Whatever can go Wrong, Will go Wrong

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Have you ever had an event all planned out in your head, but nothing turns out like it's supposed to?

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That's what happened to us during a weekend camping trip with several families from our church. My goal was to get out of the house by 9 o'clock that Saturday morning. Around 8:45, I heard some terrible screaming coming from the girls' bathroom. Maddy was calling for me to come and "see what Sky did." I figured I'd see one of my lipsticks smeared all over the counter or a glitter body spray bottle spilled on the carpet. Wrong on both counts: Sky's sink was overflowing big time, spilling tons of water all over the carpet!

There was no need for a plumber to clear a drain or anything. You see, both faucets were running AND there was a little red t-shirt in the bottom of the sink. (Obstruction identified.) No time for asking questions now, though- we had to find Scott and start sopping up this wet mess.

Can't you just imagine how pleased HE was? Good gracious, it was an ugly scene! We were scrambling to grab towels (for once I was glad the kids had mounds of used towels piled up on the floor) and the Shop Vac, and started pulling up carpet.

Two hours later we were back on track. After an unusually quiet car ride, it was a relief to drive into the church campground. Time to put that flooded bathroom behind us and get on with our fun family weekend.

Not one hour into our camping trip, a terrible yelping noise got everyone's attention. The children were running our dogs along the edge of the water... then that painful howling filled the air. We rushed to the dock area, where our 6-month old lab, Charley, was lying on the ground. Our first thought was a snake bite, but then we spotted blood inside his legs: Charley had a horrible gash right where his hind leg and tummy meet. Sky told us he had tried to leap over a metal post and missed.

Clearly, he had to go the vet's office. I called our vet but the answering message referred me to an emergency clinic. (Note: emergency = EXPENSIVE!) My first clue should have been the receptionist's warning: "Just the visit is $65... anything further is an additional charge... no billing, you must pay today... to get treatment started could cost hundreds of dollars."

"Yeah, yeah, ok," I'm thinking, "but WHERE are you, lady?" That's all I cared about at this point. Within an hour poor Charley was in line for outpatient surgery, but before I left I had to write out a check for well over $500. ("OK," I'm telling myself, "this is why you have that overdraft protection business, for emergencies like this.")

Back at the lake, we tried to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening. Charley made it through surgery successfully and by 11 p.m. we had him back at the lake. All was well, it was just going to be remembered as one heck of an expensive camping trip.

At least that's what we thought Saturday night...

Sunday afternoon we heard more yelling coming from the dock: seems Sky stood up and yanked her towel from where she'd been lying on the dock... hurling her prescription eyeglasses right into the lake.

You know how they say things come in 3's? Well, Scott and I can rest assured that at least our superstition account is paid in full!

Jennie Montgomery anchors the 5:30, 6, and 11 p.m. newscasts for WJBF Channel 6.

--From the Tuesday, September 28, 2004 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle