver' alerts.  Today, it read (or as near as) "Thank you first responders", and then flashed to the next page, "That'ts it. That's the sign!"  I found it very amusing, and quite clever.  Enough said!  

It was a quiet day, despite it having been quite busy on Monday and Tuesday.  I had ordered a couple more key cards for the office front door, just to limit my 'gatekeeping', and allow my staff to let themselves in, and was going to collect them, but I had to go to the store to pick up some bread and things.  Blake said he would go Thursday morning.  I went to Randalls, where I collected my 'freebies', thanks to the Monopoly tickets and bought a Mothers Day card for my mother in law.  I only had to pay for the card, as the other items were all covered by the winning tickets.  However, despite having about twenty more tickets owing, the game was now over, and whilst they were honouring the winnings for another two months, they were not giving out any more cards.  "It's been a good run", I told the man behind the counter.  "I have not had to pay for bread in weeks", I continued. "Yep, given away a lot of bread!" he responded!  

Upon my arrival back at the office, I noticed I did not have the card.  The one thing I paid for and it was missing.  I called the store.  "Yes, it's here!" said the customer service lady.  I said I would come around four thirty.  

I had a rare political chat with the postman, who was really quite vocal.  As I have said before, I never initiate a conversation on this subject, and up until now, we have both steered clear of the matter, but he said something rather telling and I responded in agreement.  It was almost a relief for both of us.  He confirmed that the temperature was due to drop, but not as much as he had hoped, but enough to cool down slightly for the weekend.  This, too, was a relief!

On arriving at Randalls, I was shown two cards.  Neither were mine.  Another member of staff was called, and my card was on a counter.  Interestingly, three people had walked out without their cards!  I wonder if they paid for their bread?  

"What a fabulous outfit", said one of my office neighbours as I walked in on Thursday.  I thanked her and remarked on her style.  She had a very classic white top and pencil skirt, with a pair of heels over which I can only now salivate!  "You could so wear these!" she said, after I commented on them.  "No.  I so could wear them, years ago!" I responded.  It was a moment of mutual appreciation, and we both felt quite set up for the day.  

Unfortunately, my shoes were not made for walking, and whilst they were a perfect fit for the outfit I wore, they were less than a perfect fit for my feet, should I need to walk more than a few paces.  To and from the car is okay but it was a very busy 'gate keeping' day!  "Sorry!  I've...."  Yep, lost your key.  "It's me from suite....", Yep, lost your key.  "Hey, it's Kylie.  Can you let me in", said the lady whom I had attacked over the package on Monday.  Now my bestie, she calls me by name, and lets me know that no one in her office answers their phones!  Why should they when they have a receptionist in mine!  Oh well! This too shall pass!  Let me just add, I do not object to opening the door, again, and again, and again....etc., as everyone is grateful, but every so often, I get a mumble, "'bout time", (by the delivery guys from the same delivery company that wont phone,) and try to bite my tongue.  I don't always succeed!

How Friday came so quickly is a mystery.  The weeks have been running into one another, and everything just seems to mingle.  Thankfully, I get a change of scenery!  It was the seventy fifth anniversary of VE day (Victory In Europe) and I saw pictures of 'social distancing' street parties, and celebrations.  I felt rather proud to be English as I showed the pictures to Grant.  He said he had seen other pictures from other events and was quite envious.  The sense of camaraderie was obvious, and coming from a large state, within a huge country, he could only imagine how close we can become as a nation.  It was all very emotional!  

I arrived home, and spotted my neighbours car in her car port.  Dana drove up.  "Ashley's home!" I announced, excitedly.  She is a hairdresser, and was obviously going back to work.  With lots of restrictions in place, and advice being given by professionals, and plans to 'reopen' being accepted and endorsed by said professionals, I am happy to move forward in those areas.

I left for Costco early on Saturday. As I unlocked my car, I heard next doors back door open.  "Ashley!  You're home!" I said, as I spotted the young girl.  She was excited to be home.  She was excited to go to work!  Her smile was invigorating.   I went on my way quite happy.  The traffic has increased, and instead of cussing I smiled. 'Beep, beep. Beep beep. Yeah!' It was not enough to cause a jam, or to delay travel, but it was a glimmer of normality.  There was a slight queue as I was there thirty minutes before the door was due to open.  I did not need to be there early, but it has become a habit.  They did open the doors ten minutes early.  The queue was merely because they only allowed one person in at a time. I went to the back, and found some disinfectant wipes.  The sortI like!  For the first time in weeks, I did not buy toilet paper.  They did not have the sort I like!  It was quite liberating!  It was a strange feeling!  I only bought what I needed and a couple of things I wanted and went on my way.  Walmart had opened both entrances, for entry, rather than one for entry and one for exit, which was also quite encouraging.  

Jake had been working this week, and despite still living in his car and sitting on the corner on Saturday, he had hope.  I was happy for him and gave him some bags of food, and candy!  It was a good day.

Samantha and Edward had a hair appointment, each.  We had the dogs! Dana was so excited to see his 'boys', and spent the afternoon blissfully happy looking after the pair of quadrupeds, who were just as happy to see him.  I came home to a happy husband, happy dogs and a beautiful vase full of flowers, for what my daughter calls 'fake' mothers day!  

After going out for dinner, which was again wonderful, we returned and I took a (small)bunch of flowers to my neighbour.  I knocked on the door and when Ashley answered I announced, "Welcome home!" She was touched, but I think we both felt the same.  Everything has a beginning and everything must have an end!  I live in hope!  As I was crossing over the porchway to my door, I noticed a beautiful vase of lilies and roses.  I picked them up and opened the attached card.  They were from my neighbour Callie, to whom I take dinner on a Thursday.  The card wished me a happy mothers day and thanked me for being such a good neighbour and friend.  It was my turn to be touched!  It was a beautiful day in the midst of a crises.  I am blessed!

I made breakfast on Sunday morning and went for my walk.  "Happy mothers day", said my neighbour at the top of the hill, the same whom had said he liked my dress.  He was carrying a pack of food, presumably for his and his wife's breakfast.  I thanked him.  "Any big plans?" he asked.  "Nope, same old....".  He smiled.  "Happy Groundhog day!" he said!  True dat!  Samantha called and her and Edward sang, "Happy fake mothers day to you....!"  It was lovely!  

Another week starts tomorrow and no doubt there will be some more wrangling and some more disagreements but life will still continue for, I hope, most of us.  The cooler temperatures will probably prevent me from swimming, but it is a beautiful day, and I am hopeful for more beautiful days.  I am just taking one day at a time.  It is what makes ..... another story!