Last night man-go-round and I went out on a date. It was a “surprise,” so I didn’t know where we were going until, well, we walked in the first place. I used to have issues with “surprises” because I had anxiety about WHAT TO WEAR. However, my go-to move is now a dress, tights, and my skechers. Dressy enough, but casual enough too. Hooray for stupid coping mechanisms!


We went to Stub n Herbs for some drinks, then Punch for some ‘zza!

Mimi, Peroni, Bruni, Fulton

Seven minutes later… Gone-zo! Thanks Punch!

This got me thinking about surprises. I spend my days working with kids on how to deal with surprises/ triggers, good or bad, and how to be more flexible. Some surprises can make your day. Others can make you want to %$*^-ing *$%(^( someone!


Sur-Prizes (surprises that rock)
1. Surprise Parties! The best! Attending, throwing, receiving…
2. Packages or “real” letters in the mail. Hell, even a freebie sample or coupon.
3. When you get to the register at a store and find out your item is on mega-sale
4. Finding unseasonal clothes in storage that you forgot you owned. Hooray sundress buying spree last year- I was so happy to find you when we moved!
5. Money in your jacket pocket from last winter.
6. Finding something funny you made as a kid, or when your awesome sister sends them to you in the mail! (see number 2).
7. When someone sends you flowers
8. Finding a new flavor of a food you already like at the store.
9. When the barista/cashier randomly comps your food. Yess!
10. Finding cash on the ground. My most random place was once finding a fiver at the bottom of a lake at a swimming beach.


Sur-Cries (surprises that suck)
1. Cavities. I’ve only gotten one before, but it was not a pleasant surprise. I felt like a failure at life. Neither is going to the doctor and finding out you have a random ailment you didn’t even go in for (ahem, bladder infection of 2007. You suck.)
2. Leaks in ceilings. Leaks in floors. Leaks in windows. Boo.
3. Being at work, getting called up for an appointment you weren’t aware of. Hello ad-lib!
4. When you reach in for an “m&m” and get a nasty Skittle. Ptoooey!
5. Road closures- although sometimes I end up being happy overall because I find a new route and get to explore. These stink when you’re late.
6. Pimples, rashes, canker sores.
7. Parking tickets, or worse- getting towed.
8. Touching something at a store and realizing it is all sticky. Once I’m pretty sure I grabbed a boogery shirt at F21. It took me a loooong time to return, and now I’m extra careful. Conversely, walking down the street and having things drop on your head. Rain/snow from a tree or building, bird poo…
9. When someone takes forever to cash a check, you forget about it, then one day you have less money in your account and it stinks.
10. Finding a bug, spider, centipede, mouse, squirrel… in your home. Yes, squirrel.


What are some of your favorite surprises? Any crappy surprises I missed? Do you like to be surprised or do you like to know what’s coming?


And most importantly, does anyone else have a great “go-to” outfit for when you don’t know where the day might lead you? 


Meri