Have You Started a Pay it Forward Wave Yet? Start at McDonalds

Giving and Getting Can Feel So Good!

 

the waveWe all remember sitting at a sporting event and watching the wave of people standing and flinging their arms created a “wave”. If you have not had the opportunity yet to be part of a modern day wave at McDonalds then you are missing out. This one comes with a big smile and lot of happiness.

 

Like many of you, I run out the door every single day to go earn my keep. Unfortunately the bills do not pay themselves (at least not what I’ve been able to discovery yet).  Occasionally as part of my routine I go through our local McDonald’s for a sausage McMuffin and a drink. Being on a tight budget I allow myself this $2.38 splurge a couple times a week.

 

On more than one occasion I have been part of an amazing trend happening at McDonalds across the world. I’m not sure how big this is in your area or your town but in my little city our citizens that frequent our local McDonalds have loved a Pay it Forward Wave.

 

McDonalds ArchesHere’s how it works. On my most recent trip to the golden arches. I pull into our drive thru and order my normal breakfast splurge. I have a gift card that is burning a hole in my pocket so I’m all prepared for my expensive $2.38 meal. While waiting, I noticed a weird thing going on at the pay window. Every car that stops seems to be having an issue. The kid looks to be explaining stuff to them and it doesn’t look like they are verifying a caramel latte vs an iced coffee. All of a sudden I smile because I have seen this confusion before. Yes, I know exactly what this is as I have experienced this myself a few weeks ago.

 

About a month ago I was making this same routine stop. When I got to the window the teenage clerk just smiled at me and said “You don’t owe anything as the car ahead of you paid for your order.”  I can only imagine my face because I’m sure my look was one of being dumb founded. All I could do was just stare at the 18 year old with a look of confusion and thoughts racing through my head of what am I supposed to do next? So I froze and said, “ah ah… thank you”. Feeling stupid because I really didn’t know what you’re supposed to do next.

 

As I pulled away, I realized I was just part of the magic moment. Yes I was part of a Pay it Forward McDonalds moment. If you’ve ever been part of one you know the feeling I’m talking about. I also knew that if it happened again, I would know what I would do. What I had to do.

 

The neat thing about these Pay if Forward moments is they are totally random. So on this particular trip the other day I could see from the confusion going on in front of me that we might be on another wave and I was not going to be the one that broke that wave. No I was not going to be the person sitting in my seat with my arms crossed, a scowl on my face not wanting to participate in this event. This time I was going to jump out my seat with all the enthusiasm I could muster.

 

Pay it ForwardWhen I got to the window and was told that the car in front of me had paid my $2.38 breakfast I knew what to do this time. First I waved at the car in front of me a thank you (not that I think they saw me but it felt like the right thing to do). Then I asked what the car behind me owed. Now in this situation your worst fear is that it’s a lady with 8 kids in a van. So I looked in my rearview mirror and noticed one person in a car so I felt pretty confident that I was not going to get stuck with a $30 breakfast order. While I was prepared to do my part, my gift card was reminding me that it only had so much on it.

 

She smiled, looked at the next order than with a little look of disappointment told me that it was more than mine as they owed $8.62. But I knew that wasn’t going to end this wave! Not today. I knew I needed to make another person’s day. I knew I was paying it forward!

 

So I pay the $8.62 and slowly start to crawl up to the next window. All the while looking in my rear view mirror hoping that not only do get to make the next person’s day but they will continue the wave and make even more people happy this morning. Sure enough the smiling clerk is trying to explain what happened. I see the finger pointing at my truck and then I see it happen! I see them hand over their credit card. Yes! They were continuing the wave! They were paying it forward too! They were paying for the next car!

 

No I don’t know how many cars we’re in that wave that morning. But I do know that at least from what I could see there were 7 cars for sure. Seven people who started their morning with a big smile because somebody cared about them and then they got to do what made them feel good. They got to pay it forward too. The act of giving feels so good.

 

McDonaldsNow some of you might think the joy over having a $2.38 breakfast paid for seems so minor. But it has nothing to do with the $2.38. It has to do with knowing that there is still joy in the world. Love in the world and people that care. With so much negativity on TV and in our social media it is nice to know there are still people out there who get joy in helping others. No matter how small.
So if you have never experienced the McDonalds Pay it Forward Wave then I challenge you to start one. On your next trip to McDonalds just casually ask the cashier what the car behind you owes.  Then offer to pay for their meal. Don’t have a lot of Money? Then do it at breakfast. Most people are like me getting a sandwich and a drink and many others are just getting a coffee. It isn’t about how much you pay it forward just that you do pay it forward.

 

So go on out and make someone else’s day. I promise it feels good!

Ok, Time To Learn Something…

Ok, everyone, time for Aunt Tammy to teach you all something. 

For the past 2 days in two different locations, I have run into a situation that is showing we are lacking some education in the world. Being the giver and teacher I am, I am going to address this need right now. Feel free to share in your circle of influence if you are running into the same thing.

Yesterday I go into a public restroom and find this….

(thank you google)

(Not actual picture, I’m not that sick and gross to take my own picture of someone’s “leftovers”)

Now, first and foremost. I don’t need to see your floating left overs nor do I need to see that you ate too much popcorn the night before and have created nice little clog for the poor porcelain god. Nor am I impressed with your ability to hide the evidence by stuffing tons of TP in the toilet to hide the true reason for the clog.

Now, it does happen from time to time our little insides are just dying to release at the worse possible time and the worse possible way. Anyone who says this hasn’t happened to them is lying.

But here is my issue.

(thank you google – again)

See the thing sitting next to the toilet? It is called a plunger.

Here is a close up in case these are new to you.

(thank you google – again)

Now, here is where the breakdown seems to occur. Maybe folks don’t know how to use this device.  It is actually very simple. Just plug your nose if needed and hold back the gag reflex like I had to yesterday to fix this problem.

Insert into said toilet, create a seal, and push back and forth creating a sucking sound. Success will eventually come and everything will be free to float down the sewer highway.

Granted sometimes you have to whip out the big artillery but this simple technique will resolve 90% of the clogged toilets in the world.

So yesterday my need to go potty was greater than my need to be grossed out. No bathroom for next 5 hours wasn’t going to work and obviously the culprit wasn’t going to fix it them self, so I took the dirty deed on myself.

Then TODAYYYYY, I come into work and guess what? Same freaking thing? Do I look like Mr Roto Rooter?

Once again, I take the handy plunger located right next to the clogged unit in question and within 30 seconds we were back in business.

Please pass along this easy to use tip….

If you clog up a toilet and the plunger is located within arms reach, please plunge your own pooh away.

Thank you for your support

~~~till we laugh again~~~

The Old Man and His Red Wagon

Ever have one of those 24 hour periods where you just know the world has gone crazy? 

Maybe it’s me who has gone crazy and the rest of the world is sane.

I’m just projecting my internal cuckoo clock on others.

~

In the past 24 hours I’ve been running in to crazy, stupid and a combination of both. I know the moon has been full and the thunderstorms drive some mad. Throw in some heat and firework kabooms and you have a good mixture of nut job juice.

I don’t have time to write about them all, let’s just say there is quite a few. But I want to share at least this one.

 

The Old Man & the Red Wagon

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So a few months ago an older gentleman came into the store and asked if he could leave his vacuum with us until he could return and pick it up.

Yes, you just read that right.  As it is common for someone to be traveling down the road with a vacuum, then stop in an ice cream store to park it until he could find a ride. . Being the nice person I am and after realizing that he meant no harm, but seemed to be just be “out of it” a wee bit, I agreed. We placed it in the corner and as promised, her returned an hour later to pick it up.

Picture last night around 5pmish. We are busy since we are the only crazy ones open in town and they cancelled the town’s festivities due to the earlier rain. In walks our vacuum friend asking if he can leave some “boxes” for an hour or two until he could return. Only this time, his hand is bleeding as well. My employee calls me over to make this executive decision.

We step outside so I could “investigate” these boxes and determine if I should can help him. Turns out they aren’t boxes, but rather kitchen trash cans. Not one, but two.

He stated he was trying to take them home but he fell off his bike (hence why his hand was bleeding – by the way, he declined our offer of a band-aid). He just wanted to know if we would watch them until he found a ride or could return with his wagon.

Now, please realize these weren’t clean trash cans. No, they had dirty trash bags and stuff hiding under a pillow of some sort. I know there is no way I can have them inside my lobby and he even realizes this. I offer to let him keep them off to the side up front but he doesn’t feel comfortable and asks about the side of the building. But as he is doing this, he is announcing rather loudly (unintentionally) that he is worried someone will steal his valuables inside. At this point you can only imagine my imagination wondering what these “valuables” were.

But here lies my next problem. He is saying this loud enough for all these kids (some are local punks) outside to hear. And I just know the minute he walks off, the promise of riches inside these cans will take over and they will be jacked before he gets around the corner.

Being the nice person I am once again, and once again knowing how honest he seems to be, (and the fact that the deck is missing a card or two) I tell him to bring them around back and I’ll put them just inside my door until he returns.

These cans are extremely heavy. So now I’m really curious as to the “valuable” things inside. We place them inside and he begins to rummage through them as if he is taking a mental picture and creating an inventory list of the contents.

Under the old kid pillow were a bunch of books and bottles of old beer. Yep, his valuable haul was for a quiet evening drinking and reading. He must have noticed the look on my face (actually I’m holding back giggles) and starts to tell me someone gave them to him.  Yes, because people always give an older man on a bicycle two loaded kitchen trash cans of books and beer to ride home miles away. Happens all the time…..

I smile and say that was nice of them (can you say dumpster diving?) I let him know I will be there for a few more hours and just come to the front when he gets back. He then tells me how he will be lucky to find a ride since he is sure his neighbors are all drunk.  LOL.

I let him know that if he can’t get back in time, I’ll just place them out back for him. He reassured me he will be back shortly (Panicked I’m sure that I will help myself to the stash).

As promised, a little while later he returns with…. Yep, his red wagon.

I tell him I’ll meet him out back and when I open the door I notice his hands are behind his back. Red wagon at his side. Odd, but ok.

Then he asks…“There are three of you here right now right?” ….

Me..“Excuse me?”  as now I realize I might have a crazy man at my backdoor deciding if he has at least 3 bullets in his gun.  Or even a tougher question, can he take out three girls at his spry 78 years of youth.

He repeats the question and I say yes. He then pulls his hands from behind his back (me ready to trip him if needed) and with a big smile…he presents me with 3 melting Hershey’s Chocolate bars.

Stop laughing……

Ok, to make a long story short (Too late) I take the chocolate (I can’t be a rude hostess) and offer to help him with his precious cargo. He takes the first one, then pulls the pillow off to “show me” what he has (More like check off his inventory list to see if the ice cream lady snagged a beer or book or both).

He then proceeds to tell me how this neighbor was drunk and couldn’t drive him and the other neighbor had a few business calls to return (on the 4th of July at 7pm) and it might be awhile before he could take him. So my new friend went to his other neighbor to borrow the red wagon. And here he is now was as promised, dragging his wagon the 7 miles from where he lives.

This man is definitely entertaining.

I can hear them needing me upfront but I hate rushing my new friend but alas I must bring this fun to an end. I watch as he loads his treasure chests on his red radio flyer and heads off into the sunset.

I picture him curling up with one of the school textbooks (yes, that’s what the two I saw were) and the beer I had never have heard of before and settling in for night of fireworks and light reading.

This is 100% true and no embellishing was needed. This is just one of many strange things to happen to me in the past 24 hours. But I promise, none were as entertaining as my new friend with the red wagon.

I can only imagine what the next 24 hours might have in store. Life is full of moments that make us smile or laugh. (Even when we want to strangle the stupid people)

~~~till we laugh again~~

The Pope Kept Staring at Us!

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Isn’t this a little creepy?

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You have probably noticed that I do not speak of religion or politics. Why start an unnecessary fight on a humor page?  (unless I’m just picking on you)

But last night, the Pope invaded my meal. And to be honest, it was a little odd.

Have you ever been to a Buca di Peppo’s? It’s a family style restaurant that has all kinds of odd stuff going on. It’s pretty neat in an odd kind of way.

We were there for a business meeting and requested a private room. They put us in a semi private area called the “Pope” Room.

The Pope was all over the walls in this little room. But the freakiest part was a giant bust of him on the middle of the lazy Susan used to the pass food around.  So no matter how many times you moved his face away, he just kept coming back to give you his creepy smile.

Each time a person would show up, we spun him to face them. Those that were late, had no idea why the rest of us kept giggling.

I’m not saying the Pope is a good or bad guy. But do you really need him staring at you while you eat? I vote no. But I can honestly say, I wouldn’t be a fan of anyone’s head on a platter staring at me while I ate.

Oh! And don’t even get me going on the naked women and kids (cherubs) on the walls. I almost took a picture of one in the bathrooms that really made me wonder what was wrong with these people. (I’m kicking myself for not doing it but I couldn’t decide if the humor I would give it would go over as I had it in my head, so best to “step away” from the picture and keep a moving).

So if you are ever wanting an old white guy to stare at you while you eat, head over to a Buca di Peppo’s and enjoy!

`

PS. No Pope’s were hurt during the making of this post.

PSS. And if you are catholic, sorry for picking on your Pontiff, but he started it. 

`

~~~till we laugh again~~~

She Really Needed That Big Mac NOW!!

People crack me up. If I’m looking for laughs, I really don’t have to go far. Human nature gives me some of my best laughs each day.

Take today for example. Well, today’s example happens all the time and I just shake my head each time.

I thought I’d be nice and pick up one of those 20 piece nugget deals for the kid that is working right now for her and I to share. No biggie. So I head to the McDonald’s around the corner. Our McDonald’s is only a few years old, so it has that new dual drive thru they are putting in every where.

The trick to these dual drive thru’s is to almost always take the outside lane. The way they are built, actually allows for the two cars vs one since there is the extra gap to pull around. Thus allowing outside lane people to order faster.

Now, you don’t have to like this fact, but it is what it is and I take full advantage of this. But some folks are either upset by this injustice in the world, or they just want that damn Big Mac and can’t wait. Personally I think it is because they didn’t think of it first.

So even though you clearly ordered your food first, they feel it still should be a I go, you go scenario. Unfortunately, that isn’t how the inside works. The poor kid at the register has you in the order you ORDERED.

So these folks now get to the window, and if they aren’t paying attention, they pay for your food and then possibly pick up your food. I have had this happen several times. How lame can you be?

You just ordered 4 big macs, 3 fries and sodas…. did you really think your order was only $5.75???

The hard part for me is, driving the Pink Truck and it screaming my local business all over it, I have to be nice. Sure I shake my head, but yelling out “Are you really that stupid?! Would probably be bad for business. Don’t ya think?

So there I sit. Smiling. Laughing at how this woman felt the need to almost hit my truck to prevent me from getting ahead of her in the single file portion of our lane. Then smile at me as if she didn’t mean to do it. I just smile and nod back.

As long as there are people in the world, I will have plenty to laugh at each day.

 

~~~till we laugh again~~~

Watch Were You Spit!

I’m a pretty easy going person as I have mentioned before. Keep your pants up and I’m happy.

However, some kid today reminded me of one of the things that drives me up a wall.

If you feel the need to hock up a big loogie, do me a favorite and don’t spit it right in front of my store where my customers walk in.

While you are at it, how about you don’t spit it anywhere on the ground I walk on? Especially in the parking lot where I get out of my truck, step down then discover your bodily fluid you left behind for me.

And If I’m putting in requests, how about you don’t do it in front of me period? It is so gross. The sound you make is gross, the flying projectile is gross and the resulting pool of crud is gross. Did I mention how gross this is?

But then again, our sport figures do it all the time while on TV, why would our children (especially our boys) think this wasn’t ok?

david beckem spit

But come on,  G R O S S… Maybe it’s just me.

 

Sorry, not so sure how funny this post is, so here are a couple of spit jokes just in case…

#1 ~~ Did you hear that the Post Office just recalled their latest Stamps?

They had pictures of lawyers on them and people couldn’t figure out which side to spit on.

 

#2 ~~ A guy walks into a bar and orders a drink. After a few more he needs to go to the can.

He doesn’t want anyone to steal his drink so he puts a sign on it saying, “I spat in this beer, do not drink!”.

After a few minutes he returns and there is another sign next to his beer saying, “So did I!”

 

~~~till we laugh again~~~

Pull Up Your Freaking Pants!

I’m the type of person that lets most things roll off their back. I’m like a duck. Whatever. People want to dress like fools walking in Walmart then so be it. Without them I wouldn’t get one of my favorite spam emails.

But one thing i find very disrespectful is this whole concept that your pants must be under your ass or hanging on your crotch.

Saggy AssThey are pants for a reason. To cover your ass, your crotch and legs. If you want your ass hanging out then just wear some leg warmers.

What is the point? If you have to walk around holding up your pants it seems like a pain in the butt to me. And if someone starts chasing you, its not like you can out run them without tripping.

I came across this picture and it does explain what might be going on under those long white t-shirts that I originally thought were just because these guys had really long torsos.

Now it makes sense, they are two little people giving piggy back rides!

Public outcry is happening all over the states. Public  places are now letting it known they will not service those with their pants down. I so am tempted to put this sign up at my store.

pull up your pants

But I know just the person for us to call up and see if he would be the spokesperson for pulling up your pants. 

Jaleel WhiteThen again, maybe it was this image that caused the whole sagging thing to start….hmmm

———–

I Bring You Mr Pants Down   <<<~~~ check out this rant I did last year (don’t worry, it’s short)    😀

~~~~~~~~ Till we laugh again~~~~~~~

I Swear! That is my REAL Name…

If you are like me, you have a special attachment to your name. I’m proud of my name. My name stands for ME. I hear my name and it is who I am. There is only one me. I would never change my name. For anyone. Period. In my world, my name represents who I am at any given moment.My name isn’t just a name… it is me.

My name is Tammy. Not Tamara. I don’t have a problem with the name Tamara. One of my best friends is named Tamara. I know two Tamaras as a matter of fact. But my name isn’t Tamara. It’s T A M M Y. Also, not Tami or Tammi. Once again, I’m fine with those spellings. It is who they are. Just not me.

My mother named me after the movie from the 60’s Tammy and the Bachelor. And yes, many an older man has sung the song to me through the years. Definitely creepy when I was in my teens and early 20s.

Ok, now with that said. I have a great story to share. I’ve told this story many times and people think it is hilarious. And it is 100% true.

~~~~

It was around 1994, I was a 27/28-year-old Store Manager for Home Depot. One night while working late, the phone operator popped his head in my office and said that I was going to love this call. A woman was on the phone, freaking out and wanted to speak to THEE Store Manager.

I told him no problem, just shoot her over. He said you might regret it, then laughed as he left to go transfer the call.

Here is what happened next…

ME: Hi, this is Tammy how can I help you?

CRAZY LADY: Who is this? (with a mean tone)

ME: This is Tammy, how can I help you?

CRAZY LADY: I want to speak to the Store Manager! (even more irritated)

ME: Ma’am, my name is Tammy and I’m the Store Manager how can I help you? (trying to stay as nice as I can)

CRAZY LADY: You can’t be the store manager! I want to speak to the store manager!

ME: Ma’am, I promise you I am the store manager, how can I help you tonight? (now I’m starting to laugh inside)

CRAZY LADY: What is your name again?

ME: Ma’am, my name is Tammy, what can I do for you?

CRAZY LADY: That isn’t your name! What is your real name?

ME: Ma’am, my real name is Tammy how can I help you?

CRAZY LADY: WHAT IS THE NAME ON YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE!!!? (she punctuates each syllable in case I’m a little slow)

ME: (now a little irritated) Ma’am, my name is Tammy Adams and that is what is on my birth certificate. How can I help you today?

CRAZY LADY: Well you need to change it!

ME: (ok, I bite) Ma’am, why should I change it?

CRAZY LADY: No man is going to take you seriously with a name like that.

ME: (oh no you didn’t) Ma’am, I’ll keep that in mind, what can I do for you today? (before I say something I regret)

CRAZY LADY: You know, some people think I’m crazy, (some????) but I actually have an above average IQ. (you don’t say)

ME: That’s great, so ma’am what can I do for you today?

Twenty minutes into the call I learned she had a concern with the relocation of the store we were just starting. She felt the construction folks were about to create a massive catastrophe with the way they were building the berm for the dirt walls. I wont bore you with the rest of the story. But let’s just say this is how it ended….

CRAZY LADY: You know, you really should change your name.

ME: Yes ma’am, I’ll keep that in mind….

100% True Story – I Pinky Swear

