Thanksgiving Miracle

I thought you all should know that something wonderful happened yesterday afternoon.  And by 'wonderful,' I mean, nothing short of a miracle. 

I received a call from my local library from an employee who'd been contacted by a pet store near the Target where my wallet had gone missing Saturday night. 

It turns out, someone had found it and turned it in!  I must have dropped it or it must have fallen out of my purse either on our walk back to the car, or as we were getting into the car.  I cannot even tell you how elated I was!

When Jackie woke up from his nap, we headed straight to Pet Smart.  When the manager named Danica handed it to me, I was so happy, but also terrified to look inside it, for fear of what may be missing.  "It's okay if there's no money," I kept saying to myself.  "I'm okay with it." 

Danica said she had no idea who turned it in, but it was sitting on her desk and they called the library because they figured my account would be linked with my phone number.  How smart, Pet Smart!  I probably cut off her circulation from squeezing her so hard, then we thanked her 25 times, and skipped back to the car.

When we got home, I opened it slowly and peered inside.  Everything was there.  All my cards, my license, and ALL of the cash.  Every penny.  After almost 4 DAYS of being gone! 

Needless to say, I am feeling so blessed and completely grateful for the extremely kind and honest person out there who turned it in, for the employees at Pet Smart and Target, for Kate at the Mesa Public Library, and for my friends and family who have been praying.

This was such a big deal to me and restored my confidence in the true good that is in people.  This Thanksgiving, I know I am truly blessed.

Thank you Jesus! 

NOT! Your Usual Thankful List

It happened so fast and then it was over.  I was only purchasing Goldfish crackers and 3 books from the dollar section.  My total was $6.00.  I hurried through the line, shoved my wallet into my loosely cinched purse and made a beeline for the restroom.  Jackie had proven once again that he chooses the inopportune time to need the public changing table.  But we were on our way out, and it would only take a minute.  No one but me and one 10-year old girl washing her hands.  And then the janitor popped in to do an all-clear before his restroom check. 

My purse fell off the stroller, but I couldn't reach it to pick it up because that would mean leaving Jackie on the changing table.  I finished changing him and hurried to gather my things, but the color of my wallet is beige and could easily be camouflaged against the tile on the floor.  If it had fallen out, I failed to notice it. 

I got out to the lobby and met Phil and Kayleigh and we headed to the car.  It was pouring down rain.  We were in a rush to get out of there.  The next thing I knew, I was back in the store, a frantic, wet, mess of confusion and panic because I knew that I'd left my wallet in the bathroom.  It had to be there.  That was the last place I'd had it. 

And then everything else happened in slow motion. 
The heart thumping. 
The feeling of heaviness on my chest.
Finding the janitor. 
Asking him if he'd seen a wallet. 
Talking to customer service. 
Waiting as they reviewed the video surveillance. 

Knowing that each minute that went by, my hopes and confidence of getting it back dwindled down to a mere prayer.  I explained my actions one more time to the authorities.  Checked and rechecked my purse, the bathroom, my car.  But it was no use.  I'd left it behind and it was gone.  Just gone.  All of my cards, my license, a chunk of cash.  Christmas money.  Everything.  All gone.   

When we went home that night, I felt bad.  I wished I had been more careful.  Why had I not checked the floor and all around before leaving?  Why did this have to happen? 

That was Saturday night.  Since then, I've been busy closing all of my accounts and securing my bank account. 

Yesterday I got a new license at the DMV.  Little by little, the pieces are starting to get put back together.   

I kept a small hope alive that maybe someone, one honest person, would find it and turn it in.  But I am also staying realistic and moving on.     

Here is what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving.

