Going through the Change

Monday had been prep day for Tuesday's Election Day.  Wednesday would be filled with post-election activities.  It took a little to get to sleep last night but stayed zonked out until Whip started licking the hand I had exposed over the side of the bed - two minutes before my alarm went off.  (I don't think she's figured out how to read a clock yet.)  My legs still ached because of walking on concrete floors yesterday but the constitutional got most of the kinks out.   I had offered to deliver the election paperwork.   The school and county courthouse don't open until 8.    Plenty of time for breakfast.   Our town clerk likes to make sure her poll workers are comfortable so she stocks the refrigerator at the town hall w/ all sorts of snacks before an election.   I prefer bland food and water on election day but as we were packing up last night I snagged a yogurt, chocolate milk, and muffin for this morning's repast.  I don't usually drive directly past the school so it hadn't registered w/ me that, when they began a new construction project at the end of March, access points might change.    A mesh metal fence and  mounds of earth blocked the visitors parking and entrance.  I found the last parking spot by the nearest door (once the grade school entrance when I attended school).  The voice on the other end of the door's intercom asked me to use door E8 and said it was "around back by the cafeteria".   It's been over 50 years since I graduated from here and I don't know where the cafeteria is now.  Of course this might be a test to see how well they had trained me.  Each door was numbered and proceeded by letters "W" or "N".  Obviously cardinal directions.  That meant 'around back' was going completely around the building.  I found the door and after ringing a couple of times it unlocked.   The school has become a rabbit warren of rooms and corridors but fortunately there were "Office This Way' signs pinned up at intersections.  A very nice secretary introduced herself and said she hadn't received election materials before so I gave her our items and explained they needed to copy the poll book I'd brought if they wanted a copy.  She dutifully did that and I followed the signs backward out of the building.  Then drove to the county seat.   The clerk from the  Town of Thornapple and I arrived at the same time.  I motioned for her to go ahead - more out of curiosity than politeness.  Thornapple eschews using the voting tabulator claiming it's 'not accurate'.   I wanted to overhear her conversation w/ County Clerk Connie as they went through the paperwork.  It was interesting.  When it was my turn I got an 'atta-boy' from Connie for having everything in order.   Texted Chief Inspector Andy and Town Clerk Chris that the election material was delivered.  Once I got back home sent off an e-mail to both of them w/ a spreadsheet of the hours worked by each poll worker so payment could be OK'd by the Town Board at this Thursday's meeting.  Down to the Town Hall this afternoon to put things back in order for that board meeting.  I stowed away the tabulator, plexiglass guards, and voting booths.  Moved the remaining tables and chairs into a useable (though unconventional) configuration.  Picked up any remaining detritus.  Yesterday took more out of me than I thought since I totally forgot I had a Zoom meeting w/ friends today.    The last meeting I blew off was in 2010.  I'll faithfully write down  meetings from now on - or what's a white-board for?