Veterans' Day started like any other Monday. Dana went to work and I completed my Monday chores. However, that is where the similarity ended. I did not have to go to work, and was going to have a 'Bank Holiday Tradition'. To say the 'BHT', (I have chosen to abbreviate, in keeping with modern trends!) is unique would be untrue, but it is not quite the 'Groundhog Day' experience, as the chain of events do tend to be a little different each time! "Where shall we go and what shall we do?" Samantha asked. Edward was working, so she was at a loose end. It is times like this that magnify our original dependency upon each other. We decided that 'doing something different' required thought, and as we both had household projects that we wanted to complete, a 'routine' BHT was probably the best option.
I drove to her house a little after nine. My mother had a hospital check up appointment on Monday, and my sister called on their way home just before I left. Everything was going according to plan, medication wise and the doctor had 'put her off' for two months. This was good. How was I? I was good. I was just about to leave home and go to Samantha. The weather? It was beautiful. It was a balmy seventy degrees, and I was wondering whether the boots and sweater were overkill, but the temperatures were predicted to fall throughout the day.
The dogs were settled, and we headed out to Ikea. Home from home. "Can we have breakfast. I'm starving!" said my daughter as she drove into the car park. We took a trolley and instead of going through the exit and working backwards, ran through the store and got to the restaurant before breakfast was taken off the menu. I did not partake, but sipped my complimentary cup of coffee.
"Thank you for your service, sir", I said to a man wearing a 'Vietnam Veteran' cap, who was eating his breakfast. "Thank you, ma'am. Appreciate it", he responded, smiling. We left our trolley (rebels) in search of one that did not veer to the right, and did not make a clanging noise each time the wheels turned. The replacement was just as bad. We walked to the entrance, ignoring the arrows, and started again! There is something very peculiar about shopping at Ikea. We cannot start from the middle! It is as if we are going to miss out stop! Around we walked, and I found the piece of furniture for which I was looking. It was a minute to eleven. I took the measurements, despite having the same piece in my kitchen, and compared it with the space I had to fill. At eleven, precisely, Samantha and I stood in silence for two minutes. Tucked away in a 'bedroom' alcove, I don't think anyone noticed us. There was no bugle playing 'The last post', no band playing sombre music, just shoppers going about their business. We continued on our way. "Did we go past the lights?" I asked. We headed for the exit and had to start again!
As we walked out of the warehouse, I noticed an older man wearing an 'Airforce Veteran' cap. He was sitting in the cafe area by the exit, with his pen poised, doing a puzzle of some sort. I walked out of the building, and back in again, (not from the entrance this time,) and went up to him. "Excuse me", I said. He looked up. "Thank you for your service, sir". It was Veterans' Day, after all. "Thank you, ma'am", he said, and looked back down. He then looked up again, sporting an enormous grin, and looked around him. "You made him cry!" said my daughter. "Or at least made his day!" As we walked out, he was still looking around, smiling. I hope I did make his day, as he had allowed me mine!
The wind had started to pick up slightly. We drove to JC Penny to buy a hat. My daughter, who makes hats like I make cardigans, but an hundred fold, wanted to buy a hat! "It has wieners on it!" she said. 'Dachshing through the snow', was written across the cuff. I would not say she is obsessed, but ....!
Leaving Penny's and heading across to the next store, I was glad that I had not discarded the boots and jumper. It was definitely colder than 70 now! Upon leaving the next shop, we felt the full brunt of the elements, as the wind started to howl, and we fought our way back to the car. Opening the doors proved difficult as we were fighting against the strong gale!
