The Tomato

I didn't get a chance to update everyone on "the tomato." I arrived at work one day to see a tomato in the parking lot very close to the back tire of someone's car. I thought it was interesting that a tomato had gotten loose in the parking lot.

That afternoon it was still there when I left for the day and I took a picture of it (Tuesday).

The next morning I showed up and there was the tomatoe again...it still was hanging in there. On my way home it was still there although a little worse for wear (picture below).

I was really looking forward to Thursday morning to track it's life...unfortunately I was in an accident on the way to work and did not get to follow-up on my little tomato. I heard from a co-worker it had finally lost it's life to a tire. My experiment was over!

Grammy's Boots

Many of you know that every month I call my Grammy to go over her bills and balance her checkbook for her. She is in CT and it is heartbreaking that she is so far away, but she always manages to make me laugh with her repetitive stories and the little things she says.

The beginning of September I went through the typical ritual and everything seemed fine. I did notice that she wrote a check to Comfort Moccasins. I didn't think much about it at the time. I figured she probably ordered something out of one of her magazines of the newspaper.

Well, Friday she called my mother to ask her if she sent her some boots. My mother said, "No, why would I send you boots? I don't even like boots or anything about boots so I wouldn't send you any." My Grammy proceeds to tell my mom that earlier in the week she received an odd box and inside were some rubber soled thick lined boots. She said the book was like a plastic material and inside was an invoice that said zero on it so she threw it all away and the trash had already been picked up. My mom asked if they fit and she said yes. Of course, there is still no clue as to where they came from.

So, my mother tells me the story and I say "She sent a check for them." And my mom starts saying "What are you talking about?" I look at the check register and there it is 8/23/09 a check to Comfort Moccasins. My mother can't stop laughing, and quite frankly neither can I. I call my Grammy and say "I hear you got some boots." And she says, "Yes, I have no idea where they came from." And I say, "You ordered them." To which she says, "I did?" (read that with a high level of shock) "Let me get my checkbook." As she puts the phone down on the table I hear her say "Oh Lord, oh Lord." I am trying really hard to contain myself at this point. She comes back to the phone and I tell her to go to the date of 8/23/09 and look for check number 2395 and there in front of her are the words Comfort Moccasins. She now says she is blushing and hanging her head in shame and tells me to never get old (well, it's too late for that - we are all headed in that direction). After she goes on telling me all about the boots and that she forgot all about them since they didn't show up right away (she doesn't realize it takes a while to mail a check, process the check and the order and then ship the product unlike shopping online or using a debit/credit card on the phone). I ask her if she likes them and she says "Oh yes!" So I say, "Well good, because you have new boots." By-the-way, she keeps calling them boots, but I'm thinking they are probably slippers with a rubber sole so that if you need to run to the mailbox they won't get ruined and you don't have to chance shoes.

As the southerners say "Bless her heart!"

Car Window Stickers

As you know, a while back I posted that I don't like those stickers that people put on their car windows that say Rest in Peace or In Memory of...

I wish I had a really good reason for not liking them, but I really don't have one. I just don't like them. And two weeks ago as well as last week I was behind cars that had these stickers. The first one really bothered me because it was for a baby. I think the dates equated to a child around 6 months old at the time of death. I wonder if that's how that baby is best memorialized. Plus...I don't need to be distracted while driving because I'm trying to figure out the age of someone when they die or get all upset when I realize it's a baby! Then Friday I was behind a truck for a good bit of my ride home and it had 2 In Memory of stickers (one on each side of the back window) and in the middle of the In Memory of and the person's name and DOB and DOD was a big bass fish. Another distraction I don't need while driving!

Goodness people - can't you think of any other way to pay tribute to your dead friends or family? I'm just sayin...

I hate your Trash!

I've been meaning to post this for a while. I hate trash and when people throw their trash on the ground! Even if it is biodegradable!

Several months ago I was on my way to my car at work so I could head home for the day and this is what I found!

I just want to know why someone can't wrap this up in a napkin and throw it away when they get home! It's so disrespectful of the other people around you!

Do you know what today is???

Most of you won't be able to put 2 and 2 together to figure out what today is beyond the fact that it is a beautiful Saturday and it's April 25th! But, today is a sad day for me in some respects...it marks the one year anniversary of the first official day of my salon being closed.

Last year at approximately 4:00 pm on Thursday, April 24th I announced to my team that we would not reopen for business the next day and for the next 1/2 hour I had an utter breakdown and anxiety attack and thought I was having a heart attack. I convulsed and cried and carried on - on the salon's kitchen floor - for at least 30 minutes. I was a failure in my eyes...and I had failed my employees and our clients.

Today I realize I learned a lot from that experience. I am glad I tried it, and I'm ready for a new and better phase for my life. WHICH STARTS RIGHT NOW!! (Well, in my mind it started yesterday or 1 this morning when I was typing out my other posts.)

I can't believe it's been a year...it's been rough, but it can only get better. Right? Please say I'm right!

Read with Me...

I just started reading 10-10-10 by Suzy Welch. It's about taking the time to think of the impact decisions will have on your life Now...a little while in the future...in the distant future.

