Best Laid Plans... And Sand

A couple of weeks ago, I called Holland Hauling to ask about the cost of sand. We were needing to get some so we can hopefully put our pool back up again.

Holland didn't answer so I left a message asking for a return call. I set my phone down on the counter and walked to the back of the house.

A few moments later, I returned to catch the tail end of a conversation between Kiera and Aaron.

Looking at Kiera, Aaron said, "Who was it?"

"I don't know. Some telemarketer." Kiera explained. "I hung up on him."

I realized that my phone had rung while I was out of the room.

"It was a telemarketer?" I asked Kiera.

"Yup. I don't know what he said... something about sand and Holland and I hung up." She nonchalantly responded.

I stopped dead in my tracks. "Wait? What?" I exclaimed as I grabbed my phone and quickly pushed redial.

Thankfully, Holland answered when I called back and since he has kids of his own, he laughed, saying he completely understood.

Fast forward to Monday. I called and asked if he could fit us in for a load of sand. He didn't hesitate to add us to the schedule and even was able to get it delivered before the end of the day.

Deciding that while Aaron was at work, Kiera and I would work on spreading the sand out when I got home.

We ate a quick dinner, changed into swimsuits and headed out back. The original plan was to play in the sand for a few minutes and then began the fun task of spreading out sand.

That plan was quickly derailed. We dug holes, built crazy shapes and buried each other. Well, I buried her and shaped her into a mermaid. She buried my legs and changed her mind.

I built a bust with a pearl necklace and dress and Kiera built a mountain with a jewel embedded into a cavern wall. But, I'll let her tell you all about it in her own words...

Hey!! It’s KIERA and today me and mom were playing in sand.

Of course I had to be turned into a mermaid. I mean who wouldn’t want to be a mermaid? I mean, I tried to make mom’s dreams come true by making her a mermaid, but sometimes you just get lazy.

So I decided to make a hole next to her and sit. For a second I thought mom was stuck in the hole she made and measured just for me.

Next we decided to have a sand castle challenge. I started digging my little hole and by now I’m not even focused about the challenge. I’m more focused about how my hands are dirty. Now you can tell I was raised in a city. Face it. I’m a city girl, I say to myself. Anyways back to the challenge. I look around to see mom’s almost done. I just have a hole so I look down at the hole and using just the right amount of creativity see a mountain around it.

So I quickly move over and my knee hits a rock so again using imagination I see a rare gem. I pick it up and I stick it into the sand pile.

I’m sure mom was looking for my castle but she said “cool”. In my head I think where is she looking? So I say exactly that and she pointed at my pile of sand.

I’m sure she saw me in shock wondering how a PILE of sand was better than a neck with a pearl necklace and a dress. Literally. A PILE OF SAND. Again in total shock.

But the most important thing is we made some good memories.

Kiera and I spent the better part of an hour, laughing and playing in that sand pile. I'm thankful that my plan was derailed. I wouldn't trade that precious time with Kiera for anything.

A huge thanks to Holland Hauling for fitting us in today! They are a great group. Make sure to give them a call!

Rowonna McNeely her husband, Aaron are regular volunteers in the community, and have their hands full with their daughter, Kiera, along with three dogs and one cat.

Thank you for sharing in our weekly journeys. If you have missed any of our past stories, check out our blog page at www.lifea2k.net or drop us a line at lifea2k@yahoo.com.