Revolting. In hunting for my rarely used cheque book I picked up a little used handbag under my desk and as I did got a whiff of something unidentifiable and earthy. Holding the bag I sniff around, not thinking for one moment that the whiff was from the bag. Not finding anything and returning to the cheque book searching, thank goodness I didn't plunge my hand into the bag ... as I see the still line of grey fur between papers and old receipts.
Almost all reason leaves me as I wonder if this animal is alive but won't let go of the bag in case something jumped out and escaped. All this bravery whilst full of fear. But the mouse was well and truly dead and not only that, was flattened. What happened, why my bag, had I done something to kill the mouse in situ - had I stepped on it, and why didn't I smell it before now. Especially as I have an acute sense of smell. Worst of all, are there any more dead animals under my desk? Most repulsive.
On the other hand, it's a great day for it. Our car broke down. We had VIP guests (clients) and I left getting the lunch catering until the last minute. So on foot I hightailed it to the local store and lugged back all sorts of goodies: watermelon, pineapple, other fruits, juices, bread and fresh veg for a fresh soup. Having both arms feel like they were no longer part of my body wasn't enough. I had 40 minutes to knock up a lovely lunch. Yeah - on that score I can consider "job done and brilliantly executed". It was a lovely lunch enjoyed by all.
Later on, having got the car running with the help of four local lads, I go in search of a garage to get the car fixed. Apparently the battery was OK after all and it might be the starter motor. Interesting that there is all this smoke coming out the exhaust as well? Negotiating with the third garage my son phones me to say that his friend was laying on the ground bleeding from the head but that don't worry he was with him and that five teachers were also in attendance! (It turns out it was kids high jinks throwing stones at each other got out of hand - sheer stupidity.)
The mother of son's friend, a neighbour, hadn't yet been located so with car smoking away I ditch the garage and high tail over to the school to be there for the ambulance but they have just left. So it is a drive to the hospital to stay with the boy until his mum gets there. But it is getting to rush hour and hospital parking can be difficult... so I park the car at home and run all the way to the hospital. Admittedly it isn't far, quite a few streets away, but only weeks ago I couldn't even run fifty yards and here I was keeping up a good pace. I was still finding it difficult but I did it and arrived not even beetroot red. The boy's mother had already arrived so I wasn't needed which was fine with me. As a just in case I felt it important to be there but that is by-the-by.
The thing for me is that I now have a level of fitness. Less than a month doing my air walker exercises have already paid off. By this time I had forgotten I had done the earlier dash to the shops returning laden down like a donkey and here I was running to the hospital as if it were nothing. This is wonderful stuff. But before I preen up in smug self-satisfaction I am reminded of this revolting happening beneath my desk.
Urgh!
PS. Handbag and contents hit the bin with just a check that nothing identifiable was with it for security sake.
Original Comments:
OMG a rat in your purse? Yikes! I suppose finding a dead rat is better than finding an alive one. A rat is a rat is a rat.
It seems no matter how many times little boys are warned, they still will do what little boys do. Even as an adult, my son doesn't heed advice...very wise advice, I might add!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 9:03:00 AM
Do you have cats? We keep finding small gifts in unexpected places.
And 'yay' for the fitness thing - you are (almost) inspiring me to have a go myself!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 12:26:00 PM
I think blogger ate my comment, I left one here a day or so ago.
Basically as I recall, it said something (or should have) like this: "EEEEEWWW, dead mouse!!"
Yes, they smell so bad, I had one in my kitchen forever that I could never catch, when I lived in England.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007 9:48:00 PM
GRAN!!!! So nice to see you again
Thursday, June 21, 2007 4:27:00 AM
Jane LOL I see my mouse has grown into a rat!!!! The little buggers were once upon a time alive but then after using the humane traps I ended up resorting to the poison. Apparently it is classic for them to wander off somewhere cosy to breathe their last. I heard it described as someone so drunk and needing to sleep it off - but they don't wake up.
Ally No cats but I have seen the sorts of presents they bring in. I'm not an animal person - though I'd never wantonly cause them harm .... unless they are a mouse taking up residence in my house.... and these cat gifts would be another reason not to have one. oooo I'm a hard person ;-) I'm glad you are feeling inspired regarding the fitness but you have better things to do such as cooking up that baby in your tum :-)
Chandira Pain when the comments disappear. From my point of view - ahhh, I'm loved after all ;-) Between you and me we're making England sound like the country of mega smelly rats and creepy things! LOL
Spicy Bug Woo hoo - you back too! I'm gonna come visiting sometime but I am keeping my blogging under control this time. And...... you have motivated me to take action on something but more of that in a new blog post another time! :-)
Thursday, June 21, 2007 2:10:00 PM