On-Time Rewards

If you know me (or read me here) you know I am neurotically punctual. My reward for this is usually just the knowledge that I won't be late. If you don't share this character trait, it's difficult for me to make you understand the enormous sense of relief I feel when I'm early; it simply means I won't be late. Being late -- even the possibility of being late -- panics me to no end. Today I had the daily-double of rewards for being early.

I left Orlando exactly on time -- 9:00 was my self-imposed deadline, and when I pulled out of the resort gates it was exactly 9:01 -- and stopped one time for bathroom and coffee. (I actually got a sausage burrito with my coffee, but it was so disgusting I threw it away after one bite. I detest fast food!) I was back on the highway in less than ten minutes, and back to Jacksonville by 11:45, not bad for a Friday. Orlando traffic is notoriously horrible, but I took the expressway and used my SunPass, so I avoided the tolls and the worst of the traffic. I had just enough time at home to put on something half-decent and drive to my first appointment. When I say I had "just enough time", that means I got to the doctor's office a half hour early. Fortunately, the office was pretty deserted so I got in nearly a half hour early and was out two minutes after my actual appointment time. Onward to the bank.

Money out of one account and into another, and I was back on the road again. I was close to the location of my second appointment (the dreaded mammogram) but was an hour and a half early. That's too early even for me! I hadn't eaten, so I got a "Zalad" which I ate quickly in my car. This turned out to be a bad idea; most of it went right through me, but not until after the mammogram. Anyway, I got to that appointment a half hour early too, and also got in a half hour early. This was amazing! I am always early for appointments, but I usually have to sit and wait. No problem -- I'm patient. But I loved the getting-in-early -- and especially the getting-out-early! I missed the worst of the storm, which is now banging away as I sit in my living room with my feet propped up, sipping tea to settle my stomach. Every day, that wouldn't be my idea of a good day, but today it feels just fine.