• The first step is to determine your question (like...should I do this or that?).
• Then collect the data...be honest when asking yourself what the consequences will be of your options (in 10 minutes, 10 months, 10 years...or whatever time frame applies to you).
• The last step is analysis. Take all the information you've compiled and compare it to your innermost values, beliefs, goals, dreams, and needs.

I am still in the very beginning of the book...I will keep you posted of what I learn. I always enjoy reading something that makes me take time for self reflection...there is never any harm in looking within yourself!

You think you know me...

Some of you have known me for a short time and others of you have known me for [what seems like] an eternity. Each of you know me in a different capacity, know different things about me, know different personality traits, goals, thoughts, desires, etc.

I'd say that over the course of my life there have been lots of ups and downs and lots of changes...some good and some bad. But for the most part I'd say that I definitely learned from my life.

I have gone through phases when I have been very social and everything has been about being with people (at work or hanging out with friends) and I've gone through phases of enjoying my time to myself. I am content with either...I am perfectly content being home or socializing. If you've only known me in a social setting than it's probably hard for you to believe I have a side that desires being alone. My alone time usually involves reading...I'm not the type to spend hours in the tub or sleeping when I'm alone - instead I like to fill my mind.

For those who know my "social" side you probably also know me as a girl who likes to date and has had my share of "first" dates...and just a few long term relationships. The truth is...I have no problem being alone and don't mind it. It doesn't depress me or worry me...I can be content either way.

My phases have been...socializing in High School and working after school, weekends, and summer breaks. I had a good time with friends as a teenager should and dated one guy for almost 2 years. After HS I went to work full-time instead of off to college like most of my friends. This was fine with me and I formed a lot of great friendships over the years. While working at my 2nd "real" job I met the guy I dated for 4 years. We had our problems of breaking up and getting back together, but I learned a lot about myself and very little about relationships. I was probably about 25 when we broke up. For a little while after that I just concentrated on work (and during one of our breakups I moved to OK for 3 months) - I worked 2 jobs most of the time from 11th grade until 1998 when I moved to GA. Right before moving to GA I went through a phase of going out with a friend from the salon (where I was working) on a regular basis just about every weekend. And I also went back to school for a short time in 1995-1996. I dated a "much" younger guy for a short time in 1996 around the time I had surgery on my knee. I was feeling crappy about myself and he was young and cute and made me feel better about myself, but only for a short time. After him I didn't date anyone up until moving to GA...I had a few dates here and there, but never with anyone I could see myself with. While not dating anyone I spent quite a bit of time doing my own thing. Working, staying at home, and going out from time to time. I was absolutely fine with not dating anyone. I moved here in 1998 and didn't date anyone for the first 2 years of being here. I went back to school, joined the gym, and worked. I earned a cruise from my employer and took the trip alone...it was quite liberating. I met a group of girlfriends and some sisters traveling together and we all hung out and enjoyed "girl" time out on the ocean. I then "secretly" dated a guy from work for a year - dating within our company was frowned upon so we never told anyone. That was around 2001 - and after that I didn't date at all again until 2005...not even a first date. I was working my ass off! I did a marathon and a 1/2 marathon during that time, traveled for work, traveled up to CT a few times to check on my dying grandfather and then back up for his funeral. Dating was not even on my mind...hell, I went to PR a few times, CA, Jamaica, Greece - who needed dating. For approximately a year I dated another guy I worked with (a different company) and again no one could know - this time it was because I was the Operations /HR Manager and he "sort of" reported to me. It was a relationship I knew would end up no where because he wanted children and I can't have any. And then I started putting together a business plan to buy my own salon and I got really caught up in that...again I was back to the no time for dating or anything else. I spent all my time researching information and putting together my plan. After I finally signed on the dotted line for my salon I thought I could at least consider dating someone - I figured my life was finally coming together and since my goal of owning a salon had come to life I could work on finding someone to share it with. In 2007 I joined Match.com and had mixed results in the dating world. I signed up for a month here and there never really concentrating on anything... Then in the beginning of 2008 things were not looking good for my salon and the depression was starting to take a toll on me. April 2008 I closed my salon and spent many, many nights going out with friends to ignore my life and the downturn it had taken. A few months after closing I started back on Match.com - again with mixed results and then in the fall I ended up joining POF. I had many first dates and prefer not to discuss the specifics.

Most of what I have written is to get to this point...I have realized that I spent the last year (and many past years) wasting a lot of time and money and the girl I used to be was always a goal-setter, a go-getter, and someone who got stuff done. The past year I went out too much and wasted so much money that could have been put to good use. I have decided to get back on track...going out will not be a regular occurrence (and this includes going out to dinner - I will limit it) and saving money will become my focus! I have goals to meet and things to do! When Mr. Right joins me I will have my stuff together...I'm going to be 39 next month and I'm ready to be a grown up! It took me long enough!!

What is Love?

I have lots of friends who are happily married (and some that are "just" married). Love is usually the the thing that brings these people together.

I met someone recently and I can't get him out of my mind when we aren't together. We spent Friday, Saturday & Sunday of the past 2 weekends together. He even picked me up yesterday to go to his house and brought me home today. How impressive is that?

