Today was my self-appointed day to sleep in. I deserved it. The last two work days had been 12-plus hours each, both late-nighters, and I had no early morning appointments scheduled for today. Ahh, with no alarm set to awaken me, I can grab an extra hour of shut-eye.
It was not meant to be.
My phone rang before 7:00 a.m. My daughter-in-law was frantic because her youngest (age 2) had locked her out of the house and refused to let her in. Once fully awakened by the call, I assure her I'll be right over to unlock the door. Staggering to my closet, I pull out a pair of navy sweat pants and an oversized T-shirt for the short drive to unlock her door. After all, it's a 5-minute drive and I'll be home in a snap.
Midway there, I hope her house key is in the console of my car! There is a fistful of keys in my console. I don't carry them all on my key ring, but they are there "just in case". Most Realtors know how what I mean.
As I pull into the driveway, a couple of neighbors have gathered to make sure Mommy and Toddler are ok. The house key is in the console, miraculously labeled, so we go inside.
Mom is flustered, but my mischievous granddaughter is helping herself to an open refrigerator and all the goodies inside. The little imp had a sheepish look on her face indicating she knew locking her mother out of the house was wrong, but she didn't care. It was comical.
Since the house was locked when my oldest grand-daughter (age 9) was waiting for the school bus, she couldn't get her back-pack. I volunteered to take the back-pack to school. Why not? I was up and out anyway, and clearly Debra, my daughter-in-law, had her hands full.
So, with back-pack and a note to the teacher in hand, I head to Highland Bluff Elementary. OMG, I have to GO INSIDE! I'm certainly not dressed to impress THIS morning. I hope no-one recognizes me.
After delivering the note and the bag to the administrator's office incognito, I drive home, make coffee, and log in to Active Rain. Something good had to come from my early morning wake-up call, right?
Written and Published by Pat Starnes REALTOR
Pat Starnes, a Realtor since 1988, specializes in Mississippi Residential Real Estate and can assist you with buying or selling in the Jackson MS Metro area.
Areas of service: Brandon, Pearl, Ridgeland, and the Ross Barnett Reservoir area
Search all available homes in the Jackson MS MLS
Pat Starnes, Broker; Pat Starnes Real Estate, 300 Castlewoods Blvd., Brandon, MS 39047; 601-278-4513 - Cell
What do they say, the best laid plans? It is always that way...the day you CAN sleep in you can't or don't, and the days you HAVE to get up early, you really want to sleep in....It is just life! Make the most of the day and the early start, amid the chaos
How cute she is! I completely understand about sleeping in, but it was my kids that woke me up this morning! Hope the rest of your day is uneventful!
The good that came from your wake up call was the good deed that you did by helping out. Good luck on your next day to sleep in!
Pat, it was a great day to sleep in, too. Foggy and overcast! Oh, well...
Bridget, my two grand-kids are my pride and joy. Now that I'm up, I'll get started earlier on my "to-do" list!
Brent, what choice did I have? None. I'm glad I'm close enough to help out with this kind of thing. That's why I moved closer to them in the first place!
Pat-
Nothing like a phone call to start the day ! Sounds like a power nap is in order. Good that you could help out though.
P.S. Did ya wear your nametag on the t-shirt ?
Bob, ha! Like a name tag at 7:00 a.m. was the first thing on my mind! I'm wide awake and working now. I'll catch up tonight, (maybe).
That is pretty funny and the face on the little one shows some mischief has taken place - LOL
I had to laugh, murphy's law was applicable for sure. At least you were there for the family and the mischief!
Bill, she is my little brat angel, but sure knows how to get into trouble. That's also lipstick on her face.:)
Heather, it was funny. That's why I couldn't get mad about my wake-up call.
All I can say is I hope you had the time to make coffee!!
All I can say is I hope you had the time to make coffee!!
Why is it so difficult to get that "sleep in" morning? As great as it feels when I do get to do it, I do end up feeling so behind the rest of the day. I torture myself with what I could have gotten done in that time I stayed in bed!
Your mischievous granddaughter is absolutely beautiful! I bet it is hard to get mad at that cute little face and those big blue eyes!
Sandy, you know me well enough that I always have time for coffee!
Sharon, it IS hard to get mad at my girl. We just laughed it off. Fortunately, she didn't hurt herself or do anything dangerous while we were locked out.
After the fact, that is truly hilarious - locked out, keys in wad on console, and a well fed child. Two years ago, my mother and business partner had a stroke and then broke her hip. I had to pick her up from the nursing home and take her to the rehab center. It was freezing cold. We were late for her appointment. So, I get her into my car. I open the driver's door to put her wheel chair into the back seat. I then close my door to go get her buckled into the front seat. Alas, she is sitting in the cold car and the door is locked. Keys are in ignition. Car is blocking the circle entrance to the nursing home. Apparently, she or I bumped the door locks and because the stroke affected her right hand she couldn't open the door and her left hand was tangled in the seatbelt. I try to open the car with a coat hanger - no luck. I call the police who can't get it open. My wife who has the only other set of keys is out of town. I call AAA and they finally after an hour get the door open. It was a comedy routine. Moral of the story - some days just aren't meant to be easy.
Ryan, I'm sure you were stressing out during all that, to put it mildly. I'm sorry you and your mother had to endure that. The difference? Baby locked her mom out on PURPOSE!
Now that is funny... I'm not so sure that my mom didn't lock me out. Guess I'll have to ask her on my next visit.
I can see your Mom laughing at your efforts to unlock the door now, just like my little darling.