File This Under...This Could Only Happen To Michele...

OK, SO I went car shopping this afternoon. I showed up at the Toyota place around 4 this afternoon intent on getting a new car. I meet a very nice salesman named "Sam".
I explain to him what I want and what the situation is with my current vechile.
We do the typical back and forth back and forth...let me get my manager ...
SO the manager comes over and after looking at the numbers shows me a set of figures that I was prepared to shell out for my dream 4Runner. No, I have no money...does the $4 dollars I have in my bank account help?
No money down...rollover 4,000 from my current car...
We figure out the logistics. So Sam says you haven't even driven one yet or picked out the color you want. I have this this and this is that model.
He brings over a black SR5 4WD so nice. I decide to take it for a ride.
Now at this point it has been 2.5 hours and I have officially missed the BBQ at the Yanoff's.
I am driving along and mention that I am hungry. Sam looks at me and was like "I will get you dinner". I was like "no that's OK". He is like like, :seriously, I will get you dinner". I was think OK, take out something like that while we wait for them to process my paperwork. He was like when we are done I will take you to dinner.
UMMMM...OK.


So now I am stuck at the car dealer, at the mercy of the "manager" waiting for my car to be finished. I get called in and am told that they had made a mistake with the numbers and that the payment would be 100 dollars higher than I had expected.

I was like screw this. So I asked for my keys, annoyed that I had at that point wasted 4 hours of my life at the dealer. I was getting a headache and just wanted to leave.

I still had things to do like dye my hair for my date tonight.

SO I go out and get my keys from Sam. He asked me what had happened when I tell him he tells me to sit down he would try and take care of it. Oh, and that we were still going to get dinner.

Going to get dinner is the last thing I want. I want to go home. I want the BBQ I had missed. I want my 4runner...I smile and say ok. I have a problem . I can not say no.
Not that there was anything wrong with Sam. He was a nice enough. Older gentleman, with no family here in the states. Works a lot since he has nothing else to do. Lonely. But nice.

So I sit down and wait. 20 minutes go by in which I spend talking to Jarret about how going to eat with this man is the last thing in the world I want to do. Finally Sam comes out. We go eat.

As we are sitting there having dinner I realize that Sam is a very nice man. Interesting. Old enough to be my father but nice dinner conversation. Until he says..."I really like you, you are a nice girl. You have my number, I would really like to see you again, we could go out once or more than that if you wish".
My eyes BULGE out of my head. I was like I think I should go now.

I finally regain my composure and say that as flattered as I am that I am seeing someone. He says no problem. I am trying not to offend him..Then I say "You can still find me a car right"?

I went there for a car damn it. This is the guy that is supposed to get me a car. Not my fault that he asked me out.

Channeling My Inner Lobster

I am so sunburned.
I think I overdid it yesterday at the pool.
I decided that I could forgo my usual SPF 50 and use a SPF 4.
I think I left my brain in the trash can at work.

Two Lines Mean your Pregnant One Line Means Pathetic

OK, Don't read this posting if you are afraid of TMI.
But if you know me at all you get TMI all the time.
My friend Maggie had helped make me neurotic, notice I did not blame it all on her.

Back Story-
Me; I am on the pill. For my skin for two months now.
I have been hanging out with an old ex from time to time.

Madigan; Is pregnant and likes to read up on certain aspects of the pregnancy. I mean every single aspect of the pregnancy. She can tell you exactly what the baby is making at any given moment. Fingernails, Toes, Blood...you get the picture. I am not knocking this I think it is great.

OK, So my period is really really weird this month. I was starting to get a little concerned and I mentioned something to Maggie. Maggie, who knows everything about pregnancy mentions that it is probably some sort of shedding and I might be pregnant.
I dismiss this idea because I don't want it to be true and it is some sort of period I am having...right?

So a week goes by and I am getting a little more worried. My "real" period has not shown up and I again talk to Maggie and she still insists that it could be ovarian shedding and that I could be pregnant. I had messed up my pills and maybe it is just the pills but I should take a preggers test just to be sure.

So I go to work and I am freaking out a little because a baby is certainly not what I need at this point in my life. I have 20 dollars in my bank account.

Babies cost more than $20.00

So I drag Sonya to CVS with me to buy a stupid test thinking this could be the end of the world. I mean it is like I am 16 again...I mean 18 again ...

I go back to work and Sonya and I wait for the magical stick to either ruin my life or make my day a little better.

One line, One distinct line...wheeeewho.
No babies for me.

So I throw the stick in the trash. But me being me can not leave well enough alone...what if it changes. What if I did not wait long enough for the preggers part to penetrate (hahahaha) that part of the stick.

So, like two hours later you find me in the ladies bathroom at my office. A bathroom which is a shared bathroom...with my arm in the trash...all the way up to my elbow digging around for this stupid stick to make sure it hasn't changed.

Can you imagine if someone had walked in and seen me. The trash is right by the door.
I finally found the stick. Still one line. No babies for me.
I threw it away again. Washed my hands/arm.
Went back to work.

HELP

My ass is officially embedded into my couch.
I have a stupid migraine that only 4 consecutive hours of project runway could even begin to cure.
Well, not really. It is over and I still have a headache. My eyes feel like they are gonna pop outta my head they hurt so bad.
This was not meant to be a bitch session it was supposed to be about how lazy I was...

Crash.

Well yesterday I received a phone call from my sister letting me know that my grandfather had been in a serious car accident.
Apparently he did not see a stop sign and ran it. He tried to avoid hitting an on coming car which I don't think he managed to do and ended up crashing into an embankment.
Apparently he is going to be OK. His face is really messed up but his CAT scan came back alright.
His brother Grant was in the car with him and he did not make it out so easily. He sustained multiple broken ribs, broken sternum, collapsed ling and several other minor injuries. They are both in the Glens Falls Hospital. I believe my grandfather is being released today but Grant is still in ICU.
I will keep you posted with any updates. Keep them in your thoughts.

Gwenner..

I apologize in advance if this comes across a bit "preachy"...

Five years ago this past Saturday, Gwen Saltis, who was just 26 years old, died while leading a crew working on fire rehab after the McNally Fire in
the Golden Trout Wilderness. Those who knew Gwen won't forget this day --
or what an amazing and talented person she was. In honor of Gwen and her
family, I wanted to keep Gwen present for all of us who do the sometimes
dangerous work of "caring for the land and serving people".

There are many hazards we all must be aware of -- most are not obvious or
truly predictible. Gwen was killed by a tree as she slept -- an unburned
tree with a rotten root structure over one hundred feet away from her tent.
She and her crew had keyed in on the dangerous situation with burned trees,
and had carefully and intentionally chosen this as a safe spot away from
those trees. While it had been windy the evening before, the weather was
calm the morning of her death. It's impossible to know how predictible was
the hazard that killed Gwen. What IS predictible is the feeling of
devastation for the families -- parents, siblings or surviving children --
friends, and fellow employees, when someone they care for is suddenly torn
from their lives.

Gwen's mother, Carol, who of course still grieves, once told me this:
While Gwen's death is hard to accept, if her loss is used as a reminder to
others, so that if even one other family doesn't have to experience such a
devastating loss, she would feel that Gwen's life (and early death) was not
in vain. This was part of the reason that Region Five developed the Hazard
Tree Awareness presentation, dedicated to Gwen's memory, which you have
(hopefully) seen if you work in forested areas. Carol's request is why I
share Gwen's reminder with you now. Many others have died in our chosen
lines of work -- before and since Gwen. We should keep these in mind as
well.

We've all heard it before... Look up; look around. Know what's out there,
and try to plan for the unpredictible. Remember that situations that seem
safe can have hidden hazards. Truly safe conditions can change
unexpectedly. Stay aware, and share your awareness with those around you.

Do it for your family. Do it for yourself. Do it for Gwen... and her mom.




> Thanks! marty
>
> Marty Hornick
> Trail Program Coordinator
> Travel Management Project Co-Leader
> Inyo National Forest
> mhornick@fs.fed.us
> 760-873-2461 (Office)
> 760-937-3008 (Cell)

Rocket Man

So I just returned from a quick jaunt to Burlington VT. My Arse is dragging today. Good thing we have a softball game tonight (cue clown music).Oh wait !!! Make that a double header...
Yesterday was Maggie's birthday and we went to see Sir Elton John last night. He was so good. I had so much fun, it really was a great show. This show marker the 50th state he had played. The venue was great. Chaplain Valley Expo. Grandstands. It was pretty quintessential VT. Bessie, Andrew, Madigan and I all went to the Bearded Frog for dinner, which was so YUMMY. Thanks Bessie !!

Thoughts For Jocelyn

It was a horrible day for a friend and co-worker, Jocelyn today. Sonya and I were at the pool when she received a call from a hysterical Jocelyn. Jocelyn's boyfriend of over four years was murdered last night in Boston. I will attach a link to the story but don't really want to put all the specifics on here. Just wanted to let you know what was happening and hopefully you could send some love her way.

http://wbztv.com/local/fatal.shooting.boston.2.774916.html

I can't get the link to work but you can still copy and paste it.

Ohhhh The Horror

What kind of person have I become?
I find myself waving old people into traffic and then flipping them off for taking too long.
I literally stuck my tongue out at woman today while waiting for gas. Since she decided to take 15 minutes to do her taxes in the car before she got out to pump her gas...I was trying to wait patiently.

Jack Helping Daddy

I thought I would share these. I thought it was adorable, my nephew helping out his dad. What a great little guy Jack is.

This is Great

Send a JibJab Sendables® eCard Today!

Alternate Violet Hill Video- via StereoGum

Feist is so amazing.

I found these Online

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Memoir

Sonya asked me the other day why I never wrote a memoir. I told her because my life is boring and who cared. She disagreed.

But it made me start thinking, maybe I should start putting my memories down. And what better place to do that than here?

I will warn you though. Some will not be pleasant, some might not be factual. But they will be representative of what I remember. Which in most cases is not a lot. I must have blocked a lot out.

So don't read too much into a post when I recant a horrible story about abuse, or neglect or something to that extent. It just is what it was, at least in my mind.

Cue Bummbling Circus Music

I think I am probably the worst softball player on earth. I am the only person who can miss a ball, chase after it, step on it, roll, and send it flying again. I am a bumbling mess in the out field. And while this is happening add in a Ugghhh, OH, Ooooofff, and SORRY to the sound track. Seriously all I need is some clown music..

Be Careful What You Ask For

My Stalker is back...via IM and through the online dating place we first met.
I got fed up and reported him as CREEPY.

Reason #1 To Own A House

Design Toscano wants you to "expect the extraordinary from your home and garden," and that includes the walking dead. Take this 13-lb. resin undead garden zombie, for example. Designed by British artist Alan Dickinson, it's a life-sized resin sculpture that would be a terrifying addition to any lawn, garden or personal graveyard.

For about $90, Toscano will ship this guy to you in three macabre pieces. When assembled, they'll cover a 31½"x19½"x8" stretch of earth. That is, until the day he and his buddies claw their way completely to the surface, eat our brains, and take over the planet. Then they'll be everywhere, doing their zombie gardening with a silent stoicism, and you'll be the garden gnome.

BINGO

So staying true to my roots I went to Bingo the other night.

Sonya convinced me that it would be a great idea to go so I begged Brendon to come along as well.
Never before have I felt so out of place...that may be an exaggeration...but we certainly stood out.

Brendon and I show up to get seats since Sonya was getting a hair cut. Brendon and I were on our own. We were not sure exactly how the whole set up worked...paper cards...get a number...buy a bonker thingy...find a seat...Brendon and I considered lying and saying we could not get a seat and just leaving. BUT we decided, no we would stick it out.

We found seats next to this lovely older man, Donald. Now I may have to tell you Donald put up with a lot of nonsense from us, but he seemed to enjoy us.

Brendon and I sit down and start to enjoy the show...I mean game.
Sonya shows up like 30 minutes late, which means I have to not only be in charge of my 6 boxes of bonking possibilities, but also in charge of her 12 boxes as well. I though my arm was gonna fall off. Anyway it was fine.They have a cheat sheet with all the different games I was old pro but Brendon needed clarification. He did well though as soon as he figured out that the numbers were consistent every row...B has 1-15 I has 16-30...

So, the players at the Armenian Hall are VERY SERIOUS about their BINGO. People were getting into fights with their neighbors if they talked on the phone, but the best player in the hall was

the BIG HOT MESS !!!

This woman looked, well she was a large woman. sitting by her self. I don't think she had teeth, but maybe just the tops or vice versa. She did have a large amount of BBQ spread out in front of her. She had her phone plugged into one ear and her CD player plugged into the other. she had about 36 boxes or 10 -12 cards in front of her as far as she could reach either way...

So she starts yelling call o-69 and a man behind us yells back...:yeah, I bet you like that honey, wouldn't you"...she responds "shut up or I'll punch you in the face"..ok really that is something Sonya would say, but her response is right along those lines....Then she starts complaining about the AC and someone from way across the room yells back at her "why don't you put some clothes on".
Truth be told those tiny spaghetti straps were having a very hard time holding on.

It was a fun night in Watertown. And in case you were wondering, NO we did not win anything.

Weekly Re Cap...

Not sure why I felt I needed to recap this week but I will.
Well first things first. Stalker seems to have disappeared. Which is good. First full week no contact. Maybe he went off to get a stalking badge somewhere else.

If you have been checking on Mary's Blog you know that all the babies are home which is great news. She sounds like she is doing well. I can't believe the stamina that girl has. She amazes me. And those babies are so cute...

Speaking of babies, Maggie went to the DR today and all is ok with their little one. Baby Bean which I have named it. Until Maggie get REALLY mad at me I I will refer to it by baby or something generic like that. I think bean is cuter. Oh and Maggie's baby is a clepto. So if you find something missing...

Sad news, Roes grandfather passed away last night after a long battle with cancer. He is at peace now. Roe seems to be holding her own and I have to say I am glad she is not sitting waiting for the other shoe to drop all the time. I have been there and I know that waiting for it is horrible.

Let's see. Decided to brave the world of online dating again. So I am sure I will have you entertained with my woes of dating. So far we have one candidate but he lives in CA. So...distance may be an issue but I won't rule him out yet. Crazy Guy still is hanging around. He entertains me. Maybe I will finally meet him this weekend. I have nothing better to do. If I disappear his name is Tom and his number is in my cell phone.

And last but not least...I was not answering calls today. I was irritated, and not in the mood to talk to anyone except my nephew...so if you were one of the ones who called don't take it personal.

Tomorrow is supposed to be nice and sunny and I am planning on spending the day at the pool. I think Sonya is joining me. I am hoping I can catch up with Sweeney and we can do something later. If not maybe I will CG a call, and if all else fails I can stay home and watch 300. Or clean that is a novel idea.

Next weekend I am heading North and maybe West Maybe home, definitely VT on Monday at least for Elton John. I'll let you know.

Because I Find this Amusing.

Well...Something Had To Give

In an effort to simplify my life, I have resigned from Bus.
Well, resigned is a strong word. I have cut my hours back to a part-time position.

I will now go back and spend my days with the Schmoop and now with two more on the way I will certainly have my hands full.

I have also decided that I am going back to school. Hopefully this time I can stay focused and get through schooling.

I think I made the right decision this time, although it was very difficult. At least I may lose some weight chasing these kids around.

Hair Today Gone Today

OK. I did it .
I cut off the hair.
7-8 inches. Might still go shorter, but it was a huge deal for me to even cut it in the first place.
Love it.
So Cute.