Of course, I was alone by the pool. I moved along the edge to stay in the sun, and eventually had to give up! Rain was due, and after a very warm start to the week, the temperatures promised to drop! Promised!
Despite my being averse to fast food, I was craving a hamburger! I know the theory is that your body craves what you lack, but I am not so sure! Hamburger and chips. Not the kind you get in a plastic bag over here, but real fried, thick, fish shop chips! Maybe I was lacking grease, only instead of putting it on the outside to prevent chaffing, I was wanting it inside to prevent freezing!
Monday was Columbus Day, and whilst the post office and banks were closed, the courthouse was open. At least our courthouse was open.
"One more day", I said to myself as I wandered down to the pool and wondered why on earth I would even consider going for a swim. There she was! Goldilocks! Yes, a young girl, with golden locks, sitting in my chair! Admittedly, I usual sling my towel on the lounger at the far end of the pool when I swim in the afternoon, especially this time of year, and the others are out of the sun, but my chair is still my chair!
"Hi", I said, sweetly, in typical British fashion. Do we complain? Only to each other. "Hey!" came the reply. I continued smiling and slung my towel on the far chair. I placed my phone on the small table, kicked off my shoes, and knew the challenge was on. Of course she was not watching, but I could feel her eyes on my back. "Will she get in?" Being old enough to be her mother, possibly her grandmother, I needed to show that I was brave and heroic! I did not need to test the water. I tucked my silver locks into my cap, walked up to the edge, and slid into the water, and started to swim. The stream of mild (very mild) obscenities emitted from my mouth as the icy fluid pricked my legs and arms like small sabres. I reached the other end and turned. Goldilocks was engrossed in her book! She was oblivious to the show that I was putting on! Of course she was oblivious. She was in my chair! I finished my laps and exited the water. "Have a good evening", I shouted as I left. "You too", she said as sweetly and innocently as Goldilocks would! Who would want to sit in my chair, this time of year. Goldilocks and she is still here! She did not get up to run away when I entered, despite the 'bear like' stare I must have given. Interestingly enough, I rarely sit in my chair this time of year, but for some reason I have become territorial!
"Was it....?" and Samantha mentioned some names. "No, that would be browny-grey locks", I replied. "No, that would be gingerlocks", was another answer. "No, that would be no locks", was yet another. I told her that whilst I knew who it was, I had no idea of her name. We just say "Hi" to each other, enthusiastically!
Goldilocks disappeared sometime between me leaving on Monday night, going to get my burger, which actually hit the spot, despite the chips being not quite up to par, and Tuesday morning, when I left the wet suit on the hanger. Despite Delta's passing, the temperatures were not changing. The weatherman could not seem to make up his mind as to which way to turn!
With my daughter's birthday approaching, I was in a dilemma. Cake! That is all I had to think about. What kind of cake was not the problem, but the decoration was causing me a problem. I could just purchase a dessert as she has done recently, and just say I didn't have time, but the expectations were high. They are always high! I could not contemplate making a truck. I had considered just making a slab, putting red icing on it and present it as an accessory for her truck, a flat bed covering, but that involved making red icing and I was not sure I had time! I could make the Chevrolet 'bow tie', but that would not be particularly subtle, and she has come to expect very obvious or a complete understatement. Her favourite sports gear is a make called Under Armour, but the logo is not particularly exiting. It came to me whilst I was hoovering, (as it so often does,) and I knew exactly what to do!
Joe responded to my text a little late on Wednesday. I had asked if I could come by and collect some coffee and perhaps have ten minutes of sane (or insane) conversation, but he did not reply until after I had started the cake. "If it's not too late", he said. I took that to mean "If you don't arrive too late", but then translated it into American, and realised, too late, that he meant if it wasn't too late for me! Very confusing. I had the cakes in the oven so it was not going to happen. After I retrieved the two tins containing the chocolate goodness, I went to the Dollar Tree, where I was in search for a doll. I wanted a decent sized one so I could take off the arm. I know, not very appropriate should a child be looking, but I would not dismember the thing until I got home. I found not one! Instead, I found a 'Barbie' lookalike, and some soft icing!
