magical monday...

If you know me, it's no secret that I'm no fan of Mondays. I try and I try, but Monday proves itself a real stinker more often than not. (Much, much more often than not, truth be told.)

But today? This Monday? It's not so bad. Read on:

I started out this fine day working out with good old Stephen. (I feel quite certain he's out to get me, by the way. My, oh my...I'm in for sore legs and shoulders the next couple of days is what!)

As soon as I finished my workout, I high-tailed it to WalMart and met up with Lindsey dearest to purchase Illuminations. We walked with swiftness and determination to the music department to grab our CDs. Aaaand then we were greatly disappointed to discover WalMart didn't have said album. Anywhere. And there wasn't even a WalMart-worker anywhere around to harass about it. (I didn't want to buy the CD from WalMart anyway! For realsies.)

So. We made our way to Barnes & Noble (knowing full well that it wouldn't be open at 7:30am). Barnes & Noble wouldn't open until 9am...but that didn't stop us from looking through the windows for a Josh Groban display. (We totally saw one, taunting us that it was, in fact, being released today...)

Lindsey and I parted ways (she: to work; I: home to shower and get on with my day), agreeing to purchase said CD at some point on this Monday, to listen to it as much as possible, and to meet again tonight to discuss.

I got ready in a hurry and rushed to Target, only to discover they didn't have Josh's album out and about, either.

Then I rushed to work only to have have my first client cancel 2 minutes after I walked through my office door. (Ugh! So annoying! But wait: this means I can run to Barnes & Noble to make my purchase!)

I made my way to Barnes & Noble and bee-lined it to the music section. And do you want to know what? ILLUMINATIONS WAS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN! I searched that music department meticulously, to no avail! (Gah!) Finally, a kind sir asked how he could help me, and I said (a little desperately?) that I couldn't find the new Josh Groban CD. This fellow said, "New music comes out on Tuesdays." I said, "Sir, I know that new music usually comes out on Tuesdays, but not this one. You even have a display (somewhere in this store!) that says it's available today."

Kind sir went back behind his register and pulled out an Illuminations album from a hefty box-full and tried to ring it up. And do you know what happened? It scanned! Because it's November 15, and that's exactly when it's supposed to be available to the public!

Kind sir said something like, "Well huh. I guess I'll set up the display this morning." And then he totally sold me the CD. I smiled at him with more love than he was probably comfortable with, and I purchased my very own copy of Josh's new CD.

Why on earth didn't any of the retailers in IF know about this? Why did I have to be the one to tell them about it? I didn't think I was a Freakishly-Freaky-Josh-Groban-Fan; am I?

Well, you're welcome, Mr. Groban. Because of me (and my stubborn self), you made some sales here in North-of-Zion on November 15th (instead of TUESDAY, like they all thought).

But I digress...

The hunt was totally worth it. His music has a different ring to it than his other albums, but I like it. (He could probably sing kiddie music and I'd love his stuff, because of that rich, gorgeous voice of his...)

Also, my friend Annie has spoken before of a tasty treat she loves. I remembered her talking about it, but all I could remember was that it was some sort of hot chocolate. So I texted her this morning and asked her what it was called and where it could be purchased. She sent me back to Barnes & Noble (where there resides a Starbucks) for a salted caramel hot chocolate.

Holy crap, this is some ever-so-tasty hot chocolate! WOW! Who knew that salted caramel would be such a stellar idea to add to hot chocolate? Thanks, Annie!

Such a lovely Monday after all...