Credible Sources

I called Carl this afternoon to let him know that George Jones had passed away.

C: Awww man. Where did you hear that?
M: From TMZ
C: Well, I don't know how credible they are.
M: I trust them. I don't think they would report someone's death without checking and double-checking their sources. Harvey Levin is an attorney, ya know.
C: Maybe.

So we hang up and a couple of minutes later my phone rings.

C: Hey. Yep it's true. He passed away.
M: I know... but where did you get YOUR information from?
C: Blake Shelton and Luke Bryant's Twitter feed.

*Face palm*

Heading back

I am heading back to Chicago in a couple of weeks. I totally dropped the ball on posting about my last trip (hey, Starr!) and need to do that. Starr was an awesome host the night we met for dinner... the rest of the time I spent in/around the hotel.

This time will be much of the same, but I don't plan on venturing far from the hotel ONLY because of the weather. Me... in Chicago... in February. Hooo boy. I checked the high today and it is going to be 23 with flurries. Ermehgerd. I'm a Southern Girl... the 40's are too much for me. So single digits??? I'm gonna freeze.

I fly up on Super Bowl Sunday. Fine. I know where a bar is located (Ditka's - imagine that) and if I feel adventurous that is where I will be watching the game. If it is too cold, I'm sure my hotel will be showing the game.

I fly back on my birthday. Joy. Just what I want to be doing. BUT I made the flight early enough that I will be home by lunch so my family can shower me with hugs, kisses and love. HAHAHAHAHA!

I guess I need to go back to the store and grab some thermals to wear under everything. Wish me luck! And send some sunshine or warmth to the mid-west.

Lurv y'all!

Happy Almost 2013

Today is the last day of 2012 and I am ready to see what 2013 has to bring. This year was pretty crazy with travel for my job, J-man getting his license, a new puppy in the house, and a tons of other stuff. Next year may be chock full of more travel, J-man will turn 18 and Bug will get her learners. Oy... not ready for that.

Tonight I plan on watching the ball drop in New York - or maybe the Peach from my town. I'll reflect on all that has happened and feel pretty happy with the year. Tomorrow I will make a crockpot full of chili... and yes I know that means the greens and black-eyed peas tradition will be missed... while relaxing with Carl and the kids. Then Wednesday I hit the ground running for work... it is gonna be craaazy.

Buh-ring it.

Happy New Year to anyone that may still read this blog. I miss you guys!

DId I Do Something Wrong?

I went to Walmart yesterday to pick up some last minute items. As I was leaving, I saw a young, skinny girl talking to a lady in the middle of the parking aisle. I heard the lady say "I'm sorry, honey, I only do debit cards" so I knew this girl was asking for money.

I was putting my items in my trunk as she walked up to me. She was soft spoken and actually walked past me a couple of steps before, hesitatingly, turned around. She asked, "Excuse me ma'am, but do you have a dollar or two I could use to get something to eat?"

Remember, I work in downtown. I am used to dealing with, and ignoring, panhandlers. But she struck me as different. She LOOKED hungry. She looked tired and needy.

I had just bought myself a turkey sandwich from Subway, so I said "I don't have any cash on me (which I didn't), but would you like my sandwich?" In ATL, if you offer a panhandler your food - even when they tell you they want the money for food - they will more than likely say no. She didn't. She said "Anything will help". It broke my heart! I gave her the sandwich and she took off.

As I was leaving the parking lot a few seconds later, I saw her standing at the end of the strip mall. She wasn't eating the sandwhich, but she was still holding it. She looked like she was waiting on someone, too. I didn't know what happened, but felt pretty good about what I had done.

Then I called Carl to tell him what I had done.

Turns out, this girl is married, but he beats her. She turns tricks to get hotel rooms for the two of them. Carl has arrested her for panhandling before. They are now living under a bridge.

Carl is two sides of the coin.

1. He says she probably WAS hungry so I did a good thing there. BUT,
2. She is known around town for that behavior. She is always asking people for money or turning tricks to get what she needs.

He deals with this couple all the time. As a matter of fact he was telling me about her the other day, but I didn't know it was her.

Today I went and had lunch at the PD with Carl and the other officers that were working. They started calling me "The Sandwich Lady" and teasing me about falling for her scheme.

It kind of hurts my feelings. I was trying to do the right thing. I don't think I did anything wrong. AND I'm not a hard-assed cop either. She was so skinny and soft spoken. My heart said to give her the sandwich... was that so wrong?

I may have been scammed somehow. I don't know if she ate the sandwich or was just taking me for a fool. It doesn't matter. I did what I thought was right. 

Random Bullets

Hi, y'all!

Just because I have a lot going around in my head, I decided to do some random bullets. Ready?

