A four day weekend is a thing of glory! I was so excited to have a fun weekend after my birthday week and I had fun wee things planned during the day when Levi can't get on screens. I had 12-7pm each day, and I was ready! I didn't want to rent a car, because you know how that went last time, so I was staying local or taking public transit.
On the bank holiday Monday, I had exhausted my thrift shopping and walks around town, so I decided, let's go couch (or sofa as they say here) shopping. I did my due diligence, called the stores, shopped on line, knew what I wanted to see, google mapped the route and how to get there. I was ready!!!
The day started quite precariously. It was raining and cold. Like 45F cold. No bother, every day the rain always stops and the temps go up. Right?!?
I stayed in bed too long and ended up racing around to get ready, get Levi fed, and get on the road. I begged him to wear a winter coat - NO, a raincoat - NO, bring an umbrella - NO. Oh how I love the attitudes of teenage boys (NO)!
I made him a quick smoothie that actually went all over the place, because I guess they really DON'T want you to fill past that line. Who knew? 🤦♀️
We were now late, the kitchen was like a scene from a tornado touchdown and you would think I would have gotten a clue, but - NO, I carried on.
Levi and I walked/ran to the bus stop in Partick aiming for the 77 bus to Sandyford road. Our destination was the DFS in Paisley. DFS claims to "know a thing or 2 about sofas," since they have been making them for 45 years, right here in the UK. Brilliant! I'm in!
The bus was late, but aren't they always? No worries, we are only a little wet at this point. 15 minutes in light rain can't hurt anyone.
Once it arrives, I tell the bus driver where we are going and he quickly points out, we are going the wrong way (oh sh&%). He tells me where to go and we run the 2 minutes around the block and LUCKILY catch it right as it arrives. Whew - close one!
As we get on and relax, knowing it will be a long ride, I start to watch my google map. Hmmmmm, I think something is off, should we be going towards the city centre? Why are we going this way? OH NO - WE ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY. GD bus driver! Why did I listen??
So I figure we better get off and switch directions, the bus driver gives me a transfer, we walk/run around the block and actually get there just as the 77 bus shows up. This is amazing, because this bus only comes every 30 minutes. Luckily, we really are going the right way now, coming back to Partick a full 30 minutes later. But no worries we are on our way.
I watch the map like a hawk, barely looking up, other than to see if where we are is correct. Funnily enough, the bus stops do NOT match the map. I'm slowly starting to freak out. But then I learn to watch just the map and not the names, and after a full 2 hours into this venture, we arrive at our destination.
Yet, now, it is pouring rain. I mean cats and dogs and we have 7 minutes to get to the store, on foot. 7 minutes is a long time in this kinda rain. We get to DFS, but are soaked through and through! Whatever, it is what it is, let's look on the bright side, there are a hundred couches here to try out.
As I walk through the store, with the sodden, sullen teenager in tow, I'm enjoying the moment, thinking, we will just take an uber back. I'll just surprise Levi and he will be thrilled. It was much too long to get here (it's not even 8 km).
I find 4 more stores to go through, loving this place that has these huge box stores for everything for your home. I've taken pictures of everything that I want and we've been here a couple of hours, so I figure, let's get home before rush hour.
I call the Uber.
It keeps calling.
I wait figuring no worries, it's going to come up with something.
We wait 10 minutes, but there are NO UBERS available in your area!
WTF?
BLOODY HELL!
I am in complete 'give-up' mode, ready to just sit down and cry, but that really isn't an option (or is it?).
Okay, so let's try and figure out the bus again. And if you can believe it, it's raining harder than it was earlier. And NO, the temperature did NOT go up.
We run to catch the 77 bus but we just miss it. Damn. So we have to get on the 36, then transfer to the 77 after Ikea. The first 36 goes by as we haven't figured it out yet. So 15 minutes later we get on the 36 bus.
I am absolutely freezing. Levi is soaked, I am too, but I have on a good raincoat. My feet are completely drenched. I'm just walking through puddles at this point as my feet can't get any more wet.
Once on the 36, we feel better, but I am starting to lose feeling in my fingers. I am so cold, I'm shaking. All this for frostbite?
We finally make it to the transfer area, and I shit you not, there is no awning or bus stop, just a sign. We wait there for 15 minutes (did I mention it is STILL raining?) I FORCE Levi to use the umbrella I surreptitiously threw in the back pack. But really, what's the use?
Back on the 77 bus, it finally drops us in front of Poundland in Partick, of which we went in for some kind of treat from the shit day we have had. We deserve this me thinks!
Now for just the 15 minute walk home - all up hill - no joke!
Once back. Levi goes to one shower and I go to the other, and I think we both stay there for the next 30 minutes. My fingers hit the warm water and recoil as they feel like it is scalding my hands.
I seriously just want to crawl into my bed and give up on the day, but alas, dinner isn't going to make itself.
Ever have one of these days? Just me? sigh..........
and to add insult to injury, this is how the bun turned out for the hamburger I was making Levi. I only had one. Figures.
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