Our next stop was the pet shop. After all, the pets, (or should I capitalise the letter 'T', to make it 'The' pets,) do not have a different coat for each day of the week, should the weather turn colder! I know I am not in the minority when I say I do not find anything 'pet like' in lizards, snakes or spiders, but I do know people who would disagree! My friend Ian, for example, would probably wonder why I am not fascinated by the contents of the tanks containing vertebrates and reptiles! Each time I go into the pet shop, and run past the tanks containing said creatures, I am tempted to stop, take pictures, send them to Ian, and say "Why!" However, I digress. I slid past the tanks that contained the slitherers and stopped at a stand that had hats. Tiny hats. "Do you think the boys need one of these", asked my daughter. I stood and stared. "You have to be kidding me. Hats for dogs?" Samantha laughed. "No, they are not for dogs. They are for guinea pigs!" Now I had heard everything! "Seriously?" Oh yes! I would say, "Only in Austin", but we were not in Austin. We were in Round Rock. Only in Texas? Probably not! What next? Wellingtons for crocodiles? Parkers for Polar Bears? "Oh but they are not pets", I hear you say! Nor are spiders, snakes and lizards!
As we left the shop, the rain was not falling, but being thrown horizontally, across the parking lot, by the wind that had gained strength whilst we were inspecting the head gear for rodents!
We returned home, and picked up the dogs, for the next part of the BHT. They were allowed into the DIY store, and as long as they were held, or in the trolley, we could take them into the home decor store. Of course, the pet store expect them to visit! Another pet store, another round of millinery! "Oh they are so cute!" we heard as we were walking around. "Yes, they are not reptiles or arachnids!" (Sorry Ian!)
I drove home through wintery conditions, and spent some time covering my plants so that they would not get frost bite. The seventy degrees that had been so pleasant had given into colder pressure!
As it was Veterans' Day, I suggested we go to the buffet for dinner. Most places honour Veterans in various ways, but the buffet gives a full dinner without any documentation. I can understand restaurants wanting proof of service before handing out a free meal. Gone are the days where a person's word was his bond! However, Golden Corral trusts the word of their patronage and I admire them for that. I believe they know there are those that cheat the system, and claim to be vets when they are not, (last year in particular there was a couple that seemed quite chuffed they had done so,) but they are about honouring those who deserve it, rather than making a show of those that cheat! It was most humbling being in the presence of hundreds of service men and women. I wanted to thank each and every one, but as they were in the presence of their own, I think that spoke for itself.
We enjoyed dinner, and left to come home. The balmy seventy degrees had turned into wintery showers and snow! It was snowing in Austin! Perhaps it was mostly sleet, but the tell-tale signs of white fluffy flakes were definitely visible!
Unfortunately, I had miscalculated the measurements of the space for my unit! I had taken everything into consideration, apart from the piece I had planned to slip under my 'bakers tray dresser'. It was rather upsetting! However, I chose not to give up, and asked my staff if any had the ability to cut down a piece of wood! Jerry obliged! Tuesday morning was cold, with temperatures below freezing, and coats, boots, hats and gloves, a necessity!
It was a very quiet week. The Bank Holiday seemed to be extended, with many an Austinite not venturing out in such cold climes. Schools had delayed starts and accidents were reported across the city, perhaps due to the icy conditions. Dana had printed up 'warning signs', as the slope up to our office door was very slippery. The sleet had indeed frozen over, leaving an ice rink. If I still had my skates, I could have perhaps put on a show; that is a different kind of show to the one I usually perform! Suffice it to say, it was a dangerous scenario.
"Salt!" I shouted, as I used the steps to get to the door. We do have steps to go down to the lower ground, but no one uses them as the lower ground entrance is always locked! The steps also go up to our door. I came back outside, with a canister of salt, and started to pour. "Wow, that's genius", said one of the residents. "I am English, I know the rules!" I responded. The ice dissipated, and the entryway became safe again. However, that evening, the cleaners were slightly bewildered as to the 'salt like' footprints on the tiled part of the floor. I left them ignorant! After all, I had taken matters into my own hands, and was not qualified, nor insured to do so! I can only imagine that the solution would have been a couple of traffic cones, and a 'do not enter' sign at either end of the 'bridge'. I think in this case, ignorance was bliss for the residents!
