'So, what do you think of the place?' he asks her. Her eyes are a little glassy from her buzz as they meet his...'I think I'd like to get out of here.' she states, echoing his thought. He smiles and leans over, 'Give me 10 minutes, we can go back to my place!' He lights another cigarette for her, then pulls one out of her pack for himself.

She inhales the smoke, her hands trembling slightly as she flicks the ash off into an ashtray. She watches him walk away, then starts to put her things together into her purse. She remembers a tip, pulls out a twenty, and sets it on the bar under her ashtray. Thinking about that, she changes her mind and folds it up in her hand, 'I'll give it to her before I leave', she thinks to herself, holding onto the bill so she doesn't forget.

Ten minutes later, he comes up behind her, his hand resting on the small of her back. 'You ready?' She turns and smiles, nodding her assent. The pretty barmaid walks over to take her empty glass, and she hands over the twenty, smiling her thanks.

As they walk toward to door, his hand travels from the small of her back to her shoulders, wrapping his arm around them and smiling at her height, just a few inches shorter then him. 'And legs that go straight up to her ass' he thinks to himself, smiling even more. A chuckle escapes him and she looks up at him. 'What's so funny?' she asks, a little apprehensively. 'Not funny...just happy your here.'

They walk to his SUV, and she hesitates, glancing back toward her car. 'Do you want to follow me?' He asks. Thinking quickly she decides this would be best. He walks her to her car, arm still protectively around her shoulders.

When they reach her car door, she turns to him and boldly puts her arm around his neck, pulling him toward her. He leans into her kiss, just touching her lips with his, until he feels her tongue on his mouth. Parting his lips, he brings her tongue in with his, and grazes her bottom lip with his teeth. He pulls her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist, reaching down and cupping her ass. She presses herself against him, his hard cock against her stomach making her want to change her mind about driving her own car. But, as they pull apart, she reminds herself that she has to have an 'out', and leaving her car here would put herself completely under his control. 'I'll follow you...' she says, smiling a little breathlessly.

Her heart is pounding so hard it almost hurts. He takes her keys from her hand and opens her car door, holding it until she is seated and starts the car. 'I'm only about 5 minutes away, just stay behind me.' He says, silently berating himself for stating the obvious. Of course she's going to stay behind me! She just smiles and nods, closing the door.

She watches him in her mirror walking back toward his SUV. His ass fills out those slacks well, she thinks smiling. She’s starting to lose her nervousness now that she's alone again, sure that he really is glad to see her. That kiss told her everything she needed to know.

He pulls out of his parking slot, checks his side view mirror to make sure she's behind him, and pulls out of the parking lot. His house is just a few miles down the road...one of the reasons he bought this place. No more rush hour commute.

He checks his rearview mirror, she's still behind him as he makes the last turn before his own street. He still can’t quite believe this is happening. Oh sure, he'd met other women for dates from the internet, had even slept with a couple of them. But this was different. First, because he never really expected to meet her. She just seemed way too shy to actually want to meet in person. Second, most of the women he had met hadn't been precisely honest in their physical description as he'd found out when he met them. It wasn't that they were butt ugly, but usually heavier, or older, or in one extreme case, both.

But her...she was everything she said she was. If anything, she was more than he'd expected. For some reason, he'd pictured her...smaller. Less... vibrant. Pretty, but not exactly beautiful.

She kept her hands on the wheel, following his taillights thru the dark. 'God...I should try to remember where I'm at' she says outloud to herself when they finally turn into a driveway of a modest ranch house. A little set apart, it's well lit on the outside; landscape lights surround what looks like a well-manicured lawn, and a motion-sensor light comes on as they pull in.

He gets out and walks quickly to her car as she turns it off. Opening her door for her, he takes her hand and pulls her out. She turns back for her purse, giving him a fine view of her ass thru her mini. He sees the outline of the thong she's wearing, which makes his dick start to harden again.

Looking away quickly, he re-takes her hand as she straightens, leading her onto the porch. He reaches has his keys in his other hand, and jingles them to get the house key out. Sliding it into the lock, he opens the door and lets her precede him inside. He flips on the light at the wall, flooding the living room with a soft glow.

She looks around appreciatively, 'Very nice!' she tells him, 'do you live here alone?'
'Yes, but I have someone who comes in every week and cleans for me' Thank God she comes in on Friday, he thinks with a smirk. At least the bed is made!

