~ONE OF LIFE'S LITTLE LESSONS~

Ok...this is a "you're an idiot" story!
I went into a Thrift store..no.. a second hand store..and..did my usual walk through. I looked up on a shelf...and spotted this lovely cat. He reminded me of "Scratches" the cat we had owned for years and who help raise the children by keeping them in line with.."Better watch out. Scratches is watching you!" I know..I know..I used a wee bit of fear to keep things in line at times..especially when there was WAY too much rough housing for WAY too long! Scratch used to attack them when things got crazy!

Anyway..I walked by a second time and asked the lady behind the counter why it was behind the desk..and why it was so high up and was it for sale. She said yes, that it was..and I ...asked..the price! She said $39.95. Wow...said I. Why so high? She said because the owner says it is a Goebel. "Aha!" said I wisely and shook my head in understanding. I walked away.

I thought about it. I LOVED Goebels. And this one was huge. Wow. All I had were some little bunnies. So..I marched back..and said "ok..I think I will take it!" and laid my other items up on the counter. Little things..amounting to..not a lot. A line is beginning to form behind and a woman me asks me a question about something I am buying and we begin to chat. The lady writes it all up..and I take out my bank card..and she gives me a total.
I am still chatting with the woman behind me and the counter woman does not speak very good english but I usually have no trouble as I am used to her. I swipe my card and then..still chatting away...I sign my name and out the door I go..but...as I walk out something dawns on me. WHAT DID SHE SAY THE TOTAL WAS??!! I walk to the car where Howard is patiently waiting reading his paper. I get in and not saying a word look in the bag and pull out the reciept. OH GOOD LORD! And I do NOT mean that in a bad way. I needed HIS help! I had paid $99.95 for the..cat! I looked at Howard and I must have been a bit white. I told him what the problem was. He said.."Well go back and tell them you misunderstood!" I didn't. I should have but I didn't. The NEXT time I will listen carefully and not chat with anyone while I am doing business! A lesson every day. Be careful. Listen carefully. Keep your eyes and ears open..be ..aware. A lesson every single day. :) You know?