"I've never seen anyone study paper plates so intently!"

oy.

I dont even know where to start! I'm exhausted, but what a day!!

- I finished the 45 hour SEI training today! Yipee!! Me and another girl went straight up to Phoenix after to the Dept. of Ed to renew our certificates. If I didnt do it today, I probably wouldnt have a job tomorrow! To say I was under a time crunch was an understatement. But then again, I AM a great procrastinator!

- After I got back down to Chandler, I made a few phone calls. Mr. X (from my previous blog) passed away last night. I just feel so sad, and hurt for their family. I know that if he had continued to live he would be in tremendous pain, but he leaves behind 2 kids that are both younger than me. I cannot fathom that. Anyway - I called my pastor and was put in charge of getting a few things from Amazing Grace (Christian Bookstore in Chandler/Tempe...who knows...its on the border, or something)

- Of course I Get sidetracked and go into the Pit that sucks all of my money away from me EVERY time I walk into it. NO - not Barnes and Noble (yet, anyway) - Lakeshore Learning. I went in and told myself I am only getting the 4 things I need. 10 minutes later and I have a cart that is nearing full. WTH??? I do this EVERY time!!!! I need a buddy to go with and help control my bad habits of throwing everything in my cart!!

- THEN, as if Lakeshore wasnt bad enough, I went to the second Pit that sucks all of my money away - yep, you guessed it - Barnes and Noble!!! I was on a mission this time and was going to stick to the 3 books I was looking for. I went straight to the nice man behind the Customer Service counter and asked where they would be. I found them and went straight to check out. I didnt bother looking at the price but Holy Guacamole! They were expensive books. What I do for my career, I tell ya!!

- So, finally, after I give most of my money away to that half of Ray Rd. I get out of that vortex and go to Amazing Grace. I pull up and they're closed! My mouth dropped open and I immediately cursed the bags in my backseat from Lakeshore! Somehow it was their fault!! I had ONE job from my Pastor and now I have nothing!!

- I get my brother on the phone and have him search for a different store that may be my saving grace. He finds one in Gilbert. WTH? Gilbert has shopping centers now? Who knew? Its been a while. So I head out on the 202 and I feel like I'm close to the New Mexico border when I finally get to the new store. (Ok, it wasnt that bad) I find what I'm looking for but call my pastor for approval. He does not answer. I sit on the floor in front of the shelf and wait. Yes, I sat on the floor to wait. I am tired by this point. He calls back 20 minutes later and we decide on what to get.

- I talk to Pastor's wife and volunteer to get some other things necessary for the memorial service. 300 plates and 300 cups!! I thought I misheard what she said. We have a small church, surely she did not say 300!!!!!! But, she did. So, off to Costco I go. I get to Costco, and in line with the rest of my night, its closed! So, back in the car, back to the Wal Mart in GILBERT I go. Heres where my title comes into play....stay with me here:

There is a nice young man restocking the plastic bags at the end of the aisle as I make my way to the paper plates and cups. Pastor's wife told me not to get the flimsy one. I agreed since we will be serving things that are a little heavy. SO, I get in front of the paper plates and I froze! I completely froze! Who knew that selecting 300 paper plates for my church would be such a task!!

Nice gentleman stocking plastic bags down the way notices me. He comes up to my very quietly and says, "ma'am, may I help you or answer some questions for you?" Since I am still frozen it took me about 20 seconds to comprehend what he asked and look at him. I must have had a weird look on my face because he quickly followed with, "I'm sorry, I've just never seen anyone study paper plates so intently. I thought I could help." Bless his soul. He just wont some karma points from me. Its not that I needed help, my brain is tired and the reality of what I am getting these for is settling in. I smile back at him and say "Thank You, but I think I've got it under control." I load in 300 paper plates, then 300 cups and I'm on my way.

I'm pretty sure the guy had a good laugh when I had the first 300 cups loaded in the cart and realized they were too small, so I had to unload them all and load them back in. It is for this reason I went to the Wal Mart there and not here. hahaha - I dont want people I know seeing me do things like that!!

Anywhoooooos....I think I'm going to bed. I'm going into my classroom tomorrow to put those bags from Lakeshore to good use and Jazz up my Jungle.