You know, the kind of story that always seems to happen to me. The "Why me?-- Oh wait, because it IS me" kind of stories that make up my ever-increasing repertoire of Classic Annie stories. I can file it right along with the time I left my wallet on top of my car after filling up with gas at Rotten Robbie only to discover the remnants of me--credit cards, Costco card, library card, everything--all up and down Danville Boulevard. Yup, for those who know me well, this story will come as no surprise.
Curious? Here goes...
A couple of weekends ago my fabulous friend from Denver, Jenny Jo, came into town for her sister Megan's baby shower. John was out of town riding motorcycles but I was determined to go so I enlisted Grandma and Grandpa Blatter to take all four kids for several hours on Saturday so that I could drive to Sacramento for the shower. They had three soccer games at different fields, so I had all their gear organized and laid out complete with directions to each field, even their water bottles. I was ready to go. I hadn't gotten Megan a gift yet, but I figured I would have a nice drive all by myself and could grab a Target gift card on the way without any kids. Ahh, the luxury. So, I start driving and was going to stop at the local Target but thought instead that I'd rather get on the road and stop along the way somewhere.
Fast forward over an hour into the trip where I find a Target off the freeway in Vacaville. I go in, get my card and walk up to the cashier, rifle through my purse for my wallet only to discover that I HAVE NO WALLET. I took it out of my purse to pay the pizza guy the night before and never put it back in! I can't pay for the gift so I have to go to a baby shower empty-handed! How embarrassing! And I have no wallet and an hour more of driving to go to get the shower. I decide to drive slowly and safely and not draw any attention to myself in my white minivan!
Fast forward one minute into the drive when my gas light goes on! I HAVE NO GAS and NO WALLET (and no secret stash in my car--which considering my record, is just plain irresponsible!) and like 45 miles to go. I call John on his guy's trip, but of course he's off riding, but Clay who fortunately (for me) got injured (unfortunately for him) was nursing his knee and answered John's phone and kept me calm and walked me through my options. I can't really turn around at this point--I'm over an hour into my trip and I really don't want to face the in-laws in embarrassment or do soccer games with the kids and I really have to see my friends! I've come so far! Clay figured out the miles to the gallon and how many gallons are usually left when the light goes on and accounted for the fact that I was on a highway and wouldn't be making any abrupt stops or accelerations. I turned off the AC (on a hot day mind you) and we determined that I wouldn't exactly make it to the shower, but I could get within 10 miles of it. Yikes!
Fast forward another 40 minutes or so where I get off at the right exit and roll straight into a gas station. I call Jenny with the news that I need to be rescued, but then I see a group of young guys all dressed up with some place to go. I start my sob story, bat my eyelashes and get a whopping four dollars out of them! I'm convinced if I weren't in my white minivan and I took off my wedding ring I could've doubled that! jk. So, I go into the gas station and give them my four dollars, they turn the pump on and fill it (which only takes a second when you only have four dollars), I start my car and of course, the gas light is still on. (This was a couple of weeks ago when gas prices were nearly $4.)
I have one gallon of gas to get me to the party!
I show up to see my dear friends totally embarrassed with no gift AND I have to borrow money from them to get me home! What kind of a baby shower guest am I???
Jenny welcomed me with big open arms and said "THAT'S MY ANNIE! YOU HAVEN'T CHANGED ONE BIT!" and we got a good laugh out of the whole thing!
It was so fun to see the Walker ladies and cute, preggo Megan and Jenny and her beautiful daughter, Emery. I love you guys! Thanks for putting up with me! (I hope you got my gifts and money in the mail!)
On the way home after the shower, John calls me. He's heard the news from Clay and is making sure I'm safe. I say, "Can you believe this happened to me?" There's a pause...
Then about 5 guys start cracking up in the background and John says "Do you really want me to answer that?" I was on speaker phone and apparently no one was surprised by my experience. Next question from the guys, "What'd you have to do to get the money?" Ha ha, very funny guys!
I really shouldn't admit all this about myself. Some of you may have thought I had it all together! Little did you know what a scatter-brain I am!
Addendum: Just last night I had to go to Safeway where I left my wallet in the shopping cart the night before! Another Classic Annie for you.
(Be sure to shake your head back and forth and tut-tut while you say "Classic Annie") Thankfully an older couple turned it in to the lost and found. What is wrong with me?? Seriously?
Thanks guardian angels!
Sorry John!
