conversation through a window

I worked-out today.  As in, exercise.  I know.  Kinda shocking.  Hard cardio.  40 minutes.  Elliptical.  Varying resistances and speeds.

The last time was a week and a half ago. 

I was breathing heavy... during my warm-up.

There's a {sweet} older gentleman who often tells me that he has had the search party out looking for me.  He misses me.  He's just a southern gentleman.

Sometimes, I miss my days of running.  It was easier to stay committed to exercise then.  People were running all around me today.  {jealous much?}  There was the expected New Year's crowd.  I broke a sweat, to prove myself to the rest of the room.

And I must tell you, my iPod dilemma has long been resolved.  I just made your day, huh?  I get bored with songs, sometimes needing to change them mid-way.  Enter... Pandora.  Thank you, iPhone, for the free app!

Endorphins were pumping.  I wiped my two beads of sweat and realized I was faced with two choices.  The girls were not finished with dance class, so I had a few more minutes.  Do I go home and try to shower quickly... or run through Starbucks with Jasmine and enjoy a quiet moment in the parking lot?

Hahhh... Door #2 just sounds much more inviting, yes?

Him:  "Welcome to Starbucks.  May I take your order?"  {something like that}

Me:  "Yes... I'd like a grande, chai tea latte', non-fat, extra-hot, with one pump of sugar-free hazelnut, please."

{i waited for the typical reaction.  questions.  it seems our order is a bit too customized for many.  it would be for me.}

Him:  "What size did you want again?"

Me:  "Grande."

Him:  "Okay.  So you wanted a vente, chai tea, with lots of fat, ice-cold, and lots of syrupy sugar?"

Me:  *giggle*  "You got it!"

I pulled up to the window and everyone was laughing.  Including me.

He took one look at Jasmine and offered puppy foam before I could mutter one syllable.

Everyone took their turn, peering through the drive-through window, to peek at Jasmine.  She wondered why all of these strangers were looking at and talking to her.  She began to shake.  She's nervous like that.

I was once pulled over by a young, female officer.  Jasmine growled at her from the moment I rolled down my window.  Picking up my vibes, I'm sure.   *giggle*  The officer positioned herself out of Jasmine's line of view.  *giggle*

She's not nervous when it counts.

For the first time, she was too nervous to drink her puppy foam in front of these strangers.

Starbucks man and I shared more conversation and laughs, then I pulled away.  There's something about someone's genuine smile that puts a little pep in your step.

I pulled in the parking lot, waiting on the girls to finish dance.  Jasmine drank her milk and was especially excited to finish my foam.  She likes hazelnut, too.

Then, I noticed this work of art on Jasmine's cup.

They are not only friendly, but artists, too!

Then, I played my turn on Words with Friends with hubs.  We both use wineverygame.com.  We're both okay with that. 

Door #2 served me well... and confirmed that my Starbucks addiction is back, as well as Jasmine's.  And that our pets have almost taken over this family blog.  {i should be writing syrupy valentine posts.}  And that it's hard to write a blog while watching HGTV {which house will they pick?  i would pick #2!  how do people afford these international vacation homes? i'd love to win the dream home.  'selling in new york' is just craziness.  how do people afford this stuff?}. 

Husband needs to come home.  His business trips are aging me.   #mamaneedsmoresleep  #hipsneedlesschocolate   He will be here soon.  I should introduce him to Starbucks man.