Tuesday, October 16, 2007

My Funny Postman

Last Saturday, our neighbors two doors down apparently had a family wedding. There were lots of cars parked all over the cul-de-sac we live on. One car parked directly in front of our house, as close to the driveway as they could get. This is no big deal except for the fact that our mailbox is located in this exact spot. We were told years ago to leave 2-4 feet in front of the mailbox to allow the postman (in his mail truck) to leave the mail without having to get out of his truck. We have followed this request faithfully, also not a problem since we seldom park on the street.

When I saw that car there, I was a bit irked. And it wouldn't have bothered me if it wasn't in my view for most of the day. I had a lot of dishes to do that morning and the car was in full view, all morning long, from my kitchen window. So I simmered. And I started worrying. We have a nice postman and all but this was out of my control. We didn't know who's car it was and I hoped it would be gone before the postman arrived (usually in the mid-to-late afternoon). I started making my excuses in my head long before he got there. I even wrote a note, saying we didn't know the owner of the car and apologizing for the inconvenience, and taped it to the mailbox. I don't know why it was bothering me so except maybe my hormonal-triggered anxiety state.

Later that afternoon, I was changing my clothes when I heard the mail truck go around our corner. I heard the brakes squeak as he pulled in front of our drive way and parked. I heard the gate. Then the doorbell rang. I was running down the hall, trying to zip my pants and shouting to anyone who was within earshot, "Get the door, please!" My husband finally answered the door and I heard the postman say, "You've got a vehicle parked in front of the mailbox, would you please sign this form." I pushed past my kids, who were crowded around my husband, and nearly shouted, "We don't know who's car it is!" The surprised postman stepped back and said, "No, no, I'm just kidding!"

Geesh! This seemed like such a set up, you know? I stammered just a sec, recovered and said, "I ought to thump you!" So, everyone laughed and we chatted a bit, lamenting on the inconsideration of the owner of the vehicle. Then we took our mail, thanked him and said goodbye. Before he left, I managed to say, "Hey, where's that form, we've got a shredder!"

I'm still a bit embarrassed about this situation though I still laugh at the irony. He'll never know just how worked up I was over that stupid car (although maybe I gave that away). Later that day, the car was gone. Still don't know who it belonged to. But I'll bet their postman isn't as funny as ours!

4 comments:

Paula Vince said...

What a wiseguy!
The owners of that car will never know. They're probably the type of people who breeze through life oblivious to all the awkward situations they cause. Maybe their purpose is to teach the rest of us to chill out or something. Perhaps when they get to heaven, they are amazed to learn all the havoc they've been responsible for! LOL. I'm rambling on.
About your comment regarding your writing, I have a good idea. You could put together a "Best of my Blog" type of book full of anecdotes like this one, about the life & times of a homeschooling family. What a great read it'd be and you've already done much of it.
Blessings,
Paula

Mama Self said...

Too funny! I get the same way only to be embarrassed later. At least you were able to joke about it later. :)

Cat said...

Hi mate,

thank you so much for the encouraging comments on my blog - you really are a blessing :-)

Good to hear too that life is going well over your neck of the woods. Just be careful of rogue postmen ok?

Cate

Halfmoon Girl said...

Hey, that was MY car! Just kidding. I agree that it is funny how we can get worked up about something that doesn't really matter in the long run. Glad you all had a laugh about it.