Sunday Drive

Whether I'm at home or out of town, if I'm working Sundays are never long enough. They always tend to be over before they've even began. If I'm home it seems like I have to leave long before I'm ever ready and if I stay in Charlotte it's always time for bed long before I'm sleepy. Today was no different. We did get up early as we were meeting Shea and her girl friend Gloria and a few of Shea's friends for brunch. Shea wasn't in town the previous weekend and Marshall and I hadn't yet had the opportunity to meet Gloria, so we decided upon brunch. The brunch was also an unofficial celebration of Gloria's birthday, even though her birthday wasn't until later in the month. The company at lunch was great and the food was great, but boy did we ever have the worse service. So horrible in fact that Marshall finally had to get up and complain to the manager. We had to ask multiple times for refills on our drinks and when Marshall's order came out and it was the wrong thing the waitress snapped, "Just take it!" Who says that? My favorite was when I asked her how the special was - the turkey bacon quiche. She rudely told me she didn't know they don't feed them before they start work so she hasn't tried everything. What a smart ass reply. I've never had a waitress give me such an answer. I ordered it anyway and then told her it was good so she could tell her future customers it was good. The bonus was that the entire table got gift certificates out of the debacle.

Shortly after brunch it was time for me to pack up and get on the road. Typically, I wouldn't leave so early but I was exhausted and have a very early call time tomorrow. Plus, Marshall is coming up to Charlotte tomorrow for a couple of weeks so I was only going to miss him for one night. The best part was I wasn't leaving home alone this time. I had the dogs to keep me company. Since Marshall needed the space in his car for tools he was bringing up to Charlotte, I had to bring the dogs with me. We stopped by our house in Charlotte (the Patterson Street house or the City House as we call it) before going to my apartment. Our renters had just moved out over the weekend so I had to meet them at the house and pick up the keys from them. It was still daylight when I got there so I let the dogs out back to run around in the yard while I waited for the renters. I took a peak around the house and saw it had been left pretty dirty. I just don't understand some people. When I rented before I owned a house, I was so afraid of not getting my deposit back that I always cleaned the place from top to bottom. I even had my mom help me steam clean the carpet in a couple of places. Owning dogs I always tried to make sure there was no evidence they were even there. Of course, our dogs never chewed on molding or blinds or anything else that our renters' dog did. It's people like them that don't crate their destructive dogs that give all pet owners a bad rap. If we end up renting our house again, I believe our pet policy is going to be much stricter from now on.

Eventually, the dogs and I made it home and settled in for the night. It felt more like being at home having them there. It truly is amazing how much company a dog can be. Even though they don't talk, they communicate in so many ways. I imagine it's much like having a baby around. They can't talk, but they depend on you and make noises and with them around you are never alone. I can see how a stay at home mother would feel as though she never has any time to herself. With a young child, you never really do. Throw in a dog that follows you around every where too and you too would probably lock yourself in the bathroom just to have some free time. I can only hope that I have to do that one day. It would definitely be a good problem to have.