Good morning! Yesterday was an interesting day. And today is probably going to be a stiff and in pain day, so if I get here late don't fret too much ok?
As you can see by Itzl's concerned look, this group is for us to check in at to let people know we are alive, doing OK, and not affected by such things as heat, blizzards, floods, wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, power outages, or other such things that could keep us off DKos. It's also so we can find other Kossacks nearby for in-person checks when other methods of communication fail - a buddy system. Members come here to check in. If you're not here, or anywhere else on DKos, and there are adverse conditions in your area (floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, etc.), we and your buddy are going to check up on you. If you are going to be away from your computer for a day or a week, let us know here. We care!
We have split up the publishing duties, but we welcome everyone in IAN to do daily diaries for the group! Every member is an editor, so anyone can take a turn when they have something to say, photos and music to share, a cause to promote or news!
Ok, we have a (mostly) finished diary schedule. If you would like to fill in, either post in thread or send FloridaSNMom a Kosmail with the date. If you need someone to fill in, ditto. FSNMom is here on and off through the day usually from around 9:30 or 10 am eastern to around 11 pm eastern.
Monday: BadKitties
Tuesday: bigjacbigjacbigjac
Wednesday: Caedy
Thursday: weck
Friday: FloridaSNMOM
Saturday:broths
Sunday: loggersbrat
If you'd like to be part of the Itzl Alert Network, please leave a comment asking to join, or send us a message asking to join. We'd love to have you. The bigger our network, the less likely someone will be stranded all alone.
So since Caedy worked Wednesday, Thursday was grocery day this week. We started out fairly early so that we wouldn't be out in 90+ feels like 100+ degree weather in the afternoon. We didn't even wait for Caedy and Bit to eat breakfast, we stopped for it along the way (and for caffeine for me). Went to the store, did our shopping, all was going well. We even managed to save some of the food stamps money for next week because with Caedy taking time off for a much needed vacation next week is going to be VERY short. (We'll be fine, we saved about $70 of the food stamps and we expect her paycheck to be around $65 net.) So all was going well.
Then we got outside and got blasted by the heat (this was around noon). So, we decided to once again try to get a cab home. The first number we called we got the stupid cab driver we're still arguing with about transporting assistance animals. So we called the only other cab company in this area. The cab driver said it was fine and he would be there in about 15 minutes.
15 minutes came and went, another 15 minutes came and went. We could have WALKED home by that time. We had meats outside in the heat waiting. So Caedy called them back. Apparently the cab driver's boss had decided that he wasn't coming to pick us up because of the service dog. BUT we were assured that they were looking into it and would call us back in about 5 minutes. 10 minutes later we hadn't heard back, and the number went to voice mail.
So we said F$%@ this, and started walking home. We were of course all pretty aggravated by now, and very hot. Sophie had water to drink from her bowl and was in the shade while we were waiting but she was still trying to figure out why we hadn't just gone home like we usually do. The wheelchair wheel got caught in the transition between the drive way of Winn Dixie and the gutter/ramp up onto the sidewalk and popped off the rim. I tried to get up, tripped over the foot plate (because I was trying to do this with a bag of groceries and Sophie) and landed on the sidewalk. Sophie jumped to one side, she's fine. My right hand landed on the bag of groceries, we have some squished waffles and boxes of stuff, but my hand and wrist are ok. My left knee however has a 2 inch by 3 inch patch of road burn and the upper part of my shin is turning black and blue.
Someone stopped and helped Caedy get the wheel put back on and me back in the chair. And apparently someone else saw what happened and called 911 because an ambulance pulled in to the curb right after that. They cleaned up my knee and bandaged it so we could get home, but I refused to go to the ER, there's no serious damage done. I'm sure my right shoulder (the bad one) is going to be feeling it as the adrenaline wears off later however. And I'll probably be REALLY stiff on Friday (I'm writing this on Thursday).
So we continued with our walk home. We got a bit further up the road and Caedy's phone rang. Apparently the cab company decided that we were worthy and so, were on their way. Only now we were no longer at the grocery store waiting for them. So we gave them directions to where we were and parked ourselves in the shade of a tree on the sidewalk. And we waited. And waited. And waited. Another half hour goes by. Once again we said F$%# this and started walking. We could have been home almost three times over at this point.
Another couple of blocks up the road and a van pulled over next to us. Guess what? Our cab finally arrived! The driver was very helpful and understanding, and was bitching about his boss holding up his fare, because of COURSE it was illegal to deny assistance dogs. DUH. He knew the law, told his boss to just approve the fare before they got fined. We have his card for the next time we need a pick up. We did manage to get home before the food spoiled. NEXT time things should go smoother (I hope).
We haven't had any trouble with any brick and mortar businesses in this town, only the cab companies. One seems to think it qualifies as a 'special exception' like a burn unit or OR in the hospital or a zoo (yes, they actually said they qualify under the hospital exemption, which only applies to surgical or other infection risk areas). The other is just.. confused I guess. But at least they were willing to look into it and eventually yielded to the law.
Yesterday Weck asked us how lucky we are? I don't know about luck, but I've led an interesting life, interesting as in the ancient Chinese curse. How's life treating you?