I had someone ask me, again, if I plan out ahead of time where I am going to meet strangers. In a word - no. That would require too much organization and would really take out the randomness of the whole thing. I just get in the car and start driving until the urge to go to the bathroom happens...no, not really. I just stop when I feel like it and pop in and introduce myself. I also see this as a way to go to places I might normally pass up. And it kinda allows me a bit more vibrato that I might not normally have....you know, I have a tendency to be a wallflower. So I have to catch you up on four strangers.
I was driving through downtown Rowlett and decided to pull into City Hall to found out who might be hanging around. It seemed very desolate and no one stopped me so I strolled into the City Manager's office. Sitting in an open area behind a big wooden receptionist-type desk, surrounded by lots of wooden cabinets and accessories sat a very professional woman. Glasses and long hair with a nice smile asked, "Can I help you?" I said, "I hope so" and with that I extended my hand; told her "My name is Donna," and gave her my spiel. She told me that her name was Denise. She said that most everyone was in a meeting, but if I wanted to walk around I was more than welcome to do so. How nice, in this day and age, that I would be allowed to move about the Cit Manager's office. Do you think you could do that even in Manhattan? I doubt it. Denise likened my quest to a lady who tried 365 crock pot recipes and then critiqued them. I had never heard of the "crock pot lady" or even knew she existed. I bid Denise a great afternoon and left. On the way out I noticed there is going to be a city town hall meeting in February - you can bet that I am going to be there. Might try to meet the City Manager since I have already met his office.
My next stranger was in his front yard raking leaves and I drove past him twice. First, I was trying figure how to get to his driveway and the second time I was being bump-drafted by some teenager in our city's one and only round-a-bout. So one more time around - this time on the outside and a quick right into his driveway and a quick stomp on my brakes so that I wouldn't rear-end his truck. He didn't even look up from from raking his leaves when I pulled up. So with an "AHEM, can you possibly help me?" He looked up. And whilst rattling off my spiel, I extended me hand. With my hand only catching air - I asked him his name. And as if it was almost an after thought he said, "Stan" and shook my hand. His hands were rough and calloused and in my mind I thought - an outdoor man by trade. With a wheelbarrow close and discarded stones from a dug up sidewalk, I asked him what he planned to do with the exposed dirt area where the sidewalk used to be. He explained that this wasn't his house, but he thought the owners were going to plant flowers. So curiously, I asked, "Is this a second job type thing?" "Nope, I am an out-of-work electrician." That explains the hands. He asked me my name again and I oblige. He wanted to know in case I became famous. I just laughed and turned to head back to my car. I wished Stan a good day. Then I had to figure out how I was going to back out of the driveway into the round-a-bout traffic. A quick glance, shift into reverse and a tap to the accelerator and I was back in traffic. I waved to Stan as I drove away.
It was a great day. It was a little windy and cool, but I threw caution to the wind and drove with my car window down, radio turned up and the heater turned on to stay warm. I had seen it a dozen of times - a throwback in time surrounded by modern businesses. As I stepped through the front door and onto the wooden floor, I felt like I was back in Kansas when all the cool stores still had wooden floors And as I inhaled, it reminded me of the horticulture store my dad would go to on the West side of town - Green Thumb. At first, the aroma of fertilizers and DDT-like sprays was overpowering, but within a few minutes, my nostrils relaxed. This was the Roach Feed and Seed, Inc. store and it was cool and perfect. I was absorbed in the sights and trying to wrap my brains around the fact that I could buy stuffed horse hooves and giant smoked pigs ears to feed animals; when I someone asked if they could help me. I went over to the long wooden counter and met two women dressed in boots, jeans, and colorful tops - Dixie and Shayna. Their names just seemed to fit. I extended my hand with my spiel rolling from my tongue and told them this store reminded me of being a little girl with my dad. I asked if I could just wander around and look. "Of course," they said in unison and when back to figuring out how to display products. Cattle vaccines, parrot feed, loose seeds for planting a garden, horse halters, steel tubs, and wooden floors throughout. Off to the left of the front door was an enclosed office that looked like a place an old-timer would go to check the recent prices of soybeans or alfalfa and to the right of the office were two big barn type doors which I guessed are used to load and unload pallets. Toward the back of the store, I was tempted to go upstairs where a great sign heralding the timeliness of cattle vaccines peeked out, but then thought better of it. Smiling and floating about this time capsule, I headed toward the front. Something caught my eye and before I knew it - a streak of brown terror flew past me. There was a bird inside. Holy crap - how do I get out of there without having the dang thing land on me AND without looking like a fool. (Psst....I am afraid of birds and I don't know where this one has gone to) Dixie and Shayna think it has landed a top of a ceiling mounted fan/furnace contraption. They get a broom and are gently poking the air to ferret it out. My heart is beating faster and louder and I move toward the horse halters on the back wall. The last thing that I want is a poked bird flying down on me. And as I rounded the corner in front of the powder based fertilizers, making my way toward the front door, I squealed. The dang bird was not on the furnace, it was in front of me and flapping toward me. Nowhere to go and Dixie is saying, "Poor bird has been in here all day and I think it is scared." I think to myself, "poor bird, my ass - poor Donna." I don't know where the the bird is and I am frozen in fear inhaling toxic levels of fertilizer because I am almost to the point of hyper-ventilating. And with a quick swoosh of the broom by Dixie, I saw it head toward the back of the store. Big breath. Oh thank goodness the line was not busy and my prayer got through to the big guy and I bolted for the front door. I told Dixie and Shayna "Good luck with the bird" and I was out of the door. With all the seeds and feed, that bird could live in there for weeks - it might never leave. So before I go back, I think I will phone ahead and check to see if the bird has checked-out.
The last stranger update drives the 207 route to Dallas. Yes, I pulled in front of a DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) bus (he had stopped to load passengers), left my car running, boarded the bus. Extended my hand introduced myself and met Miguel. He only had one passenger on the bus and I asked him if this was his normal route. He said, "No, I am only on this route every couple of weeks. I usually run the express." I nodded and smiled, but had no idea what the express was. I take quick inventory of the bus. I guess I had thought it would a dirty, smelly bus - it was neither. As I had left my car running in the bus lane and another bus was pulling up - I thought it was wise to get back to my car before it was pushed out of the way. I wished Miguel a good route and a good evening. Also hollered goodbye to his passenger and ran back to my car. I think the 207 to Dallas was in good hands.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
One Stop Shop - Ta-tas; a Tattoo, and Taxes
I tried a different approach this evening to meet a stranger. I stood in our alley. And I stood there and stood some more. Mason even came out to keep me company and when he got bored, he brought out a guitar and started strumming up and down the alley. As the sun started to set, I began dancing while Mason sang some crazy made-up song about me standing in the alley trying to meet a stranger. After 30 minutes of dancing in the driveway and alley while serenading the neighbors dogs, Chris drove up with Gray. They both just stared at us. Mouths wide open. I guess it was kind of a funny site.....the moon was rising, a six-foot tall toothpick strumming a guitar up and down the alley, and a woman in a sweatshirt and pony-tail dancing in her driveway. Probably not the ideal conditions. Back into the house to finish dinner (meatloaf and rice).
Hhhmmm...where to meet a stranger??? I left it up to Chris and Mason. We ended up at Liberty Income Tax Services. I know you have seen their store fronts - they have people dressed up in the Statute of Liberty costume and stand out on the corner waving at cars as they drive. So I take a deep breath as I get out the car and go in. Two chicks inside. One looks to be about high school age watching a video on a laptop and the other who was probably late 30's sat behind a desk. "Can I help you?" I said, "I hope so." I walked over to her desk, extended my hand and gave her the spiel, "Hi, my name is Donna." She shook my hand and did not give me her name so I held on to her hand and asked her. "What is your name?" Sheepishly she said, "Brandy." Not sure why she was hesitant to give me her name since she wasn't hesitant to show me her tattoo of a flower that was across the top of her left boob that was hanging out of her too low, too small shirt. Just the kind of person that I want to do my taxes. Then over on the wall, I saw the costumes hanging and my next goal was to see if she would let me put on the head-dress. So I asked, "Would you let me put on the costume?" And she said, "Yes." As I motioned to Chris to come in, I walked over the costumes. I asked Brandy why she liked her job and think that she mumbled something about meeting people. I then asked her if she ever put the costume on late at night and she curtly said , "No." She said the costumes where for the "Market-teers." Oh is that what they call them?!?!?!? Chris calls them, "Homeless." She helped me on with the head-dress and Chris took my picture (see below...I added a photo this time (psst..I have no make-up on)). Picture done, head-dress handed back to Brandy, and I wished them a great evening and thanked them for being a part of my adventure.
What a great stranger destination...I mean where can you get ta-tas, a tattoo, and taxes in one-stop???
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
January Thunderstorm, Screaming Kids, and Gold Teeth
I don't mean to be a tease or brag, but since we have been back from Kansas - the temperature has been in the high 60's/low 70's. It's not right for it to be January and we are contemplating whether or not to turn on the air conditioner. We even had a thunderstorm blow through and now we are in a tornado watch. In January....sigh.
I have to tell you and most would agree that Wal-Mart is a stranger rich environment and this blog proves to be no different. Sherri is a checker at Wal-Mart, wears glasses, and appeared to be about 25. We started our conversation while she was checking my groceries. Wait. Let me stop right here and do a side bar. Do they still call it checking out your groceries or is it called scanning the groceries? Does anyone know? If so, let me know. Okay back to Sherri and our conversation. Our Wal-Mart has a mini-teeny arcade and a mother or grandma (I am not sure which) was pulling out a stroller with two kids strapped in who were screaming. Do parents with small kids ever think that they are going to get their kids out of an arcade without them screaming, kicking and punching? Ahh....in a word....NO. And then do they think that the rest of us aren't going to turn around and look at them. I/we smile at you because I/we don't want to call you a dolt or worse to your face. So I turn to Sherri and say, "That probably never ends well." And she tells me, "My mom brings my kids up here." Oops, one of those....yikes. I chuckle. I asked how old her kids were. She say, "5 and 4; a boy and a girl." And I said, "That must be a hand-full." She nods as she scans my Nilla Wafers . She asked if I had kids and I said "17 and 11 - just old enough to have a love/hate relationship." She looked at me as if she felt sorry for me. Oh really ?!?!?! And I just thought....oh, you just wait sister. I extended my hand to Sherri and told her that my name was Donna and I wished her a good evening as we shook hands. On the way to my car, I watched a real cool lighting storm toward the East.
I noticed him as I was walking out and after I loaded my groceries into my car, I looked to see if he was still there. He was. So I locked my car and went back. He was sitting by himself on a bench just inside the building in front of the soda machines. As I approached him, I noticed his hair was cut very short with an small almost perfect circle of gray on top, a cane leaned to the left of him and he had an orange soda. He didn't move and didn't make eye contact with me. So in a perky, slightly loud voice, I gave him my spiel. Told him my name was Donna and extended my hand. He hesitated slightly and then extended his and while we shook he told me that his name. Beasley. I repeated it. No. He said it again, and then he spelled it. E-A-S-L-E-Y. And as he pronounced each letter, I noticed he had the same number of gold teeth. Six. Four on the bottom and two on the top. I am not sure I have ever seen so many gold teeth in one mouth. As I stared at his mouth, I mentioned that it was a unique name and asked if it was a family name and proudly said, "Yes." I then asked him why he was sitting there and he told me that he was waiting for a ride. Easley was a man of little words and I had clearly invaded personal space as he shifted on the bench. And be kinda afraid that he might whack me with his cane - I wished him a great evening and went back to my car. As I drove away, I checked my rear view mirror and he was still sitting there.
Good Night Easley, where ever you are.
I have to tell you and most would agree that Wal-Mart is a stranger rich environment and this blog proves to be no different. Sherri is a checker at Wal-Mart, wears glasses, and appeared to be about 25. We started our conversation while she was checking my groceries. Wait. Let me stop right here and do a side bar. Do they still call it checking out your groceries or is it called scanning the groceries? Does anyone know? If so, let me know. Okay back to Sherri and our conversation. Our Wal-Mart has a mini-teeny arcade and a mother or grandma (I am not sure which) was pulling out a stroller with two kids strapped in who were screaming. Do parents with small kids ever think that they are going to get their kids out of an arcade without them screaming, kicking and punching? Ahh....in a word....NO. And then do they think that the rest of us aren't going to turn around and look at them. I/we smile at you because I/we don't want to call you a dolt or worse to your face. So I turn to Sherri and say, "That probably never ends well." And she tells me, "My mom brings my kids up here." Oops, one of those....yikes. I chuckle. I asked how old her kids were. She say, "5 and 4; a boy and a girl." And I said, "That must be a hand-full." She nods as she scans my Nilla Wafers . She asked if I had kids and I said "17 and 11 - just old enough to have a love/hate relationship." She looked at me as if she felt sorry for me. Oh really ?!?!?! And I just thought....oh, you just wait sister. I extended my hand to Sherri and told her that my name was Donna and I wished her a good evening as we shook hands. On the way to my car, I watched a real cool lighting storm toward the East.
I noticed him as I was walking out and after I loaded my groceries into my car, I looked to see if he was still there. He was. So I locked my car and went back. He was sitting by himself on a bench just inside the building in front of the soda machines. As I approached him, I noticed his hair was cut very short with an small almost perfect circle of gray on top, a cane leaned to the left of him and he had an orange soda. He didn't move and didn't make eye contact with me. So in a perky, slightly loud voice, I gave him my spiel. Told him my name was Donna and extended my hand. He hesitated slightly and then extended his and while we shook he told me that his name. Beasley. I repeated it. No. He said it again, and then he spelled it. E-A-S-L-E-Y. And as he pronounced each letter, I noticed he had the same number of gold teeth. Six. Four on the bottom and two on the top. I am not sure I have ever seen so many gold teeth in one mouth. As I stared at his mouth, I mentioned that it was a unique name and asked if it was a family name and proudly said, "Yes." I then asked him why he was sitting there and he told me that he was waiting for a ride. Easley was a man of little words and I had clearly invaded personal space as he shifted on the bench. And be kinda afraid that he might whack me with his cane - I wished him a great evening and went back to my car. As I drove away, I checked my rear view mirror and he was still sitting there.
Good Night Easley, where ever you are.
Clay Center, Boxing And A Chipmunk
Sunday was the Duncan family reunion and as long as my Aunt Alma is living, we will have it in Clay Center. My Aunt Alma will be turning 95 this May - she is the oldest at 94 and the youngest is Kyle who just turned 12 weeks. So the clan gathered at the elementary school cafeteria, yup the cafeteria....we are a big group and show no signs of getting smaller or quieter. Thank goodness. Every face was familiar, this year, except one....who was this young, thin, pretty, brunette that came with my cousin Larry??? I introduced myself and she replied that her name was Becky. She went to K-State where she met Larry and I also found out she was a sorority sister with Erin. I was fortunate to hire Erin as a communication specialist for my previous company who was also a K-State alum. Becky is Larry's girlfriend and they are getting ready this week to move to Denver. I am happy for them to be starting out on a new adventure with a little skiing to be thrown in before they actually look for jobs. Oh to be young and carefree again.....hold up wait a minute.......nope, I am okay being almost 49. I did tell them that we would holler at them in June or July when we head to Colorado for a week. Becky seems to fit in very well with us, she doesn't appear to be shy which is a VERY good thing. In our family, being shy is like a boxer with small gash above the eye....we will keep pounding on it until you come out of your shell or run away. That is our big happy family...it works for us, it weeds out the weak at heart and makes the gene pool stronger. Okay, I may be exaggerating a bit, but not much. We ate, we laughed, we told stories, and took pictures and I can't wait to see some of them again when I go back at the end of July for the Riley County 4-H Fair. Wait until I write that story.
Monday's stranger was our flight attendant on the flight from Manhattan to Dallas. As a reminder from my first blog yesterday, Vessi was the over-aggressive bathroom checkin' flight attendant on the flight to Manhattan; however, Nancy only checked the bathroom once during pre-flight. She was not very tall with very blonde hair and very jovial. As she pushed the drink cart toward our row, I decided that I would meet her. She told me that she had a daughter named Donna and I told her that was my name as well and her daughter must beautiful since all the ones I have met are. Nancy was going to visit her daughter and grandson on Tuesday in St. Louis and then proceeded to tell me that on the previous flight that she tried to bribe a 6 year-old girl who had the Simon chipmunk from the McDonald's Happy Meal. As Nancy continued, I found out Simon that is the hardest chipmunk to come by and that her grandson was collecting them. So at the end of the flight, as the little girl and her father de-planed, she pulled out $2 and a can of ginger ale and told the girl she would buy the chipmunk from her. I always wondered how flight attendants could afford nice jewelry - now I know. They case the plane while they dole out sodas and tiny peanut bags and find out who has the best stuff and then as you get ready to leave - they bribe you. Now mind you, this has never happened to me, but if it could happen to a little girl with a hard to come by chipmunk....I don't think there is a level to which a flight attendant wouldn't stoop. Think about it........okay....maybe it doesn't happen just like that, but it could. By way the little girl's dad made her give Nancy back the $2, but she got to keep the ginger ale in exchange for he chipmunk. I guess it was a good thing Nancy's grandson wasn't collecting Rolex watches - we might have never gotten off the plane.
Monday's stranger was our flight attendant on the flight from Manhattan to Dallas. As a reminder from my first blog yesterday, Vessi was the over-aggressive bathroom checkin' flight attendant on the flight to Manhattan; however, Nancy only checked the bathroom once during pre-flight. She was not very tall with very blonde hair and very jovial. As she pushed the drink cart toward our row, I decided that I would meet her. She told me that she had a daughter named Donna and I told her that was my name as well and her daughter must beautiful since all the ones I have met are. Nancy was going to visit her daughter and grandson on Tuesday in St. Louis and then proceeded to tell me that on the previous flight that she tried to bribe a 6 year-old girl who had the Simon chipmunk from the McDonald's Happy Meal. As Nancy continued, I found out Simon that is the hardest chipmunk to come by and that her grandson was collecting them. So at the end of the flight, as the little girl and her father de-planed, she pulled out $2 and a can of ginger ale and told the girl she would buy the chipmunk from her. I always wondered how flight attendants could afford nice jewelry - now I know. They case the plane while they dole out sodas and tiny peanut bags and find out who has the best stuff and then as you get ready to leave - they bribe you. Now mind you, this has never happened to me, but if it could happen to a little girl with a hard to come by chipmunk....I don't think there is a level to which a flight attendant wouldn't stoop. Think about it........okay....maybe it doesn't happen just like that, but it could. By way the little girl's dad made her give Nancy back the $2, but she got to keep the ginger ale in exchange for he chipmunk. I guess it was a good thing Nancy's grandson wasn't collecting Rolex watches - we might have never gotten off the plane.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Double D's and Watching Eggs Boil
Saturday I woke up in Manhattan (the Little Apple) to fog and my first glimpse of just how much snow was left over from the previous two weeks. Quite frankly for the kids and I - it was a lot, but a lot less than what they had. Grayson and I went out in our jammies and took pictures and stayed outside until our cheeks and hands were cold. I really only had two things on my to-do list on Saturday:
1. Go say hello to Vesta at the Manhattan Arts Center;
2. Meet a stranger
So off to the Arts Center to see Vesta. Vesta Sargent lived across the street from my mom and my Aunt Dorothy as they were growing up in Riley, Kansas. My mom and Aunt used to babysit Vesta when she was small. It was so good to see her and be able to introduce my children to her. I haven't seen her since I left Manhattan in 1984 and she looked just as good on Saturday as she did in 1984. I swear that she hasn't aged a bit. Our time was limited because the Missoula Children's Theatre with Manhattan area children had a 3:00 show of Rumpelstiltskin, but we squeezed in a quick tour of the Arts Center. As a kid growing up in Manhattan, I participated in the summer children's theatre and it was a great experience and I looked forward to it every year. If you live in Manhattan, please be sure to support the Manhattan Arts Center. It is a great organization not only for children of the city, but the city itself. Oh and one more thing....if you know anyone at the Manhattan Mercury, please remind them that Manhattan has a local gem in the Manhattan Arts Center and they are consistently missing the opportunity to help it shine. Okay so I will get off my soap box.
Done seeing Vesta and off to Dillon's to pick up a few items for dinner. On our way in who do I run into??? None other than Tina...yup, Tina Horocofsky. She was on her way to play cards and watch the basketball game so with hugs and kisses we decide that we will try to get together for lunch on Monday.
Up and down the aisles trying to find items in a store that is remodelling and hitting myself in the head with the door to the orange juice - limited my patience to meet a stranger. But while checking out, Doone and I decided that we probably should stop by liquor to get something stronger than beer to drink. As most of you know, I am not a beer girl...never have been. It always tastes thick and well, just plain nasty to me. Cruising up Tuttle Creek Blvd., we pull into the liquor store and Mason proclaims that I should meet a stranger inside. Great idea and we all jump out (yes....that would include my two children) and head toward the door. Oh, hold the comments. To get a clear picture....picture this....liquor store is attached the gas station/convenience store and in the west corner of the parking lot is a car wash. And as I glance over my shoulder toward the west, I see several hunters in their orange hunting vest, camo caps, and coveralls standing in the one of the bays of the car wash. Nothing out of the ordinary...I figured that someone is in the gas station and they are watching over their guns.
Inside - two girls working the counter, the 4 of us and two hunters. "Oh, lord," I thought to myself....."please let them be done hunting because booze and bullets don't mix." Mason whispers to me..."go meet them." So I maneuver around the vodka, the tequila and wine racks over the check-out counter. With hand extended, I interrupt their comments about the bottle of wine, on the counter, titled B*tch and went into my spiel, "Hi, my name is Donna..." In a blink, I was shaking hands with Dave and then Dan. And with the same enthusiasm, they began to tell me about their day of hunting. It started out cold and in the snow and within an hour of being out in the field, it turned humid and muddy. But they got some nice size pheasants and now they were going to go home clean the birds and have some drinks. Whew. I told them that when I first saw them I was fearful that they were purchasing the alcohol before hunting. They just stared at me as if I called them "chicks" and they said "that would be stupid." I nodded in a agreement. With their adult beverages loaded into brown papers bags and paid for ($50 and some change), I wished them a great evening and headed back over to Doone and the kids who were looking at wine coolers. As they walked out I heard Dave say to Dan, "That's kinda cool that she is meeting a new person everyday." Or did Dan say that to Dave...oh bother, I am not sure.
As we left the liquor store (box of margaritas and fuzzy navel wine coolers), we glanced over at the car wash and they were still there. Washing off their ATV. I shouted across the parking lot and told Dave and Dan goodbye. Of course the first thing that I say when I get in the car is "In my day, we hunted old school...by walking. Not riding around on a ATV." I then asked, "Does anyone remember which one was as Dave and which one was Dan?" Nope. And then for some reason, Mason asked a questions about someone's bra size and Gray threw out DD which morpher into the moniker - "Double D at the Liquor Store."
We got home and told everyone about the Double D's. And as the sun set, I assume the Double D's were cleaning the birds and drinking; we on the other hand, were drinking and watching eggs boil. It was a strange day, but that's how we roll in Kansas.
1. Go say hello to Vesta at the Manhattan Arts Center;
2. Meet a stranger
So off to the Arts Center to see Vesta. Vesta Sargent lived across the street from my mom and my Aunt Dorothy as they were growing up in Riley, Kansas. My mom and Aunt used to babysit Vesta when she was small. It was so good to see her and be able to introduce my children to her. I haven't seen her since I left Manhattan in 1984 and she looked just as good on Saturday as she did in 1984. I swear that she hasn't aged a bit. Our time was limited because the Missoula Children's Theatre with Manhattan area children had a 3:00 show of Rumpelstiltskin, but we squeezed in a quick tour of the Arts Center. As a kid growing up in Manhattan, I participated in the summer children's theatre and it was a great experience and I looked forward to it every year. If you live in Manhattan, please be sure to support the Manhattan Arts Center. It is a great organization not only for children of the city, but the city itself. Oh and one more thing....if you know anyone at the Manhattan Mercury, please remind them that Manhattan has a local gem in the Manhattan Arts Center and they are consistently missing the opportunity to help it shine. Okay so I will get off my soap box.
Done seeing Vesta and off to Dillon's to pick up a few items for dinner. On our way in who do I run into??? None other than Tina...yup, Tina Horocofsky. She was on her way to play cards and watch the basketball game so with hugs and kisses we decide that we will try to get together for lunch on Monday.
Up and down the aisles trying to find items in a store that is remodelling and hitting myself in the head with the door to the orange juice - limited my patience to meet a stranger. But while checking out, Doone and I decided that we probably should stop by liquor to get something stronger than beer to drink. As most of you know, I am not a beer girl...never have been. It always tastes thick and well, just plain nasty to me. Cruising up Tuttle Creek Blvd., we pull into the liquor store and Mason proclaims that I should meet a stranger inside. Great idea and we all jump out (yes....that would include my two children) and head toward the door. Oh, hold the comments. To get a clear picture....picture this....liquor store is attached the gas station/convenience store and in the west corner of the parking lot is a car wash. And as I glance over my shoulder toward the west, I see several hunters in their orange hunting vest, camo caps, and coveralls standing in the one of the bays of the car wash. Nothing out of the ordinary...I figured that someone is in the gas station and they are watching over their guns.
Inside - two girls working the counter, the 4 of us and two hunters. "Oh, lord," I thought to myself....."please let them be done hunting because booze and bullets don't mix." Mason whispers to me..."go meet them." So I maneuver around the vodka, the tequila and wine racks over the check-out counter. With hand extended, I interrupt their comments about the bottle of wine, on the counter, titled B*tch and went into my spiel, "Hi, my name is Donna..." In a blink, I was shaking hands with Dave and then Dan. And with the same enthusiasm, they began to tell me about their day of hunting. It started out cold and in the snow and within an hour of being out in the field, it turned humid and muddy. But they got some nice size pheasants and now they were going to go home clean the birds and have some drinks. Whew. I told them that when I first saw them I was fearful that they were purchasing the alcohol before hunting. They just stared at me as if I called them "chicks" and they said "that would be stupid." I nodded in a agreement. With their adult beverages loaded into brown papers bags and paid for ($50 and some change), I wished them a great evening and headed back over to Doone and the kids who were looking at wine coolers. As they walked out I heard Dave say to Dan, "That's kinda cool that she is meeting a new person everyday." Or did Dan say that to Dave...oh bother, I am not sure.
As we left the liquor store (box of margaritas and fuzzy navel wine coolers), we glanced over at the car wash and they were still there. Washing off their ATV. I shouted across the parking lot and told Dave and Dan goodbye. Of course the first thing that I say when I get in the car is "In my day, we hunted old school...by walking. Not riding around on a ATV." I then asked, "Does anyone remember which one was as Dave and which one was Dan?" Nope. And then for some reason, Mason asked a questions about someone's bra size and Gray threw out DD which morpher into the moniker - "Double D at the Liquor Store."
We got home and told everyone about the Double D's. And as the sun set, I assume the Double D's were cleaning the birds and drinking; we on the other hand, were drinking and watching eggs boil. It was a strange day, but that's how we roll in Kansas.
Dot, Vessi, and The Smurf Bathroom
Since I have been out of town, I have several new strangers to introduce to you. Thursday of last week Grayson was able to choose where I met my stranger and she decided that the Mercer House (Retirement Center close to our house) would be our destination. Once she and I was able to buzzed in, I met Sandra who was an assistant there. While I was talking to Sandra, Grayson went over and met Dot. Dot's first question to Gray was "Who are you?" A fair question as "little people" aren't seen there too often. And not to deterred by Dot's directness, Gray said, "I'm Grayson." I turned back toward Sandra as she explained to me that we could come visit as long as we came before dinner time which appeared to start about 4:30 and ended around 6:30ish. After that Sandra said that most of the residents (which is currently about 15) head to their rooms and usually watch TV and get ready for bed. I told her that I remember that my Grandma(Zeisset)Payne used to eat dinner around 4:45 pm or 5:00 pm and liked to be in bed by 7:00 pm. She typically got up around 4 am to start her day. Sandra indicated the same happened there. The phone rang and Sandra excused herself to take the call and Grayson continued her conversation with Dot. Dot told her that she had been a teacher in Minnesota and had been in Texas for about seven years. She wanted to know if Grayson had a driver's license and Grayson laughed at her and said, "I'm just 11." I could tell that Dot was growing inpatient because she told Sandra that she was heading back to her room without her. Sandra told her to hold on just a second and Sandra explained that Dot wanted to get back to her room so that she could take her medicine and settle into her room for the night. I told Sandra that we would let her go and we would call before we came up to visit next weekend. I gave Sandra our names and my cellphone number and Grayson loudly told Dot goodbye. As Gray and I walked to our car, she said, "I wish they would put a retirement center across the road from our house cuz' I would be there everyday." Grayson loves old people...truly adores them. I can't wait to go again and have her visit.
I will be completely honest with you...last Friday I did not meet anyone since I was scrambling around trying to get the kids and I ready to fly Friday night to Kansas for the long weekend. However, I will tell you that out flight attendant's name was Vessi and she was from the Bahamas. And was quite the stickler for her pre-flight duties. The kids and I were seated in row 17 - the last row in the plane which backed up the lavatory. Vessi's checklist must have included checking the bathroom for stow-aways and her routine went like this, walk toward the back of the plane, open the door, quick look, nobody and back to the front of the plane....five times in less than 20 minutes. We just started laughing every time she headed toward the back of the plane. Now, there is one thing she didn't do in her pre-flight check and that was to put the toilet seat down because the minute the plane took off...BANG....and for a minute the kids and I thought either a gun just went off or by dang there was someone hiding in there. Once we realized that neither one was happening and our hearts slowed down - we started laughing. The only good thing about sitting in that last row was that we were served our drinks first. YEAH. The worst thing about sitting in the last row was that 4 men and 1 woman could not hold their bladders for 60 minutes. Really??? We were given small drinks and they couldn't hold it??? I felt like telling each one of them....."We were just at an airport with full facilities and you couldn't use the bathroom before you left?" "Oh no, you have to wait and use the smurf bathroom that when my seat is in its upright position is up against the thin outer wall of where you are peeing." With each visit I wrapped my coat around my face and nose in the same fashion that Vessi demonstrated should the cabin lose pressure and the oxygen mask deploy. "Put the mask over you nose and mouth, put strap over your head while pulling the two shorts straps tight to ensure a seal; and breath normally." I repeated this four more times and each time Grayson either gave me the thumbs up OK with "Only pee" or squished up face of "Oh, that one was bad."
For anyone who would like a picture of this - let me know as Grayson captured one of those moments with her phone.
I will be completely honest with you...last Friday I did not meet anyone since I was scrambling around trying to get the kids and I ready to fly Friday night to Kansas for the long weekend. However, I will tell you that out flight attendant's name was Vessi and she was from the Bahamas. And was quite the stickler for her pre-flight duties. The kids and I were seated in row 17 - the last row in the plane which backed up the lavatory. Vessi's checklist must have included checking the bathroom for stow-aways and her routine went like this, walk toward the back of the plane, open the door, quick look, nobody and back to the front of the plane....five times in less than 20 minutes. We just started laughing every time she headed toward the back of the plane. Now, there is one thing she didn't do in her pre-flight check and that was to put the toilet seat down because the minute the plane took off...BANG....and for a minute the kids and I thought either a gun just went off or by dang there was someone hiding in there. Once we realized that neither one was happening and our hearts slowed down - we started laughing. The only good thing about sitting in that last row was that we were served our drinks first. YEAH. The worst thing about sitting in the last row was that 4 men and 1 woman could not hold their bladders for 60 minutes. Really??? We were given small drinks and they couldn't hold it??? I felt like telling each one of them....."We were just at an airport with full facilities and you couldn't use the bathroom before you left?" "Oh no, you have to wait and use the smurf bathroom that when my seat is in its upright position is up against the thin outer wall of where you are peeing." With each visit I wrapped my coat around my face and nose in the same fashion that Vessi demonstrated should the cabin lose pressure and the oxygen mask deploy. "Put the mask over you nose and mouth, put strap over your head while pulling the two shorts straps tight to ensure a seal; and breath normally." I repeated this four more times and each time Grayson either gave me the thumbs up OK with "Only pee" or squished up face of "Oh, that one was bad."
For anyone who would like a picture of this - let me know as Grayson captured one of those moments with her phone.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A Triple Shot of Strangers and Dancing With The Steamer
Yesterday (Tuesday) I had pleasure of having lunch with my best buddy, Trish. It was a great day. I had seen her since before Christmas so we were long overdue to catch-up. We met at Panera Bread and it was busy,but we found a two-top over by the windows, away from the masses. We talked about the past, present, and future, but most of all we laughed. Trish ate well - soup and salad. I had a tomato/mozzarella sandwich and small bag chips. I gave Trish a quick summary of how I decided to meet people and I told her that I would meet someone on out way out. He was standing in line waiting to order. Not a tall man, maybe about my height. Dark hair wearing a light purple shirt with a dark purple tie (shout out to K-State - yes that is why I picked him). Gave him my spiel and I meet David. He was in a bit of a hurry to eat so I wished him a great day and he bid me good-bye with a "God Bless You." It was a great day - good food, good friend, good fun. Oh yeah and the temperature was in the 50's on Tuesday.
Today (Wednesday), I had the pleasure of meeting two strangers at the discretion of my driver and the other car occupants (Mason was driving, Britni (Mason's girlfriend) and Grayson. This has become an exciting way to meet my strangers. So there I am in the back seat, not knowing where we were going to end up and I kept repeating, "I don't want to go too far from home." Driving further away from home and in the direction of Dallas, I was afraid of where we might end up. So again, I repeated, "I don't want to end up too far from home" and this time Grayson says, "You have said that like 4 times." Hhhmmm, I guess because I didn't think that anyone was listening to me - duh. So with a quick u-turn; where did we end my??? Well of course - a baseball practice. Okey Dokey. Not a chick in sight as I stroll up to the "dads" standing there chewing the fat while their boys ran around the diamond. You would have thought an alien was approaching because they all stopped talking when I stopped at the nearest "dad." Gave him the spiel and extended my hand with "My name is Donna." He shook my hand with a "Hi, my name is Rusty." With the other "dads" staring at him, he got uncomfortable and starting moving away from me. I think he wanted this conversation to end. So I asked him what he did and he said "What do you mean?" I said, "Are you a magician, exterminator, professional yodeler?" And he said a "Service Technician." Pacing back and forth and I really think that he was trying to get away from me. I took the clue and went back to the car and as soon as I got into the car, the kids all said to me, "He looked like he was scared of you and I think he was trying to get away from you." They were laughing and I was laughing. I am sure that Rusty and his "dad" friends are still laughing too. Heading toward home - we made one more stop.
Wayne's Wing Mart/Beauty Supply/Deli/Beer and Wine. Now for just a minute close your eyes and get an mental image of what might inside. There were bars on the bars that were on the doors!!! I walked into sensory overload. I wasn't even sure which way to go. Looked to the left and there was a huge plexi-glass enclosure with a guy behind in it. In front of me where t-shirts and various sundries for sale and to the right....Oh my lord. Along the right side of the wall and across the back wall were.....Wigs...Afro-American Wigs. All on Afro-American heads. Short wigs, long wigs, blonde wigs, black wig, magenta wigs.......well I think that you get the picture. I couldn't take my eyes off of them...it was crazy. Two guys ahead of me purchasing french fries, chicken and lottery tickets finished and I moved toward the big plexi-glass cage. Saying my spiel, I thrust my hand in the little mouse hole like opening. And I think that the dude thought I was going to rob him. I said my name is Donna and he reluctantly told me that his name was Peter. His eyes are darting back and forth and he keeps looking at my little memo pad and pen - I don't think that he could comprehend that I was not robbing him. I told him that I driven by this place many times and often wondered what was inside. I asked him if business was good and he said, "Yes." I kept turning around and looking at the wigs. I had just never seen wigs sold in the same place that you could buy chicken wings. I started getting the feeling that Peter was going to push the panic button so I headed back to the car. And once in the car, Mason locked all the doors and slammed the car into reverse. I think that he thought I would come flying out like Bo Duke doing the hood slide if things went crazy, but instead I just walked out and I began to tell them all about the wigs. I may have to go back just to check out all the wigs - that was just too crazy.
Talk about crazy, I have to share a funny moment from last night. Grayson decided that she was going to take a shower in our bathroom,but wanted me to stay upstairs with her so she wasn't alone. She had "her" music playing and she was singing at the top of her lungs. So I decided that I would dance the way she does. Oh my goodness, I had things flapping and flinging in all different directions. And to top it all off - I was watching myself in the mirror. I looked like a deranged clown who had escaped from the circus. Lucky for me, a slow song came on so that I could catch my breath, but then I realized I had no one to dance with so I found a partner. I started dancing with the steamer that we have in our bathroom. It it the kind that is on wheels and has the long pole to drape clothes on. So there I was dancing around the bathroom with my new found dancing partner. Grayson opened the door and asked "What the heck are you doing" and I told her that I was slow dancing with my date. And then out the mouth of babes, she says "Are you dancing with Donnie Magnuson???" Huh??? What??? I about fell on the floor laughing and once I picked myself up - I told her that I don't think that I had ever even danced with him. So I continued to dance with my steam presser. Slow dance was over and I began to Crunk and Tic Toc Dance until I flat ran out of breath. I need to rest. Went downstairs to get a bottle of water. I asked Chris and Mason if they heard me dancing and Chris told me that it, "Sounded like a herd of water buffalo running across the floor."
Quite frankly, I probably looked like a water buffalo trying to pull herself out of river, but this water buffalo had a great time.
Today (Wednesday), I had the pleasure of meeting two strangers at the discretion of my driver and the other car occupants (Mason was driving, Britni (Mason's girlfriend) and Grayson. This has become an exciting way to meet my strangers. So there I am in the back seat, not knowing where we were going to end up and I kept repeating, "I don't want to go too far from home." Driving further away from home and in the direction of Dallas, I was afraid of where we might end up. So again, I repeated, "I don't want to end up too far from home" and this time Grayson says, "You have said that like 4 times." Hhhmmm, I guess because I didn't think that anyone was listening to me - duh. So with a quick u-turn; where did we end my??? Well of course - a baseball practice. Okey Dokey. Not a chick in sight as I stroll up to the "dads" standing there chewing the fat while their boys ran around the diamond. You would have thought an alien was approaching because they all stopped talking when I stopped at the nearest "dad." Gave him the spiel and extended my hand with "My name is Donna." He shook my hand with a "Hi, my name is Rusty." With the other "dads" staring at him, he got uncomfortable and starting moving away from me. I think he wanted this conversation to end. So I asked him what he did and he said "What do you mean?" I said, "Are you a magician, exterminator, professional yodeler?" And he said a "Service Technician." Pacing back and forth and I really think that he was trying to get away from me. I took the clue and went back to the car and as soon as I got into the car, the kids all said to me, "He looked like he was scared of you and I think he was trying to get away from you." They were laughing and I was laughing. I am sure that Rusty and his "dad" friends are still laughing too. Heading toward home - we made one more stop.
