When it rains...

I tried to go out today. I had good reason. I was going to get a pedicure. Believe me, this is the best reason. You haven't seen my toes lately! Well, looking at them now won't do you any good, will it, you should have looked this morning.

So I figured as long as I was going out, I should run some errands and do the laundry. But here's the thing about Upland - and Ontario, incidentally. There are no sewers. Well, I suppose there are, really, but you wouldn't know it when it rains. All the north/south streets flood on at least one side, and most of the east/west streets flood on the downhill side. So not only was it pouring out, but I had to ford rivers at each intersection and through each driveway.

I managed to make it to the nail salon without incident. I hopped out of my car and slammed the door behind... uh, it didn't slam. In fact, it didn't even shut. I ran back to it, gave it another shove, and ran back to the door of the salon. By now, my feet were freezing, my sandals were wet and slippery, and the hems of my jeans were getting bit damp. But I made it into the building without falling, and got my dragon talons filed off.

I waited as long as possible, playing a game on the DS, even, to kill some time. But eventually I had to leave and it was raining even harder. I made it to the car, shut the door all the way on the first try, and turned everything on: wipers, defroster, seat warmer. (I love that thing!) I pulled out of the spot and around to the exit. Which was flooded, with water pouring over the curb onto the sidewalk. I inched out and inched out and finally was able to make the turn. I headed down the street and turned right to head to Target. And gave up less than half-way there. It was just too crazy out. My brakes were squealing from being wet - submerged at every intersection - and people were driving like loonies: some were driving way too fast for the conditions, and some were driving way too slow, despite the conditions. So I turned around and headed for home.

I stopped to get some food on the way, since it was nearing dinner time and I hadn't eaten lunch. There's this great little pizza place down the street from us - New York Pizza Company - where I stopped to get dinner for us. When I pulled into the tiny lot, someone was leaving a space right next to the door. I thought "Perfect!" But as they pulled past me, I saw it was a handicapped space. I checked their license plate, but there was no decal. I checked their windshield, but there was no placard. Cheaters! Show me where it says that the able-bodied can use handicapped spaces when it's raining!

So instead, I chose a spot across the little lot. Remember what I said about flooding on the downhill side of streets? Apparently, this applies to parking lots, too. But I thought ahead and looked ahead and saw a huge puddle - no, that's too kind a word, it was a lake - and backed into the space instead. I didn't even back all the way in, so I wouldn't get caught in the lake when I stepped out of the car. I debated taking the umbrella, then I grabbed it, grabbed my bag, threw the door open and jumped out.

Right into the lake. Or rather, left into the lake.

Fortunately, it was only my left foot, but it was wet, freezing, and the hem of my jeans was officially dripping. I squished to the door of the pizza place, telling myself "Don't slip and break your neck, Jess. You don't want to die hungry." As I waited to order, I noticed a space had opened up - a regular, non-handicapped space - next to the door. I told the kid "keep the change, I'm going to move my car." Now, I never leave the change. I always bring it home and save it, but I wanted that space and I didn't have time for niceties like receiving my change! So I ran out to the car, making sure to put my right foot in the lake, so it would match my left in temperature and proclivity for slipping injuries, and moved into the newly opened space. The rest of the pizza getting trip was less eventful. I made it home, delivered the pizza into J's waiting hands, changed my wet pants for drier jams, my soaked sandals for warm slippers, and settled in for a bit of the TV and some nummy food. I even scrapped the whole laundry idea - no way was I going back out in that!

We'll try again tomorrow.