The ShugaBowl: What a day!

Wednesday, September 28, 2005

What a day!

Yesterday was quite a day!

We got a lot done at work and succeeded in starting a friendly war. It's apparently been WBLA against Mr. Vogrin's office for some time, but things have been quiet lately. Until yesterday. I was dared to take a balloon into Jarod's office and break his concentration by popping it. I don't think I startled him, but the look on his face was unforgettable when he turned around to see "Lindsay" with a pin in hand.

That was what started it.

Then came the phone call from Brittany.

She wanted to go to Hinsdale and get stuff for her brother's birthday. (Matt turns seventeen today.) I wanted to go with her because there were some books in at the library I had asked to have put on hold. And so we went. She came to my office promptly at five. We headed to my house so I could change. Then headed to her house so she could change. That was when I checked my cell phone messages. I had put my phone on vibrate at lunch and forgotten to take it off again. I had one message.

Bree and I walked and walked. It took about an hour to get to the library. It was the shortest visit we have made yet. Five minutes it took to pick up the books and spy a George Winston CD in the rack by the counter.

Since it was an hour before we were to be picked up by Laura, we decided to head southward toward the Creamery. Brittany chose the flavor this time. We always split a Gotta Have It, because the Like Its are too much to finish without getting an ice cream headache. She chose vanilla with caramel and Butterfingers. Good stuff. The boy who mixed the ice cream asked us if we were British. ; ) Then so we sat down and I told Brittany about my favorite British actors and actresses. Then she asked if we had a ColdStone where I was from. I said that mostly we had custard stands, but there was a ice cream shop near the mall.

After downing our frozen treat, we headed towards Walgreens, that inevitable store. No matter where in this country you live, there's always a Walgreens nearby. We bought balloons and candy and cake mixings and candles and such like, and when we had exhausted our creativity, we went outside to wait for our ride and plan our strategy.

The plan was this. We'd go to Brittany's house where I'd pick up chocolate chips and cupcake papers. Then she'd make the cake at her house. I'd ride with Laura back to my place and blow up the round balloons. My job was to make the cookies and cupcakes. (It was easier that way because if we had to make multiple trips to carry food, it was easier to hop over to my house than go all the way back to Bree's.) Her job was to blow up all the long, skinny balloons and make swords and hats and animals out of them. Before I had left her house, Grace (who lives with Brittany) had lent me a recipe for CC cookies and offered her services with the animal balloons. Great fun!

So back at the ranch, I opened the door to the house expecting to find someone home. Not so. These girls are workaholics. Alicia came in about a half hour after I had started the cupcakes, but she left for work again before long. After two dozen cupcakes, five dozen cookies, twenty balloons, three cups of tea and a round of George Winston, I was ready for bed. Dead tired. It was eleven o'clock.

Six o'clock came dark and early. I had an hour before I was supposed to meet Bree at the PC. Ironing, showering, eating, grabbing a garbage bag filled with balloons and a plate of cupcakes. I was out the door before anyone else, even Anna. After coming through the first floor door, I tried to orient myself as to where I was. I knew that if I found the center stairwell, I'd be alright. But after taking about ten steps toward said stairs, I realized that the room to my right was where I needed to end up. (Duh.) Ok, so I dropped off the food and went back to the house to get the cookies and a jar of blowpops. : )

On my way back to the PC, I ran into Brittany. We hurriedly decorated the table and set up the balloons and food. I ~~ran~~ hastened to my desk. To print out a sign for the door. It read, This area has been temporarily designated a DESIGNATED AREA. (Mr. Gothard told us we were only allowed to have food in designated areas, so it's been a big joke that our desks/offices are designated areas.) Bree laughed when I taped it to the door.

We were early for staff meeting and Matt was surprised to see that. I told him that I had dared Bree to be there on time and then that I had to be there to make sure she was. : ) He got up to leave about 30 seconds later and I had to think really fast. He must've thought I had lost it, because I followed him to the previously mentioned stairwell and saw him open the door before I insisted on having his immediate attention. It was all I could do to keep him from going downstairs before staff meeting. I even escorted him upstairs to an alternative water cooler so that he needn't bother going all the way downstairs (though it may very well have been closer for all I know). He came back into staff meeting just as it started, but then disappeared again, giving much disconcertion to his sister. She and I both kept looking back every time someone would enter the room to see if he was back yet. I was sure he had gone down to put something away or get something or something that would ruin the surprise.

Not so, for after staff meeting, we followed him out of the room. He made a quick turn to retrieve his water bottle (now full) and Bree and I almost rushed down the stairs to get to the construction room before him. The big problem with that room is that there are windows on all sides but one. I was assigned to take a picture of him when he walked through the door, but I kept seeing him walk past the windows. The lights were off in the room, so I suppose that is why he did not see us. Quite surprised was he. Or at least, he did a good job of acting if he wasn't surprised. Official Photographer, I took shots of him with his balloon hat, sword fighting with Daniel, and a picture of the table and decorations. I'll get them copied for you, B.

posted by cori 9/28/2005 09:52:00 AM

3 Comments:

At 9/28/2005 8:21 PM, Anonymous said…

Just Call Me Family...

Nana of 13.3 nanakids seeks to be part of family.

Now that I have your attention...Let me introduce myself. I am a southern lady. I enjoy all types of music. I love laughter. I have a granddaughter that has an apartment near you. I have a grandson who just turned 17. Who am I....................Oh no don't give up! Guess again. .....................

I enjoy reading your blogs. This is how I become less lonely knowing that the nanakids are in such great company. Keep up the great blogging.

Remember to smile and be thankful for family, friends, food, water, shelter, and just knowing that we are alive.. For you see it isn't who we know or what we know. For me it is to whom we look up to. :)

Have a gteat rest of the week!
May your sister be blessed with a wonderful bundle of joy!

Good night!!
At 9/28/2005 11:39 PM, Anonymous said…

Hey,
Thanks for the suprise! And I was suprised! I had a wonderful b-day. Thanks to Brittany too!

p.s.
Hey nana!!
At 9/29/2005 10:31 AM, Anonymous said…

I enjoy your blog.