Two Cents Worth

Ever consider how people offer a penny for your thoughts when they want to find out what you are thinking; but when they don't really want to hear what you want to say, you give them your two cents worth.

That is what crossed my mind when RD sent me this link:

35 Slots, My Foot

I took the day off today to bring RD to his eye doctor's appointment.   MacGyver usually drives RD to these doctor's appointments but he was unable to swap work schedules this time around so it was my turn to drive. 

RD's appointment was for 1:15 PM.  We left the house at noon at MacGyver's recommendation. 

The drive to the hospital was uneventful.  When we turned into the car park building, I glanced at the LED display to see how many slots were available.  I saw the sign indicate, "3 5" as we were entering. In my mind, 'Thirty-five slots.  That's good.  I'm sure I can find parking.'

We drove in and went through the first level, then the second, then the third.  We were almost at the roof deck and there was still no empty slots in sight.   We got to the top level.  No luck.  Nothing.  Nada.  

"But the sign said  '35', RD,"  I said.  "Where are they?  I just need one. Let's check again downstairs."

We drove down.  Around the car park we went, all the way to the ground level.  Still no slots.  In fact, when we drove by the entrance, I think they were not letting cars in anymore.  

We drove back up but still couldn't find anywhere to park.  Fortunately we were still early for the appointment.  RD mentioned that someone was bound to leave and that MacGyver would sometimes wait around for a slot to free up.   I decided to double park at one of the levels before we hit to roof deck.  It was a hot day and I was hoping to find a slot in the covered area.  

I prayed to the guardian angel of parking.  (If Mother gets St. Anthony to help her find lost things, Eldest Sis and I go to the parking angel to find free parking slots.)  I specifically prayed for covered parking. (It helps when one is more specific when praying for these things.)

Lo and behold, a lady walked towards us not long after.  I asked if she was leaving and she indicated that hers was the black car parked not too far from where we were.  (Oh yeah! Thank you, guardian angel of parking.)  

After we parked, we headed for the main building on foot.  As we exited the car park, I told RD I wanted to check the sign again.  I could not believe it said there were 35 slots available when we entered.  It had to be broken or something.

Well, it was something all right.

When I checked the sign, the LED display scrolled as it did earlier.  But this time, I got to see the rest of the message : 3 5PACE5 ...

Go figure.  (I think I am the one that needs to get my eyes checked.)

In a way, I am thankful that I misread the sign.  Thinking that there were 35 slots gave me a ton of hope.  In fact, there was a lot to be thankful for today.  According to RD, we were seen by the nurse and the doctor within a reasonable amount of time.  Plus we found a free parking slot inside the car park.  And as we were leaving, we discovered the parking machine was broken and the boom gate was up so we literally got free parking. 

Here is the proof.  I didn't have to feed the machine to get out.

Wave to Your Queendom

Unlike the rising and setting of the sun, 

which arrive in Australia ahead of most of the world,

movie premieres usually come a couple of months later.

It was a dark and stormy night ...

(scrap that)

It was a cold and rainy day

(as evident in the photos)

when I saw this bus.

It was a 617X so I was not about to catch it.

I did want to get a picture of the back of the bus though.

Luckily my bus came right behind it

and the front seat was available.

And I got to take these pictures before it pulled away.

I wonder if Mother has already seen The Peanuts Movie.

When we were young, we tried to prepare something special for Christmas for Mother and Father.

Sometimes it would be as simple as a card.

We usually tried to come up with a short program.

One Christmas, we made our version of our Peanuts movie in a short play.

I don't remember who I was. I think Sister Deer was Snoopy.

I can't remember who played Charlie Brown.

But there is one thing I am 100% certain about :

London Eye played Lucy.

And she was a natural!

To this day, I remember her immortal words,

"And I will wave to my queendom."

Who Gives a Hoot?

They do!

This was a cute chopping board I saw in the store.

I resisted the temptation to purchase it

(such willpower!)

and simply took a picture.