TWTW - the one con los madres

Friday Started with an hour on the beach with the best friend dogs, which is a great way to start any day but especially a Friday. I wasn't sure I'd get to the shore Thursday night - MFD and I planted vegetables when I got home, I dumped my clothes from last week out of my shore bag and added some new, folded sheets, put towels away, packed the car, picked up around the house, and was hemming and hawing about leaving early or after work Friday or just going. I just went right after 9 and I'm glad I did. 

Work work, and errands: Bungalow Bowls and Soma Cafe for food stuff, Hearth & Sole for gifts and the most comfortable shoes ever, returned a book to the library and cushions to Pier 1. After work I alternated between sitting on the porch reading and spray painting a rolly cart that's gotten rusted over the past three and a half years. This was one of the first things I bought for this house. 

Saturday 

Bruce was up at 5 so we were the only assholes at Dog Beach for the entire 45 minutes we were there. When we got back I finished a book and lounged. After finally getting a shower, I ran errands on my bike, including purchasing this year's seasonal beach tags. There was a modern hot rod show on the boardwalk and all the revving engines were startling the seniors and me.  When I got back I spray painted the remote holder, cleaned up, and took the dogs for a long walk. 

MFD was going to come down with Gus & Mae but the weather coming in was shit so I said I'd come home. I left at about 2 and thank God I did because there was a nail in my tire and if I would have come home on Sunday it would've been raining and everything would've been closed and it could have blown out on 95. There was a series of unfortunate events and I will have the head of one gas station owner and a call center worker at Mavis Tire but A.N.A. Towing went way above and beyond to save my ass and I will love them forever. My tow truck driver Brian was totally in that Bruce and Bender had a great adventure in the tow truck. I wish I would have gotten a photo of when we were driving and the tow truck driver was looking in the rearview and laughing so I turned around to look and there was Bruce with his paws on the steering wheel looking like he was driving. I hate car fuckery and I'm grateful nothing bad happened and I made it home thanks to A.N.A. Towing!

I finally got home around 7:30 and wolfed down a great steak dinner a la MFD. I was just a shell of myself and exhausted. I did three loads of laundry, unloaded the dishwasher, and peaced out to bed before 10. 

Sunday 

It was chilly and rainy and a perfect day to sleep in, which I did. Then I went to see Carol for Mother's Day complete with the piece of her gift Bruce tried to eat (he found out he does not like bath bombs). More laundry at home and I started a new book.

MFD headed to the shore to see his mom and stay over to paint the ceiling (tomorrow) and I went to Aubrey's parents' to see my Mom and have a lovely Mother's Day dinner. 

Weekly food prep: breakfast is greek yogurt with granola - I am totally into this lately. Lunch tuna salad over spinach, which I haven't made yet since I don't need it until Tuesday. Snacks are mango and pretzels. For Mother's Day I made cheesy sausage dip in the crock (file under: tastes better than it looks) and a pasta salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, and pesto. I'm figuring out dinner as we go along this week, I only need three nights.

Show Us Your Books is tomorrow, see you back here for that! 

Is Learning to Drive An Important Life Skill?

I'm taking a post-birthday day off from writing, so I'm here with a post written by my friends across the pond that piqued my interest as I read it, and I figured it might pique yours as well. My Mom Mom never got her license, and my stepmom doesn't drive. They both got/get around just fine. When I go to other countries I rarely rent a car. Hell if I could afford it I'd be driven everywhere by a driver. Not driving is better for the environment, but most people don't live in a place where public transport or biking is feasible year round. Something interesting to think about.

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Not everyone can drive. Some people actively avoid learning to drive because they simply don’t see the point. They take the view that there is always public transport available and if they need a lift anywhere, a partner, friend or family member will oblige.

Living in a city means it is fairly easy to get around – public transport is usually very efficient and readily available – but there are plenty of reasons why learning to drive will make your life easier. Driving certainly isn’t an easy skill to learn. Before you even think about taking the practical drivers test, you have to pass the theory test. This can be difficult for some people, but with the help of websites like toptests.co.uk you can complete plenty of practice tests in advance. And, once you have accomplished all this, you will soon discover that being able to drive is a real asset – here’s why.

Living in a Rural Area

If you live outside of the city, it is a lot harder to find regular and reliable public transport services. In some rural villages, there might only be two buses a day to the nearest town, which would be highly inconvenient if you only need a few items. Being able to drive will make life a lot easier. You won’t have to rely on the kindness of other people and trips to the shops will be relatively hassle-free.

Ascending the Career Ladder

There are many jobs where a driving licence is essential. Imagine trying to secure a sales position or applying for a promotion to regional manager without a drivers’ licence. You would stand zero chance of being offered either job. Even if a job doesn’t explicitly ask for a full drivers’ license, it is definitely an advantage to have one. Many employers expect their employees to be able to drive, particularly if they have more than one office or the job involves meeting clients.

The Horrors of Public Transport

Public transport is expensive, overcrowded, and not a 24 hour service. Travelling during peak times is likely to be painfully slow and very uncomfortable. And if you need to get home after the last bus or train has departed, your only option will be a costly taxi.

Flexible Schedules

The great thing about being able to drive is that you are free to travel whenever it suits you. So instead of waiting around for a bus to show up, or rushing like mad to catch a train, you can enjoy a nice relaxing morning before getting into your car. You are also free to come home when you have had enough of being out and about. The increased flexibility of car ownership is certainly a lot easier when you have kids.

Family Life

It is hard enough being a parent without having to negotiate public transport with babies, toddlers and older kids in tow. With a car you can carry as much equipment as you like and go places at your leisure.

Not being able to drive can be really inconvenient, so instead of thinking about it, take the plunge and book some lessons today.

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If you didn't have to drive, would you?