Here’s what I’m talking about.  There’s nothing like spending time with family and with the new digital cameras we can snap pics with great abandon!  What a wonderful thing.  Click, click, click!  I’m still trying to figure out my new camera and took quite a few pics using the wrong setting so the images ended up being a bit grainy.

Mama and the Pink Flamingo Kid! What cute outfit! Thanks Mama!

Here’s Mama (Kathy) and Grace.  Kathy is patiently waiting for Grace to say Mama.  She did say it once yesterday!  It’s surprising when they utter words that are not just baby chatter and then all of a sudden you realize they just said something!

A New Friendship Begins!

Grace and Penny became fast friends.  Grace kept Penny on the move most of the day.  Everyone slept well last night.  Here’s what you get when you force a photo shoot with babies and animals!  Stay!  Smile!  Now!

Still on vacation, it was Wednesday, I had my whole day planned. Out of bed at 8:30 am or so, coffee, cereal and out to pick up provisions for Michael, Kathy and Grace’s visit. As I turned left out of our driveway I heard a click or maybe a crunch. . . hmmm. . . . I glanced in the rear view mirror to see if I’d hit or run over something. . . nothing that I could see. . .  hmmmm. . . . ?!

Noise being duly noted, I continued on to Walmart.   The 12-mile trip was uneventful until I turned into the Walmart parking lot.  Then. . . grind, click, click, grind.   I pulled over immediately and reached for my cell phone, calling my husband, Tom.   He was in the midst of his own problems trying to repair our ill-tempered toilet.   I explained the situation, he suggested calling our mechanic - Fred.   Good idea!

Fred is the very best mechanic I’ve ever known and here are just a few reasons why.  Fred is a mechanic who can be trusted to do a great job at a fair price and nothing extra, never finding oodles of other auto ills while your car is on the lift.  Not only that, Fred is personable, somewhat political with views that are interesting while being sprinkled with a bit of humor plus he knows all the local goings on.   He’s a practical sort who knows auto expenses are a forced spending event and not a joy-filled shopping experience.

I did phone Fred and explained the situation.  He felt it best to send his brother over with the flatbed to pick up my Jeep Liberty and bring it back to his shop.  After Fred’s brother picked up my car I went on to pick up the groceries and such we’d be needing.  It was decided that Tom would come to pick me up once I was done.   A change in plans was underway.

I decided to push my auto trouble to the back of my mind for now and deal with it all later.   After all, Michael, Kathy and Grace were coming and in my life that event is priority.   What’s more I would not allow this “car thing” to rob me of the joy spending time with my family always brings.

Once home, the cleaning, cooking and anticipation commenced.  The menu was set for both days - Ma’s Spaghetti & Meatballs on Thursday and Shredded Barbecue Beef on Friday.  Desserts were kept simple after my sister proclaimed that buying desserts in lieu of baking is okay!  Keeping the cooking to simple, one-pot dishes and letting someone else do the baking was key - good food with a minimum of last minute prep, leaving our precious time for family fun.

When the “kids” arrived at around 2ish on Thursday they were a sight for sore eyes.  Grace has changed so much in the couple of months since I saw her last.  At almost 10 months, she’s already crawling, pulling herself to standing and making great attempts at her first steps.   I, of course, would provide constant coaching on how to say, “I love you Grandma,” but so far her repertoire includes DaDa, good girl, an occasional Mama and new addition Nana (for my mother, her Great Nana, G-Nana for short).

I’d forgotten how much stuff a little person requires.  Playpen, puffs, monitor, videos, wipes, diapers, teething rings, toys, little spoons, little bowls, bottles, favorite blankets, binky, baby food, teddy bear, plus bags and bags of things brought “just in case.”   As they settled into the upstairs bedroom their presence filled the house with liveliness, love and joy.

Penny instantly became Gracie’s most popular “toy” and the “where’s Penny” question would quickly prompt Grace to scan the room for her new “best friend.”  Squeals and laughter from our little Grace would inspire spontaneous smiles from all in the room.  What is it that this new soul has brought into our lives?

Grace has this power to help you forget about your troubles.   I can honestly say that while I did a little checking about the status of my car, I did not let the situation ruin my day.   I knew the time would come when it would need to be handled and decisions would need to be made, but not then, not while family gathers.

I can honestly say that there is never a good time for auto trouble, but there’s no doubt about it, car trouble can’t hold a candle to time with family and our newest family member - Grace.

I went to Walmart on Sunday to pick up a few things, determined to stick to my list (I’m big on making lists).  I needed a couple of plastic storage containers for organizing during my vacation, a couple of pre-cut mats for framing family photographs and an El Cheapo tank top just for fun.  Total sale $28.48.

Keeping to my list is a real accomplishment particularly at Walmart, which is stocked to the gills with everything imaginable.   I admit to doing a bit of browsing through the CDs.  Checking out the Brooks and Dunn offerings. I love their music, but for some reason seldom purchase any (I own one of their CDs).  I looked and thought and compared to see which CD had which songs, ultimately buying nothing.

After checking out I headed to my car with feelings of great pride and accomplishment.  I’d done no impulse buying.  I’d stuck to my list!  As I loaded the car with my meager purchases, I noticed a little bottle of aspirin in the bottom of my cart.   It was mine, but with the bulk of the storage containers it was hidden and I hadn’t paid for it.  Cost $.97 cents.

Several things crossed my mind and I’m not proud to admit that one was to forget about it, toss the aspirin into my purse and go on home.  Reasoning that it’s only $.97 cents, but luckily that thought never took a foothold.  I knew almost immediately that I needed to go back and pay - no matter how small an amount it is called “stealing.”

So I brought my cart back to the store and headed for the checkout.  It crossed my mind to go directly to the checker who had processed my initial purchases, proclaim my oversight with grand apologies and get some kudos for showing just how honest I am.  All this very self serving.

In the end I headed to for the express lane, paid for the aspirin and then headed back out to my car once again.  Silently doing what is right (until now, of course, since I’m posting it on my blog).

I know that if I’d not returned and paid for the aspirin, every time I opened that bottle I would know these were stolen goods.  I guess it’s all a matter of personal integrity.  No one would have known, but I would have known and that’s the only person who really matters.   If you’re willing to compromise your integrity for $.97 cents what more are you willing to compromise and for how little?