Like A Duck On A Pond

I think I understand how modern parents feel sometimes.
Its a balls in the air kind of phenomenon where on the surface the duck looks serene and in control and under the surface the webbed feet are going like the clappers.
The Prof has his own balls-in-the-air and so has no idea of the joys of animal parenthood and so the organisational nightmare of sorting a few days away is somewhat lost on him.
The Welsh Terriers have to be booked and taken into kennels (with all shots up to date) Winnie has to taken to my friend Greta's ( bulldogs being Diva dogs don't cope well with kennel incarceration) and George being the old boy has to be taken to my sister for some pampering.
Gifts have to be sorted for the dog sitters and for Animal-helper Pat who has to be asked to come to kindly feed Albert. And some grovelling is the order of the day for one of the neighbours to look after The Bachelors for the duration.
Only after this is done can The Prof and I can go off and over the Welsh Border.
At Christmas I treated The Prof to tickets to see Giselle at The Royal Opera House.and its almost time  for us to go
It's only an overnight jaunt to London but its a night to be suited and booted and child free !
So I am so happy at finding a responsible house sitter for the night in the shape of Cameron the teenage boffin.
Cameron is now eighteen going on 40. I have instructed him to eat and drink what he likes and at his insistence he is calling down to go over instructions for his stay.

gulp!

27 comments:

  1. I know that feeling of having to "sort" the animals out when we go away on holiday. Cat sitter has to be booked and updated on their needs. Chickens have to go off to a lady on a farm to be looked after. It all stresses me out, all the arrangements. Think I'd rather just stay at home and de-stress with a bottle of wine, but husband won't have it!! Also know the feeling of looking calm and serene on the outside but paddling like bloody hell on the inside.

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  2. We always brought our son with us. Can't you do the same? ;)
    Of course I'm onl teasing you John because that's definitely a lot to sort out before leaving home for even only one night!
    Greetings Maria x

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  3. Anonymous11:11 am

    So much work and so much self importance, as I do myself. You could probably just pack a razor, please do, and a hairbrush and bash off to London for an overnight trip, without having to do much for the animals.

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  4. Good neighbors make all the difference. I can’t imagine all the logistics. For us, two pampered cats are enough to worry about.

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  5. Wishing everyone a fun and pleasant night.

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  6. Anonymous12:15 pm

    Enjoy the opera. We went to see Cinderella at Sadler's Wells on Saturday. Luckily we didn't have your experience and it was magical.

    SueF

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  7. You've told Cameron to eat and drink what he likes....Ah, but have you got in what he likes? Teenage boffins might have different ideas to yours about what's nice to eat and drink! ;-)

    Have a lovely time at the opera and try not to worry about the kids.

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  8. Sounds like you're organized.....have a great time.

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  9. You're lucky to have so many people willing and able to look after the animals while you're away. Hope you enjoy Giselle.

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  10. I have always been the organizer. There is little appreciation for us who make things happen, but I don’t mind, I like that role. Enjoy your day away.

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  11. That must have taken so much planning to cover everything.Now you can just relax & enjoy it.I can only do things that involve my three x

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  12. If he proves a good house sitter you could always try by degrees to leave the whole menagerie in his hopefully capable hands? That would save you knocking yourself out like a blue-arsed fly rushing round getting the whole shebang sorted. You could then go away bright-eyed and bushy tailed ready for a truly relaxing break.

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  13. Its nice to have a close community and people to count on when you need them. You guys really look out for one another. Something that been lost here in America.

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  14. After a lifetime of not being able to go anywhere without lining up someone to watch my children, I now have the chickens and cats to worry about. Why do we tie ourselves down so firmly with these animals? They must be worth it.
    You and your husband have a marvelous time! Leave it all behind for a night and just enjoy!

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  15. You, admittedly, have way more than most in making arrangements. It is a ton of work and there is usually a bit of worry even after arrangements are squared away.

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  16. Hmm... Maybe you can combine some of these jobs.. Can Cameron feed Albert and the Bachelors?? Too bad he couldn't dog sit a night along with the house.... I only have one cat now John but in the past i totally understand having to arrange all that.. I'm sorry your blog has been that way lately for you.... I haven't had that problem over at mine but then what do i write about.. the wildlife and my art and redecorating the house.. non drama things for sure..lol Hugs!deb

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    1. No you get me wrong he is looking after everyone

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  17. That's brave of you. Have a great time.

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  18. Having once again organising bloody everything for a holiday that is supposed to be my much needed recuperation from the stress of two major surgeries and multiple family deaths I wish I had booked myself into a convent for two weeks.

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  19. Thumbs up for Cameron. My Mum and her sisters used to house and dog sit for us. They had a free holiday together and I came back to a house I didn't recognise ie clean and tidier than I left it. Sadly all are gone now and we have the kennel run instead.

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  20. Cameron's a good kid. You can trust him not to have a wild party in your house while you're gone!

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  21. "Suited and booted." How exquisite to feel the need to be so, enough to engage in all that bother. And, thanks for the Mini G help.

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  22. A good house sitter/ pet sitter is worth their weight in gold.

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  23. I can’t think of a more reliable batchelor/cat/dog/house sitter than Cameron..have a fab night away x

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    1. Yes debbie....I've bought him beer and pizza

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  24. Ah, that makes a nice change for you from having all that rigamarole to look after. Lovely to have someone you trust. You'll be wanting to go away more often!

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