She continues to sip her beer, calmer now with a little alcohol in her, and she pulls out a cigarette. Suddenly a lighter is in front of her, and she leans toward it without looking up at the owner of it. 'Thanks' she glances up as she blows out the smoke. 'No problem babe...' She raises her eyes and finally sees his face...it's him! Does he recognize her?? His eyes are vivid green in the dim light...she's amazingly calm but can't speak. He stands there, looking at her, a smile washes over his face and she knows...he knows who she is. 'It is you!...I wasn't sure when you walked in, but it really is you!' She smiles, released from her immobility by his words..'He's glad to see me!' she thinks to herself, saying 'Yes, it's me.' much more calmly then she felt.
His smile widens a little, taking in her hair, her face, the outfit she'd picked out because she knew just what he'd like...
'Wow...you're really beautiful!' as if surprised to see this. She raises an eyebrow at this, takes another drag from her cigarette and asks him, 'What did you expect?' He then puts a hand on the side of her neck and leans over to whisper in her ear, 'I knew you would be beautiful, but right now you're making my dick hard!'

She draws in a sharp breath at this...grateful for the darkness so he can't see her flushed face.
'I have to get back to work...will you stay here?' he asks. 'Of course' , like I'm going anywhere after that!

He catches the barmaid's eye, 'Take care of her...anything she wants!' The barmaid nods and smiles, memorizing her face for later when the crowds show up.
She smiles up at him in thanks...she's always been a pretty cheap date, not much of a drinker and then only one or two to get a decent buzz. But I will leave the girl a good tip, she reminds herself, before ordering another beer.
The band starts to play again behind her, she turns around to watch but doesn't see him on stage. Trying to be unobtrusive, she glances around to room, then sees him behind the bar, at the opposite end from her.

As if he feels her glance, he looks up at her and winks. Her stomach tightens a little, and she smiles back. Turning back toward the stage, she listens to the music, tapping her feet on the rail of the stool in time with the beat. It's a good song, one she knows well.

She take another sip of her beer when a man comes up and asks her to dance. She's feeling much more relaxed now, so she accepts, following him out to the dance floor. She can feel those eyes on her from behind the bar, watching her move, so she begins to make herself a little more alluring.

The song is a suggestive one, and she catches his eye while turning herself around and moving her hips to the beat. When the music ends, her dance partner asks if she'd like another beer, but she politely declines, saying she isn't quite ready for one yet. He smiles and walks off, looking for another likely woman.

From behind the bar, he continues to watch her out of his peripheral vision. He can't quite believe she's here! It's one thing to flirt and trade sexual innuendoes online, and they'd even gone further than that.

He'd felt an intense attraction for this woman since getting to know her. It wasn't easy, she was extremely shy and had lived a pretty sheltered life up until a few years ago when she finally divorced the man she'd married out of high school.

She was even prettier in person than her pictures indicated! He wasn't sure why she was here, but he had a pretty good idea. She had jokingly threatened to surprise him a few weeks back, after a pretty hot succession of emails had been traded back and forth.

So, thinking he was calling her bluff, he gave her the name of the bar he owned, along with directions on how to get there. When she didn't show up that following weekend, he figured she had just been joking and didn't mention it again.

Then, she started asking him about what he did, what kind of place he had here, and what kind of hours he worked. He didn't really put it all together, she'd asked him things like this before, just as he asked her things about her life.

He knew she worked as an office manager for a large real estate broker, she loved animals and she lived alone since her divorce two years before. Her ex-husband had been her one and only lover, as she had been his until he met a cute little waitress who he ended up getting pregnant.

So she had almost no sexual experience. It took some time, but she started opening up to him. He hoped she was here to make those things they'd talked about online real. He hoped...he suddenly realized the barmaid was watching him standing next to the cash register, his hard-on making a bulge in his slacks. She gave him an arched eyebrow and a half-smile, then nodded toward her...sitting there smoking and watching the band.

She started to turn her head towards him and he turned around quickly, not wanting her to see his erection. He takes a sip of water from his glass under the bar, and turns back to her as his cock calms down a little. She smiles at him, takes a drink of her beer, and raises her empty glass. As he walks toward her, grabbing another bottle on the way and popping the top off, he thinks...'I've gotta get her out of here!' Stopping in front of her, he pulls a fresh glass out of the freezer below him, glad of the blast of cold air that causes his hard-on to shrink further.

After Dark...

Driving down the highway, she glanced at the map again. 'Next exit, then right off the freeway' she said to herself. The little map light was causing a glare on the windshield, and she saw her own reflection there. 'I look nervous...take a deep breath and relax'. She'd only been driving for about an hour, the club wasn't that far and she could always drive back home if things didn't work out. As she approached the exit, she lit another cigarette and took a swig from her Pepsi.

