Funny Little Things

You know how as you get older, you realize that there are little things you do that are just like your parents. I mean, it is inevitable. And when you're young, your parents tell you, "One day, you'll understand." Or, "You'll see what I mean." Things like that.

Well, the weather is just frightful outside. Bitter cold. 3 degrees this morning. 3 DEGREES!!! I was on my way to work, the car wasn't fully warmed up, and I was freezing. I see kids every morning waiting for the school bus. This morning, I saw one young girl with leggings on, and a fleece as her jacket! It would've been okay had she had on those warm, fuzzy boots with her leggings, but NOOOO...you could clearly see her pale white calves and ankle begging to be covered with something! She was walking with her arms crossed, clearly cold and shivering.

I actually said out loud, "Oh my gosh...what the hell!!! Why?! Why is she wearing that! It is waaaaay too cold! She's going to get so sick!"

Immediately afterwards, I laughed. I used to hear my mom say the same thing. When I was little, I hated bundling up in the cold winter weather. But, mom would make me and I'd point out the other kids at school that weren't bundled up at all, much like this girl this morning. She'd say, "Oh my gosh!!! Why would her mother let her go out like that! She's going to catch pneumonia!"
And I would just roll my eyes, wishing I didn't have to be bundled up.

NOW, I must say...she was right. I do understand now.
Why would anyone even WANT to be outside without the proper outerwear?! It's bitter! I hate the thought of having to go out there!

Mischief

Earlier today I thought of a silly little prank to play on my mom. Don't ask me HOW I came up with it. I'm quite creatively weird.

Anyways, sometimes on my lunch I go up there where her and my stepdad live.
On the kitchen counter there's a notepad -- usually my mom writes down stuff she needs from the store on it.

So I thought, what if I write really creepy (like with my left hand (I'm a righty)) on the top paper, "help."

That's it...just "help."

I don't know why I think it's so funny. I thought about just writing, "Hi!" or something, and then when my mom asked me about it, just pretend I don't know what she's talking about. But, then I thought it'd be even funnier if I just wrote "help" and creeped her out! hahahahahahaha

Eh?

The Scent of Happiness

My book signing Friday night went completely fabulously. R and I arrived an hour or so ahead of time. My mom, step dad, 3 of their longtime friends, along with my Uncle and his girlfriend were all there at a table for dinner reservations. Then, R and I went into the back where we found his parents, grandparents, a couple cousins, and even an Aunt that brought her book club! My great aunt and uncle were also back there along with another family friend.


It was already insanity for me! I got a little anxious, but was okay. R sat with his family, and I returned to where mom was to sit down. I only ordered a salad because I didn't want to be stuffed during the evening.


More and more family and friends began to show. The owner of the Inn had the "music room" set up with tables, hors d' ouevres, and a special table with a huge chair for me to sit in and sign books. The first 45 minutes was pure chaos. Everyone was coming up and having me sign and personalize books. But, what was worse is that my Aunt was temporarily M.I.A. and she was supposed to be taking care of the money part for me.

Once she returned, things weren't as bad. And once I had a short little break, I could finally start sipping on my pinot grigio.

Once the signing was all finished, I got to go around and talk to people finally. I felt bad that I didn't get a chance to talk to some people (like the ex b/f's mom and grandma), but they understood. It was so nice that so many people came. I sold probably around 85 out of 120 books. Some people that I had thought would come didn't, so if they had, I probably would have sold out.


Oh, and R's parents and my parents met for the first time. I really wasn't worried or anything though. Both of our parents are quite laid back and funny characters.


AND, supposedly my cousin caught an outline of a figure on the stairwell when taking pictures!!! Everyone was talking about it, but I haven't gotten to see it yet! How exciting! (The Inn where the signing was at is haunted, and is also on the cover of the book...I'm friends with the owner.)


We all went into the bar area and celebrated. A guy that is always there and loves to play the guitar wrote a song for me about ghosts. It was really cool. It was one of those moments where you are like, "Wow! This is great, I am so thankful, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now." My eyes teared up, too. lol. It really was a great night.


My mom and step dad left at about 11:30 and R and I left at about midnight. The only people left were the owner and a few staff members, my dad and his girlfriend, and my step dad's brother and girlfriend. Oh, and the guitar guy and his girlfriend...(who I did a delicious shot with, she suggested it...it's called 'sex on a bayou').


Also, my mom and step dad got me a couple congratulatory gifts. One is a bracelet on a black thin leather string with a silver id tag on it that says "thrill amaze inspire". It's really cool, and very me. AND, with a little help from L out in Vegas, mom also picked up Michael Kors "Island Capri" perfume that came with a blue clutch! Which was awesome for a few reasons:

1. I love Michael Kors

2. I love anything 'island' or 'beach' or 'ocean'

3. I needed a new scent!

Here's a picture of it!!!

Draino

I'm back from my lovely weekend away visiting my mum in South Carolina. And wow, I feel exhausted! Seriously, I just keep resting my chin on my hand while I space off for minutes at a time. And I'm not gonna lie...I've been screening calls here in the office just to avoid talking on the phone. Like right now, an old lady is leaving a 2nd message, and this 2nd message is totally unnecessary. "You guys have been here before," she's explaining. Okay, really, that's great and all, but that's why I have this handy computer here with all our customer's information in the system.
I cannot wait to get out of here.

In other news...(it'll be quick news because I have NO attention span today) --
My dad says this morning: "What did you do to your mother?"
Me (SD): "What do you mean?"
Dad: "What'd you do to your mother? I have already gotten 2 phone calls this morning from J (my stepdad) saying she wants to come home."
SD: "Well, I didn't do anything! Really!"
Dad: "Yeah, I know, I'm just messing with you. But really, she wants to move back up here."

So, I talk to mum and she said she was very sad after I left yesterday and she cried and moped all night until she went to bed. J asked her if she wanted to move back home and she said yes.

I confessed to her that I too cried, and had to hide in the bathroom stall at the airport yesterday.
She wouldn't be coming home until summer time, but still...I will be sooo happy!

Think I had other stuff to say, but I forget. (Surprise, surprise...) Sooo, until next time...farewell!

Where is the Compassion?

So, my mom moved to South Carolina last October. It was very hard for me because we are very close, and the furthest we'd ever lived from each other was 45 minutes when I was in college.

She came home Saturday afternoon and is here until Sunday morning. (YAY!) She and her fiance, Jay, are getting married on Thursday. I love Jay and all, but my mom has never gotten to have a 'real' wedding. Jay isn't into big weddings, receptions, or anything like that. So, they're going to the Justice of the Peace. And I am the only one allowed to go. Mom would not get married without her little girl there with her!!! (Aww!)

Then, we were going to have a little party for them at a friends, cookout style. Nope. Seems like everyone had their 2 cents to put in about what they thought they should do. Eventually, mom said "Fuck it! We're not gonna do any of that!" She was upset, but so completely frustrated at the hassle of it all, that she didn't even care anymore.

So, I said, "Well, we'll at least have a small dinner, get-together thing, because we have to do something." And, I told her we'd have a Girl's Night Out, like a bachelorette party sort of thing for her!!!

Hooray! So, on Friday we have dinner plans for a few of those nearest and dearest. As for Girl's Night, mom said a few weeks ago she wanted to get drunk and dance to some good live country music. Not much to ask. So, I searched around, found a festival going on in the area with a local country band playing. (I don't like country that much, but these guys are good!) Plus, there will be food booths (which mom loves!). PERFECT! So, I emailed the other women, there were only 3, and told them the plan.

One of them can't go due to having to cook for the holiday tomorrow. Another one will be late (but at least she is coming). And the other one called mom TODAY and asked if we could just go to dinner because she's been frazzled and stressed lately.

Mom said she would talk to me and let her know. I got really mad. I told mom, "No...tonight is about you. This is all you wanted to do, and I set it up. You're not giving up the last thing you want to do like you had to give up everything else. I don't care if it ends up just being you and I, we are gonna have fun!" At first she was like, "Yeah, but W is gonna be a little late anyways, and..." but I interjected. This is something different, we always go out to dinner. We're going to dinner on Friday (the woman wanting to go tonight won't be able to make dinner Friday...not my problem). I'm sorry, but these people are supposed to be my mom's friends. She hasn't been up here to visit since Thanksgiving and she's getting MARRIED! I am sick of seeing my mom disappointed and always sacrificing for others.

So, mom also said, "Yeah, J (her hubby-to-be), would be furious if I didn't get to go." He told her this morning on his way out to golf with the guys for her to have lots of fun and this was her night.

So...I am going to make sure she has a great time tonight!!!