Spring hasn't Sprung

The dogs Easter picture:

Today I read all your journals about how your flowers are blooming and your weather is so wonderful that you are out working in the yard, breathing in lots of fresh, warm spring air, giddy with joy.

What is going on here? Four to six. That is inches of snow, that are now in the process of falling. On MY yard. It's currently 32 degrees. I just got home from an Errand Run. I had 54 miles left in my tank and there was no way I was stopping for gas. The snow had just started when I left, during rush traffic, and I figured I could run all over the place and not use up 54 miles. On that, I was correct!

I went to the library and returned three books. My next stop was to the hardware store. I went there next, assuming I could hit every where else on my way back home from there. I went to look at shelving units for my garage. I needed to measure the boxes to see if they just might fit in my car. A nice helpful employee at Home Depot said he thought the box might fit in a sedan, and where was my car parked? So, I told him I had a tape measure in my little tiny purse, and went out in the heavy, falling snow and measured my backseat. Should fit, we decided. I told him I thought I could do OK with the 18 inch deep shelves instead of the 24 inch. After all, they are 6 feet high - I can't see myself being able to reach the back of the top two shelves if they are 24 inches deep.

Of course, while I was in tools looking at new locks for my doors, having already determined that they only have itty bitty wedges for doors and not a 3 inch high one like I need, he put three boxes (correct amount) of 24 inch deep shelving units (oops) on a flat cart and left them at the front for me. When I went to pay for the shelving, the lady at the desk noticed that my credit card has a picture of a beagle on it, and she showed me the picture of her dog that she keeps on her phone. We dog people are all nuts.

One guy was summoned to carry the boxes to my car. I said, "You know, these boxes weigh 128 pounds each, and I have leather seats - do you think you might want to get some help?" So a second guy came and they shoved and pushed the three boxes into my back seat, leaving blue ink from the boxes all over the leather seats. We all decided it will probably wash off, and I left. With over 375 lbs of shelving in my car, my car was full and I was sliding on home.

I forgot my first two stops. I went to the pet supply store nearby to see if they have Pup Corn and hopefully a list of potential dog sitters, or a board where people can post such things. No, to both, but the lady was so kind that I bought a box of different dog treats anyway. I then forced myself to stop at Wal Mart. I needed a few things that they should have, and I could check and see if maybe they have a community board there. No to both, but of course I still left with several items.

I did a self-checkout, which I find to be easier in most cases, but this time the machine required the clerk to do something. I asked her, as she was fixing the nebulous problem, if there was a community board because I was looking for a dog sitter. She smiled. I smiled. "Maybe I could do it for you? When do you need help?"

A happy dance was done right there in my mind - a potential dog sitter! She looked kind, and sweet, and quite young. I didn't see a dog murderer in those eye. She gave me her name and number, we shook hands, and I went on to the library, trying to convince myself that I have made dates that fast in the past, and she certainly didn't look very dangerous. I figure to call her, ask a billion questions, put her on the grill, ask for references, ask if I may speak to her supervisor at work, invite her to bring over some ID and meet the poopers. If she isn't intimidated by throwing one pill every morning into Molly's bowl, then we might have a winner. I can be very clear to her that my neighbors will keep a close eye on her so she is safe. She works on weekends, but I can get someone to help out. This just might work.

Yes, I am off on another jaunt soon. Some places where it won't snow. However, since I will be there, it will likely rain. Sorry.

Meanwhile, I arrived home and remembered I had 375+ pounds of shelving in my back seat. It barely fit it and took two men to put it there - how to get it out? The first box came out after I pushed and shoved and walked from the right side of the car to the left and back about ten times. It was really a tight fit, and each box weighs more than I do. I got the first one out - using the basic laws of physics and some specially chosen four letter magic words - carefully walked it right onto a dolly, and rolled it across the garage. The next two, lying on the floor of the back seat, were not coming out. I grabbed a screwdriver and a box cutter and started to carefully demolish the boxes until I got them open enough to get out brackets, etc, and finally the shelves. It took about an hour over all, but they are out. Tomorrow I can work on the blue dye. Or Home Depot can, if I don't have any luck. For tonight, you can stick a fork in me. I am done.

Living on my own for 25 years has given me some odd skills. Removing boxes that weigh each more than I do that are jammed in the back seat? Difficult, slow, painful, but not impossible. I even remembered to leave the garage door open in case I hurt myself. My cell phone was attached to my body, of course.

Assembly should be entertaining. At least, maybe it won't be snowing a half a foot of snow and 32 degrees outside when I get to that.

Probably one set of shelving, if not two, will end up in the basement. I wonder how that will happen?

Excuse me, I need to go find some BandAids, some pain pills, and maybe some leather cleaner.

Did I mention that just as I dragged the third box out my neighbor's garage door went up and he sent me a happy cheer to let me know they are back in town? The big guy across the street. The really big, strong guy. Hey, thanks! Welcome back!

I should ask how his pictures came out. Maybe he took better ones than I did.

 

 

 

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