Waking up on Monday morning to sub zero temperatures was expected. However, I had planned to take myself out on a shopping spree. It was the second 'bank' national holiday of the year, if you count the '1st' as the first. As Edward had pumped up my (almost) flat tyre on Saturday, checked the remaining three, and my husband had made sure that there were no 'leaks', I was prepared to go south to the mall, and just have a leisurely day. The best laid plans, etc., etc., was once again the phrase of the day!
Waiting until we reached 'zero', I headed out, with a thick coat, boots, hat, gloves and scarf, and started my journey. About half way, and passing another 'outdoor' mall, I decided I did not really have to travel all the way down to San Marcos, for just a couple of shops. It was not the sort of day that would be conducive to walking around, as the 'feels like' was way lower than the 'actual'. As I tell my neighbours when the ask if I am still swimming in the winter, "I am a bit mad, but not stupid!" (Although I am sure they all have their opinion on that!) I turned around and headed back.
Roadworks have been the bain of the Austinites life for must be almost a decade. Even the Rodeo clown joked that in a few million years, when the sun burns out, the workers on the Interstate will have to work in the dark! As I crossed over the main road, and headed back north, I felt like those contestants in 'Cool Runnings', with the 'slalom' that had been created. One lane, with tall walls either side, and sharp twists and turns, the road was more like an Olympic challenge than a 'frontage' road for the all important major thoroughfare!
Stopping at the store that was previously called the Coat Factory, I exited my car, wrapped my scarf tightly around my face, and marched quickly into the shop. It was not particularly busy, but this was not a surprise. There was more than the cold weather happening today. I wondered if the weather had been warmer, if more people would have ventured out and watched the events later on a re-run. I browsed, picked up, put back, wandered, and eventually checked out. Everyone was in a very happy mood, and very friendly. Most people considered that due to the threat of snow, tomorrow would be an additional holiday!
Back on the road, I planned my next stop, and headed north. I called my daughter, as I knew she was going to be home, being that she had used the weekend to 'potty train'. I was headed her way, and she asked me to pick up a couple of things for her, if I was going to 'pop in'. The best laid plans, etc., etc., once again came to mind. I chose not to stop two or three times, but continued along the Interstate. I came off at the wrong exit, but was quite confident that I was not lost! I picked up my daughter's wares, and was complimented on my scarf, for the second time. I chatted with the lady at the check out longer than I spent in the shop, proper!
Once I had fulfilled all my duties, dropped off the shopping, filled up my car, and quenched my thirst for retail therapy, I headed back home. Instead of 'Cool Runnings', I was now in 'The Italian Job'! The epitome of 'Sunday Drivers' were all on the road! I bobbed and weaved, as another mini followed suit. We were going home, and a few 'ditherers' were not going to stop us. I arrived at my house, and suggested to my husband that we make the most of the day, and go to the Cheesecake factory, as my 'free slice' offer was running out at the end of the month.
As predicted, the restaurant was not busy, but this was probably due to more than the cold and the events of the day, but because it was Monday. Despite it being a 'bank'/national holiday, Monday is a slow day for Austin restaurants. As we sat, a group of women were led to a table adjacent to ours. One was wearing a beautiful white fur jacket, over an equally beautiful white fluffy sweater. Another wore a fur hat band. As we left, I commented on how delightful the women looked, and how I especially liked the coat, and hat. One of them commented that the reason they had come out for dinner was to 'show off' the hat! I replied, "What better reason" which led to a bit more banter and conversation. My husband looked on and pondered, as he sometimes does, at how easy it is for women to chat and laugh at what men consider to be 'nothing at all'. "Love the scarf!" came another compliment! My scarf, I would hasten to add, was selected because of the length, not the style, but I knitted it several years ago with some 'left over' wool, so it is always an honour to be told it is 'beautiful'.
I woke several times during the night, checking to see if there was any snow. By seven, the ground was covered with a thin layer, and the temperature was well below freezing. We would be working from home! However, by ten thirty, the sun had been out for a while, and whilst we had not quite hit 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the roads were clear, and the exit from our unit was dry and ice free! We headed into the office, and found others there too. Apparently, the south fared worse than the north of the state.
As the week progressed, the horror of the cold started to subside. We were heading out of the winter (which had lasted all of a week) and were going back to cool (some would think warm) temperatures, which were more tolerable! Wearing my coats, hats, boots, scarves and gloves, I wonder at why this is such a problem for the locals! Walking from the house to the car, from the car to the office and back again, is not an arctic trip to find the north pole! Captain Oates had it worse! (Off the soapbox!)
Our Annual General Meeting was held for our association and we shuffled into a small meeting room in the local library. Coffee and pastries were provided, and we waited for everyone (who were going to show up) to show up! It ran for longer than I had expected, and when it was over, we headed out to go to the office, where Samantha was going to meet me and take me shopping. However, she was sitting in the car park of the library and we went on our way! It was now about fifty degrees and dry. People were venturing out!
The shops were very busy. The warehouses were extremely busy. I was in rather a boisterous mood! Having sat for a couple of hours, I was feeling a little 'stir crazy'. I am not sure what it was that made me feel as if I had to 'police' the queues, but it was as if I was drunk with freedom! "These poeple have been waiting for a long time!" I said to a couple that came from the side. Apologies were forthcoming. Each stand that had something rather sumptuous, there was a queue, and each time, there was a queue jumper! As we continued around, Samantha, who presumably also felt that freedom, was telling people, "I am sorry for my mother's behaviour!" By the time we left the stores, many people were laughing! I think they may have thought they were on a reality television show. "You queue jump when you drive!" I was reminded. "I can't help those who will not help themselves", I responded!
It rained Sunday morning, and I took an umbrella out for my post breakfast walk. Today I plan to put my plants back out into the garden! They have been inside for a week, and it is time to reintroduce them to the elements. They have definitely thrived inside, but ultimately, they need to go back to their natural habitat! Drizzle has stopped me being able to sit and read outside, but I do not plan to use my day unwisely. Whether I succeed in my 'best laid plans', will be something to be revealed, in......... another story!
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