the day mom and I were on candid camera

Today, mom and I were on candid camera. Well, at least it felt that way since everywhere we went it seemed as though some alternate force was multiplying the time it would usually take to complete such tasks by about seven thousand. Take, for instance, Michael's Craft store. Two simple returns, receipts included, our Linda (the registrar lady) needed to intercom manager Sandy to approve such a transaction, and then forgot to do both returns at the same time so of course, had to call her over again. Then she was "so silly!" and didn't know that you could in fact do one transaction for thing bought with different credit cards, so that tacked on about another 12 minutes to our ending time. I tried to distract myself with other things to look at so I wouldn't burst out laughing because, unlike mom, I was past being annoyed and now just fully entertained by the whole ordeal. The women at the fabric store moved just as quickly, as did the lady at Old Navy who saw mom's ID, looked at, did not ask for it when given the credit card, so mom put it away, and then she asks to see it. Oh mom, if looks could kill... Hahahhahaha. HILARIOUS. So, with all of these hold-ups, Costco was out of the picture, so hopefully we can fit it in on friday!

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On a different note, last night my family drove to the family's apartment we're sponsoring for christmas lives at. We were their christmas, meaning that we got their xmas lists, sizes, etc. and bought them all special things. They were a family of four, single dad, three kids, 13, 12, and 9. It was emotional for me because entering their home that was so warm and empty really just broke my heart. I could not put into words how hard it was to see the Dad to be so incredibly thankful to us for providing his kids with a christmas. He seemed like a very driven and good man. He got laid off in Colorado (as a truck driver) and so came here and had to start from scratch. Their home was so small I couldn't see how its comfortable to live with four people in such a small space, but they make it work. I hope we do something like that every year. I know it is an over-used saying, but it really does feel so much better to give rather than receive. It's amazing how much they appreciate and the kids were just wide-eyed and so excited for all their colorfully wrapped presents. We really did make their holiday season Christmas, in every sense of the word, and for that I am thankful. It makes me appreciate all the things I take for granted in my own life, all the issues I think are important seemed so insignificant at that moment and it really just opens your eyes and allows you to see things differently. They literally had nothing, and were so happy to have us bring them something. Truly touching.