Halloween Treat - Sunday 10/12/08

I received my very first Halloween Treat yesterday (and I probably didn't deserve it!).

I had the wonderful duty of having to drive my daughter to Amelia Island. For those of you not familiar with my biweekly routine...my reality is that I am responsible for having to do a 2 hour roundtrip drive to and from Fernandina every other Friday and then again on Sunday. Needless to say, I really dread this trip!

Back to the story: I set out on my trip to Fernandina yesterday around 4pm. Normally, I would arrive right at 5pm. Curiously, 5 minutes before I was to arrive at the pre-destined meeting spot, my cell phone rang. It was DL. I instantly thought, "Uh. He knows that I won't be back for at least another hour. What the?" I was probably already frustrated by the traffic and the responsibility, so please excuse my attitude, because after answering the phone, our conversation kind of went like this:

Me: Hullo?
DL: Hey! Where you at?
Me: Heading to Fernandina (???).
DL: Are you there yet?
Me: No. Why? (Note my short answers)
DL: Well...is that pet store in Fernandina open?
Me: Which one?
DL: Uh...I don't know the name of it...you know...the one we stopped at that ONE time.
Me: I think so. Why?
DL: Because I need you to pick up something.
Me: *Long Pause* I thought you were going to the pet store while I was gone.
DL: I did. They didn't have what I was looking for.
Me: *Softening now* Oh. What do you need?
[Cell phone garble, garble, garble]
Me: What? You need a fish crate? I don't know what that is!
DL: Not a fish crate. A fish cave. You know...that thing you put on the bottom of the aquarium?
Me: OH! A fish cave. Gotcha.
DL: Also, would you mind picking up some plants to go in the bottom of the aquarium, also?
Me: I guess.
DL: OK. Love you. Drive safe and I'll see you when you get back.
Me: Love you too. Bye.

I just told you this...so I could tell you this: I was a victim of a "wild goose chase." Apparently, DL wanted to keep me busy for awhile because this super-great, big-hearted guy was trying to surprise me. . He wanted to make sure that I was busy so that he could set up the surprise.

**Flash Forward 2 hours**
I drove up into my parking place and looked up to my "Verandah." Big gasp and then giggle. There were Halloween decorations everywhere! There were cute little pumpkin lights strung around the bannister. There were 2 pumpkin candles carefully placed at each end of the railing. There was a scary, cheesecloth, glowing-eyed skeleton hanging from the rafters, and the finale'? A special blue-and-green glowing Haunted House with broom-flying witch right on my deck table (picture shown).

Ummm. Kris is feeling pretty speechless and utterly selfish at this moment and all I can utter is, "Oh my god. You must love me because that is the best present anyone has ever given me. I absolutely know you love me, because only you would know how happy the beautiful lights make me feel. You are SO sneaky!"

Donald Lee, thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting up with my "sometimes" bitchy self. You're the best!