What A Day! It started off with several precursors....but due to the lack of time and my mental state right now....I will skip those. Actually it started 38 years ago....Today is Leigh's 38th birthday and a celebration was scheduled at her favorite place, China Buffet, with all her staff. I had not had time to birthday shop and thought I could get it done this morning before time to arrive. That is when the Charter guy scheduled to come this AM between 8:00 and 10:00 to fix my internet....that I so desperately needed to finish grading for the semester. I ended up leaving Charles (King of Patience) here with him so I could get my shopping done. I knew what she wanted....I knew where to get it...at least I thought I did anyway.
When I arrived at Walmart to purchase her rubber animal...THEY had MOVED the box! I couldn't find it anywhere! Time was running out so I grabbed some nail polish, a glove, and added it to the green frog bird house, and a few other items, and I stuffed them all in a pillow case I had made for her. After all, purchasing wrapping paper is a waste of money. I also had purchased a spool of ribbon to tie a nice little bow around the pillow case. I dashed off to the car with about 15 minutes left when I remembered the hats....the elf hats that staff would wear for the photo that will turn into Leigh's Christmas card. While I grabbed the hats, I got a call from her staff asking if I had reserved the back room at China Buffet. Indeed I had! She informed me that when they arrived, another party had already taken the room and we had been seated up front! Knowing how Leigh can and WILL get a bit loud, I figured the person that double booked would soon realize they had made a BIG mistake.
I went to tie the ribbon on the pillowcase....but the ribbon was no where to be found! I just grabbed the stuffed pillowcase and took off across the parking lot looking like a robber with a bag of loot. Food was great, Leigh loved her gifts, and it was topped of with the little flaming flower that chimes Happy Birthday until it dies....about two weeks later.
When we got back to her house, the crew installing her new floor had not finished, and the only way she was going to leave again was to "ride in Mama's car"....and Mama was exhausted! But off we went to the River Walk. That is where Leigh decided to share some Christmas spirit and tried to hug a woman dressed in middle eastern attire and two homeless men. Guess God knew they needed a hug.
Anyone that knows Leigh knows that she could make the top ten list of con artists. She looked at me with that pitiful look and said, "Mama make Birthday cake." I felt so ashamed....and quickly tried to make up for it by offering her a cupcake. Before I could make my plea, she immediately added ice cream, Coke, and a hamburger to the list! Well, it was her birthday after all. When I looked at the photos made today....the anguish and physical pain found its purpose.
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