Lucky

Last week our local furniture store hosted a giveaway. Announcements and tickets came in the mail. I was about to throw it away, when I thought, "I should look at this." So, I opened it and found that if I went to Liddiard's on March 29th, I would have the opportunity to indulge in free pizza and could perhaps win an amazing birthday present for my Eric that night. In awe I thought, "I almost threw this away but didn't. It's a sign!!"

The card said my number was 05225. I got excited. I scanned the page for the prizes. I found that these included a 72" TV, a gorgeous bedroom set, and $25,000 in cash, among other things. I got more excited. The announcement claimed that all I had to do was show up and see if my number was posted to any of these items around the store. I thought, "I am a lucky girl. I'd best go. And I'd best go at 3PM when the pizza arrives."

I went across the street to inform my neighbor that she should come with. With all my claims to good luck and past winning streaks, I got her excited and we planned to go together to squirrel away some awesome new belongings.

We met up as I was indulging in a sliver of pepperoni pizza. With hearts pounding in excitement, we started around the store earnestly searching for our numbers. The first two numbers read 13,245 and 11,946. And I was like, "WHAT?!?!" And I thought, "Oh, boy it's not looking good. How unfortunate that they would invite 15,000 people to this event!" And I began to feel a little less lucky. In fact we saw a number in the 16,000's later on. As we continued, we found that none were in the 5,000 range. I had wondered why there was a zero in front of my number (but of course I had hoped for the best)!

We enjoyed more pizza and then left. Eric calculated later that we had something like a 3/100ths of a 1% chance.

But don't cry for me folks, because I have a good follow-up.

After Liddiard's, I went to Jiffy Lube to get a Safety Inspection for the Hyundai's registration. Before I go any further I would like to vent for a minute and complain against this policy of silliness. Every time we register the car, we have to pay a fee to have someone check if our windshield wipers and headlights are working. Are you kidding me?! I'm pretty sure that we will keep our wipers and lights working if we plan on driving this vehicle! (Never mind that I had earlier gone to Checker to purchase a brake light, and then installed it in order that we might pass said inspection.) Anyway, I was miffed that I was losing an extra $17.00 that day.

I arrived at Jiffy Lube and managed kind smiles at the mechanic. I handed the keys over then went to Walmart to pass the time by spending even more money! When I arrived back at the shop, I unloaded the groceries then took the cart back to Walmart's parking lot. I extracted Lucy from her seat and went to pay for the inspection.

The mechanic opened the door for me and said, "Thank you so much for taking the cart back to Walmart. You are the first person I have ever seen do that." And I said, "Sure!" but thought, "Wow, how creepy that you were watching." Then my heart soared as he said, "That was so great, I want to give you a discount." I was like, "Alright, but I have these coupons too." (I had also requested an oil change.) I deflated as he said, "Oh, that was the discount I was going to give you." I replied, "Oh, well that's fine, I'll just take that."

But he went to talk to another mechanic and came back announcing that he was giving me the inspection for free. "I just really want to give you something for returning the cart." I was like, "Fine by me! I'll return a cart anytime!" Actually I just said, "Oh, great! Thanks!"

And I walked away with a free inspection. How lucky am I?!!