• I'm thankful that we are healthy and happy.
• I'm thankful for the two sweet ladies at JC Penney who generously gave me a new wallet.  And this time, I picked out a shade of blue so recognizable that it would be nearly impossible to overlook on a restroom floor.
• I'm thankful for all the nice customer service representatives and managers at Target.
• I'm thankful for another shot at a decent driver's license picture.
• I'm thankful that I had a good chuckle as Kayleigh asked me if you're allowed to get "re-takes" at the license branch.  Thanks, honey.
• I'm thankful that we don't have to hang out at the license branch more often.  Ugh.
• I'm thankful that maybe some kids who need it will have a nicer holiday season with some new found money.  Not to the meanie who took it, only to the kids who will receive gifts.  That's how I've decided my money will be spent.
• I'm thankful that my husband Phil and stepdaughter Kayleigh were so helpful and understanding, helping to take care of Jackie while I paced and cried and cursed and searched. 
• I'm thankful to the Starbucks rep who ensured me that I'd "do better next time" and promised to send me my replacement card as soon as possible.  We're allowed to be thankful for coffee, right?
• I'm thankful for my good friend Sherrie who helped me feel tons better about the whole desperate situation.
• I'm thankful to my sweet little boy who smiled and giggled and cheered me up that night as I gave him a bath.  He would not want to see me upset.  And he helped me get over it quickly. 
• I'm thankful that I really am not sad anymore about what happened.
• I'm thankful that I learned a valuable lesson.
• I am thankful that I'm not one to hold a grudge or keep feelings of hostility inside.
• And I'm thankful that material things can always be replaced.  The people we love are our greatest valuables. 

I truly hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.  To my family and friends, I love you and I'm thankful for you!  Enjoy your turkey, football, pie, and rest. 

Sister, Sister!

To my dear sister Christy,

I have known you for your entire life, 

born when I was just two and a half,
and from that November day, 33 years ago,
each day since you've been making me laugh.
We shared a bedroom, toys, and our dreams,
and though we didn't always want to be giving,
we went through so many things together,
without you, I just wouldn't call it living.
You know all there is to know about me,
having been there for each different phase,
and the memories I have that include you,
fill up every one of my calendar days.
Though we always knew we were different,
those unique traits set us apart,
and it's like we've always been connected,
you're an established piece of my heart.
You are the best sister anyone could ask for,
my best friend, a guardian, my idol,
and if I wrote down my life as a story,
your name would be right in the title.
My love for you goes without saying,
but it's more in my style to be heard,
so though I don't always get to tell you,
I hope you listen to my every word.

I shake my head because even though YOU are the one celebrating the birthday today, how come I'M the one who feels like the recipient of a gift? 

You may be the banker, but having you as my sister makes me filthy stinkin' rich in love, laughter, and has me living beyond my means in extreme happiness.  I don't know what I did to deserve a sister like you, but I thank God for it every. single. day. 

In my 35 years (and *ahem* that's a lot of years), no one has been able to reach me in quite the way you do.  You have known when to say nothing, and you've known when to speak up.  Your sweet and undying support helped build the foundation on which I stand every day that I'm alive. 

When you surprised me and flew out to see me just a few days after Jackie was born, you helped me get through those overwhelming, scary, first-time-mom moments, and you've come through for me every time I've needed you, always putting my comfort above your own.
 
Like two parallel lines, we stick together.  You are the exclamation point in my expression, the caramel on my Starbucks, my bridge over troubled water, and an ever present glowing reminder that I am so very blessed in life just to have you as my sister.  You make me smile and I thank you for your love and friendship.   

I love you beyond measure, Christabelle!  Happy happy birthday to you, sis!

Just Our Luck

Today, we need your prayers.  Because today, we are going through a process perhaps more nerve wracking than the dentist chair, Fear Factor, daddy long-legs, and giving a speech in front of your entire company combined.  No, it's not a colonoscopy.  We are going through a business audit.     

Yikes, I know.  Gotta love the IRS.

It's so yucky, but many many small businesses are going through the same thing.  And no matter how great your record-keeping skills are or how proficient your accountant is, I'm pretty certain this is never a painless ordeal. 

And so here we are.  Our meeting with the agent is today.  Gathered all of the necessary documents.  Check.  Ordered the pizza and purchased party hats.  Done.  Took down the poster of Tony Soprano in the garage.  Bada bada bye bye.  And we are totally prepared.  (I think.)

Yet, it's still scary because your mind starts wandering.  Will our representative be a Crabby Patty?  Will she find a mistake?  Will we be fined?  Is my husband going to jail???  Kidding!!  (I hope.) 

Oddly enough, while driving around yesterday, I encountered 3 different personalized license plates that all spoke to me. 

The first one.

T YOU JSUS

The second one.

LUVE GOD

And the third.

WRRY WRT

I think it's safe to say that God knew what was on our minds.  Hopefully, we get stuck with someone who is kind, understanding, and isn't out to find trouble.
Cause, see, we got plenty of that already.*

*See Photo (RIGHT)

Pray for us!  We'll let you know how it turns out!

