In September of 2001, I was 22 years old and worked evenings for Airtran Airways. Usually, I slept in since I always got home so late from work. That Tuesday morning, I was up much earlier than normal and turned on the tv. Not even to watch, just to have background noise as I began to get ready for a new day. What I saw and what immediately got my attention had me transfixed and horrified. The first plane had just hit. I sat down and was stunned. I called a friend and fellow coworker to wake him up and have him turn on his tv. By this point, the 2nd plane had hit. The range of emotions that went through me changed from horror to sadness to fear to anger... With tears streaming down my face I called my mom at work to see if she had heard. She worked in Atlanta right next to our capitol building and by this point all the news about the Pentagon was pouring through. Who knew what city or building was targeted next? My dad also worked at the airport, were things going on at our airport in Atlanta? I mean, it is the busiest airport so it's not a crazy thought. All my friends in NYC and DC were on my mind, plus all my friends that were traveling. I couldn't leave my tv. I couldn't stop watching all the footage.
There's no question that work that evening was the worst work day of my life. Anyone that worked for an airline at that time and had to work that day can probably tell you the same thing. I was born with an intense sense of patriotism. I live for July 4th! So going to work in a reservations center for an airline on a day that something of this magnitude occured just stirred all that up. Every airport was shut down. People with flight reservations, no matter if the flight was for 6 months into the future, were calling to cancel. People with flights that day or the next day were calling to get more information that we didn't have to give. Thousands of calls that day and most everyone was scared and stunned and uncertain about everything. So many would call crying and I would end up crying right along with them. For several days after it was the same scenario, except by this point everyone was wearing their American Flag pins.
10 years later, that same footage still envokes the same emotions, minus the fear. Granted the fear was more about the unknown and the location of where many loved ones (whether parents or friends) worked. I still get angry, I still get sad, and I'm still horrified by what happened. I'm glad that so many people got on board the patriotic train, but it would be nice for them to have already been and continue to stay on that train instead of just when certain days appear on the calendar. I applaud and thank any person that fight in our militaries. Some were so moved by that day that they went out and joined the military. Some that were about to get out, decided to stay and re-enlisted.
I knew going into my church service this morning that I would need kleenex as we recognized any in our congregation that are or were members of our military, police force, and fire departments, and I did. It pains me to know that so many people don't care about what our great country was originally founded on and that there were so many 9/11 services today that didn't include an ounce of religion. I know that I was fortunate and had the benefit of parents who made a point to have me in church every week from the time I was born and taught me also on their own about God. And what happened on that unforgettable day just screams to me the need to be at church in some manner. Even if it's just my house and me alone with a Bible. This country still needs God just like it did in 1776 and it's entirely possible that she needs Him more now then she did back then. So my tears this morning were not only being shed about the tragedy of attack, but for all those who try to get through life without knowing Him.
While I always appreciated our military, it took 9/11 happening for me to see the importance of thanking them for all they do at any chance that comes up. Today on my way home from church, there was a soldier in fatigues walking down the road. He was going in the opposite direction, but I couldn't stand the idea of no one stopping for him. So I turned around, said a quick prayer for protection in case he was some crazy person, pulled up next to him and asked if he needed a ride. He smiled, said thanks, and then told me how he was actually walking for a fund raiser and didn't need a ride. I told him ok, and that I just had to stop and ask, especially with today being 9/11. He went on again about how that's why he was doing what he was doing. He had actually just gotten out of the military and had been a fireman while in the military. I told him thanks for serving and he told me thanks back and gave me the same look I always get from folks in the military. A look of surprise that someone appreciates them enough to tell them that. And that's the same look that will keep me telling first responders and military a very heartfelt thanks for all they do. I encourage everyone to express appreciation to those who serve selflessly for our protection and are there when we need help. They are true definitions of the word hero.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Lenten
I know it's been a while since I've done anything with my blog. And it's quite possible that I say that at the beginning of every blog... but I do tend to stay busy and often the things I have to say are probably best not thrown out into the world for the viewing interests of others. However what is on my mind tonight, I want to share.
As a girl that was raised Baptist and since converted to Methodism, I never participated in Lenten. I don't even believe it ever even came up and if it did, it's possible I was busy writing notes or daydreaming about what I would be doing when the preacher was done and it was time to go, to have even noticed. I of course knew what it was, but Baptists (meaning denomination as a whole, I'm sure certain individuals may) don't participate so I never had to think about what it meant to my life. Then I dated a Catholic guy and decided that I was going to participate in Lent. By this point I was an adult and enjoyed the idea of making grown up decisions that have a religious backing. So I gave up sugar in the form of food. For those that know me, that is a major decision!! I have been a sugar addict since birth. Now mind you, it was just food... so all my favorite drinks were still enjoyed and ice cream was still allowed if it was a milk shake and trust me... I figured out how to make an oreo Frosty go through a straw so it still fit my parameters.
It was during my quest to really dig deep into the meaning behind Lenten that I discovered that I really love the whole reason behind it. I should mention that by this point I had also started visiting several Methodist churches as I knew probably the second I turned 18 that the Baptist church just wasn't for me. I was already making efforts in my life to do a much better job then I probably ever had at figuring out my life and what God wanted me to do with it. Some days the effort was better than others, but the general idea was there. I guess my first foray into a period of Lenten helped to build a better understanding in myself at what I need to try and do.
