KEY WEST HERE WE COME!!

Last night Gretchen flew in from Canyon Lake, TX, we drove to Parrish, FL, drank wine and spent the night with my friend, Barb.  This morning, after much lolly gagging, we moved on to Cracker Barrel for breakfast.  While chatting, we discovered that Gretchen had never been to downtown Naples - and since that is where the "other half" lives and shops, we decided she definitely needed to see it.  Besides, we can't get into our hotel in Key West until tomorrow, so we have plenty of time.  The sun was shining, the temperature was perfect, so we went window shopping.  Of course, we entered many of the shops, but did not buy anything!  However, we came to this little funky shop and they had a long shirt hanging on the door that I just HAD to try on.  It was perfect, because it could be a bathing suit cover up, or a long shirt with skinny jeans!  Very, very cute.  Anyway, it was also way, way over budget.  After much consternation, though, I decided I was worth every penny so I bought it.  This, my friends, is where Providence stepped in!!  The salesgirl took my debit card, but her paper in the machine got jammed.  After repairing that, she went to run my card, but could not find it!  At first, she thought she had returned it to me, but she had not.  After 20 minutes, the poor girl was about to collapse in panic.  We knew the card had to be there because she had not moved.  Many, many apologizes later, I assured her I knew she had not stolen it and it would turn up.  Gretchen and I repeated the St. Anthony prayer at least ten times!!  About another 15 minutes and I spotted the card.  When the salesgirl threw the shirt over her shoulder to fix the credit card machine, the card flew onto other shirts hanging behind her. Everybody was happy!!  It took a lot of courage, but I did ask if the wait entitled me to a 20% discount.  No, the manager said, we are giving it to you for half price because you were so nice about the whole thing!  So thank you Providence, I love the shirt - and if this is how fun the trip is starting, I can't wait to see what happens next.  (And, yes, I have thought maybe Mike as helping it go in my direction.)  Thanks for checking in.  Ricci