Last Day of School, and dogs and cars

Maddie's selfie at lunch

Remember when you were a kid what a big deal the last day of school was each year? It made me a bit nostalgic today. Jacob and his buddies got out early and had a pool party. Then there was an after-party at another house. Ah, to be twelve and have life be a series of parties. We’re raising those kids in a bubble I fear.

For my part, it was a lovely day. Jamie and Maddie came to visit. Maddie is my oldest grandchild, just finished with her freshman year at Colorado University. They are the only two people I know who can take two hours to drive from Frisco to Fort Worth (he forgot his wallet, started back home, changed his mind and came on) and then half an hour to get out of their car once it was in the driveway (he was on a business call). But we had a lovely day.

Surprise! They brought a new puppy with them—a nine-week-old Pomeranian named Cosmo. Jamie had the dog that was probably the canine love of his life—Mosby, a chocolate lab. Mosby was a wonderful dog—loyal to Jamie, following him on the cross-country runs he did, but also a family dog who let the girls, when little, roll all over him. Sweet beyond measure, but as he aged he grew arthritic and anxious. Finally, maybe a month ago, they reluctantly helped him cross the rainbow bridge.

Cosmo

But I never thought Jame would get a small dog—they already have one four-pound Smorkie (Yorkie and I forget what else). Jamie explained that it’s a cat thing—he loves cats but won’t have another because of the litter box issue, so having a small dog is like having a cat (not sure I follow that logic, but I’d take the dog any day). All puppies that age are cute, but this one really is adorable. And I was so proud of Sophie—she played with him but after her initial enthusiastic curiosity was gentle. Of course, we gave her lots of extra love and praise,

I confess I had a Jamie list—when I told him that yesterday, he said I didn’t have to fix anything special for him. I told him he misunderstood—it was a “honey do” list—lower my walker, find out why my phone won’t take messages, give Soph her medications, and help me get my car to a place I thought my fix the top.

We had a nice, lazy lunch, and the major outing was to take my car to a trim shop. The back window is loose from its moorings. The VW place recommended an auto glass place they said would repair it in my driveway. Not so. The auto glass place recommended a trim shop in—wait for it! —south Euless, a long way from here. But I dutifully called them and over the phone, sight unseen, a rather brusque woman said I’d need an entire new top. Yikes! Expense plus terrible inconvenience of getting there.

Fortunately, a friend who reads the blog suggested a local detailing shop, and the owner in turn suggested a local trim shop, told me to use his name. So today we saw Joe at Westside Trim, after trying hard to navigate the construction on White Settlement. It’s nearly impossible to get to this place. The verdict is iffy. I can have it repaired at a much-reduced cost, but it probably won’t hold. Still I think that’s what I’ll do.

Nothing would do but we stop at Omaha Army Surplus—a childhood dream place for Jame—and then at Autobahn to investigate a new VW, which I don’t need and can’t afford. Jamie thought I could lease a new one and cover it by the trade-in on mine, but mine though lower mileage, is twelve years old. The salesman said, “I can’t do a trade in. I don’t want to insult you, but ... . “

Now, Jamie and Maddie have gone home, I’ve had a sandwich and washed the dishes, and am ready to read. A great day with people I adore. The only downside? I didn’t get my nap today!