The Late Dork

Saturday did not hold the typical same-as-any-other-day-of-the-week flavor for me.

There were two different events I attended, both supporting women who have left an imprint in my life and who are doing so in many other's lives as well.  If you care to stick around, you can wade in my shallow musings regarding one of the events. But first, I've got to put on some decaf {I am going to actually break here to do just that...I'll be right back}...

Ok, I'm back. Coffee is brewing, the living room/playroom is tidy and the last of the dinner dishes are snug in their dishwashing machine racks and on their way to being clean {seriously, dishwashers are SUCH a luxury!}.

The first event of my Saturday was Walk4Water. This event was brought about by 4 woman PLUS a whole lot of helping hands who poured their hearts into raising over $19,000 towards clean water for Rwandan orphans (more than double the 'goal' set at $9,000). It was a completely worthwhile event in every way. The event had nothing to do with me, yet getting there and mingling brought to light two things:

1. I DE-TEST being late. But I am always late.

Envision if you will, a tall woman of German stock bounding out of minivan which had come to a screeching halt in the empty parking lot of a local church. {Sparks and smoke may or may not have been involved}. She flies out of the drivers side to the back of the van, hefting a large wooden Amish-made wagon out of it's trunk, zipping from one side of a van to the other, whisking out three toddlers and plopping them in said-wagon. She then bounds through field and marsh, hill and dale, trying to ignore the force of heavy, large-wheeled wagon threatening to run her over, to the neighboring {adjacent}church property where the desired event was being held. She was already 15 minutes behind, 1 exit too far off the highway for access to the event's parking lot and 20+ "are we there yet's" that were pushing her towards a small breakdown.

I think I know where I am going, but many times, I do not.

Foresight, no matter how much I feel I've given to any one event, is never adequate. This covers everything from directions to where I am going and charging up the no-frills Trac Phone of mine, whose number I do not even know. This has been a lifelong battle, and it is my hope to beat it someday. But I do not see it happening anytime soon.

2. I am SUCH a dork. PLEASE forget I opened my mouth and let's just keep walking.

I saw a woman I had met. A long time ago. I went to school with her husband. Actually, not to divulge too much, but I skated with him to Amy Grant's "Love Will Find a Way" at the Castle Roller Rink in Jr. High. I didn't want things to get to awkward, so I didn't mention this as I was walking by her. But I might was well have.

It was one of those conversations in {literal} passing that should just be left unsaid. There was nary a flicker of recognition when she saw me coming towards her. I should have smiled and kept walking at my brisk, German workhorse pace, chugging my heavy load behind me.

But no. Sally Sanguine just HAS to open her mouth...."Hiiii! Aren't you Deb SoandSo??" (a quick nod and polite smile that does not invite more probing, but it's too late..more words were spewing from my mouth as we are now actually passing each other} "Oh, yes... I know you from Sarah (such a rare name. I'm sure she knows of whom I refer. Her eyes tell me she's waiting for the point. Dagnabit! There ISN'T any!)...anyway... (as she is now behind me), have a great walk!! (oh, that's right this is the end of the walk)!".      **Sigh.**

WHY?

Just. plain. WHY?

I should just have walked and let walk!

There have been countless times in my existence when I come home from parties or gatherings of any kind where I replay the conversations and cringe...no more so than now, when interactions requiring words with more than one syllable and adult themes are as sparse as a snow cap in the Sahara.

Seriously.

I need help.

So if by chance, you someday recognize me, see me approaching, and you feel you are about to be pounced on, be warned-- it could be awkward, and feel free to tell me you hear your Great Aunt Bertrude calling you. I'll understand. And probably be quite grateful to you for sparing me the humiliation.

Enough about me.

{Do not worry. I live every day in an environment where it is not 'all about me'. I am fully aware it is not!}

Speaking of my environment--I thought you might like to see the results of my effort to turn OFF "repeat play" on the DVD and rather, spend quality time with my children by playing with educational toys (a $6.99 large Dora floor puzzle from Ross) on this rainy day:

Happy beginning of the first week in October, my friend!

My decaf is running low, as is my ability to string words together.

Thank you so much for sharing the trivial with me tonight (or day). ;)