A stop light at the end of the exit ramp gave her a chance to look at the directions again. 'Right turn here, and 1/2 mile down on the left. Big blue sign in front that says Well's saloon.' As she turns, she can almost see the sign. Her hands start to tremble a little on the steering wheel, her heart beats a little faster.

She's never done anything like this before...driving in the middle of the night for a one night stand with someone who she's only seen a picture of and hasn't even spoken to on the phone. Only chats and emails, but they were enough to get her curious at first. Then to get her juices going. She had observed him for a week before any contact was made, and then he was the one who made it. Just a simple 'Hi, how are ya?'

It took another week before she could tell him anything about herself, but he slowly managed to bring her out of her shell. Then he began telling her what he wanted to do to her. It started out with just a wink on her part...cautious flirting...but he took that and ran with it. As she got over some of her shyness, she began returning the favor, telling him the things she'd like to do, but had never actually done in real life.

He described to her , in great detail, the things he enjoyed, things that made her blush scarlet when she thought about it now. Things that made her hot between her legs, moisture penetrating her cotton panties.

As she pulled up to the bar, these thoughts were swimming inside her head. She pulled into a parking slot, and noticed the lot was about half full. 'It's still early...I'm sure it will get packed later.' Glancing at the clock on the dashboard, 9:56pm glared back at her. She sat there, thinking about why she was here, and how she got to be here. She wasn't even sure she should be here, 'He doesn't know I'm coming...oh shit, what if he has a wife here, or a girlfriend?' Well, that's the chance you take, she thought.  She'll have to walk right past him, he told her once that he usually works the front door himself, not trusting that job to his employees who tend to let their underage friends in.

He's owned this place for about 5 years, and turned it into a thriving hotspot for this small community. Local talent booked gigs here, and he was usually asked to get up and jam with whatever band was playing '...as a courtesy, I'm sure' he'd insist, '..I'm not all that good, but I do enjoy the attention!" She laughed a little at that thought, remembering the song he'd sent to her on a whim...

Turning off the car, she take one last drag of her cigarette, and another drink of her soda before grabbing her purse and opening the car door.

Standing with her hand on the car for a second to get her bearings and calm her nerves, she sees two more cars pull up. A couple, following each other in separate cars, get out and walk toward to door hand-in-hand. As they walk in, she gets a glimpse of the person sitting on a stool inside the door checking their i.d.'s. Just an impression of dark hair, she's not sure if that's even him. 'Just my luck...he's not even here!'

She stands there for another minute, not sure what to do...then decides. 'I'm here, I've got nothing to lose by going inside and having a drink.' Adjusting her short skirt a little, she walks toward the door and opens it.

The man on the stool is not him...unless he's been lying to her about what he looks like. This is a much older person, then she remembers...his uncle sometimes works the door for him on the weekends when he's playing. He glances up as she approaches, letting his eyes travel appreciatively from her long legs up to her well formed breasts and finally to her face, bright blue eyes and long curly auburn hair. He smiled and winked at her, and held out his hand as she handed him her driver's license. Her confidence rose a little as he handed it back, saying 'Thanks pretty lady!' and held the door open for her.

She has to wait for her eyes to adjust to the darkness before making her way to the bar. She can hear the band playing but doesn't glance over, afraid she may trip if she sees him. She sits down on a stool and sets her purse down on the bar, taking her cigarette case out and opening it. A pretty bartender comes over and asks her 'What can I get ya?' 'A Bud' she answers, thinking '...make it simple'. The girl leans over the beer case and pulls out a bottle, popping the cap off and setting it in front of her with a napkin.

'Would you like a glass?' 'Sure...' she answers quickly before it becomes an ordeal. She pours the beer into the frosted glass, and drinks half in one swallow. 'I could use a shot..' she thinks to herself, but no. She doesn't need to get drunk...not tonight.

I've mentioned more than once...but I'll say it again for those just tuning in...that I work in retail.  Until recently I worked at the returns/refunds desk at Lowes Home Improvement.  Now I'm just a regular cashier, but full time.  Unless someone calls in...then I'm usually back on the returns desk since I know how to do it.

When I was a teenager, I shoplifted once at the mall.  I don't remember what it was...but I got caught.  This man followed me out of the store, stopped me and made me empty my pockets...then escorted me to an office in the store and made me call my mother (who was at the mall with me and my friends).  It scared the shoplifting urge right out of me!!

