Goof-ball !

A couple of days ago, while I was sitting in the office, my cell phone rang--it was a friend calling. As per usual, our conversation was interrupted by a lost connection. (That happens a lot here--living on top of a "mountain". Now, I would hardly consider this a mountain, but, locally, that's what it's called--how silly!) When she called back, I stepped outside onto the deck, thinking my cell phone might get better reception outside. After our somewhat lengthy conversation, I started to come back inside, but was shocked to find the door locked! Tugging hard at the handle on the sliding glass door, I broke a fingernail, far down past the quick, but still had no luck getting the door open. What on earth??? How could that door latch lock behind me? (This door handle can only be locked by moving a side lever into the lock position, which can only happen when you're on the inside of the door.)

For just an instant I felt the tiniest bit of panic, which quickly brought on a hot flash, as I realized, Oh great--I'm stuck outside on this deck until Larry gets home. (Since our house is built on the side of a hill, the main-floor deck is actually at second-story level from the ground behind our house, and there is no staircase down to the ground.) As the hot flash subsided, I quickly realized I was starting to feel a bit chilly, being outside in a sleeveless shirt on a cool, gray, rainy day. I also began to feel a bit embarrassed as I imagined myself having to holler "Help!" to anyone who might happen to hear me and come running to find out what was wrong. Trying to regain my calm and collected sense of control in a tough situation, I sat down in a chair, looked at my watch, and thought, Well, maybe Larry is getting close to time to leave work. (It was 5:15.) Fortunately, I had my cell phone, so I called him to ask, "Where are you, and when are you coming home?" I was happy to hear that he was already on his way home.

When I explained to him the predicament I was in, he said, "Oh, you went outside from the office, forgetting that door stays locked when you open and close it." (There are two doors out to our deck--one in the family room and one in the office. However, the door in the office also has a storm door, so I never close the inside door when I step outside from the office.) Instantly, the light bulb went on in my head! I had been trying to get back inside through the sliding glass door in the family room, forgetting that I went outside from the office! The office door (which I didn't close behind me) is the open door!! I quickly said goodbye, and went back inside to the warmth of my home, scolding myself...
Oh, Jeannie! How can you be such a goof-ball?

Now I know why Glynna is interesting in having me help with Women's Ministries. Every fun ministry team needs at least one goof-ball to keep us from taking ourselves too seriously! Sometimes ya just gotta laugh at yourself! (But, I still can't believe I did that!)