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Clean up on Aisle 17

We are told to find the good in our circumstances and this is what I strive to do most times. Especially when we have a day like this past Saturday.

The ladies ministry at church was having a brunch that I had planned to go to. That's good.

Allen ended up having to work so I couldn't go. That may seem bad, but...

The job paid well. That's good.

Our pantry was really running low. That may seem bad, but...

I decided to run to Fayetteville to hit Sam's (with my one day pass), the day old bread store, and Aldi's and get the pantry fully loaded as Allen gave me more than expected for groceries this week. That's good.

However Allen said he didn't want me to go out of town. That may seem bad, but...

He was off by 1pm and I got to go to the library by myself and then as a family we went to the Fall Festival. That's good.

When we went back to the van, it wouldn't start. That may seem bad, but...

Allen was with us and he had his work truck so he ran home and got the suburban. That's good.

However the Suburban wouldn't start. That may seem bad, but...

He had a charger and got it going. That's good.

It was already 5:00 and we had to get groceries and the kids were hungry. That may seem bad, but...

We swung through Long John Silvers and made it to Fred's for double coupon Saturday. That's good.

But Makensie got sick and vomited before we made it to the bathroom. That may seem bad, but...

There was a really nice manager and he volunteered to clean it up. That's good. (Although I'm curious to know if he felt the same way, as he had a roll of paper towels to do the job...we didn't buy anything, and I plan to take him a gift card this week. No one should have to clean up someone else's kids vomit)

So Makensie was sick. That may seem bad, but...

I called Allen and he said he would meet me at home and take care of her so I could still go get groceries. That's good.

Pull in the drive and Allen wasn't home yet. That may seem bad, but...

He pulled in shortly after me with a brand new washer/dryer set for me from Lowe's. That's very good.

However, Allen had twisted his ankle and was limping pretty bad and here was this set on the trailer. That may seem bad, but...

He is one of the toughest guys I know (I'll post more on that some other time). He still moved my old set out and into the garage, the new set in and hooked up before I made it home later that night. That's good.

However, when they were unwrapped they weren't the ones I had been waiting 2 years for. That may seem bad (and trust me I felt like it was very bad), but....

I didn't say anything, just looked up some opinions and consumer reports online. I finally explained why I wasn't jumping up and down with excitement. I needed some time to mourn my dream of the ones I had my heart set on. That's good that I didn't throw a fit.

However, it has an agitator in the middle of the washer! That may seem bad, but...

I fit 2 of the kids comforters in the washer and 3 pillows in the dryer with room to boot. Plus is has a dozen options. "What would you like to wash?" I push "comforter,please" and it does the rest. That's good.

So back to the grocery run...I had a prescription that had to be picked up by 7 and needed to return the battery on the suburban to the auto shop by 8 and it is now 6:30. That may seem bad, but...

I got to WalMart's auto service, told the men I needed help, the situation with the battery and headed to the pharmacy just as they were turning off the lights. They still waited on me. That's good.

Go back to the auto service and they don't have the same battery. That may seem bad, but...

They have a newer better one and since I had my receipt from 2 years ago in the glove box and it had a 3 year warranty, they replaced it and paid me the difference as the new battery was slightly less. That's good.

So now it's just Gabby, Wyatt and me starting our shopping at 8:15pm. That may seem bad, but...

I was just thankful to have cash in hand to do some major pantry stocking and found several good deals one being a tote on sale for $3 as my library bag passed away earlier that day. We made it home and unloaded before midnight. That's good.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Oh, WOW..what a day! And, you're right...while some things MAY seem bad to us at the time, if we wait & are patient, something good might come right after it!

I like how you wrote this post, too. I couldn't stop reading it!!
Full of Grace said…
Holy Moly, WHAT A DAY!!! I'm glad you saw so much positive in the negative! And, THANKS for making me grin :)
Wendy said…
I'm glad you "look on the bright side." There's a saying that if you turn your face to the light, the shadows fall away. I've always liked that.

I hope you have fewer problems this coming week, though! :-)
Wow, that was quite a day Suzanne! I can't even imagine that much happening in that short of a period. I'm so glad you were able to look at the positive outcomes instead of the more negative beginnings. That makes the story so much better! And, I'm sure makes you feel better too!
Unknown said…
I loved this blog!!
I usually just call it
"taking the scenic route". Life can be an adventure when you are adaptable and "go with the flow". It's amazing the bright spots you can find along the way.
It also makes me think of the country song by Garth Brooks "Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers".
Suzanne, you are an inspiration.
I liked your last blog, too.
My prayer is to be a good role model for my children.
Have a blessed week and enjoy the ride!!
Hugs, Jacque :)
Anonymous said…
You are such a great storyteller!! Love the way you can find humor(and good) in everything. I enjoy your blog! And some day I'll tell you that in person as we seem to run in many of the same circles-bahha. :)
Anonymous said…
Love that post! It's hard sometimes to find the good in every situation, but it makes such a difference!
God bless :)
Simply Stork said…
The tag at the beginning said it all...clean up on isle 17...that was quite a day indeed!
~simply stork~

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