Excuses made, and on with the post. Perhaps! It was an alternative week. As my daughter's father was in town for her birthday, we did not celebrate with her. It was not because it would not have been a welcome idea, as civility is not a problem, but as her father does not see her as often as I see her, it seemed appropriate to let him have quality time with her, and his grandson. Therefore, we had a late celebration on Monday evening, and dined at the Cheesecake Factory. It was a fun evening, and although we were home later than usual, it was not late. Going out on a 'school night' is still a novelty, especially a Monday. Somehow, later in the week doesn't seem quite as audacious!
My decision to go into work later than usual was quite justified. My pantry was a mess. Exciting as my life has been, in my adopted country, my pantry was screaming at me for lack of attention. Whilst I had 'reorganised' after the floor had been replaced, it had become rather disheveled. Admittedly, it is not the most exciting of reports, it was definitely worthwhile! Stacked as my desk would be, I knew I could cope with the later start. I had decided to make my own hours. After all, I am married to the boss, and it is more of a partnership than a sole proprietor business. (I haven't mentioned this, yet, to the 'sole proprietor', but he does not seem too bothered! I sent a message to my daughter-in-law, enquiring as to everyone's wellbeing and said I had 'played hooky' for an hour, and cleaned my pantry. She told me that she had also taken some time off and then sent me a picture of her sparkling kitchen. What an exciting life we lead, either side of the pond!
I was taking advantage of my 'throw out' mood, which has seemed to last slightly longer than usual. In my zeal to rid my house of unwanted things, or perhaps items that I had considered may one day come in handy, for someone, somewhere, anywherei, I had not given any attention to dinner for our group. It was at around ten past five in the morning, that a dessert idea came to mind. A Neapolitan cake would work! Simple, but effective. Well, perhaps not too simple! It required a lot of washing up! However, it was done and ready to be assembled by the time I got into the office. Things were still under control! Until they were not!
Around 1:30 pm on Wednesday afternoon, the electricity cut! The whole building was dark. Samantha thought she had caused a problem by using the microwave. However, it appeared the whole block was affected. It occurred to me that this might not be localised, and I texted my neighbour who informed me that the power was out at home! She then added that another neighbour had called the power company, and we should be 'back on' by four! Of course, it was inconvenient. I asked Dana if he still had a typewriter in the office, so I could manually take care of things, but whether it was at the office, or home, it was not readily accessible as he could not remember where he had last seen it! My next thought was to draw our cover sheets. They were not perfect, but they would work. All of us were able to find ways to keep going, except our youngest member of staff. At 24, he cannot remember when he was without 'technology'. We have been trying to take him out of the 21st century, in case of emergency! This was an emergency! Everything he suggested, required electricity, and Internet! He watched with confusion, concern and an element of distrust, as we continued to function. All the "What would you do....?" suddenly came into play! Useless is perhaps an unking word to use when describing our colleague's worth during the power cut, but it fits! He could not 'go to lunch' as the whole city was affected. Thankfully, before full blown panic set in, the lights came on. In fact, Samantha as opened the fridge door the power was restored, and the light inside was on! We chastised her and asked why she had not opened the fridge door earlier. Obviously, it was the catalyst! Our colleague was confused. Was it really that simple? "NO!" A lesson learned? Not yet!
Unfortunately, although 'back ups' are normally quite proficient, not all was 'saved' and we had to 'reconstitute' some of the data. My 'throwing out' phase was put on hold! The best laid plans.....!
The end of the week was upon us, and we had managed to catch up. I was looking forward to the weekend, although it was not going to be routine! Samantha had arranged for her friends to take part in an activity! 'Painting with a Twist'. "Why don't you come!" she stated. "But it is Saturday night!" I responded. "And?" she questioned. "Go!" said my husband. I did!
My Saturday was slightly different. It was 'rained off''. I sat under the umbrella for a while, but the temperature was not conducive to just sitting.
I collected my daughter and we drove to the studio. The 'twist' is, apparently, that you bring your own snacks, drinks, etc, and have a party in a room, which has been set up to allow you to paint a picture. The 'picture' was picked by Samantha. The entitled, 'After Dark', canvases were placed on easels on tabled in a back room. We were provided with aprons, and a palate with red, white and black paint blobbed, with the option of other colours if requested. The canvas had an outline of a girl (woman) on the lefthand side, (side on) with an umbrella covering her head, and a line on the right hand side was just that, a line. The idea was to paint the rain, umbrella and lamppost (the line) with shades and shadows. The instructor stood at the front of the class and instructed. I got lost within a minute or two. However, I think I was overthinking and before long got into the swing of things. It did not look good, until it did! There was a lot of laughter, and competition! One girl decided that she wanted her umbrella in yellow, instead of red. There was one male in the group, who painted the 'other side' with his wife, where a silhouette of a man, also holding an umbrella was on the canvas. It was a fun evening. We ate, and painted. Everyone was looking at the product of others, and all were trying to create the best picture in the room. I started to giggle at one time. "She's off" commented my daughter. The instructor came around with encouraging, but totally inaccurate comments! "Great, you guys!"; "That is awesome!" No, they were not! One of the girls was half way there, in my opinion, but the rest of us....! However, by the time we were finished, most did look good.
It was wonderful to see my daughter, surrounded by her 'mum' friends, enjoying herself. It was with pride that they all turned up, (it was not a cheap activity,) and all expressed how grateful they were for her being in their lives. It was rather emotional. One of her oldest American friends came, (whom I sat next to,) and I marveled at how this shy, introvert (now) woman had integrated so well into her (not so) new culture! Texas has changed us both, dramatically!
I drove my daughter home. "Keep going straight", she instructed. I did. "Keep going straight", she repeated. I did. "What are you doing! Slow down!" she screamed. The light was green, I was going straight ahead; what was wrong? "You need to turn!" Apparently, going straight ahead was only relevant, until it was not. Thankfully, it was late at night, as the roads were wet, and the weather inclement! I turned, perhaps faster than I should, but to no detriment, and asked, "Where now?" She was laughing so hard, I had to shout. "Where am I going?" I screamed! By the time I knew where I was, we were both laughing quite uncontrollably! We were not quiet unloading the car, but thankfully did not get complaints! The storms Friday night, Texas style, were abrupt and vicious. The rain poured and finally subsided early Saturday, only to return during the evening. I drove home in a mist of drizzle and puddles the size of lakes. The signs 'Don't drown, turn around' were not displayed, but it would not be long. I was cautious and arrived home just before midnight.
My painting sits on the floor at present, as I am not sure where to hang it! I may take it into the office, as the 'clearing out' has not extended there, yet! It was wonderful to take part in something that was completely technology free!
Another week awaits, and the temperatures have promised to drop. Our 'fall' season is upon us and once again swimming season is coming to an abrupt end. Hopefully, I will find the time to complete this, and then perhaps next week have ..... another story!
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