Wayne's Wing Mart/Beauty Supply/Deli/Beer and Wine. Now for just a minute close your eyes and get an mental image of what might inside. There were bars on the bars that were on the doors!!! I walked into sensory overload. I wasn't even sure which way to go. Looked to the left and there was a huge plexi-glass enclosure with a guy behind in it. In front of me where t-shirts and various sundries for sale and to the right....Oh my lord. Along the right side of the wall and across the back wall were.....Wigs...Afro-American Wigs. All on Afro-American heads. Short wigs, long wigs, blonde wigs, black wig, magenta wigs.......well I think that you get the picture. I couldn't take my eyes off of them...it was crazy. Two guys ahead of me purchasing french fries, chicken and lottery tickets finished and I moved toward the big plexi-glass cage. Saying my spiel, I thrust my hand in the little mouse hole like opening. And I think that the dude thought I was going to rob him. I said my name is Donna and he reluctantly told me that his name was Peter. His eyes are darting back and forth and he keeps looking at my little memo pad and pen - I don't think that he could comprehend that I was not robbing him. I told him that I driven by this place many times and often wondered what was inside. I asked him if business was good and he said, "Yes." I kept turning around and looking at the wigs. I had just never seen wigs sold in the same place that you could buy chicken wings. I started getting the feeling that Peter was going to push the panic button so I headed back to the car. And once in the car, Mason locked all the doors and slammed the car into reverse. I think that he thought I would come flying out like Bo Duke doing the hood slide if things went crazy, but instead I just walked out and I began to tell them all about the wigs. I may have to go back just to check out all the wigs - that was just too crazy.
Talk about crazy, I have to share a funny moment from last night. Grayson decided that she was going to take a shower in our bathroom,but wanted me to stay upstairs with her so she wasn't alone. She had "her" music playing and she was singing at the top of her lungs. So I decided that I would dance the way she does. Oh my goodness, I had things flapping and flinging in all different directions. And to top it all off - I was watching myself in the mirror. I looked like a deranged clown who had escaped from the circus. Lucky for me, a slow song came on so that I could catch my breath, but then I realized I had no one to dance with so I found a partner. I started dancing with the steamer that we have in our bathroom. It it the kind that is on wheels and has the long pole to drape clothes on. So there I was dancing around the bathroom with my new found dancing partner. Grayson opened the door and asked "What the heck are you doing" and I told her that I was slow dancing with my date. And then out the mouth of babes, she says "Are you dancing with Donnie Magnuson???" Huh??? What??? I about fell on the floor laughing and once I picked myself up - I told her that I don't think that I had ever even danced with him. So I continued to dance with my steam presser. Slow dance was over and I began to Crunk and Tic Toc Dance until I flat ran out of breath. I need to rest. Went downstairs to get a bottle of water. I asked Chris and Mason if they heard me dancing and Chris told me that it, "Sounded like a herd of water buffalo running across the floor."
Quite frankly, I probably looked like a water buffalo trying to pull herself out of river, but this water buffalo had a great time.
Monday, January 11, 2010
With Three; You Get Germ-X and Egg Rolls
My to-do list for today was as follows:
1. Kids off to school
2. Doctor's Appointment
3. Had to meet three strangers since Saturday and Sunday - I watched too much football.
Kids off to school...no time to meet any strangers before I get to the doctor's. Arrived at the doctor office and really couldn't meet anyone there since I was the first appointment of the day and I actually arrived before my doctor got there. Done with the appointment and I decided that I would meet the first person that I came across. And there he stood right inside the door. He said hello to me first and moved right over with my hand extended and started into my spiel,"Hi, my name is Donna..." Larry is the Valet Supervisor at Richardson Methodist/Baylor. He seemed young - maybe in his 30's, wearing a stocking cap as it was about 28 degrees out this morning, solid looking sneakers, and well spoken. I asked if he liked his job and he did because he gets to meet a lot of people; from the medical personnel who work in the building or patients coming for appointments. He came into this job as the supervisor, but it doesn't really have a career path so he would like open a car detail business. He has already purchased a second truck that he intends to fix up and use for his business. I explained to him that where I used to, there was guy who would wash and detail cars and he would set-up on the lower level of the garage. He was out of the elements and always appeared to have a good stream of business. I asked him if he would be able to get the contract at the medical plaza; he said that he had never thought about and he thanked me for the idea. I wished Larry a great day. I told him good luck with the business and I would check in with him again in July when I came for my next appointment.
With a sick son at home, I decided to run by the store and pick-up a few things. It was a slow morning at the Wal-Mart, the checkers were just hanging out waiting for customers. There was Linda anxiously waiting to check someone out; anyone out. I was the anyone. I would guess her to be in her late sixties, wearing glasses, a short sensible haircut and sporting thin rubber gloves on (I am guessing for germ control) - Linda starting scanning my items. After she was done, she told me that I was smart to wait until this morning to come shopping as Saturday was crazy with all the Cowboy fans coming to buy chips and party items to watch the game. Since she was talkative, I told her my name was Donna and went into my new chant. I asked her if she had worked at Wal-Mart long - she said about 17 months (I think) and then I asked what she did prior. "I worked in employment verifications." I told that I had been in a similar line of work before being made redundant from a corporate purchase. Then she started asking me questions, "Have you been out of work long?" "Have you applied with the government yet?" "Did you know that the government has great benefits?" I answered, "September,but paid through December; No; and So I have heard." She proceeded to give me a couple of website addresses so that I could get started applying with the government. And for a minute, I thought that her body had been possessed by Chris - he keeps saying the same thing about getting a job. Lucky for me or her...another customer came up and with that I headed for the door.
I had noticed her on the way in - bundled up in her white bubble jacket, long cream denim skirt with bobby socks and tennis shoes and hair pulled back in a bun. I popped over and asked her if many people thanked her for a good job. Then I noticed that she had really clear blue eyes. So I told her thanks for doing her job and asked her if she was really cold hanging out by the front door helping and assisting customers. She said that the guys that pulled carts had a colder job than she did - she had a point. I asked if she liked her job and she said that it paid the bills, but the front door was really cold in the winter and really warm in the summer. With my spiel concluded names exchanged. I extended my hand to Tiffany and wished her a good day......then.......as I was shaking her hand, I saw it. Her runny nose. And then a million questions started running through my head...was it running before I approached? Do you think that she had Germ-X that she was using? My gut and my head screamed - "HELL, NO." I am not even sure if she was talking or I was talking when I retrieved my hand from hers and then as if all of my fears were confirmed - her hand went straight to nose and she used the back of her hand to wipe at her nose. I thought I was going to blow my cookies right there and holding back a dry heave - I half trotted/half sprinted to my car throwing another goodbye and good day over my shoulder to Tiffany. I unloaded my groceries and tried to hardly touch anything in my car. I pulled into the garage (without hitting anything) and ran straight into the house and slathered my hands with Germ-X. And with a deep breath and clean hands, I brought the groceries into the house.
So where do the egg rolls come in??? Tonight for dinner, we had orange chicken, rice, and egg rolls.
1. Kids off to school
2. Doctor's Appointment
3. Had to meet three strangers since Saturday and Sunday - I watched too much football.
Kids off to school...no time to meet any strangers before I get to the doctor's. Arrived at the doctor office and really couldn't meet anyone there since I was the first appointment of the day and I actually arrived before my doctor got there. Done with the appointment and I decided that I would meet the first person that I came across. And there he stood right inside the door. He said hello to me first and moved right over with my hand extended and started into my spiel,"Hi, my name is Donna..." Larry is the Valet Supervisor at Richardson Methodist/Baylor. He seemed young - maybe in his 30's, wearing a stocking cap as it was about 28 degrees out this morning, solid looking sneakers, and well spoken. I asked if he liked his job and he did because he gets to meet a lot of people; from the medical personnel who work in the building or patients coming for appointments. He came into this job as the supervisor, but it doesn't really have a career path so he would like open a car detail business. He has already purchased a second truck that he intends to fix up and use for his business. I explained to him that where I used to, there was guy who would wash and detail cars and he would set-up on the lower level of the garage. He was out of the elements and always appeared to have a good stream of business. I asked him if he would be able to get the contract at the medical plaza; he said that he had never thought about and he thanked me for the idea. I wished Larry a great day. I told him good luck with the business and I would check in with him again in July when I came for my next appointment.
With a sick son at home, I decided to run by the store and pick-up a few things. It was a slow morning at the Wal-Mart, the checkers were just hanging out waiting for customers. There was Linda anxiously waiting to check someone out; anyone out. I was the anyone. I would guess her to be in her late sixties, wearing glasses, a short sensible haircut and sporting thin rubber gloves on (I am guessing for germ control) - Linda starting scanning my items. After she was done, she told me that I was smart to wait until this morning to come shopping as Saturday was crazy with all the Cowboy fans coming to buy chips and party items to watch the game. Since she was talkative, I told her my name was Donna and went into my new chant. I asked her if she had worked at Wal-Mart long - she said about 17 months (I think) and then I asked what she did prior. "I worked in employment verifications." I told that I had been in a similar line of work before being made redundant from a corporate purchase. Then she started asking me questions, "Have you been out of work long?" "Have you applied with the government yet?" "Did you know that the government has great benefits?" I answered, "September,but paid through December; No; and So I have heard." She proceeded to give me a couple of website addresses so that I could get started applying with the government. And for a minute, I thought that her body had been possessed by Chris - he keeps saying the same thing about getting a job. Lucky for me or her...another customer came up and with that I headed for the door.
I had noticed her on the way in - bundled up in her white bubble jacket, long cream denim skirt with bobby socks and tennis shoes and hair pulled back in a bun. I popped over and asked her if many people thanked her for a good job. Then I noticed that she had really clear blue eyes. So I told her thanks for doing her job and asked her if she was really cold hanging out by the front door helping and assisting customers. She said that the guys that pulled carts had a colder job than she did - she had a point. I asked if she liked her job and she said that it paid the bills, but the front door was really cold in the winter and really warm in the summer. With my spiel concluded names exchanged. I extended my hand to Tiffany and wished her a good day......then.......as I was shaking her hand, I saw it. Her runny nose. And then a million questions started running through my head...was it running before I approached? Do you think that she had Germ-X that she was using? My gut and my head screamed - "HELL, NO." I am not even sure if she was talking or I was talking when I retrieved my hand from hers and then as if all of my fears were confirmed - her hand went straight to nose and she used the back of her hand to wipe at her nose. I thought I was going to blow my cookies right there and holding back a dry heave - I half trotted/half sprinted to my car throwing another goodbye and good day over my shoulder to Tiffany. I unloaded my groceries and tried to hardly touch anything in my car. I pulled into the garage (without hitting anything) and ran straight into the house and slathered my hands with Germ-X. And with a deep breath and clean hands, I brought the groceries into the house.
So where do the egg rolls come in??? Tonight for dinner, we had orange chicken, rice, and egg rolls.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
At Sunset on Friday - A Two For One
Last night, Grayson had a sleepover so as a family we decided to take her. Mason went because he thought he could convince us to go out to eat. I went because I needed to meet a new stranger. Once Gray was dropped out and Mason was somewhat satisfied that we were not going out to eat - there was an emotional shift in the car. It soon became, "Where is the weirdest place we can take mom to meet a stranger." First, let's go the funeral home....thank goodness there was no one there - or at least in the parking lot. Second, became a fire station and then we thought better of it. Third became the Buddhist Temple. And had it not been for the fact that Chris could not find an easy way to get into the parking lot - I would have been meeting the Buddhist Buddha people. Last, a strip center mall that had a T.V repair shop. Really, a TV repair shop - I chuckled and under my breath said, "What do they do there???"
Now, think about this for a moment. Do you know anyone who takes and has a TV fixed these days? I remember growing up and if we needed to replace a tube in the TV we went down to Geren's and got what my dad needed. But now??? By the time a TV "breaks", I think it is cheaper to buy a new one. So S&J Electronics was the selected destination. And to my surprise it was busy and packed with TVs.
I took a step back in line as I never want to interfere in the "real" business transactions. So I waited, listened, and noticed there was no real room to move in this shop. A small lane had been carved out to get to and from the counter. There were TVs stacked on the counter, there were TVs on the floor and there were TVs stacked on top on each other. In front of me was a woman I guess to be in her 30's. Who, a year ago, dropped off her TV and was circling back around to see if it was still there and fixed. TV still there - couldn't be fixed. She was dressed warmly against the cold. Black leather jacket, gloves, a hat. From standing there, I gathered that TVs get dropped off for fixing and then people never come to pick them up so they get sold. She turned to me and asked it I was there to look at purchasing a TV. Thanks for opening, "No." And into my spiel, "My name is Donna...." and I extended my hand to the man behind the counter.
"Hi, my name is JJ," he said. Young man probably in his 30's as well. I asked him, "Did you always want to own a TV repair shop?" "No, but things happen and you have to make do,: he said. I asked if he liked it and he told me, "You have to be happy doing what you are doing." I shook my head and acknowledged the point of a path not intended, but one that he took. At this time, the woman turns to me and says, "You can meet me too. It's a twofer." She removed her glove and extended her hand and told me that her name was Adrian. I asked Adrian what she did and she told me that she was an Office Manager for a Dental Practice. I asked her if she always wanted to be an Office Manager and she told me, "No." "I was a middle school science teacher in Mississippi before I came to Texas. But once I started teaching here it became evidently quickly that the only goal Texas has was to teach towards the TAKS test. And I didn't want to be part of introducing a generation of children to reality that they were not prepared for." Wow - someone who took a stand for what she believed. "So are you going to write a book about the people that you met?", she asked me. "Uh, well, I don't think so, but if I do Adrian, I will come back here and ask JJ for your address and make sure that you get a book." I then turned to JJ and said with a smile, "Don't loose her address, I might be back."
I wished JJ and Adrian a great evening and popped back to the car with Mason and Chris still patiently waiting. "What took you so long. It should take about 5 minutes to meet someone - Bada Bing Bada Boom and you where in there for 34 minutes." I buckled my seat belt and said, "I was lucky, I got a two for one. You guys picked a great place - you should pick more spots for me." And then I realized what I had said and visions of the Buddhist Temple started flashing before my eyes. I might have dodged the bullet for the time being, but I bet I end up there before this is over.
Now, think about this for a moment. Do you know anyone who takes and has a TV fixed these days? I remember growing up and if we needed to replace a tube in the TV we went down to Geren's and got what my dad needed. But now??? By the time a TV "breaks", I think it is cheaper to buy a new one. So S&J Electronics was the selected destination. And to my surprise it was busy and packed with TVs.
I took a step back in line as I never want to interfere in the "real" business transactions. So I waited, listened, and noticed there was no real room to move in this shop. A small lane had been carved out to get to and from the counter. There were TVs stacked on the counter, there were TVs on the floor and there were TVs stacked on top on each other. In front of me was a woman I guess to be in her 30's. Who, a year ago, dropped off her TV and was circling back around to see if it was still there and fixed. TV still there - couldn't be fixed. She was dressed warmly against the cold. Black leather jacket, gloves, a hat. From standing there, I gathered that TVs get dropped off for fixing and then people never come to pick them up so they get sold. She turned to me and asked it I was there to look at purchasing a TV. Thanks for opening, "No." And into my spiel, "My name is Donna...." and I extended my hand to the man behind the counter.
"Hi, my name is JJ," he said. Young man probably in his 30's as well. I asked him, "Did you always want to own a TV repair shop?" "No, but things happen and you have to make do,: he said. I asked if he liked it and he told me, "You have to be happy doing what you are doing." I shook my head and acknowledged the point of a path not intended, but one that he took. At this time, the woman turns to me and says, "You can meet me too. It's a twofer." She removed her glove and extended her hand and told me that her name was Adrian. I asked Adrian what she did and she told me that she was an Office Manager for a Dental Practice. I asked her if she always wanted to be an Office Manager and she told me, "No." "I was a middle school science teacher in Mississippi before I came to Texas. But once I started teaching here it became evidently quickly that the only goal Texas has was to teach towards the TAKS test. And I didn't want to be part of introducing a generation of children to reality that they were not prepared for." Wow - someone who took a stand for what she believed. "So are you going to write a book about the people that you met?", she asked me. "Uh, well, I don't think so, but if I do Adrian, I will come back here and ask JJ for your address and make sure that you get a book." I then turned to JJ and said with a smile, "Don't loose her address, I might be back."
I wished JJ and Adrian a great evening and popped back to the car with Mason and Chris still patiently waiting. "What took you so long. It should take about 5 minutes to meet someone - Bada Bing Bada Boom and you where in there for 34 minutes." I buckled my seat belt and said, "I was lucky, I got a two for one. You guys picked a great place - you should pick more spots for me." And then I realized what I had said and visions of the Buddhist Temple started flashing before my eyes. I might have dodged the bullet for the time being, but I bet I end up there before this is over.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Moon Pies, Marooned, and the Miller Beer Man
Sing it with me, "Baby, it's cold outside." You did great, but there were a couple of you who just hummed...I saw you. So with it being brisk outside, I had decided today that I would meet the mailman. I figured, I would listen for him and then just bee bop outside, grab the mail, introduce myself and run back inside, write my blog. So all morning I listened for him. Similar to waiting for the ice cream man in the summer time when I was a kid. You know, you think that you hear his bell so you go running to the window, look both ways and wonder....where the heck is he? The same happened with the mailman.....I would think that I heard him and I would run to the front windows and realize it was the Fed-Ex man across the street, or the UPS man turning the corner or the Rooms to Go truck. Hhhmmm, this is like trying to catch a snipe on a hot summer evening at Tuttle Creek (a little shout out to the Little Apple). And then as if angels descended, I heard the mailman. But you trying to run with your jeans daintily draped between your knees and ankles. YES - you guessed....I was in the bathroom. And by the time I got to the door, he turned the corner. Grrrrr....on to Plan B.
I would have to get in my car and go meet a stranger today. YES, YES, YES - I know that was the whole purpose of the new years resolution, but it was chilly outside....in other words, whah, whah, whah. At the stoplight, I notice that the Miller Beer truck is at the 7-11 so I decide right there, right now that I am going to meet the Miller Beer man. Quick turn and I pull into the parking lot. Pop inside and survey all that the 7-11 has to offer. Chips, oil, vinegar, hot dogs and then I spied the most delectable, horrible for you, best road trip food ever created.....THE CHOCOLATE MOON PIE. I purchase 4 to take home. The Miller Beer Man is stacking crates on his dolly and with moon pie purchase in hand - I saunter over. Give him my spiel.... "Hi, my name is Donna......" And he just looks at me and nods. So I say, "Hi, my name is Donna" and I extend my hand. He, again, just smiles and l looks at me. Did he not speak English???? So this time, I say "I am Donna, what is your name Miller Beer Man?" As if it finally registered, he said, "My name is Darren." Okey Dokey then. Head as thick as his forearm and it was just cold enough that I didn't really care if he liked his job. So I unlocked my car, key in the ignition and absolutely nothing. Zero, Zip, Nada. Really?!?!?!
Once I say my goodbyes to my new found stranger, I just want to get in my car and leave. And right now, I was going nowhere. My car had no power. So I tired the ignition a couple more times...same silence. CRAP....I got here - I should be able to get home. Problem must be under the hood. So in a brief second of brilliance, I decide to pull off my coat and pull my hair up - you know to change my appearance and maybe Darren, the Miller Beer Man, would think I was someone else and not notice that I was still here. The last thing I really want is to have a lengthy conversation. I get out of my car, go around the back to get to the front, lift the hood and it appears that the "green" side of the battery cable has come loose so I wiggle it back on. Back around the back of the car and unnoticed. Again nothing. Once again, back outside, go around the back of the car, lift the hood and pound the crap of the battery cable and then I hear it. "Hey, Donna - do you need help???" And I stop dead in my tracks. Yup, Darren the Miller Beer Man spots me and was not fooled by my no coat and hair pulled up disguise. I waved gingerly like I mean to be standing right there in the parking lot and chuckled like a pro and said, "Oh, no I got it - just a loose cable." Hood down, go around the front of my car - get in and start praying "please start, please start, please start." I didn't even lift my head when I tried the ignition again. VROOM.....SUCCESS. "Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you," I mouth to the top of my car.
As I backed out of my parking spot, I was pleasantly surprised that Darren, the Miller Beer Man had climbed into the back of his truck for another load....whew....I pressed a little heavier on the gas and zoomed out of there.
I am just thinking out loud. Do you think, if I had put on my sunglasses maybe Darren wouldn't have noticed me, two spots over with the hood up on my car??? Hhhmmm, I am not sure either. But just in case, I am putting my pink wig in my car.
I would have to get in my car and go meet a stranger today. YES, YES, YES - I know that was the whole purpose of the new years resolution, but it was chilly outside....in other words, whah, whah, whah. At the stoplight, I notice that the Miller Beer truck is at the 7-11 so I decide right there, right now that I am going to meet the Miller Beer man. Quick turn and I pull into the parking lot. Pop inside and survey all that the 7-11 has to offer. Chips, oil, vinegar, hot dogs and then I spied the most delectable, horrible for you, best road trip food ever created.....THE CHOCOLATE MOON PIE. I purchase 4 to take home. The Miller Beer Man is stacking crates on his dolly and with moon pie purchase in hand - I saunter over. Give him my spiel.... "Hi, my name is Donna......" And he just looks at me and nods. So I say, "Hi, my name is Donna" and I extend my hand. He, again, just smiles and l looks at me. Did he not speak English???? So this time, I say "I am Donna, what is your name Miller Beer Man?" As if it finally registered, he said, "My name is Darren." Okey Dokey then. Head as thick as his forearm and it was just cold enough that I didn't really care if he liked his job. So I unlocked my car, key in the ignition and absolutely nothing. Zero, Zip, Nada. Really?!?!?!
Once I say my goodbyes to my new found stranger, I just want to get in my car and leave. And right now, I was going nowhere. My car had no power. So I tired the ignition a couple more times...same silence. CRAP....I got here - I should be able to get home. Problem must be under the hood. So in a brief second of brilliance, I decide to pull off my coat and pull my hair up - you know to change my appearance and maybe Darren, the Miller Beer Man, would think I was someone else and not notice that I was still here. The last thing I really want is to have a lengthy conversation. I get out of my car, go around the back to get to the front, lift the hood and it appears that the "green" side of the battery cable has come loose so I wiggle it back on. Back around the back of the car and unnoticed. Again nothing. Once again, back outside, go around the back of the car, lift the hood and pound the crap of the battery cable and then I hear it. "Hey, Donna - do you need help???" And I stop dead in my tracks. Yup, Darren the Miller Beer Man spots me and was not fooled by my no coat and hair pulled up disguise. I waved gingerly like I mean to be standing right there in the parking lot and chuckled like a pro and said, "Oh, no I got it - just a loose cable." Hood down, go around the front of my car - get in and start praying "please start, please start, please start." I didn't even lift my head when I tried the ignition again. VROOM.....SUCCESS. "Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you," I mouth to the top of my car.
As I backed out of my parking spot, I was pleasantly surprised that Darren, the Miller Beer Man had climbed into the back of his truck for another load....whew....I pressed a little heavier on the gas and zoomed out of there.
I am just thinking out loud. Do you think, if I had put on my sunglasses maybe Darren wouldn't have noticed me, two spots over with the hood up on my car??? Hhhmmm, I am not sure either. But just in case, I am putting my pink wig in my car.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Mirror Update, Oprah, and Gladys
Quick update...my passenger mirror is doing so well that I can see the road stripes and speed bumps with great clarity. In other words, it is starting to fall off and I am pretty sure that with the rain and wind that is coming tomorrow - all the electrical tape with lift and it will dangle as eloquently as a trapeze artist. I will give you another update tomorrow.
People, people everywhere - which one to meet? Today, I decided to pop over to the post office. Not a busy day, but a few people in line. While I waited, I took inventory of things. 2830 boxes that are either rented or can be rented by individuals or businesses. Prices to rent those boxes range from $22-$410 a month. First thought, what kind of mail do you receive that requires you to have a post box that costs 410 bucks a month? I am not sure that I would want to be that important to get that kind of mail. Of course, the necessary items are within arm length: stamp catalogs, pamphlets for young men to register with the selective service, "if it fits, it ships" boxes, padded envelopes, and the passport area. Then I hear, "Can I help the next person in line?" Hhhmmm......I look around and I am the only person in line....okay so I go with it and reply, "That would be me." With no letters or packages in hand, I get the quizzical - "what do you need" look. So I break into my introduction, "Hi, my name is Donna, blah, blah...new years resolution, blah blah...." and when done - I extend my hand and say, "Hi, I'm Donna." She extended her hand back and said, "Hi, I'm Gladys." I told her that my goal was to write about everyone that I meet over the next 365 days in which she replied - "I look forward to seeing you on Oprah because then I would be on Oprah." And she chuckled. What I great comment......unlikely to happen as Oprah is going to retire and she would never have an ordinary person on her show, but still a cool comment. I asked if she liked her job and within earshot of a co-worker she said, "I like it. It pays the bills." What??? That is the second time in two days that I have heard that...really....am I going to find that more people just do a job than doing something that they want to do??? I pray not because that would be a sad commentary. "Good enough," I said. I wonder if she would have replied differently had no one else been around???
I wished her a great day and turned to leave and as I was leaving, I hear her over my shoulder say, "That's kinda neat." Not sure who, but someone said, "What?" and Gladys said, "She is meeting a new person every single day for a year and writing about it."
I kept walking and thought to myself. Yeah, Gladys it is kinda neat
People, people everywhere - which one to meet? Today, I decided to pop over to the post office. Not a busy day, but a few people in line. While I waited, I took inventory of things. 2830 boxes that are either rented or can be rented by individuals or businesses. Prices to rent those boxes range from $22-$410 a month. First thought, what kind of mail do you receive that requires you to have a post box that costs 410 bucks a month? I am not sure that I would want to be that important to get that kind of mail. Of course, the necessary items are within arm length: stamp catalogs, pamphlets for young men to register with the selective service, "if it fits, it ships" boxes, padded envelopes, and the passport area. Then I hear, "Can I help the next person in line?" Hhhmmm......I look around and I am the only person in line....okay so I go with it and reply, "That would be me." With no letters or packages in hand, I get the quizzical - "what do you need" look. So I break into my introduction, "Hi, my name is Donna, blah, blah...new years resolution, blah blah...." and when done - I extend my hand and say, "Hi, I'm Donna." She extended her hand back and said, "Hi, I'm Gladys." I told her that my goal was to write about everyone that I meet over the next 365 days in which she replied - "I look forward to seeing you on Oprah because then I would be on Oprah." And she chuckled. What I great comment......unlikely to happen as Oprah is going to retire and she would never have an ordinary person on her show, but still a cool comment. I asked if she liked her job and within earshot of a co-worker she said, "I like it. It pays the bills." What??? That is the second time in two days that I have heard that...really....am I going to find that more people just do a job than doing something that they want to do??? I pray not because that would be a sad commentary. "Good enough," I said. I wonder if she would have replied differently had no one else been around???
I wished her a great day and turned to leave and as I was leaving, I hear her over my shoulder say, "That's kinda neat." Not sure who, but someone said, "What?" and Gladys said, "She is meeting a new person every single day for a year and writing about it."
I kept walking and thought to myself. Yeah, Gladys it is kinda neat
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Global Chilling, Black Electrical Tape, and Anna
The kids went back to school today and after 2 weeks of sleeping in - it was hard to hear the alarm go off at 6:15 am. This is when I wished that I had a coffee pot right next to the bed so I could take a swig off an intravenous drip before I dart out from under my warm comfy blankets. It was equally jolting picking up the newspaper since it was a brisk 22 degrees and I was in my jammies; however, this is nothing compared to my friends and family who live
further North. They are caught in an arctic freeze with snow piling up in foot increments. Anybody heard from Al Gore lately....nah....me either.
Off toward school to drop off Gray - uneventful. Pulling into the driveway would prove otherwise. Tuesday is trash and recycle day for us. Recycle bin one side of the driveway and trash bin on the other side. We have lived in our house for 13 years and neither the driveway or the garage has ever moved, but I have the uncanny knack for hitting the right front quarter panel into the garage on a semi-regular basis. Today would be no different except for today as I was dodging "the bins" - BOOM - I took off my right side mirror. Didn't just ding it - nope - I popped that bad boy so hard it banged against the car as I continued to pull into the garage. I am such a dork. So there in the garage, in my jammies (yes, I wore my jammies to drop her off at school - oh don't go there - you have never driven somewhere in your jammies?!?!?!) I am trying to fix my mirror. Hhhmmm...it will not pop back on. I pause and look around the garage and in my best Martha Stewart moment - I get to fixing' my mirror. A pair of scissors and black electrical tape and from a distant it looks good. Ok - maybe not good, but doesn't look broken either. I guess it is fortunate that I have a black car so the black electrical tape worked well. Would it hold??? Guess I will find out later. I almost forgot about my mirror until I pulled into the library. It held and is still holding - for now. So I decided today mosey over to the library to say hello.
In hindsight finding someone to say "hello" to at the library is a little more difficult than I thought. First of all, Tuesday is a busy day for the reference librarian or just a lot of needy readers on Tuesday. Second, just to dang quiet to have a conversation. So I decided to flip through a couple of magazines in the "periodical room" and for an hour and half - not one soul came into the room until I had already stood up and ready to leave for a different part of the library. Nice man with a little girl - maybe his granddaughter whose only request was to xerox her hand on the copier. She got her wish as I moved on. Reference librarian still busy so I decide to "meet" the check-out librarian. Who really isn't a librarian at all. In my head, I kept singing "Miriam, the Librarian" duet with Robert Prescott and Shirley Jones from the Music Man and I thought wouldn't it be something if her name was Miriam. As I approached the check-out desk, I surveyed "Miriam". Long white hair below her shoulders styled in a 2009 retro-Farrah do. Glasses (required part of the librarian uniform), probably wearing sensible shoes. She glanced up and with a slightly parted smiled - said not a word. She was younger than she looked from a distance and with a bit of mascara and blush she would have been stunning with her pretty white hair. So I asked her; "Can I ask you a question?" She replied, "Yes". "Did you always want to be a librarian," I asked. And in a quiet librarian whisper she replied, "I am not a librarian." Hhhmm - Really??!?!? I thought everyone who worked at a librarian had to be a librarian. So I asked, "Do you like books?" She said, "I had never really thought about it until I started working here - I just needed a job." At this juncture, she took a step back from the desk like I was a leper so I thought it best to tell her of my mission. With an extended hand I said, "Hi, my name is Donna and my new years resolution is to meet one new person a day. And I just wanted to say hello." "My name is Anna - it's nice to meet you," she said as she shook my hand. Librarians are short on words and long on snarly glances so I knew with that I had really worn out my welcome unless I was checking out a book. So I wished her a good-day. She like-wise to me and I left.
