The Day of Mon

Jason and Kendra had an opportunity to work for Mr. Yost at his traffic light business in Waterloo. Since I was already planning to take Derek down to Iowa City for his cardiology appointment it seemed a prudent occasion to drop the two workers off on the way down, complete our doctoral duties, come back to shop in Waterloo and pick up the two money-makers on our way home.

It all worked out, just not quite as planned.

I had no problem finding the OMJC Signal Inc. Especially after getting helpful directions from three people at the church picnic and two downloaded maps from mapquest.

OK, there was one wrong turn but that was easily remedied, the only holdup being the five minutes it took to get that crazy Lincoln shifted into reverse. It has this quirk that involves a complicated procedure using the brake and moving the gear shift back and forth until it decides to click into reverse.

And then it resets itself so you can never use the same series of motions in the future. Every once in a while it will find reverse in two seconds, but the car does this on purpose to give you a false sense of security. (I could be wrong, but that's what it seems like)

But it was no big deal. Really. And I'm sure that with just a little more counseling, the kids will get over the trauma of sitting in the car, waiting to die from embarrassment--or a passing car--as their pathetic mother attempts a three-point turn.

It was close to this time that we saw this little guy poking his head out of a storm drain....We were stopped at a red light but ever-ready-Ma whipped her camera out of her over-sized purse and snapped a picture despite an antsy son commenting about the green light and, "We have to go now..."

You can only imagine how tough it must be to live with the likes of me.

Figuring we had oodles of time, Derek and I made the executive decision to get gas on the way down instead of on the way back as someone who's-name-might-possibly-be-"Loren" suggested.

Not only could we travel with the calm assurance of not running out of gas, but we could pick up a pop for him and a snack for me.

A couple of more "scenic" turns and roadwork all helped to make our trip to Iowa City a tad longer than expected, causing check-in to be five minutes after the appointment time.

Since we did not see the doctor until two hours later, the thought did cross my mind that perhaps we were being punished for undo snack exuberance.

However, this was not the case. Ours was the last appointment of the morning and things were just very behind-times. And when you find out that the doc had to perform an emergency procedure on a newborn you really feel all-around low. Low for having waited. Low for having complained (to ourselves). And low for knowing that another family is suffering some unfathomable anguish.

So, waiting didn't hurt us a bit.

Arriving back in Waterloo around three, Derek and I were quite primed for lunch. Arby's hit the spot and then we hit the stores.

Super Goodwill, where Ma exhibited untold self-control, buying only two pairs of pants for others, two belts for others and a coupla books and a VHS. Twenty-five cents for paperbacks and fifty for hardback are SUCH reasonable prices!

We did elect not to purchase two real swords for $150.00 each. (you just gotta wonder at the donations some people make...)

Shopping completed we arrived back at OMJC just after six, where the only people left were Arlen and my two college personnel.

Feeling rather smug that all had been accomplished, I proceeded on my merry way, deftly finding the alternate route home, passing out snacks to el childros, quizzing them on their day and listening to the Messiah CD.

My reverie was interrupted by,

"Uh...Mommy, you might not want to go through that red light...."

Oops. Too late.

Yes, Ma unintentionally ran a red light. Nobody's fault but mine (even though that intersection's kinda weird) and thankfully, no one was coming the other way.

Just as thankfully, there were no police cars in the vicinity.

Made it home without any more mishaps, just before a wall cloud rolled over, followed by a lovely downpour.

First rain since we returned from the reunion! Things were so dry that the entire lawn has been ignored this past week. (the weeds in the driveway could stand to be mowed, though)

The rain came, the skies cleared and the sun set...
...after which Ma put the kids and herself to bed.
 

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