He dropped me off today because I am supposed to meet up with a friend so she can go over my 2007 taxes (UGH...they should have been done a long time ago). I haven't been able to stop thinking about him and wanting to be with him since he left.

I think I'm falling in love already. When I am with him I just don't care about anything else. I have never felt that before. Man...I didn't want to come home today.

Porn and the Super Bowl

Just in case you don't pay attention to what's going on in the world (or even the U.S.) there was a little incident in Tuscon, AZ where in the middle of the Super Bowl 10-30 seconds (I don't recall exactly and I don't even think it matters at this point) of porn interrupted the football game.

Imagine this...families in Tuscon are huddled around the TV talking about the game, drinking beers, hanging out with grandparents and kids alike and suddenly porn is on the big screen! Yep! Right there for all to enjoy.

This subject got the DJs on QBert talking and they asked people to call in about the most embarrassing experiences with porn. I couldn't help but laugh because it reminded me of a story involving my (then) teenage cousin and my grandmother.

My aunt and cousins were staying at my grandparents for a while and my grandparents are die-hard Christians and church-goers. There are some things my grandmother won't tolerate and porn is one of them (along with what she calls filthy language). My grandparents had gone out of town for a while and my cousin had some friends over (my aunt worked long hours so my cousin had a lot of free time).

After my grandparents returned home my grandmother was in the living room one day and realized there was a tape in the VCR so she decided to see what it was. Much to her shock and dismay it was a porn flick. And she was NOT happy! She immediately took it out of the VCR, headed to the kitchen sink, filled it with hot water and proceeded to baptize the tape. She dunked it and prayed and then pulled the tape out of the inside. And she also grabbed one of my cousin's rap cassettes and baptized it too.

When he came home and saw her doing this he asked what was going on. When she told him about the video from the VCR he flipped out. He started saying "Grandma...that wasn't mine. That belonged to a friend and he has to return it to the rental place." My grandmother basically told him that if he was going to let that smut be in her house it was her's to do with what she wanted.

I don't think that story will ever NOT be funny to me. Nothing like seeing your grandmother baptize a video and cassette and then rip the guts out!

Skittles or Pharm Parties (Who Knew?)

This morning on QBert I heard of something that just shocked me! Apparently kids are attending parties called Skittles or Pharm parties.

It seems that tweens and teens (and some a little older) are attending Skittles parties which involves a bowl full of brightly colored ecstasy pills that people just take throughout the night and even mix with alcohol. The other is the Pharm party which involves people bringing a mix of prescription pills (their own or some stolen from friends and family) and everyone dumps what they have in a bowl. This bowl now could have anything from Xanax to Vicodin to who-knows-what! And again, they mix it with alcohol!

I am worried about these darn kids. Who ever thought that at 38 years old I would be thinking "these darn kids today." I am just amazed at what goes on these days. I am thankful I am no longer a teenager and no longer have these pressures.

Parents...please be very careful! Hide your medication. These parties are dangerous.

Inappropriate Questions

Do you know that it really is NEVER okay to ask a woman if she is pregnant? You shouldn't say "Oh, when are you due?" or "Awww...are you having a baby?" or "So, is there a baby on the way?"

And I say this in the nicest possible way because I've been asked it a few times over the years. I am not a Barbie. I don't have long thin legs, big boobs (okay, well I do have that), and a teeny-tiny waist that makes it evident that I am NOT preggers.

Today in the ladies room I was asked if I had a baby on the way. The empire waist sweaters, tops and dresses are in style (again) and I tend to like them. They are a little better at accentuating nice boobs and hiding some flaws around the middle. But, apparently that's not always true.

Man...I need to get back to the gym! I hate being asked that question!!

Feeling Quizical

Thanks to my friend Princess Sparkle Pants showing the results of her recent Myers-Briggs test I was feeling a wee bit quizical and Smarty McSmarty Pants (not in a Jeopardy kind of way though - I'm not that smart).

I decided to go online and take the test myself and this is what I found out...I am an ENTJ and according to this I am:

• slightly expressed extravert
• moderately expressed intuitive personality
• slightly expressed thinking personality
• slightly expressed judging personality

Hmmm...is anyone surprised by these findings? I'm not. I don't know if that's good or bad!

I am Extraverted 22 / iNtuitive 25 / Thinking 12 / Judging 11

It says this on their site: Extraverted iNtuitive Thinking Judging

"I don't care to sit by the window on an airplane. If I can't control it, why look?"

ENTJs have a natural tendency to marshall and direct. This may be expressed with the charm and finesse of a world leader or with the insensitivity of a cult leader. The ENTJ requires little encouragement to make a plan. One ENTJ put it this way... "I make these little plans that really don't have any importance to anyone else, and then feel compelled to carry them out." While "compelled" may not describe ENTJs as a group, nevertheless the bent to plan creatively and to make those plans reality is a common theme for NJ types.

ENTJs are often "larger than life" in describing their projects or proposals. This ability may be expressed as salesmanship, story-telling facility or stand-up comedy. In combination with the natural propensity for filibuster, our hero can make it very difficult for the customer to decline.

TRADEMARK: -- "I'm really sorry you have to die." (I realize this is an overstatement. However, most Fs and other gentle souls usually chuckle knowingly at this description.)

ENTJs are decisive. They see what needs to be done, and frequently assign roles to their fellows. Few other types can equal their ability to remain resolute in conflict, sending the valiant (and often leading the charge) into the mouth of hell. When challenged, the ENTJ may by reflex become argumentative. Alternatively (s)he may unleash an icy gaze that serves notice: the ENTJ is not one to be trifled with.

Functional Analysis
Extraverted Thinking
"Unequivocating" expresses the resoluteness of the ENTJ's dominant function. Clarity of convictions endows these Thinkers with a knack for debate, or wanting knack, a penchant for argument. The light and heat generated by Thinking at the helm can be impressive; perhaps even overwhelming. Experience teaches many ENTJs that restraint may often be the better part of valor, lest one find oneself victorious but alone.

Introverted iNtuition
The auxiliary function explores the blueprints of archetypal patterns and equips Thinking with a fresh, dynamic sense of how things work. Improvising on the fly is something many ENTJs do very well. As Thinking's subordinate, insights are of value only insofar as they further the Right, True Cause celebre. [n.b.: ENTJs are capable of living on a higher plane, if you will, and learning to value individuals even above their principles. The above dynamic suggests less individuation.]

Extraverted Sensing
Sensing reaches out to embrace that which physically touches it. ENTJs have an awareness of the real; of that which exists. By stilling the engines of Thinking and iNtuition, this type may experience the Here and Now, and know things not dreamt of nor even postulated in iNtuition's philosophy. Sensing's minor role, however, puts it at risk for distortion or extreme weakness beneath the hustle and bustle of the giants N and T.

Introverted Feeling
Feeling is romantic, as the ethereal as the inner world from whence it doth emerge. When it be awake, feeling evokes great passion that knows not nuance of proportion nor context. Perhaps these lesser functions inspire glorious recreational quests in worlds that never were, or may only ever be in fantasy. When overdone or taken too seriously, Fi turned outward often becomes maudlin or melodramatic. Feeling in this type appears most authentic when implied or expressed covertly in a firm handshake, accepting demeanor, or act of sacrifice thinly covered by excuses of lack of any personal interest in the relinquished item.

Famous ENTJs:
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Richard M. Nixon, Benny Goodman, "Big Band" leader, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Harrison Ford, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg, Sigourney Weaver, Margaret Thatcher, Al Gore (U.S Vice President, 1993-2001), Lamar Alexander (former governor, US Secretary of Education), Les Aspen, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Candace Bergen (Murphy Brown), Dave Letterman, Newt Gingrich, Patrick Stewart (STNG: Jean Luc Picard), Robert James Waller (author: The Bridges of Madison County), Jim Carrey (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask), Steve Jobs, and Penn Jillette.

*For those who know me - I'm not a fan of Al Gore being in the same category. But I'm happy about Margaret Thatcher and Newt Gingrich.

Possible jobs for someone of my "rating" are: Management in Business or Education, Miliatry Education, Politics, Law, Counseling, Engineering, Industrial Management & Manufacturing Management, High School Education, or Computer Programming.

I enjoy business management, have often contemplated politics on a local level (mayor), long ago thought about getting into law, often counsel others (Human Resources is my background), and I love to think of new ways to do stuff from a computer standpoint (although I like to come up with the ideas and have someone else do it).

In Memory of (part 2)...

One other thing I thought of after posting my last comments about In Memory of stickers is the crosses, flowers and such on the side of the road signifying where someone was obviously in an accident and more than likely killed.

I don't like this either. I understand why people want to do it, but I actually think it could cause more damage because people are looking away from the road and trying to see what's on the side of the road or even trying to read what is written on the crosses.

And then, beyond being dangerous because it's a distraction, it ends up being just a bunch of dead flowers or rotting wood and plastic which to me is like littering.

There are much better ways to mourn your loved ones, bring attention to their lives, or even acknowledge their existence. How about a scholarship in their name? An organization baring the their name? Or something else of significance?

As always...just my opinion!

In Memory of...

Do you ever drive down the road and see all the cars with the stickers on the back window saying "In Memory of..." or "In Loving Memory of..."?

I don't understand this new "trend" that people are doing. I sort of understood it when Dale Sr died because I would see all the stickers on the cars of the people who followed and worshiped him. But then it became a trend to do it for everyone who died.

I want to know how people decide to do this. Before the person dies do they say "You know, when I die I really wish you would put a sticker on your car with my name on it." I mean...how does one decide to do this?

Anyway, I saw the 5,000 car with a sticker on it this weekend and just thought I'd put it out there!

Are you Celebrating S.A.D. or V-Day this Year?

Thank you Simply for reminding me, and all the other single people, that Valentine's Day (V-Day) is fast approaching and I am single (and that would be STILL single BTW).

Simply has a boyfriend this year and is excited, as he should be. He no longer has to celebrate S.A.D. (Single Awareness Day) like the rest of us lonely single people!

Around this time last year or maybe 2-3 months after January I put myself "out there" on Match.com and trying to go places where I "might" meet people (especially guys). I've met a lot of nice guys, but I was really hoping that by mid-year 2008 I would be dating someone and we would have some quality holiday-time together. Which would then carry us into 2009 and thus V-Day! But, as luck would have it...I will be celebrating S.A.D. again this year.

Damn Holidays! And Damn Hallmark for making up all these holidays! Damn, Damn, Damn!

Week One of our New President

Prior to the inaguration I was dead set against watching any of the news casts about it or even watching live as it happened. Quite honestly...I didn't want him to win so why bother. And then I started realizing that made me just as closed minded as so many other Americans and I just couldn't put myself in that category!

I watched a bit of it online at work while getting my work done at my desk. I saw part of Rick Warren's invocation...he is awesome. And I saw part of Obama's swearing in...they flubbed it a little bit.

I have some issues that have been on my mind since the race began for this new President...and it is about RACE. Would anyone care to tell me when this will no longer be about him being black/African American/or whatever we are calling it in 2009? First of all...he's 1/2 black. So, when Jesse Jackson's son runs for office will he then be called the first "fully" African American to run and possibly win the White House? Can't we just call everyone human and call it a day?!

I realize that it is an important and historical day for our country in that many other countries would not allow such a thing to happen. Not only would they probably not vote a black man into office - they pretty much tell you who to vote for.

One of the problems I have with the situation is this...I understand that many white people are ancestors to slave owners and that many black people are ancestors to slaves. But none of us that are alive today are party to that behavior. I really don't think I've even encountered anyone that would condone it or thinks it was a really good thing back then. But it is what it is...and luckily through many years of trials and tribulations we have moved away from a lot of the hatred there once was. Don't get me wrong...I don't live under a rock or anything, I know that there are still idiots out there who are not kind to people of other races. And this, in my opinion, is due to their upbringing and knowing no different. I know that people come in all different colors - I just don't care to look at it like that. In my heart we are all human and should treat each other as such!

I am proud that our country was able to vote a black man into office, just like I will be proud the day a woman is elected. Just please...let's stop focusing on that. We need to focus on what he can and will do for our country - not the color of his skin! His skin color, and for that matter the fact that he is an excellent communicator, has absolutely nothing to do with his ability to lead our country.

As I have mentioned a few times before - I will be very thankful if the people who voted him into office prove me wrong rather than prove me right that he is not ready for this position. I am trying to keep an open mind and to support him since he is my President. But I would like to focus on his abilities and not his skin color!

And one other thing...for those who I have overheard saying "I never thought I would see a black man as President" or "Now my son thinks he can be President one day" - I have something to say about that. If your child EVER thought for even a second he couldn't be President (or anything else) because of the color of his skin it is YOUR fault for not instilling in him that he can be anything! I mean, parents are supposed to tell their kids that they can do and be anything. I do think it's wrong for a parent who knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that his/her kid can't sing and then sends them to audition for American Idol, but other than that there is no reason to NOT encourage your kid to be anything he/she wants to be!

I Can Has a Cheezeburger (.com)

I don't know if you've ever seen the website mentioned in the subject, but I love it! They have the cutest pictures of cats (oh...and some dogs) with the funniest captions! You should check it out. For fun...I've posted a very small selection of my favs here!

Marriage...

My friends and I have talked about this before - this thing called marriage. Here's one thing to keep in mind - before marriage there is an engagement - an actual event of asking someone to marry you (this is usually what the guy does).

I am here to speak on behalf of women (I'd say most women) and say that we do NOT want to be proposed to on a holiday, birthday, anniversary, Boss' Day or any other such day. Women want their own day.

Christmas and New Year's are behind us until they come around again in 11 months, so we don't have to worry about any Christmas or New Year's proposals at the moment. But darnit! Valentine's Day is coming and you know that many guys will ask their girlfriend's to marry them on that day. Can you say - corny??

It's crazy that guys do this - girls want the proposal and the wedding to be on their "own" special day - not a crazy national holiday or such that you have chosen so that you can remember your damn anniversary.

Anyway...that's my rant for today. You know I usually have at least one! Be original guys...Valentine's Day is not the perfect day for that! How about February 12th or July 17th - don't those days sound exciting?

My Sunday

I started my Sunday at church and then it went downhill from there.

Carole and I met up for church and listened to a great sermon on personal finances. From there we realized some not so great things about someone we both used to date which got us both fired up. But, we figured we could get over it because we were on our way to tap into our inner child...

Our next stop was for a Happy Meal at McDonald's. Not the best food choices, but offers just enough to make you full but not over stuffed.

From there we headed to the Atlanta History Center to see the Jim Henson exhibit. We met up with @SmplyUnprdctble and @richall and had fun singing "Dance your cares away (clap clap clap)...worries for another day...Down to Fraggle Rock" and "Mahna Mahna Do Do Do Do Do Mahna Mahna Do Do Do Do Mahna Mahna Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do..." It was BIG fun! I got to see Bert and Ernie and Kermit! (Don't tell anyone we snuck this pic)

After that we went back to Carole's shop because @SmplyUnprdctble had a terrible unibrow we had to take care of. It was here that I started asking questions about @Smply and @richall's relationship. I am very happy that "my" GFF (@Smply) has found a great guy! He deserves it!

I don't know how the subject got to this but at some point it was discussed that I had never been to a (ssshhh...don't tell anyone) sex shop. So, we all went on a field trip to Inserection. It was very enlightening, but I don't believe I will be going on another adventure such as that for a while IF EVER. There was a lot of dust in there. I'm not a fan of dust - makes you need to wash your hands A LOT!

Anyway, that was my Sunday! What did you do?

Big Weekend Plans

Thank goodness for my Event Planner, Carole, she keeps me quite busy and doesn't allow me to get bored!

In 8 minutes I will be leaving work and heading to Carole for a brazilian and eyebrow wax. From there it's on to dinner and then she and I are heading to a rawking birthday party! I say rawking because of who's birthday it is and where it is being held. These 2 guys are FUN! Who knows when I will head home, but whatever - I don't have to work tomorrow!

Tomorrow I am not scheduled to work at the salon which is a great thing! I enjoy working there but I do like my Saturday's to play. I will catch up on some crap I have been putting off and then it will be girl's night with Carole and some other friends. Dinner and drinks at Dixie Tavern and then I think we are going bowling. The night ends when it ends...

Sunday Carole and I are meeting a client of hers at Buckhead Church. Okay...so I must admit we are going because we heard this is THE church all the singles go to. LOL Nothing like going to church to find a date. I already have a really great prospect or two...so I may not look too hard.

From there we will meet up with my GFF and his "date boy" for a trip to the Jim Henson exhibit at the Atlanta History Museum. Can't wait! I like Jim and his muppets a lot so I asked the Scientist if he would like to go next Sunday because he would like to see it too and doesn't think his boys would like to see it (he has them this weekend).

Anyway...it's about time for me to go have some fun!

My Grandmother is sooo funny!

My grandfather died 3 years ago (will be 4 in July) and since that time I have been handling my grandmother's checkbook. She writes checks to pay her bills and then I go online to her bank and keep a check register of all her checks and deposits.

Every month after the first week of the month (I have to wait for her Social Security and Civil Service checks to be deposited) I call her and we go over her checkbook. Below is a glimpse of what these conversations sound like:

ME: Hi Grammy. It's Heather.
HER: Hello. It's your grandmother.
ME: Yes, I know. I called you.
HER: Hold on...let me get my book.
ME: Okay...
HER: Okay so I have $xxx.xx for Social Security and $xxx.xx for Civil Service.
ME: Yes. That's right.
HER: Okay, where do you want to start?
ME: I see the last check you wrote was ONE TWO ZERO EIGHT for FOUR ONE ONE TWO. (Yes, I actually say each number instead of 1208 (twelve oh eight) for $41.12 (forty-one twelve) because she gets confused.) Have you written any other checks since that one?
HER: OH YES! I have written so many checks this month.
ME: Okay, ONE TWO ZERO NINE?
HER: THREE ONE TWO SEVEN for the pharmacy
ME: Okay, ONE TWO ONE ZERO?
HER: TWO ONE SEVEN TWO. I had to go to the pharmacy again because my other prescription wasn't ready.
ME: Okay. That's fine. ONE TWO ONE ONE?
HER: No. That's it. (ummm...didn't she just say she had written a bunch of checks? Did I miss something?)
ME: Okay. Are you sure that's it?
HER: Yes.
ME: Okay. You have interest to add in the amount of ONE FIVE THREE. Hold on and I will add everything up.
HER: Okay. I have time. You are my angel from Heaven. I really appreciate you doing this for me.
ME: Of course. I know you do. Okay...you're new total is (and this is fictional of course) ONE SEVEN TWO FIVE FOUR SIX.
HER: Okay...SS (amount spelled out), Civil Service (amount spelled out), Interest (amount spelled out) and balance (spelled out).
ME: Yes. That's right.
HER: You have no idea how much of a help you are to me. The neighbors have been so nice. I ate dinner with them 2 times last month. I went out for lunch with my other angel from Heaven, Gary. Bill brought me my 23rd chicken sandwich for lunch the other day (yes, she is keeping track of how many sandwiches he has brought her). People have been so nice to me. I am so lucky. Everyone hugs me at church when I go.
ME: Of course they do grammy. Everyone loves you.
HER: I just miss your grandfather so much. I look over at his chair and I just see him there. I want to be with him.
ME: We miss him too, but we want you here. It's not your time yet.
HER: I know. I just miss him.
ME: We all do.
HER: Give everyone my love. Give mom and dad a hug for me.
ME: I will.
HER: Thank you so much for all your help. You are my angel from Heaven.
ME: You're welcome. I love you. Good bye.
HER: Bye.

For the record...except for the specific dollar amounts - this is pretty much the exact conversation we have every single month! Gosh I love her!

My date totally Rawked!

Went out on a date last night with the guy I wrote about yesterday (with the foot) and I will now refer to him as the Scientist. We had a GREAT date - well, at least I did. I guess I can only truly speak for myself.

The Scientist is a guy I would definitely like to get to know better and go out on multiple dates with. I will be careful what I say - I don't want to say anything to jinx it. I felt like we had a good connection and good chemistry. We laughed a lot, which is very important to me. I like to joke around and make light of a life that can be disappointing sometimes.

I did ask him if he had a good enough time to do it again and he said yes. So...we will see. I definitely wouldn't be disappointed to go out again.

And, don't tell him I said this (haha...because I think he's been reading this) but he's a really nice looking guy and he smells good too! I only know this because we hugged each other when we met.

There are a couple of other guys I have been talking to, and I won't totally throw them to the curb right away, but I definitely enjoy my conversations with the Scientist. I will keep you all posted...

Oh yeah...and you know what was really nice? No sex talk or crazy innuendos. Very respectable and respectful. And very, very funny!

I have no Couth!

I have always tried to pride myself on being respectful of people's differences and being brought up to not make fun of people, but the other day I found out I truly have no couth at all! I met a really nice guy on a dating site (Plenty of Fish to be exact - although it may be a play on words because I don't think there are really "plenty" out there). While talking and sharing lots of laughs one thing came to light and I will share it with you now... I have copied and pasted this from the e-mail that I sent to a friend (so dates/times are not exact but you will get the point).

I was really, really raised better than this. My ONLY saving grace - POF guy has a terrific sense of humor and didn't make me feel bad about being a jackass with absolutely no manners whatsoever!! And...if he's reading - you did, in a round about way, give me permission to write this. :)

As discussed with my friends and co-workers in the past, teeth are very important to me. Equal to a nice smile is a nice set of well taken care of (and perhaps, pedicured) feet. So after last week's little rendezvous and meeting the guy who had jacked up teeth I felt it important to point out these things to my new potential suitor. I told him how important teeth and feet are to me.

I then asked him a question I often ask guys - "So, would you ever go get a pedicure with a woman you are dating?" He says no and I say, "Why? They are so fantastic! Once a guy gets one he is usually addicted." He just isn't interested. Hmmm...should this be a red flag?

We continue on with our conversation and something else directs us toward feet again. Now he says that I probably wouldn't like him because of his feet. Oh no! What could it be? And I say "What's the matter, do you only have 3 toes?" He says, "No, I have 5 toes...Only 5 toes." I gasp out of disbelief and the horrible feeling that I just said something awful and offensive. "OMG, what happened," I ask. Well, when he was 2 years old he goes running out of the house while his mother is mowing the lawn. He runs between her and the lawn mower and there is an accident. He actually is missing half his foot. He said if you look down the front of your leg and straight down that's where his foot ends.I really don't know what to say at this point, but I do manage to say "Wow! Your mother must have been devastated." He said he never really thought of that until he was an adult. I ask if he has a prosthetic foot and he says he has some kind of device that he puts in his shoe and it goes around his ankle. As I am not very discreet, but rather very inquisitive I say "You have a strap on foot?" He laughs (whew). And then I ask if he limps and other such questions. I ask him if he has ever told people that he lost his foot because of an alligator - terrorizing people can be fun sometimes. He says he did have some fun as a kid charging a quarter, and even marbles, to the kids at school if they wanted to see his foot. He said he would sometimes put his shoe on backwards and walk around being funny.

THIS GUY HAS A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR! I am completely turned on by it, and his ability to laugh in the face of adversity. Of course, it also helps because then I can keep asking questions and not feel too bad. I did ask him if this subject had ever come up so early when first meeting someone. He said it usually doesn't come up until he and his date are at a point of getting to know each other and taking their shoes off.

Toward the end of our 4 hour conversation (believe it or not he kept talking to me) I said to him..."You know, I am totally going to have to see your foot when we go out." He says he knows. And then I say, "I won't make you whip it out in the restaurant or anything. We'll have to go to the car." He just laughs. (Again, whew)

Today we text a few times while working. I text at one point..."Thank you for keeping me laughing! I love it! You have a great sense of humor!!" His reply, "I learned to be funny to compensate for my feet and tooth." Of course, he said tooth because he knows I have a teeth and foot fetish! Not fair - he's roping me in with his humor. Making me laugh at things I shouldn't!

I did learn a lesson though, you kind of have to be careful when you are telling someone you are a stickler about something such as nice teeth and feet... you never know the circumstances that may prevent them from having that!

PS...my mother knows this story and she thinks I am off my rocker! She can't believe (well, yes she can) that I asked any of these questions or laughed or any of it! She definitely thinks she raised me better. She did, but I don't seem to have a filter on my mouth!

And so she danced...

Tonight I was graced with my step-father coming across a video from when I was 30 and decided to take tap dance lessons... Let's just say that dancing is NOT my fortay.

For your viewing pleasure I've added it here. Enjoy!

Modeling Nude...

Another thing that came out of my lunch with PSPants today was the fact that I look edgy and wild but in many respects I am very conservative.

I don't like serial dating (this has been discussed many times) and I don't like to sleep around. Although, as an adult I do have needs and you never know what will happen. *wink*

So, what most people (okay, well my close friends know this) don't know is that I used to model nude in CT and I modeled twice at Brenau University after moving here. I have photos from some of the modeling in CT and I would love to do it again!

I know I look sweet and innocent...GET OVER IT!

I'm not very PC...

Today PSPants and I went to lunch and had a swell time talking about the holidays and such…

On the way back we got into a bit of a conversation about stuff that is not very PC (hell…it’s not PC at all)! First being this horrible new joke out about John Travolta’s son who just died. So, the joke goes “Did you hear what John Travolta’s son died of?” “No.” “Oh, it was Saturday Night Fever.” HAHA – get it? Okay, I know…that was one more confirmation that I am going straight to hell. But it’s not as bad as the Sarah Palin joke which I will not repeat to mixed company (since some people who I don’t really know might be reading this…).

This conversation lead us to discuss things such as people who are racist. Did you know that when I was growing up Brazil nuts were called Nigger Toes?? Are you kidding me? I remember being at my grandparents house and my grandfather saying “Hand me some of those nigger toes.” I was a kid and I was mortified! “What? We have a bowl full of black people’s toes? Grandma…Say it isn’t so!”

So, on that note the discussion comes up about my cousins who are “mulatto” because my dad’s sister (white) married a black man. This was kind of troublesome a little over 20 years ago for some reason, but I grew up thinking everyone had a black uncle. Don’t you? You know how kids go through the phase of “My daddy is better than your daddy…” and you are in fights with the neighbor kid because you are sure your daddy can beat up their daddy? Well, it was one of those days at my grandma’s house. J (my cousin) was on our side of the fence and the little white girl from next door had a friend over. They were throwing rocks at each other and saying “My daddy is better than your daddy…” My cousin must have run out of things to say because he threw one last rock and said “Well, my daddy’s big and black!” And the girls gasped and ran inside. I guess they couldn’t top that!

Using the word mulatto made PSPants remember that when she grew up they were called high yellow. Not a nice thing to say, but then I don’t know for sure that mulatto is either – I mean, isn’t that a Pepperidge Farm snack with chocolate between two white cookies? Nope…I’m wrong – I just looked up the real meaning of mulatto (see below). One of my non-written goals for 2009 was/is to learn new words…today’s word is mulatto.

The word is MULATTO which means:- mu·lat·to [m láttō, m ltō]n (dated)
1. a taboo term for somebody who has one black and one Caucasian parent
2. a taboo term for somebody who has both black and Caucasian ancestors
3. a term, socially acceptable in the Caribbean Islands and other Latin American regions, for somebody who has one black and one Caucasian parent
4. a term, socially acceptable in the Caribbean Islands and other Latin American regions, for somebody who has both black and Caucasian ancestors.

*Side note…note trying to offend. Just being honest and kids are the worst – they are honest to a fault and most of what I discussed above was based on when we were kids. So take it or leave it…

Dating (I think I actually don't like it)

Dating, while it's supposed to be fun and exciting is just too much work. I don't want to serial date, and I don't really want a date every night of the week unless with the same guy. I want to find ONE guy that I really like and stick with him and I want him to feel the same about me.

I've met some really great guys lately, but I don't know if any of them really blow me away at this moment. (Although there is one that could be a winner, but not sure he feels the same way.) And, he doesn't live as close as I would prefer.

Oh, why can't it be as simple as having one date and knowing that's it! You found the one and can move on. Why does it have to be like walking on pins and needles?

Maybe if I move to UAB it won't matter!

New Year's Resolutions 2009

It's yet another new year and so we all decide to make resolutions for what we will accomplish this year. Every year people make unrealistic goals for themselves and then at year's end they are disappointed that the goals were not reached. I'm done following that tradition and have decided that any resolutions I set for myself will be realistic and (hopefully) easily kept.

I've decided to make a list of 9 things since it is 2009:

1. Read everyday for at least 15 minutes.
2. Consciously think before dropping the F-bomb (Is that really the ONLY word that would work in this situation?).
3. Remember to say please and thank you whenever appropriate.
4. Be a little more patient while driving. (I said a "little")
5. Complete a handful of 5 or 10k races this year. (I used to do lots of them.)
6. Try one food I have not tried before.
7. Exercise at least more than I do right now (that could be just one time this whole year LOL).
8. Be more open-minded about things in general (this may take some work and the help of my friends).
9. File my 2007 taxes (Dear God this has GOT to get done!).

Everyone - I hope you are able to come up with resolutions that you don't look back on with regret on 12/31/09.

May you have the BEST year of your life this year!

Working (and moving) Somewhere Else

Friends, if you really, really care about me you may not want to read this...I am actually looking into sending out resumes to work in UAB (not University Alabama Birmingham) which is United Arab Emirates. If you don't know this - it is a VERY rich country. Lots and lots of money over there!

I had thought of it in the past, but decided not to put much effort into it. A friend of mine who works for Orkin is on a 2-year assignment over there. He is in the States for the holidays and we were IMing the other day and I asked if he is happy about his decision to go over there. He said "Absolutely. I am debt free, I have money saved, and when I get back in 1 1/2 years I am buying a house in ATL." DEBT FREE! Did you all see that? He said DEBT FREE! OMG - how I would love that.

So, I asked my parents (because they love me and would surely miss me) how they would feel about me going over there to work. They are all for it if it means positive things for me. I would certainly miss everyone if I went, but it could make a huge impact on my life if I were to do it. Plus, my step-father worked over there for a while and he says its a great place to go. He said it's the only country in that area he would recommend.

Don't forget though - I'm still just thinking about it and looking into it. There is nothing definite. Also, have met a few decent possibilities recently in the dating arena and if one of them were to sweep me off my feet - well that would seal the deal for sure!

You never know where life will take you!