6.25.2012

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.


27 comments:

Farida said...

Can I borrow Ruby to hover with me too so we could help a couple of people soon? Such activities give me a good feeling which is much better than sipping my favorite cup of coffee, hihi. But often times, smiling at others when I'm in a public place makes a huge difference too.

Your narration is amusing and entertaining. I wish there were more Rubies in the world (wishful thinking)... I hope you had a wonderful Sunday with your family and mother :D

Barbara In Caneyhead said...

Wonderful when a day runs smooth like that! You know you've been blessed.

Brenda said...

That was a great read, Mare! I like your description of your angel.
I'll email you with my address so my bathroom can get a good cleaning and new bath rugs!

Lynn Proctor said...

oh i am so glad you were there for that little family with the car trouble--that kinda stuff always touches my heart---i miss my kmart--it recently closed :(---you sound like such an awesome daughter!--and that little book--what a charming idea--have a great monday :)

Danielle L Zecher said...

What a wonderful day you had! So, how do you feel about house sitting in NC? :-)

Funny in My Mind said...

I need a Ruby to help get me through some days.
I love that Charlie Brown book, my mom always read it to us. I have a couple cassette tapes of my mom reading Frog and Toad books that she sent for my kids to have so she could read to them. I don't have a cassette player so I need one so I can listen to her voice.
You are a coupon champion!! I always seem to leave mine at home.
I got a kick out of picturing you re-wallpapering the bathroom or grouting the new tile floor as your friends walked in.

Faith, Friends & Flip Flops said...

You go Ruby!! And the book is an awesome idea!! I think I might just have to steal it!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

What a wonderful post. You kept a smile on my face all the way through, and then brought tears to my eyes with the part about recording your mother's voice. That's such a fantastic idea. I'd love to hear my mother's voice again... or for my grandchildren to hear it. Fantastic idea. Somehow, I don't think you need Ruby around to do the right thing. She just kinda points you to where the right thing needs doing. We could all use a little Ruby in our lives.

Melanie said...

Oh, I am so with you on those kind of days. Those where you just breathe deeper and feel kinder. Where even the little things that normally bother you are not allowed a space in your day or your patience. I'm so glad you got to enjoy one.

And your mom reading that story is priceless. Record it and then get it on CD or something from that too because it will be so nice to have for you! We have a few things with my mom's voice on them and they are priceless. You are so lucky to still have your parents at 92!

Oh, and I tagged you in my blog today!

Rita said...

That Ruby is a keeper! Don't you love it when days go smoothly like that and everything works out perfectly. Makes those disorganized, crazy days fade into the distance. May Ruby stick by your side and watch over you always. :)

Juli said...

I need a Ruby. Or a Sapphire. Or a Diamond...

Heck, at this rate, I'd even take a Rose Quartz.

Chatty Crone said...

Speaking of couponing I watched Extreme Couponing and that just blew my mind! lol sandie

betty said...

I think it is cool how you got that project for the book reading for your parents so future grandchildren could hear the story in their voices; sure wish we had thought of something like this

Seems like God was intervening a lot over the last few days with you being just at the right moment to assist others :)

betty

Stacy said...

What a wonderful day! I'm so glad you were able to get your mom's voice recorded in the book. That is such a neat idea and something to cherish. Won't it be neat if someday your grandchildren's kids can hear their voices?

Cranberry Morning said...

'...tune my heart to sing Thy praise.'♪♪♫ Not everyone notices how God works daily in their lives. What a blessing when we DO. Enjoyed your post.

Thank you for stopping in and introducing yourself. I'm following. Looking forward to the limericks too, for I tend to make them myself. :-)

Tamera Brose said...

I love Ruby. What a wonderful day for you. I'd make sure I had extra recordings of the book. I don't mean extra books and making people read all over again, but If there was a way to record what you have onto something else and then always have a backup. What a treasure.

Joyce said...

I love the book and think I'll get one for my mom to record for my future grandchildren.

A great way to see your day!

Aubrie said...

Bathmats are such a great present! We wait and wait to replace ours until it is stinky and moldy. Love the color of the lavender!

Michael Ann said...

I totally loved this post!! I definitely believe in angels and that there are no coincidences...serendipity and all.

Dana said...

Ruby sounds wonderful! I wonder if she has a friend she could send this way. ;-)

Anonymous said...

"This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24).

By the way, what is a BOGO?

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Ok you can come and do my bathroom anytime you want............lol

Your angel Ruby sounds/looks so cute I believe in angels but have never named mine......

That book your parents are recording sounds like a great idea.......

What is BOGO? I don't think it stands for Bottles of grog ok......which for some reason was what popped into my head when I read bogo......lol

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Ruby sounds really busy. She has a lot to help out on!

So impressed w/ your couponing.

Misha Gerrick said...

I need a Ruby in my life at the moment. But I hope she has a head for logistics management. ;-P

Aneta said...

I loved reading that! What a great treasure, to have your parents recorded reading a book together!
I like days that run smoothly and you feel that you have had a hand in bringing joy to the world.

Lynn said...

Definitely a blessed day. How lovely that you will have your parents' voice recorded. I lost both my parents during the last two years and wish we had done something like that.

Thanks for coming by my blog - I see some other friends here. :)

Fran@Broken Cookies Don't Count said...

What a beautiful post, Mare. The part about your Mom reading the book brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful idea to have something like that for your grandchildren! Ruby's pretty cool too! ;-)