So many titles were fighting for choosing for this post. Here are the top candidates:
Getting the picture here?
So, I went to a friend’s house tonight to lend a hand. She’s moving and is getting her house cleaned up and ready for sale. I offered several times to help out, and she finally gave in and said sure. That wasn’t easy for her to let me come help. I doubt this experience will give anyone else a fighting chance of lending her a hand anytime in the near future.
Anyway, we found a time I could come help without the kids. The first hour was good and we were getting lots done. I was really bummed because I’d planned on brining mom’s digital to take a few photos of some of the woodwork in her house. The house was built sometime between 1900 and 1915 and, like ours, has wood floors and trim throughout the house. Unlike ours, however, her’s is still unpainted and just beautiful. Ah well, I forgot.
So, I’m moving toward the stairs to do come cleaning there. What I’d forgotten was that a grate over one of the vents had been removed for cleaning. Not a big deal in any house newly built, but for those of us with older homes (ours was built in 1925), the vents are a significant size. This opening without the grate was probably 1×2 feet?
Now, I’m not known for my observations skills. Actually, I’m known for how very bad my observations skills are. So, the fact that I’d noticed this grate missing earlier was quite a feat in and of itself. That knowledge, however, did not carry over into the moment when I went near the stairs and turned to say something to my friend and stuck my foot into the hole and caught myself by putting my elbow through her window.
Yes, through her window.
Embarrassed? Yes.
Feeling stupid? Very.
Feeling guilty? Oh yeah.
Good thing for me was that I’d gotten a little chilly early in the day and had thrown on a sweatshirt. I got out of that whole experience with only a very small cut to my hand. My pride? Well, that’s gonna scar a bit. 
My friend was very gracious. I’m still very sorry. I promise to try and not offer to help anymore. If I do, you all have permission to run very quickly away from me. I’d strongly recommend it.
And the worst part (other than the obvious “did more harm than help” for my friend)? I didn’t even have the camera with me to show you a photo of my handiwork. 
