I made a dumb mistake!…

I do my best to stay organized and keep accurate records of our appointments and bookings, but I am human and sometimes make mistakes. Yesterday was one of those days, and although it was a simple oversight, it turned into a bit of an inconvenience for both Tom and me.

A few weeks ago, I scheduled appointments for us to have our teeth cleaned with Dr. Singh in Malalane. As I always do, I carefully entered the date and time into my online calendar so we would be prepared. About a week later, the dental office contacted me to say the appointment needed to be changed. Dr. Singh’s dental chair had broken, and they were waiting for parts to arrive. These things happen, and I appreciated that they let us know in advance. The new appointment was set for July 31 at 2:00 in the afternoon, instead of the original July 8 at 10:00 in the morning. I entered the new time into my calendar, feeling confident everything was in order.

What I accidentally entered was the new appointment on July 30, not July 31.

So yesterday morning, we got ready and headed out the door at 8:40, earlier than usual, to allow extra time for traffic and construction along the N4 highway. The drive to Malalane typically takes about forty minutes, but lately, road conditions have made it unpredictable. As expected, we encountered several stops along the way, and by the time we arrived at the dental office, it was 9:45.

We walked in, checked in at the reception desk, and within moments, the kind receptionist gently informed us that our appointment was actually scheduled for today, not yesterday. I immediately realized what had happened. There was no way for them to fit us in since Dr. Singh’s schedule was full for the day. We thanked her and quietly made our way back to the car.

The drive back to Marloth Park felt longer than usual. It was frustrating knowing we had spent over two hours dealing with traffic for nothing. Tom remained calm and mostly quiet on the return trip, while I apologized more than once. I felt terrible for the inconvenience, especially since he had suggested confirming the appointment.

When we arrived back at the house around 11:00, I expected the day to feel off, but it didn’t take long for things to settle. Tom, as he often does, let it go quickly and returned to his usual easygoing self. That, more than anything, reminded me how fortunate I am. We went about our day, and by evening, we were enjoying a lovely dinner while watching the wildlife that wanders through the garden. As the temperature dropped, we moved indoors and spent a relaxing evening streaming a few lighthearted shows on my laptop.

Today, we will once again make the drive to Malalane, this time for the correct appointment at 2:00. We will leave around 12:30 and hope for smoother traffic, although that is never guaranteed. Even so, in the bigger picture, this was a minor inconvenience. It is easy to get caught up in small frustrations, but moments like this serve as a reminder of what truly matters.

We are healthy, safe, and able to enjoy this unique lifestyle we have chosen. Those are the things that count. Later this afternoon, after we return, we will get ready to head to Jabula for the evening. We missed going last Saturday due to my itching issues, so it will feel especially nice to be back, enjoying good food, familiar faces, and another simple, satisfying end to the day.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 31, 2016: