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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Sometimes, even Spiderman gets scared

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Last week Sebastian was sitting in his wheelchair when he realized that he was close enough to me to reach out with his toes and tap my leg. I asked what he was doing and he said that it wasn't him, it was a bad shark biting me.

I realized that the "bad shark" was the surgery leg and had mixed emotions. I was actually kind of happy that he was using it to "bite" me because it was nice to see that he wasn't babying it, but I didn't and still don't like the thought of him thinking of it as "bad".

I asked why it had to be a bad shark and he told me not to worry cause a "good" shark was going to save me. Then he used his other foot to move the "bad" shark out of the way.

I should have had some wise and wonderful thing to say to him. Something that he would always remember. Something that would have instantly made him smile.

Instead, I just sat there in sadness for a moment and wondered if he realized the symbolism between the sharks and his feet. When I finally spoke I simply said, "I don't think that's a bad shark at all. I think it's the most perfectly straight foot I've ever seen."

His response---"No, it's a shark."

Lately, Sebastian has been getting fidgety in his wheelchair. He wants out of it and there have been times when I've been afraid that he'll fidget his way right out of the chair and onto the floor. Do you have any idea how it feels to be proud and frightened all at the same time?

We've been getting ready for our Kindergarten promotion ceremony that takes place on Monday morning and Sebastian sadly told me that he didn't think he could go on the stage. I assured him that I would make sure he got onto the stage.

This morning we went over to the big cafeteria to practice and when it was time for my class to take the stage I carried him up the stairs while the other teachers lifted the wheelchair onto the stage for me. I placed him back into the wheelchair and he sang with the rest of the class. Then I carried him off the stage while the wheelchair was lowered to the floor. He was proud and I was happy and everyone clapped louder for my class than they did for the other classes.

After we finished with practice, Sebastian's mom checked him out for a doctor's apointment. He now has a brace on his leg. The brace that will make it possible for him to walk while his leg continues to heal and grow stronger. The brace that he has been excitedly waiting to get.

I heard from his mom who said that he has the brace, but won't walk because he is afraid. He is afraid it will hurt.

Again, I wanted something wise and wonderful to say and again the right words failed me.

Hours have gone by and I don't know if he's walked yet or not. I don't know if he'll walk into class tomorrow or if he'll ride in on his wheelchair. All I know is that whether it's true or not, I want to tell him that sometimes even Spiderman gets scared. He gets scared and it's ok. It's ok if you get scared too.

Take the first step!

There may be pain ~ there will probably be pain. You may even fall a time or two, but you've felt pain and fallen before. You know how to pick yourself up.

You know that there are races to run, dances to dance and bridges to cross. You have done all of these things before and you will do them again, but you have to take that first step.

Take the first step!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Wild Child mini kit by Nibbles Skribbles

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Manda of Nibbles Skribbles has got another cute mini kit and template set that was inspired by one of the skribblers. Mercedes, her daughter and their love of bright colors and the zoo were the inspiration behind this kit...


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There's also a great template set based on some of Mercedes awesome layouts...


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I used the kit with one of the templates to make my layout...


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You can find the Wild Child mini kit and the templates in the Nibbles Skribbles store at DSS.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

DSS Quickpage Contest

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Check out the kit we were given at DigiScrapStation for this month's quickpage contest...


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Check out the fun in the forum and pick up the QP I made by clicking on the preview below...


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CSD Quickpage contest!

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Do you love Steampunk? You know you do! And that means you're going to love this month's quickpage contest at Cool Scraps Digital.

We were given this gorgeous kit by EMS Arts...


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There are lots of beautiful and free quickpages that were made using this kit posted in the forum at Cool Scraps Digital.

Here's a layout I made and saved as a quickpage for you...


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You can get my QP by clicking on the preview below...


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Just in case you doubted my dorkiness...

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I got to school on Friday and realized that I had forgotten my lunch, so when lunchtime rolled around I dropped off my kids and headed to Wendy's.

At Wendy's, I ordered at the drive thru then pulled around, paid for my order, got my change and drink and then drove away.

I was almost back at school when I realized that I had NOT gotten my food.

Where's the beef? Actually, I ordered the spicy chicken sandwich so.....Where's the chicken?

I turned the car around and went back for my food.

Sadly, I've done this exact thing before.....and even more sadly, I'll probably do it again!

Do you think that I just might be ready for summer vacation?

Friday, May 25, 2012

The Story of Me part 41

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August 30, 1999

Fourth grade gave way to fifth grade which gave way to sixth and Leo and Harmony had remained the best of friends. Harmony was still shy, but if Leo was with her she would talk to the other students. With the encouragement Leo received from the Harrisons and Harmony his grades had improved greatly.

Leo’s grades and behavior had improved so much that families were looking to take him in as a foster child or even for for adoption. Leo made it clear that he wasn’t interested. No one could understand why he wanted to stay in the group home. Leo would smile to himself and think that if they could meet Harmony they would understand. He would never do anything that would take him away from her and if that meant staying in the group home until he turned eighteen he was prepared to do just that.

Leo saw Harmony sitting on the curb waiting for him and waved. She saw him and jumped up to greet him. She ran down the sidewalk toward him and he watched her smiling.

Harmony reached Leo and threw her arms around him. “Good morning, Leo.”

Leo returned the hug smiling. “Hey, Harmony. Are you ready for our first day of middle school?”

“I’m only ready because we have most of our classes together. Other than that I don’t care about school at all.” Harmony declared as she backed away from Leo and corrected his shirt collar that was standing up on one side.

“Don’t say that.” Leo reached for her hand and turned to start walking toward school. “You’re smart and we need to get through school so we can get jobs when we get older.”

Harmony laughed and bumped shoulders with Leo as they walked. “You sound just like the Harrisons.”

“I like the Harrisons.” Leo said as he held his head up a little higher and they both laughed.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

This Scrappers Got Talent...







Think you've got what it takes to win it all? The third annual This Scrapper's Got Talent contest starts in a few weeks at Stuff to Scrap. Want to learn more? Check out the flyer for basic information or head to the forum for more specific info. (Image linked.)


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I'm really sad, but...





I'm really sad about this, but there's an awesome sale and you guys should seriously take advantage!


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The cast is off!

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Sebastian showed up today with no cast on his leg! He's still in the wheelchair (mostly, just at school) because his little leg isn't that strong yet. Tomorrow he goes to get fitted for some braces that will help support him as he starts walking again.

I'm sorry to say that I didn't get a picture to share with you. Well, actually I snapped one with my phone but it accidentally got deleted. Sorry! I'll try my best to get another picture tomorrow.

Sebastian says that he just has to let his leg get a little bit stronger and then he'll dance with me. Watch out Donald Driver and William Levy, here comes Sebastian!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Lavender's Blue by Nibbles Skribbles

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Here's another amazingly cute kit from Nibbles Scribbles! This one is called Lavender's Blue and it has 12 papers and 44 elements. Take a look at the preview...


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This kit is perfect for scrapping pictures of girls of all ages. Afterall, what girl doesn't love lavender? Take a look at my layout...


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Check out Nibbles Skribbles blog to see more layouts and visit her store to buy this kit while it's on sale!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Good news!

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Sebastian's cast is supposed to come off on Tuesday!

How awesome is that?!?!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

I love weekends!

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There are 13 more school days until summer vacation. Actually, I have to work 14 days, but that last day with no kids doesn't really count.

Getting up in the morning has started to get harder and harder to do. I just want to turn the alarm off and go back to sleep. But, not this morning!

This morning was different cause I was up and showered and dressed and ready to get the day started......and then the alarm went off and woke me up.

Seriously, I was only dreaming.

Who does that? Who dreams about going to work?

Friday, May 18, 2012

The Story of Me part 40

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September 1, 1997

Leo and Harmony stood outside the school building holding hands. Harmony was close to tears and Leo tried to cheer her up as Mary and Gene watched from the car.

“Everything is going to be alright. You’ll see. You’re going to love fourth grade.”

“I won’t love it. I won’t ever love it. Why are we in different classes? I don’t want to stay here if we’re in different classes.” Harmony said as the tears that had been building up in her eyes began sliding down her cheeks.

“My class is right beside yours. We’ll see each other at lunch and on the playground. I’ll come over after school and we can do homework together.” Leo spoke patiently.

“We probably won’t even have the same homework.”

“That won’t matter, because whatever my homework is I’m still going to need your help to finish it.” Leo tried laughing and was happy to see Harmony make a faint attempt at a smile. “I’ve got your back no matter what and I don’t have to be sitting in the chair beside you for that.”

“Promise?” Harmony looked at him hopefully.

“Promise.” Leo gave Harmony’s hand a squeeze before turning to wave good bye to the Harrisons.

The Harrisons smiled in relief. They knew that if anyone could calm Harmony’s fears about school, about anything for that matter, it would be Leo. They returned Leo’s wave and were happy to see Harmony smiling as they drove away from the school.

Harmony searched the lunch table looking for Leo and was just starting to panic when she finally spotted him sitting at a corner table. Smiling she rushed over to where he sat saving her a seat.

“Leo! I’m so glad to see you. I’ve got the meanest teacher in the history of the world.” She talked excitedly as she put her things on the table and sat next to him.

“Harmony! I was getting worried. What took you so long?” Leo moved his things to make room for Harmony and her belongings at the small table.

“Mr. Hatchett wouldn’t release us for lunch until everyone stopped talking. Brooke and her gaggle of girls kept giggling. I was beginning to think we would never get out of there.”

Leo rolled his eyes. “Brooke? You’re stuck in a class with her again? How was everything else? Did you make any friends?”

“Hatchett kept us so busy there was no time for anything but work. There is a new girl in my class and I can already see Brooke making fun of her, so I might invite her to sit next to me. I remember how hard it is to be the new kid here.”

“I’m proud of you Harmony. You’re always nice to people and that’s a good thing. Now eat your lunch and then we’ll go sit outside until the bell rings.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Inspired by Noelle ~ Something Special

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Nibbles Skribbles has an adorable mini kit that was inspired by Noelle and her daughter. The kit is called Something Special. Take a look...


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There is also a set of templates that were inspired by some of Noelle's favorite layouts...


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Here's a layout I put together using the kit...


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Make sure you visit the Nibbles Skribbles store at DSS to buy this kit.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Shel Belle Scraps is having a birthday sale!

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Today is Shel's birthday and she's celebrating with a sale!


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This is a one day only sale so don't miss it!

Monday, May 14, 2012

FlowerScraps has been busy!

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FlowerScraps has been busy getting her store at Digital Scrapbooking Studio open and now it's up and running with an awesome sale!

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As an added bonus that beautiful Softly Spring kit that I showed you at the beginning of the month is in the store now.

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I love this kit! I really love that it's 40% off!!

Remember when I posted the QP I made using this kit and then took it down? Well, it's available again! Just click on the preview below.

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Check out FlowerScraps blog for some adorable cluster freebies!



Sunday, May 13, 2012

The blonde moments just keep coming...

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I have a couple of "Ginger" stories to catch you up on, so pull up a chair and get ready to laugh at me!

First of all, I should tell you that we had a couple of seriously stormy days this past week. Days where it rained so hard at times you couldn't see two feet in front of you.

Guess who got stuck in traffic during one of these downpours? ME!

I stopped at the store on my way home from work Wednesday and apparently half of Miami Beach decided to do the same thing. I tried to keep my cool while waiting in a very slow moving line because I was fresh from my "just be nice" conversation with Sebastian and wanted to be the prettiest girl in Publix.

As I was checking out the rain and wind started up again. It even caused the doors of the store to blow open and several people screamed. I just smiled and thanked my cashier then nicely made my way through the crowd of people waiting by the door for a break in the storm.

I'm telling you that I was so nice to those annoying people who were standing in my way and blocking the exit that not only was I the prettiest girl in Publix ~ I was the prettiest girl in all of Florida!

I get out of the store, into my car and out of the parking garage just to wait in traffic on streets that are starting to flood. As I sat through the same light for the second time because of the traffic it started raining even harder. It rained harder and it was so loud.

I couldn't figure out why it was so loud! Then I took a good look at the car in front of me and noticed ice bouncing off of it. I couldn't believe that someone was throwing ice at that car! I started looking around for the idiot who was out in the rain throwing ice at cars and thinking that no one was going to think they were pretty.

It took several seconds for me to figure out that no one was throwing ice. It was hailing!

On Friday my cell phone froze up so I swung by an AT&T store after school to get some help figuring out what was going on. The guy asked me what my number was and I had to admit that I don't know my number. He asked if it was a new number and I had to admit that I've had it for about eight years or so. He gave me a very strange and confused look before heading off to talk about me with another employee.

I stood there smiling as I watched them talking. Even though I know that they were talking about me I still smiled. I was the prettiest girl in that store!

The guy came back to me and brought his other employee friend with him as a witness. They asked if I could call someone to get my number. I pointed out that my phone wasn't working. They said I could use one of their phones. I asked them how they expected me to know someone else's number when I didn't know my own. They said they couldn't help me and looked like they were ready to call the police so I decided to leave with my broken phone.

My neighbors weren't home and Orange Croc Guy wasn't around so I couldn't ask any of them what my phone number was. I did the only thing I could think of---I went on Facebook and asked for someone to please my number to me so that I could get my phone fixed.

Yes, I'm still getting teased for that one!

However, it worked! Several of my awesome friends sent my number to me and I called AT&T from my home phone. Whatever was wrong with my cell phone had to be fixed in person so I headed back to the store and the employees that seemed to think I was crazy. They didn't look to happy to see me walk back in, but curiosity got the better of them and they asked if I had remembered my number. I presented them with the sticky note paper that I had written it down on.

One of the guys took the paper and my phone and disappeared into the back for about twenty minutes. He finally returned my working phone to me and advised me to learn my number. I was completely over him and the whole broken phone thing and I just wanted to get back home, but I still smiled and thanked him so that he could see how pretty I was.

FYI.....I still don't know my number, but thanks to my friends I've got it written down.

Friday, May 11, 2012

The Story of Me part 39

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March 30, 1997

Leo and Harmony were out of school for spring break and he had spent everyday with her at the Harrison’s house. Together they had dyed Easter eggs, watched TV, eaten ice cream and played outside until Leo had to return to the group home for the night. Today, Leo was going to church with the Harrison’s for Easter services.

Leo wasn’t sure how he felt about the whole church thing, but it was important to the Harrison’s and they were important to Harmony. That made it important to him. He had walked to the Harrison’s and sat on the porch until he heard them up and moving around in the house. As always, Leo had arrived early. Mary knew that he would be waiting outside for them so she opened the door and while offering him breakfst she let him into the house.

Leo rarely spent time at the group home. He was required to check in after school on week days, but other then being in house before dark at night his days were his to spend as he wanted. Many of the boys at the house used the free time to get into trouble. They hung out on the streets, stole things from stores and people that weren’t careful with their wallets or purses. Many of the boys even joined gangs and set themselves up for a life of crime, a prison sentence or even an early death.

Until the day Leo met Harmony, he had been heading down that path. He was following the example of the boys he had surrounding him, because it was the only example he had. Harmony, had shown him a different path and she didn’t even realize it. The beautiful but scared little girl had walked into class on the first day of school and Leo had fallen in love with her right away.

He saw her sad green eyes and wondered how and why anyone could ever hurt her. He watched her blonde hair as it fell across her shoulders and it looked so soft he wanted to touch it. Then he saw her tears as the other kids had teased her and more than he had ever wanted anything he wanted to protect her.

Leo decided that day he would become someone worthy of Harmony. He would stay
out of trouble, do his school work, protect her from the playground bullies and grow into the kind of man who would make someone like her proud.

On the ride home from churh Leo asked the Harrison’s one question after the other. He was fascinated by the sermon and wanted to know everything there was to know about church, God and Jesus and what Easter meant. He wasn’t able to make the connection between church and the colored eggs he and Harmony were heading home to hide. The Harrisons indulged Leo’s questions and gave the best answers they could give. They were pleased when they offered to take Leo to church again and he agreed to go before sitting back in his seat and smiling as he watched the world go by through his window.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

You really do learn it all in Kindergarten!

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I know that at some point in your life you've read the Robert Fulghum essay Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten and I am here to tell you that it's true. It's really true! I just didn't realize that I would learn things after 800 years of teaching or that the lessons would be taught to me by a tiny little 5 year old boy.

Sebastian isn't shy and we have some very interesting conversations. The most interesting ones seem to take place in the bathroom. I'm not sure why, but the kid gets very talkative in the bathroom.

There are days when our bathroom conversations are the only reason I smile. There are also days, like today, when the conversation is just so awesome it makes me want to cry.

I could put together an entire very inspiring and hilarious book of our talks. You know, kind of like Tuesdays with Morrie but I would call mine Bathroom Conversations With a Five Year Old Super Hero. It would be a best seller too! Of course, his poor mom would be really embarrassed by some of the funnier conversations and she would probably need to change her name, dye her hair and move to another country. lol!

Sometimes, Sebastian sums up the conversation with a final statement. For some reason, he especially likes to do this after the more awkward talks. It's kind of like the final thoughts segment on the Jerry Springer show. lol!

On Tuesday, he ended the conversation by saying, "Now, if you ever have a little boy, you know why you need to buy him floaties."

On Wednesday I was wheeling Sebastian into the bathroom and he decided to start playing the copycat game. You know, the annoying game where you repeat everything someone says. Once I caught on to what he was doing I decided to try and get him to say things like "I want to give Ms. Brown all my money." Instead, he said, "I don't have any money." lol!

After he copied me a couple more times I threw out a quick, "Ms. Brown is the prettiest." Sebastian responded by asking, "Do you always want to be the prettiest?"

Now, I know that as a semi responsible adult I should have told him that beauty isn't important and that it's what is on the inside that counts. But, there is an unspoken honesty rule to our bathroom conversations and so while the grown up me knows that there are more important things than being pretty, the little girl inside of me that wants to be a pretty, pretty princess had to answer, "YES!"

Without skipping a beat Sebastian said, "Did you know that even if you weren't pretty people would still think that you are because you're nice to them."

I commented on what a sweet thing that was for him to say and Sebastian continued by saying, "It's true. All you have to do is be nice to people and they'll think you're the prettiest ever. They'll talk to you and they'll help you if you need something just because you were nice to them."

I started rolling his wheelchair out of the bathroom and he told me his final thought, "Remember, just be nice."

For me, it was one of those moments where you're smiling and fighting back tears at the same time. All I could think was how amazing it was that this little boy who will never "look" like every one else knows that it doesn't really matter when there are adults still struggling to learn that lesson.

A tiny little boy who knows that there are magical powers in kindness.

Forget about Spiderman! This kid is a true Super Hero!


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So, what do you guys think? Should we all try our best to be nice today and channel our inner beauty queens?

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Another conversation with OCG...

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OCG: How was your day?

Me: Awesome! I haven't seen that black car in two days. I think I scared the guy off!

OCG: OK.....or, his vacation ended and he went home.

Me: Maybe, but when I tell this story it's going to end with him getting out of town before I went all Rambo on his car.

OCG: Why do I hang out with you?

Me: Because I'm awesome!

I won't tell you what he said at this point, but if he hadn't been paying for dinner I probably would have gone all Rambo on him. lol!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Really, I like Wisconsin!

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OK, I've never really been to Wisconsin except for maybe once when I was a kid and we drove through a little corner on the southern end of the state on our way to somewhere else. But, I've seen pictures and they all look very pretty and every year some nice people from Wisconsin send postcards for my class.

I've also got some awesome blog followers from Wisconsin and once I even dated a guy from Racine, Wisconsin and.......and.......

OK, maybe that last example wasn't the best one to use cause I was a hot young thing in my twenties and he was a Captain in the Marine Corps and he broke my heart!

But, I know that wasn't Wisconsin's fault or even the Marine Corps. It was his fault and his alone! I was an awesome girlfriend and he was lucky to have me!

I wonder if he still lives in Orlando?......I should look him up......

NO, NO, NO, I will not look him up! It is best to let old boyfriends from Wisconsin....uummm....I mean... just old boyfriends in general.....and sleeping dogs lie!

Sorry, thinking about Wisconsin makes me think about him, but I still love Wisconsin! HONEST!

I just don't love the driver of the black Mercury Cougar with Wisconsin tags that was here in my neighborhood.

I know people from Wisconsin deserve vacations and we're happy that you visit south Florida when you could go anywhere in the world.

Seriously, you could go anywhere....and yet you come here... where we already have enough traffic. But we're glad you do. Honest!

Really, I love tourists from Wisconsin! I just love them a little more when they walk or take taxis or take their foot off the brake and drive the speed limit.....and well, you know, when they weren't Captains in the Marine Corps who broke my heart for no good reason!

Now, that I've thought about the black Mercury Cougar and ex boyfriends from Wisconsin I'm going to go eat some chocolate and cry myself to sleep.

For those of you that missed my original post about the black Mercury Cougar and are wondering why I was upset you can read it here.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Getting back to normal...






I actually had a very productive weekend! I got caught up on lots of things! I did more laundry than anyone should ever do, I cleaned (yuck!), did some stuff for school, and started working on an order for end of the school year presents. I also managed to get a haircut, do some shopping, order fajitas and take several naps. YEA ME!


As proof that things are getting back to normal I have to let you know about the conversation I had with Orange Croc Guy on Saturday. We were going out for a late lunch and as we walked down the street I spotted the black Mercury Cougar with Wisconsin tags and sprang into action...


ME: OOOhhhhh.....follow that car!


OCG: Ginger, we can't follow that car. We're walking.


ME: So, it's not like he drives fast!


At this point, I actually stepped off the sidewalk into the street, but the car decided to take off and it moved faster than I've seen it move before!


OCG: That guy is going to get a restraining order against you. Get back over here before you get hit by a car.


ME: If this were the movies, you would steal a car for me and we would be following that jerk right now.


OCG: If this were the movies, I would steal a car to get away from you.


ME: No you wouldn't.


OCG: Whatever you say.


Yep, things are getting back to normal around here!

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