These days, there are people who do this for a living.  Seriously...if they put as much time and energy...not to mention gas...into earning an honest living as they do stealing...they would be millionaires!  Ok, maybe not but still.

First of all...there's the stealing.  There are people who know what to steal...from one store to the next.  What is the smallest most portable item...with the highest retail value...that they can get out of the store without setting off an alarm. I won't say what these items are...don't want to give anyones ideas.

Then they bring these items back to the store.  But not the store they stole them from.  They will drive anywhere from 25 to 150 miles...clear across the flipping state!  Why?  Who knows.  But they go to the same stores...4 or 5 in a day to return this stuff.  And the things that are returned...10 or 20 of the same item that not even contractors will buy in bulk, number one because of the cost, and two because there isn't a high demand for these items. 

So they come up to the return desk with a grocery bag (yes grocery bag...not even a Lowe's bag) bulging with this stuff and start with the sob story...usually something like this:

"My husband/father/uncle/granpa bought this stuff and he doesn't need it now and asked me to bring it back"

"Do you have a receipt?"

"Ummm...no ma'am, he didn't give me one/he lost it/the dog ate it/I think he threw it away"

"Did he buy it on a credit card/debit card?"

"Ummm...no ma'am, he just lost his job/got divorced/had surgery/got out of jail and I think he paid cash for this"

"How long ago did he buy it?"  (At this point I'm checking the system to see when we last sold this item...generally we haven't sold it in at least 6 months).

"Ummm...I think about 2 weeks ago or maybe a week ago or maybe a couple of days ago"

"Ok...did he buy it at this store?" (I know...obviously NOT)

"Yes ma'am...he bought it at this store"

"No he didn't...do you know what store he bought it at?"

"Ummm...no ma'am...maybe at another store...but he told me to bring it back here"


So...at this point I can do a couple of things.  I can try to convince them to take this crap back to the store their daddy/uncle/granpa "bought" it from...and they can get their cash back.  This tends to work with people who don't know what they are doing.  After having stood there for 5 minutes or so answering my questions they are starting to get nervous anyway and just want to get the hell out of my store.  They also usually feel the need to embellish their story...explaining in detail why they are bringing this stuff back... in my head I'm saying "shut up...I didn't believe you when you started and the more you talk the less I believe you"  I just want to tell them "I DON"T CARE!!!"

Here's the kicker.  If they have been doing this for awhile...and there are those who are pro's at this...they know that I have to take this stuff back as long as they have a valid I.D.  So they just tell me they will take the store credit for the stuff and hand me their (usually fake) I.D.

Tonight was one of the best.  A woman came in with not just one but two very expensive kitchen faucets.  She started right away on how she had been remodeling and had to stop because she had to have brain surgery.  BRAIN SURGERY???  Yes... she had just gotten out of the hospital after having brain surgery.  And had to go back in to have another tumor removed!  So she was returning these two identical kitchen faucets so that she could pay for a contractor to come and put a ramp up on her porch.

This must have taken alot of thought...but here's the thing:

Doesn't surgery on the brain leave a scar? 

So she kept going on and on about this...how she had to get the lumber for her ramp and how she had to put off remodeling her house (with two kitchen faucets).  I had to tune her out.

She hands me her I.D. and her address is 110 miles south of here.  I looked at it twice and asked her if this was the correct address...and she said yes!!  The one thing she should have lied about and didn't! 

Who the hell, first of all buys two identical kitchen faucets at almost $400 a piece?  Then drives over 100 miles after having frigging BRAIN SURGERY to return them?  Especially when there are at least 2 stores within 10 miles of where she lives?

Do you think she went to lumber to buy her ramp materials?  Hell no...she walked right out of the store and got into her car and drove off.  With over $700 worth of store credit...that she will either sell on Craigslist or someplace else...or will trade it for her drug of choice. 

Another thing people do with these store credits is this:  They will actually take it to a store and buy alot of items that cost under $10 (with tax)...then bring those items back (one at a time) to get the cash back.  See...most stores will give cash in lieu of credit if the item being returned is under $10.  And yes...they will go from one store to another spending and entire day or more doing this.  Worth it?  Sure if they end up with 5 or 6 hundreds dollars...

What's really frustrating is that I see the same people doing this every week.  They see me...they know that I know what they're doing.  And there is nothing I can do about it.  Meanwhile, our costs go up...and hours go down.  We hire less people and customers complain that they can't find anyone to help them. 

