My good Samaritan (times 6)

Over Christmas we spent a lot of time in Provo at my sister-in-law's house. Over Christmas it also snowed a lot. Becca (the sister-in-law) has a driveway that sort of dips down to the sidewalk and then climbs up again to the street.

One night while we were leaving the house my car got stuck in the snow at the dip down part. Luckily, a nice BYU student was hurrying to get in time for curfew and stopped to give me a push out. He was my first Good Samaritan.

A few days later, after another storm, I helped shovel the driveway and made extra sure the dip down part was all clear of ice and snow. But, when I left to run an errand, my car got stuck in the snow at the climb up part and it took 2 nice BYU students and a young couple (yep total of 4 people) to push me out. They were Good Samaritans 2 through 5.

That same day, when returning from my errand, I thought I would be smart and park on the street instead of the driveway. I stopped the car and *thunk* it sunk into the extra deep gutter that was impossible to see from the snow in the street. That's when Good Samaritan 6 showed up with a huge SUV and a tow rope. I was out of the gutter in no time, despite my embarrasment.

So this winter, if you are out and about and see someone who might be in need, stop and help them. Pay it forward on my behalf.

Meanwhile, I might have to start taking the bus, or maybe sled dogs, to get around in the snow.

Jingle Bells Batman Smells

I like Christmas songs, really I do. But as I was listening to some today, I couldn't help but think that a few of them could be updated, made a little more realistic maybe. Here's what I've got so far:

Baby it's cold outside - I really can't stay - but baby it's cold outside - I've gotta go away - fine, but for the last time, it's cold outside will you shut the door already?

and

Last Christmas I gave you a sweater, but the very next day, you gave it away (for store credit). So this year, to save me from tears, I'll give you a gift card - that's special (special).

and

Oh the weather outside is frightful! But the bills don't pay themselves. So off to work I must go! I hate driving in the snow! driving in the snow! driving in the snow!

And my personal favorite:

I got a hippopotamus butt for Christmas. And hippopotamus thighs too. I didn't work out, I only ate junk. I gotta hippopotamus butt for Christmas.

Ok I know they are still a little rough around the edges, but I sense some big hits.

Any other suggestions to add to the album?

Perspective

Imagine if you will that it's Saturday night - you and your spouse are out to do some Christmas shopping. You're on the freeway when suddenly the radio starts cutting out and the headlights start to dim. The battery light on the dash starts to flash. You move to the far right lane and count it as a small miracle that you're able to get off the road and into a gas station parking lot before the car completely gives out. Then you have to wait in the cold for the tow truck who of course is an hour late. He is able to take you and your car to a repair shop near your home, but has to charge for part of the ride since it's out of his 5 mile range, all the while you're thinking how much this repair is going to cost you and that this isn't exactly the most convenient time of year for an extra expense like this.

Sounds pretty miserable, right?

Now imagine that while you were waiting for the tow truck your car had just enough juice left in it to run the radio so you pop in the next CD of the Book on CD you've been listening to. It's the Fire of the Covenant by Gerald Lund, about the Willie and Martin handcart companies. You're listening to the part where they are crossing rivers in the snow and they know that they will be out of food days before any rescue party from Salt Lake can reach them.



Suddenly, your situation seems pretty peachy.

Thanksgiving Thankfulness

Things I was thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend:

- Paid time off so that we could afford to go out of town
- Portable DVD players, books on CD, and just regular books to pass the hours in the car
- The grass stains, scrapes, and sore muscles Mike got from playing football, something he loves to do and doesn't get a chance to often.
- pumpkin pie and BYU chocolate milk - mmm boy!
- Joann's fabric store at 6:00 am and the Twilight movie which are great for sister-in-law bonding.
- Dollar stores - they provided an excellent surprise 30th birthday party
- Cozy pants and tennis shoes for 5 whole days
- Caffeinated beverages that convinced me that it wasn't too late for one more game each night
- The combination of a church gym, a variety of balls and bats, and the Burgoyne's imagination
- The Internet,weather cameras, and cell phones so that our trip home was only delayed a few hours that we spent inside instead of a day or more stuck on the road during a snow storm.
- The little cold I started getting on the last day because I got it from hugging and holding our nieces and nephews.
- That beautiful feeling after days on vacation and hours on the road to crawl into your very own comfy bed.