Ponder this:

Sunday, April 22, 2012

I'm BACK, Baby!

Well.
That's passed.
Again.
I don't truly know why those phases come or what makes them pass, although certainly an out-of-the-blue "I love you" chips off a big piece of the big black cloud and lets some sunshine in. It made me want to say, "You do? Reeeeally?" in a high squeaky voice like a seven-year-old. I did not say that, however. One doesn't want to tempt fate.
And I'm so glad that so many of you understood that horrible bottom's-dropped-out feeling. It's so good to know I amn't a complete freak. (AA Wisdom: We are not unique.)

The news:
The boyz had their grooming sessions yesterday. Kim called me while I was in the supermarket . . . I could tell she was near the end of her rope . . . "I don't know what to do with Max!" Max has become . . . floppy . . . as his muscles waste away. He can move, walk at a good clip, but standing while somebody runs a clipper up and down his legs and along his belly is difficult for him. We planned for me to get home and put away the groceries, for her to finish Angus, and then call me to come and help prop up Max.
Near two hours later, Kim phoned. Angus, who has always been mellow, calm, la-di-da . . . had gone ballistic. He turned into a complete wiggle worm who wanted No Thing to do with the clippers thank you very much. Choking himself on the loop around his neck, gagging, screaming...
Poor Kim. 
I put on my sneakers and hurried to her shop and between the two of us we got the grooms finished. She was disheartened: she's dog-whispered her way through interactions with far larger and more intimidating dogs than these. I was relieved to have it all finished, for their health and comfort. I know these dogs. I know they can be completely impossible, especially now when they're growing a bit senile. They remain as wiggly as five-week-old puppies.
Poor Kim. She doesn't drink, but if she did, I bet she would have done it up last evening!

When I got home I removed the dogs from the car and set their feet on the green green grass of home and then I removed the crate from the car. I have a new-to-me car, you see, and I feel I can no longer carry the dog crate as a permanent fixture as I did in the old car. I carried a lot of permanent fixtures in the old car. Two (I believe) pairs of shoes, two pairs of gloves, the dog crate, several papers that seemed, at their arrival, too important to throw away and not urgent enough to remove to the house for handling. In addition, there was a hairdryer that I used at the floorcloth class I took a few years ago, a few makeup items that had thrown themselves from my purse at sudden stops and then migrated under the seat. In short, the old car was messy. And dirty.
The New Car, provided by Husband the used Volvo dealer, is a 2003 Volvo XC70 in . . . get this! Platinum green metallic! It changes color depending on the light . . . from a seagreenblue to sage green to any number of other gentle, sophisticated shades. Gorgeous.

Husband knew the car was coming in on a trade soon and he waited for it so he could make it mine. The previous owner was a long-time customer, and so he knew the history of the car and that it had been well maintained. Even so, he and others spent a lot of time making everything perfect for me. For me! 
Oh, I love it. It's like the most comfortable sofa ever, with wheels attached.
2003 XC70 AWD - Platinum Green Metallic / Taupe photo #2
It has leather upholstery. Mmmm.
It has heated seats. Mmmm. They make my back feel so good. They make me feel a little as if I've just wet my pants, too, but y'get used to that.
It has those cute little windshield wipers on the headlights. Husband says those things are always broken. But they're a cute little conceit.
It has all wheel drive: I almost can't wait for snowy winter commutes to roll around again. (Yeah. Right.)
It has a rain sensor! Set the windshield wipers for "int" which I think means "interval," and they know when to wipe the windshield! Not too often, not too infrequently. I love that. Makes me want to drive in the rain.

On Thursday, Husband mowed the lawn for the first time this season. The scent! Intoxicating.

Early on Thursday and Friday mornings we watched deer playing in the field. Five deer, three of them smaller than the other two. Not fawns, but smaller . . . and clearly, young. Those three scampered around in big circles, ran in and out of the wooded area, and generally spent a good amount of time being happy to be alive. 

My seasonal visiting mockingbird is back onsite. I heard him yesterday, running through his repertoire. He stays for only a week or so and then moves on, but how I enjoy his performance while he's here.

23 comments:

VioletSky said...

I think I am in love with your car! I do so wish I had a car in some metallic shade that is not silver-ish like 95% of every other car around.

threecollie said...

I am glad...this is a much needed spring I think. Take care of you..
I also love your car! What a beauty!

Wanda..... said...

Our lives have been a little in sync, June. Just getting over a blue period myself, from the recent 'out of state moves' of 2 granddaughters and the passing of a sister-in-law. On happier notes though, I too have a new car, an xlr with some special features that makes one feel pampered a bit, which we aging gratefully people need sometimes! ☺ And I often have deer scampering in the field, saw an expectant doe yesterday, new fawns to watch soon!

Hope the boyz are feeling better, all groomed for spring.

Tracy said...

OH-LA-LA...love the new car! glad you are back with us :)

esbboston said...

Volvo, I think that is Latin for "I roll". I need to find out what the Latin is for "I rock".

June said...

esb, I think "Volvo" is Latin for "Put on your Birkies and come over for some granola."

The Cranky Crone, she lives alone! said...

Ah! loved your post, made me giggle, I have car colour envy sounds magical...
Its good to know you have the colour back in your cheeks again.

schmidleysscribblins,wordpress.com said...

Beautiful car. Happy you are feeling a bit better. My son and his wife drive Volvos and love them. Dianne

Floridagirl said...

Glad things are looking up for you. Enjoy the spring, new car, trimmed dogs and love!

Olga said...

There is an absolute spring in your blogging step. Glad you found a way out of that slough.

DJan said...

Gorgeous car, indeed. And now that the dogs are all groomed, it will be awhile before they will need THAT again. I'm sure your new car will soon be comfortably cluttered so it will feel like it's truly yours. Mine is like that, too. :-)

Tom said...

Nothing lets the sun shine in better than a new car ... and the smell of fresh cut grass.

P.S. I have an '03 Volvo S60. Nice car, comfortable, with plenty of those "extras." Mine has needed too many expensive repairs ... but I guess you have the inside track for that, so congrats!

Carolynn Anctil said...

Wow, things certainly do seem to have turned around for you. I don't think I'd have what it takes to be a dog groomer. Hats off to Kim.

A mood car - how awesome is that? I used to sell Volvos in an earlier life. I'd own one if I could afford to.

We're almost set to mow the grass here too. I love the scent of freshly mown lawn.

Glad to hear you're on the upswing.

Rubye Jack said...

The new Volvo is so very cool. I used to rent Zip Cars when I lived in San Francisco and the Volvo was my very favorite.

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Vehicle envy .I wonder if pushbikes come in platinum green metallic ?
In fact this whole entry's made me feel deprived what with heated seats , fawns , mockingbirds and floorcloth classes , once I know what they are .

Rose ~ from Oz said...

I don't just LOVE your car - I WANT your car! :) (It's a long story just why I love and want your car, or one very like it!)...I am also v.e.r.y. jealous that you managed the clipping with the boys so well really - my boys won't even tolerate a brush (mostly) snipping off some knots with the scissors is a major event, so they'd need a vet visit and out to it for a clipping. Spring is here, a fresh chapter....well, it's not here, here, its jolly cold at my place :(

Rose ~ from Oz said...

OMG, I just pressed publish, and you had just commented at my place at the same moment. f.r.e.a.k.y :)

georgia little pea said...

Been away 10 days and looks like I missed something here. I hope you're feeling better. Been a little down myself lately but after a week of cartwheeling and kicking ass, like you...I'm BACK! Hugs :) x

Amy said...

Missed you. Glad you're back.

Vicki Lane said...

So glad you got out of the Slough and into a nice comfortable car!

Grandmother Mary said...

Yep, happens to us all. Welcome back. Cool car.

rachel said...

"I love you" and a car* - well, that would do it for me too.......

*especially a Volvo.....

Anonymous said...

The car totally rocks. More importantly, glad you feel better. Spring is a gift. I also relate to the dog thing. My springer is in his last year, I think. He's lost his mind, going into the trash etc for the first time and somehow--another first--opening the frig door and eating my oriental peanut salad!!!! But his stiff back legs break my heart. All i do is give him boosts. Take care!