A Day of Surprises

Ava got up at 7:10. Bright and early...and ready to take on the day. She wanted to get dressed immediately, which is wonderful when it rarely happens! So I pounced on the opportunity to get her dressed right away. A while later, I stepped outside to find that not only had the days and days of dreary rain given way to a crisp, clear mountain view today, but it had also changed to a chilly low 60s, at best! Well, Ava, time to change from your summer clothes to your new fall clothes.

Today we had to be somewhere for a breakfast event hosted by the families group at the law school. Those who know me know that I am traditionally late everywhere I go, at least by a little bit. Well, we agreed to meet the other couple in charge of the event shortly after 9:30, and lo and behold, we parked the car at 9:34! I managed to be ready for something in time to get there when we said we'd arrive! Amazing. (and rather sad, if I do say so myself...)

During the event, a member who had been visiting the same church we were visiting early last school year came up to us to ask if we'd heard the news over the summer. What news? Apparently the assistant pastor of that church had not only resigned in the spring for having a sexual relationship with one of the parishoners of the church, but he was arrested in July for possesion of over 100 pornographic images of minors on his computer. Plus (as if that weren't disturbing enough), he had installed some hidden cameras in his own home to videotape his babysitters (from the church!) using the bathroom or the hot tub, of which he had evidently graciously offered their use. SICK! (Ironically, his lack of ever remembering us as more than first-time visitors over a five or six month period is the reason I declared months ago that I would not go back to that church. Little did I know there was more wrong with him as a pastor than inattention to newcomers.)

After the event, I told Britt that we had no easy lunch foods at home, and I figured we should grab a bite out, perhaps with friends if we wanted to give someone a call. Just as we were parking the car at Bed, Bath, and Beyond to use the coupon that had been (surprise!) waiting for me in the mailbox this morning before we left, we noticed our good friends Josh & Lisa getting into their car right in front of us! Ding-ding! So we made plans to meet up in a few minutes for lunch after our respective errands.

Next thing you know, we're standing in line at Panera Bread when A MOUSE HOPS BY RAPIDLY TOWARD THE KITCHEN. That's right. A MOUSE. And just when I thought, No way... IT HOPPED BACK BY THE OTHER WAY RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. Lisa said he almost hopped on my foot as I approached the register to tell someone about the critter. I couldn't believe it. Then, wonder of wonders, I conjured up enough "new, improved self" to stay and eat there anyway, despite knowing that the health department would certainly not give Panera high marks if they came in right that moment. Trust me, it took some digging deep to stay put and stick it out on the premise that the bread is baked fresh daily and everything else is refrigerated.

On the way to Panera, I had noticed that Bath & Body Works is having the big hand soap sale right now. I usually convince Britt to let me take advantage of the 5 for $15 deal, but this time I figured it wasn't worth the conversation. We didn't have time anyway. Well, as we were leaving Panera, Lisa says to me, "Hey, could you use any hand soap? I noticed the sale at Bath & Body, but I don't need five soaps." Great! A split!

Happy surprise! Roses were looking good and on sale for only $6.99/dozen at Kroger when I went in for a quick trip during Ava's nap time and before Britt's impromptu golf outing late in the afternoon. Woohoo! Unfortunately, I was having to hurry so much to get back home to accept the childcare baton from Britt that I forgot to swing back by the rose bin to select my bunch on my way to checkout. Bummer.

Ava's nap was unexpectedly long, which allowed me to chat with Lisa on the phone while I put up groceries and then rested my ailing leg. And to add to her surprises for the day, Ava followed her nap with cheerful acceptance of a closet-cleaning project in my bedroom, during which she demonstrated to me (out of the blue) her ability to do a somersault, unassisted. Crazy. She's getting so big.

Okay, enough of the lame "surprises" for today. Time to delve back into my 512-page book (assigned for book club) in a probably vain attempt to finish before September 14th.