Pretty tired today, somewhat unfocused when I got up, so I got dressed, ran a brush through my hair, got Miranda sorted out for school (snack, lunch order, etc.), and then took her to school. Prior to leaving, I sat and thought, and even said out loud, “Okay, do we have everything?” and it seemed we did. Being tired, I wasn’t quite thinking clearly, though…

We went on the approximately ten minute walk there, I had a rest while waiting for school to start, she went in, I walked home. On the way I was feeling pretty good, just thinking what a pretty day it is and how lovely the cool breeze felt, etc. And then, as I started up the actual front path to our house I realised…. I haven’t got my keys….

In the not-so-distant past, that would have caused an immediate panic attack, but I kept it together (yay!). I walked around the house for a bit trying to see if there was a way in (I couldn’t find one). Tried all the doors, all locked. Looked for the emergency key, couldn’t find it. Finally, after about twenty minutes, some meditation/thought, a couple of rests to think about it, I thought I’d better go next door and use their phone and call a locksmith. I did think of calling Andrew, but he’s in the city and it’s about an hours’ ride on the train from there and it just seemed like not the best plan.

Anyway, our next door neighbor, Chris, is a police officer (and his wife is a school teacher, but she’s on maternity leave with a new baby) . Really good bloke, I like him a lot. We don’t really socialise with them, but we’re on quite neighborly terms with them, and I knew they wouldn’t begrudge me a phone call and maybe a cup of tea.

So I knocked and Chris came to the door and I said, “I hate to bother you, but I’m locked out of the house…” and he said, quick as you please, “Oh, d’you want me to come and see if I can get in?” So I said “Yes, that’d be great, if you could!”

Took less than five minutes for him to find a way in, and less than five minutes for him to GET in. The windows in this house are… well, let’s just say whoever designed them was an idiot. They’re drafty (draughty?) in the winter and they’re pretty insecure. Just how insecure I didn’t know until I watched Chris break in!

Anyway, he got in a window and came round the front door to let me in, for which I thanked him profusely and kissed him on the cheek. He was away from his house for no more than fifteen minutes (closer to ten), I got inside, and all is well. Andrew’s getting a new emergency key cut today.

The thing that is really staying with me on this is that I didn’t panic or even get especially upset. I was a bit frustrated and annoyed with myself, and slightly concerned that I might have to have a wee in the back yard, but I just sort of knew that there would be a reasonable answer to the problem if I just stayed calm and found it, and so there was.

So, that’s my adventure for the morning. I think I might go back to bed now…

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