Yes, I am a b*tch... A b*tch with a blog (or 2)

Well Cheryl, we'll chalk this one up as another one for our book. Really, where do we meet these people? Do I have an a**hole/psycho magnet planted somewhere inside of me?

A couple of weekends ago I decided to go to Sanibel Island for a little weekend trip. While I was there I ended up meeting a bunch of local friendly folk. They were all really nice and a lot of fun, but one guy in particular seemed a little fond of me. Before I left he invited me to come back to the island to visit again when I had more time to stay. I had such a good time I was more than ready to go back. We exchanged phone numbers, but he didn't save mine in his phone right and ended up loosing it. So he tracked down my work phone number and called me there. I thought that was kind of nice. Nothing too weird so far. He just told me he had a good time and invited me back 2 weekend from that time.

Then ever since then, it's gone down hill. This man has been loosing points left and right. First of all, his conversations were not what I would call stimulating. I'm not sure this chap is too bright. Then to add to that fact he called WAAAYYY too much. Ok buddy, I just met you. Three calls a day is a little too much, especially since I am at work at that time. And let me give you another hint. It's not a good idea to ask a girl that you've met less than two weeks ago if she would consider moving to your island if you found her a job. But then again you were drunk... maybe you don't remember that.

So I start getting really uncomfortable at this point. Basically, by yesterday I decided that I am definitely not interested and that going for a visit was far from a good idea. Now today was the clincher. I hadn't talked to my parents for about 3 weeks now, so I gave them a call to see how they were doing. During the hour he called 9 times. I don't answer call waiting while I talk to my parents, that's just rude. So by the time I get off the phone I'm a little more than irritated. He calls again right the minute I hand up and I decided to just go ahead and put an end to it. I told him he crossed the line and I'm not interested in seeing him again. He responds by getting angry and yelling at me, which is fine. I said all I can say so I hang up.

He responds back by calling me twice right in a row which I let it go to voicemail. He leaves a message both times. He told me I was an asshole and a bitch. Well maybe that's so. But I have a blog. Now everybody knows you're a psycho :)

And one more side note... he's tried calling 7 more times since I've started writing this. Since when has dating become so risky? It's just absolutely ridiculous.

I should write children's books

Today I was going through some of the picture books at work and weeding out some of the ones that that are beat up, moldy, or just don't make the cut anymore. I found this little gem hidden amongst the shelves. Here's the first page of "Meatball", by Phyllis Hoffman :)

"My teacher Julia has curly black hair and round wire glasses. Every day she wears big earrings, a baggy blouse, and dungarees. In the morning I’m the first one in school. “Hiya, Meatball!” she says, and gives me a hug. My real name is Marilyn, but she calls me Meatball because she says I’m round and yummy."

I don't think a teacher could get away with saying something like that these days. Then again, she does wear dungarees.

I'll never have to buy that stuff again

For a while now I've noticed something weird happening with my mouth. I'd wake up, brush my teeth, shower, and get ready for work. During my drive to work, I started noticing something funky going on in my mouth. It was like a layer of skin was peeling off. I started to get really concerned that something was wrong. Then I started noticing it at other times. I finally figured it out after a few days. The weird mouth thing was only happening about a half hour to an hour after I brushed my teeth! The culprit... that funky new toothpaste I bought. This toothpaste is some crazy super-duper max 12 hour protection stuff. I'm thinking that 12 hour protection was in the form of a thin layer of a slimy film. YUCK!

But being the semi-frugal person that I am, I can't just throw it away, I have to finish it up. Until then, I will just suffer. Gross.

Oh my gosh, they did it again!

I'm sitting here knitting sipping on a left-over frozen margarita from Taco Fiesta. I have the TV on, but I'm not really paying attention to it, just kind of half listening. All of a sudden during a commercial break I hear a familiar tune. Well maybe the tune isn't so familiar to me, but the vocals an music are unmistakable. It's my friends The Icicles! They had another major corporation feature one of their songs for a commercial!

The first one was for the Motorola KRAZR, featuring "Sugar Sweet". The new commercial features "LaTiDa" for Target! I'm glad that their music is getting such great national recognition. They are fun little Indy rock band from Grand Rapids.

Here's their myspace page. Take a look and check out their music
The Icicles Myspace page

YAY FOR THE ICICLES!

Question...

Does this "no wearing of white after Labor Day" rule really apply to us in South Florida? I mean, it's still summer here. We're still in the 90's every day. We'll still be having summer like weather until around December. So why can't I wear lighter clothing so I don't sweat my ass off? I don't know about everyone else down here, but I'm nowhere near wanting to break out the fall wardrobe. In fact, I don't think we even have fall here. I've only noticed two season myself... rainy and dry. Or hurricane and not hurricane.

Fun on an island

This weekend I decided out of the blue to take a little road trip. I had never been to Sanibel Island, so I thought now would be as good a time as any. I tried inviting a few people to go with me, but everyone either had school, work, or other pressing plans. So I decided to go solo. Why not? I'm getting tired of the same-old same-old. I want to get outside and see something new, enjoy the scenery and sunny weather.

So Saturday around noon I took off. I wasn't even an hour into my little excursion when I had my first little mishap. As I was driving down Alligator Alley, this big SUV was in the process of passing me. Right then this little bird chased a bug into the path of the truck. The bird saw the truck just in time and changed his course... right back into my path. There was nothing I could do. I just heard this little "dunk" and I knew I hit the poor little guy. I looked in my rear-view mirror.... uh oh. I didn't see any sign of the poor thing. I had this sinking feeling that he was still with me. So about 12 miles after I hit him, I finally got to a rest stop where I could pull off. As soon as I get out of my car, my worst fears are confirmed. There's the little wing sticking up from the grill of my car. I get to the front and that poor thing is stuck in the grill of my car. I darned near started crying. And not only was I sad about hitting the cute little thing, I had to figure out how to extract him from the grill of my car. Poor little guy :(

After I take care of the little bird situation, I head back on the road. Fortunately I have a pretty uneventful trip the rest of the way. The drive was beautiful and traffic wasn't bad at all.

