My stress levels rose as I started the week. Of course, (of course,) it was rediculous. I had made a dental appointment for Friday, at 8am. It was done in haste, and it should not have made any difference. I had to reschedule, and when given the times and days, Friday at 8am seemed to be the most appealing. I knew the minute I sent back, 'Yes', that I would find it inconvenient! However, I am not sure any day for the dentist would be 'convenient'.
I chose not to wear boots, despite wearing a jacket, and lamenting over the hibernation of my summer hats. It was cooler. November should be cooler. My poppy was taken out of its hibernation box and worn with pride. Heading towards Armistice Day, I do tend to get emotional, knowing that my grandfather came home, and I am here, perhaps for a reason!
As the clocks had gone back, the afternoons are shorter. I no longer have the privilege of coming home and spending a little reading by the pool. Those ten to fifteen minutes at the end of the day are a luxury, and I will miss them until such a time as I can do it again. "Why don't you just take ten minutes, and sit and read?" asked my husband. It is not quite the same, sitting on the couch and then walking into the kitchen to get dinner ready. I don't want to lose the feeling of that 'luxury' and get used to the (not so) new life! It may sound a little odd, but as long as I still feel it is new, and a luxury, I can still enjoy being the Englishwoman abroad. My neighbours still consider me to be a little eccentric and I am happy to oblige!
My next door neighbour was away for a few days and asked me if I would water her outdoor plants, which sit on her patio. Naturally, I obliged! I knew this would not go without a hitch! I could not remember how to turn on their advanced hose, and try as I might, I could not get it to work. I felt rather stupid having to send her a message, "How do you turn on your hose?" but did not let pride get in the way. Being trapped inside their patio was a little more intimidating. Panic is a strange thing. I could not open the door, and could not remember if I 'pushed' or 'pulled' to get in. I tried both ways before standing still and pulling my self together! I think it was the knowledge that there was a camera pointing down on me that made me stop before I did some damage. My 'techy' neighbours are very 21st century driven and have all the mod-cons that can possibly be provided! Of course, the cameras are not there to record my inability to work their hose, or open their door, but for security purposes, but I am sure they get a kick out of my said inability. However, I digress. I stood back and looked at the door. The hinges gave me the ticket out! Pull! Not push! However, the door is quite tall, and I am not! Stuck fast as the door was, I tried to pull on the bar across the wood, but could not get a decent grip. I considered calling out maintenance man to help, but had left my phone in my bag, in my car! In fact, I had left my car running whilst I went to tend to the plants, which I still had not done! The thought of shouting 'help' did cross my mind, but who would hear? I thought of looking into the camera and asking it to call someone, but refused to go down that route. One more pull should do it, surely. Eventually, I was freed! It was one of those moments when you thing, "Thank goodness no one saw that", but of course, they would!
Gracious as she always is, my neighbour told me how to work the hose, indicating that it is a bit tricky. Of course, it isn't! It is me that is a bit tricky! I managed to water the plants later that evening, and kept the back gate open!
My levels of frustration grew during the week with the inability to get past 'protocol'. 'Red tape' as it was once called, appears to be everywhere! Trust is a thing of the past, and having to prove who you are, to those whom you have asked a question but do not have to prove who they are does not quite fly with me! I had sent a letter, certified mail, with a request for a receipt card to be returned. The receipt card was somehow detached before reaching the destination. I say somehow as I have taken to taping the card to the envelope so that it is not easily detachable. I could possibly understand if it did not come back because it was not easily detachable, but it would have to be a purposeful act to detach it before arriving at its destination. Perhaps I am giving out too much information here! However, my card receipt was returned before delivery. I checked the post office website and it indicated that my letter (containing legal documents) had been collected by an individual. I needed to know who signed for the letter, so that I could generate an affidavit and send it to the attorney who had requested the service. I spoke to a lady who was most apologetic at the receipt having been detached, and asked me for the destination address, which I gladly gave to her. I gave her the receipt number, and the date it was sent. I gave her the addressee, and I gave her my details. "I can see that it was received, but not at the address where you say it was sent". I found that a little odd, but continued to ask if I could get a copy of the signature. "I can't do that until you can give me the address where it was received". I told her that I had given her the address to where I had sent it. It was on the envelope, on my paperwork, and on the receipt. She asked if I had called to see if the recipient had, in fact, received the letter. I explained that it was a law suit, that the recipient was the defendant and the likelihood of admitting receipt when they knew that would enable the law suit to become active was very low. She then asked if I had another address for the defendant. No, or I would have sent it there! She said that I could fill out a form to claim ..... but I couldn't as I did not have the address of the recipient. "Perhaps it was forwarded?" I tried. No, the website would state that. "But it was picked up at the post office, and I have given you that address, as well". No, it was not the address she had in front of her. Then, to add insult to injury, she told me, "I do not know who you are so cannot provide you with the information you require. You gave me an address, so I can't give you another one". She had asked me for the address. Who did she think I was. Who would ask for details of a package, providing such detailed information if I did not have the detailed information in front of me. I could see the letter was delivered. I just needed to see a signature! We went round in circles. "Did you address the envelope yourself?" Well, that would depend on if I was really me! Yes! Of course! "How can I give you another address if I don't have one! This is to where it was addressed" No good! After twenty minutes of going back and forth, I finally gave up. I knew the letter was received, and I would have to hope the judge would accept the evidence put forth, perhaps including the conversation with the operator!
Finally, Friday arrived and I longed for my appointment to be put behind me. Getting my chores and exercise completed, I managed to walk into the dentists' office a few minutes before 8am! "Hey Miss Tracie. Good to see you!" said the lovely receptionist. I greeted her and her colleague, and exchanged pleasantries. Then I was called in. It was a new nurse, or dental assistant is probably the preferred term. I do not like change! However, willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, I sat down and opened my mouth! It rook no time at all to undo my first thought. I am not opposed to advice, but I do not like to be lectured by someone on a subject that is not theirs to lecture! "You need to....", she kept saying, with no regard to my teeth. "Have you been tested for...." she continued. "Everyone needs to...." she went on. It reminded me of the commercial years ago, that I saw as a child, when a young mother, apparently turning 40, was pushing a pram and slowly fell into a faint, because she did not know that she had to take a certain medication. I was terrified. Did my mother know about this medication. She was nearing 40. Of course, my mother did not need the medication, but the inference had scared me tremendously. I suppose that was the purpose. This lady was giving me medical advice because of my age, despite not knowing my medical history. Of course, I had my mouth wide open so I could not respond. I was also not going to let her know what tests, precautions, antipodes, I take for anything. It was not even her business to know how and when I brush my teeth. I felt sad. Up until now, I had really liked the Norwegian Goddesses! Would I have to change my dentist? I should, perhaps, have mentioned it to someone else, but I did not. My next appointment was scheduled, and I will see what transpires! It may seem to be trivial, but in an age where you have to prove your identity to find out where your letter was received, it is probably best to be cautious!
Finally, a weekend! The weather was perfect. I wore shorts on Saturday! I went to my usual haunts and managed to get a couple of hours reading and relaxing. Luxury! I put all the frustrations of the week behind me!
I chased the sun around the patio in the afternoon. Eventually, I had to give up, and resign myself to winter! Dana was watching a football game when I finally surfaced from my happy place. Another Texas team was playing Missouri. I cannot get over the fact that arch rivals can be supported just because they are Texans, but then I am not a Texan! Being adopted by the state does not take the Englishwoman out of me. I support two teams...the one I support, and whichever is playing my arch rival! However, this time was different. As I have mentioned, I spent time in Missouri. The long standing joke that has become a thing each football season! (For those who do not know, the first time we visited my sister-in-law in Arkansas, my husband mentioned we had collected two States. Oklahoma and Arkansas. "The Missouri border is five minutes away, wanna go?" she asked. I walked across the border, took a picture, walked back, then got in the car, which had to be turned around...by going back into Missouri. However, the picture did not take so we had to repeat the performance. Hence I went to Missouri several times!) Missouri lost! Badly!
Today is Armistice Day, and wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph in England. Veterans' Day is on Tuesday! I thank those Veterans, and their families, and all those who did not return with my grandfather! From the bottom of my heart! I am sure the reason why I am here is not to write posts on a Sunday! However, it may be one reason, so I shall continue, hopefully, with ........... another story!
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