I agree, though we both make the concession that the weekend started at 6pm on Friday – not a moment before.
Friday morning started out with a bang. I should’ve known that things were going to be a bit...flurried even with the opening events: I awoke feeling a bit fuzzy – and late—after our work celebration do for Mandie’s 40tth (go, girl!) and then upon taking Star out that morning, I accidentally dropped my set of keys in her...morning droppings. Good times. Great way to start. Let’s remember that bad things happen in threes; I’d found two thus far.
I arrived at work where, upon checking my email, I’d received a note from my previous leasing agent who told me to call.
‘Um...Andrea? There are officers breaking into your flat and they’re going to take your dog,’ he said.
Wait...what?!? It seems that dear Star had gotten out onto the ledge again. They had to rescue her. However, I had no idea where they were to take her, nor how I could get her back. My dear CSJ friend, Lewis, said that he’d take over my mobile number to them to call me and let me know.
Frantically, I called Steve. He was fab. He called Metro Police and soon learned that they were likely taking her to Wimbledon Police Station. Freaked out and near-hysterical, I left work and grabbed a train from Waterloo to Wimbledon, where I hoped I’d be able to facilitate the process and get my dear puppy back home. Steve said he’d meet me there as quickly as possible. What an absolute love – and just what I needed.
Arrival at Wimbledon Police Station
This is fun...I arrive at the station and find three chavs in the waiting room. It was obvious that they’d been there before. I await my turn, speak to the receptionist officer and have the following exchange.(Note: It must be said that my speech may have been slurred by tears running down my face and sniffles.)
Me: I’m here to pick up my dog. Officers broke into my flat and took her out of there. I think they brought her here. (Again, I think my sniffly speech may have been misunderstood here.)
Her: Ok. Was it an arrest? An eviction?
Me: (thinking she’s speaking in cop-talk) Um...I don’t know what you mean. She was on a window ledge and they rescued her. I was told that she was probably here.
Her: Well, she’s probably not here. She’s probably at hospital.
Me: At hospital? But...but why?
Her: Well, if someone is on a ledge about to jump, they would typically take her to hospital for mental health assessment.
Me: But it’s my dog!
Ah, there’s the laugh. Star would likely not pass any mental health assessment.
Long story short[ish] – The sergeant took me home in a cop car. (How humiliating.) He wanted to take his officers back from watching my now-open door. I’d have to wait until RSPCA called me to assess the situation.
Am I a horrid mom...er, mum?
Steve returned and called the number they’d given with the case assignment. He got much further than I ever could, that’s for sure. He was calm, even-voiced and rational – definitely not where I was. Nonetheless, the RSPCA guy called us back and said he’d come by to interview me in the next hour. Steve went back to work, giving me a kiss and telling me to keep him informed of his ‘two favourite girls’.The RSPCA guy came. He was easy going, considerate and had kind eyes. His final report was that no, there wasn’t anything that I could’ve done to prevent it; it was just an unfortunate accident. He even went above and beyond to offer me a ride back to the police station and called in to advise that they should release Star back to me. It was all going to be ok.
Home sweet home...with a broken leash
Star and I took a much-needed long, long walk back from Wimbledon. After all of that angst, hunger started to rumble in my tummy. I stopped at Burger King, where I tied Star up to a nearby tree. I pulled out cash, waited outside until there was no queue, then sprinted inside to order. I half-threw the cashier my cash and said I’d be outside for a second. All in all, this experience took about 1.67 minutes. However, before I could get back outside to Star, ahh...there she was. She actually pranced into BK, looking for me, having chewed through her leash in two places. She’s baaaaaack.A breath of air...and good friends
Steve came by after work for just a moment and then had to be down at Mama Rosa’s for a pre-Mel-Jen-and-Chris-wedding usher party. I followed later to meet them, definitely needing a glass of vino after the day I’d had.I learned very quickly that good friends can always make whatever keys-in-crap day turn ‘round. We had a lovely, lovely time having a few drinks and just having a chance to...breathe. It sounds so cliché, I admit, but I realised as we sat next to the river Wandle in the late sunlight that awesome friends are so hard to find. I’ve been so lucky to find the ones that I’ve found her (ok, albeit through Steve...winks).