Here's another thing that just makes me laugh.  Nothing to do with thieves...just every day people.  People who buy an .87 cent package of screws...and bring them back for a refund.  One screw.  Cost .87 cents.  And the package is opened.  And they charged it.  And they didn't have any other shopping to do...but made a special trip to return this .87 cent package of screws that they had opened up.

That is just one of those WTF things...yanno?  Happens everyday...two or three times at least.  Are things that bad that you have to have that .87 cent credit on your Visa?  Do you not realize that chances are Visa is going to charge a service fee for that transaction...usually at about $2?  Don't people keep a junk drawer in their kitchen anymore (we have 8 junk drawers...I think).

Does it occur to anyone that once a package is opened we cannot sell it?  Would you buy an opened package of screws?

The same thing goes for pretty much anything.  Once it has been opened (much less used) we either have to mark it down or pitch it.  Just one more way retail stores lose money....again affecting cost and hours.

Believe it or not...I like working retail.  For the most part I like the customers, especially our regulars like the Steaglers, and Paul with his dogs (we are a dog friendly store!).  And our customers like us.  The store I work in is a favorite in the area...it's smaller, not so busy (bad for us but good for our customers) and we have very knowledgeable people working there.  People say our store is "clean" and "bright" and the associates are "very friendly". 

I like my job...even though the hours sometimes suck and I don't get to see my husband for days at a time.  And it's a long drive.  But it's a job and I'm just grateful to have one...so I try not to complain too much.  But sometimes I want to reach across that returns counter and hit someone.  I asked Brad if I could...he said that wouldn't be a good idea.  So I just smile and say "Thank you and have a nice day!"

I wrote a blog on manners a few months ago...little knowing the things that would pop in in our country's headlines in the near future.

In the last week, we have had three instances of incredibly bad manners.  Disrespectful, rude and even threatening behavior from people who are supposed to be at the very least role models for our young people.  Leaders in their own chosen profession.  Is this the type of behavior we want our children emulating?  Where did Serena, Joe and Kanye get the idea that it's ok to act out this way and treat others so badly?

And I don't really give a shit that they each apologized.  Or did they? 

The fact is, this type of behavior should never be tolerated in our society.  Yes, yes...I know you will start crying "What about the 1st amendment??"

My question is, did the 1st amendment apply when a father beat his son's ass for calling his mom a bitch?  I don't think so...

Did it apply when a parent put soap on their kid's tongue for saying "dammit"?
No...

What about when a child interrupted a conversation between two adults, and was told to go to their room?

Nope.

This is how I was brought up.  You don't cuss (at least not in front of adults).  You are respectful of others, and you don't interrupt people when they are speaking.

As for threatening someone...why did Serena only get a fine?  Isn't that assault? 

Oh yea...she was "in the moment". 

SHE WAS ON INTERNATIONAL TELEVISION WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WATCHING HER!!!

And Kanye...had a little too much to drink.

He knew exactly what he was doing.  If I was his mom I'd would've gone up on that stage and dragged him down by his ear...then smacked him upside his head!

As for Joe Wilson, I don't know if his "You Lie!" expletive was racially motivated or not.  I do know that there is plenty of yelling from both sides of the floor during sessions.  However this was not the time or place for such behavior.  Again, had I been his mom I would have given him a good smack upside the head as well.

These three people should truly be ashamed of themselves.  Yet none of them really seem to care.  Oh yes, they've all issued apologies.  But really, are they contrite?  Have there been real consequences for their behavior?

Has there ever been consequences for them?  I have to wonder what their parents are thinking right now?  I know if it was my kid I'd be embarrassed...and make no secret of it.

Too many times in the real world I see parents who defend their children's bad behavior.  They make excuses (he's ADD...she needs a nap...) but there are never any real consequences.  I've even seen parents reward their kids bad behavior...especially in places like Walmart...by just giving in to the demands (I WANT A FUCKING CANDYBAR NOW YOU STUPID BITCH!!!  ok sweetheart, mommy still loves you...)

Let me ask you something...

If, during a staff meeting, you shouted out that your boss was lying; what would happen?

People...we all need to be held accountable for our behavior.  Regardless of our social, economic or political status.  Our words and our actions are a reflection of who we are.  We cannot expect others to respect us if we are not respectful ourselves and teaching our children to be respectful.

 The First Amendment does not give us the right to behave badly. 

Go ahead and challenge me on that one.  I dare you...

