It was not my favourite week of all time. It had nothing to do with current affairs, but more to do with the fact that my daughter and her husband were taking off for the week. It was not the fact that they were taking off for the week and I was staying home, but the fact that they could not take their 'family' with them. Hence, the two, yes two dogs were going to spend the whole, yes whole week with me! Those words that I uttered over a dozen years ago, came back to haunt me. New life, new way of life, why not have a dog? I can give you as many dozen reasons per hour, perhaps per thirty minutes, as to why that was not a good idea.Richard called in the afternoon, and I watched as the boys ran around their living room, pouncing on each other and generally not listening to a word dad said. "Why are you smiling? They don't listen to a word I say!" he asked. "Poetic justice!" I responded.
A sleepless night was expected, despite the long walk before bed. I rose Monday feeling completely overwhelmed. Dana took the dogs, and I settled into my routine. My swim set me up for the day, but caused me to be late for work.
A walk around the outside of the buildings was enough to wear the dogs out for ten minutes. Dressed in my beautiful business attire, and a pair of trainers, I marched around the block that comprises our three buildings, and headed back into the office. I was now ready to start my day.
Despite being late, sleep deprived and contemplating a whole week of having to be a parent to a couple of 'toddlers' I seemed to be in command of my energy. Mind over matter perhaps. My morning was filled with phone calls and emails. "Monday, Monday", was the heading of a message. The ensuing alteration of the famous Mama and Pappa's song was written and sent. The afternoon walk was more difficult than the morning, as the heat became oppressive. "Where are you from?" asked a resident of one of the other buildings, as he came to talk to the dogs. He has two dachshunds, and understands the complexity of the breed. "North west London", I responded. "Really? where specifically?" I responded with my usual rhetoric. Originally from a small town between Harrow and Wembley and then, later, Hertfordshire. He looked confused. "Oh right. My mother was from Wales! Cardiff. Do you know it?" I should, I thought, being the capital of one of the 'United'. "I went to Cardiff, many years ago", I responded. In fact, I was in Cardiff almost 44 years ago to the day! I did no volunteer that information. He had no clue as to where the county of Hertfordshire was on the British map despite his enthusiasm, and the conversation had reverted back to the complexity of the Dachshund breed.
"Pizza!" I said, when Dana asked what I wanted to 'do' for supper. I had planned to take something from the freezer in the morning, but despite arguments to the contrary, between me and myself, I was obviously not as 'compos mentis' as I thought. I had a hankering for a flat bread pizza. I had been for my afternoon swim, read some more of my book, and came back with an appetite. I had no argument from my husband, as an offer of pizza is never turned down! We took the dogs to the pizzeria, and I sat in the car whilst they moaned, and cried, for the whole two minutes he was out of the vehicle! Perish the thought that they should ever be left with me on their own!
Although I did not sleep particularly well, the dogs were reasonably well behaved overnight. The rain was pouring down and the lightening forked a mere second before thunder rolled. It was not going to be possible to partake of my new past time today. I could have swam in the street as the water cascaded down the driveway and through our neighbourhood. The dogs were not going to have a walk either. I drove into work, and virtually ran from the car to the front door.
The storms did finally dissipate. By mid afternoon, there was little to show that there had even been a drop of rain, let alone a tempest! The wind had dropped and the heat had risen, again, and I was heading down to the pool. I had prepared dinner before leaving home, and baked my choux buns for the next day. Samantha had given me a fridge load of tomatoes from her garden, and I had them stuffed with her purple peppers, cheese and breadcrumbs, ready to be baked. The mosquitoes had gathered around the pool. In fact, they appeared to be having a party, with all of their friends! It must have been a very special occasion, as there were so many in attendance. Food? Well there appeared to be plenty. Despite my limited stature, I made a very wholesome main course for the family and friends that celebrated on a grand scale. The brief spray of repellent that I had applied before walking down to the water, had obviously either worn off or was overtaken by the sheer joy of these creatures, at having met up with so many of their species. By the time I walked upstairs, my skin felt as if it had been pricked in every pore from head to toe.
Lumps, bumps, and red blotches visibly walked along the road on Wednesday morning. I did not plan a disguise, but I was covered! Why do mosquitoes not attack with such verocity during the day? Those by my pool were probably suffering from what my husband calls, 'food coma'. I had planned to go to Joe but I ran out of time.
The news was not positive later in the day. My mother-in-law had been found, yes found on the floor of her apartment, within the assisted living complex. It was thought that she had a stroke, but no one was sure as to when. She had been taken to the local hospital, but no visitors were allowed. It was the day before her 97th birthday. As with my mum, all we could do was wait for an update, as and when it was received. I could empathise. Despite it being my 'late' morning, and 'early' afternoon, I had a lot to do. One thing was to call the phone company to ensure that my numbers were not taken away from me. The UK phones had been transferred into my name, and the new 'sims' activated, but I could not access the account online. In order to do so, I would have to put in a code from a text that was sent. I understand the procedure, and the reasons for security etc., but totally impractical. The cards are in England, and have to be put inside a phone, the same phone to which I am sending messages to get the code. How quickly could my son receive my message, swap out the card, retrieve the code, put his card back into his phone and message me. Not quick enough for the code to stay active. "You have sixty seconds". Go! After trying several options to speak to someone, I chose the "I want to leave your network". Amazingly enough, I got through to someone quite quickly! "Why do you want to leave?" I don't. You want me to, because you will not give me enough time to access the code! However, I am ranting! I spoke to a lovely many in Ireland. He was very sympathetic to my dilemma and set up my account remotely. Why couldn't this be done before? Extenuating circumstances? Define 'extenuating'! However, I am ranting!
