We were sitting in the Renaissance Hotel Ballroom as Darrell Davis was making his grand entrance into the room for his retirement gala (And what a gala it was!).  People are applauding and loud music is playing, when I  noticed a call on my phone from Cathy, Ever-Lovin’s fantastic sister.”  In the confusion, the call was disconnected.  Cathy is not a frequent caller, and says I to Ever-Lovin’, “This might be serious.  You had better see what is going on.”  As manners dictated, and in order to be able to carry on a conversation, Ever-Lovin’ stepped outside the ballroom.  When he came back, I was so anxious to know why Cathy had called.

Here is what I learned.  Niece Caitlyn was calling.  Charley, (Caitlyn’s darling daughter, and Cathy’s precious granddaughter), wanted a leopard print lunch bag with hot pink trim, and the closest place they had been able to find one was on Lake June Road in Dallas.  (BTW:  They live in Bastrop in the Hill Country of Texas)  Our mission if we chose to accept it was to retrieve said leopard print lunch bag with hot pink trim.  It was on hold until Saturday night.  Of course we would do anything for Charley.  We love her dearly!

What fond memories this brings to mind.  We have stood in line for Cabbage Patch dolls, Beanie Babies, and who knows whatever else.  Even a couple of years ago, Number Three Son spent the night in a Walmart for a Black Friday sale on a Playstation 3.  The hunt is part of the fun.

It was a drab and dreary morning, but we were unfazed.  As we left Richardson, we traveled through Dallas.  Then we passed through Garland.  The town of Mesquite was next, and that is where the rain began to fall.  We were determined.  Rain would not stop us from getting Charley the leopard print lunch bag with hot pink trim of her dreams.  Turning off the 635 freeway we entered a part of the world I have seldom traveled -Balch (pronounce “boxs” says Ever-Lovin’) Springs.  Ultimately we find ourselves back in another part of the grand city of Dallas.  Yes, we traveled through six municipalities for this leopard print lunch bag with hot pink trim.

Finally at the corner of Lake June Road and Masters Drive, we see the Children’s Place.  That was where said leopard print lunch bag with hot pink trim was to be waiting for us.  (I am sure we passed a bazillion Children’s Place stores on our travels, but … They did not have the leopard print lunch bag with hot pink trim, and that is what we wanted.)

As we entered the store, the security guard wanted me to take his picture.  A friendly chap.

The young man behind the counter knew exactly why we came low these many miles, and produced the leopard print lunch bag with hot pink trim.  Yeah!  How good is that!  Cute isn’t it!

With leopard print lunch bag with hot pink trim firmly in our hands, we traveled back through Dallas, Balch Springs, rainy Mesquite, Garland, Dallas, and returned to Richardson.

Our first stop was the UPS Store.  This leopard print lunch bag with hot pink trim needed to be on its way to Charley.

UPS Man fixed us up.  Overnight shipping would not help us because they do not deliver on Sundays.  It will be there on Tuesday, and I have no doubt that Charley will have the coolest leopard print lunch bag with hot pink trim at her school.  I wonder what outfit it matches?