Quick survey of my car and the mirror is still holding. SWEET. Drove home thinking I have 363 more times to say, "Hi, my name is Donna...." and wondering if it sounds too ordinary??? But then I realized, I should be thankful that my name is not "Susanderaninomisusionnestulolpestnert" which, according to the Internet, is the longest girls name recorded. She lives in Japan.
Domo arigato, mom and dad....."Hi, my name is Donna" works just fine.
further North. They are caught in an arctic freeze with snow piling up in foot increments. Anybody heard from Al Gore lately....nah....me either.
Off toward school to drop off Gray - uneventful. Pulling into the driveway would prove otherwise. Tuesday is trash and recycle day for us. Recycle bin one side of the driveway and trash bin on the other side. We have lived in our house for 13 years and neither the driveway or the garage has ever moved, but I have the uncanny knack for hitting the right front quarter panel into the garage on a semi-regular basis. Today would be no different except for today as I was dodging "the bins" - BOOM - I took off my right side mirror. Didn't just ding it - nope - I popped that bad boy so hard it banged against the car as I continued to pull into the garage. I am such a dork. So there in the garage, in my jammies (yes, I wore my jammies to drop her off at school - oh don't go there - you have never driven somewhere in your jammies?!?!?!) I am trying to fix my mirror. Hhhmmm...it will not pop back on. I pause and look around the garage and in my best Martha Stewart moment - I get to fixing' my mirror. A pair of scissors and black electrical tape and from a distant it looks good. Ok - maybe not good, but doesn't look broken either. I guess it is fortunate that I have a black car so the black electrical tape worked well. Would it hold??? Guess I will find out later. I almost forgot about my mirror until I pulled into the library. It held and is still holding - for now. So I decided today mosey over to the library to say hello.
In hindsight finding someone to say "hello" to at the library is a little more difficult than I thought. First of all, Tuesday is a busy day for the reference librarian or just a lot of needy readers on Tuesday. Second, just to dang quiet to have a conversation. So I decided to flip through a couple of magazines in the "periodical room" and for an hour and half - not one soul came into the room until I had already stood up and ready to leave for a different part of the library. Nice man with a little girl - maybe his granddaughter whose only request was to xerox her hand on the copier. She got her wish as I moved on. Reference librarian still busy so I decide to "meet" the check-out librarian. Who really isn't a librarian at all. In my head, I kept singing "Miriam, the Librarian" duet with Robert Prescott and Shirley Jones from the Music Man and I thought wouldn't it be something if her name was Miriam. As I approached the check-out desk, I surveyed "Miriam". Long white hair below her shoulders styled in a 2009 retro-Farrah do. Glasses (required part of the librarian uniform), probably wearing sensible shoes. She glanced up and with a slightly parted smiled - said not a word. She was younger than she looked from a distance and with a bit of mascara and blush she would have been stunning with her pretty white hair. So I asked her; "Can I ask you a question?" She replied, "Yes". "Did you always want to be a librarian," I asked. And in a quiet librarian whisper she replied, "I am not a librarian." Hhhmm - Really??!?!? I thought everyone who worked at a librarian had to be a librarian. So I asked, "Do you like books?" She said, "I had never really thought about it until I started working here - I just needed a job." At this juncture, she took a step back from the desk like I was a leper so I thought it best to tell her of my mission. With an extended hand I said, "Hi, my name is Donna and my new years resolution is to meet one new person a day. And I just wanted to say hello." "My name is Anna - it's nice to meet you," she said as she shook my hand. Librarians are short on words and long on snarly glances so I knew with that I had really worn out my welcome unless I was checking out a book. So I wished her a good-day. She like-wise to me and I left.
Quick survey of my car and the mirror is still holding. SWEET. Drove home thinking I have 363 more times to say, "Hi, my name is Donna...." and wondering if it sounds too ordinary??? But then I realized, I should be thankful that my name is not "Susanderaninomisusionnestulolpestnert" which, according to the Internet, is the longest girls name recorded. She lives in Japan.
Domo arigato, mom and dad....."Hi, my name is Donna" works just fine.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Resolutions, Revelations, and Gene
First Monday of January 2010.....resolutions, revelations, reservations. Which group do you belong to???? I think at the first of the year, we all belong to resolutions. Full of promise, full of hope that this year will be THE year. Then about June we belong to the reservations group - you know - should've, would've, could've with our resolutions. NO explanation needed. And then about October, we belong to revelations - next year, should I make a resolution?; Will I disappointment myself again by not keeping most of my resolutions? And the circle continues.
But that is not what this blog is about.....this blog is about a dream that I had week or so ago. As most of you know, I had a blast making the 12 days of desserts and writing about my experience. And I kept wondering what could I write about??? Everyday, I asked myself...what would be different; something new; something that could be done no matter where I found myself??? I got still and listened and still nothing. It took me getting really still and sleeping for it to come to me....I dreamt about it. I dreamt about a phonebook and calling all the people in the phone book. A bit cumbersome and not really personally, but there was something there. And I woke up and decided that in 2010 - I would write about people. Just ordinary people who cross my path every single day. And here is the kicker - these are people I don't know yet but by the end of the year I will have met 365 new people. How long has it been since you met a new person? Not someone you met through a friend, but just walked up and said, "Hello, my name is Donna. Who are you?" I can't really remember the last time I said that to a complete stranger. Until today.
I saw him when I went into Wal-Mart. He was greeting people, getting carts, and tagging return items. I thought to myself - if he is still here when I check-out. He will be my first "new"acquaintance. I went through my list, getting things I needed and some I didn't and as I began to ready my groceries for checkout - I anxiously glanced in the direction of the door. I saw him still over there. I was a bit nervous, no planned introduction - what the heck was I thinking?!?!?! There are people who get killed everyday for walking up to complete strangers, but I was committed so over toward him I strolled with my full cart of bagged goods. He saw me coming. And as I neared, he was a true gentleman and rose from the stool where he'd been sitting - and stood gallantly I am guessing late 70's; a little humped shouldered; wearing a ball cap that covered a full-head of white hair; full set of teeth as he smiled at me. Blue long-sleeve shirt, khakis, and sneakers. He probably thought I had a problem or that I wanted to complain about something. But not today. It played out like this:
"Hi, are you having a good day today?" He replied, "Why, yes I am." I said, "My name is Donna." and I extended my hand. He shook it as a gentleman would and said, "My name is Gene." I went on to explain that my new years resolution was to meet one new person everyday and "you are my first new person to meet." He was a bit taken aback either by the fact that he thought I might be daft or that someone had taken just a few moments to notice and say hello. I told him that I was glad to have met him today and to "have a great rest of the day." He told me to have a great day as well and then said, "God Bless you." I told him, "Thank-you - I think he already has." And I headed for the door and toward my car. I loaded my groceries into my car - I felt content. Not because I was heading home with one less thing to do on my to-do list, but because I met Gene today. I may have to find out more about Gene - like what did he do before he came to work for Wal-Mart, but that is another day - another story.
I didn't start on January 1st, so I will have to catch up on 3 people somewhere along the way, but I am sure that I can fit them in. Who and what will cross my path tomorrow???
But that is not what this blog is about.....this blog is about a dream that I had week or so ago. As most of you know, I had a blast making the 12 days of desserts and writing about my experience. And I kept wondering what could I write about??? Everyday, I asked myself...what would be different; something new; something that could be done no matter where I found myself??? I got still and listened and still nothing. It took me getting really still and sleeping for it to come to me....I dreamt about it. I dreamt about a phonebook and calling all the people in the phone book. A bit cumbersome and not really personally, but there was something there. And I woke up and decided that in 2010 - I would write about people. Just ordinary people who cross my path every single day. And here is the kicker - these are people I don't know yet but by the end of the year I will have met 365 new people. How long has it been since you met a new person? Not someone you met through a friend, but just walked up and said, "Hello, my name is Donna. Who are you?" I can't really remember the last time I said that to a complete stranger. Until today.
I saw him when I went into Wal-Mart. He was greeting people, getting carts, and tagging return items. I thought to myself - if he is still here when I check-out. He will be my first "new"acquaintance. I went through my list, getting things I needed and some I didn't and as I began to ready my groceries for checkout - I anxiously glanced in the direction of the door. I saw him still over there. I was a bit nervous, no planned introduction - what the heck was I thinking?!?!?! There are people who get killed everyday for walking up to complete strangers, but I was committed so over toward him I strolled with my full cart of bagged goods. He saw me coming. And as I neared, he was a true gentleman and rose from the stool where he'd been sitting - and stood gallantly I am guessing late 70's; a little humped shouldered; wearing a ball cap that covered a full-head of white hair; full set of teeth as he smiled at me. Blue long-sleeve shirt, khakis, and sneakers. He probably thought I had a problem or that I wanted to complain about something. But not today. It played out like this:
"Hi, are you having a good day today?" He replied, "Why, yes I am." I said, "My name is Donna." and I extended my hand. He shook it as a gentleman would and said, "My name is Gene." I went on to explain that my new years resolution was to meet one new person everyday and "you are my first new person to meet." He was a bit taken aback either by the fact that he thought I might be daft or that someone had taken just a few moments to notice and say hello. I told him that I was glad to have met him today and to "have a great rest of the day." He told me to have a great day as well and then said, "God Bless you." I told him, "Thank-you - I think he already has." And I headed for the door and toward my car. I loaded my groceries into my car - I felt content. Not because I was heading home with one less thing to do on my to-do list, but because I met Gene today. I may have to find out more about Gene - like what did he do before he came to work for Wal-Mart, but that is another day - another story.
I didn't start on January 1st, so I will have to catch up on 3 people somewhere along the way, but I am sure that I can fit them in. Who and what will cross my path tomorrow???
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