11 Days

So, once again I've been asked to go to Young Women's camp. For those of you who know me well, you know that I would rather undergo a root canal. I AM NOT A CAMPER. Never have been. Never will be. But for some reason, I keep getting asked to go. Actually, I just found out that several other women were asked before me, but they had the good sense to decline. I never realized that was option. I'll keep that juicy piece of information tucked under my belt for next year!

We leave one week from today. The only good thing about that, is the fact that 11 days from now it will all be over, and then I can enjoy my summer.

Dixie

And the Winner is.....

Last week The Mr. and I decided to purchase new interior doors for our home. A certain unnamed lumber store was having their 10th ANNIVERSARY SALE, and, as luck would have it, the doors we wanted were 25% off. We placed our order with a nice man by the name of Lorne only 5 minutes before the doors closed (and the sale ended) on Saturday.

On Monday morning I received a phone call from Lorne informing me that our order had qualified us to have our names entered into a draw for an anniversary door prize and we were the winners!!

"How exciting! I wonder what the prize is? A trip for two to Hawaii? A $1000 in-store credit?"

Not wanting to appear too eager, I waited a day before returning to the store to collect my prize. When I arrived I saw Lorne and a couple of other men at the counter. With great anticipation I approached the counter and stated my business, anxious to get the actual gift in my hands. I guess I was a little disappointed when I discovered the said gift was a portable CD player.

"Okay, well, that's still a nice gift. I guess I shouldn't have been so greedy! Yes, of course. A CD player is a very nice gift."

I thanked Lorne and the other men, and left with my door prize. As I was putting the box in my trunk, I noticed these words:

Portable CD player with cassette

"With cassette! Nobody makes cassettes anymore. How old is this thing? Has this "gift" been around since the first anniversary sale?"

I could just picture it: every year for the past nine anniversary sales, Lorne and his gang tried to pawn off this little beauty on unsuspecting customers, only to be told, "Oh, no thanks. Go ahead and give it to someone else." I imagine it's been sitting around taking up valuable space in the office, just waiting for someone like me to give it a home. I'm sure they were thrilled to finally be rid of the thing.

I felt a little silly as I closed my trunk and drove away. I can't be certain but as I looked back through the window, I think I saw Lorne and his buddies giving high fives!

Dixie

Tuesdays

Today is Tuesday, and I had the day off. But I've had mixed feelings all day, because I've really come to love Tuesdays.

Tuesdays = Showbiz Kids.

Last week my little group of Showbiz Kids put on their year-end show, so now we're done. I really enjoyed this group, and I miss them already! How could you not love these sweet faces?

So now I'm gonna have to find something else to do on Tuesdays. Maybe those windows I've been putting off since 2004 will finally get washed. Or maybe not.

Dixie

Grateful

As I left my house earlier today to make a quick dash to the store, the thought came to me to take my cell phone with me. (You know, the little thing I almost always forget to take with me -- or actually turn on if I do remember.) I decided to ignore the thought because I was in a rush, and would only be gone a few minutes anyway. The thought came again, so I went back inside, retrieved the phone, and continued on.

On my drive home from the store, I happened to glance over to the opposite side of the street. Just at that moment I saw a man on the walking trail take a nose dive. He fell face-first onto the cement.

"Ouch! That's gotta hurt!"

By this time I had driven past, but as I looked back I could tell he was not moving. I was in a busy lane of traffic, so it took me awhile to find a pullover spot, but I got out my phone and dialed 911.

I was actually surprised at how calm I was as I reported the incident, gave directions for the paramedics, ran back to the scene of the accident, and flagged down the approaching ambulance. Normally I'm the type of person who would get all flustered and tongue-tied in a situation like that, but I felt like I was receiving some extra help from above.

I'm grateful for that extra help.

I'm grateful that I received the prompting to take my cell phone with me.

I'm grateful I heeded that prompting.

I'm grateful that the paramedics arrived so quickly.

I'm grateful that the man was conscious -- albeit, not coherent -- when we all arrived, and was well on his way to receiving the help he needed.

I'm so grateful.

Dixie