I'm reposting this blog at Billy's request.  It seems there is some discussion regarding same-sex marriage and homosexuality in general and he wanted all you to see this.  I'm actually quite proud of it, as I put alot of work into it as far as research.  Anyways, it was written about 2 years ago, just as the issue of same-sex marriage was coming into the limelight.

....................

This was written the day I got back from my first visit to NC:

I packed a bag on thursday night...set my alarm for 6am and talked on the phone til 2:30am. I thought I would probably sleep on the plane...yea right!
Finally got out the door around 7:30...my plane left at 10:39 so I had plenty of time, to wait. ugh.
Got into Chicago and what was supposed to be a half hour layover turned into almost an hour and a half. I called ...but couldn't talk. I was too excited and tense. So I called Nomi...she's always good for getting my mind off things. She claimed I was sounding way too calm. Hehe...she didn't see me pacing the length of O'hare airport the whole time I was talking to her!
Finally...they call for boarding! I looked outside and see a little puddle-jumper! OMG...I have to fly in that?? I don't care, as long as it gets me there!

Landed at GSO around 4:30pm...he called once, twice...but I didn't hear my phone over the plane. Finally as I'm walking towards security the phone rings. I answer it and hear "Where are you??" I answer "I'm right here!" My heart starts beating faster...I tell him I'm heading to baggage claim and he says he'll meet me there. We're still on the phone as I'm going down the escalator...I see him walking towards me and I start shaking. A combination of excitement, adrenaline and way too much caffiene with too little food. Then we are in each other's arms and the whole world dissappears.
Have you ever met someone for the first time and knew it was right? That's not what this was like. I believe only a very few people can comprehend this...it was two souls reuniting after a very long time apart...and becoming one again.
The entire three days was magic...and much too short.
From that first kiss in the airport...to the last one in the car before I drove away, watching him disappear in my rear view mirror and trying not to cry; from the first time he put his arms around me and kept me no further than arms length, til he finally had to let go if only for a little while longer; from the first time I got to look into his eyes and see it when he told me he loves me, til that last time as he assured me it would be ok.
For three days, we were complete. That feeling is still there...it won't ever go away. But a part of me is still down south of that Mason-Dixon line...so you better believe I'm not staying much longer to keep the polar bears company.
There are alot of naysayers out there who keep telling us 'it won't last', 'you don't really know each other' blahblahblah. They don't know us. They are the ones who post stupid blogs and write stupid emails and wonder why they're sitting at home alone on thier computers while the world passes them by. We have been brought together because we were meant to be together. In the few short months we've 'known' each other, we've realized we've been waiting our whole lives for each other. There is no other explanation for what we have together. Love at first sight? No. More like Love that has crossed ages and lifetimes. Some may look at that and laugh or gag or whatever. I don't care...you don't know us. When you find it...you'll know and then, only then will you understand.


Was I nervous?  Hell yea!  What if I'm too tall, too old, too ...something?  I talk too much, or not enough...can't think straight...say something stupid...

None of that happened.

Fast forward two years, five months and 13 days.

I've moved, 700 miles.  I've taken on the responsibility of two more teenagers, a house and a new job.  I've never been happier in my life. 

We've had our ups and downs.  But never once have I had any regrets.  I am exactly where I'm supposed to be...and when we're in the same room we are never more than an arms length apart. 

1.  Cell phones

We just got new cell phones for everyone in the family.  Ok...Aaron already had one, but Billy and I had both been without one for almost a year.  The only reason I wanted one was because my car had already broken down once on the freeway and I had no way to call anyone...ended up driving the car like 15 miles with a busted transmission.  Also...the convenience of being able to call or text on my way home to see if we need anything from the store, or so Billy can let me know he's working late.

But my number one all time pet peeve is people talking on their phones while doing other things; like driving, checking out at the store, getting their nails done, taking kids shoe shopping...ect.  Things that generally require ones attention. 

I work at a home improvement store.  Usually doing returns/refunds, but also running checkout.  It irks me to no end when someone comes up to a register, and stands there talking on their cell phone...waiting for me to literally empty their cart for them!  And god forbid should there be an issue with their credit card that actually requires them to interrupt their phone conversation!

Even better is the people who use the blue tooth ear bud.  Crazy or on the phone?  They come in to return something, just yakkin' away.  I think they're talking to me and I'm like "...excuse me?"  They look at me like I have two heads...and throw their returns on my desk, then continue with their conversation.  Grrrrrrr.....


2.  Loading the dishwasher the wrong way.

Ever see the commercial where the kids are throwing dishes full of food into the dishwasher, stacking them every which way...and they come out sparkling clean?

