I start off the day being lazy, but finish putting up the laundry that I started (on Monday)...
Then I realize, as I start getting things ready to start my next cross stitch project, I am two floss colors short! My own fault as I was hasty when I was checking my list in the store.
*And* I also needed to go to the Dr.s for a blood test (they are monitoring my thyroid, trying to get the meds right), so I call and see if I need an appointment - no - they say, this can be done as a walk-in.So I head to the Dr.s and sign in. And wait - less than half an hour (appointments get priority). Finally it's my turn. It's been pretty hot out, and since I drive a jeep soft-top (no AC) I have the top down - and I'm wearing shorts & tank top. Needless to say, Dr.s office has AC cranked on super-premium-high. And my veins are normally hard to find. Cold temps make it even harder as the veins are more constricted. They finally resorted to a hot pack on my arm to expand the veins and called in their expert "vampire".
That done I head the 5-10 miles to my LNS. Yes, I know floss is cheaper at Wal-Mart, Michaels' or Hobby-Lobby, and they're closer - but I like supporting local businesses when I can (plus the LNS is much friendlier - and carries more needlework stuff than do the other three).
As I left the shop, the Jeep started making funnier noises than it ever has. The temperature gauge was maxed out! Oil pressure looked fine. I was afraid the tranny was fried. When I (finally) got home, I could smell the burned peanut butter smell of super-heated radiator fluid. Looked under the Jeep - sure enough, green fluid dripping - rather a lot. Called DH, and since it was past time for him to come home anyway (earlier he had said that he was going to work over on a project), he said that he's coming home.
When he got home, he popped the hood - radiator fluid splashed all over the underside of the hood, and some on the engine (hence the burned peanut butter smell). Sigh. We figured the odd noises the Jeep was making was the water pump. After it cooled, DH opened up the radiator - and there's all sorts of metal filings in there!!!!! eeep!
Needle$$ to say, it'$ off to the $hop tomorrow to get looked at. Our budget i$ cowering in fear.
Second thing to happen. I finally remember to log into Windows Messenger, and check to see if my Bro is online (he admonished me in his email earlier for not being on lately). He is - and is worried about Mom. He's been trying to call her for the last couple days, at times when she's usually home. But no answer. I try, let the phone ring for *3* minutes, and then it flips over to a busy signal. Try again, and now it's busy! I try calling the manager of her apartment complex - but they've gone for the day. I leave them a message w/ Mom's name & apartment # & our phone number.
But I'm still worried. I mention this to DH - he says we should drive the
35+/- miles and check on her. I grab my copy of her keys, and off we go (after I I/M Bro that I am leaving and will call him with the results).The drive takes about 1/2 an hour, and my mind is filled with visions of all the terrible things that can happen to a 74-year-old widow who lives alone. When are they going to invent transporters so that we can instantly get to where we're going??????
We arrive at the complex - her car is there, so she's not been in a car wreck (whew).
No newspapers piled up on the porch, so she was at least OK this morning (or her neighbor stole it).
Her screen door/storm door is latched - and since there's no way to lock or unlock it from the outside, that means that she (or someone) was inside to latch it.
I pound on the door.
In a few seconds, Mom answers. She wonders why I have such a scowl on my face.... I tell her that Bro & I have been trying to call, and not getting any answer.
The phone in her bedroom I know she keeps the ringer off so it won't scare the bejeebus out of her at night.
Check the kitchen phone - and she has accidentally TURNED THE RINGER OFF.
She has the habit of turning it up high when she's in the shower/bathroom, or laundry room, so she can hear it, but when she's in the kitchen it's super-loud and will blast her clean out of her apartment, so she turns it down. She went one notch too many.
She says she's never going to live it down - and I don't think neither I nor Bro will let her!
-- The ONE and ONLY lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)© email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com