Adulting is Hard

The other day a colleague was talking to me about her kid. She was frustrated because her child was 4 going on 24 and desperate to be older. We both smiled and though 'wouldn't it be amazing to be that age again and not have to worry about all of the stuff we do now . . .'

Case in point.

I have a theory about vacation . . . whenever one is fast approaching life spirals out of control. It as if some force is trowing as much stress your way to make you really, really, really appreciate your upcoming vacation!

We leave tomorrow for two weeks out west. 6 days in Edmonton for a work function for me (no doubt Paul will enjoy himself), followed by 9 days of fun in BC's Okanagan Valley.

The life spiraling out of control started slowly.

It was the usual things: cat sitter, cancelling the paper, cancelling the CSA food bin, yard work so the house didn't look like a jungle when we returned, gathering up all of the pots and planters in one pot so it was easier for our house sitter to water.

Then I realized my car was due for service. No problem - I could bring it in on Wednesday.

When I picked up my car I was advised that i needed a new 'check engine sensor' they had ordered the part and when could I bring it in. Friday was the only day. The garage was pretty booked up but they fit me in.

Then I realized I was running out of pills and needed a doctor appointment ASAP. No worries, I was able to do that on Thursday. Everything was good but the doctor did make a point of telling me I was fat and I should do something about that. Again.

Paul works early on Friday. I dropped him off at work at 6 AM and headed into the city. Normally I'd arrive about 7 which meant I could have 30 minutes at my favourite coffee shop enjoying a relaxing start to the day before I had to race to the garage when it opened at 7:30 to drop off the car.

Traffic was really, really fast. Normally one would love that unless you planned your morning based upon the traffic being slow.

It was 6:30 when I got to the coffee shop. I decided to hang out outside and wait for it to open. Of course there was an odd guy there, either drunk from the night before or unwell. His behaviour was unpredictable and a bit unnerving. The 30 minute wait seemed like 20 hours and was not the nice relaxing time I had expected.

Finally I dropped the car off. the garage was clearly busy and lots of cars were being dropped off for work.

The shuttle was FULL - three of us crammed into the back (making me painfully aware of the doctor telling em i was fat the day before) but luckily I was the first to be dropped off.

Work was work. In between tasks I managed to print off all of the documentation for my meetings next week in Edmonton as well as the reams of travel documents which go with modern travel.

I called the garage at 2 to see how the car was coming and when it might be ready.

Robert said he'd call back.

When he called back I knew from his tome it wasn't the happiest of news. The installation of the sensor was taking longer than expected. It wouldn't be ready until Monday and could they give me a loaner for the weekend.

Normally I would have been fine with that but on Monday I was going to be 3500 KM away and not back for two weeks.

I asked if they could finish the job up on Saturday and I could ring the loaner back then.

Nope. It is a special technician who does the installation and he is off Saturday.

Robert said he'd call back.

With every call Robert seemed to be increasingly unhinged. This is unusual he is normally the most calm of people.

We now had a convoluted plan. They would keep my car in the garage and give me a loaner. When my car was ready they would drive it to Burlington, deliver it to me, and pick up the loaner to return to the garage in Toronto.

I asked how that would work with keys and stuff.

When I left on Sunday I was to leave the keys in the car and use the electronic lock to lock the doors from outside.

When they dropped my car off they would do the same.

I would use my second key fob to unlock the car and all would be good.

Of course my second key fob needs a new battery and that usually involves watching at least three YouTube videos to figure the process out.

I also realized I was planning on driving to the airport on Sunday. As soon as I got off the phone I arranged for a limo service to get us there.

When I got to the garage I remembered my house keys were on my key fob. My key fob was in the car. The car was up on the hoist with all sorts of pits and pieces hanging down.

30 minutes later they were able get the car down and retrieve my house keys.

During that time I got extensive lessons on using the electronic lock to lock the car form the outside. Of course I forget it all now. :-)

Finally I was in my loaner and ready to go. The loaner had crappy radio and I couldn't figure out the seat but these were minor distractions.

Traffic was really, really, really light. Yeah - something went right.

When I was three quarters of the way home I realized I had left all of the printing I had done at the office sitting on the printer.

SIGH

It continues today. Mom's garbage was being picked up today. We decided to drive our garbage bags to her house and put them out there so we didn't have gross smells, maggots, and the flies of a million camels in the garage when we returned.

It was a quick trip. We accomplished what we needed to do and helped mom get her garbage out.

When we got back to our house I realized I had left my house keys back at mom's house.

Double SIGH.

It is only 10 AM. I wonder what will be next.

Comments

[Shelagh]

Oh Heavens!!!
Sounds like you need a nice trip to Lotus Land (BC) to de-stress.
Have fun, and hope life is quite boring (in comparison...) in the meantime. ;))

[JDeQ]

Yup, the stress has washed away after just 4 days in BC. By the time we leave on Sunday I will be a puddle of relaxed jerry! :-)