As we cleaned up after the fabulous Golden weekend – we discovered that several family members left things behind.

I guess I wasn’t really too surprised – but it was a rather interesting assortment of items including:

3 sleeping bags
1 dirty wash cloth
a pair of pink tennis shoes
a necklace
a pair of jeans
a headlamp
a sweatshirt
a glass baking dish with lid
3 tubes of toothpaste (which we have been using – thanks for the donation!)
1 travel size bottle of Head & Shoulder’s (I’m still wondering if this one was a hint!)

Since we live almost 2 hours from the closest family – I wondered how long it would be before we could make connections to return these items.

But then things started falling into place.

Jan bought a used plow on Craig’s list that had to be picked up several hours away. He asked me if I wanted to ride along. Of course I said yes! After almost 20 years of marriage and five kids I’m always glad of a little alone time with my sweetheart –  especially if it involves traveling back roads!

Since we would pass within a few miles of one of my sister’s house – I made some phone calls to make arrangements to meet them in route to pass off the pile of forgotten things. I threw together some snacks, had Pedro pack up the big pile in the van, and I headed to town to meet Jan.

So far so good – right?!

I wanted to make a quick stop at the library to pick up a couple of books – but alas none of the books I wanted were there. But I did see a good friend and had a nice chat – which salvaged the trip! (Hey Caroline!)

Then I ran to the grocery for 2 things – yes just 2! I grabbed them and headed to the check-out where I got behind a mom with several little ones. They were just the cutest little things driving the special grocery cart with the car in front!

Of course they had to “help” mommy – which took twice as long. But I didn’t complain – I just stood there smiling because I remember the not-too-distant past when I was that Momma!

But it did put me behind schedule.

Then I realized that I would be riding in a car for 2 hours – which made me need to use the bathroom – so I ran over to Pamida which had the closest public restroom in town – before jumping in the van and heading out to meet Jan at work.

I was about 10 minutes late and a little flustered when I arrived and saw him waiting outside for me!

He had the Suburban and trailer there – so all I had to do was transfer the stuff from the van into the Suburban and we would be off on our “date”.

I grabbed my books, jacket and the food, jumped in and we took off.

We were halfway to the interstate before I remembered the forgotten stuff in the back of the van.

Yup – I had totally forgotten it.

Fail!

Jan even asked before we left if I had gotten everything transferred. Of course I did – I had the food and my books !

It was quite embarrassing – after all the trouble to arrange things – to call my brother-in-law and tell him that he didn’t need to meet us because I had forgotten the forgotten things.

He thought it was quite humorous.

He might still be laughing.

I know Jan is!

It took a few more miles to laugh at myself – but we did go on to have a wonderful evening together.

And the forgotten things will remain forgotten – at least for now.

I’ve linked this post up at Friday Fails over at My Blessed Life.