I’m an incredibly lucky girl: I’ve gotten to move to one of the best places in the world (thanks to the love and support of my family!); I’ve found the most amazing guy in the world (thanks, honey – you’re the best!) and I’ve gotten to meet some of the biggest-hearted people ever (thanks, guys – you all rock!).
Saturday – the morning of errands
Saturday mornings when I was a kid were always spent accompanying my dad on errands. We’d pick up the dry cleaning, where they always knew him, and run to the drug store or supermarket or whatever. I think I’d always prefer running errands to say...cleaning the toilet. (winks)Steve went to Bromley for a final ushers’ fitting. (He looks fab in the suit and top hat, may I add.) I found the hair stylist that I can finally call my own. Hooray! Here’s another great exchange from that appointment:
Me: Aww! My hair is so shiny and so straight! I can never get it to do that! (Long, heavy sigh)
Him: Well, if you could do that, I’d be out of a job.
Giggle...
Trusting Star to ‘do the right thing’
We met back up at my flat and then gathered our stuff to go to Steve’s parents’ house. Steve felt strongly that we should bring Star to his parents’ house. Admittedly, I feared. I feared big time.We gave her a big talking-to, setting the expectations and the scope of the excursion. Yeah, I think she understood.
She was a bit nervous on the bus to Wimbledon. She was quite fine on the train to Clapham Junction. She wasn’t so pleased, however, about waiting on the walkway between platforms at Clapham Junction. One train pulled in, another was soon to pull out. Many, many people were running to make the train. Yeah, it drove Star mad. Hehe...
We arrive in Horley relatively unscathed...even our fellow passengers were, too. Good thing, as there were about 19 people I thought she’d try to bite. She didn’t, though. Good, Star!
Dinner at the rents’
We had a lovely time at Char’s and Greg’s. Star was fine meeting them and felt instantly calm with Char. With Greg, there was one bark or two and she was fine again. It was nice to spend time with them, having not seen them for about a month or so.We relaxed in the sitting room, chatting with The Incredibles in the background. (Funny how a Pixar movie can pull adults in that much...) It was nice and relaxing and just what I needed with the previous day’s uber-events.
Bill and Debbie came over soon later. I realised that Star needs to meet new people who aren’t too fussed about her. Debbie chatted with Char, Bill with Greg and Steve. Star came in from her spa-retreat backyard and was fine with them. This was going well, I thought.
Greg made a fab dinner for all of us – teriyaki-type noodles with salmon. (Ok, it must be said here that they were so considerate that I didn’t have salmon. Y’know, as I’m so ‘severely handicapped’ and don’t like seafood, they were kind enough to prepare me the tastiest of tasty rare steaks. Two words: yum-mee.)
We had only one real bark that evening. Bill, upon returning from the toilet, did a funny dance at the doorway to the sitting room. Yeah, that tweaked out Star and she barked. Debbie's remark? 'Good thing you went to the bathroom first.' Hehe.
For dessert we had awesome peach cobbler that Char made...er, wait. It’s a ‘pudding’ here, not cobbler...Anywho, it was really yummy and when I told Char that I want to make it again, she showed me the recipe. Rock on: four ingredients and six steps. Recreated here for those of you who want the Waitrose recipe. Seriously yum, and here’s the best part – can be served warm or cold. Love that.
Peach pudding recipe
4 peaches halved and stoned8 amaretti biscuits crushed
4 tblsp mascarpone
2 tblsp brandy or OJ
200 degree (Celsius – not Fahrenheit!) oven preheated.
- Arranged halved peaches cut side up in shallow baking dish.
- Mix biscuits and marscapone.
- Spoon into cavity of peaches and sprinkle with OJ/brandy.
- Cook 15-20 minutes until tender.
- Serve warm or cold with vanilla ice cream.
Finally
It’s a bit later on Sunday night. Please, please, please – let’s all cross our fingers and say a prayer for a much quieter week this week, eh? (winks)But on a good note, I'm teaching Steve 'rainbow eyes' on this side of the pond. During dinner at Nando's tonight, he nearly almost had it...I'll continue the training, though.
