We went to visit my sister Jennifer and her husband Jeff this weekend. On Thursday before we left I was asked to participate in a diaper study. I had to use the researcher’s pull-ups with Truman, save them, fill out a survey, and then return them the next week. They offered me $125 and of course the FREE pull-ups. I decided that it was worth it even if we were going to have to drive seven hours in the car with smelly diapers.
However, when I arrived at the study I was told that they had over booked and I would not be needed. They wrote me a $50 check for coming and said they would call again. I figured it was pretty good money for my time and I was relieved not to have to transport the diapers.
So off we went to Jen’s where we were invited to attend Euchre night. Euchre is a card game that Tim and I had played many times, but did need Jeff to give us a refresher because it’s similar to other games that we have played and honestly I couldn’t remember what rules when with which game.
That was a lot of fun – Tim had a great night and ended up with a pretty good score. On the other hand I did not have such a good card-playing night and ended up with the “kitty” for having the low score. It was not so much that I played badly, but more that I did not consistently get great hands. I only mention that, because when I filled my pockets with $19 dollars I was still having fun and in a great mood.
So I made $69 last week after not making much of any money at all in the last few years and was happy to have cash to pay Jeff’s niece Kate, who babysat.
On the way home yesterday, I was bragging a bit to Tim about my big income as we pulled into a gas station to fill-up. I offered to pay when I took the kids in to use the restrooms. As we got back into the car Tim had a worried look on his face. He told me that people in the car next him were having car trouble and that they could not get a hold of anyone on their cell phone. They said they were on their way home from a funeral and needed $20 to stay in the hotel around the corner. At first I was annoyed and said as much to Tim – “Good grief we can’t even fill out gas tank without having someone asking us for money?”
Tim was ready to accept my decision, but did say, “I wonder if this is one of those times we are being given an opportunity to do the right thing.”
“The right thing? Like stick to the budget right thing? What about that?” I asked, but then just as quickly I stopped and reached for my wallet. I was about to hand it to Tim when he asked me to give the money to them. He was right there, so I felt safe enough and Tim decided that I would be able to tell if they were lying – at least I can tell with the kids …
When I approached the car I caught the eye of a young girl with the biggest doe eyes you have ever seen. I decided then that if they were lying this girl had her part down. However, more likely, whatever their story was they most likely really needed the money. The woman in the car asked me for an address where she could send me a check and I told her no, that we wanted to be helpful and that I was sorry that they were having so much trouble. The man told me the same story that he had told Tim then he took my hand, thanked me, and I was off.
So my big income was pretty much gone by the time I returned home from our weekend. However, what I received in return was even better – Jeff’s family spoiled us rotten -I came home with all kinds of treats and treasures, great memories, and very happy kids. So today I am feeling very fortunate today even without my fortune. J
8busyfeet 
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