A day in the life of a goon magnet.........

I know I've posted about my goon magnet gene before but I don't think people realize the magnitude of this skill that I have.  Some may not see it is a skill, my husband being one of them.  But really, I think it's a skill.  I mean seriously, not everyone has this quality but maybe if they did, the world would be a better place.  I just think it goes to show that I have a friendly face and sunny disposition. 

So let me take you through a typical day when the goon magnet was in full force.  The funny thing is, at one point, my husband even said, sounds like a blog entry to me!  He's catching on.

Last week I went into town to run errands and meet my husband for lunch.  First stop was Sam's.  I had to get a new membership.  By the time I left, I knew the following facts - the lady helping me built a house in 1967 about a mile from where I currently live.  She lived there until last year and then moved.  Also, another lady felt the need to tell me about her arthritis and why she has to buy calcium chews at Sam's because they are 79 cents cheaper.  Her son brings her to Sam's once a month but this month he couldn't so she had to ask a neighbor.  (I almost volunteered for next month but bit my tongue.)

Next up I met my husband at Olive Garden.  Now if you have read past posts, you know I've had an "encounter" there before with a lady trying on a bra.  This wasn't nearly as bad.  I dropped my coat off at the table and proceeded to the bathroom.  While there, I met a woman that is from Ottawa (20 min. from my hometown)  We talked about all the snow they had and that's how she mentioned where she was from.  My husband just shook his head when I returned to the table and mentioned I met someone from Ottawa.  I'm thinking he should have been impressed but I guess not.

Then I went to Barnes & Noble and must have impressed a man with my backwards driving as I reversed into a parking spot.  We had a nice chat as we walked in about how his wife can't back in and once wrecked their car by hitting their garage.  Luckily, he was not there when I left and totally drove over the curb.  I don't think he would have been so impressed.

At that point I dropped off a bag of food to a homeless man I've been stalking.  It's hard to stalk someone who doesn't have a home.  He's always on the same corner so last time I saw him, I went and bought a bunch of stuff for him and then he was gone.  I haven't seen him since until that day.  Luckily I still had everything with me and finally got it delivered.

Then I headed to Aldi's.  There I met an old man that couldn't read his wife's grocery list.  I think it said peanut butter but may have said peanut brittle.  I suggested he just buy both and he laughed and agreed.   And just a tip - when you leave Aldi's I always leave the quarter in the cart for the next person.  Because really, doesn't it just make your day when you find the cart already paid for?  I know it makes mine so why not spread the joy one quarter at a time.

I'm fine with being a goon magnet.  These stories were pretty mild compared to some things that have happened.  I'm glad that I can put a smile on someone's face.  And I think it's really funny that my daughter has the same gene.  Just yesterday we were trying on shoes at a store and an older lady came up and talked to my daughter about the stiletto heels on display.  She reminisced about back in the day and the heels she wore compared to the ones today.  She left with a smile on her face and my daughter just looked at me and said "Don't even say it"

So spread a little goon magnet joy.  Stop and help a stranger, smile more often.  Some people may think you are nuts but most will smile back.  Be friendly to everyone, you don't know what they have going on in their life and that one nice thing you do for them may make a big difference.  Start spreading joy, even it's just one quarter at a time.