Now, we're entering my 3rd period of Lenten and while I'm no longer dating the Catholic guy, I am a member of a Methodist church and they are one of the Protestant denominations that do celebrate and embrace the Lenten period. Over the past year I have made major steps in my life to have a better relationship with God. While several things have happened that I have certainly neither enjoyed nor understood, I know there is a reason. I know things will be different. I know God is in control and I just have to trust Him. And while thinking about what I'm about to do during this Lenten period I decided this evening to add 2 more things to my list.
I decided back in January that what I was going to give up this year is unnecessary spending. I need to save money, I need to be better with how I handle my money, and I need to learn that just because it's super cute and on a sort of sale... doesn't mean I have to own it. The day I decided for sure that this is what I'm giving up, was a day that I walked into a store to buy 1 pair of flip flops and left with said pair of flip flops plus a super cute pink skirt (on clearance for $9!! How could I pass it up?!) and had mentally bought over half the store. My only saving grace was that I still had a few days until pay day... When it crossed my mind that no, I can never successfully handle giving up unnecessary spending, I knew that is what I HAD to give up.
Next, I decided tonight that I wanted to also participate in the aspect of doing something beneficial. Well, while I pray every day for God to help me to be a better Christian, I know I'm not. I know that I can be heartless at times and that I can be easily irritated and while it is pretty much known that I am in truth a kind, generous, and loving person I have noticed that I have too many moments where I am none of those things. So my 2nd thing for Lent is that I am going to be more mindful of things that I am close to saying and instead try to say a quick silent prayer for the strength to be more like how God would want me to be.
And third, I just decided on a whim after talking over the 2nd thing with a friend this evening. There are several personal things in my life that I know God is sorting through and working out. I know it'll all be done in His own perfect timing and not a minute before or a minute after. Over and over I have felt God tell me to trust Him. And I do. But this evening while giving myself a pep talk I felt that familiar quiet voice sneak in and say "Do you trust me?" and my mind very quickly jumped to that scene in Aladdin. The scene where he's on the carpet and Jasmine is on her balcony and he holds out his hand and says "Do you trust me?" and she kind of tentatively tells him yes. Well, I realized that I'm often like Jasmine. Sometimes I'm tentative with my yes. To clarify, the aspect that makes me tentative is the process or the span of time not so much the final result. A couple of things that I continuously ask God about I feel I've been told the final result so it's more the path to those things that confuse me or frustrate me. So my third thing is to not be tentative when that quiet voice says "Do you trust me?" There is no need for me to ever question how He does His job. He can already do it better than me so it's best to leave it up to Him and I just need to keep checking in and making sure I'm on the path He has laid out whether it makes sense to me or not.
And now... as I am about to head into my first Ash Wednesday where I actually participate in receiving ashes, I am beyond excited. I love this time of year. I love the celebration of Easter. And... I love the discipline that Lenten asks of you. My first 2 times of participating in Lent were certainly very difficult, but I have a feeling this years will be the trickiest for me yet. And now I have it out there for anyone to read and for those friends that do read this, I'm asking that you help hold me accountable for my 3 things. Oh... and if any of you asks me to go shopping with you before Easter is here, you are putting me in a very tricky position. For one reason, you are tempting me to fail miserably at my first thing, and for a second reason when I tell you no, I may have some very un-Christian like things to say to you. So do us both a favor and don't ask me. :)
As a girl that was raised Baptist and since converted to Methodism, I never participated in Lenten. I don't even believe it ever even came up and if it did, it's possible I was busy writing notes or daydreaming about what I would be doing when the preacher was done and it was time to go, to have even noticed. I of course knew what it was, but Baptists (meaning denomination as a whole, I'm sure certain individuals may) don't participate so I never had to think about what it meant to my life. Then I dated a Catholic guy and decided that I was going to participate in Lent. By this point I was an adult and enjoyed the idea of making grown up decisions that have a religious backing. So I gave up sugar in the form of food. For those that know me, that is a major decision!! I have been a sugar addict since birth. Now mind you, it was just food... so all my favorite drinks were still enjoyed and ice cream was still allowed if it was a milk shake and trust me... I figured out how to make an oreo Frosty go through a straw so it still fit my parameters.
It was during my quest to really dig deep into the meaning behind Lenten that I discovered that I really love the whole reason behind it. I should mention that by this point I had also started visiting several Methodist churches as I knew probably the second I turned 18 that the Baptist church just wasn't for me. I was already making efforts in my life to do a much better job then I probably ever had at figuring out my life and what God wanted me to do with it. Some days the effort was better than others, but the general idea was there. I guess my first foray into a period of Lenten helped to build a better understanding in myself at what I need to try and do.
Now, we're entering my 3rd period of Lenten and while I'm no longer dating the Catholic guy, I am a member of a Methodist church and they are one of the Protestant denominations that do celebrate and embrace the Lenten period. Over the past year I have made major steps in my life to have a better relationship with God. While several things have happened that I have certainly neither enjoyed nor understood, I know there is a reason. I know things will be different. I know God is in control and I just have to trust Him. And while thinking about what I'm about to do during this Lenten period I decided this evening to add 2 more things to my list.
I decided back in January that what I was going to give up this year is unnecessary spending. I need to save money, I need to be better with how I handle my money, and I need to learn that just because it's super cute and on a sort of sale... doesn't mean I have to own it. The day I decided for sure that this is what I'm giving up, was a day that I walked into a store to buy 1 pair of flip flops and left with said pair of flip flops plus a super cute pink skirt (on clearance for $9!! How could I pass it up?!) and had mentally bought over half the store. My only saving grace was that I still had a few days until pay day... When it crossed my mind that no, I can never successfully handle giving up unnecessary spending, I knew that is what I HAD to give up.
Next, I decided tonight that I wanted to also participate in the aspect of doing something beneficial. Well, while I pray every day for God to help me to be a better Christian, I know I'm not. I know that I can be heartless at times and that I can be easily irritated and while it is pretty much known that I am in truth a kind, generous, and loving person I have noticed that I have too many moments where I am none of those things. So my 2nd thing for Lent is that I am going to be more mindful of things that I am close to saying and instead try to say a quick silent prayer for the strength to be more like how God would want me to be.
And third, I just decided on a whim after talking over the 2nd thing with a friend this evening. There are several personal things in my life that I know God is sorting through and working out. I know it'll all be done in His own perfect timing and not a minute before or a minute after. Over and over I have felt God tell me to trust Him. And I do. But this evening while giving myself a pep talk I felt that familiar quiet voice sneak in and say "Do you trust me?" and my mind very quickly jumped to that scene in Aladdin. The scene where he's on the carpet and Jasmine is on her balcony and he holds out his hand and says "Do you trust me?" and she kind of tentatively tells him yes. Well, I realized that I'm often like Jasmine. Sometimes I'm tentative with my yes. To clarify, the aspect that makes me tentative is the process or the span of time not so much the final result. A couple of things that I continuously ask God about I feel I've been told the final result so it's more the path to those things that confuse me or frustrate me. So my third thing is to not be tentative when that quiet voice says "Do you trust me?" There is no need for me to ever question how He does His job. He can already do it better than me so it's best to leave it up to Him and I just need to keep checking in and making sure I'm on the path He has laid out whether it makes sense to me or not.
And now... as I am about to head into my first Ash Wednesday where I actually participate in receiving ashes, I am beyond excited. I love this time of year. I love the celebration of Easter. And... I love the discipline that Lenten asks of you. My first 2 times of participating in Lent were certainly very difficult, but I have a feeling this years will be the trickiest for me yet. And now I have it out there for anyone to read and for those friends that do read this, I'm asking that you help hold me accountable for my 3 things. Oh... and if any of you asks me to go shopping with you before Easter is here, you are putting me in a very tricky position. For one reason, you are tempting me to fail miserably at my first thing, and for a second reason when I tell you no, I may have some very un-Christian like things to say to you. So do us both a favor and don't ask me. :)
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Girls weekend in Blue Ridge
Ok... So I know it's been a real long time since I wrote in my blog. Well, I guess I haven't had a lot of noteworthy things that I felt the need to discuss. That did change this weekend...
My bff, Kristi, has access to an awesome cabin in Blue Ridge courtesy of her wonderful parents making such a purchase and allowing us to go up and stay when we want and other family members or friends aren't already utilizing it. A month or so back she decided we should do a girls weekend. So this past weekend her cousin Michelle and her bff Beth, Kristi, and I, and... (insert horror music here) her friend Elizabeth met up in Blue Ridge.
So in theory, we're all set for a great weekend! The times I've spent with Michelle I've always had a blast and figured I would enjoy meeting her bff (and I did!) Kristi did throw out some warnings about her friend Elizabeth. I told her I was getting the impression that I probably wouldn't enjoy her very much and then Kristi said that perhaps she was exaggerating. No, my dear. You weren't. In fact... I don't think I was properly prepared for the disaster that is Elizabeth.
The first little bit wasn't so awful. Then I noticed a trend. She likes to one up people. Then, I realize that she also likes to insert her opinion and she speaks it from a very snobby, she is better than everyone else, kind of tone. Michelle, Beth, and their 2 daughters get to the cabin and we quickly decorate for Beth's birthday while she is out of the room. We do a small little thing for her and then it's time for story telling! What's a girls weekend without girl talk?? Well, it didn't take long for Michelle and I to both be on our phones and secretly communicating with the other about this girl. For every story told, she had to interrupt and go one better. We eventually moved from the porch back inside to continue our girl talk and the next thing I know... we were having a come to Jesus meeting. This girl is the most conceited, self-absorbed person I've ever met. She informs us of her great life she once had (something about knowing property buyers that make millions in California, German something or other important job, and even a Russian prostitute...) but now she doesn't ever go anywhere because she's gained some weight and is embarassed and never goes anywhere. She used to run 5 miles a day every day... until she broke her toe. When she broke her toe something happened and she realized that she had an addictive behavior and quit drinking, quit going out with people, and yes even quit running. Who knew a broken toe could do so much for someone's life?? She's too embarassed to go anywhere and that includes going to run on a treadmill at the gym because she knew someone there and he spoke to her the one time she did that recently.
So basically, this girl is full of pity for herself and has no interest in making her life better for herself. Insert Michelle and Beth speaking out and trying to make her see reason somewhere... (please note for those that know me very well, I was biting my tongue the whole evening.) By the time I noticed it was 1am and we've been having the same pity party for little miss self absorbed for the past 3hrs, I did interject. I had enough of the "I know, but..."... I couldn't take it anymore! In a very nice manner I told her she needed to quit adding all these "buts" to her life and make a point to change everything that she has been complaining about. Because I know none of us want to hear anyone complain about the same thing over and over and make no effort to change it and instead just make up more excuses! We learned all kinds of ridiculous things about this girl... and most of them I'm pretty sure is pure crap.
