I don't write many blog entries anymore because the girls are worried that I might embarrass them. But, writing is still cheap therapy for me. So, here's a story about me and why I recently ran across a parking lot carrying a stranger's purse.
The story starts about a month ago when the door handle on the driver's side of my car broke. I could get in my car with no problem. But, to get out I had to roll down the window and reach outside to pop the door open. This wasn't so hard except that because the windows are electronic, I had to keep the car turned on in order to close the window again. At first, we all thought this was pretty funny. When I got home from work, I'd sometimes call Lacey to come and let me out of the car. Then, when I forgot to close the window and it was open all night, the situation started to get a little annoying. However, it's difficult for me to be without a car. So, I waited until I needed to have an oil leak fixed and the brake pads replaced before getting the door fixed too.
Monday evening I dropped my car off at the dealer and picked up a 1-day rental car. Tuesday afternoon, the mechanic called and said it would be another day. No problem. They would cover the full cost of the rental car. My schedule for the evening was full. I dropped Cassie off at the dance studio and went to the gym for an hour. My next stop was the grocery store. As I was checking out, I reached for my wallet and discovered that it was missing! I explained this to the cashier and dashed out to my car. Using my handy phone flashlight, I searched the car. I found my lipstick and some food wrappers under the seat. (Seriously, girls, food wrappers? I only had this car for 1 day!) In a panic, I ran back to the store. Just in case this ever happens to anyone else, even if you have a teacher's badge with your photo on it and know your American Express number, you won't be allowed to purchase groceries.
I called school and confirmed that my wallet was in my desk drawer. I called home and told Les to start digging through the freezer to find something for dinner.
Ninety minutes later, I picked up Cassie in Manassas. We were halfway home when the Amazing Shelby called to tell me that I had left my purse at the dance studio. Only she didn't quite know how to tell me that my wallet was missing! Yes, I explained. That was because I had left my wallet at work!! I turned the car around and headed back to Manassas. What was wrong with me? First my wallet and now my purse?!
On Wednesday afternoon, I went to retrieve my car. I waited in line, and when it was finally my turn, collapsed in the chair at the Customer Service desk. I glanced down at my feet and my eyes landed on a strange purse. OH NO! The woman in front of me had forgotten her purse. To the surprise of everyone in the garage, I grabbed the purse and dashed out to the parking lot yelling.
The purse's owner was grateful, but embarrassed and apologetic. Neither of us had time for me to explain why forgetting her purse was an acceptable behavior. And, she would have though I was really odd if I had explained that I was probably more grateful than she was. I drove home happy to have my car back and relieved to think that maybe there was nothing wrong with me after all.
