Da Count a Few Days Early

Yesterday, as you may recall, I shared the joy that was traveling to and from and attending a chiropractic marketing extravaganza. As bad as it was there was one really great thing about the day that made all that garbage worth it.

This past weekend was Diana's last at home before returning to college yesterday. I try very hard not to complain about work at home because it's not pleasant for anyone to listen to the griping plus I'd rather not carry the work related crap at home. However, my lack of enthusiasm about the all day conference requiring an obscenely early morning (sorry, Saturdays are for sleeping in as far as I see it) did leak out on more than one occasion. It was a well established fact at House of Lime that I had zero interest in the whole prospect partly because it was related to work and partly because it meant missing a big chunk of Diana's last weekend home.

Friday night I trudged off to bed at a respectable hour rather than staying up late to enjoy a movie with Diana as she had originally requested. Oddly, she began trying to hustle me off to bed somewhat earlier at one point. In fact, there was an exchange of text messages from her prompting me to do so because I was hindering her plans by staying awake. I inquired as to her plans and she shot back her intentions to have friends over to do drugs and have an orgy. So cute, that kid. Anyway, I acquiesced.

Morning arrived too quickly and I groaned my way out to bed and through my morning ablutions. After showering and dressing I figured to inhale some breakfast and be on my way in quick order. As I reached for the door knob of my bedroom door I noticed a note saying "Good Morning." I grinned a little.

Outside the door was a chair with another note on it with several small, bright Post-Its with arrows pointing at it. The note writer certainly understands how easy it is for me to miss details early in the morning. This note read, "#1 I know it's early but just go with it... Don't take a step until you at least fake a smile." I didn't need to fake it. I continued to follow the notes as they progressed down the hall.

#2 Keep looking for me --->

#3 I promise when you get home I will be packed up ----> (for several days my living room looked like it had thrown up as she emptied her bedroom contents into the living room for sorting purposes. I had expressed some amount of displeasure at her "organizing" technique.)

#4 Don't worry about dinner, I've got it covered. ---->

#5 Go to the kitchen---->

#6 I know you don't want to walk anymore just keep going. ---->

#7 LOOK! Chocolate for breakfast! YAY!!! :) (this note was on the counter between two loaves of chocolate chip bread and with a baggie of chocolate chips including instructions for melting them and drizzling them over the bread)

#8 EAT! and SMILE!! (I was smiling through tears. I really never expected this!)

#9 When you're done check out the fridge. ---->

#10 (on the door handle) I know, lots of reading really, really early but DEAL with it! :)

#11 (also on the handle) Open Me!

#12 (on my water bottle which was full) Who wants to be bored, tired AND dehydrated?

#13 (on a fully packed lunch bag) To keep your tummy happy on a low budget. (Inside was more chocolate bread, cheese balls, pretzels, ants on logs, carrots and broccoli with dip, 2 little gouda cheese wheels, and a bottle of fruit juice.

#14 (on the front pocket of the lunch bag which was labeled "Open in Case of Emergency") Be careful reading what's in here out loud, don't get in trouble! (The contents were quite amusing with more little notes on them but those items and notes I'll keep to myself since several were inside jokes)

By this time, I could hardly see through the tears. The encouragement meant so much. Even though I didn't really have the time to do so I savored the bread she made and took my time reading the notes because the amount of time, effort, and love she put into giving me that encouragement deserved my attention. By that time she had gotten off the couch to ask if I had gotten everything. I hugged her and thanked her many times over and she groaned through sleepy eyes and said she was going to bed. I smiled and headed out tot he garage where I found 2 more notes.

#15 TA DA!! :) I love you, make the most of the day.

#16 DRIVE SAFELY

After that kind of love and encouragement I knew I'd be able to tolerate whatever crap the day might hold. It was an unexpected gift that meant the world to me.