On Saturday morning, Michelle, Beth, and their daughters were leaving since they had plans to go see The Sound of Music. I'm still a little hurt that they just up and left me, but they did check up on me through out the day. :) I now know that Crazy Girl has 2 cats, they are "twins", they love to cuddle and even the vet has commented on how close they are with each other, I also know their feeding routine (half a can in the morning and evening of a low fat can food) and her buildings concierge was feeding them for her while she was out of town for a couple of nights. She even showed a picture of her cats to the nail lady that didn't even do her nails! She also pitched a fit because Kristi takes an hour to get ready. She kept asking me what Kristi was doing that it takes her that long. Um... we're close and all, but I don't feel it my business to know Kristi's daily ritual of getting ready to go out into the world. But, it only takes Crazy Girl 25 minutes to get ready and she gets more compliments then anyone she knows. Ok... back up a second. You get more compliments than anyone you know, yet you've already admitted that you don't go anywhere... who compliments you? The concierge that is feeding your cats???
We go into town to grab lunch and to do some shopping in the cutesy downtown part of Blue Ridge. We seriously weren't there for long, 2 hours maximum. The first store we go into she only looks at the candle section (the night before Kristi and I were given a dissertation on her love of candles that smell like wood) and then sits down on their furniture. This is pretty much what she did for every store we went into. At a store that has a healthy supply of Vera Bradley items she speaks in that tone that is now like nails on a chalkboard to me "I have a Vera Bradley duffel bag and a Vera Bradley purse, but I really don't like Vera Bradley. My duffel bag? I used it to carry around Europe and it just hurt my shoulders the whole time. See this?" and she picks up a Vera Bradley duffel bag to show me what she's talking about... and does not put it back the way she found it which completely messed up the orderlyness of the display shelf. And yes, my OCD kicked in and as she walked away, I fixed what she obviously wasn't and put the shelf back in order. By this point I realized that I was giving her only one word answers to anything she asked me. Again, that's completely out of character as I can rarely leave anything at one word. We went into a kitchen store and as we are walking through she starts talking about sifters. She asks "Ginger, do you sift the flour you put in your icing?" I replied back with a simple "no" and didn't elaborate the fact that I don't put flour in my icing. I don't even want to know what that would taste like. In this store I did find some gingerbread people shaped pancake molds (obviously I HAD to purchase them) and that cheered me up immensely. Next we managed to get rid of her for a few minutes while she went to find something and Kristi and I went into the Christmas store. Kristi found a great ornament that she said I just had to buy for myself (it's hot pink and says SASSY in fuzzy letters) and then Elizabeth comes strolling into the store and begins to tell me that she is over Christmas after the first few days of hearing Christmas songs. I am not the girl you say such a thing to. I LIVE for Christmas. I get that not everyone does and I don't judge you for it at all... but when you've already been on my nerves for the past 24hrs and you have pretty much slammed everything I adore and believe in... I really don't care to listen to anymore and at that point I really started making it obvious that I was not a fan of hers. By this point we decide we've seen all we want to see of downtown and I'm quite curious of finding a nail place. The more this girl says she is picky about where she gets her nails done, the more I want to have mine done and a random place we find any ol where. As Kristi is driving around town and we're keeping our eyes open for a nail place (the spa was booked solid... we called that morning) she asks what we want to do next. She mentions going to the orchard and I expressed interest in going. Well, of course Elizabeth throws in that she went to the orchard the last time she was there and didn't care if she went again. A couple minutes later Kristi asks again and I said that I wanted to go, Elizabeth said she was iffy, I said I wanted a fried pie, Kristi smiles at me and says "ok! We'll go to the orchard!" HA! Take that Elizabeth! So on the way to the orchard guess what I see?? YUP! A nail place! So Kristi says we'll stop by on the way back from the orchard. Yeah... about the orchard... jokes on me (God really doesn't like ugly.) It was "u pick" day and there wasn't a parking spot to be had. Even I didn't want to be that difficult and said we could come back later. So back to the nail place where good ol Elizabeth decides she won't be having her nails done. Kristi decided against it too, and then I felt sorta bad that 2 people were waiting on me to have a clear coat put on my fingernails. Then Elizabeth decided on a pedicure anyway since she was having to wait on me afterall and Kristi decided on a mani after all as well... I get done, Kristi gets done, and after Elizabeth raised a stink with the very kind lady that worked there, she still feels the need to show the nail lady pictures of her cats. Pretty sure the lady didn't care... But maybe that's because I don't care about the cats. We go to eat dinner and it's around 5pm. Elizabeth then makes a HUGE deal out of the parking lot being empty. It's 5pm... it makes sense for it to be empty... then when we are leaving she makes a HUGE deal out of the parking lot being full. OMgosh... can we please make up our mind at which is more alarming??? We get back to the cabin and I decide it's time to go outside. And hide. I just can't handle her anymore and there's only so much I can do to keep my mouth shut around her. I walk down the steps that lead to the lower deck and sit on the retaining wall under the main level porch. This is where I stay until I hear Kristi come outside and I make my way back up to the main level and we sit out there for a while complaining and Kristi apologizing. Then, she finds us... sigh... we go back in and she continues to talk about crap I don't care about and I have to continue to hear about what a charmed life she used to lead, then Kristi puts in Designing Women. Elizabeth made it through a couple of episodes and went to bed.
Sunday morning she was still not quite getting the point that I have nothing I wish to discuss with her. Well... technically that's not true, I just didn't think Kristi would appreciate me making her friend cry. She fills me in on some more fun trivia about her life and again tries to ask me things about my life. "Ginger, do your parents have pets?" to which I answer "a dog." Kristi and I have a mini whispering meeting in the bathroom and she exclaims that she wants her to leave. So next we try to figure out how to make that happen. Kristi suggests acting like we're leaving... so we really did come up with a plan about "fake leaving" but fortunately Elizabeth said she would leave in about 30 minutes. Kristi said she was going to take a shower and I as discreetly as possible shook my head no at her... she got the point and announced that she changed her mind and would have lunch first. About an hour or so later this girl finally left. By this point I've walked back outside to get away from her. When she leaves, Kristi comes out there and sits next to me. She apologizes again and tells me thank you for exercising restraint in not going off on Elizabeth. She begins to tell me that Elizabeth told her that she tried so hard to be friends with me, but I just wouldn't ask her anything about her life (I really didn't need to since I already knew her whole life story) and I wouldn't elaborate on anything when she asked me stuff. She just didn't understand how Kristi and I could be friends or how I could have any friends. Kristi did tell her that it's not hard at all for me to make friends... and to all of you who are my friends, you know that I am actually a very talkative, very open, and very energetic person when it comes to conversations. And typically, I'm smiling and ready to tell you more than you want to know... and you also know that if you piss me off... you're gonna get a verbal beating like you've never seen. There's a reason I love Julia Sugarbaker so much...
My bff, Kristi, has access to an awesome cabin in Blue Ridge courtesy of her wonderful parents making such a purchase and allowing us to go up and stay when we want and other family members or friends aren't already utilizing it. A month or so back she decided we should do a girls weekend. So this past weekend her cousin Michelle and her bff Beth, Kristi, and I, and... (insert horror music here) her friend Elizabeth met up in Blue Ridge.
So in theory, we're all set for a great weekend! The times I've spent with Michelle I've always had a blast and figured I would enjoy meeting her bff (and I did!) Kristi did throw out some warnings about her friend Elizabeth. I told her I was getting the impression that I probably wouldn't enjoy her very much and then Kristi said that perhaps she was exaggerating. No, my dear. You weren't. In fact... I don't think I was properly prepared for the disaster that is Elizabeth.
The first little bit wasn't so awful. Then I noticed a trend. She likes to one up people. Then, I realize that she also likes to insert her opinion and she speaks it from a very snobby, she is better than everyone else, kind of tone. Michelle, Beth, and their 2 daughters get to the cabin and we quickly decorate for Beth's birthday while she is out of the room. We do a small little thing for her and then it's time for story telling! What's a girls weekend without girl talk?? Well, it didn't take long for Michelle and I to both be on our phones and secretly communicating with the other about this girl. For every story told, she had to interrupt and go one better. We eventually moved from the porch back inside to continue our girl talk and the next thing I know... we were having a come to Jesus meeting. This girl is the most conceited, self-absorbed person I've ever met. She informs us of her great life she once had (something about knowing property buyers that make millions in California, German something or other important job, and even a Russian prostitute...) but now she doesn't ever go anywhere because she's gained some weight and is embarassed and never goes anywhere. She used to run 5 miles a day every day... until she broke her toe. When she broke her toe something happened and she realized that she had an addictive behavior and quit drinking, quit going out with people, and yes even quit running. Who knew a broken toe could do so much for someone's life?? She's too embarassed to go anywhere and that includes going to run on a treadmill at the gym because she knew someone there and he spoke to her the one time she did that recently.
So basically, this girl is full of pity for herself and has no interest in making her life better for herself. Insert Michelle and Beth speaking out and trying to make her see reason somewhere... (please note for those that know me very well, I was biting my tongue the whole evening.) By the time I noticed it was 1am and we've been having the same pity party for little miss self absorbed for the past 3hrs, I did interject. I had enough of the "I know, but..."... I couldn't take it anymore! In a very nice manner I told her she needed to quit adding all these "buts" to her life and make a point to change everything that she has been complaining about. Because I know none of us want to hear anyone complain about the same thing over and over and make no effort to change it and instead just make up more excuses! We learned all kinds of ridiculous things about this girl... and most of them I'm pretty sure is pure crap.
On Saturday morning, Michelle, Beth, and their daughters were leaving since they had plans to go see The Sound of Music. I'm still a little hurt that they just up and left me, but they did check up on me through out the day. :) I now know that Crazy Girl has 2 cats, they are "twins", they love to cuddle and even the vet has commented on how close they are with each other, I also know their feeding routine (half a can in the morning and evening of a low fat can food) and her buildings concierge was feeding them for her while she was out of town for a couple of nights. She even showed a picture of her cats to the nail lady that didn't even do her nails! She also pitched a fit because Kristi takes an hour to get ready. She kept asking me what Kristi was doing that it takes her that long. Um... we're close and all, but I don't feel it my business to know Kristi's daily ritual of getting ready to go out into the world. But, it only takes Crazy Girl 25 minutes to get ready and she gets more compliments then anyone she knows. Ok... back up a second. You get more compliments than anyone you know, yet you've already admitted that you don't go anywhere... who compliments you? The concierge that is feeding your cats???