It's a commercial.  It's not real.  It doesn't work that way.  Ever.

It doesn't matter how much you spend on your dishwasher.  It doesn't matter if you buy the powder or liquid or tabs or gel-packs.  Really. 

Ok...we don't have a fancy dishwasher.  I think it's from the 50's.  Did they even have dishwashers in the 50's?  Ok...maybe the 70's.  The inside is operating room green.  It has a butcher block top that scares me every time I try to clean it.  And it's a portable that was rigged up to be a built in.  Sort of.  But it works.  Most of the time.

As long as the dishes are rinsed...and loaded with plates on the bottom, facing the middle. And one plate to a slot (you know what the slots are...right?).  Large bowls next to the plates, same way.  Cups, glasses and small bowls on top.  Pots and pans either in a separate load or washed by hand.

I'm not anal about too many things.  I've been accused of being lazy when it comes to housekeeping.  Ok...fine.  But I know what happens when the dishwasher isnt' loaded the right way.  The dishes don't come clean and have to be re-washed, and eventually something gets stuck in the drain which causes the dishwasher to overflow and leak all over the kitchen floor.

I do know, from using this dishwasher for two years...that when it's loaded the right way and the dishes are rinsed before hand...they get clean.  Really clean.  And the best part is they can stay in there and not clutter up the kitchen.  At least until we need to wash more dishes.


Oh yea...big pet peeve this week?  Truck drivers that don't know how to make left turns.  You can't tell me that cars have to back up so that tractor trailer can cut that turn...no you can't.  I've seen it done.  Three times in less than two hours.  And that was while I was waiting for the wrecker and my husband AFTER the driver of a gas truck cornered my car!  Three tractor trailers made left turns at that same intersection...amazingly no one had to back up for them.  And no one got hit!
Now understand...this has always been a fear of mine.  I cringe when ever a truck turns onto a road I'm waiting at...I've even backed up a time or two just to give them a little extra room.  But it's been my understanding that a truck shouln't have to have cars make room for them to turn.  And they should not have to drive into an oncoming lane in order to make the turn.  This is from not only talking to other truckers, but from being married to someone who trains drivers of large trucks.

That's all I can think of right now...I'm sure Scribbler will log on in about 1/2 hour or so and come up with more...




Then there's Bonnie...she doesn't have any pet peeves.  I should be more like her...

Ok, I know we all have our little bad habits.  Chewing with your mouth open or belching out loud in public (neither of which I do by the way...).  But in this age of high technology, I've noticed a frightening trend...

There is an entire generation of teenagers and pre-teens growing up without being taught good manners.

Here's an example...

We now have two teen-agers living here full time.  Well, three but the oldest is technically an adult so I don't count him.

Now don't get me wrong...these two for the most part from what I've seen have good manners.  It's some of their friends that irk the hell out of me.

The ones that call at 10 o'clock at night, and when I answer the phone this is how it goes:

Me;  Hello?

Them;  giggle giggle

Me;  Helloooo?

Them;  giggle...oh, hello?

Me;  Hello?

Them;  Hello!

Me;  ...

Ok, by this time I've usually hung up the phone.  If they call back they immediatly ask for one or the other of the boys.

There has been more than one time that I've gotten really irritated and yelled at them to either ask for the person they want to talk to or don't bother calling anymore.

The ones who come over during the summer, and leave their trash, soda cans and clothes all over my yard, and wreck my pool toys...then leave without even a "Thank you for letting me use your pool".  Yea...those kids will be in for a rude awakening this summer because that crap will not be tolerated.

I'm not saying our kids are the epitomy of good manners.  Not by any means.  I do know that my son was raised to say "please" and "thank you"...and to always address an adult as sir or maam.  I know he didn't always do this, especially as he got older.  But I also know that when he goes to someone else's house, I don't have to worry about him trashing the place.  And when he calls someone on the phone he politely asks for that person.   Same with the other two...they have been taught good manners.

I wonder about some of these kids though.  Some of them have had their own cell phone since they were 10 or younger.  It probably doesn't occur to them, much less to their parents, to use or even be taught good phone manners.

As for coming to my house...well, I admit I tend to be a little lax.  But even my son has said...I am not a "cool" mom.  There are things that go way beyond the boundries of just being a teenager.  I don't allow kids to smoke or drink...and I don't allow boys and girls to make out in my basement (or any other room in my house). 

Yes...this has been tested...

