My world did not come to a complete standstill on Sunday afternoon, but it was close! After playing some more in the snow, I tackled my shed, again. It was still snowing rather fiercely when I started, and I wondered if it would stop so we could go and get some barbecue. It did slow down, and eventually stopped a little before five. Dana called the restaurant shortly before six to see if they were open. Thankfully someone answered and I breathed a sigh of relief. "Really, well alrighty then!" said my husband as he ended the call. "They closed at five today". The disappointment on my face was quite obvious and I was about to ask, "Why?" but it was all too obvious. The staff had to get home, and the temperature was dropping again.
Surprisingly enough, the sun did rise on Monday, despite my Sunday evening ritual not being fulfilled! Samantha called me to say she was going to be late. The traffic was being redirected on every route she took. I reminded her that bridges would be closed, and she said she had encountered the problem. "I think these people know where they are going. I shall follow them", she said, as her trusty phone had told her to turn around several times. It appeared that she had got into a line of employees who were all going to work. "I am on the Apple campus", she said. Having made her way out of the area, she was once again on the main road. "Burnet Road", we both said together. Burnet Road was always my 'safe place' when I moved here, and if got lost, which was frequently, in the early days, invariably, I would see a sign for Burnet Road, and I knew that at least one end would lead me to familiar territory. It is a very long road, but it would not take too long for me to realise if I was going the wrong way. Often a longer way round, Burnet Road has always been my 'safe place'. To avoid all bridges, Samantha knew that the best thing for her to do was to come off the highway at Burnet Road! As soon as she was nearing the office, we ended the call, and I headed out for my walk. I had made it around the circuit once, when I saw the big red truck pull into our complex.
My snowmen were still sitting on their chairs, by the pool. It was slightly warmer when my daughter caught up with me, and we walked on every remaining available snow covered piece of ground that we could. As we rounded the corner at the top of our road, I noticed another snowman. My lessons had paid off! Outside the house of the kids whom I instructed the previous day, was a large lump of snow, with a twig sticking out of its mouth, and a leaf on its head. I had told them, "A snowman needs a pipe, and a hat!" I could not find anything that resembled a hat, when making my family at the pool, and had put a leaf on their heads.
Deciding what to wear on a cold, snowy day was not hard. I decided to wear my boots with the fur tops. I rarely wear them with a skirt, as they accentuate the lack of slenderness in my lower leg. My mother, ever practical, and always magnificently and appropriately dressed, used to say, "Don't draw attention to your legs." As a young teenager, the 'fashion tights' had beautiful patters up the side, but I was warned that they would make my 'less than sylphlike' calves look like full grown heffers! However, no longer a teenager, and being eligible to order 'senior meals', I am starting to care less and less, and I felt like rebelling! I put on some tartan tights. "You look like a two year old!" said my daughter. I smiled and said "Good". She sighed. "No. It is not good. It is okay if you want to look twelve, but not two!" I saw her point. The woman who is always using the expression 'Mutton dressed as lamb' was starting to break her own rules, but despite caring less and less, there are boundaries! I can look ridiculous, but still reserve an ounce of style! Instead of tartan, I opted for another pair of 'Christmas' tights, that Walmart had wanted to dispose of and so reduced the price to a bargain! Glittery silver was not much better in my daughter's eyes, but it would do! My skirt was knee length (another 'no-no') and I just grinned at the fiasco! It was only one day!
The slope up to our office was covered in snow. I deposited my bag and went back out with my container of salt. The top of the ramp was starting to get slippery. One of our office neighbours came up the ramp very gingerly. I explained that the salt would help. He was very grateful, and thanked me to for being so thoughtful. I told him that it was the 'English' in me, and that steps 'at home' were often salted when they were icy. Well at least I remember ours were!
reduced aisle, were sitting on the table waiting to be pulled. Two members of staff, namely Dana and Grant, did not know what to do, and when we said that you needed 'someone' to pull 'the other' end, they assumed that we had to stand in a circle and have a cracker in each hand. Of course, sometimes you need two hands to pull, but Samantha and I decided not to enforce the rules! The 'jokes' were repetitive; out of twelve crackers there were only two, so we made up our own! The 'prizes' were relative to the sale price, and also repetitive! The hats were hats! We all wore one, and I kept mine on all day, making people wonder (and I knew by their stares) what was on my head! This made the 'outfit' more perfect.
By the evening, all vestige of snow had gone. The temperature was higher, and our winter was probably over! By midweek only a jacket would be required.
