Damsel in Much Distress

I know it's Holy Week and all, but little things are getting to me today. The day started out nicely: We picked up Grandma/Mama G.G. and took her to Flying Star to meet my friend Tanya and two of her children.

Grandma enjoys holding Tristan -- Jojo is well out of that holding phase and I miss that.

Tanya and Danny

Before the winds kick in later today, we took advantage of the great weather and sat outside in the patio. After Tanya left, we took Grandma to the bird shop that Christian adores. They aren't any actual birds there for they sell wild bird seed and accessories, but the owners have a cat named Nigel who hangs around, and usually there is a pet cat waiting to be adopted in a little cage. I am not a cat person, but these cats are sweet. The ladies know us because we must stop by at least once a week. I have a sinking suspicion they are not kid people because these boys seem to worry/bother/annoy them, especially Gaby. They follow us closely each time we're there. Is it me, or do these boys sometimes run circles around me? Don't answer that.



So we did a little more window shopping on the way back to the van. Grandma recalled how she used to drive all over the city, and I reminded her that I could never find her at home when I called. She stopped driving a few years ago; she is almost 90, after all.

I love this photo of Grandma taken in the 1950's or early 1960's.

Finally, we got everyone loaded into the car and wouldn't you know the van would not start. We waited for Aunt Patsy to meet us so we could jump start the car. In the approximately 30 minutes we waited for her arrival, Gaby's hand got smashed in my door, the baby cried because he was tired (luckily I found some juice), and then Gaby got "lost"in the trunk of the van. It was a long half hour.

Aunt Patsy and I were doing well with the cables -- red is positive and black is negative. Ok, now which is the negative side on the battery? Geez, the battery shows a + sign, but where is the - sign? We wondered if we needed to keep Aunt Patsy's car running or not when attaching the cables.

Then I noticed a man watching us. With a grin he asked, "Do you need a man?" I could have used a three-year-old to help us for all I cared! He came over and said, "I didn't know whether or not to ask you if you needed help. I thought it might sound sexist." Do we live in such a P.C. world that a man is afraid to rescue a wo-man? Sometimes I believe chivalry is dead; men hold doors less for women nowadays and are afraid to pay for dinner on dates for fear of appearing sexist. What does a man think of a woman who offers her help? There have been times that I have offered the use of my cell phone to men and women whose cars have broken down in a parking lot or on a street. I may not offer a ride to a man because I don't want to compromise my and my children's safety, but if I encounter someone in a busy parking lot I don't hesitate to offer some assistance.

So we made it home and I decided to color my hair. How irritating that this happened:


Why do they not put the same size gloves in the box? The right glove was too small. This has happened before.




Well, my 20 minutes are up. Time to slather on more color and then rinse in five minutes. Adieu.