I still haven’t gotten to the Labour Day Weekend, so here goes:

Great weekend.

Saturday was a normal Saturday. We did errands, shopping, etc. and went blueberry picking with Shelley Bauer. Larry and the kids were still away, so we four went out to CBS and got a nice quantity. After, Shelley made superb blueberry pancakes. We really have to get ourselves a griddle.

On Sunday, John and his dad got the framework for Katherine’s swingset and our clothesline set up and in place. They got half the concrete done on Monday and we finished the rest off earlier this evening. Will take pictures as soon as I can get my hands on either a digicam or a 35mm with film, but is the site before swings.

While they were setting up the swingset, Heather, Sylvia, Jean, Eleanor and Katherine went in search of the wild blueberry. After a short hunt, we were able to lasso and hog-tie a respectible quantity between the lot of us. All had fun. Heather wrote a great account of this in her blog.

Sunday was actually one of those days that you sort of plan to have go reasonably well and, by some twist of fate, it turns out golden. John and his Dad had a great day together, which I was really hoping would happen. Bob P. went climbing and wrote a rather cryptic account that is probably code for something truly mundane, but sounds really good!

Heather, Sylvia, I and the kids had a great time in the sun, with the three girls playing happily together for the most part.

Monday was the finishing off of the swingset structure, during which time I mowed everything I could find that needed mowing and was suitably tired afterwards. I even whippersnup edges and stuff.

My folks redid one of their flower beds and gave us a wading pool full of plants (daylilies, astilbe, columbine, betony, irises, etc.), which I’m steadily planting out back. I’m tackling the side bed gradually and hope to make an assay on the north slope next year.

Katherine had a great weekend, played so much that she slept in most days and wasn’t completely distraught when Tuesday hit.

No REAL work of the paid variety gone done, counter to plans. Probably was better that way anyway.

So it was a GREAT weekend full of fun stuff, family and friends.

I paid for it in Luck Points today and yesterday.

Yesterday was the first day of school and there was a lot more traffic on our street. First thing in the morning, I took Katherine and the dogs out backas the weather was great and I wanted to plant some things. At one point, I heard what I thought was a door slamming up at the front of the house. I looked, but there was no car in the driveway. Called back the dogs, who were barking and running to see whoever it was. Forgot about the incident and went back to my day job as CEO of Sandcastle Central.

Later, Mom called to say that she had more plants and did I want her to come and get me so that we could move them. I got everything ready, Katherine changed, etc. Mom arrived, I grabbed my purse and keys, checking for my wallet as I went. It wasn’t there.

Turned the house inside-out looking, but no wallet. I know it was in my purse the night before, so I start to worry. Couldn’t reach John to check the car, as he was in court for two more hours. Arg.

So I remember the door-slamming incident, which I had chaulked up to someone dropping a kid at school. Start to wonder if it was someone who had looked in my window and walked in my unlocked front door, slamming it on the way out, after grabbing my wallet, which was in my purse on the kitchen counter.

Freak.

Cancelled credit cards, debit cards, etc., just in case. Start to suspect that the noise of the door was, in fact, someone wandering through my house and feel slightly sick.

Email from John after lunch – wallet was in car the whole time. Nothing damaged, nothing lost. Nothing tangible, that is. Just my sanity and the convenience of being able to use my money.

Day proceeds apace from there, until evening, when I realise at 9:30 that we need juice and a few other groceries for the next day. Go to Stavanger Drive Dominion, which I hate doing with a passion totally disproportionate to the bother of that damnable place. (Milk should not be at the far corner of the store and NO I WON’T buy things that are placed in my path to milk just because they’re there. Take your marketing strategy and shove it.)

So I pick out some yummy things, and am starting to have that euphoric happiness that goes with buying good food that you like and have plans for. Until I get to the cash where, guess what? No debit card. Or credit card of any sort. I cancelled them, remember? And it’s 9:50, so I don’t have time to get home and back before they close.

So I go home and sign off on the day. John got juice. I went to sleep, figuring that, to quote Anne of Green Gables, “Tomorrow is a new day, with no mistakes in it.” Yet. Anne wasn’t counting on me.

Wednesday hits. We all have to get out the door as I have an Awards Committee meeting for the Craft Council. We get out the door EARLY! With everything we need, even. Traffic was minimal, the day was beautiful and all was well.

Dropped John at work and thought, “hmmm… I’m going to need gas soon and therefore will need a debit card. Best go and get that first thing, as I have half an hour to spare before the meeting and the bank is open.” Went to the bank. Put my keys in my bag, unlocked Katherine’s door, got out, got Katherine, shut her door, reached for the passenger door handle, which was locked.

Bashed my head on the car until Katherine looked perturbed. Went inside, got a new bank card, figuring I might as well do what I came for. Called John, who reminded me that our Toyota roadside assistance plan (which has now paid for itself three times over in my eyes) covers lock-outs. Called the number (1-888-869-6828, in case you care) and was told that someone would be there pronto. Called Devon House and told them I’d be late for the meeting.

Paid some bills, to kill time.

An hour and a half later, when my child is crying from hunger (her food is in the car, right?), my arms are falling off from holding her and I’m about ready to fall over and cry from frustration, the guy shows up, does something with a pump and a piece of wire and we’re in.

Went and got the Smarties I’d promised the poor, tolerant kid who was actually pretty darned good about the whole thing.

Arrived for the last half-hour of the meeting, got some fabulous lily plants from Kelly and a super bag of Katherine clothes from Kim. Drove Laurie home, where she lent Katherine a fabric tree with velcro-on apples that had been her kids’ when they were small (they’re almost my age now).

Went home, made sandwiches and sat down to eat. Katherine accidentally dumped a full glass of very cold apple juice all over my lap. Dealt with the mess, got food into the child, put her down for her nap and promptly collapsed myself.

Maybe tomorrow will be better?