Sometimes you DO get something for nothing.

Today I had to run a few errands around 10:30 or so and I had skipped breakfast choosing to do a couple things of more importance first. I ran in to a store to pick up three things I needed and when I got to the checkout, every single item rang up for much more than the price on the price tag disclosed. After waiting for the manager to come and help the cashier “override” the price in the computer, and then having the register run out of receipt tape, it seemed that I’d been there for an eternity for three little things.
When I finally was able to secure my receipt and run my next errand, I was met with an odd road block of sorts in an empty parking area with an access road going through it. A grocery store had hired someone (I forget what the name was on the side of the truck) to service all the shopping carts in their store. All of them were lined up in rows and upside down while shopping cart pit crews inspected and tested the wheels on the carts. Some were being replaced. All were being washed down and dried with a big leaf blower type apparatus.
I nixed that drive and drove around the long way to my next errand; the bank.
Apparently, they were having trouble with their computers and all the office/bank type equipment that talks to the computers. Hence, I was out of luck for my transaction and I’ll have to go back. (One of the hazards of small town USA, I suppose).
Feeling like I wasted a bunch of time and didn’t get half of what I wanted accomplished, I also realized I was getting grumpy because I hadn’t eaten since dinner yesterday. I decided to go through Burger King’s drive-through and order some evil carbs in French fry disguises. I usually have change in the drink holder in my van, but I ended up having to dig around in my wallet for it… which meant unbuckling my seatbelt and fighting to drag it out of my front pocket while sitting. Argh. All through the errands, I tried to talk to people as politely as I would want to be spoken to, because I knew the events weren’t their fault. It’s hard to be pleasant and good-natured when you’re feeling grumpy, but that’s what I tried to do because that’s how I’d want to be treated.
Just when I thought that the tone of the day was going to be indelibly set, I pulled up to the window when it was my turn and as I handed over my cash, they already had my fries waiting. I didn’t have to wait in traffic and I didn’t have to pull to the next window. I could just pull out of line and leave.
When I got to the end of the drive where I’d usually be forced to make a right-hand turn or else wait forever, there was a huge break in the flow of traffic so I could make my left and cut out some travel distance and time.
When I got to the light that always seems to be red, it was green. When I needed to turn left off of the highway, I didn’t have to stop and wait… there was still no traffic. When I reached the train tracks where I usually spend 10 minutes stopped, there was no train.
Life couldn’t get any sweeter… until I got home. When I opened my fries, underneath the carton was an unfamiliar looking box. I pulled the fries out and was rewarded for all my trials with mini-cinnamon rolls with icing.
Yeah!! Score!!
Treadmill be damned, I ate every single one! :D