I had this idea the other day. There’s been this commercial for a place in Portland called Jokers. It’s much like a Chuck E. Cheese, I guess. (I’ve never been to a Chuck E. Cheese.) Both and Matt and Nat mentioned to me they wanted to go. I had taken the day off today to recover from the gig last night. (Incidentally, that gig didn’t happen!) So I figured I’d take the family down. And, I figured I’d make it a surprise! I didn’t even tell Susan.

Then, I had another idea. Jim and Rachelle live in Brunswick, about 1/2 way between here and Portland. I thought “I’ll call Jim and Rowe and ask if they want to come.” I go t Rowe’s cell phone from her Facebook page, and asked if they’d be game. She and the kids were game, but she didn’t know if Jim could make it. We’d have to play that part by ear. Nolan (their son #2 of #3) had a birthday party to attend today, so Rowe asked if we could leave a little early. I told her I would be there promptly at 10am, which would get us to Jokers at 11am.

We got up this morning, had a quick breakfast, swung by the bank, and headed for the surprise. We ended up at the Gilbert’s about 9:45. Rachelle was just pulling into the yard; Nolan decided to go to his friend’s birthday party early, and hang with them instead of us. Rachelle also told us that Jim was at a job (he’s a dependable Maine tiler), but that he’d meet us there. Cool!

We had a great time at Jokers. For less than $40, the five of us got to play in the giant inside jungle gym, play games, win prizes, and split a cheese pizza and sodas. I’d go again.

After about 2.5 hours, it was time to leave. We said our goodbyes in the parking lot, and headed towards home. It was warm outside, and even warmer in the van. Matthew said something about wanting some ice cream. And thus was born Surprise Friday Idea #2!

There’s a Cold Stone Creamery in Brunswick. I’ve been once; the rest of the family had never been. I figured it would be a good place to stop. Nat wanted mint, so he and I split a Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip. Julia ordered a cheesecake with white chocolate chocolate chips. Susan and Matt had cotton candy. Julia couldn’t finish her’s, so Matt polished it off.

And then we came home. It was a nice day, and I had a really good time.

Susan says: The rules are simple: You MUST pick one of the choices. You can explain your answer in more detail if you wish.
Would you rather:

1. Be able to stop time while you slept, OR Never have to do laundry?

I would rather stop time. If time stopped while I was sleeping, I’d have eight extra hours in my day. I certainly don’t spend eight hours doing laundry. Heck, if time stopped, I could do the laundry, iron, fold it, and put it away, and still come out ahead hours wise. I like this idea!

2. Hit every red light for the rest of your life, OR always be wrong?

I hate being wrong. I’ll take the lights.

3. Be debt free (except for your house), OR eleven years ahead of schedule on your mortgage?

I’m already mostly debt free, so I’ll take the eleven years ahead on the mortgage.

4. Always take a cold shower OR sleep an hour less than you need to be fully rested?

I think I’ll opt for the shower. That only lasts a few minutes. I’ll endure a few minutes of cold to get that extra hour of sleep!

5. Always have to say everything on your mind OR never speak again?

I’d rather not speak. Some of the stuff that runs through my mind is pretty depraved, and I’d rather not say it out loud. I’d rather control my tongue, and have to write everything to communicate.

In the dream, I was in the parking lot of the Rockland AutoZone. For some reason, they were advertising some family pizza special from Snappy’s. I called Susan, and asked if she wanted me to pick up some pizza. She said she did, and that she was at my sister’s. She asked that, if Lisa wanted something, would I be willing to pick it up. I said “Sure.” I left it for her to call them and place the order.

Fifteen minutes or so elapse. I’m cleaning the trash out of my car. The Snappy’s guy shows up with the order. He hands me a bag with about four 2-liter bottles of soda in it. I figured “Wow, Lisa really did want something!” I’m putting the sodas in the back of my station wagon, and the guy pulls the pizza out of the car. I can see the guy eyeing my car visually measuring the width of my doors. He’s holding three or four huge pizzas. He’s handing them to me, and they’re super heavy! “I hope you’ve got a way to get these in your car. And I hope you have a way to pay for all this.”

“How much is the tab?” I ask.

“About $70,” he said.

“I don’t have that kind of cash on me,” I said.

“Well, I think I’ll need to take those back then,”

“You want to re-load those back into your car?” I asked. “Look, I bank at the credit union, and that’s right down the road. Why don’t you follow me there, and I’ll get some cash out of the ATM?”

He agreed. Then I woke up.

1. Join me in The Pledge of Allegience.

2. Put a little joy in your day!

3. Happiness is to know the Savior, living a life within his favor, making a change in my behavior, happiness is the Lord.

4. It had been 41 days since I entered the woods for what was supposed to be an afternoon rabbit hunting trip; I left the woods 18 pounds lighter, befuddled, and confused.

5. I’m waiting for Godot’s brother, Philip.

6. Kentucky Fried Chicken is hard to resist.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to getting home from my gig, tomorrow my plans include taking some brush to the dump, and Sunday, I want to have such an awesome day that people at church say “Man, that Bill looks really happy instead of that sourpuss he’s looked like the last few weeks!”

I need to give the props out to my buddy Jimmy T! He hooked me up with some premium Dove creamy dark chocolate today. Yum! Sometimes dark chocolate has a dry mouthfeel. This stuff had the rich, bold flavor of dark chocolate, but the creaminess of milk chocolate. Two thumbs up!