Dumpster Drama

As you may know, I am planning a 50th birthday party for my friend Suzanne.

Last week, Suzanne came came by to show me her wedding album so I could scan the pictures and put them in a DVD for the party. She reminised about her wedding day and told me the picture of Bill and herself heading off to their honeymoon (in their travel clothes) was her FAVORITE picture of the 2 of them. We also went over her guest list and talked about our boys being in the same Boy Scout troop.

Today, I finally had the computer and house to myself so I could scan the pictures into the computer. I had some loose pictures that I had from Suzanne's childhood but I could not find her wedding album! I remember thinking to myself, Suzanne shouldn't have put her album in the plastic bag. Some one might think it is trash.

I tore my house apart trying desperately to recall my actions of our meeting. I finally decided that when I was saying goodbye to Suzanne, I went to the mailbox to pick up the mail. When I came inside the house, I dropped off the mail on the kitchen table. I must have put the bag on the kitchen chair. Then one of the kids must have moved it off the chair and onto the floor. The kitchen table is next to the recycle pile by the back door and someone must have put it in the recycling bin.

But wait, the recycling truck just picked up the trash an hour ago!

I started FLIPPING OUT! I threw away my friend's precious wedding photos!!!!

I called my husband and he told me to call Suzanne right away and tell her what happened. Her answering machine picked up. I tried to sound calm after sobbing for 10 minutes and left a message for her to call me. Next, I called the trash company. They told me the truck hadn't come in yet but I was welcome to sift through the tons of trash to find the book.

I started calling my girlfriends and we quickly arranged a plan to meet at the dump site. I got my grubby clothes on and I was headed out the door when the phone rang. It was Suzanne. Oh no! Should I pick up the phone? Should I look for the book first and then tell her the horrific story? "Hey Donna, what's wrong" Suzanne said in her sweet Southern drawl. I started to cry. "Oh Suzanne, I threw away your wedding album!" She told me to stop crying and she thought I was a true friend for getting so upset about losing her book. Why is she being so calm and nice and trying to cheer me up? I just told this woman her precious memories were lost forever!

"Donna, sweetie! You didn't lose it! The book is right here. I found it in my car this morning. I forgot to give it to you!"

"WHAT!? Are you sure? You are looking at them right now?"

Yes, she assured me. Oh, thank GOD! She told me that she would try to get them to me in the next couple of days.

Still in a state of shock, I called off the posse. They were very relieved. My friend Marina said that if ever there was an occasion to start drinking in the afternnon, this was it! Amen!

UPDATE: Suzanne just dropped off the album! She gave me several hugs and told me what a great friend I was! She is so sweet! Here is her favorite picture. I told her I would guard the album with my life!