BACK TO FACTORY SETTINGS!

After the weekend, I had one more night of dog walking.  I did not mention that we had the quadrupeds all last week, as the parents of the (not so) newborn took him to see his other grandparents.  I was willing to make the sacrifice in order that my son-in-law's parents got to see their newest grandchild before he got married!  Plans to go and visit had been delayed, and as their only other grandchild is in her twenties, as a mum, I could feel the want to hold the little one before he got too big!

The plan, (yes there was a plan, so you can guess the rest,) was that they take the trip, spend a week with Edward's parents, and then Samantha would come home, leaving hubby behind as he had a meeting in Charlotte.  Of course, it seemed a good idea to spend the maximum amount of time with the in-laws, so they left the dogs with us on the previous Friday.  This meant two weekends with grandma and grandpa and then head to where Edward had to be, and Samantha would return on the Monday.  Naturally, I knew it would not be an early morning flight she would be taking, so I thought I would either lose the dogs around nine in the evening, or she would spend the night here, and I would still at least not have the sole responsibility of their last walk.  As I said, the 'plan' was....!  I prepared myself and walked them Sunday night, realising that this would probably not be my last night!

Another glorious day came around and I had to go back to the car  dealership.  It appears that whilst all the other work was done on the car, they had not completed the inspection, as we needed a new tyre.  They did not have one in stock, which benefitted us enormously, financially, but meant another trip!

My entrance was less dramatic than last time, and I stood at the desk whilst the 'representative' tried to comprehend my existence!  "You are back why?" he asked, as kindly as he could.  I explained that the inspection needed to be completed, and I was told it would take about fifteen minutes, and just to drive in and leave the car.  "Do you want it washed and vacuumed?  Again?" he said.  I responded that it would not be necessary.  Again!  I was asked to take a seat.

The coffee machine was my first stop, and I selected two croissants, as I thought it might be nice to 'treat' the staff back at my shop!  As I sat down, the 'representative' came up to me.  "So, you just need the sticker?"  I was confused.  "You don't do stickers anymore", I said.  "I mean, you just want the inspection done.  Nothing else.  Just the emissions, and things?"  I responded that if he meant a state inspection by 'and things', then the answer was in the affirmative.  I wondered why there was so much confusion.  

"You back again?" asked one of the salesman.  I told him that I enjoyed my stay so much on Friday that I decided to book in for the week.  He told me that I was like the staff there.  Leave on Saturday afternoon and come back on Monday morning.  I smiled, as I had a cup of chai latte.  

I was called a little later, and told that my car was ready.  "You were here for such a long time on Friday, I wondered why you came back today.  That was why I was confused", he said.  I collected my paperwork, the car and went on my way.

The call to say Samantha's flight was delayed was not really a surprise.  There was 'weather' in Houston.  There is always 'weather' in Houston.  However, the nice person at the desk said she would be put on the later connecting flight that got into Austin very late.  Of course I did not mind keeping the dogs for another night!  Of course I did mind keeping the dogs for another night!  I had planned on keeping the dogs for another night but hope against hope I thought she might get home on time!

The 'weather' did not reach us at all, despite rumours to the contrary.  Samantha's original homebound from Houston was delayed for several hours, and landed about thirty minutes before her new one. She called to say she had landed, then again to say she was making her way to her truck as she had her bags, but Edward was going to be her 'walking buddy' should she need help. I was a little concerned about her being at the airport, alone, so late, but she was not.  It is usually quite safe.  I was in awe.  She had two large bags, one that she rolled, and one that she clipped to the push chair, and 'kicked' along.  Together with the baby, a carry on bag and a backpack, she made it to her truck, and drove herself home.  The epitome of the modern woman.  Should I have doubted?  I did not doubt!

The dogs were collected on Tuesday, and arrived back at my house on Wednesday, as she came for dinner.  I had one night off!  However, I did not walk them.  I just tolerated them whilst they ran under my feet and exhibited the usual excitement they tend to exhibit when they realise they have not seen us for a while.  In their book, twenty four hours, (or in the older one's book, twenty four seconds,) is a long, long while!

Discussing the Coronation, Grant happened to mention a couple of words he had heard being 'thrown around' that he did not recognise.  We discussed the difference in language, and I told him that a new dictionary was written with new language 'back in the day'.  I believed it was Webster but was not sure.  Suffice it to say, the Americans used different words.  "That is why there is a difference in spelling", I told him, "And why you don't use 'u's'.  Like color, and neighbor.  Beats me how you all get 'pstairs!" I added, and did laugh a lot at my own joke, as did he!

Flash flood warnings were issued on Wednesday, and the possibility of a lot of rain was going to come on Thursday, maybe Friday, but definitely at sometime in the next twenty four hours, or maybe forty eight.  The 'definite' is not really taken literally.  

The wind picked up a little bit on Friday afternoon.  It rained for a minute or two before we left the office, and the clouds rolled away from the sky as quickly as they appeared.  The UT baseball games were going to both be played on Friday as they had cancelled Saturday's game due to impending flooding.  Edward had received the offer of tickets to the 'box' and they had gone for the evening. "The rain appears to be down south, in Mexico, and is not headed this way" said my husband, who as an ex-air traffic controller, understands weather patterns and clouds.  "This is Austin!  It could just 'happen'." I reminded him.

'It' did just happen.  Around two in the morning, the lightening burst into the room, and thunder followed.  The rain sounded as if it was heavy and it went on all night.  By dawn, it had petered out and it was little more than a steady stream.  I went swimming, as the electricity had gone from the air, and it was glorious.  Swimming in the rain is quite wonderful in my opinion.  I came home and got ready for my shopping trip.

Being chauffeured  around after two weeks of going it alone, was quite pleasant. The rain was quite heavy for most of the trip, but again, slowed to a stop by early afternoon.  

The rain continued on and off, and it was quite heavy at times, despite it looking as if it had come to an end.  Apparently, we are on 'flash flood warning' until Wednesday.

Thankfully, there was no visible damage and our property looked quite pretty on Sunday morning.  I walked around with a couple of packets of seeds and dropped them in the hope that flowers might grow in some barren areas.  Three of my neighbours have been doing the same, and one has the most fantastic array of blooms and tall plants growing outside his back door, for all to see.  

Perhaps the rain has left us for a while, as the sun shone all afternoon, and the weather 'app' can't make up its mind as to whether or not there will be any more precipitation.  

Today sees 'American' mother's day, and it was with great delight that I wished my daughter a 'happy mother's day'.  Despite her being English and us celebrating that day, her child is American, so she really can enjoy both!  With everything appearing to be back to normality, what will we enjoy next week?  Stay tuned for ............ another story!