I used the same coffee mug for two decades. A few years ago, it developed a crack and had to be retired. I've been on the search for a new piece of art to start my day, but artisan mugs are not cheap. I reached out to potters who do work that I like, to see if they would entertain a trade ... my art for theirs. I have had several wonderful exchanges! This one is from Winding Pine Pottery. I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this mug all week. Tracking showed a Saturday delivery. It felt like Christmas!

Hubby and youngest son were in town and stopped for the mail on their way to the house, gathering the package and letters. I greet them on the driveway to tell them I have their lunch ready. Son gets out of the truck holding my box. "You got a package! Some kind of pottery or something," he calls and THROWS it to me ... but purposely short and it crashes at my feet, top breaking open and the paper packing coming out, box busted up from the weight and misshapen from the roll. I hear what sounds like breaking clay.

I SCREAMED. I admit I used all the bad playground words. They are laughing as I'm scrambling around in the gravel gathering up my prize and open the box the rest of the way while furiously cursing the laughing jerks...only to find several tennis ball-sized rocks sandwiched in the packaging. What I heard was rocks banging into each other. I kicked the broken carton of rocks a few times for good measure while I dialed back my tirade. Hubby had the mug and half the packaging cradled against his side out of my view until I got a bead on his laughing face. He held out my treasure, and I snatched it out of his grip. Apparently, the two of them hatched this plan a quarter mile from the mailbox to the house.

I'm still mad, but recognize that paybacks suck. I DO play tricks on the guys, but not mean ones! (Okay, so I CAN actually laugh and acknowledge they got me good.) But DANG I went from mild to hysterical FAST!

Does your household play tricks/pranks on each other?