I normally don't share much personal stuff on this blog, since I have Inland Empress for that, but I had a frustrating experience with kids' books this week.
Impossible, you say. How could anything related to children's lit be frustrating?
Lemme tell ya' ...
It all started with a visit to Mom-in-law's in Scottsdale, Ariz., for New Year's. We lugged a few books for the kiddies, plus MIL took out one or two from the library. Somehow, a library book made it home with us. Whoops!
Now, if it'd been left to me, weeks might've passed before I threw the book, or something resembling a book, into a box and hauled it to the post office. MIL might've then opened the box, only to find my laundry or leftover tofu or used kleenex, who knows? I can't be expected to keep track of everything.
But no, the box was put together by Mr. Practical himself, the wonderful, both-feet-on-the-ground hubby of mine. He put in the purloined library book, plus several other kids' books for an elementary school where MIL volunteers. Altogether, it was a nice little package.
I took it to the post office in the next town and hit a decorative stone curb while parking. Don't ask. Tales of my driving skills, or lack thereof, could fill a blog on its own.
Grrrr ... there's now an ugly gash under my front fender.
Then yesterday, MIL calls to say we sent the wrong book. She had opened the box and found one on sea turtles. The hubby asked her to double check the box. Sure enough, there was only one book and some crumpled papers.
So, in addition to fixing the fender and paying postage, we have to replace the library book. This was one expensive trip to the post office.
Or maybe I should be glad that a humble postal worker coveted children's lit enough to steal a few titles out of our package.
But I now consider all jokes about the U.S. Mail to be valid social commentary.
Grrr ...
Next time, I'll remember to include a card with the URL to this site on it. This way we might gain a reader, even if he/she is a crook.
Posted by: brettdl | January 16, 2006 at 08:37 AM
Not fun, Anne! I hope the library in Scottsdale doesn't have high fines. And, I hope it doesn't cost too much to fix up your bumper.
Posted by: Kelly | January 17, 2006 at 07:35 AM
It's been a frustrating week in our household. We all have colds too, plus I'm getting my butt kicked in the BoB contest.
I'm going back to bed. Wake me up next week.
Posted by: Anne | January 17, 2006 at 08:51 PM
EXTREMELY off topic, but our former German exchange student sent us a Christmas package on November 12.
We received it on January 12.
Preparing for a BOB visit.
Posted by: Ontario Emperor | January 17, 2006 at 11:40 PM
I voted for you on BoB. We just got Llama Llama Red Pajama and it is a huge hit with our one year old son.
Posted by: Rayne of Terror | January 18, 2006 at 07:54 AM
Many thanks, both of you!
Posted by: Anne | January 18, 2006 at 08:44 AM