I told you…the ‘weird ones’ just sit around and wait for me to walk by and then they flaunt their particular brand of ‘crazy’ right in front of me!

Today, I stopped at a local grocery store that used to be Bruno’s. I never can remember its new name. Anyway, since we are coming up so quickly (or slowly, depending on your point of view) on the move to the Creek House, I do not intend to cook a full course Thanksgiving Dinner…actually, I don’t intend to cook a half course Thanksgiving Dinner. I’m thinking a big pot of Taco Soup will fill the bill nicely. But, I digress…I stopped in to get the ingredients and lay in a big supply of Diet Dr. Pepper. And, it was in the check-out lane that this story begins.

I looked for a short line, and found a lane where there were 2 ladies checking out. I figured I would be out of there in a snap. I figured wrong. First strange thing I noticed…was a wad of something laying on the counter. It was most unusual conglomeration of things I have seen all tucked in together. There was one of those rubber, spiky bouncy balls, and a silver police whistle, there was a coin purse shaped like a fish, and a pair of dice. There was an small football, and a key chain in the shape of an angel, complete with a sparkly halo, and a tube of lip gloss. All of these were somehow connected to each other and hanging from the key chain was a set of about 38 or so keys. She kept picking it up and moving it down the line as she moved along. She seemed to be having an argument of some sort with her lady friend. “You sure you ain’t got 24 cent? 24 cent ain’t very much.” “Well, I said I ain’t got it and I ain’t! You not gonna die from thirst.” “Well, if you ain’t got all high and mighty. Can’t help a friend out for a measly 24 cent.” “I told you I ain’t got it.” And, with this she proceeds to dump her whole, entire purse onto the moving counter. The clerk’s eyes nearly popped out! There were things in that purse that had not seen the light of day for years. I kid you not. There were socks…there were used tissues…there were feminine hygiene products…there was a pack of gum, and 2 bars of candy. There was a hairbrush, and 3 tubes of lipstick, a compact that had broken open…covering the entire contents of the purse with ‘suntan glow.’ And, out rolled several coins. “Here, count this and see if it’s 24 cent. I’m just telling you it is all I got.” The other woman started counting and obviously big numbers were not her thing, as she had to start over several times. I’m not sure if she ever got it right. “Shug, can I have a wet paper towel to clean off this powder?”, she said to the clerk. The poor girl did not know what to say. She handed her a paper towel…dry. “Never mind, that ain’t gonna work…I knew there weren’t no 24 cent in here to start with.”

This is where I could not keep silent any longer. Taking a dollar bill from my wallet, I said, “Mam, I would be happy to share this with you if you don’t have quite enough money.” “Well, why would you want to do that?”, she asked. “I’ve been in the same situation myself and I would be so happy to share with you,” I said. “Why?”, she said again. “Well, I am just trying to be a good neighbor,” I said. “Do you live near me?,” she asked. “No, I don’t think so, I said. “Well, why are you trying to give me money, Shug?,” she asked again. Feeling very frustrated, I said, “Mam, I just figured if Jesus was standing here, He would help you and I’m just trying to do what He would do.”

She turned to her friend and in a huff, she said, “Now, look what you did…got this woman feeling sorry for us.” She scooped up the contents of her purse, and shoved it all back inside…except for the ‘suntan glow’ powder that covered the counter. Looking at the poor woman with her she said, “You won’t never get my 24 cent…you can just drink water.”

And, with that, they walked away…leaving the counter covered with face powder and a lukewarm RC Cola.

I don’t think the clerk has recovered yet.

Three, three, three awards at once! Can you believe it? My sweet, sweet, sweet friend Kat, has awarded these to me today, and I am happy, happy, happy. Kat is one of the bloggers I have known the longest, and I am thankful, thankful, thankful for her friendship!
Thanks, Kat, for the awards…you’re the best, best, best!

I must share with you this new album I purchased yesterday. It is by Sarah Brightman…A Winter Symphony. Such beautiful, beautiful music. Many of the songs are traditional…but not necessarily traditional Christmas. There are a few carols along with some new music. The arrangements are so moving, and her voice is such a pure instrument. She is joined by a choir of children on several of the selections. According to the Amazon review, this music is very British, and quite typical of British Christmas music. I could not say for sure if I agree with that or not…since I don’t know what traditional British Christmas music is supposed to sound like. But, I do know this. The music on this CD is so beautiful, it makes me weep. Now, it takes a lot to get me to that point. I am not a crier. But, listening to Amazing Grace, one of the tracks, in my car on the way to work this morning…I was moved to tears.

Don’t buy this looking for a happy, ‘Santa’ type album, although there is some of that. But, if you believe in the worship worthiness of the Christmas season…this is the one for you!
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I bought it at Barnes and Nobel, but it is available on Amazon.com for $12.99…and worth every penny and more!

We had a meeting yesterday with architect and builder to compare lists of things still to do at the Creek House. So, after covering several things that needed attention…we were told that we could move in on the 15th of December. Everything should be finished by then. We have been waiting for some time for the rest of the travertine to come in…from Turkey. Well, it is finally in this country. And they should be able to finish the porch and the pool deck next week. Then the landscaping will start. We are in a heavily wooded lot, and want it to stay that way. But, there are several trees and bushes and vines that need to be cut out. There will be a potting shed added to the back, and a wooden fence and an iron fence. The steps and a few other places need to be mortar washed. Several of the appliances have to be changed out, and we are waiting on the cabinet man to build Alex’s bed. It will be custom made for him, with all controls located in the bed. The TV and sound systems have to go in, but not until the locks are changed…because I can not open them. The keys stick in the lock. Then a final clean up and it will be ours!

You know, I have been thinking that we would be able to move in November, and at first I was very disappointed about the change. But, upon thinking more about it, I realize that God has been working out this plan all along. I am so wrapped up at school right now with 3 programs to practice. And guess when my final program is? December 15! How’s that for timing? In all honesty, I tend to get way stressed about this time of year…programs, shirts, shopping, decorating, meal planning, etc. But, this year…I can concentrate on my programs. There will be no decorating, and the shirts are already at the printers. The majority of the shopping has been done, as has most of the packing. So, this moving thing should be easy enough without all that extra to worry with.

Good plan, God, good plan!