Dinner on Wednesday night was an experiment. A long way from comfort food on a cold night in England, I am sure! I had never heard of Mahi-Mahi, let alone eaten it before coming to the 'land of opportunity'! Salsa was 'sauce' in Spanish, and if I did venture to
Mexican culinary delights, it was basic tomato dip! However, my mango and peach salsa was rather exquisite! "I love Hawaiian food", said Grant. "Is it?" I asked. "Of course!" he responded. Well, there you have it! I have become a 'universal state' cook! Definitely more of a summer delight, if not tropical, which Austin was certainly not on Wednesday, as temperatures once again dipped below that freezing point!
The temperature, and work, picked up slightly on Thursday and Friday, and by the time we left for the weekend, only a jacket was required.
Saturday was rather unique. Although the same standard as the 'BHT', as far as routine, Dana decided to come shopping with us. He was quite caught up at the office, and decided to have 'a break'. "I want to be a fly on the wall. You two seem to have so much fun!" he said. "As long as you are a fly", said my daughter. I concurred. "No questioning our actions", I added! He promised! What was that I said earlier about a man and his bond? "Why are you parking half a mile from the entrance?" he asked, when we got to Walmart and parked at the far end, as we always enter through the garden section. "You are a fly!" reminded Samantha. "Buzz" said Dana! He followed us through the iron gates, and I heard a sharp intake of breath several times during the shop. He disappeared a couple of times, as he said he had never actually looked around the store. On the rare occasion my husband comes 'grocery shopping' with me, I am very focused, as I want to avoid the 'why?' should I ponder over buying something. Domesticity, in as much as anything other than taking care of the bills, is really not his strong point, to which he will freely admit , but whilst he does not challenge my motives or the final product, he doesn't always think about how the final product is achieved. "Why do you need that?" or "What will you use that for?" is always asked. "Okay", is always said when I try to explain, or usually part way through explaining.
Dana was quite fascinated with the Dollar Tree. He had a chance to wander again, but he chose to stay in the car when we went into the Indian supermarket as he knew he would definitely not be able to resist asking "Why?"
Sam's was quite the experience. We lost Dana several times. There were a lot of vendors at their stands, and we enjoyed samples of soup, steak, grilled cheese and much more whilst shopping. Like Costco but different! However, the lady at the door, who checks the receipts, and with whom we always banter was not there. At least we got to hear Elton John and Rod Stewart on the radio! It is a Saturday tradition to sing along to the seventies channel!
Once again, we had samples in Costco, and Dana wandered. I could see that 'holding his tongue' was more of a challenge than he had expected, and questions going unanswered was frustrating. Every now and again, we heard "Buzz" coming from the back seat, and we knew that he was wanting to know "Why?"
A final trip into 'Ross - Dress for Less' was perhaps the last straw. "Because we can", Samantha pre-empted the 'buzz'. "She wont go swimming today, so we don't have to be back by two. Freedom!" Dana held his hands in the air. "I said nothing!" Once again, he wandered. I wandered. Samantha wandered. We met at the cash desk. As it had been quite uneventful, I decided to put on a little bit of a show! As Samantha had finished with her purchase, I advanced forward to the same cashier, picked up Samantha's bag and almost threw it at her, telling her to "Hurry up. It's my turn now". The girl at the desk found this to be very funny. Dana was looking somewhere else!
Back at home, I set about putting away the shopping, and then finished putting together my unit, with the sawn piece of wood, and after growling a few times, as the pieces did not fit together as perfectly as one would expect, and the screws did not screw in without a lot of effort, it was finished. It fitted in 'the space' perfectly, and I sent Jerry a picture, with a 'thank you'. Dana watched a couple of football matches. He was quite underwhelmed by the trip, and disappointed that we did not experience any memorable moments! It was a quiet Saturday!
The weather is warmer, people have come out of hibernation, and the next week promises sun and a little bit of heat. It will be nice not to have to wear boots in mid-November! I am anticipating next week to pick up the pace as we head towards Thanksgiving, which is only eleven days away! How prepared am I. Well that is ..... another story!
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