So much to tell, so little time 3/30/2008 1:19:59 PM
This has been a week that really didn't have time for itself So much has happened in the past week, the only way I have a hope of remembering it is to count back from today.
So. Today is Sunday and I've been out for a meal with my family. I was on my own because my other half had to work. A pity, he would have enjoyed the meal and the company. The service, though, might not have impressed him too much. We seemed very low on the waiting team's list of priorities, somewhere below mopping out the coal cellar and slightly above going fishing in ballet slippers and pink tutu. Everything had to be asked for three times and might or might not arrive. Quite often it didn't. What food did come was delicious and, when we were addressing our opinions to the manager before leaving, I did suggest he nail the chef's foot to the kitchen floor to make sure he never left. I only hope he realised I was joking.
To be fair, the food was delicious, it's just hard to be appreciative when only half the course is served to half the guests and a long wait punctuates every delivery of alimentary delights. Mint sauce and apple sauce were forgotten for the roast lamb and pork respectively. Horseradish came punctually, which was ironic, since those of us who had had the fish starter had saved ours just in case. The extra bottle of wine to go with the meal took forty minutes and half a dozen requests to arrive; cream did not come to cover the desserts and the dishes of veg were woefully inadequate for the number of diners. We were not amused. Boo hiss that restaurant.
Afterwards we went to one of my brothers' house for coffee and music. He plays the piano wonderfully, so that's always a treat. He and my sister-in-law put the restaurant to shame with the way they provided for us. Home made biscuits (think Americans would call them cookies) and a plate of chocolates. Lovely.
It is always good to catch up on family news and we had a wonderful couple of hours nattering away. I met two of my great nieces and great nephew, who came over to say hello. While I was there (miles from home and having hitched a ride with another of my brothers) I received two telephone calls to do things for other family members. Urgent stuff that couldn't wait - so they claimed. Funnily enough, they managed to cope without me. Maybe they'll try to cope first and call second next time?
That's today. Yesterday I ... oh, I forgot about this morning. This morning I walked into the kitchen and found the remains of a dead blackbird on the floor. One of the dogs had smuggled it in and "hidden" it in full view. Fabulous! The floor was cleared and mopped. I was just sitting down to have a recouperative cup of tea when the phone went. It was my father reminding me that the clocks had gone forward. I suddenly had an hour less to get ready and I had to give up on half a dozen jobs I'd intended to fit in. I also couldn't find my handbag and had to go off to lunch with my posessions in a large linen shopper emblazoned with an eco friendly message. Well, at least it did the job.
Yesterday was slightly stressful. It was one of those days when some wicked fairy seems to have cast a stay on your feet spell. Every time I thought I could sit down, something went wrong. In the morning we were suit shopping for him indoors - our son is getting married and he wanted his dad to have a suit that matched his own (the father of the bride and best man will be similarly attired). Of course, because it had been left a week, the suit was sold out and had to be ordered in from another store. That wasn't easy either. The lady who worked in that department of the large store our son had chosen was at lunch and her colleagues were less than helpful. Looking back I'm beginning to see a pattern. We had to almost shake the assistants by the scruff of the neck to get any acknowledgement. Not impressive and not the kind of service we usually get. Maybe they resented being indoors on such a lovely wet, windy day.
So, suit bought, we did a bit of mooching before babysitting for the aforementioned son while he arranged the wedding catering. That meant feeding an extra two little mouths, not a problem, and supervising two little diners with no high chair, or any other means of pinning them down - more mess on the floor. Finally got them back home and had to rush off to hospital to visit a sick cousin who had been rushed in the day before. He was grumpy, cantankerous and no fun. Looking forward to visiting him again tomorrow.
In the evening we arrived home and were greeted by two very enthusiastic hounds (see Sestina for Contentment for their photo. The biggest of the two has a habit of picking up a shoe and carrying it around until it is rescued. I bent down to take his prize and he brought his head up suddenly, smacking me in the mouth very hard. My youngest found me dancing round the room with a hand clamped over my lips and, on discovering the problem and inspecting the swelling flesh, reminded me that ibuprofen is an anti inflammatory and I should take some, followed by sucking on an ice lolly to calm things down. It worked well, so I didn't have to go out to lunch today with a fat lip.
Friday - not too bad a day, other than helping to sort out the sick cousin's dog, who had to be taken to the boarding kennels for the duration at very short notice. She was happy enough to go, though, which was a relief.
Thursday was not so good, but I can't remember much about it, so let's assume it was a generally pleasant day :)