~~~~

Thank you crazy lady, for giving me one of the best stories I get to tell through the years. And maybe, just maybe, this phone call helped reinforce my passion for what my name is.

~~~till we laugh again~~~

The Suspense is Over…

Yesterday I asked “How do you keep a blog reader in suspense?”

 

I guess I better have something good at the end of that rainbow. Yet here I sit with nothing. Yep, nada, ziltch, zero….

Maybe I worked too hard yesterday. It was a long one. Plus having to use my brain too much.

Then to make matters worse, I had to get up early today. The cable guy is coming over to do some “free” upgrade thingy on Direct TV Dish and one of my TVs. Yahoo, I’m finally going to have HD on at least one TV.

But in typical fashion, I took the 8am to noon slot so I could be at work by 2pm. Being that we live in the middle of no where, usually we luck out and get to be first on most plans of attack. I guess not today. I wake up early so I can shower.  I so wanted to close my eyes and go back to sleep in my chair. But noooo, I fight it.

Yet my dogs taunt me by sleeping on their pillows in front of me. I’m so jealous!

garfield sleeping pillow

But here I sit, 3 hours later and still no cable guy. I wonder if he knows he has exactly 50 minutes to get his happy butt here? The only thing in his favor is when he goes under the house, it isn’t going to be 95 degrees today.

Ok, I’m just rambling. I wont bore you any more. This post is making me sleepier. Maybe if I close my eyes he will show up. That is exactly what would happen.

Ok, I’ll probably be back later with a better post. But no promises. I don’t want to keep putting you in suspense.   😀

Oh, before I go. Here is a cute picture I found while looking for some sleeping ones. Thought you might get a little laugh.

 

~~~till we laugh again~~~

Might Be Quicker Just to Blow it Up

blow it upI must confess something. I didn’t mean for it to get so bad. I really didn’t. But it did. But I do have an excuse, reason.

My home office has seen better days. Just none in the past 3 years.

I’m not a neat nick. I’m not even going to try to lie. I have to many friends and family that would out me as a liar. I’m not a filthy pig either, I’m just not the “everything has a perfect home” kind of person. My labels at home don’t all face the same way. My desk might be cluttered but I know where everything is and that is all that matters. (Oddly though, my computer folders are extremely organized – Go figure)

One of the bloggers I follow, Candy over at Finding Order in Chaos, is all about helping you organize yourself. I’m a lost cause but I still like to dream and hey, she is extremely interesting. Check her out.

So I got to thinking how disappointed in me she would be if she ever saw my home office. Before I show the “wow” picture and you all run screaming, let me explain. I have not used this room in over 3 years. Not that it was perfect before, but it wasn’t this bad. It now has become a dump and run. Ok, let me just rip off the band-aid and show you the damage….

What a mess
This is nothing....

 

Office mess
What the Heck Happened?!

If you stuck through the horror of those two pictures it is good to know you didn’t pass out…..Except maybe Candy…..

Yep, when I left HD I just dropped my stuff off on a Friday and took over the BR on a Monday… Looks like it is all right where I left it….

My HD stuff... 3 years of dust....I got the PomPom on my last day...Long story...

There is more, but even I can’t bring myself to show the rest of the horror….

BUT……………..

 

The good news is I’ve decided to tackle the project. My problem is, I work everyday.  So it’s not like I have a day I can dedicate to it. So, my mission is to deal with at least 5 items per day.  At my calculation that should have it cleaned up my October 3rd, 2015.

Hey, Rome wasn’t built in a day (so I’m told – I wasn’t there).

When I was a kid and had to clean my room, my tactic was to toss everything I could find on my bed. This way the floor looked awesome and I felt like I accomplished something. I still use that theory to this day. (only I will try to not toss it all back on the floor when I get tired of cleaning).

Want to see my progress?

Is that carpet I see???

Impressive huh? Someone give Candy the smelling salt so she can be impressed too!

Well, I’m trying. And that is more than I was doing a year ago. So keep your fingers crossed (as we learned in a previous post I can’t)

I might just get this mess cleaned up prior to October 2015. I’m thinking definitely before the world ending in December 2012. After all, I wouldn’t want to leave a mess for my going away party.

By the way, don’t even call me a hoarder. I will not have a panic dealing with this junk. My panic attack will only come BECAUSE I have to deal with this junk.  

