[I wrote a post earlier this morning, in response to yesteday’s comments. It’s below this one, just in case you might not notice.]
Last week, as our family was crowded in the hallway of our apartment building, waiting for Jeremiah to figure out which of our new 100 keys actually unlocked our door, I noticed a sign posted for a lost cat. Now, we have lost a dog or two (or three…) over here in the Maddox family. Each loss has been followed by a frantic sign campaign and search effort (one of those may or may not have involved a private investigator…another story for another time :)), so these types of signs always tug especially hard on our heart-strings. We know the hopelessness (insert hysteria) those poor owners are feeling, and we all took time to commit “Boots” and his cute little self to memory…just in case.
Later that night, as I lay dead asleep in bed, I was awakened by the unmistakable clatter of vinyl mini-blinds, followed by the throwing open of a window. “Jeremiah!” I hissed. “What in the world are you doing?!”
“Did you not hear that noise?” he asked.
“What noise? I was asleep!”
“I heard a cat make this horrible noise, like it’s head was being ripped off. I was trying to see it. I think it might be Boots.”
“You have GOT to be kidding me! Go back to sleep, that wasn’t Boots! You’re talking crazy…” I say, as Jeremiah begins stepping into his pants and feeling around on the floor for his shirt.
“You are not really about to go outside this apartment in the middle of the night, are you? You could be shot out there! I’m serious!” I cried, half laughing, as he ignored me and went out the door.
I dozed back off–thinking that those micro-chip devices that they insert into your pet in case they are lost, would be worth whatever they cost if it would prevent my husband from going insane over lost pets. This time, I’m awakened by the overhead light in our room being flipped to the “on” position. I squinch my eyes in the glare and look around…
There is Jeremiah, standing over me with a grin like the Cheshire Cat, holding…Boots. Hysterical laughter.
“I stand corrected!” I choked out between laughing tears. “I cannot believe you found Boots, but what are we going to do with him now? It’s two in the morning!”
“I’ve already called the owners. They were really excited and are on their way over right now.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
So, Jeremiah got Boots back to his very excited parents. They turned out to be a young couple and the girl lived in our building (but was currently staying at the boyfriend’s place a few blocks away). I didn’t meet them myself, but Jeremiah said they were very nice people.
The next day we were all riding in the car when Jeremiah got a phone call from Boots’ Dad. The phone was on speaker, and I heard him telling Jeremiah that they had offered a “Reward” for finding Boots, and he had forgotten to mention that in the middle-of-the-night confusion. Jeremiah explained how we were just so happy to have helped and, of course, didn’t want any money. The guy kept on and was insistent that, if we didn’t want money, there must be something they could do to thank us. That is when I heard my husband say this:
“Well…would you mind babysitting our kids sometime? I mean just for an hour or two so that my wife and I could grab dinner together?”
My mouth dropped open so far that my jaw popped. I looked at Jeremiah in silent, but utter disbelief. Had he really just asked a TOTAL STRANGER to babysit our kids? Boots’ dad was almost as speechless as me. He stuttered some reply like, “I mean, sure. I guess I could babysit kids, why not?”
Jeremiah hung up, looked over at me, and smiled. “Did you really just do that? Really?!” I asked. Not mad, just nearly as flabbergasted as I’d been to see Boots in the flesh, in my bedroom. I guessed this was why God made women mothers and not men.
“Baby, he was insistent, and we do need a babysitter more than anything else…”
“I’ll find us a sitter,” I said as I grabbed his hand. “Please don’t ask any more random strangers.”
I just imagined a new reality show that follows men through urban neighborhoods dodging bullets in the middle of the night searching for lost pets! I think it would be way more entertaining than The Crocodile Hunter-esque shows. Ben went into one of our neighbor's yards one night and released Banjo from their crawl space that they they locked him in by accident and then told us they had not seen or heard a cat (he was crying LOUDLY)! BTW How "lost" do you think Boots really was if he was outside the apt building! Sounds like if the girl would stay at her own place once in awhile, Boots might have come back eventually for some food! 🙂
That is so stinkin hilarious. I'm at work and that post just made my day!
Abby- I have enjoyed reading your blog! You are such a great writer. I know someone in Seattle that could probably babysit for you if you wanted to go out with Jeremiah in the next week or so. I know that doesn't help you out long term though. My husband and I help out with our youth group at church and really got to know this girl through that. Her family recently moved to Seattle and she is just home for the summer from Samford. I imagine she will be heading back soon though. She is involved at Mars Hill church and may know of someone more long term that could babysit for you. Just let me know if you are interested!
Men are just so clueless, aren't they!? ps I was a KD at Auburn and graduated a year before Taylor, I love your blog so much that it inspired me to start my own, I only hope I can encourage people the way you do! Take care and God bless!
hilarious! can not believe how random both the finding of Boots is and the babysitting request!
Thanks for the laugh, i am sure that the guy in the office is wondering what could possibly be making me laugh so hard! thanks for sharing.
Ashley had a Nanny. She lives right, there, in Seattle. She watched and loved our Larson for about 3 and half yrs. You want her name and number? She came to Ashley through a Nanny Service…but, we are close enough to her to ask her for help.She does sit at night. She was the only person Ashley allowed to sit for her baby while living in Seattle… Your Husband is sweet…but…I doubt you should allow a stranger keep your girls! LOL…let me know and I will call Misty for you if you like. Happy Day…Love, G
http://www.debbiemacomber.com/index.cfm Here is the link to Debbie. She lives in Seattle, but travels as her books have become rather famous. Check her out and see if you would like information concerning sitters, etc. in your area. She is so loving, kind and giving. YOU will adore meeting her!
What! Wow jerry I will be interested to hear about that evening… and if they quickly forget that they offered a reward when u call to cash in 🙂
I am laughing sooooooooo hard right now!!!!!! Glad you are happy today! Guess you saw I was one of your calls last night. I read your blog and quickly called!! hehee like everyone else! But then text:) Keep having happy days!
My wife loves and raves about your blog and always tells me I need to read it. Well, not much of a blog reader, but she insisted I read your latest post. Glad I did, although I am not the least bit surprised by the actions of your husband regarding the cat, it was hilarious. The babysitter deal….well, I guess maybe that was funny too? I am sure I would have received the same "loving" look from Amy. We're thinking and praying for you guys. I know its tough. Hang in there.
Jason Sharp
Abby….I swear I love y'all!! I mean really love y'all!!! I hope y'all are doing well!! Graham and I think about y'all all the time and wonder what you are doing out there in your new world!!! Is there anything "southern" we can send you???? I do want your address…you can just email me that!! Take care out there 🙂
meredith calvert
Care4hire.com is a great resource for finding a babysitter. Easy to use online search and a free trial available.