A Not So Ordinary Day

Some days I get sidetracked by my own life, like THIS.

On Saturday, everything ran unusually smooth.  Like an angel was orchestrating events.  Nothing spilled, or broke.  Nobody was late, or got left behind.  Nobody was hospitalized, or died.  I didn't overeat.  No worms invaded the garden.

An angel was clearly directing things.  I'll call her Ruby.  She looks like this.

Big heart, no hips, no shoes.  Wings like Mickey Mouse gloves.  

The day started with me helping my daughter with some house-sitting duties.  She was taking care of a friend's dogs for the week.  After we walked one dog, I decided to surprise our friend by cleaning her bathroom.

As I worked, I discovered her bath mats had seen better days and decided to get some new ones as an early birthday gift.  (I like to clean and spruce up other people's bathrooms.  Shocking, I know.)

At K-Mart, I found mats the exact color of our friend's current rugs.  I was very happy about this, because if I'd not found the same color, I would have had to switch color themes.  Then, I would have wanted to buy a matching curtain, and maybe towels.  Pretty soon, I'd be looking at tile samples.  Thank you, Ruby, for providing lavender bath mats.

House-sitting duties wrapped up, my daughter and I left to do some grocery shopping.  We stopped at a farmer's market to get some produce, and we weren't there more than ten minutes.  As we were leaving, a man with a wife and baby in his car approached and said his car battery was dead - could he get a jump?

We said sure and watched as the guy linked cables from car to car.  I know this is a simple task, but I've never done it myself, and I'm always impressed by the fact that guys instinctively know how to do this.  It's one thing I like about men.  That, and the tire-changing thing.

This little family was very grateful for our help.  If we hadn't crossed this guy's path when we did, I'm sure someone else would have helped him, but, for some reason, Ruby positioned us.  I like being in cahoot with angels.

Next, we stopped at Publix for the weekly BOGOs.  My only weakness with BOGOs is that, once I'm in the store, I tend to pick up non-BOGO items.  I didn't do that on Saturday, just wasn't tempted.  Ruby kept me in line.

Next stop, the commissary.  We used 35 coupons and saved $29.00.  Even though we scout the papers and clip/organize coupons weekly, it's always a happy jolt for me when we I see our savings at the register.

I've said this before, but couponing makes me feel smarter than the average bear.  Ruby prompted me nearly a year ago to seriously start using coupons and, with the help of our daughter, it's been a blessing since.

Home again and groceries put away, we picked up my parents for Saturday evening Mass. On my way past the dining room of their assisted living facility, a small dog came scampering across my feet.  I checked where he'd come from and saw that a resident had fallen in the dining room. 

I called for a nurse and then snagged the dog leash so the pooch wouldn't trip anyone.  I hurried to the woman on the floor to see how she was.  Luckily, she was OK.  I returned to her the pooch, who had simply taken off when she fell.

The people nearby thanked me for helping, but I thought, I was just walking along, being my clueless self.   Ruby, however, was paying attention.  That's the job of an angel, to see who's in trouble.  She did a pretty good job on Saturday.  

The final sweet event of the day was having my mom complete her reading part in this book.

It's a Hallmark record-yourself-reading book.  My dad had read/recorded the second half of the book two weeks ago, and I had been waiting for Mom, who will soon be 92, to read/record the first half.  Mom is very busy.  However, at 92, anything can happen, and my heart was anxious to get the book completed.  For two weeks, I tried to orchestrate a reading session, to no avail. 

After dinner last night, Mom had time.  She didn't feel rushed or tired.  My daughter took Dad out on the porch swing, and it was quiet.   Mom read, and I smiled.  I wanted to have my parents' voices on record for my grandchildren, and OK, for myself too.  When they are gone, they can still read to me.  And all of us.  Out of the blue, Ruby created the opportunity to wrap up the goods. 

It was a blessed day, where tasks were easy, gifts were sneaky (the best kind) and my girl and I were able to help by just being present.   My days don't normally flow like this, and I'm grateful for the divine nudges that seemed to hover over the day. 

Ruby's a good egg.