Wednesday, August 04, 2010

Kitchen-less Adventures

I loathe McDonald's Happy Meals. It's the equivalent of crack for kids. Hey, let's spend $4 on a cheezy toy for a meal they won't eat! The only thing I will hit a McDonald's up for is the Ice Cream, which may or may not actually contain any dairy in it... who knows. It reminds me of childhood trips to the beach, when we would get a Vanilla Cone from McDonald's and walk back to our room at Motel 6. The very same Motel 6 that had a vibrating bed, which we thought was just as fun as a ride at Disneyland. We were classy like that.

When the kitchen was torn out, the kids started to revolt against the steady stream of cereal and Peanut Butter Sandwiches. The convenience of eating out became very attractive, and I quickly learned a handful cheap eating tricks.


Tuesday - Ikea Meatball Special $2.99 (1 feeds both kids!) or Taco Tuesday! @ Del Taco (where I learned that AK can down 5 taco's in less than 5 minutes, she really does have a future in competitive eating!) Hot Dog on a Stick for $1 corndogs (which it turned out that neither the kids or the dogs would eat it)

Wednesday - Carl's Jr. 99cent Hamburger Kid's Meal


Let's stop there, because that is where the story gets good. I found going out to eat gave me a chance to get away from the construction and really focus on the kids. I have been very distracted most of the time, because I'm mulling over decisions I have to make.
On the drywall day, we had to literally cover every item that we owned with plastic. I put a bunch of items in my car that I didn't want to get dusty and off we went for the day's adventure. The dogs had to come with us, which meant the stuff was piled up to the roof in the front seat. Hooray! It was a Wednesday so we hit Carl's Jr for the 99cent kid's meal! I pulled into a parking spot right in front so I could keep an eye on the dogs. When I got out of the car a bunch of stuff fell out too, and I quickly stuffed it back in. I also noticed that I was covered in dust and had a smear of dirt on my face, so I tried to wipe it off in the side mirror.

We walked in and placed our order with the cashier, named Patsy, who had apparently been watching me since I pulled up. I mentioned to Patsy, "This Wednesday Kid's Special has really saved me, we don't have a kitchen right now." She just stared at me and said, "Oh." Then I walked away to get our drinks. When I came back to pick up our meal, she said, "I put some coupons on your tray, and some extra milks for the kids. Anytime you need anything, you just come in and ask for me."

Perplexed I went back to our booth and we ate. I then saw the Patsy the Cashier gesturing to my family and my car while she talked to her manager, and I started to get nervous, something was going on. Patsy reappeared at my table with a stack of coupons. She knelt down next to my table and spoke in a low voice.

"I've been down on my luck before too, I have faith that you guys are going to get back on your feet and find a place to live soon. I talked to my manager and anytime you want come here and you guys can eat for free. I also have a bunch of free meal coupons in case my manager or myself aren't here."

Oh my gosh... she thinks I'm homeless and living in my car. The dust on my clothes... my packed filthy car... my kids who are giddy at the excitement of french fries... the comment about no kitchen.... note to self : dust off before leaving the house.
I tried to say, "Oh no wait..." But she interrupts, "I insist... please." and puts the coupons in my hand.

So what would you do at this point?

13 comments:

[O] jai said...

Patsy is going to heaven!

Cimblog (tm) said...

...but you might be going to hell.

Cimblog (tm) said...

hahaha, okay okay okay, I'm kidding of course (you're not going for THAT anyway). I love Patsy already! I'm going to go hug her on my lunch break!

Cimblog (tm) said...

ahem...can i have a free meal coupon?

Cindy said...

I'm so laughing right now. I can so see the look on your face.

I've decided that I love Patsy. I love her so much that I'll lift my boycott of Carl's Jr for the one location where she works. What, husband and children? You want Carl's Jr? We'll be driving to CA for that.

... said...

This is the best story ever! I don't know whether to laugh or cry. And I have absolutely NO idea what I would do if I were you.

Noelle Reese said...

I follow you from 2Peas and you have no idea who I am. I just laughed so hard I thought I might crack a rib and then got to the first 2 comments and I am pretty sure I cracked 2 ribs laughing! What a fantatic post and your friends are awesome! I love Patsy and Cimblog!

stacy said...

Oh my. I'm dying over here. You should just say, "thank you" and leave it at that. If she only knew... At this point you might seriously offend her if you told her the truth. Just go with it because you're totally the kind of person who helps other people out. Now if I could just stop laughing...

Cindy said...

...but now you can never go to that Carl's Jr again. Well, unless you go tell Patsy that it's a miracle, your family has found work and bought a home. And it's all because of her kindness.

Carly said...

Hilarious! What a nice lady- seriously! That is awesome- and totally classic!
Wendy- I love the stories and thoughts- all of them! Even if I don't respond enough- I'm still here and reading!

Mary said...

Oh snap! Next time make sure the kids roll in the dirt before cashing in your free coupons.

Karlea said...

LOL...ya know just when you think you're at your whit's end you visit QwendyK's blog for the best story ever!! I love Patsy. I love that in our crazy-never-slow-down-selfish word there are people like Patsy. Gotta love her! And here I was coming back to read about good ole Mr. Beavis and find this treasure. Thanks Wendy!!! You just made my week!!!

Marlene said...

Say thank you - to Patsy for the thoughtfulness and to God that you really are blessed and HAVE a home. Then take the free meal coupons and go find others who are less fortunate than you!