Since January?

Wow. Just, wow. I used to love writing, daily, and I just . . . got away from it. I think in some ways I've forgotten how to be me. And what I want. In other ways, it's become far more clear, what is important. But, for now, can I tell you about the bracelet I'm wearing?

This past week, I was on vacation. I was supposed to go see the Boy, but since that, well, fell through for various reasons, I found myself with a week with nothing to do. My friends, Karey and Laurie, and their respective families, had made plans to visit VA Beach. K. invited me to ride down with her sister, but her sister ended up leaving earlier than I could have left work. Bummer, but I was still flattered that they would even have invited me. I underestimated my friends. Karey and Laurie banded together to make sure that I had transportation there. Once I got myself to VA Beach (without a wrong turn!), Laurie let me bunk up with her family. The next two days were spent applying sunblock, chasing kids through waves, more sunblock, riding bikes, sunblock, eating yummy sushi and seafood, (did I mention sunblock?), and all in all, having a fantastic time with my friends. On Sunday, as Karey's mom was leaving, she tossed me the jelly bracelet they had given out at the hotel in case I needed it for something. I came home Monday evening, and spent the rest of the week contemplating and enjoying not having to be anywhere.

Each time I look at that bracelet, I'm reminded of how much I have to be grateful for. I have incredible co-workers, who jumped in at the last second to watch Britney for me. I knew how much I liked my friends, how much I consider them my family, but I was overwhelmed by their show of friendship. It's exactly right - Friends are the family that you choose for yourself. I've chosen, . . . very well.

Taffy

I lurve me some taffy. TC did the most amazing thing and drove all the way from VA Beach to my house to bring me Forbes Taffy before I went to California. Slurp. Yummm. Then, A-darn brought me a bag-ful from the taffy store when he was at the beach. That OCD thing, man, I tell you what. There are only certain flavors I like, so A-darn called me then went through the store and got me a few pieces of each flavor I wanted. I am SOOO spoiled!

The Honda's window is being stubborn again, and won't go up. Now, it's hot during the day, so that's not a problem, but when it gets hot+humid, that = rain, and that IS a problem. So, once, yet again, A & D are bailing me out. I dropped off the Honda last night, and picked up her car. It's a double edged sword. It's certainly more FUN to drive her car, but it's harder on gas, and it has speeding ticket written ALL over it! I'm so grateful for my friends that continually bail, and help, me out!!!

Cindy

This is Cindy. We've worked together since prior to me killing her mother. Really. Well, not really, but that's what Cindy tells everyone. Actually, I only DROVE the ambulance to the hospital, where she later passed away, but Cindy loves to tell people that that's how bad my driving is. We worked together in our Glasgow branch before D. and I transferred to Lexington. The truth is, Cindy couldn't stand to be seperated from either one of us, and she came on over as the Teller Supervisor. Cindy is mother to James and Kayla, and Grandmother to Alison. You know what I love about Cindy? The big stuff? The baby, the drama, all of that, it doesn't faze her. But, if she can't find her favorite pen, the WORLD is going to come to an end. Also, she knows my secrets and doesn't judge me. Oh, and she drinks coffee like I drink water. 24 hours a day, no matter what, she's got to have her coffee. She's very proud of the fact that she works full time, has 2 kids, one grand baby, one husband, four cats, one dog, and still has some hair on her head! I think she's entitled to be proud . . . .

"My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3 a can. That's almost $21 in dog money."-Joe Weinstein

Journal Entry #4

Ok, this whole slow thing is driving me crazy! Or, as Drew would put it, more like a short walk. Either way, this is not how I like to spend my day. So, I blog.

How, when, and where did you learn to drive? Any funny memories of that day?

I remember the first time Dad let me drive. We had a Mitsubishi Truck, stick shift, and Dad asked me to go to the landfill with him. Of course, being an almost 16 y/o girl, I had MUCH better things to do, but he insisted. On the way back, he pulled into a large open field. "What are you doing?" "Well, you're going to drive." That's where he attempted to teach me the concept of a clutch. I'm not sure if he discussed doing this with Mom or not, but they also insisted that I be able to drive a stick shift without spilling a glass of water set on the dash. At the time, I was convinced it was an impossible task! And, while the NCDMV didn't require parallel parking, Dad sure did! Also, they were certain that I needed to be able to drive our 78 VW bus. Have you tried one of those? Dad's theory was that if you can handle a stick on a VW, you can drive anything. It's another case of, "They were right." Fast forward a few years, and the parents decide that I'M going to teach Brad how to drive. Yeah. Me. Brad. Brad with the ADD/Hyperactivity, gonna figure out how to drive a VW stick. Guess what? Didn't happen. In fact, we did something to it that had it all screwed up and Dad had to come tow it home! We had that VW nearly my entire life. I cried when I found out that they sold it! While I acted like I didn't want to drive it, it was FUN to drive! I could load up all of my friends, their friends, coupla dogs, and be on our way. In fact, we drove the VW to a singles conference once. Me, Mendi, Kathi, and . . . . Sammi, maybe? Man, this memory thing gets harder and harder. All I remember was that there was no radio in the VW, so Kathi brought a boom box along. It was awesome times . . .

Of course, driving was cool and all that, but I still wasn't "allowed" initially out on my own. Mom or Dad would meet me after work, and if all went my way, I could drive home. Dad was really cool about it - he'd put the passenger seat down and "sleep" on the way. Only later did I realize that he was actually praying, not sleeping! Mom, as mom's are allowed to do, tended to be a little more, er, high strung. I don't even remember the first time I got to go somewhere on my own. You would think that this would be one of those "moments" that you remember, but this sure wasn't one of them.

My first car, that was mine, was a 74 Chevy Malibu. 64k original miles, and I sold that thing for $400. I had no idea what I had. It was the hoop-ti-mo-bile, and the first time I tried to put gas in it, I walked around that stupid thing half a dozen times before some kind hearted man came to see if he could help. My friend couldn't figure it out either! Who the heck puts a GAS tank BEHIND the license plate?!?!? I hadn't ever heard of such a creature. I was convinced that with the exception of a gauge inside, my car obviously didn't need fuel. Still remember the gas station: A Maverick in Rexburg. My friend and I were headed to Yellowstone, and thought that we were just all that, cool and stuff. As we got to Yellowstone, there was this horrendous knocking/bubble-ing sound coming from under the hood. The sign at the local repair shop said "$50 to pop the hood, non-negotiable." To a couple of college girls? Outrageous! Still, what were we going to do? I laid on the southern belle, batting of the eye lashes, and the mechanic took pity. Did you know that radiator caps need to actually fit on TIGHTLY? He laughed, tightened it up, and no, didn't charge me the $50.

What about you? First time stories re: your vehicles? Any special memories? I've always had adventures with vehicles . . . but I'll same something else for another day!

Quote:

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." -Josh Billings

Ties that bind and pledges

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Board of Supervisors meeting for the proposal for the racetrack. First of all, it was amazing to see the support for them - around 150 people. The courtroom was PACKED! Several well-spoken people shared their opinion in favor of their operation. However. Over the past few years in the news there's been all this flack about the Pledge of Allegiance being said at various events. Ya know what? I'm all for "One nation, under God." And, saying it last night, in that crowded room, just . . . the funny part, though, was that there were all these race supporters. Afterwards, shouldn't SOMEONE have said, "Gentleman, start your engines"? It ended up being shorter, rather than longer, and we all went to dinner afterwards. Had a great time, but later ended up spending time with the Ramsey/Ruley clan at the ER. Which, got me to thinking. When I found out that my grandfather had passed away, I was at a party at K.'s house. I was so grateful to have someone there, right at that minute, that was able to just be there. I was glad to be able to return the favor, if only slightly last night. I kept K.'s kids for her Saturday night, and like I told her, I don't know who had more fun! I love kids - love being around them, near them. Maybe because I've not grown up yet, maybe because it hits the snooze alarm on my own mythological biological clock, but keeping her kids is one of the highlights of things that I get to do.

When it comes from friendship, I've seen people who days into knowing someone, consider them "best" friends. I don't think that's possible, and here's why. Friendship is like rope. You slowly add fibers. Birthday parties, funerals, tragedies, celebrations. Finding that perfect dress for the perfect date, plotting revenge, consoling over boys and bad haircuts, having that person that you just HAVE to call because there is no WAY they are going to believe this, that's what friendships are forged from. Every time there's a happening (snow tubing this Saturday!) adds another string to the rope and makes it that much stronger. When the REALLY bad things happen, those ropes are the ones that catch you. My net is spectacular - I couldn't ask for better, more amazing friends.