I kind of dropped off the face of the planet, didn’t I?

Wasn’t really my intent but life was CRAZY. (It’s always crazy, but this was an extra level of crazy.)

November 30th marked my last day of working with World Orphans. The month leading up to that was emotionally stressful, so I took the month of December to kind of “recover”.

Of course my version of “recovery” involves crafting projects, painting the baseboards, reorganizing closets and cupboards, and de-cluttering whatever space takes my attention that day. That and reading about a dozen books (all fiction escape). It was wonderful.

And then of course their was family in town, the holidays, etc.

But I feel more centered and am really excited about what God might have in store for 2012.

Last week sometime my wallet was either stolen or REALLY misplaced. Given that it hasn’t turned up after a week of hunting I have to assume that either 1) it fell out of my van when the kids were pulling their backpacks out or 2) someone opened my door and grabbed it while I parked and ran into the school for 3 minutes.

Yes, I realize that was kind of dumb of me but seeing as my kids go to a CHRISTIAN school that meets at a CHURCH…well just call me optimistic.

I waited several days before calling the bank – still hoping it would turn up. I stalked my account but saw no suspicious activity.

Fortunately this was NOT a month where I had gotten to the ATM on payday and the thief (or wild animal) got about $6 in cash. I had also just used my last check the day before.

Yes it’s a pain to get a new license (except you can do it online) and new bank cards, Sam’s Club etc.

But what I was really missing?

My Starbucks Gold rewards card. Yep, that sucker had like $6 on it. Plus I had another gift card someone had given me with $25 on it.

Gift cards are like cash right. You lose them? Too bad, so sad.

Except I went on Starbucks.com today to see about getting a replacement gold card (I do enjoy that free extra pump of pumpkin syrup in my pumpkin spice latte). I clicked the button that said “report card lost or stolen”.

And behold I got a screen declaring that they would put my $5.89 balance on a new gold card and please confirm my address.

Pays to be a Gold Reward member right? But I didn’t figure I’d get that lucky twice. I went to the other gift card (which I had registered so I’d get the points) and lo and behold they transferred the $25 balance to a new card and deactivated the old one.

Nicely done Starbucks, nicely done!