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Sunday 9 September 2012

The Art of Being Lost

 What got me started?  This quote, from a book of Peter Behrens, which I just finished reading:  "The O’Briens"  -  By the way, I totally recommend this Canadian author I just discovered.

You were never really lost because there was nowhere you weren’t lost...It was only panic that caused trouble.”

Isn’t that the truth!  I’m lost all the time,  however, I only panic once in a blue moon!

We’re talking here about someone *me*, who gets lost ALL the time!  No, I am not exaggerating.  Once my son had to come and rescue me ~on my 50th birthday~ because I lost my way while driving to an important exam.  I can still remember that phone call:  I dialed him, he recognized my number and started signing “Happy Birthday” before he said hello.  And I replied:  “No, it’s not a happy day, I’m lost” and I was balling my eyes out, on the verge of a full-blown panic attack,  with my mom and sister visiting from out of town in the car with me!  I was freaking out about being late; so I stopped on the side of the road and from my cell phone, , between sobs, I explained to him where I was.   Within minutes – thank goodness I was close to where he lived –  he appeared out of nowhere, telling me to look ahead of me on the road and there he was in his car, to lead the way!  Then we found the school but couldn’t find how to get in… and here is my boy, holding my hand and running with me to find a door that was not locked.  I tell you – that made up for a lot of his teenage shenanigans!

Another time, I was out at a Christmas get together in a neighboring town and even though I had made it there with no trouble at all, it was dark at departure time and I got completely turned around.  Ended up in the middle of nowhere, where there were no streetlights, no homes, no stores… and only one truck following me from way to close for my comfort - i started hearing eery music in my head... freaky!  And I did not have my cell phone!!!   After half an hour of driving in the dark, I finally spotted a house with Christmas lights on Free Christmas Lights Clipartand figured they probably weren’t murderers if they had decorated their home.  So I got out of my car, rang the doorbell and broke into tears when a lady answered the door!  I explained to her that I was lost,  where I was coming from and where I wanted to be.  She handed me a box of Kleenex and proceeded to explain to me how to get back on the main road;  I followed her directions and was promptly on my way home, albeit over an hour late.   Scary!

I think my problem is that I do not have one ounce of a sense of direction in me. PERIOD.  I get in trouble when I forget that and decide to follow my instincts which are ALWAYS wrong.  So what do I do about this?  I do have some options:
One:  I could get a GPS unit in my vehicle.  Yes, there is something of the sort in my cell phone but since we’re not supposed to use our cell phones while driving, this is not very helpful. 
Two:  I need a chauffeur.  A little pricier than option one however, it would kill 2 birds with one stone (no Peanut Gallery, I don’t really kill birds, it’s just an expression that convenes efficiency). This would allow me a reprieve from driving and a worry-free trip as to the possibility that I am going to appear at my destination on time.
  
The moral of the story?   When I find a good way to get somewhere, I stick to it and you could tell me about better ways or shortcuts and I won’t listen to you because, if I change my mental roadmap, I’ll get lost one more time.

Mind you, another option would be to stay home but then, I’d miss all the excitement!

Better Be a Little “S” than a Little Less! 

Monday 3 September 2012

Annual Visit to the Vet


My goodness....what an adventure!  That was yesterday, i'm still recovering!

I left the house 40 minutes before the appointment, even when i know we are only 10 minutes away.  I wanted to be there early, if only to give me a chance to calm the dogs down before we walked in.  I don't think they are scared of the vet's office; it's just that we don't do it often and it is an EVENT!  

We walked in, introduced ourselves and went in to get weighed. ( Not me , you in the Peanut Gallery-  the dogs!  you'd know what the "we" figure of speech was if you were a mom). I was so happy and proud , no howling, no jumping on the counter, no kiss-kiss with the young receptionist ; they behaved so well . I am comparing to last year when they yelped and barked the whole time we were waiting ~this time,  they both sat on my command  , at my feet one on each side of me like             Royalty-Free (RF) Clipart Illustration of a Sparkey Dog Sitting Atop A Blank Sign by Dennis Holmes Designs bookendsRoyalty-Free (RF) Clipart Illustration of a Sparkey Dog Sitting Atop A Blank Sign by Dennis Holmes Designs , and greeted everyone who walked by very gently - even a great Dane that looked to be the size of a small horse!!!... and then we were let into  Exam Room 2. It was all good until the vet came in and Bella (my 4-year old female) proceeded to endear herself to the Doctor to get treats... How she  remembered from a year ago?  I have no idea but she did! Anyhow... it was hilarious because it took 3 of us to hang on to Bella while she got her shots!! She is SO strong! There was dog hair flying everywhere, kiss-kisses to everyone within tongue range and worried looks from Nicky who was wondering what we were doing to his poor little sister!! 

BUT, I was smart this time: (read: "been there, done that!" )  So, i sat on the floor right away so she would not knock me down in her exuberance, as she did last year... it was hilarious - some innocent bystander should have been there with a camcorder ... the video clip of this event would have gone viral on YouTube, i'm certain.   Nicky, the gentle-dog that he is, behaved wonderfully and got his shots and his treats without any fuss. We came home 2 hours later and all had a nap~ I’m probably the only one who needed it ~ other than the vet, that is! 

So now, it's time for our walk. i was a bit worried that they would not have the energy - 2 of their shots where in their hind-quarters... i should know better – you would think these guys are on Red Bull full-time!   So, here we go, shedding hair somewhere else than in the house ~ for an hour- anyway!

Salut to my faithful peoples- sorry it's taken me so long to get over my writer's block!

"Been There, Done That " =  "Fool Me Once, Shame on You; Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me"

Better Be a Little “S” than a Little Less!