Thursday was an interesting day. Dana left early with the cake, and I carried on with my chores. The office 'party' was not well attended, to start with. Jerry had forgotten to leave the card on the table and the other servers did not see it, so it had not been signed by all. At around midday, we all sang happy birthday. Samantha looked at the cake. From under the arm of the Barbie lookalike (who had dyed red hair) were the letters 'ER'. She looked. "Emergency Room?" she said. "That's what I said", said Dana, feeling somewhat vindicated. I brought down the arms. "Now?" She looked and shook her head. I pointed to the arms. "What are these? And where is the Emergency Room in connection to the arms". She smiled. "I knew you were going to do something with Under Armour!" she responded, and was started to giggle. It was perhaps too subtle, but it made her smile.
As I walked back to my desk, I saw George, another server, had arrived and was getting out of his car. Then I received a text from Kelly. "I'll be there in ten!" the message read. I realised that she had remembered it was Samantha's birthday, despite not having signed the card. I ran into my daughter's office, snatched the cake which was just about to be cut, stuck the doll back on the top and ran back to the front room. She shouted after me. "Kelly and George are almost here!" l said.
Fifteen minutes after the first surprise, and the card being signed by all, we had a 'happy birthday' moment. All stared at the cake. "It's Under Armour!" said my daughter, as naturally as she could. "What?" said the newcomers. "Oh" was the response when she explained, with both looking at her like she must be very clever to see it, or perhaps she had seen it somewhere before!
Dinner was fun. We celebrated at the Steakhouse, and although it was not a late night, it was late enough for a 'school night'. Grant joined Edward, Samantha, Dana and me for the meal. We had caught up with the family during the day, via facetime, and it really felt like a good time was had by all.
It was hard to believe Friday had arrived again so suddenly, but after Samantha's birthday, the year seems to tumble to a close very quickly. We closed the door at the end of the day and returned home.
Saturday started early. The suit, the suit, was worn. Friday had been cool, and Saturday was due to be cooler. Goldilocks had not been spotted since Monday, and the likelihood that she would return at anytime this week was doubtful. The sun goes away from the patio area quite early this time of year, and the bugs like to party!
The lady at Costco seemed delighted to tell us about an energy powder that helps you keep alert. "I have not had coffee for three months!" she announced, as she gave us a sachet. "You poor thing" was all I could think to say. "With this, and this", she said pointing in the area of giant tubs of something that we can only assume was a supplement of some kind, as it was in the general area of 'supplements and things', "I have so much energy. I don't need coffee". She looked at me, as if she was expecting a "well done", or at the very least a round of applause. Instead, I asked. "Don't you like coffee? It sounds like it was medicine to you". I don't think she heard me, which was probably just as well! She was too busy telling someone else about her revelation and the fact that she doesn't need the product that the gentleman on the next stand was promoting! I enjoy coffee! I didn't go into my usual recital, about my grandmother drinking a dozen cups a day. I always end it with, "She died". The response is usually, "Oh no. How old was she?" All smile when I say "92!" Just think how long she could have gone on if she had the energy drinks instead!!! Sorry! Controversial?
The pool was cold on Saturday afternoon, and although I took my book with me, I did not sit in my chair, or any other chair as it was not warm enough. Instead, I dozed in front of the television for an hour! It was much more pleasant!
Epsilon and Zeta look like they may become the next two storms to erupt in the Atlantic, with a 'double trouble' effect. Hopefully, they will dissipate before hitting land. We shall know next week, but the erratic temperatures of October will continue, no doubt.
I am still contemplating what to do this Sunday afternoon. I know what I probably will do, but contemplation makes me feel as if I have put some effort into the thought, and justifies the fact that I will no doubt torture myself with another few laps in the icebox! Perhaps I will surprise myself! However, I know myself too well! Have a good week and I will write to you again in .......... another story!
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