I don't always...

The Back Page #11: What's the Word?

• If carrot cake and zucchini bread count as vegetable servings, then yes!  I'm all done for the day.

• When you try and do stuff too close up, often times you'll make irreparable mistakes.  Like using a 10x mirror to pluck your eyebrows and then having to color them back on with a Crayola washable marker.  My advice?  Stand back a little farther from the mirror when critiquing yourself.  Cause, it's not as bad as you think.  Really.

• "Time makes you bolder, children get older.  I'm getting older too."  Man, lyrics don't lie.

• Dear "Geez," I'm very sorry.  My whole life I thought your middle name was Louise.  My bad.

• I am so happy to let you in on a great tip.  You know when you put on a black shirt AFTER you've applied your deodorant and you're left with white streaks even though you KNOW you bought clear invisible solid?  Baby wipes.  They get it out better than anything!  You're welcome.

• Answer me this: If like, 98% of our country can agree on the whole Santa Claus plan, how come we can't just agree on a health plan?  C'mon, America.  Let's get it right for our kids.

• I was recently contacted by amazon.com.  It seems they were concerned after viewing my order history.  They thought someone (16 month old with a credit card?) had hacked in to my account because my cart failed to check out anything other than plush, singalong cds, or board books in the last 12 months.

• I've seen commercials for that BB cream on tv.  And now I noticed they came out with the CC version.  I think I'll just wait for the ZZ batch.  Hopefully by then, they got it right.  I'm gonna need the whole alphabet for my face.

• I pulled over when I saw a woman struggling on the edge of the sidewalk.  She had to have been in her late 60s, early 70s, and she was carrying two large grocery bags while sporting a sequin visor and pink polyester pants with the heavy crease down the front (If Halloween hadn't already passed, I would promise you that this was Maxine from Shoebox Greetings dressed for a throw down).  I asked her if she needed a ride or some help with the load.  I looked down at her bags and did a double take.  Wine, vodka, and two bottles of Scotch.  Alright, Maxine!!  She assured me that her ride (Frank in a souped up golf cart) was just across the parking lot, but thanked me anyway.  Guys, you should know that I then spotted Frank.  Frank couldn't have been a day over 45.  I'm thinking maybe it was her son.  But if not...well then, Maxine, cheers to you, girl!

• I will send you off on a happy weekend with a little recap of the words Jackson can say.

Late Night Spat with DirecTV

Lying in bed late the other night, I kinda had a feeling something was wrong when I flipped on the tv to find a nonstandard greeting on the dreaded blue screen. 

Really?  Cause I sincerely wish no one was starting up right now.  I thought we were all in bed and the monkeyshines were through til tomorrow.  Then, another message.

Go ahead then.  I get this all day long.  Taaaaaaaake your time.  After SEVERAL minutes (tv service captions are usually liars),

Seriously?  I wasn't really in the mood for a chase.  Just kinda wanted you to throw on some old Friends episodes until I fall asleep, please.  That is all. 

Yeah, maybe.  But...wait, you're not supposed to talk back.  Maybe I'm already asleep...

Yeah, aren't we all?  I would order a big platter of linguine right now if I could find a server.  Thanks for airing all those Olive Garden commercials, by the way.  

Ok, that is TMI.  Please no flashing.  We have kids in the house and we're sort of trying to keep it PG.

 

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

 

The Charlie Brown Shuffle

El torito.  "The little bull." 
That is just one of his nicknames. 

And it suits him well because for as long as he's been able to move independently, he has had quite the kick and buck routine going.

So for Halloween this year, we really wanted to dress him up with horns, a long swashy tail, and see what happened if we dangled a red cape in his general direction.

We ultimately decided that the Charlie Brown costume was a lot easier.  And less destructive to the state of Arizona. 

And then Jackie made up a new dance for us.

*The Charlie Brown Shuffle* 

I trick-or-treat, I tap my feet, now watch me spin to a spooky beat.

Got it?  Now you try.

 And as it turns out, he decided to flash us a little of the "El Torito" anyway.

If the Peanuts gang were looking for another member, I think they would be happy to induct him in.  He may not be a pushover, but he is happy to shag footballs.