Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
E is for......
It's Wednesday!! It feels like Friday!! I get to head out on the road today.
First things first. My friend Susan is having a CT scan this morning. Please pray that they'll be able to figure out what's up and be able to FIX it.
Okay... now onto the FUN. There's a meme running around where you do 10 of your favorite things but they have to start with a certain letter. Kind of like Maria from The Sound of Music plays Scattergories. Well, my friend (and Thanksgiving hostess... am I mentioning that too much?? I'm just REALLY excited) Kat gave me the letter E! So... here I go!
My 10 Favorite things that Start with the Letter E!!
1. Elizabeth - THAT'S ME!!!! I DO like me!! Some days not so much, and there's certainly work to be done, but there are parts of me that I like, a lot. My sense of humor, my compassionate nature and my... WAIT!!! Oooo something else that starts with E...
2. Elbows - mine specifically. I've lost about 80 pounds in the last couple years, but before that, I always loved my elbows because there were the one place on my body where you could prove there actually WERE bones under all that blubber. I still love my elbows... and actually kinda have a thing for them in general.
3. Easter - I'm a Christian. Christmas is good, but useless without Easter. Easter is what saved me.
4. E-mail - Oh how I love e-mail... checking it, sending it... laughing at the subject lines in spam. And I always think of my wonderful Gram when she asked about probably 89-years-old "What is this eeeelectronic mail I hear about?"
5. Engagement rings - Don't get all excited, I don't have one yet. But the first time around I had no input into my ring and never really liked it. How arrogant and classless is that? But i didn't... and I know Mr. B wants me to have what I want.
6. Escalators/Elevators - Gert used to call Escalators "Escavators" which is a nice blend of the two. You know how as a kid you LOVED riding the elevators - racing to push the button... and escalators? Yeah.. I've never really lost that love....
7. Encyclopedias - When I was 13 my mom got me a set of World Book Encyclopedias. That was some major money back then (amazing that the whole Encyclopedia thing has been just been obliterated by the Internet). I LOVED picking out a letter and just pouring through the book. That set was long ago sold at a garage sale, but it was a very special gift, and really began my love of knowledge (and useless trivia).
8. Employee Benefits - I like them. I'd like some.
9. Eighties - I was a child of the 80's. Hair bands, pinned jeans, shaker sweaters, Michael Jackson, friendship pins, big hair, parachute pants, Swatches, Merlins, The Brat Pack, upturned collars, Nikes, Reebok hightops, neon clothing, jelly shoes, giant hoop earrings, Liz Claiborne perfume, Cabbage Patch Kids, mootsies tootsies, New Coke (whoops), Prince, polka dots, denim jackets, Rubiks Cubes, penny loafers (with no socks), "Where's the Beef", Miami Vice, banana clips, John Hughs movies, Trivial Pursuit, boom boxes, Sony Walkmans, Members Only jackets, California Raisins..... I could go on. The 80's had STYLE!!
10. Estrella's... Yeah, it's a stretch but seriously, I was having trouble. I adore laying out and watching the stars, and even more I love being up in Canada and seeing the northern lights... that's an incredible experience!!
Okay for better or for worse there's my ten. Wanna play along? I'll assign you a letter if you like!!!
If you don't want to play along, at least tell me your favorite 80's fad!!!!
First things first. My friend Susan is having a CT scan this morning. Please pray that they'll be able to figure out what's up and be able to FIX it.
Okay... now onto the FUN. There's a meme running around where you do 10 of your favorite things but they have to start with a certain letter. Kind of like Maria from The Sound of Music plays Scattergories. Well, my friend (and Thanksgiving hostess... am I mentioning that too much?? I'm just REALLY excited) Kat gave me the letter E! So... here I go!
My 10 Favorite things that Start with the Letter E!!
1. Elizabeth - THAT'S ME!!!! I DO like me!! Some days not so much, and there's certainly work to be done, but there are parts of me that I like, a lot. My sense of humor, my compassionate nature and my... WAIT!!! Oooo something else that starts with E...
2. Elbows - mine specifically. I've lost about 80 pounds in the last couple years, but before that, I always loved my elbows because there were the one place on my body where you could prove there actually WERE bones under all that blubber. I still love my elbows... and actually kinda have a thing for them in general.
3. Easter - I'm a Christian. Christmas is good, but useless without Easter. Easter is what saved me.
4. E-mail - Oh how I love e-mail... checking it, sending it... laughing at the subject lines in spam. And I always think of my wonderful Gram when she asked about probably 89-years-old "What is this eeeelectronic mail I hear about?"
5. Engagement rings - Don't get all excited, I don't have one yet. But the first time around I had no input into my ring and never really liked it. How arrogant and classless is that? But i didn't... and I know Mr. B wants me to have what I want.
6. Escalators/Elevators - Gert used to call Escalators "Escavators" which is a nice blend of the two. You know how as a kid you LOVED riding the elevators - racing to push the button... and escalators? Yeah.. I've never really lost that love....
7. Encyclopedias - When I was 13 my mom got me a set of World Book Encyclopedias. That was some major money back then (amazing that the whole Encyclopedia thing has been just been obliterated by the Internet). I LOVED picking out a letter and just pouring through the book. That set was long ago sold at a garage sale, but it was a very special gift, and really began my love of knowledge (and useless trivia).
8. Employee Benefits - I like them. I'd like some.
9. Eighties - I was a child of the 80's. Hair bands, pinned jeans, shaker sweaters, Michael Jackson, friendship pins, big hair, parachute pants, Swatches, Merlins, The Brat Pack, upturned collars, Nikes, Reebok hightops, neon clothing, jelly shoes, giant hoop earrings, Liz Claiborne perfume, Cabbage Patch Kids, mootsies tootsies, New Coke (whoops), Prince, polka dots, denim jackets, Rubiks Cubes, penny loafers (with no socks), "Where's the Beef", Miami Vice, banana clips, John Hughs movies, Trivial Pursuit, boom boxes, Sony Walkmans, Members Only jackets, California Raisins..... I could go on. The 80's had STYLE!!
10. Estrella's... Yeah, it's a stretch but seriously, I was having trouble. I adore laying out and watching the stars, and even more I love being up in Canada and seeing the northern lights... that's an incredible experience!!
Okay for better or for worse there's my ten. Wanna play along? I'll assign you a letter if you like!!!
If you don't want to play along, at least tell me your favorite 80's fad!!!!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
You Get More With Honey
I was stuck for a blog topic today... but then today has had a bit of a recurring theme, and I thought as we go into the stressful holiday season, I'd just share.
As you know I'm headed to Atlanta tomorrow to hang with Kat & her peeps for Thanksgiving (oh, and I'll get to see Mr. B too). Tonight I have to drive to Tennessee to drop the girls off with their dad. The "oil change" light on my car came on about a week ago, so i decided it would be in my best interest to take it in at lunch today and get the oil changed before I do all this driving.
Now, there are about a GAZILLION places to get your oil changed, quickly, and I had about 5 coupons from 5 different places. But none of them even registered with me. I knew where I was going. To the Jiffy Lube across town. Why across town Lizzy? Why not at the seven different places within a mile of your work.
Because last spring I was heading down to Atlanta for the weekend, and I just wanted someone to check the tires and make sure everything looked good before I headed out. I had used that Jiffy Lube when I first came to town, because I had a coupon, and they were very nice, so I thought I'd run over there and see if they could just check stuff out quickly.
I drove up and explained what I wanted, and the guy said that was no problem. They checked this, put air in that, topped off the liquids, vacuumed. When they were done I asked the guy how much I owed him.
"Nothing" he said. "On the House"
That, my friends, is why I go across town.
I go to Chick-fil-a more than any other restaurant. Because the people there are NICE.
People come into where I work, more than a little stressed out (I work for stock brokers so you can imagine their clients are a little upset) and I go out of my way to be nice. Funny how quickly they thaw out. How quickly they start to smile and we can share a laugh about something.
You Get More With Honey people... remember that when you're out shopping. Remember that the poor little clerk behind the counter probably has a week of training and 10 hours already put in today. Remember that the person who cut you off in the parking lot while they were on their cell phone may have just gotten the news that their mom has cancer. Remember that even if someone else gives you vinegar... just give honey back. YOU'LL feel better.
Smile at people as you shop.
Give UP the choice parking place.
Give a tip to the gift wrap lady.
Buy a present for Toys-for-Tots
You Get More With Honey
As you know I'm headed to Atlanta tomorrow to hang with Kat & her peeps for Thanksgiving (oh, and I'll get to see Mr. B too). Tonight I have to drive to Tennessee to drop the girls off with their dad. The "oil change" light on my car came on about a week ago, so i decided it would be in my best interest to take it in at lunch today and get the oil changed before I do all this driving.
Now, there are about a GAZILLION places to get your oil changed, quickly, and I had about 5 coupons from 5 different places. But none of them even registered with me. I knew where I was going. To the Jiffy Lube across town. Why across town Lizzy? Why not at the seven different places within a mile of your work.
Because last spring I was heading down to Atlanta for the weekend, and I just wanted someone to check the tires and make sure everything looked good before I headed out. I had used that Jiffy Lube when I first came to town, because I had a coupon, and they were very nice, so I thought I'd run over there and see if they could just check stuff out quickly.
I drove up and explained what I wanted, and the guy said that was no problem. They checked this, put air in that, topped off the liquids, vacuumed. When they were done I asked the guy how much I owed him.
"Nothing" he said. "On the House"
That, my friends, is why I go across town.
I go to Chick-fil-a more than any other restaurant. Because the people there are NICE.
People come into where I work, more than a little stressed out (I work for stock brokers so you can imagine their clients are a little upset) and I go out of my way to be nice. Funny how quickly they thaw out. How quickly they start to smile and we can share a laugh about something.
You Get More With Honey people... remember that when you're out shopping. Remember that the poor little clerk behind the counter probably has a week of training and 10 hours already put in today. Remember that the person who cut you off in the parking lot while they were on their cell phone may have just gotten the news that their mom has cancer. Remember that even if someone else gives you vinegar... just give honey back. YOU'LL feel better.
Smile at people as you shop.
Give UP the choice parking place.
Give a tip to the gift wrap lady.
Buy a present for Toys-for-Tots
You Get More With Honey
Monday, November 24, 2008
Because Today is Boring
Some people think I don't have boring days. But I do. Today is one of them. So on days when things are boring, I take it upon myself to draw from the stories of my life and find something that will regale you all.
Linda told a story today about a small world. And it's a sweet story and you should go read it.
So today I'm going to give you my own small world story.
For my high school graduation present, my mom decided to take me on a Caribbean Cruise. Sure, we didn't go until my junior year of college but it's the thought that counts, right?
We were originally scheduled to go on some Dolphin of the Sea ship (I'm picturing tuna right now for some reason) on a "Christian" cruise. Well... about a week before we were to leave, the ship was.... condemned. Um... yeah. Condemned.
My mom, being my mom, pitched a fit and demanded that they get us on some cruise ship, somewhere. After some wrangling and finagling, they got us on a ship - the Crown Monarch. We left the day after Christmas and flew to Florida. We got to the ship and... WOW. Where as the other cruise ship had been condemned, this thing was only 6 months old! It was GORGEOUS!! And not huge - it only held like 500 passengers. I can say with confidence that 495 of the them were Jewish & over the age of 65. Not that there's anything wrong with any of that, but just NOT the cruise my little 21-year-old mind had envisioned. Thank GOD for a young (and hot) staff!!
This particular ship was one where they assigned you a dinner table, and you sat at the same one every night. Now, part of the compensation for the whole condemned fiasco was that we were seated at the Captains table... only we were at the second seating and he was at the first but... we had the best waiters so that's all the matters.
The first night we sit down at the table. We are joined by a husband and wife from Vancouver, Canada, and a family from Chicago. The family was Mom & Dad, their 2 daughters & sons-in-law, and 2 grandchildren (the ONLY other people on the ship even close to my age). We did the usual "where are you from" kinds of talks. I asked the family from Chicago what part of town they were from, since my dad had grown up there. Here's the exchange between me and one of the daughters:
Me - What part of Chicago are you from?
Lady - Oh, Oak Park.
Me - Oh! My dad grew up in Oak Park.
Lady - Really, what part.
Me - I believe most of his years were spent on Kennilworth Street.
Lady - You're kidding. We grew up on Kennilworth Street. Do you know what house number?
Me - (note - I have NO idea why I know this but I do) 610 Kennilworth.
Lady - says nothing.. just gets really big eyes. Then finally says "Is your dad Hank or George"
Me - (In shock) Hank!
Lady - We grew up 2 doors down from your dad. We played with them all the time. I went to the 7th grade dance with your Uncle George.
Yeah... small world.
How about you? Tell me your small world stories!!!
Linda told a story today about a small world. And it's a sweet story and you should go read it.
So today I'm going to give you my own small world story.
For my high school graduation present, my mom decided to take me on a Caribbean Cruise. Sure, we didn't go until my junior year of college but it's the thought that counts, right?
We were originally scheduled to go on some Dolphin of the Sea ship (I'm picturing tuna right now for some reason) on a "Christian" cruise. Well... about a week before we were to leave, the ship was.... condemned. Um... yeah. Condemned.
My mom, being my mom, pitched a fit and demanded that they get us on some cruise ship, somewhere. After some wrangling and finagling, they got us on a ship - the Crown Monarch. We left the day after Christmas and flew to Florida. We got to the ship and... WOW. Where as the other cruise ship had been condemned, this thing was only 6 months old! It was GORGEOUS!! And not huge - it only held like 500 passengers. I can say with confidence that 495 of the them were Jewish & over the age of 65. Not that there's anything wrong with any of that, but just NOT the cruise my little 21-year-old mind had envisioned. Thank GOD for a young (and hot) staff!!
This particular ship was one where they assigned you a dinner table, and you sat at the same one every night. Now, part of the compensation for the whole condemned fiasco was that we were seated at the Captains table... only we were at the second seating and he was at the first but... we had the best waiters so that's all the matters.
The first night we sit down at the table. We are joined by a husband and wife from Vancouver, Canada, and a family from Chicago. The family was Mom & Dad, their 2 daughters & sons-in-law, and 2 grandchildren (the ONLY other people on the ship even close to my age). We did the usual "where are you from" kinds of talks. I asked the family from Chicago what part of town they were from, since my dad had grown up there. Here's the exchange between me and one of the daughters:
Me - What part of Chicago are you from?
Lady - Oh, Oak Park.
Me - Oh! My dad grew up in Oak Park.
Lady - Really, what part.
Me - I believe most of his years were spent on Kennilworth Street.
Lady - You're kidding. We grew up on Kennilworth Street. Do you know what house number?
Me - (note - I have NO idea why I know this but I do) 610 Kennilworth.
Lady - says nothing.. just gets really big eyes. Then finally says "Is your dad Hank or George"
Me - (In shock) Hank!
Lady - We grew up 2 doors down from your dad. We played with them all the time. I went to the 7th grade dance with your Uncle George.
Yeah... small world.
How about you? Tell me your small world stories!!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sunday Smatterings
Nonna had a fun little quiz today.... here's my results...
How to Get Along with Me
* Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
* Share fun times with me.
* Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
* Let me know that I am important and special to you.
* Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.
In Intimate Relationships
* Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
* Reassure me often that you love me.
* Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.
What I Like About Being a Doris
* being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
* knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
* being generous, caring, and warm
* being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
* being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor
What's Hard About Being a Doris
* not being able to say no
* having low self-esteem
* feeling drained from overdoing for others
* not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
* criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should
* being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them
* working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings
Dorises as Parents
* are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)
* are often playful with their children
* wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"
* can become fiercely protective
Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...
You Are a Doris!
You are a Doris -- "I must help others."
Dorises are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.
How to Get Along with Me
* Tell me that you appreciate me. Be specific.
* Share fun times with me.
* Take an interest in my problems, though I will probably try to focus on yours.
* Let me know that I am important and special to you.
* Be gentle if you decide to criticize me.
In Intimate Relationships
* Reassure me that I am interesting to you.
* Reassure me often that you love me.
* Tell me I'm attractive and that you're glad to be seen with me.
What I Like About Being a Doris
* being able to relate easily to people and to make friends
* knowing what people need and being able to make their lives better
* being generous, caring, and warm
* being sensitive to and perceptive about others' feelings
* being enthusiastic and fun-loving, and having a good sense of humor
What's Hard About Being a Doris
* not being able to say no
* having low self-esteem
* feeling drained from overdoing for others
* not doing things I really like to do for myself for fear of being selfish
* criticizing myself for not feeling as loving as I think I should
* being upset that others don't tune in to me as much as I tume in to them
* working so hard to be tactful and considerate that I suppress my real feelings
Dorises as Children Often
* are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
* try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding
* are outwardly compliant
* are popular or try to be popular with other children
* act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention
* are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)
* are very sensitive to disapproval and criticism
* try hard to please their parents by being helpful and understanding
* are outwardly compliant
* are popular or try to be popular with other children
* act coy, precocious, or dramatic in order to get attention
* are clowns and jokers (the more extroverted Dorises), or quiet and shy (the more introverted Dorises)
Dorises as Parents
* are good listeners, love their children unconditionally, and are warm and encouraging (or suffer guilt if they aren't)
* are often playful with their children
* wonder: "Am I doing it right?" "Am I giving enough?" "Have I caused irreparable damage?"
* can become fiercely protective
And Nonna ALSO has a fun Christmas give away going. Essie would be over the MOON to have the Beach Boys!! Go check her out (click on the ornament)....
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Rest of the Outfit....
For those who wanted to see....
We're off to the Christmas Parade - have a great day!!!
We're off to the Christmas Parade - have a great day!!!Thursday, November 20, 2008
Friday Foto Fiesta Fun (or something like that)
This is my all time favorite professional picture of Essie. I believe she had just turned 3. I love her little button nose and her pretty hair... and the outfit.. I'll have to find a picture of the whole outfit because it was SO cute... yes.. there was plaid!!!!!
Wanna find more Friday fun - check Carrie out!!!!
Serendipity
When love feels like magic, you call it destiny.
When destiny has a sense of humor, you call it serendipity.
When destiny has a sense of humor, you call it serendipity.
(It's important for this story to understand that while everyone here calls me Lizzy, in the real world I go by Beth)
I met Mr. B in person for the first time in March of this year. He flew up to visit me, and we had a wonderful weekend.
We talked. We laughed. He took me out for a wonderful dinner. We kissed. We watched movies. We ate ice cream. We talked some more. We cried. We ate really big burgers (one of us ate more than one). We talked. We kissed. We drank coffee.
By the time I took him back to the airport, we both were finding that this was much more than either of us had realized. The feelings we were both having went far beyond what either of us were expecting. They were deep. The connection between us was strong.
I cried as I left him at the airport. I didn't expect to feel that way. I was confused. What should I do with these feelings? What did I want from this relationship? What did he want?
I think as he was flying, he was having some of the same thoughts. Where did he want this to go? What decisions did he need to make?
He was headed to a work thing at that point, and then a couple days later headed back home to Atlanta. We both were so happy to have found each other, but still... questioning.
He got off the airplane in Atlanta, and was walking through the terminal. And then he noticed the song coming through the speakers.... a song from those great purveyors of soothing airport music - Kiss. Which song?
Beth
(Happy 10 months and 1 day Mr. B.... They haven't made the words yet that adequately express how much I Love you. Thank you for wandering into my life. Thank you for your Love)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wacky Wendesday (well actually it was Tuesday but that just doesn't flow)
First of all, before anyone has apoplexy from the WONDERING of it all... I am going to...
KAT'S house for Thanksgiving!!! I know, you're JEALOUS!!! And the beauty of it all is that because of the close proximity of Kat's house to Mr. B's house, I will be getting to see him some too, though I'm not sure yet if I'll get to spend any time with him on Thanksgiving day proper.
Can I just take a moment here and publicly thank Kat for what a wonderful friend she has become? It's been a long time since I've had someone in my life that I clicked with so well, who was as interested in me as I am in them, who makes me laugh REALLY hard, and who I really like spending time with. And the thought of MOVING to Atlanta and having a friend like Kat already there just... ahhh... it's a beautiful thing!!!
Ok... onto the wacky.
So, I think I mentioned the drama with legal aid. After thinking and pondering, I decided to go ahead to the noon seminar yesterday, and then again on the 2nd of December. (Since losing $20 of work money is cheaper than hiring a lawyer). So yesterday I drove up to downtown Asheville, where first I needed to stop at the courthouse to pick up a packet of paperwork, and then head to the Legal Aid office. Armed with 2 google maps (one from the office to the courthouse, and one from the courthouse to Legal Aid) I headed out. In the snow. Ha ha God, very funny... I moved to North Carolina to get AWAY from that. Thank you for not letting it stick.
Did I mention that there were... well I'm gonna call them gale force winds yesterday? Apparently the windchill here yesterday was 11 degrees. You know - the kind of wind where you have to fight to keep your car on the road? Though, as I was fighting to keep my car (it's a Honda Accord - I don't know how much it weighs, but... enough...) on the road, I look up and here are these birds flitting in the sky.
How do they DO that??? How are they not just WOOOOOOOSHED across the sky??? I mean, I get that they're aerodynamic and all but STILL? How do they not get blown away?
Hunh.
What was I talking about?
OH - Ok, so I finally get to the courthouse (thank you google maps for your disclaimer "These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic blah blah blah"... yeah... thanks for that... totally rendering your map useless). Anyways... i get to the Courthouse. The 4 building Courthouse complex. I'm supposed to find the "self service window"... in the Courthouse. The 4 buildings with multiple floors Courthouse Complex. I wander (well, not really, since I was walking into said hurricane force winds it was more struggled) to one door which said "Please Use Side Entrance"... so I struggled some more.
Upon finding the side door, I entered and was PLEASED to find that the self-service window was right there. I approached the lady in the self service window (doesn't there seem to be something wrong with that?) and told her I needed the Pro Se Divorce Packet. She smiled and said "Of course. That's $5." Grrrr... no one indicated there would be a fee... and of course they take cash... ONLY. I asked where the nearest ATM was, and she cheerfully said "Across the street, hon." Yeah... you better say hon...
So I turn to brave the cold and wind again and I probably get 5 feet away from her I-Serve-You-Self-Serve-Window and there a little snack bar area.... pop machines... ice cream machines.... ATM.... snack machines.... sandwi.... hold on... back up... what was that?
Yes. An ATM. At most 7 feet from the lady who just told me the nearest ATM was across the street. How much you wanna bet she gets paid twice what I do?
Grrrr
Well, I decided that surly the money that this ATM spewed out would be just as good as the one across the street so I decided to use it.
After receiving my money, I walked back up to her window, where she had the good graces to appear a little sheepish and say "I'm glad you saw that. I forgot about that one." She took my $5 and closed her little window. I stood there. Waiting. Finally I say, "Ma'am, may I have the packet?"
Yeah... probably double what I make.
The trip back to the car took about a nano-second because I had a tail wind.. and the size of your tail DOES make a difference when dealing with tail winds... FINALLY my butt comes in HANDY!!!
This is getting to be a long story... sorry....
I found Legal Aid, went in, sat down, waited for all the other seminar attendees and... waited. No one else showed up. It was me... and the lawyer. Who was very chatty... about everything. There's a million stories I could tell you about him (like his 5 masters and 2 doctorates and all that) but this was hands down my favorite...
On a form he had me fill out, there is a question that says "Would you like to revert back to your maiden name?" I didn't really need to think twice. I don't want that thing back, so I checked no. When he was looking at the paper later, he said "I would strongly encourage you to check yes. You don't HAVE to use your maiden name, but should you want to, you won't have to file a petition to change your name." I kind of hemmed and hawed cause really, I DON'T want it back. So he saw my hesitation, and said "What IS your maiden name?" I smiled and answered "Beaver." He blinked and said "Or, you could get married again!"
Yeah... not going back to the maiden name.
All in all the meeting was good and I have a bunch of paperwork to fill out and bring back on December 2nd.
Oh, and I think he hit on me too... but that's for another post.
KAT'S house for Thanksgiving!!! I know, you're JEALOUS!!! And the beauty of it all is that because of the close proximity of Kat's house to Mr. B's house, I will be getting to see him some too, though I'm not sure yet if I'll get to spend any time with him on Thanksgiving day proper.
Can I just take a moment here and publicly thank Kat for what a wonderful friend she has become? It's been a long time since I've had someone in my life that I clicked with so well, who was as interested in me as I am in them, who makes me laugh REALLY hard, and who I really like spending time with. And the thought of MOVING to Atlanta and having a friend like Kat already there just... ahhh... it's a beautiful thing!!!
Ok... onto the wacky.
So, I think I mentioned the drama with legal aid. After thinking and pondering, I decided to go ahead to the noon seminar yesterday, and then again on the 2nd of December. (Since losing $20 of work money is cheaper than hiring a lawyer). So yesterday I drove up to downtown Asheville, where first I needed to stop at the courthouse to pick up a packet of paperwork, and then head to the Legal Aid office. Armed with 2 google maps (one from the office to the courthouse, and one from the courthouse to Legal Aid) I headed out. In the snow. Ha ha God, very funny... I moved to North Carolina to get AWAY from that. Thank you for not letting it stick.
Did I mention that there were... well I'm gonna call them gale force winds yesterday? Apparently the windchill here yesterday was 11 degrees. You know - the kind of wind where you have to fight to keep your car on the road? Though, as I was fighting to keep my car (it's a Honda Accord - I don't know how much it weighs, but... enough...) on the road, I look up and here are these birds flitting in the sky.
How do they DO that??? How are they not just WOOOOOOOSHED across the sky??? I mean, I get that they're aerodynamic and all but STILL? How do they not get blown away?
Hunh.
What was I talking about?
OH - Ok, so I finally get to the courthouse (thank you google maps for your disclaimer "These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic blah blah blah"... yeah... thanks for that... totally rendering your map useless). Anyways... i get to the Courthouse. The 4 building Courthouse complex. I'm supposed to find the "self service window"... in the Courthouse. The 4 buildings with multiple floors Courthouse Complex. I wander (well, not really, since I was walking into said hurricane force winds it was more struggled) to one door which said "Please Use Side Entrance"... so I struggled some more.
Upon finding the side door, I entered and was PLEASED to find that the self-service window was right there. I approached the lady in the self service window (doesn't there seem to be something wrong with that?) and told her I needed the Pro Se Divorce Packet. She smiled and said "Of course. That's $5." Grrrr... no one indicated there would be a fee... and of course they take cash... ONLY. I asked where the nearest ATM was, and she cheerfully said "Across the street, hon." Yeah... you better say hon...
So I turn to brave the cold and wind again and I probably get 5 feet away from her I-Serve-You-Self-Serve-Window and there a little snack bar area.... pop machines... ice cream machines.... ATM.... snack machines.... sandwi.... hold on... back up... what was that?
Yes. An ATM. At most 7 feet from the lady who just told me the nearest ATM was across the street. How much you wanna bet she gets paid twice what I do?
Grrrr
Well, I decided that surly the money that this ATM spewed out would be just as good as the one across the street so I decided to use it.
After receiving my money, I walked back up to her window, where she had the good graces to appear a little sheepish and say "I'm glad you saw that. I forgot about that one." She took my $5 and closed her little window. I stood there. Waiting. Finally I say, "Ma'am, may I have the packet?"
Yeah... probably double what I make.
The trip back to the car took about a nano-second because I had a tail wind.. and the size of your tail DOES make a difference when dealing with tail winds... FINALLY my butt comes in HANDY!!!
This is getting to be a long story... sorry....
I found Legal Aid, went in, sat down, waited for all the other seminar attendees and... waited. No one else showed up. It was me... and the lawyer. Who was very chatty... about everything. There's a million stories I could tell you about him (like his 5 masters and 2 doctorates and all that) but this was hands down my favorite...
On a form he had me fill out, there is a question that says "Would you like to revert back to your maiden name?" I didn't really need to think twice. I don't want that thing back, so I checked no. When he was looking at the paper later, he said "I would strongly encourage you to check yes. You don't HAVE to use your maiden name, but should you want to, you won't have to file a petition to change your name." I kind of hemmed and hawed cause really, I DON'T want it back. So he saw my hesitation, and said "What IS your maiden name?" I smiled and answered "Beaver." He blinked and said "Or, you could get married again!"
Yeah... not going back to the maiden name.
All in all the meeting was good and I have a bunch of paperwork to fill out and bring back on December 2nd.
Oh, and I think he hit on me too... but that's for another post.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
What's Good for the Gosling?
The lock down drill went fine. Gert said (direct quote) "Mommy, we walked in a very orderly fashion to Mrs. Johnston's first grade classroom. We didn't... even... make... a.... PEEP! And then we just sat there. That wasn't as much fun but I think we finally got it done by three o'clock" (yeah... school gets done at 2:30 so... LOL)
But here's the irony for yesterday. Guess who got trapped in a building. Yep... me. I went to Subway yesterday for lunch, brought my book (Currently reading Mayflower) and sat down to enjoy my sandwich and some reading.
"HOLY SHIT"
That was from the Subway worker... looking out the window, where a car had slammed into the back of another car, pushing it into the third car. All this right in the Subway driveway. Blocking the Subway driveway. No one was badly injured, in fact just one passenger in the middle car was complaining about a sore neck. But HOLY COW did the guy in the middle car give the lady who hit him an ear-full of NOT NICE. Mind you, I'm sitting inside the restaurant and I can hear EVERYTHING he's saying to her. And bless her heart, she's just this little old lady (driving a Beemer) and she's crying. The Subway employee had gone out to see if everyone was okay, and the little old lady said she's been driving for 60 years and this is her first anything - no tickets, no accidents, nothing.
So... there I sat, watching the action... stuck... at Subway. Which isn't a BAD place to be stuck... good food... cookies.... but then I thought about having to call my boss and explain what the situation was. Yeah, believable, right? The clock was creeping towards 2 (when i should be back from lunch) and I was starting to think I really WOULD have to make that bizarre phone call (the two guys from Media-Com at the table next to me said they would vouch for me) when they finally got the cars out of the way and I could leave.
Completely unrelated topic********************
Have you seen the commercials for the Shamwow? Why does the guy have a headset mic on? It's... tv.... not a trade show. I don't get it.
Completely unrelated topic********************
Guess where I get to go for Thanksgiving. Hint - you're going to be JEALOUS
Completely unrelated topic********************
I am totally in love with Mr. B... just in case you weren't aware. I am... a lot. *Sigh*
But here's the irony for yesterday. Guess who got trapped in a building. Yep... me. I went to Subway yesterday for lunch, brought my book (Currently reading Mayflower) and sat down to enjoy my sandwich and some reading.
"HOLY SHIT"
That was from the Subway worker... looking out the window, where a car had slammed into the back of another car, pushing it into the third car. All this right in the Subway driveway. Blocking the Subway driveway. No one was badly injured, in fact just one passenger in the middle car was complaining about a sore neck. But HOLY COW did the guy in the middle car give the lady who hit him an ear-full of NOT NICE. Mind you, I'm sitting inside the restaurant and I can hear EVERYTHING he's saying to her. And bless her heart, she's just this little old lady (driving a Beemer) and she's crying. The Subway employee had gone out to see if everyone was okay, and the little old lady said she's been driving for 60 years and this is her first anything - no tickets, no accidents, nothing.
So... there I sat, watching the action... stuck... at Subway. Which isn't a BAD place to be stuck... good food... cookies.... but then I thought about having to call my boss and explain what the situation was. Yeah, believable, right? The clock was creeping towards 2 (when i should be back from lunch) and I was starting to think I really WOULD have to make that bizarre phone call (the two guys from Media-Com at the table next to me said they would vouch for me) when they finally got the cars out of the way and I could leave.
Completely unrelated topic********************
Have you seen the commercials for the Shamwow? Why does the guy have a headset mic on? It's... tv.... not a trade show. I don't get it.
Completely unrelated topic********************
Guess where I get to go for Thanksgiving. Hint - you're going to be JEALOUS
Completely unrelated topic********************
I am totally in love with Mr. B... just in case you weren't aware. I am... a lot. *Sigh*
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Only Thing We Have To Fear.....
Open letter to Brinks Security,
I get it. I get your ad campaign. The commercials where the mom is at home with the kids and someone breaks in a window or smashes down a door. You're trying to scare the crap out of me so I'll get your security system. Well, it's only partially working. See, I live in an apartment building. We don't DO security systems. So, yeah, you lose there. You ARE, however, suceeding scaring the CRAP out of my children (and me). WHY do you have to have your commericals run during Extreme Home Makeover? And Deal or No Deal? Or other shows during "the family hour"? I've started sitting there with the remote in my hands at ALL times (all I need to do is shove my hand down my waist-band and I'll be my ex) so that if one of your stupid commercials comes on, I can quick change the channel or pause the tv and wait 30 seconds and skip to the next commercial. I have to be honest with you, Mr. Brinks, even if I LIVED in a house, I would look to another company for my security needs because I don't LIKE people who scare my kids.
Not-Sincerely
Lizzy
_________________________________
Essie & Gert and I went to Target Friday night. On the way home Gert informed me that on Monday (today) they were having a lock down drill at their school. My heart leapt into my throat. I like to live in denial... and if I don't think about the HORROR that could befall my children at school... then I'm okay. But when the school is planning for it (and please - i WANT them to plan for it - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE overplan for it) but that makes it real, and not able to be denied.
Gert matter of factly told me the difference between a perimeter lockdown (school doors are locked but they can move freely about the school) and a total lockdown (no leaving their classrooms) and obviously her teacher has done a great job to prepare them for the day. I wish someone would prepare me. THEN Gert informs me that in a total lockdown they go to "Mrs. Johnson's first grade classroom" (thank you Verbatim Girl) and it dawned on me that because of the layout of their school, Gert's classroom doesn't HAVE a door... they have a big opening in their wall. So in the even of a lockdown, they have to WALK THROUGH THE HALLWAY to a room with a door. Get that?? WALKING... THROUGH THE HALLWAY... Um.. I have issues. Big ones.
When the girls school was built, the "open school" was all the rage. I know, i went to one... but at some point some of the classrooms were given full walls and doors. And at this point, in a society where we have to have lock down drills, I think they should ALL have doors. Yeah... I'll be writing letters.
Last night Gert got out of bed around 11 or so... came into the living room, tears brimming in her eyes and chin quivering.... scared about the lock down drill today. I held her and told her that her teacher just wanted to make sure they were safe and that she needed to listen and follow directions and that everything will be fine. I reminded her that she used to call tornado drills "tomato drills" and she laughed and felt better. I kissed her and patted her tushie as she headed back to bed. And then I sat down... with tears brimming in my eyes... and my chin quivering.
Jesus... protect my babies.
I get it. I get your ad campaign. The commercials where the mom is at home with the kids and someone breaks in a window or smashes down a door. You're trying to scare the crap out of me so I'll get your security system. Well, it's only partially working. See, I live in an apartment building. We don't DO security systems. So, yeah, you lose there. You ARE, however, suceeding scaring the CRAP out of my children (and me). WHY do you have to have your commericals run during Extreme Home Makeover? And Deal or No Deal? Or other shows during "the family hour"? I've started sitting there with the remote in my hands at ALL times (all I need to do is shove my hand down my waist-band and I'll be my ex) so that if one of your stupid commercials comes on, I can quick change the channel or pause the tv and wait 30 seconds and skip to the next commercial. I have to be honest with you, Mr. Brinks, even if I LIVED in a house, I would look to another company for my security needs because I don't LIKE people who scare my kids.
Not-Sincerely
Lizzy
_________________________________
Essie & Gert and I went to Target Friday night. On the way home Gert informed me that on Monday (today) they were having a lock down drill at their school. My heart leapt into my throat. I like to live in denial... and if I don't think about the HORROR that could befall my children at school... then I'm okay. But when the school is planning for it (and please - i WANT them to plan for it - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE overplan for it) but that makes it real, and not able to be denied.
Gert matter of factly told me the difference between a perimeter lockdown (school doors are locked but they can move freely about the school) and a total lockdown (no leaving their classrooms) and obviously her teacher has done a great job to prepare them for the day. I wish someone would prepare me. THEN Gert informs me that in a total lockdown they go to "Mrs. Johnson's first grade classroom" (thank you Verbatim Girl) and it dawned on me that because of the layout of their school, Gert's classroom doesn't HAVE a door... they have a big opening in their wall. So in the even of a lockdown, they have to WALK THROUGH THE HALLWAY to a room with a door. Get that?? WALKING... THROUGH THE HALLWAY... Um.. I have issues. Big ones.
When the girls school was built, the "open school" was all the rage. I know, i went to one... but at some point some of the classrooms were given full walls and doors. And at this point, in a society where we have to have lock down drills, I think they should ALL have doors. Yeah... I'll be writing letters.
Last night Gert got out of bed around 11 or so... came into the living room, tears brimming in her eyes and chin quivering.... scared about the lock down drill today. I held her and told her that her teacher just wanted to make sure they were safe and that she needed to listen and follow directions and that everything will be fine. I reminded her that she used to call tornado drills "tomato drills" and she laughed and felt better. I kissed her and patted her tushie as she headed back to bed. And then I sat down... with tears brimming in my eyes... and my chin quivering.
Jesus... protect my babies.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
99 Things I've Done on the Wall....
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life (Physically no - spiritually yes)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one (When I read that one my brain says "Here loved one, loved one, loved one)
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life (Physically no - spiritually yes)
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one (When I read that one my brain says "Here loved one, loved one, loved one)
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
Friday, November 14, 2008
Whore-Moans....
For some reason that title just cracked me up... and yes, it's highly inappropriate but... I don't care.
First of all, Jaci presented a theory yesterday that I had thought about too... you know how women who work or live together emit some hormone that makes them all get their period at the same time? She proposes that the same thing can happen in the cyber world, and I'm going to have to agree with her. It seems like all of us are hitting PMS at pretty much the same moment.
It's the sisterhood baby. The Sisterhood.
And speaking of it... Essie is about to join it I do believe. She's about as hormonal as can be right now and this morning when she was getting dressed (so glad she doesn't read this because she would beat me silly) I noticed... hair.... there.....
Um... how is this possible? She's my baby... she's just a little girl.... and now we're on the cusp of... not being a little girl anymore.
I gently said something this morning to her about thinking her period would come soon. That was met with tears and gnashing of teeth and wailing at the torture of being a girl and not wanting to BE one anymore.
So... as we enter this whole new world of emotions and zits and tampons, I would just like to take a moment to shout out a big DANG IT WOMAN WHAT WERE YOU THINKING to Eve... it's all her fault you know.
First of all, Jaci presented a theory yesterday that I had thought about too... you know how women who work or live together emit some hormone that makes them all get their period at the same time? She proposes that the same thing can happen in the cyber world, and I'm going to have to agree with her. It seems like all of us are hitting PMS at pretty much the same moment.
It's the sisterhood baby. The Sisterhood.
And speaking of it... Essie is about to join it I do believe. She's about as hormonal as can be right now and this morning when she was getting dressed (so glad she doesn't read this because she would beat me silly) I noticed... hair.... there.....
Um... how is this possible? She's my baby... she's just a little girl.... and now we're on the cusp of... not being a little girl anymore.
I gently said something this morning to her about thinking her period would come soon. That was met with tears and gnashing of teeth and wailing at the torture of being a girl and not wanting to BE one anymore.
So... as we enter this whole new world of emotions and zits and tampons, I would just like to take a moment to shout out a big DANG IT WOMAN WHAT WERE YOU THINKING to Eve... it's all her fault you know.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Don't Have Much Again - wait... I do...
There's SO much swirling in my head... stuff I can't talk about... stuff I don't want to talk about... stuff that I think is funny but for some reason I just can't get it to come out funny.
I like yellow skittles the best.
I used to like the red ones (which is odd because I don't really like strawberry candy) best, and then the purple, then
Okay... wait... I got something.
Last month I screwed up (AGAIN)... I didn't realize my rent check hadn't gone through and thought I had money and didn't and wrote checks to pay bills and they bounced and there were late fees and late fees and in the end... I didn't have enough money for rent for November. I contacted several agencies for help, and got nothing back from them... not even "Sorry we can't helps"... I got a letter from my landlord - I have until the 16th to pay and then they start the eviction process.
So... I e-mailed my family - not to ask for help, but to ask for prayer. And I decided to fast & pray... and not "God please make the rent" show up kind of prayers... but just laying myself out there and asking him to help me find anything in my life that wasn't pleasing to Him.... yeah... he pointed it out. And last night, I dealt with it.
I talked to my mom last night too... she made suggestions and gave ideas... and said if worse came to worse she would help, but to explore any other avenues.
So I did. Remember back when I had all that drama with the food stamps and I ended up talking to the Director of Social Services and he said if I ever needed anything, to let him know? Well, I e-mailed him, asking if he knew of any groups that could help. He gave me a couple numbers and said he administers a program too, but would need more information. And believe it or NOT he could take it via E-MAIL - I didn't have to come down there. So, about a billion e-mails later I get:
Ms. Gray:
The program we have here will pay for one item per year. How about we use that to pay for the $765 rent? Can you handle the late fee, utilities and storage?
Tim
Um... yeah... I cried... I wept. Because all that crud with the food stamps? It was for a reason. So that I would get this guys name... so that I could get help.
And yeah.... I cried... because God told me to do something, and I did it. And it's gonna turn out okay... because He promises that it will.
And yeah... I cried... because I have PMS.
I like yellow skittles the best.
I used to like the red ones (which is odd because I don't really like strawberry candy) best, and then the purple, then
Okay... wait... I got something.
Last month I screwed up (AGAIN)... I didn't realize my rent check hadn't gone through and thought I had money and didn't and wrote checks to pay bills and they bounced and there were late fees and late fees and in the end... I didn't have enough money for rent for November. I contacted several agencies for help, and got nothing back from them... not even "Sorry we can't helps"... I got a letter from my landlord - I have until the 16th to pay and then they start the eviction process.
So... I e-mailed my family - not to ask for help, but to ask for prayer. And I decided to fast & pray... and not "God please make the rent" show up kind of prayers... but just laying myself out there and asking him to help me find anything in my life that wasn't pleasing to Him.... yeah... he pointed it out. And last night, I dealt with it.
I talked to my mom last night too... she made suggestions and gave ideas... and said if worse came to worse she would help, but to explore any other avenues.
So I did. Remember back when I had all that drama with the food stamps and I ended up talking to the Director of Social Services and he said if I ever needed anything, to let him know? Well, I e-mailed him, asking if he knew of any groups that could help. He gave me a couple numbers and said he administers a program too, but would need more information. And believe it or NOT he could take it via E-MAIL - I didn't have to come down there. So, about a billion e-mails later I get:
Ms. Gray:
The program we have here will pay for one item per year. How about we use that to pay for the $765 rent? Can you handle the late fee, utilities and storage?
Tim
Um... yeah... I cried... I wept. Because all that crud with the food stamps? It was for a reason. So that I would get this guys name... so that I could get help.
And yeah.... I cried... because God told me to do something, and I did it. And it's gonna turn out okay... because He promises that it will.
And yeah... I cried... because I have PMS.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
From Wence I Came
Ok... enough bad yucky posts... bleach...
I have to tell you all what I got in the mail on Friday. It's a book (well.. Office-Max-Put-Together-Spiral-Bound-Thingy) that my mom's cousins put together. It is the stories of my great-grandfather & grandmother and their kids, their kid's kids, and their kid's kid's kids.
I'm a genealogy NERD!!!!! I LOVE it, and this book... ACK!!! It's got pictures and family trees and stories. Did you know that Essie is named after my Great-Great-Grandmother? And there's a PICTURE of her in the book.... I'll be honest... she's an ugly woman but... that's okay!
There's a picture of my Grandma's family taken when she was about 7 or so. She had 13 brothers and sister:
Ernie, Esther, Arthur, Raymond, Donald, Gordon, Amy, Iva, Elsie, Roger, Lorna, John & Dick. They're all in the picture along with their parents. The first time I saw the picture, I was about 7, and I told my grandma I didn't remember taking that picture, pointing at HER in the picture. Yep... dead ringer for dear old gram!!!
There's stories in the book about one of her brothers who was a pilot in WWII who was at the Normandy Invasion. There's a story about my Grandma & Grandpa's wedding day, when the whole family sat and sang songs together til 3 am! In fact, it was so much fun that Grandma & Grandpa left around 9 pm for their wedding night, but my Grandpa was having so much fun that they turned around and went back!
There's painful stories. A car accident that claimed the life of a brother... family scuttlebutt goes back and forth as to whether there was alcohol involved. Babies dying in infancy. Daughters born with "minds that weren't quite right". Wonderful pillars of the family taken from us before we were ready for them to go.
There's the pain of missing pages - one brother who moved to California and all but disappeared.
There's discovery. I grew up 12 miles from cousins I didn't know about. I have the same birthday as a cousin born in 1957.
I read the book from cover to cover this weekend. Soaking in the tales of the people who are mine. Looking at the pictures, and realizing that we, as a family, can be broken down into the fat heads and the skinny heads. The skinny heads are dark complexioned with narrow frames - that came from my great-Grandfather. The fat heads are fairer skinned, solid people - that is straight from my great-Grandmother (Yes, I am a fat head)
And then it hit me... somewhere between the tales of Amy, the Pie-Lady of Charles City, Iowa, and Iva, who moved about a billion times following her charlatan of a husband around the Midwest... that this is what my blog is. My contribution to the furthering of the story. My way for my girls and their girls (and boys) and their girls (and boys) to know what I thought and what I did and what the world was like. And who I am. And I found it very compelling to be open and honest, and.. raw.. in my blog. To not hide behind a mask of what I think people want to hear or what will get the most comments. This is my way to leave my little mark on a great big world....
My fat head mark on the world.
I have to tell you all what I got in the mail on Friday. It's a book (well.. Office-Max-Put-Together-Spiral-Bound-Thingy) that my mom's cousins put together. It is the stories of my great-grandfather & grandmother and their kids, their kid's kids, and their kid's kid's kids.
I'm a genealogy NERD!!!!! I LOVE it, and this book... ACK!!! It's got pictures and family trees and stories. Did you know that Essie is named after my Great-Great-Grandmother? And there's a PICTURE of her in the book.... I'll be honest... she's an ugly woman but... that's okay!
There's a picture of my Grandma's family taken when she was about 7 or so. She had 13 brothers and sister:
Ernie, Esther, Arthur, Raymond, Donald, Gordon, Amy, Iva, Elsie, Roger, Lorna, John & Dick. They're all in the picture along with their parents. The first time I saw the picture, I was about 7, and I told my grandma I didn't remember taking that picture, pointing at HER in the picture. Yep... dead ringer for dear old gram!!!
There's stories in the book about one of her brothers who was a pilot in WWII who was at the Normandy Invasion. There's a story about my Grandma & Grandpa's wedding day, when the whole family sat and sang songs together til 3 am! In fact, it was so much fun that Grandma & Grandpa left around 9 pm for their wedding night, but my Grandpa was having so much fun that they turned around and went back!
There's painful stories. A car accident that claimed the life of a brother... family scuttlebutt goes back and forth as to whether there was alcohol involved. Babies dying in infancy. Daughters born with "minds that weren't quite right". Wonderful pillars of the family taken from us before we were ready for them to go.
There's the pain of missing pages - one brother who moved to California and all but disappeared.
There's discovery. I grew up 12 miles from cousins I didn't know about. I have the same birthday as a cousin born in 1957.
I read the book from cover to cover this weekend. Soaking in the tales of the people who are mine. Looking at the pictures, and realizing that we, as a family, can be broken down into the fat heads and the skinny heads. The skinny heads are dark complexioned with narrow frames - that came from my great-Grandfather. The fat heads are fairer skinned, solid people - that is straight from my great-Grandmother (Yes, I am a fat head)
And then it hit me... somewhere between the tales of Amy, the Pie-Lady of Charles City, Iowa, and Iva, who moved about a billion times following her charlatan of a husband around the Midwest... that this is what my blog is. My contribution to the furthering of the story. My way for my girls and their girls (and boys) and their girls (and boys) to know what I thought and what I did and what the world was like. And who I am. And I found it very compelling to be open and honest, and.. raw.. in my blog. To not hide behind a mask of what I think people want to hear or what will get the most comments. This is my way to leave my little mark on a great big world....
My fat head mark on the world.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Sometimes It DOES Happen to Someone You Know.
Check this story out... The Clayton & Sharon Bowen mentioned in the article are the parents of my ex's best friends (they were both in our wedding) and Sharon was Essie's daycare mom when she was an infant. They're okay, but shaken up. Can you even IMAGINE????
Suspect caught after alleged three-state crime spree
Nov 10, 2008 03:53 PM EST
LOUDON (WATE) -- A suspect who eluded law enforcement officers in three states was arrested Sunday near Loudon.
Christopher Alan Ellis, 31, was captured at about 5 p.m. in an unoccupied home in the Rarity Bay community.
His arrest comes after an alleged crime spree that included a bank robbery in Kentucky, a kidnapping that began in Atlanta, and a home invasion in Loudon.
Ellis was wanted for a September bank robbery in Owensboro, Ky. when he allegedly entered the Atlanta home of Chapman Parker last weekend and abducted him to Loudon County.
After abandoning Parker, Ellis is believed to have invaded the home of Clayton and Sharon Bowen, the parents of two Loudon County deputies, on Monday morning.
Ellis allegedly Mrs. Bowen in the home for about three hours before Mr. Bowen returned home. After tying up the couple, Ellis is believed to have stolen a hunting rifle, a semi-automatic pistol, a cell phone and the couple's 1976 Silver GMC pickup truck.
The Bowens weren't injured in the incident.
The weeklong search involved FBI agents and officers from the Loudon, Monroe, Knox, Roane, and Blount sheriff's offices, the Maryville, Clinton, and Lenoir City police departments, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
In court in Blount County Monday, Ellis pleaded not guilty on the charges from Loudon County. He was assigned a public defender named Jonathan Moffett.
Ellis' trial date is scheduled for January 14 before Judge Phillips.
He was declared a flight risk and danger to public and will remain in the custody of U.S. Marshals.
Suspect caught after alleged three-state crime spree
Nov 10, 2008 03:53 PM EST
LOUDON (WATE) -- A suspect who eluded law enforcement officers in three states was arrested Sunday near Loudon.
Christopher Alan Ellis, 31, was captured at about 5 p.m. in an unoccupied home in the Rarity Bay community.
His arrest comes after an alleged crime spree that included a bank robbery in Kentucky, a kidnapping that began in Atlanta, and a home invasion in Loudon.
Ellis was wanted for a September bank robbery in Owensboro, Ky. when he allegedly entered the Atlanta home of Chapman Parker last weekend and abducted him to Loudon County.
After abandoning Parker, Ellis is believed to have invaded the home of Clayton and Sharon Bowen, the parents of two Loudon County deputies, on Monday morning.
Ellis allegedly Mrs. Bowen in the home for about three hours before Mr. Bowen returned home. After tying up the couple, Ellis is believed to have stolen a hunting rifle, a semi-automatic pistol, a cell phone and the couple's 1976 Silver GMC pickup truck.
The Bowens weren't injured in the incident.
The weeklong search involved FBI agents and officers from the Loudon, Monroe, Knox, Roane, and Blount sheriff's offices, the Maryville, Clinton, and Lenoir City police departments, and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA).
In court in Blount County Monday, Ellis pleaded not guilty on the charges from Loudon County. He was assigned a public defender named Jonathan Moffett.
Ellis' trial date is scheduled for January 14 before Judge Phillips.
He was declared a flight risk and danger to public and will remain in the custody of U.S. Marshals.
Monday, November 10, 2008
You have GOT to be kidding me
Read here and here and here and here and....
Oh heck... I'll just sum up... as a single mom who works a job where I do NOT get paid if I'm not at work, I've run into SO many walls with places that expect you to come in DURING THE DAY to do things or just in general, the thought that if you're a mom, somehow you're available at 2:30 in the afternoon.
#1 - Food Stamp people want you to come in to renew benefits.
#2 - School district has meet and greet the teacher at 3 in the afternoon.
#3 - Childcare voucher people want you to come in in person to sign up - even though they are in the same building as the Food Stamp people and ask for the EXACT SAME INFORMATION
#4 - Birthday party's at 3:00 on a Thursday.
#5 - To sign up for the Y's child care program, they want you to come into their office, during business hours.
So....
Remember I had signed up for the free divorce clinic with Legal Aid, and I was waiting to hear if I got into the November session. I got the e-mail today. I got in. The seminar is a 2 parter. November 18th and December 2nd.
At noon.
WTF???????????????????????????????????????
Really... I'm just over it. I give up. YOU WIN BIG WORLD!!! I GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently I need to QUIT working because THEN I would get MORE money and be able to jaunt to all these appointments.
It effin sucks.
Oh heck... I'll just sum up... as a single mom who works a job where I do NOT get paid if I'm not at work, I've run into SO many walls with places that expect you to come in DURING THE DAY to do things or just in general, the thought that if you're a mom, somehow you're available at 2:30 in the afternoon.
#1 - Food Stamp people want you to come in to renew benefits.
#2 - School district has meet and greet the teacher at 3 in the afternoon.
#3 - Childcare voucher people want you to come in in person to sign up - even though they are in the same building as the Food Stamp people and ask for the EXACT SAME INFORMATION
#4 - Birthday party's at 3:00 on a Thursday.
#5 - To sign up for the Y's child care program, they want you to come into their office, during business hours.
So....
Remember I had signed up for the free divorce clinic with Legal Aid, and I was waiting to hear if I got into the November session. I got the e-mail today. I got in. The seminar is a 2 parter. November 18th and December 2nd.
At noon.
WTF???????????????????????????????????????
Really... I'm just over it. I give up. YOU WIN BIG WORLD!!! I GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently I need to QUIT working because THEN I would get MORE money and be able to jaunt to all these appointments.
It effin sucks.
How Do You Like Me Now?
Well, I was inspired by Lula to make some changes in my blog... she was sad when I posted a new post because it moved the lovely hand drawn.... drawings... down.
So, I made a new header... now you can see hand-drawn... drawings... every time you log into my site! Isn't that EXCITING??????
Settle down now.
I'm trying to learn how to make my own little headery things for each of the sections and all that, but I'm only so good.
And, in more encouragement from a number of sources, you'll probably be seeing the hand-drawn... drawings... on a more regular basis.
Look out Renior.
If I can't get into the White House, perhaps I can get into the Smithsonian.
Oh, and just to be political for a minute...
This series of posters of President Elect Obama ALWAYS reminded me of something:
Last night it finally dawned on me... they remind me of this:
ETA - I'm ONLY saying the graphic design of the two ads... I'm not making any reference in regards to chicken or any other really bad racial sterotype... I honestly didn't even THINK about it til someone e-mailed me. So please... know I'm ONLY refering to the design!!!!!
So, I made a new header... now you can see hand-drawn... drawings... every time you log into my site! Isn't that EXCITING??????
Settle down now.
I'm trying to learn how to make my own little headery things for each of the sections and all that, but I'm only so good.
And, in more encouragement from a number of sources, you'll probably be seeing the hand-drawn... drawings... on a more regular basis.
Look out Renior.
If I can't get into the White House, perhaps I can get into the Smithsonian.
Oh, and just to be political for a minute...
This series of posters of President Elect Obama ALWAYS reminded me of something:
Last night it finally dawned on me... they remind me of this:
ETA - I'm ONLY saying the graphic design of the two ads... I'm not making any reference in regards to chicken or any other really bad racial sterotype... I honestly didn't even THINK about it til someone e-mailed me. So please... know I'm ONLY refering to the design!!!!!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
A Post to Explain
One of my 164 statements about myself was that I was hit punched by a guy in Wendy's in college. Here, is the rest...... of the story.
The college I went to had a week in the fall called GADKIN. It's a week where a girl asks a guy out, and then each night there is a planned date that all the couples go on. But in order to ask the guy out (called Gadding) you have to present him with some "token" that you are given when you sign up. If he doesn't have that token on him, he is free to be Gadded by someone else. The night of Gadding, the girl who is the most creative in her Gadding, she and her date then win a Limo ride and a fancy shmancy dinner. (Now, just to be fair, we had the same thing in the Spring, Nikdag (see - Gadkin backward) where the guys ask the girls)...
OK... it was my freshman year of college, and our Resident Assistant, Julie, wanted to Gad this guy, Don. She had found out that he would be going to Wendy's for his staff meeting (he was an RA in another dorm) so she wanted us all to dress up in black with nylons on our heads and then go down to Wendy's and make it seem like we were kidnapping him.
We giggled and snickered as we donned our black outfits and found enough nylons for our heads. I think there were 10 of us in two sub-compact cars. Speeding down Snelling avenue, we waved at cars going by, getting ALL kinds of looks - both good and bad! We made it to Wendy's, and piled out of the cars. My friend, Nicole, and I (pictured above) were the first ones in the door. The Wendy's was crowded, and we were intent on finding Don, not really paying attention to the reaction we were getting from the crowd... in this intercity, bars-on-windows Wendy's...
I had spied Don and was making my way to him (of course he was at the cash register) when
WHAM
The world went really bright and then dark.... and then there were a lot of faces and explanations and apologies... and the thought that if we were smart we'd just get out of there.
Yes... I got clocked... by a guy who thought we were going to rob the Wendy's... he wasn't the best aim and not real strong, so I didn't suffer any permanent damage, but I did have a shiner. I would give anything for a picture of that shiner, but the girl who took it and always promised to get me a copy, never did.
Good news. Our RA did indeed Gad Don... he said yes... and they DID win the most creative Gad.
I think I should have at least gotten the limo ride.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Finally!!!
*Disclaimer - I forgot my camera in the car*
Did you noticed that I caved.
Yeah… for all your “good for you’s” and your “go go girl”… I caved. Kat made a deal I could not refuse. (Thereby making Kat the… Godmother)
The girls and I woke up Saturday morning and headed down the road. It was a GORGEOUS day and we listened to the Wicked soundtrack the whole way. Gert had the map and was following the blue line as we went along. It is a long drive and they did really well.
Did you noticed that I caved.
Yeah… for all your “good for you’s” and your “go go girl”… I caved. Kat made a deal I could not refuse. (Thereby making Kat the… Godmother)
The girls and I woke up Saturday morning and headed down the road. It was a GORGEOUS day and we listened to the Wicked soundtrack the whole way. Gert had the map and was following the blue line as we went along. It is a long drive and they did really well.
We finally made it to the greater Metro-Atlanta area. Essie spied the sign for Dave & Busters and wanted to go there… BADLY. Maybe next time. She then took the map and navigated our way to the mall where we were to meet… well… we knew we were meeting Kat & a “surprise” friend, but that’s all I knew.Arriving to the mall a little early, The Ladies and I wandered around the mall a bit, being accosted 3 times by the man with the hair straightener kiosk. Now, I’d love one of those thingies, but I wasn’t about to go to lunch where there were SURE to be camera’s, with one piece of hair straightened. So I brushed him off… I don’t like those pushy Kiosk people.
It was finally time to head to Maggiano’s. We went through the revolving door (3 times) and then decided to take a seat on the bench in the entryway. Essie asked who we were watching for and I shrugged and said “I have NO idea.”
So we watch.. .and wait. 2 Stunningly GORGEOUS women walk up, and Essie says “They look like bloggers.” And looking.. they did seem to look familiar, but when the only picture you know of someone is a ¼ inch square avatar, it’s a little hard to tell. WELL, Essie was right, they WERE bloggers!! It was SHANNON & ANGIE!!! They recognized me and thus the excitement began!!!
We started chatting about this and that, speculating who the “mystery” bloggess was who was to grace us with her presence. My children showed off their incredible show off skills. I was immediately struck by how completely at home I felt with Shannon & Angie!
THEN
The door revolved and in walks…
KORI!!!
Now there was a surprise!! I had just seen her 2 weeks prior and had NO idea she was planning on joining the fun!!! Of course one of the first things we had to do was check for matching socks!!
We then all stood there, yapping, waiting for KAT!!!!!!!!… who finally showed up… and then proceeded to sit in her mini-van… I think she was waiting to make a grand entrance. Which she and her Katie did... Really, those girls know how to take over a room. You could tell Kat was pretty proud of herself and her little surprises....
Kat's phone then rang, and it was the final "surprise" person... and the were an hour away. Of COURSE we didn't mind waiting, and she was gracious enough to up the speed to 95 so we could eat as soon as possible. Kat took her drink order while on the phone... she was apparently very thirsty.
So, she called again when she was about 10 minutes out, and then rest of us went and sat down, ordered drinks and kept up the chatting... when... who should walk in???
LULA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh how exciting!!! I adore Lula and have been dying to meet her!!! She is all I thought she would be and MORE!!!!!
At one point my Gert completely freaked Miss Kori (Germaphobe) out by slurping a noodle straight out of the community spaghetti bowl.... From then on the whole bowl was considered "Gert's Spaghetti"
Here's a group shot of our table. Are we not gorgeous!! And Lula, that sharp eyed girl, spotted Michelle Obama at the table next to us and was quick to point it out to the whole restaurant.
Our waiter was really good... he knew what was in everything. Believe me... I know... I asked.
Kori is quite the little detective.....
And a LOT of fun with a spoon and VERY protective of her Creme' Brulee.....
As we were standing outside the restaurant after we ate, Lula did a little evangelizing with the cranky people....
Sadly then Lula had to leave... bummer. The rest of us headed over to Kat's to hang out and yack some more... (as in talk, not as in puke, though apparently Kori was borderline after Kat's driving....) When we got to Kat's, several ladies had to go potty.
Then we took our drinks out on the deck and officially started the Mommy Blabbers Sorority. And had a little finger intervention with Kori... she's better now. Really.
Time went MUCH to quickly, laughs were MUCH to hard, oxygen was much to scarce, and before we knew it, Shannon, Angie & Kori had to leave. So we took the traditional picture-at-Kat's-house... you'll notice we followed the "no hips" rule:
The Ladies and I were spending the night at Kat's. Sadly, and ironically, Kat's cat had ingested some... gunk... and wasn't feeling well. But still let me snap this pic
Kat and I then sent the children else where and we sat down to chat. Here is a close up, cat-eyed view of our legs while we were chatting. I adore that Kat... I can tell her anything....
After The Ladies went to sleep, I headed out to spend some time with Mr. B. He wore a plaid shirt, just for me. The humidity was starting to REALLY mess with my hair but he said he loved it. We had a wonderful time together, of course WAY to short....
The Ladies & I slept in Kat's AMAZING guest room. That's me on the left, Essie in the middle and Gert on the right... like you couldn't tell.
When we awoke in the morning, Kat had made pancakes!! And GOOD ones at that!!! I'm telling you - that Kat is the hostess with the mostess.
After a lovely breakfast I told The Ladies it was time to go. My bedhead & I gave Kat a big hug 
And we headed home.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Our Country
Has elected an African American Man.
I'm proud of that.
I didn't vote for him.
But I'm proud of our country for coming as far as we have.
I'm proud of that.
I didn't vote for him.
But I'm proud of our country for coming as far as we have.
Confessions...
I PROMISE I will blog about the great weekend tomorrow.
I've found myself in a pretty big funk over the election... and not because my "guy" isn't going to win, but because I didn't have a guy... because there's no one who espouses my beliefs... I'm a girl without a country... or a candidate...
I stood there today at the polling place... I walked in, verified I am who I say I am, received the directions on how to fill out my ballot, walked to the booth, picked up a black big pen with a green feather taped to it (Kat... I thought about Ella the whole time I was filling it out)... looked at the paper and...
started to cry
Really...
Thank God those booths are private, because I'm sure I looked a fool.
I'm so glad for you Obama supporters that you found someone who really is what you want. I'm so glad for you McCain supports that you found someone who is really what you want.
Maybe someday I'll have that.
So pardon my funk...
Happy Lizzy will be back tomorrow.
I've found myself in a pretty big funk over the election... and not because my "guy" isn't going to win, but because I didn't have a guy... because there's no one who espouses my beliefs... I'm a girl without a country... or a candidate...
I stood there today at the polling place... I walked in, verified I am who I say I am, received the directions on how to fill out my ballot, walked to the booth, picked up a black big pen with a green feather taped to it (Kat... I thought about Ella the whole time I was filling it out)... looked at the paper and...
started to cry
Really...
Thank God those booths are private, because I'm sure I looked a fool.
I'm so glad for you Obama supporters that you found someone who really is what you want. I'm so glad for you McCain supports that you found someone who is really what you want.
Maybe someday I'll have that.
So pardon my funk...
Happy Lizzy will be back tomorrow.
Joshua 5:13-14
13 When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?”
14 “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.”
14 “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.”
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