Remember back in elementary school when we had to write those "Fortunately, Unfortunately" books? They are a useful device for helping kids learn to sort out sequencing and development of a story line. But I have found that the idea sticks with me as an adult because, well, life really does go that way sometimes. Here is my latest adventure in the genre.
Fortunately, I had a chance to volunteer with M's 4th grade class for a Halloween craft.
Unfortunately, I had to miss my Thursday morning exercise class to do it.
Fortunately, I could make it up Friday morning. (What's a few more hours of missed work for the sake of the 9-year-old daughter who adores singled-out parent attention?)
Unfortunately, that left a 20-minute gap between dropping H off at daycare and exercising, which felt wasteful when I was already missing an extra morning of work time.
Fortunately, I had just found one of the things I need to read for work available for Kindle and downloaded that to take with me to read while I waited for class (which is right next to the daycare).
Unfortunately, I didn't think about carrying the Kindle home on my bike after taking it out of H's backpack and leaving the bag with her at daycare.
Fortunately, I found I could ride well enough one-handed to make it one mile home while holding the Kindle in my left hand.
Unfortunately, I ran into a blocked road (downed power line) which forced me to retrace my (steps? wheels?) path and take a detour to home. I wasn't sure how far out of the way that would be or if I wanted to do it all one-handed.
Fortunately, the detour took me right past daycare again, so I darted back in for the backpack.
Unfortunately, the road had just been blocked off and no detour signs were up yet. And I don't know any alternate routes through town and the GPS was of course in my car.
Fortunately, a nice town crew worker gave me understandable directions to wind my way back towards home.
Unfortunately, when I got home, the power was out. (Our house, and everything on that side of the downed line, were out of business.
Fortunately, I found that we still had water! Now quite thirsty from the hour of aerobics and longer bike ride, I got a nice long drink.
Unfortunately, I couldn't warm up my hot tea from breakfast in the microwave.
Fortunately, I could make a nice, hot, fresh pot of tea using the propane-powered stove top.
Unfortunately, I was dripping with sweat and recalled that the hot water heater was electric.
Fortunately, as I gritted my teeth for the fastest, coldest shower ever, I discovered that I was wrong and the delightful hot water was propane-heated.
Unfortunately, I realized that with well water, I shouldn't have any water, and thus might have just used up all the reserves in the pressure tank with my shower.
Fortunately, I could walk across the street to the grocery store and buy bottled water if needed.
Unfortunately, the store was out of power, too.
Fortunately, I was the only one at home for 5 more hours, so I could survive if the water ran out.
Unfortunately, I couldn't work in my home office because the internet was out and the laptop battery died within 45 minutes.
Fortunately, the town library is on the other side of the downed power line, and has outlets and internet.
So, back to work!
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