• I am loving Walking Dead so far... (you knew that would be first right?) The tension in the show is escalating and the acting is so dang good.
• I have another fave show... Sons of Anarchy. I caught the first three seasons on Netflix then started watching season five when it started last month. I knew I was behind, but it is a pretty simple show to catch up on. BUT NOW, Netflix released season 4!! I've already watched the first four eps... and Saturday will be a SAMCRO catch up day.
• I get to travel to Chicago next week for work. I have to "audit" a course that my team put together and that means some travel in the coming months. My whole team is traveling somewhere - LA, Miami, Seattle, Houston, Dallas, San Fran, and Chicago. We only have four folks on our team so some of our clients will be auditing as well... Next year there is a chance to travel to other locations so stay tuned for those.
• When I get to Chicago, I get to have a blogger meet-up! I will be meeting Starr of Chicago Foodie Girl (on my list)... she also used to be called Come Back Nikki. I can't wait to meet her in person!
• If you have been to Chicago, I am open for recommendations on where to eat and visit.
• I'm nervous about going by myself, but am also looking forward to some "me" time.
• The kids are doing great! They are both in marching band so we have been running between practices, football games, and competitions.
• J-man is driving so I don't have to wait on them to get back from said activities, but I DO wait up for them to get home. Makes for some laaaaate nights.
• The long nights don't bother them, but I'm getting too old for that crap. :)
• It is COLD here in the ATL.
• I need a heavier coat/jacket. The ones I have aren't cutting it.
• Carl got an atta-boy from a man in Australia! It seems the guy's daughter was in our town visiting family. He couldn't reach her for about 24 hours so he called the PD to see if they would do a well-fare check on her. She was fine and Carl let the dad know. Since then, he has sent a letter to the Chief and is sending Carl a care package from Australia! How cool is that?!
• Carl deals with the lowest of the low, so when something good like this happens I am thrilled for him. It boosts his morale, too.
• I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner! Where did this year go?

That is about all I have right now. I'm sure there is more, but, suddenly, I have writer's block.

Later taters!

Learn a little respect

Dear Teenage Mom,

First of all your infant daughter is beautiful. And I am so grateful she is too young to witness the altercation you had with another mom last night.

You were at a band competition. The kids on that field work extremely hard to do what they do. They went to band camp in 90+ degree heat to learn music, their place on the field, and how to march. I hate to sound crass... but while you were busy "making" that baby, these kids were doing something to keep them OUT of your situation.

Now...

When these kids are playing on the field, the polite, mature, adult thing to do is shut your mouth. Don't sit there and carry on a loud conversation with the white-trash thugs sitting next to you. Do NOT laugh at a joke that is told. That sound travels to the field, so the kids down there think you are laughing at THEM. That negates a lot of their self esteem and makes them think they might be doing something wrong. NOT CUTE.

And when a mom from another band (it wasn't me) asks you, politely and in between performances, to please be quiet during the performance, do NOT jump down her throat and start yelling at her. That mother has paid a lot of money and time to be there to see these kids. You, on the other hand, have not.

Do not raise your voice to her. Do not mock her. Do not cuss her out. Do not tell her "Go away, bitch. BYE BYE" and start waving. Do not say it was someone else when we all know it was you and your crew. And even better, do not do all of these said actions with your child sitting on your lap!

I can only think you did not have parents that treated you with respect. You didn't have parents that supported you in your goals, dreams, or interests. Instead, you have to prove you are a "big girl" by having a child and trying to be all tough and sarcastic.

I just feel sorry for your daughter; I hope she doesn't grow up to be like you. That would be a shame. I hope she decides she wants to be in band and, someday, you will have to confront an obnoxious, irritating, self-centered, angry child. Maybe then you will, in your mind, apologize to my friend that you treated with such disrespect.

Regards,
The proud mom of two wonderful, respectful, thoughtful, and polite children

Driving and Crying

My baby boy is driving.

His own car.

OMG - when did that happen?

It seems like yesterday he was cutting teeth, drooling, and trying to walk. Now he is driving to school, looking for a job, and growing into such a... a... MAN.

Ugh.

He also got his hair cut off. Until this weekend, he had bangs past his nose and collar. He likes to look like a hipster and thought it was the best way to prove his individuality (much to the dismay of his dad).

We kept telling him to cut his hair while on the job hunt. Food places, especially, would not hire him with hair hanging in his face. Of course, he wouldn't listen to his PARENTS. It was when one of his working friends told him their hiring manager wouldn't even talk to him with hair "like that" he decided to get it done.

I took him to a place on Saturday and told them we wanted the "Adam Levine"... and this is what we got! He looks SOOO much older and mature. He was so angry when it was getting shaved, but once the stylist spiked it, he loved it.

Where is my BABY? Times needs to stop!!!