I left work later than usual for a Wednesday. It was only a matter of ten minutes, but it made a big difference. "Stop it!" I cried to the dogs, as they jumped up and down and ran around my living room. On the furniture, off the furniture. I thought of my conversation with my son! "They don't listen to a word I say!"
My sister-in-law was allowed into my mother-in-law's apartment to collect some things to take to the hospital. Suddenly, she was not a risk? I will not go there! We waited to hear from the hospital. She was not able to swallow, and was not in a very good way. It was her 97th birthday. Did she know? Our day was routine. Ollie and Jamie sent Dana a message. "We love you poppa Dana", they chanted. The wonders of technology brought a smile to his face, and brought forth the reality of the circle of life!
Throughout the day, Dana's mum was reportedly more stable. We became quite busy in the afternoon, and did not leave the office until later than what has recently been usual. It was still hot, but not quite so humid. There was a slight haze in the sky. "Sahara dust?" I had not been listening to the news. It appeared that we were having our annual dust cloud, but this time it was bigger. Of course it was! I just noticed the haze. If we were experiencing a dust cloud from the desert, where better place to be than in my oasis! The lock on the pool gate appeared to be on the latch. I spent a few minutes trying to release it, but to no avail. I gave up. I swam with vigour. I wanted to enjoy the peace and quiet and perhaps read another chapter of my book, before the mosquitoes decided it was summer break and every night was party night! Once again, the food would be provided by the same caterer! "Look it's a homeless person", said my neighbour, no doubt in jest. "What better place to be homeless!" I responded. "Did you notice the lock was broken?" I was asked. I responded that I did, and would tell Raul about it the following day. I had read my chapter and left the area, but attempted, once again, to release the latch. Once again, I failed.
My elderly neighbour was very grateful for her food parcel, and especially the eclairs. It was lovely to see her face light up.
Thankfully, Dana's sister was allowed into the hospital on Friday. They had finally fitted a feeding tube. Their response as to why it had taken two days to put a feeding tube into an elderly lady who could not swallow, let alone eat, was because they were 'busy'. Two days? I will not go there! However, at least Cindy was able to be with her mum, and keep her company.
I saw Raul and told him about the lock on the pool gate. He was aware. In fact, he had made it so it would stay open. When I told him that I had spent about fifteen minutes trying to get it off the latch, he laughed heartily, and apologised. I told him that no apology was needed. It was good to hear him laugh. He looked up to the sky and asked if I had heard about the 'cloud'. I responded that I had and believed it to be on its way to the Carribbean. Having had enough of Texas, it was making its way out to the cluster of islands off the coast of Florida. I only hoped the mosquitoes would go with it!
I took the dogs for a walk in the morning, and then settled down to work. It was getting quite warm. Our day was, once again, busy. I met another neighbour by the pool in the afternoon, and we chatted for quite a while. She had landed in New York City the day Samantha and I left, in February. We talked about how grateful we were to have gone when we did. She had been to London many years ago and spent most evenings going to the theatre. I told her my story of how I went to see the Rocky Horror Show when it first opened. Lots of memories of bygone times.
The dogs went with Dana on Saturday morning, and I went on my rounds. Dana's mum had gone through a procedure before dawn and his sister had found her in a position that was not conducive to her condition. His sister had managed to get her in a position that was better and her speech became more coherent. Once again, they had allowed her in, and we were all grateful. Samantha called me while I was on my way back from Walmart. I ran into Sprouts to replenish my supply of licorice and came out with far more than expected. The man at the check out asked if I had tried the flavoured licorice. He was curious. "Just imagine your favourite fruits dowsed in aniseed", I told him. His face said it all. He was not going to try it now! "Costco were giving out samples again!" I told my daughter. She laughed at the prospect. However, they were! On the corners of some of the aisles, sat the demonstrators. Admittedly, the samples were all individually wrapped, and they put one out at a time, but it they were giving out samples! I headed home.
The afternoon went by and the evening set in. Dana and I went out for dinner, and then took the dogs out for a quick walk. The walk before bedtime was longer, and the night was longer still. They were going home, and not a moment too soon. I had told several people that they will be put on the doorstep with their suitcases first thing Sunday morning! Samantha arrived a little after eleven, as she had been for a run first thing. I had been awake for most of the night, and would have happily slept in a little later, had I not been awakened several times. My seven thirty swim was wonderful. We received a call from Richard, Steph and the boys around one. They wanted to make sure Dana was okay, and offer their condolences. Ollie was suitably morose, and Jamie was Jamie! It was a wonderful call.
No one came to the pool on Sunday. It was overcast, and the temperatures did not reach ninety. I swam and read. I almost finished my book, but decided to leave the final few pages for another day, perhaps during the week.
This time next week is my son's birthday. This time next week, I shall no longer be in my fifties. This time last week, I was dreading the thought of seven days, and nights, with the dogs. I plan to have a very relaxing evening without them. I am not sure how I will celebrate the next 'big one', but I am sure to make it ........ another story!
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