We go into town to grab lunch and to do some shopping in the cutesy downtown part of Blue Ridge. We seriously weren't there for long, 2 hours maximum. The first store we go into she only looks at the candle section (the night before Kristi and I were given a dissertation on her love of candles that smell like wood) and then sits down on their furniture. This is pretty much what she did for every store we went into. At a store that has a healthy supply of Vera Bradley items she speaks in that tone that is now like nails on a chalkboard to me "I have a Vera Bradley duffel bag and a Vera Bradley purse, but I really don't like Vera Bradley. My duffel bag? I used it to carry around Europe and it just hurt my shoulders the whole time. See this?" and she picks up a Vera Bradley duffel bag to show me what she's talking about... and does not put it back the way she found it which completely messed up the orderlyness of the display shelf. And yes, my OCD kicked in and as she walked away, I fixed what she obviously wasn't and put the shelf back in order. By this point I realized that I was giving her only one word answers to anything she asked me. Again, that's completely out of character as I can rarely leave anything at one word. We went into a kitchen store and as we are walking through she starts talking about sifters. She asks "Ginger, do you sift the flour you put in your icing?" I replied back with a simple "no" and didn't elaborate the fact that I don't put flour in my icing. I don't even want to know what that would taste like. In this store I did find some gingerbread people shaped pancake molds (obviously I HAD to purchase them) and that cheered me up immensely. Next we managed to get rid of her for a few minutes while she went to find something and Kristi and I went into the Christmas store. Kristi found a great ornament that she said I just had to buy for myself (it's hot pink and says SASSY in fuzzy letters) and then Elizabeth comes strolling into the store and begins to tell me that she is over Christmas after the first few days of hearing Christmas songs. I am not the girl you say such a thing to. I LIVE for Christmas. I get that not everyone does and I don't judge you for it at all... but when you've already been on my nerves for the past 24hrs and you have pretty much slammed everything I adore and believe in... I really don't care to listen to anymore and at that point I really started making it obvious that I was not a fan of hers. By this point we decide we've seen all we want to see of downtown and I'm quite curious of finding a nail place. The more this girl says she is picky about where she gets her nails done, the more I want to have mine done and a random place we find any ol where. As Kristi is driving around town and we're keeping our eyes open for a nail place (the spa was booked solid... we called that morning) she asks what we want to do next. She mentions going to the orchard and I expressed interest in going. Well, of course Elizabeth throws in that she went to the orchard the last time she was there and didn't care if she went again. A couple minutes later Kristi asks again and I said that I wanted to go, Elizabeth said she was iffy, I said I wanted a fried pie, Kristi smiles at me and says "ok! We'll go to the orchard!" HA! Take that Elizabeth! So on the way to the orchard guess what I see?? YUP! A nail place! So Kristi says we'll stop by on the way back from the orchard. Yeah... about the orchard... jokes on me (God really doesn't like ugly.) It was "u pick" day and there wasn't a parking spot to be had. Even I didn't want to be that difficult and said we could come back later. So back to the nail place where good ol Elizabeth decides she won't be having her nails done. Kristi decided against it too, and then I felt sorta bad that 2 people were waiting on me to have a clear coat put on my fingernails. Then Elizabeth decided on a pedicure anyway since she was having to wait on me afterall and Kristi decided on a mani after all as well... I get done, Kristi gets done, and after Elizabeth raised a stink with the very kind lady that worked there, she still feels the need to show the nail lady pictures of her cats. Pretty sure the lady didn't care... But maybe that's because I don't care about the cats. We go to eat dinner and it's around 5pm. Elizabeth then makes a HUGE deal out of the parking lot being empty. It's 5pm... it makes sense for it to be empty... then when we are leaving she makes a HUGE deal out of the parking lot being full. OMgosh... can we please make up our mind at which is more alarming??? We get back to the cabin and I decide it's time to go outside. And hide. I just can't handle her anymore and there's only so much I can do to keep my mouth shut around her. I walk down the steps that lead to the lower deck and sit on the retaining wall under the main level porch. This is where I stay until I hear Kristi come outside and I make my way back up to the main level and we sit out there for a while complaining and Kristi apologizing. Then, she finds us... sigh... we go back in and she continues to talk about crap I don't care about and I have to continue to hear about what a charmed life she used to lead, then Kristi puts in Designing Women. Elizabeth made it through a couple of episodes and went to bed.
Sunday morning she was still not quite getting the point that I have nothing I wish to discuss with her. Well... technically that's not true, I just didn't think Kristi would appreciate me making her friend cry. She fills me in on some more fun trivia about her life and again tries to ask me things about my life. "Ginger, do your parents have pets?" to which I answer "a dog." Kristi and I have a mini whispering meeting in the bathroom and she exclaims that she wants her to leave. So next we try to figure out how to make that happen. Kristi suggests acting like we're leaving... so we really did come up with a plan about "fake leaving" but fortunately Elizabeth said she would leave in about 30 minutes. Kristi said she was going to take a shower and I as discreetly as possible shook my head no at her... she got the point and announced that she changed her mind and would have lunch first. About an hour or so later this girl finally left. By this point I've walked back outside to get away from her. When she leaves, Kristi comes out there and sits next to me. She apologizes again and tells me thank you for exercising restraint in not going off on Elizabeth. She begins to tell me that Elizabeth told her that she tried so hard to be friends with me, but I just wouldn't ask her anything about her life (I really didn't need to since I already knew her whole life story) and I wouldn't elaborate on anything when she asked me stuff. She just didn't understand how Kristi and I could be friends or how I could have any friends. Kristi did tell her that it's not hard at all for me to make friends... and to all of you who are my friends, you know that I am actually a very talkative, very open, and very energetic person when it comes to conversations. And typically, I'm smiling and ready to tell you more than you want to know... and you also know that if you piss me off... you're gonna get a verbal beating like you've never seen. There's a reason I love Julia Sugarbaker so much...
Monday, May 24, 2010
Doubt thou the stars are fire...
I have never been a big fan of William Shakespeare. I enjoy Taming of the Shrew and Hamlet and that's about where it ends. I think it's more of how it's written and the words moreso then the plays or sonnets themselves. I sure seem to enjoy them when they are turned into modern stories based on the situations from his famous plays. That being said, my current favorite movie is Letters to Juliet. It's a sweet story about a young girl that wrote a letter to Juliet asking what she should do about her true love. 50 years later her letter is found and responded to by Juliet's secretaries. The lady then goes in search of her true love because if it was true 50 years ago, why wouldn't it still be? It's a movie about true love, destiny, and what's going to be will be. All 3 are things that I believe in, no matter the pain I go through, the amount of patience I have to have, or any other thing that may try to trip me up.
One of my favorite quotes from the movie is actually a quote from Hamlet. It's from a letter that Hamlet wrote to Ophelia and Polonius read to the King & Queen.
Doubt that the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt that I love.
There is so much truth to this. You can doubt things you know as concrete fact, but don't doubt love... It exists, it's real, it's unstoppable, it'll carry you through anything, it's unconditional, it's not to be taken lightly, it's not to be trampled, it's not to be ignored, it's not to be forgotten, and nothing else is more powerful than love. Whether it's a love shared between friends, significant others, or family, it is a strong bond and can't be severed.
One of my favorite quotes from the movie is actually a quote from Hamlet. It's from a letter that Hamlet wrote to Ophelia and Polonius read to the King & Queen.
Doubt that the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt that I love.
There is so much truth to this. You can doubt things you know as concrete fact, but don't doubt love... It exists, it's real, it's unstoppable, it'll carry you through anything, it's unconditional, it's not to be taken lightly, it's not to be trampled, it's not to be ignored, it's not to be forgotten, and nothing else is more powerful than love. Whether it's a love shared between friends, significant others, or family, it is a strong bond and can't be severed.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
the importance of friendships
The past 6 days of my life certainly are qualifying for a spot in the top 5 worst weeks of my life. 5lbs and a number of sleepless nights later, I have finally come back to my normal peaceful nature. I attribute it to a lot of prayer and my friends that have loaned me shoulders and tissues. There was no rhyme or reason to which friends became the offer of a shoulder, it just seems something must have told them to text or call me at the moments they did and they ended up with surprises. It's been a very emotionally draining time for me and I have a number of friends who are going through their own very tough trials. For them to put their own worries to the side and allow me to keep them up late, or just cry, or just to seek their thoughts has meant the world to me. I thank them all very much. All of my friends are very important to me and I hope they know that they can always call or text me when they need someone. It's what friendship is about. There's only a handful of people who are aware of what I'm currently going through. I'm done talking about the situation. For those who have now had their interest piqued, I ask you not to text, call, or email me asking questions. Not to be rude, but I won't respond. I'm done hashing out and I'm ready to just go back to my typical, cheery self.
I'm a huge believer in the power of prayer & signs of fate, and I don't believe in anything ever being coincidence. I have no doubt that what I truly believe is what is supposed to happen, it's just a matter of when. I would love for my life to go back to what I know to be right today, but I know that it could take a year, or even longer. In the meantime, I'll just continue being patient with life and know that you never know what may happen.
I'm a huge believer in the power of prayer & signs of fate, and I don't believe in anything ever being coincidence. I have no doubt that what I truly believe is what is supposed to happen, it's just a matter of when. I would love for my life to go back to what I know to be right today, but I know that it could take a year, or even longer. In the meantime, I'll just continue being patient with life and know that you never know what may happen.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Kentucky Oaks
I'm not even sure if I have proper oragnized thought to cover all that I would love to say about Oaks. Here goes anyway, but you have been warned...
I have been planning my KY trip for a couple of months now. I have always wanted to experience Derby and I love hats so of course I had to go on a search for a hat when the plans were coming together. All my KY people were telling me that Oaks is more fun then Derby, it's not as crowded or crazy, and you still get to dress up in a pretty hat and dress. Plus for a couple of years now Oaks is a "pink out" as $1 per ticket to Oaks goes to breast cancer research. You throw the word pink in there and almost always I'm sold to the idea.
As time got closer to my trip, my outfit finally started coming together. The hat was easy (and cheap compared to what most women pay... mine was only $92 with shipping) the dress and shoes were a little trickier. There was a dress that I really wanted, but wasn't going to buy until I found shoes. That never happened and I ended up with another dress and cute pink sandals.
Finally, it's time for my drive to KY. I made it in about 7 1/2 hrs and was enthralled with a book on CD and the time went by so fast that way. Once I get to Amy's house we went to dinner and then stopped by Kroger on the ride home. I never knew that Kroger makes the garlands for the winning horses for both Oaks (lillies) and Derby (roses.) I honestly never thought that my first pictures of my Oaks experience would start at Kroger!
At long last Oaks morning arrives. We get ready, Amy's friend, Kelly, comes over, and then it's off to Churchill Downs! We park near the UofL Stadium and begin our walk. David, Amy's husband, has already informed us that he isn't chasing any hats so we better hold on to them if the wind picks up. It's an absolutely gorgeous day for Oaks. Once we get to Churchill Downs, I'm completely mesmerized by the beauty and the grandeur and the air of tradition. We certainly see a number of interesting people and hats along the way.
Once inside, we make a stop by the paddock. Then we get our programs and start deciding who we want to bet on throughout our day. It does not go unnoticed that all the people that work at CD are very polite and actually look like they are happy to see you there. Back home, you might get a thank you or have a nice day, but it's rare if you get it with meaning or a smile. After a stop by the betting tellers, we make our way to our box. Our seats are great and even better they are covered!
I got to spend a whole day people watching (a personal favorite to do any and everywhere), picking out horses that I want to put a couple bucks on and I just want them to place. Unfortunately, after Prom Shoes (whose jockey won Derby last year and he was wearing pink with polka dots, so obviously I would choose him) came in 4th, I gave up on betting. None of my horses that I picked all day ever did what I wanted. Early in my morning I had a few texts with Heather and she told me her family's Oaks picks and I told her mine, so I do have back up on my selection... however I'm done with betting come time for the Oaks race. That would be the race that my pick won. Well done, Blind Luck!
Now the Oaks race is over and we're all tired and don't feel up to staying for the last race of the day and we start making the trek back to the car. We start walking up the bridge by the UofL stadium and we're all holding our hats since it's kind of windy. At the top of the bridge, the breeze stops for a minute. I take my hand off my hat. A huge gust of wind blows by... and carries my hat off. I'm stunned. A guy walks up to me as I'm running my fingers through my hair and says "sweetheart, was that you that just lost a hat?" I confirm that with a yes. He then says "well, at least now we all get to see your pretty, fiery red hair! Chalk this up to your donation to the Derby gods!" and continues to try and soothe me. I'm more stunned that he thinks my hair is fiery red. Kelly, then tells me that my hat is Georgia's contribution to the Derby. Honestly, all I can think is "I was lucky and only paid $92 for my hat... and now it's gone." Luck ended up being on my side. :) As we are walking down the stairs from the bridge, we see my hat!!! It's laying on the ground between the bridge and someones truck! Hooray!!! Major smiley face on my very tired face! David ran over and picked it up for me and then we are able to start the short car ride journey back to their house.
Then we came up with enough energy to make a cameo at her aunt's party, stopped by Kroger to see the rose garland for the winning Derby horse, and then declared an end to our very long and exhausting day.
Now... it's time for me to get ready for a rainy Derby day. And I'm already looking forward to next year!!!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Here we go...
Alright, first blog entry...
I guess I'm doing this to satiate the minds of people who have told me that I need to write a blog. Either they are glutton for punishment or they really do enjoy the things I have to say. Often, I have a lot to say about nothing. A number of people have said that I need to do a blog for the things that I bake. Yes, this will be about that, however I get fired up and have to vent a good bit so I might as well use this as an outlet for some of my rants. I'm a girl with a lot of pet peeves and something seems to always be poking at them. The one that's being irritated right now has to do with people that don't say "thank you."
I'm a stickler for "thank you" and "you're welcome." I firmly believe in the need for good manners. If I go some place and make a purchase I'm going to tell them thank you, and I expect them to tell me thank you for giving them business. Especially right now with the economy trying to make a come back, you should be letting your customers know that you appreciate them! Well, Chick-Fil-A is kind of an exception to this rule regarding the economy. Their parking lot from the time they open until they close is not a good indicator of a poor economy. Good gracious those people do a lot of business! Even with Sundays off they have got to pull in more money then any cheaper fast food place that is open 24hrs a day! But I digress... Last night at a certain fast food place the girl at the drive thru window never even spoke to me. The guy handing me my food told me what to pay and said she would take my money. She took my money, gave me the change, and that was that. No "how are you?" no "thank you" no "have a nice day." I drove off and said to myself that I was going to call and complain. Then told myself that I was just kidding because I've been to this particular place all of 2 times in my life so I really don't care how rude she is because chances are high that I won't ever be back to even notice a change. I really don't think Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's, would appreciate her rude customer service skills and may even be rolling over in his grave knowing that people like this are working in his restaurants world wide. Would it even do any good for me to make a phone call? I'm guessing no. Maybe I'll get an apology and maybe I'll get a coupon. Either way, it doesn't change the fact that she has a bad attitude and should be glad to have a job in the first place.
I guess I'm doing this to satiate the minds of people who have told me that I need to write a blog. Either they are glutton for punishment or they really do enjoy the things I have to say. Often, I have a lot to say about nothing. A number of people have said that I need to do a blog for the things that I bake. Yes, this will be about that, however I get fired up and have to vent a good bit so I might as well use this as an outlet for some of my rants. I'm a girl with a lot of pet peeves and something seems to always be poking at them. The one that's being irritated right now has to do with people that don't say "thank you."
I'm a stickler for "thank you" and "you're welcome." I firmly believe in the need for good manners. If I go some place and make a purchase I'm going to tell them thank you, and I expect them to tell me thank you for giving them business. Especially right now with the economy trying to make a come back, you should be letting your customers know that you appreciate them! Well, Chick-Fil-A is kind of an exception to this rule regarding the economy. Their parking lot from the time they open until they close is not a good indicator of a poor economy. Good gracious those people do a lot of business! Even with Sundays off they have got to pull in more money then any cheaper fast food place that is open 24hrs a day! But I digress... Last night at a certain fast food place the girl at the drive thru window never even spoke to me. The guy handing me my food told me what to pay and said she would take my money. She took my money, gave me the change, and that was that. No "how are you?" no "thank you" no "have a nice day." I drove off and said to myself that I was going to call and complain. Then told myself that I was just kidding because I've been to this particular place all of 2 times in my life so I really don't care how rude she is because chances are high that I won't ever be back to even notice a change. I really don't think Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's, would appreciate her rude customer service skills and may even be rolling over in his grave knowing that people like this are working in his restaurants world wide. Would it even do any good for me to make a phone call? I'm guessing no. Maybe I'll get an apology and maybe I'll get a coupon. Either way, it doesn't change the fact that she has a bad attitude and should be glad to have a job in the first place.
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