A few weeks ago I ran to Lifeway Christian Bookstore with my friend Angela, her six and four year olds girls and my three year old daughter. As soon as we got there I announced I had to use the restroom and all three children said they had to do the same. Of course. Since Angela had graciously gotten up at the crack of dawn to babysit my three year old, Lily, so I could go to court with an inmate from my Bible study, I knew I could at least take the crew to the restroom. This was my first time in this particular Lifeway store so I was a bit surprised to find a restroom that could only accomodate one. We all huddled into the tiny space and I helped the girls along. It was obvious things were going to take a REALLY long time so I decided while they were in the girls restroom I could go to the boys restroom next door. With only one person in at a time, a good lock and a very uncrowded day at Lifeway I thought there was nothing to worry about. Who would ever even know? I explained to the girls I would be in the other bathroom right next door. I pointed out the door and I hurried away.... As soon as I got myself situated I heard little voices in the hallway. Great! They left the restroom. They were looking for me so they went directly to the other door - only problem was it was the wrong door. It was the emergency exit door. Which also had an alarm. An alarm that goes off as soon as the door is opened and of course they opened it. The alarm was LOUD and blinked with a variety of lights that seemed to signal certain doom. The crying started. The girls, not mine. The employees ran to the back of the store to find a couple of very little girls all alone standing between the exit and the girls restroom. The girls restroom that had a door wide open with another little girl sitting on the commode crying her little eyes out. I was in the same position but thank goodness my door was securely locked. As much as I didn't want to emerge from the men's room I made my way out so they wouldn't think the children had been abandoned. I said a quick "hello" to the Lifeway staff and then an "I'm sorry". The alarm was too loud to explain the situation and that was sort of a relief. I calmed the girls. The crying stopped. Angela made her way back to us.... And then we laughed......and eventually the alarm was turned off...... and the best part is that Lifeway store isn't the one I normally go to. There is another one much closer to my house that's bigger AND the restroom has stalls! Stalls! A mother's dream. And they don't know about the little commotion we caused... And that's good because I love going to Lifeway.
9 comments:
That is so funny. :)
LOL! Yeah too bad you had to ruin it for me at MY Lifeway! :) Now I am known as the mom who lets her kids run out the back door! Just kidding. I hope I was successful in my not associating myself with the four of you! :) I will never forget that. The funny thing is while I was checking out, I told the guy I bet that had something to do with my children but you were back there so no worries. Thanks for making my life an adventure.
Much love,
Angela
Yes, I did kind of ruin things for you. I am sure they are quick to point out books from the parenting section every time you come in. You are more than welcome to come to my Lifeway but you can't go near the emergency exit!
hahahaha girl i do that ALL the time. i mean, why wait when there is another just as capable (although usually dirtier) toilet next door?
you rock :)
My son set off the alarm once a LONG time ago, thankfully!
I feel your pain, well, not all of your pain becaseu I wasn't sitting on a commode in the men's room with my pants down! Too funny! Oh, my goodness, too funny!
Lol!! I just had to comment on this one. I work at Lifeway. Not the one you are talking about. Im at the one in Franklin,Tn. And we have people all the time thinking that we don't even have a bathroom at our store because they are at the back of the store but they don't have the best signs. I can't tell you how many times I have been standing right next to the ladies room and a lady will come right up to me and say where is your restroom. There is no way to tell her without her feeling foolish, so I usually end the conversation with I won't tell anyone. Meaning I won't tell everyone I know that she couldn't see what was right in front of her. Well, I will inform lifeway headquarters that we need to do some rethinking in the bathroom situations at some of the stores.
Nikki
PS I have family that live in FT Oglethorpe, is that close to you? Just curious...
Hi! I wandered over here from somewhere and got a huge kick out of your post.
I'm orginally from Flintstone/Chickamauga, not far from you!
Anyway, have a great day!
That's so funny!I'm glad I wasn't there to be embarrassed!
Too funny! I did that once but didn't know it was the men's room until a man came out of the stall I was waiting for! Then I had to face my husband on the way out. Very humbling, but he expects those things out of me!
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