Just gotta ride it

I am not a Ronan Keating fan girl, but he had it right when he sang “Life is a rollercoaster, just gotta ride it.”

To be more precise, yesterday was a rollercoaster. But I wasn’t keen to ride it.

I slept badly, which wasn’t a good start.

I also ill-advisedly asked my travel agent to book my next holiday while she was in the middle of a Moroccan desert.

She was a little distracted by the sand, camels and time difference, so things got screwed up and the holiday cost much more than anticipated. It’s a long story, but there was nothing I could do about it other than be upset.

My travel agent is terribly sorry about it all, but that isn’t helping my bank account.

She’s off on a cruise to Greenland now and I’ll be giving further travel requests a miss.

I feel my stress in my gut so I was in pain yesterday as I sat at work and not much fun to be around.

I was also off my game and misread a few emails, which caused pain of the mental and emotional kind as I sorted out my errors.

I went home via the supermarket to collect treats for the youngest – including chocolate dipped dried mango – as I revelled in the joy of having her home for a few days.

I was less impressed with the discovery she was running the air conditioning with the bathroom and laundry doors and windows open.

When I chipped her on it, she said I should be pleased she’d left the bathroom window open so the room didn’t steam up during her shower and get mouldy (there are no exhaust fans in the apartment).

Hmmmm. Yeah, nah. Shut the bloody door.

I had dinner at a nearby restaurant with my neighbour Wendy, who used to unofficially run the building but is escaping after selling her apartment.

We had a fabulous time chitter chattering over pizza and a carafe of sangiovese.

Later, as I was walking the dogs, an owl was hoot-hooting and flew over my head and I was completely entranced.

And now it’s Friday, thank heavens. I am done with this week.

Though the weekend will be a tough one, I am driving north to visit my dad in respite care. But the trek will also involve having dinner and a laugh with my sister, so again, swings and roundabouts.

I hope there is laughter in your weekend too.

PS Here’s another fetching pic of the fella from the Mexican restaurant opening, sent through by the PR agency … I’m still a little confused about his gear …