Surprise

This morning, I was running a little later than normal to work.

So, I get out the door, into the car, and OF COURSE, I had to get GAS!!!! I never seem to remember from one day to the next whether or not I need to leave a few minutes early to fill up the tank.

Luckily, there is a gas station just around the corner. I look at the clock, look at my gas meter, and quickly drive in. I swiped my card to activate pay-at-the-pump, and as I am putting the gas in my tank, there are these big yellow fliers on the pump. I start to read, and find that today is the first day of the station's Customer Appreciation Days.

They had some sales going on, etc... but the thing that caught my attention was that you would receive a FREE Aquafina if you put more than 10 gallons in your tank. Mine was at 12. I thought for a split second, "Do I go get one? Do I have enough time to get one? I'm not going to be able to get any more free stuff here, my gas tank is full. Okay, ready? Go get one...quick!"

So, I made my way into the store, and the cashiers were tending someone else, and I immediately thought, "Bad idea. Going to get caught here, and be late. Way to go...Oh, it's my turn..."

I stepped up to the counter and asked about getting a free Aquafina. The lady behind the counter was amazingly cordial. Wonderful smile, and a great laugh. She and another worker conferred. Turns out, Pepsi hadn't delivered the water, yet.

"Well, shucks...(Great Laugh by cashier, because people just don't say shucks anymore)...Thank you, I"ll come...

"No wait, honey...we've got you a consolation prize!"

"I love consolation prizes!!!"

(Another big laugh while she hands me a bag full of stickers, NASCAR promos, and an antenna ball...AND...AND...she must've read my mind...a brand new Travel coffee mug!!)

I took my parting gifts, and raised them up in the air, and said, "I'm a winner! I'm a winner! Thank you! Have a great day!"

Big smiles all around, and that is a great start to the day...and believe it or not (without speeding) I made it to work with 3 minutes to spare. Whew.

Hope your day is full of great surprises, too!
Chalmer