I don't allow unsafe behavior...like diving head first into the pool or walking in the middle of the road blocking traffic.

And I do not, ever, allow disrespect of any kind.  That will get a kid banned from my house for life.

By disrespect, I'm not saying a kid has to address me as maam or Mrs Hooper.  But back talk, cussing at me or my husband or making threats...never.

First thing I do is call the parents.  Tell them they need to pick their kid up and tell them why.  Let them deal with it...that's their job.  I would hope if any of our kids did anything like that we would be told.  And yes we would deal with it.

I've learned over the years that the things my kid does is a reflection on me.  So I've always tried to teach him to be the kind of person people will like and respect.  I've also tried to set an example for him...otherwise I'd be a hypocrite.  Do as I say, not as I do...doesn't work with kids.

So, if your kids are calling my house and wondering why I'm getting pissy and/or hanging up on them...this is why.  If they are coming over and I suddenly bann them from my property...you won't have to wonder why because I've probably already told you.  If I haven't...feel free to call.  I'm sure your kid has my phone number.  And yes...it is a "home" phone, not a cell. 

Well, it started out like any other day...

The alarm went off at 2am, just like any other day.  I think I woke up enough to say "good morning sweetheart...have a good day" then roll over and go back to sleep.

About 3 hours later, I hear the dogs barking...and the door open.  I thought it was Bryson leaving for school...til Billy came in the bedroom and kissed my head.  I asked him why he was home and he told me he took the day off so he could get Zack enrolled in school and moved.  Zack's mom called yesterday and told us he wanted to come live with us...and was already packed and ready to go! 

So I got up and had some coffee...sat down on the couch and watched the news.  Still pretty typical, 'cept my sweetie was sitting next to me.  Nice!

We got to talking about stuff...what we needed to do about getting Zack in school, and about me going to see a new Doctor out in Yadkinville.  I still needed to get an appointment to see a specialist for my back, and the only one who accepts my insurance is in Greensboro...about 50 miles away!  I mentioned that since we've been planning on getting married this month, that I might as well wait until we do that to get a new doctor...since my insurance will change. 

So Billy says..."Lets just go do it!"

So...we did.

First Billy had to go wake up Aaron...we needed him as a witness.  Then I had to decide what to wear.  I ended up throwing on a pair of jeans, a sweater (it's a little chilly outside) and some nice shoes. Then we had to look for the appropriate paper work we'd need...and wait for Aaron to take care of some personal business at the last minute (don't ask if you don't want to know!) and we drove to the Yadkin County Courthouse. 

First stop was the Register of Deeds.  Wait...what?  Ok...so they give out the marriage license.  Well...not exactly give but you know what I mean.  We had to show ID and fill out paper work.  Turns out that I needed to have proof of my divorce (Billy had his), even though the website says you only need to know the date.  Seems they had some problems just a couple months ago with that...I didn't ask what.  So I asked the clerk if I could look it up on the internet...if that would suffice.  She said it would and offered to let me use her computer.  Well...I have a bit of a cough and stuffy nose, and she decided it would be in her best interest to look it up for me.  Damn swine flu!

Well we found the correct site and she printed off a copy of the page number and all that...wrote up the license and had us sign it, then sent us over to the magistrate.

What a hoot this guy was!!

You have to remember we live in a rural county.  The sticks.  Really!

First of all...we were told we needed two witnesses.  So I walked out into the hallway where there were three gentlemen standing around chatting.  I called out "Excuse me!  Would any of you mind coming in here to be a witness?"  One of them asked "Witness to what?"  I said "To a marriage!"  They all busted out laughing!  The one who agreed happened to be a Lieutanent in the Yadkin County Sherriff's Office. 

Yeah!  Shotgun wedding!

The magistrate had us stand where he wanted us to stand...Aaron was the ringbearer and had to be moved around a bit.  But we eventually got straightened out and he said the words (I won't repeat the whole thing here...but he gave us a copy if ya'll want to read it).  We repeated after him...and I'm pretty sure we got it all right. 

I was waiting for him to say something about "honor and obey..." so I could hit him. 

But he didn't.

I know...it doesn't sound very romantic.  I know...all our friends and family wanted to be here or for us to be there.  But there are reasons we did it like this for now.  Reasons I mentioned earlier, and other reasons I don't care to share right now. 

No...I'm not pregnant!!!

We still plan to have a "wedding".  A ceremony, and a big party afterward.  We still want our families and friends to be with us when we do that.  But for now, this is something we just needed to do.

So...that's what we did today!