Shortly prior to 8:ish, my daughter opened the front door, then realized she forgot something upstairs. So she did what all great little kids do...she left the door open. Which on any given day, this isn't that huge of a deal. However, my Houdini-esque Scottie decided to perform his famous disappearing act. When no one was looking, he slipped out the front door. Lunchboxes in hand, pigtails neatly positioned, makeup freshly applied, coffee mug in hand, briefcase, handbag...smiles on everyones faces...this was going to be a great day, despite the rain!
As I was about to issue the morning dog treat, I noticed Houdini was no where to be found. Which is odd because in addition to Houdini-like personality traits, he also from time to time likes to watch FoodNetwork and channel Dom DeLuise...and munch on gourmet dog treats. He *never* misses morning roll call and puppy treats! So where is he?? Then, out of the corner of my eye, from the foyer, I see it. The vast space between the door and the door jam. (Queue up view from Discovery's window as it orbits earth...this is how wide and vast that space felt at the time.)
Did I mention it was raining. Not just a nice summer morning rain...no, more like, "Call me Noah and here, grab a hammer and start helping me build the ark!" kind of rain. Decisions, decisions...Do I take the girls with me and all three of us get drenched? (Helllllllll NO! Three new outfits, three new hair styles. Think Think Think.)
Okay, put on new Disney DVD, pass out dry cereal mix, peppered with Craisins, mini marshmallows, and goldfish. No time to grab umbrella or raincoat. (Or a leash - more on that in a moment!)
Bailey?? Pupppppppy??? Bailey??! Bailey??!!! BAILEY!!!! (Where is that dog?!)
Heart pounding as I neared the main street. (Oh please, please dear God. Don't let him be in harms way. Did I mention that this particular pup is my 2 year old's FAVORITE puppy??) Now throughly drenched and getting a bit frantic. Last clean outfit from drycleaners is now completely wet, possibly ruined. No sight of fluffy black scottie checking his "messages" at the fire hydrant or leaving messages on the hydrangea bushes near his hottie cocker spaniel girlfriend's place.
Running back across the street to check on the girls. (Where's that dog? What am I going to wear now? I wonder if my 2 year old has colored on the sofa?) As I round the corner, I start thinking of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's...Cat! Cat? Ooooh, Cat. (Where is that crazy dog?) Just at the precise moment I start to think, "Ehh, this might not be a bad thing if he doesn't turn up. He's the one with the little bladder who is always waking me at 4:30am (yes people, that's AM!) to go outside," there he is. Standing on the corner, tail wagging, completely drenched and lovin' it! Phew, boy. Stinky wet dog smell. This is the precise moment I realized I didn't have his leash. So drenched mommy picks up one drenched scottie who apparently decided to use an entire bottle of "Eau de Stinky Dog" parfum. Oh, another shower for Mom coming up!
I return victorious with one wet dog. Feeling rather proud and expecting an exceptional homecoming for lost puppy dog and victorious mommy who found him! Walking up the stairs, carrying wet scottie number 1...scottie number 2 gives him this side glance - from his fluffy doggy pillow - as if to say, "A for Effort buddy!"
Showered, restyled hair, reapplied makeup, realized that all other presentable clothing options were probably hanging neatly in section 340 of my drycleaner's storefront. All pressed and crisp, ready to return home. Dang! What's a girl to do?!
Lunchboxes, hairbows, pigtails, pretend cats, pretend dogs, "B", Silly Bands checked at the foyer...okay, ready to leave.
Dropped the girls at their school, strange looks from other working Mommies, as they eyed my jean shorts, lovely fashionable top, paired with stylish grey sexy heels. I forgot to change my shoes! Oh well, Rockin it Mommy Style! (My West coast mommy counterparts would be so proud!)
"Kiss Kiss. Adorele mas que sol!" Followed by a mad dash out the door. (I never thought my SUV wheels would squeal like that!)
Quick retrieval from dry cleaners and then I realize that I should have changed at the actual dry cleaners. Now headed home and still trying to learn the back roads of my new town, driving exceptionally slow for upcoming left turn, when out of no where...a black cat darts across the road. (Seriously...I mean, really?) I was driving *just* slow enough to graze the cat. There was no thump thump, and thank God my Cat Lovin' 5.5 year old daughter wasn't in the car!
Stopped...Prayed...Looked...Phew! No cat speedbumps. (I did see him running off into the woods.)
And it's only half past 10 o'clock.
It's going to be a good, good day!
Showered, restyled hair, reapplied makeup, realized that all other presentable clothing options were probably hanging neatly in section 340 of my drycleaner's storefront. All pressed and crisp, ready to return home. Dang! What's a girl to do?!
Lunchboxes, hairbows, pigtails, pretend cats, pretend dogs, "B", Silly Bands checked at the foyer...okay, ready to leave.
Dropped the girls at their school, strange looks from other working Mommies, as they eyed my jean shorts, lovely fashionable top, paired with stylish grey sexy heels. I forgot to change my shoes! Oh well, Rockin it Mommy Style! (My West coast mommy counterparts would be so proud!)
"Kiss Kiss. Adorele mas que sol!" Followed by a mad dash out the door. (I never thought my SUV wheels would squeal like that!)
Quick retrieval from dry cleaners and then I realize that I should have changed at the actual dry cleaners. Now headed home and still trying to learn the back roads of my new town, driving exceptionally slow for upcoming left turn, when out of no where...a black cat darts across the road. (Seriously...I mean, really?) I was driving *just* slow enough to graze the cat. There was no thump thump, and thank God my Cat Lovin' 5.5 year old daughter wasn't in the car!
Stopped...Prayed...Looked...Phew! No cat speedbumps. (I did see him running off into the woods.)
And it's only half past 10 o'clock.
It's going to be a good, good day!