The postman popped in at the end of the day. "Are you moving out?" he asked, looking around at all the boxes I had accumulated, and at the stack of rubbish in the corner. I had been using each spare minute I had to 'clear out' a drawer or 'cubbyhole' space. It had taken a while, but I was getting there! It was a different approach to my 'norm' where I empty everything out into the middle of the floor and then try and find a home for it, again. This method has proved to be quite efficient and most satisfying! However, I digress. I responded that I was not going anywhere, as far as I knew, but when we moved into our 'new' office space, seven years ago, I just put all my stuff away, without really going through it. Samantha's wedding was taking place, I had visitors staying with me, and friends staying in town. I had never quite got around to actually clearing out what I didn't need, and in fact, added to the debris with the additional festivals that had been held. I told him the story of the employee we had who would say, "It is not whether Tracie has it, it is whether she can find it. 'It' being virtually anything! He smiled, and I continued. "Of course, it doesn't help that I am a little bit, a little bit, of a hoarder. The laugher was heard throughout the office. "Tracie", said the postman. "That is the first thing I learned about you, just from walking in here!" I did not take offense. My office is a reflection of me!
The week progressed. I was looking forward to making more progress on my shed. Samantha picked me up on Saturday morning. We did our shopping and headed home. Unpacking the truck took some time as I had bought some more 'storage' holders. I wondered if I was making more work for myself than necessary, and of course, the answer was, "Heck yeah!" Having made up the shelving unit last week, the second one was not going to be hard to put together. I had discovered the 'pitfalls', and started the task. The little clips that go on the bottom of the stands should be put on before assembling the whole thing, which perhaps the instruction booklet writers should consider. Perhaps they did consider it, but thought it was funny to suggest putting them on at the end. They seem to have a sense of humour about most else they put in the instruction booklets! I put the shelves in place after each level was completed, rather than attempting to get them into place after, which requires a lot more maneuvering. Another giggle factor when writing the booklet, no doubt. Samantha called as I was assembling. I placed my phone on the shelf and put it on loud speaker, so I could continue with my task, making a mental note to remember to take it off the shelf when the call was finished.
The first thing the instruction booklet suggests is that all pieces be counted before starting the construction. I don't 'do' instructions very well, but I quickly scanned the pack, and it looked good. However, as I came to fitting the last piece, I could not find the adjoining rod. It was no where to be seen. I was sure it would turn up eventually, but it was now getting late, and I had to get everything back into the shed. It took a long time, and despite now having proper shelving, I was a shelf short, due to the loss of the rod, and it seemed that there was less space. I started the arduous task and eventually managed to put everything back, with the last item almost blocking the entry. How did I end up with more than came out? So much for condensing and making it tidier. Looking inside, I realised the light was still shining. Now, for some reason the light switch does not work. I have no idea why, and I have no inclination to find out. I think the switch that is inside the shed is for the plug sockets, rather than the light. When the condos were erected, the electricians were either drunk or following an instruction booklet! Switches for lights are upside down, or wired up to a plug socket that is no-where near. The switch for the light is probably in the house! In order for the light to work, I have to screw in, and out, the light bulb. This is not hard when I either have a step ladder, or my tall husband handy. I had the former but no space in which to set it up. Going against all my own rules, I climbed on a small table at the side of the step inside the shed, and leaned over to unscrew the bulb. I did it without incident! I was impressed!
I felt quite pleased with myself and went to tell Dana of my escapades. He was fast asleep! However, there was one more adventure to be had. Like the instruction booklet, I had not adhered to the mental note. Where was my phone? I opened the shed door. The light was off, and it was getting dark. I knew where my phone was, but in front of the shelving unit was a stack of boxes, and several boards, as well as the third shelving unit which had not yet been unboxed. Would the small table take my weight, and remain stable as I leaned over, fully stetched, to get my phone. Thankfully, everything was so tightly packed, it did! I grabbed the device, tightly, and hurled myself back to an upright position, then daintily (which was not easy,) tiptoed on to the step and out of the shed, again!
"Why didn't you call me", said Dana. He could have turned off the light, but even his stretch would not have reached the phone over all the folded boxes and boards. I realised that the contents of the shed is predominantly folded boxes and boards! Storage for storage! Was I wasting my time?
The evening was very pleasant. We headed out for dinner and enjoyed a relaxing meal at one of our favourite restaurants, after which we came home and in good old English fashion, had a 'nice cuppa'.
Despite last week being snowing and freezing, there is a good possibility that I shall take an hour in the sun and attempt to read some more of my book that may be completed by next season. I am hoping for barbecue tonight, and that the five o'clock closure was just a 'one off'. I am not ready for a forced change just yet.
Monday is a holiday, but as of yet my schedule is clear. An empty page so to speak. What to do? Perhaps it will be exciting, perhaps mundane, but either way it will be ............ another story!
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