I find the beach and decide to go on a shelling walk, since Sanibel is famous for it's sea shells. This is where I have my second little mishap. I take my beach bag with me. I have my towel, my purse, sunscreen, a bottle of water, and various other little things. I go to wade in the water so I stuck my flip-flops in there too. As I'm walking down the beach I'm constantly stopping to get in my bag for one thing or another. I even stop for a rest and go for a dip. After a while I check the time and decide to head back to my car before the parking meter expires. By the time I get back I am slightly overheated and very hungry. I go into my bag to retrieve my flip-flops. There's the left one... ok... where's the right? hmmm... Not in my beach bag. Well that sucks. That's the only pair of shoes I had brought with me. I'm clear on the other side of the state and I have one flip flop. So I put another hour on the meter and go for another walk on the beach. Since I got in my bag oodles of time on the walk, there is no telling where it could be. Luckily I did find it pretty quickly. Whew! Lesson learned! I will keep a spare pair of flip-flops in my car from now on. Or at least pack 2 pairs of shoes.

After those two little mishaps, the rest of the trip goes surprisingly well. I go to grab some dinner and think about what I'm going to do for the night. Should I try to find a hotel, or should I relax for a couple of hours and then drive home? I pretty much had decided to head back home when the restaurant I'm in starts to fill up. Most everyone there are locals. The next thing I know, I'm hanging out with the locals having a great time. They are so friendly, I'm having a great time. There's men and women, everywhere from their mid-twenties to retirees. They talk me into staying on the island for the night. I even got hooked up with a great deal on a place to stay. You see, everyone on the island seems to know each other, so a couple calls are made and I have a little cottage for $70. Not too bad, really. I hang out with a group of people for the evening.

One of the people I had hung out with owns a bike rental shop. So the next morning I head to the shop and get hooked up with a free bike and a tour. I get introduced to even more people and hang out by the pool at an ocean side resort. Unfortunately I have to leave around 1:00.

I had so much fun. I seriously had to force myself to leave. Everyone was so friendly, very laid back, and really down to earth. The whole atmosphere of the island is relaxing and laid back. I'll definitely be making some trips back there again. And now after hearing how much fun I had, all my friends want to go with me. Funny how that works.

Ouilts

I had the honor of attending the museum member's opening of the Quilts of Gee's Bend exhibit. It was truly a fascinating experience. I've never quilted myself, but I've been fascinated with the art for for a while now. I think that once you pick up one of the fiber arts, you learn a respect and appreciation for other forms.

This exhibit actually overwhelmed me with emotion. For anyone who may not be familiar with the Quilts of Gee's Bend, here's a little history for you. Quilts of Gee's Bend

These are not only beautiful pieces or art, there is so much more wrapped up in them. These women lived in a poor rural community that was pretty much isolated from the rest of society for years and years. The women who quilted used what ever fabrics they could get their hands on. Most of the fabrics were recycled clothing or whatever materials they could get their hands on.

I was actually moved to tears when I read the story behind one quilt in particular. A sign next to the quilt said that woman had originally helped her mother make the quilt following the passing of her father. She said that when her father died her mother took all of his old work clothes and started cutting them up. Her mother said that she wanted to make a quilt from his work clothes so that when she was lonely she could curl up under that quilt for some love. When you look at the quilt you can see the marks on the fabric from where cuffs used to be. You could see the old, deep set in stains. You knew this was a man who worked very hard for his family and you could see the love, care, and dedication put into making a lasting memory of him.

Anyone in the South Florida area must make a point of going to see this exhibit. If you are free this weekend try to go to some of the opening ceremonies. Eighteen of the quilters are here, and you don't want to miss getting to see them. And they sing the most amazing gospel music.

Bye bye long weekend :(

This was one of the best weekends ever!

Friday evening I headed off to Tampa with Lyn. We had an absolute blast, despite the fact that it seemed like anything and everything that could have gone wrong did. It was just proof to me that good company can overcome bad weather any other obstacles that can come up. The army boys that we stayed with turned out to be the most wonderful hosts. They were the sweetest, most respectful, and genuinely kind guys I have ever met. I met quite a few people this weekend, and I just have to say that we have some amazing people watching over this country. Unfortunately a few of the guys that I met are being sent over to Iraq in the next few weeks. I'm hoping they stay safe and will be able to come home the same people that they are now.

Anyway... Yesterday I came back from Tampa and then ended up hanging out with Nancy and co. that evening. We had pizza and mojitos on the beach from Primanti Brothers. Then we went to the Parrot and enjoyed some cheap beer and people watching.

This afternoon I was invited to Jenny and Nancy's house for a BBQ. If you have never been to a BBQ hosted by a latino family, I would highly suggest it. The food is amazing, and there is a TON of it. And Latin American mothers LOVE to feed you. Literally. If you turn your head for one second, your plate will be full by the time you turn around again. When they decide you need to eat more, it is not a question or a request.

Tonight was Knit Night with the Betties at the Falcon Pub. Since I didn't need any more food, I opted to just have some Strongbow. Torii surprised me with a cute little pirate magnet and some little pirate decorations that can serve various purposes from buttons, to doll props, to cake decorations. This night was another case of being blessed with good company.

Too bad the weekend has to end.