 

 

~~~till we laugh again~~~

Can You Turn That Thing Down!

OMG, I must be getting old!

I’m not sure when it happened. I just know I woke up one day and realized it. I’m sure it was gradual. I didn’t want it to happen. But it did.  🙁

In my 20’s and early 30’s I loved my music. I drove a lot and listened to it as loud as I could all the time. Some might say I played it loud to drown out my bad singing, but that is only half the truth. I just loved to hear it thump. It didn’t matter what the type of music was it just had to be loud so I could sing it loud.

I invested in great stereos for my cars / trucks and great speakers. I even have the 4 insurance claims to prove it. Yep, four stolen stereos – my current 11 year old truck has the factory stereo and speakers – I finally learned… LOL

But over the past 5-7 years I’ve come to realize that I can’t stand music up high. It actually has the opposite effect on me that it did back then. Now it just makes me want to hurt the person listening to it loud.

My ears are just more sensitive. Maybe it is all the racket I heard during my time at HD  (forklifts, carts, racking, etc). Maybe the pitches just burned my eardrums. I know all the noise at my store with the constant water running and machines running hasn’t helped either.  I think I understand water torture to the ears. The best feeling in the world is when we turn off those dipper wells at night.

But I digress again (see, shiny thing syndrome).

I don’t even remember why I wrote this post today. Oh yea, loud music. Just do me a favor. I don’t want to hear your loud song as your ring tone, and if I’m in your car please be nice to my sensitive ears. And if you are in my truck, touch my dials and you die! The radio is off for a reason.

Don’t even get me started on any music that is just screeching or plain bad. Maybe that’s what happened. Good music where you understood the lyrics and the melody are slowly disappearing due to new technology allowing bad singers to have hit songs. YouTube and the internet making sensations out of personalities vs quality.

 

OMG, I was right!!!!  I am getting old!  Now I sound like those people that griped about Elvis, or the Beatles or any other famous artist of their day.

Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE music. I really, really do. I like all types (other than screaming / screeching). I just need you to play it at a lower decibel.

Nevermind. I just realized who to blame. Apple. Yep. I’m blaming them. Now that all my music / audio is pumped into my ear via my earbuds attached  to my iTouch, it has to be their fault.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

If you want to complain, just do it quietly please.

 

~~~till we laugh again~~~

 

 

 

Procrastinators Unite! ~~ Ok, Maybe Tomorrow…

I am a card carrying Procrastinator and proud of it! 

Ok, maybe not always, but it is something I am really good at. Too good unfortunately.

Like many Americans, I am just finishing up my taxes. Yes, the pain of my reality was too great to do any sooner. But that isn’t the only reason. Too much work to do and definitely way too much concentration.

There lies the root of my procrastination:

(A)     30% is just Painful – Not as in painful it hurts physically, but painful like banging my head against the wall, it’s too painful to do this crap. Also known as B O R I N G or I just don’t want to do it.

(B)     70% is from Lack of Concentration – Bad case of “Shiny Thing Syndrome”

Yep, I’m easily distracted. I’ve said it. I’ve admitted it. I have way more fun things that catch my eye or create pleasure. Like a moth to a flame, I can’t help myself. Like a kitty to laser light, I’m off and running by the first thing that catches my eye.

This blog is a great example. I love doing it. I love making you all laugh or smile. I love to see your comments or thoughts and I’m obsessed with now hitting 10,000 views (Ok, this just started to eat at me as I hit 7,500 a few days ago). But darn it! I have more fun doing this than any of the “Adult” junk I have to do.

But let’s be honest, if I didn’t have the blog, there would be some other thing I would rather be doing other than what I should be doing.

I’ve always been like this. Even as a kid I’d put off papers or homework until the last minute. Swearing I did my best work then. Which believe it or not, I still think it true. When I’m in the crunch, I tend to focus 100% on accomplishing what I have a mere few hours left to do. If I try starting early, the darn shiny object syndrome kicks in again and I’m only half ass doing what I should be.

Sighhhhh, what’s a girl to do?…….

I don’t know. Maybe tomorrow I can think of a solution…..

 

~~~till we laugh again~~~

Is That a Turkey in Your Backyard?

I have a couple of rental properties. