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Gimmicks
Friday, May 31, 2002
THE TEST. This morning I was setting out a bunch of Bethany's family's stuff in my yard sale. One particular item caught my eye...I didn't remember it at all. Of course, I wanted to be familiar with everything (the better to barter), so I opened the funny-shaped box with a sheet music covering.
It was a cute bath set: fragrant soap cubes and lotions. As I closed the lid, I caught a quick glance beyond the gift set. My mind refused to believe, so I re-opened the box.
Nestled in the back of the box, tucked between the padding surrounding the soaps and the outer cardboard, was MONEY!
I immediately said, "Whoops! This got missed!" and grabbed it out with a chuckle.
Then I looked at the denomination.
It was a $50 bill! HOLY SHIT! NO WAY!
I immediately ran in the house and called Bethany's mom. She was incredulous at my discovery. I teased her that she had planted it as a test to see if I really was putting their items out AND checking for breakage, etc. That got a good laugh, especially since I've had the stuff for a year now! She sounded grateful that I found it, even though it, evidently, had never been missed!
It wasn't until later this afternoon that I realized this minor event was, in fact, a test. I realize now that the option to pocket the money and keep my mouth shut was there all along, but I never considered it. I acted upon my first reaction...be honest. I probably could have justified keeping the money (it's not like they would miss it, etc.), but I cannot be a thief. There have been times when I have accidentally put Bethany's change in my pocket/purse, and as soon as I realize it, I put it back. Fifty cents, fifty dollars, it makes no difference to me!
I'm not a thief and I certainly do NOT put money above friendship. Hmmm...I hope this is one of those, "what goes around, comes around...3 times as much!" Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/31/2002 10:59:00 PM
The shit hit the fan...the union is heavily involved since the company is not demoting him in the manner the contract states. They are trying to to put him into a different ranking and unfairly, taking away his merit raises from over the years.
Estimated paycut: 20-25%.
I don't know what is going to happen. I do know that I will definitely be working this summer! Hopefully, evenings.
The sale is going OK. I have to get back to it now. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/31/2002 04:01:00 PM
Thursday, May 30, 2002
WOW! My head is throbbing from Rick's news today.
The company that bought out his workplace laid off 10 people today in his shop without any warning at all. They also completely ended the afternoon shift...a few of those guys will be moving to Rick's shift. (these were done only in the name of MORE profits, the company is far far far from losing money!)
It looks like tomorrow, with all the shift-arounds started today, Rick might have a new job title...a demotion, due only to seniority. With the demotion, of course, comes the pay cut.
He will call me with the update. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/30/2002 10:44:00 PM
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
Our yard sale starts Friday.
I have a TON of our crap for it, plus another ton from Bethany's family. I have been going thru everything and it really is a neverending battle. More and more and more...
I really hate pricing stuff. It's not about the money, it's just a hassle to decide and write, decide and write. I have half a dozen packs of the pre-priced colored-dot stickers. Whoever thought up that idea takes the cake!
Rick's parents and gramma are supposed to come down this weekend to check out the sales around here. I don't understand, they bitch about gramma having too much junk (she collects EVERYTHING!) in her two houses, yet they are bringing her down for "garage saling."
I know they will be criticizing my pricing, too. Either I'm too cheap or too expensive for them. My fave question is, "Why are you getting rid of this?" when it comes to something they gave us. It's going for the same reasons as everything else: we don't use it, therefore, we don't need it. Still, there tends to be some hurt feelings.
Rick and I are making the tables tonight. And I thought romance was dead! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/29/2002 05:49:00 AM
Tuesday, May 28, 2002
Our weekend was perfect: the weather was great and everyone, including Simba, had LOTS of fun!
We stayed at a resort-type campground in a nearby town. Rick and Cody took Friday off and got things completely set up, while us ladies worked and went to school. After the camper was level and Simba had staked out prime shading, the guys played a round of golf on the course directly across from our spacious and beautiful site.
Later, we met at the house and drove over in plenty of time for dinner. I conked out after Rick, but well before the kids, who stayed up to watch, "Blade." Oh, the sacrifices of "campering!" Fridge, stove, heat, air, TV, DVD/PS2 and indoor plumbing!
Saturday was wet, but we ran to WalMart and bought a new set of T-Fal pans, a coffee percolator and a toaster. Rick is in heaven!
Sunday turned into the weather we had been desperately waiting for: sunshine with warmth! The kids played outside nearly all day with their new friends: walking and riding bikes, playing tennis and exploring. It is simply amazing to see how much they have grown up from our days of single-room tent camping! Yay!
I enjoyed reading inside. It was luxurious to sit on the couch with my borrowed-from-Bethany book, "Lucky Man" and copies of Newsweek, devouring the words without kitties and housework distracting me. I was grateful to be away from a puter, too! The joke btwn Rick and I is that I haven't sat so much on our furniture at home!
Saturday and Sunday nights, we all stayed up until about 1 a.m. playing Boggle and snacking on chocolate. No kidding, that game is our family favorite, so we had hours of intense playing with lots of giggles. Rick and I always had the most words and at first, the kids thought that made them dumb, until they realized they mattered A LOT! Their list of words could make or break the entire thing, and usually did!
To be honest, I did get out. I took pictures (here is one of a BABY baby bird), played croquet with the family, took Simba for MANY walks, rode my bike (when I could steal it back from Karina!) and arranged things in the camper. I loved it!
We were home yesterday by noon, but I kept busy outside until 5:30, mowing 1/2 of our acre by hand, clipping around trim, digging out my garden, digging out flowerbeds next to the house, distributing fresh dirt and planting flower seeds. Rick and Cody set up our patio furniture, so we ate hotdogs on the grill for lunch. I have a touch of sunburn this morning, but that should fade to a tan by tomorrow.
Cody is very excited about getting out of school this week and coming for the summer in two weekends. Karina has another 2 weeks, but LOTS of fun stuff btwn now and then.
Everyone is looking forward to our vacation and weekends of "campering!" Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/28/2002 06:14:00 AM
Friday, May 24, 2002
Friday Five is here again!
1. What's the last vivid dream that you remember having? I dream several times a night and remember them. Actually, it's not uncommon for me to experience dejavu, which freaks Rick out sometimes.
2. Do you have any recurring dreams? Yep, quite a few...some are nightmares, though.
3. What's the scariest nightmare you've ever had? Most of the nightmares I have involve Karina being taken by my parents. Even in sleep, I don't escape my biggest fear.
4. Have you ever written your dreams down or considered it? Why or why not? Nope, it'd be too time-consuming. I have a pretty good memory anyway.
5. Have you ever had a lucid dream? What did you do in it? I have these all the time. In fact, I just woke up at 5:47 from a dream that I knew I was dreaming: I was trying to help a guy NOT have to sell his hot rod because he was divorced and needed money to fight for custody of his daughter. I told him to race it on Woodward and he said that would be illegal and dangerous, but I countered with, "Don't worry, you'll be fine. This is MY dream!" Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/24/2002 06:18:00 AM
Thursday, May 23, 2002
10 things that get me pissy (besides the usual): 1. People that tailgate or don't use turn signals or don't use their headlights.
2. Credit card and utility companies that keep changing their billing cycles.
3. WHO ATE THE LAST BROWNIE?!!?
4. I have to resort to threats and/or crying to get Rick out of bed for work.
5. "Hey, I forgot to tell you..." from my kids or Rick.
6. A "quick trip" to Sam's Club, Meijer or Wal-Mart on Saturday afternoon.
7. Discrimination/bigotry, especially in front of or directed toward children.
8. Hypocrites.
9. People who stereotype men and women for the sake of their narrow POV. Women are NOT more suited to being the nuturer, men are NOT more athletic, etc.
10. Religious zealots who cannot understand that not EVERYONE believes in the Bible or God or Jesus, and that using that angle in a debate is plain STUPID!
Stealing a topic from Lulu while she is away. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/23/2002 11:10:00 PM
I am really sick of people blaming President Bush for Sept. 11. I've said it before, but I will say it again, I do NOT consider myself a "Democrat" or "Republican," I am a THINKER. I do not let political parties make my decisions.
There are ALWAYS threats being made against the U.S. Anyone who thinks they started with Sept. 11, is just ignorant. There have been international terrorists hellbent on destroying the US for many, many years. There are DOMESTIC terrorists, too...our own citizens!
Let's face it, we Americans are ARROGANT. If Osama or whoever bought ad time during the 2001 SuperBowl and made these threats, we would have still blown them off. Attack the U.S?!!? What are you, NUTS? Thirty seconds later, we'd be laughing at the Budweiser frogs.
Thing is, we never wanted to believe it would happen here. "That stuff" goes on in Beirut, Ireland, Israel, Philippines, etc. It was beyond many people's thoughts that there were NUTS out there willing to die to hurt the U.S. It's not like "kamikaze" is a new word.
Pearl Harbor is a distant memory, even though thousands of Americans were killed. I have even heard the rationalization that Pearl Harbor wasn't as big of a deal because Hawaii was not yet a state! Gimme a break!!! By Dec. 8, 1941, we were fully engulfed in World War II; Sept. 11 was not the beginning of World War III.
It is ironic that so many of the people blaming President Bush are complaining about the general warnings being issued now. Specifics will not stop anything, just redirect. Terrorists, like serial killers such as Jeffrey Dahmer, are extremely intelligent. They know how to blend in, how to be trusted. Above all, terrorists do not have just Plan A, they have the rest of the alphabet, too.
The movie, "Red Dawn," was lambasted for its portrayal of a World War happening on U.S. soil. I pray it never does, but it could. Guess it might be a good idea to fund our military...just in case. Otherwise, we might just have to listen to an Al Gore public statement. That is something we do NOT need! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/23/2002 11:45:00 AM
Wednesday, May 22, 2002
Cody's school put on a GREAT Spring program last night. It was quite impressive. We drove nearly 2.5 hours each way to watch the 45-minute pageant and Cody was sooooooo happy, which is all that really matters, right? We are all exhausted, but we can relax a bit this evening.
What is REALLY great is that Rick's X "needs a vacation," so she asked if we would take Cody early Thursday evening, instead of Friday night and they can leave town Friday morning. Sure, no biggie for us! And, Cody is only ditching 1/2 a day of school. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/22/2002 06:36:00 AM
Tuesday, May 21, 2002
I'm from the Detroit area and think this type of ad is NOT humorous or good sportsmanship. I am really disappointed in 97.1 for supporting its placing in the Detroit newspapers and the Denver papers.
The shock-jock morons that thought it up, Kramer and Twitch, are the same idiots who started the whole "Britany and Justin are dead" rumor last summer. Rather telling, eh? They tried to make a sex bet (ANY sex bet) with some DJs out in Denver, and Denver shot it down. YAY! Don't stoop to the lower depths of the sewer where K&T dwell!
Just a reminder that Kramer and Twitch are NOT from Detroit, they just have jobs here. They are total hypocrites when they go on about "fair weather fans," I doubt they will support the Red Wings in their next job market!
I wish that was sooner, rather than later! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/21/2002 03:30:00 PM
Monday, May 20, 2002
Shamelessly lifted from iCan.com and their 2002 Power Tour coverage. 1. What was your first car? 1979 AMC Concorde in burnt orange.
2. What is your dream car? I drive it now...my Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I had wanted a Jeep since High School and Rick bought me one. YAY!
3. What is your favorite gas station food for road trips? BBQ Fritos and a Diet Pepsi; Oreos, if I am in a sweets mood.
4. What's your music choice while driving along the open road? Journey's "Greatest Hits" or "Raised on Radio."
5. What was your most memorable road trip? Me, Lisa, Nina and Sabrina driving from Yale to Mio for the weekend. We took Nina and Sabrina's mom's car and they packed EVERYTHING! Lisa and I each brought a bag, but they had the trunk filled!
Nina insisted on driving, but she refused to take any freeways. So, we had to go backroads, which added a few hours onto our trip. Nina also didn't know the route, but I did (from years of my father taking "the scenic route"), so I navigated. No biggie, just kinda funny. Not long into our trip, a bird flew into the car and died. teehee Nina was not amused.
Nina, ever the control freak, also insisted on being in charge of the radio/music selection. I swear on my bags of Cheetos, we listened to Bon Jovi and the theme to "Friends" for 75% of the trip each way! I love Nina still, but she was a bit obsessive. The three of us had to gang up on her to get her damn music changed! lol Then, it was just for a song and back to Bon Jovi.
We bought a Playgirl magazine and Nina and Sabrina freaked out.
We ate ALOT. Chips Ahoy cookies dipped in chocolate frosting, Slim Jims, Hostess, Cheetos...
That was THE trip! I hope Karina has one with her girlfriends someday.
It's hilarious to hear Cody talk about his mom now. I think he has been strictly instructed to tell us how great she is doing and how much weight she has "lost." Yeah yeah...she has been hospitalized several times now due to her "weight-loss method," because she doesn't adhere to the rules.
How healthy can she be if she has NO energy? Over the course of the weekend, Cody griped that she has to nap every three hours and cannot walk thru more than two stores at a time. Most often, after the second errand, she naps in the car. She cannot do any type of housework, either, because it exhausts her. Cody misses school because she is too tired to get up.
Cody keeps saying, "She can eat whatever she wants!" Yep, as long as it is on her APPROVED list, which does NOT include beef, dairy, corn, soda, caffeine, etc. She still has problems digesting many vegetables. Couple those with only being able to eat a few bites at a time, while adhering to the strict water rule and it's pretty ridiculous to think she is "healthy." Her typical meals now are just as un-nutritious as before: hot dogs, mac and chez and potato chips.
I remember how often she told me how unhealthy *I* was. *I* lose my weight by eating better (and a little less, but not much!) and exercising, not her extreme method! She still does not eat right or exercise, but hey, she's on VITAMINS! Her "target weight" is the same as mine last summer when she accused me of "looking too skinny." Oh yes, she also claimed then to be "big-boned." Yeppers, then why was she NOT "big-boned" in high school? lol
I won't even get much into my rant about her accusing me of starving Cody! He is borderline obese, but she calls him, "big-boned," also. Shorter than me, much heavier than me and wearing men's pants 34x28 (he needs 26 long, but I cannot find those!) With her husband making the meals (she cannot stand to be around food and cries), which are either fast food or fat and calorie-laden, Cody now is packing on the pounds monthly. Siiigh...a few more weeks until summer break and then I can work with Cody fulltime, again. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/20/2002 06:16:00 AM
Sunday, May 19, 2002
After Clones, Karina had a karate exhibition with her class (and a few others) at our local mall. After that was over, she ditched us to spend the night at her best friend's house, which just happens to be the same house that Rick's Grandparents owned and lived in when they all lived in the area! Pretty kewl coincidence, eh?
Rick has been recovering from being sick all week, so he slept a bit before dinner. I knew he wouldn't make it through any DVD after the 8:30 meal, so I asked Cody if he would like to go see, "Spiderman." Of course he did, even without his dad, lol. I promised that if his dad was asleep by 10:30, we could make the show. While Cody cleared the table, I whispered to Rick, "If you go to sleep soon, Cody and I will go see 'Spiderman,' OK?" He grabbed a pillow and blanket and zonked contentedly.
We ended up hitting the 10:30 show and saw the awesome trailer for MIB2, Mr. Deeds (Adam Sandler) and Scooby Doo. Now, we have a TON of movies to visit this summer, since Rick also wants to see Minority Report (Tom Cruise) and Goldmember (Austin Powers.) Some movies just HAVE to be seen in the theatre!
Anyway, about Spiderman...I wish I could say it was a great movie, but I think seeing Clones first ruined it. I'd have to give it 6 stars. I could tell the choppy cuts btwn animation and real-live. Also, Kirsten Dunst was TOO much of a ditz, does she HAVE to tilt her head every time she looks at someone or says something?!!? She was also the stereo-typical teenage girl...in love with a different guy every week and totally impressed by cars. I was OUT of that stage in high school!
I really have to take issue with some of the "goofs" that are out there. For example, it has been reported that a big one is the Thanksgiving meal, when Norman Osborn (aka The Green Goblin) refers to Peter's aunt as "Aunt Mae" when he walks in the door. True, when he leaves, he calls her, "Mrs. Parker." Goof, right?
ONLY if you haven't watched the entire scene, where he begins to experience the overpowering change into The Green Goblin when he realizes Peter is Spiderman. Then, Aunt Mae kinda pisses him off when she scolds him for taking a nibble of marshmallow. The fact that he treated everyone differently and the Green Goblin persona didn't want to be familiar with any of them COMPLETELY explains the name switch.
It was a good movie and we will get it on DVD, but I wouldn't consider a second showing of it at the theatre. The Peter and MJ characters look and behave too immature, I'm not impressed with either actor's acting capabilities. I wasn't impressed with Harry Osborn, Peter's best friend and roommate, (who didn't know Dad was the Green Goblin), swearing revenge on Spidey. Yeah, yeah.
Cody, of course, gave it 10 stars. He loved the movie AND the fact that we didn't get home until well after 1 a.m.! Yep, to a kid, that is pretty darn impressive, even Clones can't compete there! lolol Oh well, it was great for he and I to have some fun together. I greatly enjoyed his company. Guess with all that figured in, Spidey would get 8 stars from me. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/19/2002 09:51:00 AM
Saturday, May 18, 2002
Just got home from a hectic and fun afternoon!
We saw "Star Wars: Attack of the Clones" just after lunch. I have to say that anyone who whines, especially OVERpaid movie critics, that the movie sucks, is NUTS! I was not a Star Wars fan, I saw the original movies for the first time in 1996 (my parents refused to let us see Sci-Fi flicks growing up), but now, I am. We own the Star Wars trilogy on video, and Phantom Menace on both DVD and VHS. Rick watches them regularly, but I usually opt out and play on my puter.
This movie makes soooooooo much sense to me! I missed little things in the others, but today, they were called out of the recesses of my mind and I GET IT! Now, I know that I will NOT leave myself out when Rick plays the movies tonight, tomorrow, whenever!
I adore Yoda now, I get the whole anger thing with Anakin/Darth Vader, Jedi behavior no longer confuses me.
I will be anxiously awaiting (probably at 12:01 a.m. at Best Buy) this fall for the DVD release. Yay, George! Work it, work it, work it!
Friday Five 1. What shampoo do you use? I go between Aussie Mega and Suave Daily Clarifying.
2. Do you use conditioner? What kind? Nope!
3. When was the last time you got your hair cut? Beats the heck out of me! I usually just trim my own hair, but I think I had Rick's mom do a cut around Christmas, can't remember for sure, tho!
4. What styling products do you use? Hair spray.
5. What's your worst hair-related experience? My mom ALWAYS cut our hair growing up. When I was 17 (a junior in high school), my style for the Prom was going to be a long French braid. Two weeks before, I asked her to layer the back a bit starting at the shoulders. Instead, she cut ALL of my hair ABOVE THE SHOULDERS! Whoops, she "heard wrong." I was devastated and looked like a dork! Grrrrrr...she never touched my hair again! I still think she did it purposely because she always wanted my hair short. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/17/2002 07:29:00 AM
Tis the season!
Siiiiiiiiigh, I will just grit my teeth and keep my firm stance yet again.
Nope, I'm not talking about Christmas, this is about the discussions Rick tries to initiate about Cody's birthday. They are not pretty, but only because *I* adamently refuse to allow anyone to give him a gun for his birthday. No kidding, this has been an argument for the past 3 years. Christmas is almost as bad, since I have forced a break in their "tradition." Side note:How chauvanistic is it that the girls are not included in this tradition?
Two years ago, Rick's parents bought Cody a BB gun, despite my known feelings. I had a total shit-fit and Rick ended up telling them to take it back. I flat out told him that there was NO WAY that gun would be brought to our home! For crying out loud, we lived in an apartment! His parents weren't too happy, but I don't give a rat's ass...SAFETY FIRST, hurt fee-fees don't matter.
I am NOT anti-gun, but I *AM* anti-any-child-having-any-type-of-gun-in-my-home. I spend the most time with Cody and know he is NOT yet mature enough for a BB gun. Rick has guns in our home, locked in the gun cabinet, and our kids have been taught that guns are not toys, etc. They know those are Dad's guns and respect that.
What scares me is Cody's childish comments about violence. Also, Cody thinks it would be "cool" to have a BB gun, so he could go out back and shoot. Uh...NO! He thinks that if it is his, it is his at his beck-n-call, like the TV and VCR in his room. Not to mention, Cody is still quite the liar and sneak. A 12-year-old who will not take on the responsibility to remember to change his underwear every day, should NOT have their own gun!
"But he IS a child!" argues Rick. Yep, exactly why Cody should NOT have a gun. You do NOT give a child a gun and then let them prove they are responsible! That is dangerously backward! Interestingly, Rick thinks my sarcastic idea of giving Cody a machete is a stupid idea...but NOT A GUN?!!? A machete will not kill, maim or injure someone 100 ft away if dropped!
I have staved off this chat so far by talking a lot about Heidi, who was shot thru her spinal column at 16. The accident left her paralyzed for life and she died last November at the tender age of 35.
I never want that happening because of my kids or to my kids.It is a tremendous price to pay and I won't take that kind of responsibility, especially under pressure. Rick has tried to compromise with me to no avail. I won't budge and his parents refuse to store the BB gun they want to give to Cody. Why not? They don't want Cody bugging them every time he visits when he wants to shoot and they have to go outside to supervise him. This is not one of those things grandparents can buy and "just send home."
My choice may not be the most popular and it is true that NOTHING has ever happened before in their family. Cody doesn't need to be the first. Hindsight is always 20/20, but this type of situation needs FORESIGHT. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/17/2002 06:15:00 AM
Thursday, May 16, 2002
Tom Leykis just had a listener, who went to the Fox Celebrity Boxing event last night, announce who he thought won in the episode which will be aired May 22. Winners are in bold.
1. Joey Buttafuoco vs. Chyna - supposedly, Joey whipped her pretty good;
2. "Screech" vs. "Horshack" - supposedly, Horshack has a broken nose today;
3. Darva Conger vs. Olga Korbut (some former Olympic gold medalist) - Olga is supposedly much smaller than Darva;
4. William "The Refrigerator" Perry vs. Manute Bol - supposedly too close to call because it was a lousy match with the two huge and out-of-shape guys.
Tom went to the recording, but was forced to leave after the first match because Fox claimed he might spill the beans. Tom promised he would not and requested he be allowed to sign a confidentiality agreement, but he was still kicked out. So, this evening, he told the story on the air and the first caller on also suppodely saw the whole thing with Tom go down. This guy then went into what he saw during the boxing matches and gave his "interpretation," since the winners will not officially be announced until the show airs. What they did was record each person as winning AND losing the match.
I bet there are going to be quite a few bookies pissed off! Wonder if Fox will try to sue Tom, now? Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/16/2002 09:39:00 PM
How telling is this?
The FBI formed its own "Office of Intelligence" AFTER Sept. 11. Honestly, though, isn't that an oxymoron?
Kinda makes me wonder if the FBI is now making their agents take IQ tests. Do those who pass get assigned to this aptly named dept.?
Scary...what does this say about the rest of the agents? Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/16/2002 05:51:00 AM
How do you feel about taking sick days at work? Do you feel if you're sick, you should stay home? Or do you feel guilty calling in?
I hate taking sick days for myself and haven't for nearly 7 years! Once, I nearly had to, but Bethany's mom called Rick and told him Bethany was too sick to work. Rick laughed because she and I were so in tune, it's like we planned the whole thing! Bethany and I tend to get sick about the same time, which is AFTER everyone else is done with the bug.
I will admit to calling in because Karina is sick, but even that is pretty rare. And yes, I always feel incredibly guilty and usually end up working from home, along with switching days. Being so flexible is a perk of our arrangement.
It's not that I just feel guilty, I hate succumbing to illness, pain, etc. I have disregarded Dr. orders to take it easy, not just when ill, but when I have had surgery. In 1996, I had a 50-cent piece-sized tumor removed from the left side of my head. I had been having terrible migraines, but never slowed down. I had out-patient mid-morning surgery on Rick's birthday and went home with pain pills. Rick thought he was going to stay home with me, but I sent him to work. I was supposed to lay down, but I was cleaning like a mad woman less than an hour after he left. I was supposed to stay home from work for at least a week, but I was back the following Monday (which was 4 days.) I had to miss a few days because my head was stitched and bandaged, which wouldn't have looked great in the office.
Should I stay at home in bed when I am sick? Probably sometimes. Again, the world doesn't stop because I am sick, everything still needs to get done. Deadlines have to be met. Lunches have to be made. Animals need to be fed and let in and out. Dishes call me to be washed, furballs appear on the floor, laundry stacks have to be washed and dried. I stay home, that is what I deal with.
No thanks! I prefer to NOT stay home! lol Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/15/2002 05:29:00 AM
As a step-parent, I know EXACTLY what he is talking about...BTDT. I have been down a very similar long, dark road as Heather. It can be full of twists and turns, speed bumps and potholes and very steep enbankments with no guardrails...but it can level out and have beautiful scenery and sunny days. I hope that she is strong enough to withstand everything, but considering everything I have read about her, I am betting she is quite tough.
It is very rare that a stepmother tries to take the place of a real mother, but it is almost standard for the children to often feel torn and guilty for even liking the "new woman."
Rick is divorced, Paul is widowed and each has their own set of unique circumstances. Cody simply and NORMALLY wanted his parents back together, especially since he was too young to comprehend any type of reasoning behind the divorce. Cody thought that if I was out of the picture, his parents would be together, which is rather funny since he and his mom had been living with her boyfriend for several years BEFORE yours truly entered the picture.
Paul's children know that he would NOT be with Heather if their mom was alive. Heather knows this, too. Linda, who died so young, probably has been martyrized. It is impossible to fight a ghost. I am optimistic that she has plenty of support from her family, friends and Paul. I really hope she keeps the faith.
My heart goes out to Heather, I think her stepmother situation is much more difficult than mine ever was! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/14/2002 06:24:00 AM
My mother had me watching soap operas way before I started kindergarten. I remember Morgan Fairchild on "Search for Tomorrow." I remember when "All My Chidren" was only 30 minutes, then was expanded to an hour!
I started watching Guiding Light in 1983 - at the beginning of the "Philip" and "Beth" teenage saga. I watched GL almost daily for 10 years. For the next two years, it was occasionally. Since 1995, it has been almost nil.
But, I keep up on it by reading the TV Guide daily updates. Weird thing is, I know almost all of today's characters from viewing 10-15 years ago!
Sometimes I wonder if watching soap operas shaped my younger years too much. My life WAS a soap opera for a long while. I thrived on tension, tragedy and excitement. Since hindsight is 20/20, I now realize that *I* was mimicking the dramatics on the show, except I had REALITY to deal with, not scripts.
I hurt a lot of people, especially guys, with my games. I wasn't very nice and still cringe at the harsh memories. My actions had consequences that weren't forgotten after just two shows.
Guiding Light seems to be stuck in the same place it was nearly 20 years ago, 15 years ago, even 10 years ago. Thankfully, I have learned from my mistakes...the characters on the show probably never will, because if they do, they won't have the drama to sustain the soap.
And, like me, they would either get demoted to "recurring status" or bumped entirely. Which is NOT a bad thing! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/13/2002 05:57:00 AM
Sunday, May 12, 2002
After wearing Lisa's PowerPuff girls watch all last weekend, I have to let her know there is a new PowerPuff Girls movie coming out this July 3.
Spunky lil' Buttercup is her favorite PP girl, probably just not because of their physical resemblance: "Buttercup is one tough cookie, full of vim, vigor and power-packed punch...Of this threesome, Buttercup is the most fully equipped to fully embrace her superpowers."
Yay! I got our front and side yards mowed before the rain hit this afternoon!
Last night, Rick remembered the name of the song we danced our First Married Dance. "The Search Is Over," by Survivor. Long story, but we honestly believe that song and the Greatest Hits tape it was on, solidified us forever...in the first five minutes of our first face-to-face meeting.
We met in Harmony House, but we first laid eyes upon each other a minute before in the corridor of the mall. I made my way into the store and he approached me like such a gentleman.
Him: "Hi! Are you Sheila?"
Me: "I am, if you are Rick!"
That got a laugh from both of us.
Day-yam! He was sooooooooo cute! Sorry, present-tense that verb. Still IS positively handsome.
I was composing myself while browsing the Elvis tapes, so he said he was going to look for a tape real quick. As soon as I caught my breath, I joined him.
Him: "Did you find what you were looking for?" Me: "Nope. Whatcha lookin' for?"
Him: "A tape I had in the Phillipines, but I don't think they have it here." Me: "Who's it by?"
Him: "It's Survivor Greatest Hits." Me: "No way! I was just looking for that the other day with my friend, Lisa! But I didn't find it." (Totally true, she actually remembers, too!)
Him: "Really? What song do you like?" Me: "I love 'The Search Is Over.' It has special meaning to me."
Him: "Really? That's MY favorite song, too!" Me: "WOW! You are the first person I've met who knows that song! You said there really IS a 'Survivor Greatest Hits' album out there?"
Him: "Yep, I got one in the Phillipines, but I have never seen it here in the States."
Strangely, that bonded us. I left the mall with him and we went to lunch. Then we drove around for hours and hours. Talking. And talking. Then we had dinner. Talking. And talking.
I can honestly say that, TO THIS VERY DAY, neither of us has EVER disclosed why we wanted that song specifically.
Today is our 5th wedding anniversary. We have nothing planned, not even a gift exchange, except our usual routine - work. I am needed to work late and by the time I get home, in horrendous Friday "heading-up-north-for-the-weekend" traffic and road (de)construction, I surely won't be in the mood to do anything beyond picking up our pizza and hot buffalo wings, anyway.
Yeppers, I am grumpy today. Yesterday, I noticed I was losing my voice and my throat was sore. Today, I also have a stiff neck and headache. I hate being sick! At least the timing is a bit better - this happening exactly a week ago, when I was visiting Lisa, would have SUCKED!
It doesn't help that my desire to visit the Tulip Time festival in Holland, Mich., has been dashed entirely. We are in for a weekend of rain and thunder and rain and cold. That type of weather is great for sleeping, but lousy for conquering feeling sick.
And if anyone else asks, "What are you doing for Mother's Day?", I swear I will scream! Last I remembered, I am a mother EVERY day! Thankfully, I don't subscribe to the belief that I get one day each year to be "special"! Nah, I prefer to be appreciated in little ways EVERY day.
Mother's Day is such a ripoff! Over-priced flowers, crowded restaurants, expensive presents, ridiculous Hallmark cards...they don't make me feel loved.
Yeah, then Hallmark gets hold of it! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/10/2002 06:12:00 AM
Thursday, May 09, 2002
WTF is happening?!!?
Some sick SOB decided to play copycat mailbox bomber, in a relatively rural community, just miles from MY home.
I spent time this evening making calls to try to stop some checks from being sent to me. Nope, I'd much rather just go pick them up.
I am seriously PO'd. And a bit scared. Karina has been sternly instructed to NOT go near the mailbox. We are supposed to leave them open now, yet many of my neighbors aren't complying. Why am I not surprised? Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/09/2002 10:48:00 PM
Lisa: A 90210 photo just for you! I loved watching that rerun last Saturday morning with you. teehee Just like old times!
Side note: I am taping the season finale, Dr. Greene's (Anthony Edward) series finale, right now for Bethany. Funny coincidence, Rick is watching our "Top Gun" DVD on his puter...Rick knows NOTHING about ER, either. lolol Another tidbit: We watched "Ocean's Eleven" tonight. Not bad, but I still cannot stand Julia Roberts. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/09/2002 10:47:00 PM
Rick wants us to go camping, especially over Memorial Day weekend, with a coworker and his wife. Unfortunately, my idea of fun is NOT the same as theirs...their attitude is, "Let the kids run wild, while we sit around and party." Hmmmm...I'm not a partier and neither is Rick, but he wants to be "social." I hate forced socializing, it's not something I do to Rick and don't expect in return. Family is one thing, but this is akin to me going hunting.
I'm not really entertained by sitting around a fire with a group of people and the 40-something guy who brags about being a bass player in a band, and can only play the same 3 chords on the guitar. I tire of his bragging, supposedly he plays in (sleazy) bars and records CDs. He still dreams of "making it into the big time." Gimme a break! GROW UP, maybe take lessons, buddy!
This is the same guy who lives in an old trailer in an old park and tries to tell everyone it is because, "I won't buy a house unless it is on a private lake." Yeah, not to mention, you are heavily in debt with back child support and have lousy credit! Living in a trailer is nothing to be ashamed about, but his snootiness (our new house on an acre is, according to him, "OK, if that is what you can afford, but it's not my style,") is simply amazing!
His wife is convinced he is quite the lady's man and is jealous of him talking with ANY other woman. Oh yes, HE also thinks he is "all that" to the ladies, too. **snicker** I have to believe that she is either very blind or very stupid or very much in love. Hoesntly, they LOOK like Jerry Springer material.
Oh yeah, being in a band just wipes away those 200 extra pounds (no kidding!) and stinky, dribbling sweat. GROSS!!! He drinks to get drunk, which is not a pleasant odor, either.
How do I bow out gracefully? Rick is adament that I make this effort, but I just want to stay home. We *HATE* travelling that weekend anyway! I am afraid that if I go along, it will snowball into, "Let's do this more often!" Do this once and get it over with ALWAYS gets misconstrued by Rick down the line as, "Well, you DID it, you HAD to have fun!" He honestly forgets my complaints, which can be a blessing AND A CURSE!
Maybe I should threaten to make Rick fraternize with my parents. THAT ought to stop him dead in his tracks.
Then again, I lose in THAT situation, too. *I* don't even want to be around them! Siiiiiiiiiiiiigh...he's won again. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/09/2002 08:09:00 AM
I received a nice surprise last night. Ray, the English gentleman who I spoke with for over an hour before my flight boarded in Atlanta, e-mailed me a short note. He thanked me for talking with him, which apparently put him at ease about his first trip to the States.
It is rather funny, on the flight down, I had NO desire to chitchat with the motormouth woman who sat next to me. Yet, I happily put my book and postcards aside to exchange cultural tidbits with a gentleman who was just as talkative, but NOT as obnoxious.
She persistently tried to get me to read a Great Sex passage, but I declined several times - first few by politely saying, "No, thank you," and finally, "No, I don't have to read a book for Great Sex," with a DUH tone to my voice. THAT made her think I was all offended about sex talk, which I am not...geez, I helped found a very popular sex message board on iVillage! I just was NOT in the mood to behave like she was...like an excited young girl who reads Judy Blume's, "Forever" or "Wifey" for the first time.
After that, she would react dramatically about what she had just read and then say, "Oh, sorry, I don't mean to offend you with the sex!" She also whispered to the 20-something guy on her other side, "SHE is offended by sex talk." Funny, but HE was also trying to ignore her theatrics, lol. As soon as he answered her with an, "Oh," she bombarded the poor guy with questions and her stories (she met Emeril, the chef, and claimed he scoped her out, yeah...uh-huh), then after finding out he was married, actually tried to put the moves on him! OMG!
As for Ray, the English gentleman, we discussed mass-transit systems in England and the Mainland (Europe) vs. America. He was horrified at our poor choices...cars, buses, bikes, walking and trains are their options, but it seems cars and planes are ours.
We also talked about Europe, the Motor City and his nearby town, Spalding. I cringed when he told me that someone in Atlanta asked him if Spalding was named after the sport balls! (Insert Homer Simpson, "DOH!" here.) Another "I can't believe I'm an American" moment was about someone asking if Boston, England was named after our Boston, Mass. UH...DUH!
Hopefully, our conversation impressed him that there are some intelligent Americans, and we aren't all so arrogant! Hmmm...was this diplomacy?
The time passed quickly, and we exchanged e-mail addresses. How fun! Instead of waiting weeks to get a nice letter, it was just a few days. Know what? I prefer the Internet for mail exchange.
Now, I have a new acquaintance and learned a bit about another culture. I wonder if the gal from my first flight is still drooling over her Great Sex book? Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/08/2002 05:25:00 AM
Tuesday, May 07, 2002
Happy "31 flavors" birthday and welcome to the Blogging world, Lulu - AKA Lulupallooza!
Lisa and I have been friends for 8 years now, but it seems so much longer, because it has been such a blessing to have her in my life. Lisa is EVERYONE'S best friend. People love her because she is so nice and adaptable, NOT a prima donna or drama queen. People love her because she listens and is helpful. She thinks positive about everyone.
I owe her my life, it is because of her love and support and encouragement that I became involved with Rick and got Karina back. Without her, without her friendship, I shudder to think where I would have ended up.
I have to quit using the nickname: "Northworst," for the airline.
My flight home last night could not have been better! It was prompt and smooth, unlike the one down on AirTrans, which was a bit bumpy (due to weather in Chattanooga), but we were also late getting out because of security checks. I know plenty of people were headed down to Atlanta for the Music Midtown festival, but they SHOULD have realized it (SINCE THE FLIGHT WAS BOOKED SOLID!)
This time, I had the aisle seat, which was fine. My seatmates were, coincidentally, the same snobby older couple who rode next to us on MARTA on the way in! I would not have been sure, but her engagement ring diamond was HUGE and I recognized the bauble from when I silently motioned to Lisa about it. When we got off MARTA, I commented to Lisa that she was STUPID to be wearing it as a tourist. Oh well, FLASH does not = CLASS.
They were, fortunately, incredibly quiet. We just said, "Hi!" and didn't speak again, which was fine with me. I don't care to get all chatty, sometimes, especially when I have a good book to read.
I had a short layover at Detroit Metro and got to check out the new terminal while going from a low-number gate to nearly the other end. I will admit, it IS nice...for Metro, but it SUCKS ROYALLY compared to Atlanta Hartsfield! No surprise there, tho.
When I got to my check-in, the gentleman was very nice and polite. I had my ticket all ready, along with my driver's license. We chatted a few moments, then he said, "I will see you in about 15 minutes." I sat down and ate a bit of brownie (Lisa sweetly packed me a ToGo bag of munchies), then got the boarding call. Strangely, though, my name was CALLED out, along with another gal. We walked back up to the Northwest gentleman, who smiled and said, "Here you go ladies, enjoy your new seating!"
We had been bumped up to FIRST CLASS! WOOHOO!!! She and I were a bit confused, but NOT going to question it. OK, they had extra seats and standby passengers, obviously!
Still, we were grateful and gracious. My new seatmate and I giggled and exchanged stories, then realized it was our smiles, our readiness and our attitudes that got us bumped up...all without knowing it! We both had everything all prepared when we initially reached the gentleman, which probably made us stand out to him. Dunno for sure, but it is a nice thought, right?
My connecting flight was just 20 minutes in the air, but my entire attitude about Northwest has changed substantially. I won't be bashing them in the near future, which makes for great and cheap PR for them, right?
Lisa and I had breakfast this morning at Waffle House. We snickered about trying to find one, it is a TOTAL joke down here because they are on nearly every corner! In all honesty, there is, literally, at least one at every freeway exit, sometimes TWO! For those who aren't familiar with Waffle House, they are like IHOP...24-hour diner that alwasys serves breakfast. It is VERY popular in Georgia.
I ate a HUGE waffle, drowning in syrup, and salt-covered hash browns. My own tradition, started with Ms. Lisa on my 1997 visit, is to have breakfast at a Waffle House in Atlanta. Rick and I stopped on our way through for our family vacation in summer 2000, also. The kids got a kick out of it, especially since they had never tried grits (a WHITE food, thankyouverymuch.)
I know, admittedly, I am NOT a breakfast lover, but I do like waffles, like those Triple Berry at Bakers Square. And, Waffle House IS a tradition, also. Breaking traditions, especially of the FOOD variety, I fear could bring on bad luck. lolol
While I have been down here, I have had a few new things that are not easily available to us Michiganians, including Lisa's Baked Toretelli (last night's yummy dinner!)
1. I have eaten at Chick-Fil-A and rate them DEVINE.
2. I have eaten at The Cheesecake Factory and rate them SINFUL!
3. I rediscovered Chili's and enjoyed a long ago comfort food from my Lansing hotel days - chili con queso and fresh tortilla chips. I rate them happy nostalgia.
It is time for me to start packing up my stuff. I miss my family and friends in Michigan, I am missing Lisa already and I am excited about riding on the MARTA transit again, getting a few more pics of Atlanta and shopping a bit in the airport gift shops.
I really need to do this again...probably next year, unless Lisa comes up to Michigan! I am almost thinking it might be good to bring Karina down with me for a week and rent a car. I would love to explore the town with her, too.
So much to think about! I'll dream on the plane, I guess. :-) Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/05/2002 12:27:00 PM
Last night, we went to "Jellyrolls Dueling Pianos" and sang and danced to the "Dueling pianos." It was so much fun! I have done it before, several years ago with Rob at a bar in his hicktown. WOW!!! I didn't realize THAT place could be trendy, lol.
Our gang included Lisa, Linda, Leah, Kim (Leah's twin sister) and Doug, Leah's X. We ate the delicious dinner here and had to wait nearly two hours for Bobby and Steve to show up. Finally, they arrived, ate and when we all left for the club, they snuck off. Guess it wasn't their cup of tea or something.
Leah let the pianists know it was Lisa's birthday, so she ended up having to get onstage with a bachelorette (who was there for her party, it is QUITE the hotspot for bachelorette parties!) In front of well over 100 people, Lisa had to help teach some dance for the song, "Pink Cadillac." It was great, I got pics!
Lisa requested some Billy Jeol song, wrote it on the back of our "ToDo" list from yesterday afternoon, and one of the piano players read the paper onstage and made a few jokes on it. Lisa was totally embarrassed! teehee
I requested a song at Lisa's insistence. I had NO idea what I should have them play, so I was pretty sarcastic and wrote one down thinking, "Nah, they won't do it!"
Well, they try to do them ALL! My choice of ditty was rather telling of my homesickness for my beloved Rick. It was entirely reminiscent of our wedding, of LOTS of family love and laughs.
The dueling pianists turned the song into a blantant competition between the guys and ladies. The ladies WON, of course, but we should not have! It was a guy favorite!!!
I have decided to try to find "Dueling Pianos" at home so Rick and I can go together. I think he would love it, too. It was fun to dance and sing along and the crowd was just awesome! We stayed until about 1 a.m.
Oh yeah, the song? "My Ding-a-ling." Rick's brother drunkenly performed it at our wedding and is still one of the hilarious highlights.
I am NOT ready to come home, dammit! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/05/2002 08:57:00 AM
Saturday, May 04, 2002
Lisa and I had such a fun time yesterday...we had lunch with her friend Leah at The Cheesecake Factory. It was sooooo good! I am not a cheesecake eater in the least, so it will come as a HUGE surprise to those who really know my aversion to WHITE foods that I devoured a piece of "White Chocolate Chunk Macademia Nut Cheesecake." mmmmm...We have GOT to get one of these places in Michigan, dammit!
Lisa's friend, Leah, and I got along great. We were a rowdy table of sex and "man-talk" over delicious food. We laughed so hard! Too bad the gal who sat next to me on the plane wasn't there, I am sure she would have been in heaven chatting with us and interjecting passages to the sequel to "Bridges of Madison County," as her contribution to the lively and colorful conversation. Sigh....lolol
Lisa took me to her work and I got to meet sooooo many people I have only heard about, except her immediate coworkers. Now, I have faces to go with the names in many stories. Bobby is just sweet and fun, he quit smoking yesterday and it will be interesting to see his progress this evening!
Lisa and I rented, "Serendipity," a total "chick-flick," just for fun last night and I fell in love with the movie. OK, I have a crush on John Cusack, who is just too cute and normal. The plot was totally predictable, but too bad! lolol
Today, we have done much of nothing but chat and listen to music. I love that we aren't running all around trying to do "touristy" things. It's good that we are just kinda veggin' because we have dinner guests arriving at 6p.m. and then, we are hitting a few Atlanta clubs, like "Bellbottoms" and "Jellyrolls." FUN!
Atlanta has A LOT of cool clubs, unlike pathetic metro Detroit. I cannot wait to experience the real difference! There will be 8 of us, which I have never been part of such a large crowd for fun! All I want is to say, BTDT. It's going to be a riot!
Well, time to make the brownies...tonight's dessert choice. YAY!
It is such a great time...I am going to hate leaving Lisa tomorrow. WAH! I really have missed her, it's almost like old times. :-)
Friday, May 3, 2002 I'm here! I made it to Atlanta safe and sound!
My plane trip in needs its own blog!
When I got into "Inspections," I had to show my ticket and ID. No biggie, right? Well the inspector gal decided that I was on Stand-by and just freaked me out entirely! I went down to the front desk for my airline and the nice guy working there said, Oh no! You have a TICKET and said I just needed to decide if I wanted a window or aisle seat. I was much relieved, OF COURSE! Seems I was not the only person she freaked out that day, either.
Anyway, I got back up to inspections and still had nearly two hours to wait, so I grabbed a Diet Pepsi and read my John Grisham novel, "The Brethren."
When it came time to load, the flight was PACKED! I got the full scan...they actually went thru my luggage and I had to take my shoes off and get wanded. Seems the airline had chosen specific people to check, too, because there was a printed list with the guy. Interesting.
Thankfully, I had only that small bag, but the gals ahead of me had HUGE bags that I don't understand why they weren't check! One was the size of a garbage bad and FULL! The inspector guy couldn't put it all back in and she was NOT a happy camper! With my tiny bag, that was only 1/2 full, it was such a breeze!
Enough for that post, the plane ride in needs its own! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/04/2002 02:18:00 PM
Thursday, May 02, 2002
Today is THE DAY! Atlanta, here I come!
How I slept last night, I don't know. It was strange, for the last few nights, the kitties have been in and out of the room, but last night, Tux and Dakota were smack-dab next to me until I got up. I think they sense that something is different, even though there isn't any packing going on.
Today is THE DAY I get to see my best friend for the first time in more than 2 years! Tomorrow, I get to meet a bunch of her Atlanta friends and coworkers. Tomorrow, I get to share in HER life, her Friday night Karaoke, her laughs. Never again will I wonder what the hell she is talking about or try to picture the places and people. I will know more of the city than just the tourist spots like CocaCola, The Underground and Hard Rock. BTDT circa '97.
And, tomorrow, Lisa and I will get to do our Friday Five together. Thankfully, Bethany, my other best friend, is going to PUBLISH my blog because Lisa only has WebTV, so we can't FTP. YIKES! But, Bethany is making it work for me. ~~"KUDOS BETHANY!" (insert golf clap here)
Twelve hours until my flight takes off!!! Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/02/2002 05:40:00 AM
I think what she did was extremely cruel. Committing suicide is one thing, but unwillingly involving another person is just disgusting. That truck driver will never forget that he was involved in an accident which someone was killed. His pain, his memories, his anger...he is INNOCENTLY left with those.
Right after I got out of high school, a girlfriend of mine was hit head-on by a woman committing suicide. I believe the impact of both vehicles was over 100 mph. The woman died, but my friend did not. Instead, she was in the hospital for quite a while with multiple injuries. If memory serves me correctly, she was, at times, extremely close to death, also.
Every bone in her face was broken and it took years of surgeries to get her face back to recognizable. She had very little facial movement and expression, though. I don't believe she will ever be back to "pre-accident" condition.
All because some woman wanted to kill herself AND was too chicken to do it alone. Instead, she wanted to be a murderer. I fully believe in being allowed to commit suicide, who am I to tell anyone they HAVE to live?!!? I am against murder. I am against involving other innocent victims who don't have a choice or a clue. And, her blaming her X, was pretty rotten, also. SHE chose to kill herself, not him. She made her own choice. Live, or die, with it. Sunshine - Walking on Sunshine -
5/01/2002 09:30:00 PM
1 MORE DAY!!!
Rick decided that he and Karina are DEFINITELY taking the day off Friday and heading up to see Gramma and Uncle Norm, who are back. Rick cannot get himself up on time, as he proved this morning.
Things I have to do today: Pack my little bag (digital camera and charger, phone charger, book, chips, cookies)
Clean out my purse
Pay my Jeep payment
Pay my Home Depot payment
Send Jim the biz cards and remaining Jasmine stuff
Go out to dinner with Rick and Karina
Weekly phone call with Cody
E-mail my entire plane itineraries to Rick and Lisa
So much to do! Even though I leave tomorrow afternoon, I am not slacking a bit...I am working 1/2 a day, picking Karina up from school and doing all the packing for Rick and Karina's weekend away. I will also have fill the cat feeder (litter will be changed tomorrow morning AND it is Garbage Day) and Simba will need food, leash and brushes put in a TO GO bag.
Yay!!!
Lisa and I have been friends for 8 years now, but it seems so much longer, because it has been such a blessing to have her in my life. Lisa is EVERYONE'S best friend. People love her because she is so nice and adaptable, NOT a prima donna or drama queen. People love her because she listens and is helpful. She thinks positive about everyone.