"I'll be there in a few minutes," I mumbled to my mother on the phone.

I hung up, and realized I’m standing in my fluffy white housecoat, holding a steaming mug of coffee and a mop of hair that stuck out from here to eternity.

With twenty-three minutes left before I started up the taxi service, I ran to the washroom, only to find the antics of my daughter at work; exactly one and a half sheets of toilet paper were left on the roll. The timing of this ploy amazes me everyday.

We arrived for blood work at the doctor’s office, and the elderly ones crowded the waiting room. They all held on to their little numbered tickets in one hand, and their canes in the other; positioned, and at the ready to sprint like retired thoroughbreds at the starting gate.

As we waited, my mother updated me on her life. As she talked at me, a few of the elderly ones were enthralled with the conversation because some head's were nodding in agreement, and they weren't napping.

“Remember I told you about losing the tip off my cane, and I couldn’t find it anywhere? I went to the shed to put the garbage in, and I was opening the door, and something fell right on my toes. Yep, the rubber tip stuck in the door since Tuesday when I closed it with my cane." Without taking a breath, she shifted gears and said, "I hope it isn’t too much longer, I’ve got to stop at the grocery store before going home.”

I tried to contain myself at this statement. The store? She went yesterday, and the day before that. But, today is Thursday, seniors discount day. Probably, more cat food to feed her three fat cats.

I dropped her off with three bags of groceries, one being full of the teeny tiny cans of cat food, and got home in time for a late lunch. I managed to accomplish some laundry, read the mail, and studied the inside of my eyelids.

That night at dinner, I related my day to my husband.

"So I'm carting her around the grocery store once again for more cat food..."

"I need a new cell phone case," my daughter interrupts. You'd think my husband would have taught her manners.

“The one you want is too expensive. Get one at the dollar store like mine. See,” he said showing his cell phone.

First came the eye-roll, then the sigh, then:

“I don’t want one like yours. It’s elastic... like your pants.”

"Hey, don't talk to your Dad like that..." I said almost choking on the mashed potatoes.

Realizing the truth of her statement, I broke out in laughter.

The day of antics wound down to a screeching end. My daughter relaxed in the living room, reading. I headed to the bedroom, and got ready for bed. Emerging with the fluffy white housecoat on, I sauntered down the hallway to the washroom.

"Mom! Mom! Take a look as this. That’s the longest I’ve seen him do that!”

“Yes, don’t stop him, remember we have new carpet,” I said, as I watched the cat drag his rear end down the hallway.

Closing the washroom door behind me, I turned, and noticed the same scenario that started my day. The vision of an empty toilet paper roll, with shreds of paper hanging from it. Note to self, find out what the daughter does with the vast amount of toilet paper--better yet, train the cat how to use it for his needs!