ALRIGHT NOW!

The week did not start the way I would have preferred.  After the very productive weekend, and the start of the 'garden', I was happy to float into a normal week without much pressure.  Work has been busy, but we have a great team and for the most part, things run very smoothly.

Grant was unexpectedly off for a couple of days.  He had come in to take me to work, but had then gone straight home.  I had forgotten what the office was like without him, or more to the point, without him and his sidekick, viz-a-viz my daughter!  As busy as we had been, I was going to have to wear three hats!

Ever the heroine, Samantha was aware of the situation, and without a thought, bundled herself, the dogs, and the baby into the truck, and headed south!  That is what she does in a crises!  She did not stay long, but long enough to sort through the post, and do some filing.  It was a miracle!  It was amusing to hear some of our servers 'in the field' ask me when Grant was returning, as he always provides the paperwork for them to complete.  "He always prepares the returns, and we just sign them".  I did not want to spoil the illusion, and let them know that although it is always sent under the heading, "Much appreciated, Grant", I prepare the paperwork.  Most of our servers 'in the field' think that I am just there because my husband wants me to feel useful, and I function as no more than a glorified telephonist.  It suits me.  Especially when I am the 'stand in'.  Those who were pre-Grant are happy to ask questions and receive answers. This, too, suits me!

We did not leave the office until quite late.  I ploughed through emails, solved a few problems, surprised some of our servers 'in the field' with my knowledge, (when they had no other option.) and managed to leave with a reasonably clear desk.  Grant's desk on the other hand, was a complete mess!

I drove Dana to work on Tuesday and came back home.  I was not sure who was going to be joining us for dinner on Wednesday, so did not go ahead with my planned dessert.  Instead, I did the bare minimum, went for a walk, and headed into the office early.  "I am not here, officially", I called to Dana, as he looked in shock at my arrival.  I had decided to leave all the 'other' work until the 'bell rang' and answer emails.  Samantha arrived a little after nine, and looked in amusement as I had made a couple of make-shift tables, an was buried under a pile of folders and paperwork.  The 'paperless' era into which we have entered seems to cause more trees to be chopped!  

An association board meeting was scheduled for five, and whilst I am normally just there for a vote, and do not have any particular things to bring up, this time I had put four items on the agenda, so there was no way I could 'cry off'.  As unvocal as I usually am, when I get the bit between my teeth, so to speak, there is no stopping me, and this particular night, the 'bit' was rather large!  I remembered an old quip from when I worked in a hospital in the social work department.  "What is the difference between a Rottweiler and a social worker?  The Rottweiler eventually lets go!"  Tuesday evening I was a social worker! The coordinating conjunction, "But" was used several times. I was polite, but firm!  Mary Poppins would have been proud!  I think 'the board' was with me on the whole, but the employed management agency member was not.  "By the people for the people", was a phrase that I was ready to use, to wit, they were working for us, and not the other way around.  Their policies were not necessarily our preferences, and their ideas did not necessarily suit us. Our chairman let me talk and agreed that we could work with their policies if they were conducive to our needs.  Needless to say, I won!  It was not a personal battle, but one that had been fought on behalf of several residents who were not happy with certain aspects of the way things are being handled, and are not able to get a response from those who are meant to be dealing with the everyday running of our 'estate'.  As cryptic as it may sound, it really is not.  I do not envy our Chairman as he works tirelessly for our community, as does our Secretary, but the management agency has become lax because of our leaders' vigour.  I decided that remaining quiet in future meetings may be a thing of the past!

I was delighted when Grant picked me up on Wednesday, as I had spent much of Tuesday evening filing, and as much work as we received on Tuesday, if he was out again Wednesday, I would be doing the same thing that evening!  However, all was well!  I had prepared dinner on the assumption that we were going to have a full house, but the other members of our usual fellowship group cried off. I would have to enact the Social Worker routine with them!  "Can they let me know on Tuesday if they are not coming?" I asked, politely.  Thank goodness for the freezer.

Much as I complained, I really was not complaining.  I did not mind that there was an abundance of food left, as we were expecting a visitor to stay on Thursday and Friday.  In fact, we had several visitors! Some visitors had more than two legs!  Edward had been called to a meeting in San Antonio, and had suggested Samantha and the baby go too.  He had a rather nice hotel room provided, and thought it would be a good opportunity to spend some time away with his family, minus of course the quadrupeds!  I was not happy to play grandma to the two beasts, but thought it would do the humans good to take advantage of the situation.  The words "hard place" and "rock" come to mind.  

Our visitor did not come!  Apparently, there was snow between his home and us, and travel was advised against by the authorities.  He also did not have anywhere to leave his dog, the bringing of said animal having been quickly denied.  The thought of a rather large dog in my house was not a pleasant one.  The thought of a dog together with the psychotic gruesome twosome was just not one to be considered!  

Thankfully, Samantha and Edward decided to come back before the storm hit on Thursday evening.  Unfortunately, they were three minutes away from my house when the deluge hit, but the fact that I did not have my car at my house was a plus, as they drove straight into the carport and whisked the baby inside without a drop hitting the car seat!  Of course, it was fully covered!  They were not!

The storm went by and the five of them left, and were home before round two.  It did not last long but there was a lot of rain.  There was localised debris the next morning, but no trees appeared to have come down, and everything smelled fresh  It was Friday and I was ready for a weekend.  I walked around my complex, stopped for a while to visit with some neighbours and smiled when I walked back into my house to see my car sitting where she belonged! The dealership where Grant had taken his truck had called, and said that although his vehicle was not ready, yet, they had a rental for him.  He was surprised when they gave him a rather swish looking brand new truck.  I had my car back.  It was at this point that I told him that whilst I am not usually in need of a vehicle, the last two weeks had been the exception.  Presidents' Day, last weekend when Samantha had the 'ball game' and him being away from the office for two days!  He said he will miss the 'little car' as it was 'so much fun'!  I had to agree on the latter!

It was quite cool in the morning and I put on my hat and boots.  Samantha had requested I wear my white cable sweater (which was Richard's old cricket jumper) as she wanted a picture in the bluebonnets with the baby.  We all three would wear the same top. The only problem was that by the time we had finished shopping, the temperature had soared by about thirty degrees and it was hot!  The bluebonnets were not as prolific as they may have been but pictures were taken and she was satisfied, to a degree.

The first swim of the season was Saturday afternoon.  It was cold but I braved it, got in and swam.  It was not quite that simple, as I did what I say I would not do.  I edged my way in, stood for a while, edged a bit more and a bit more.  I was up to my chest when my phone rang, and I hobbled out.  Samantha was on a roll!  After the call, I made my way back into the water and finally went under.  After the initial shock, I decided a few laps would not hurt, and managed just a few!  The wind had started to pick up and I was starting to lose feeling in my legs!  It was  not that cold, but as the temperature dropped and the sun disappeared off the water, it would have been silly to continue.  Tomorrow was another day!  I was somewhat reluctant to add the date to my list as it means I have an early target for next year!

The garden was the next priority and I managed to get some seeds planted.  By the time I went to bed, I was quite tired!  It was a good tired!  We had watched a couple of episodes of a new series on the television, and Dana had expressed the importance of the second episode as it was the one that 'built the characters'.  I missed it completely, sleeping through the hour long production.  I was sure I would catch up!

Although the temperatures were going to rise to eighty, they did not on Sunday and whilst I sat by the pool and got my legs wet, the water was about four degrees colder than yesterday.  A swim was not happening.  At one time, maybe, but as I said to my neighbours, I could but to whom was I going to prove anything!  

I chatted to my sister for a while on Sunday, and gave her some 'family history' that I had found out about.  It was all very amusing and we laughed a lot.  I had a chat with a couple of my friends in England, and chatted to Samantha for a long, long time!  My middle grandson called and I was able to wish him a happy birthday despite being so far away. It was a good day.  

Next week is, once again, an unwritten page, and I have no particular plans.  The city is gearing up for SXSW but that will be in full swing the following week.  Calm before the storm?  Who knows, but I may have something to add in ........... another story!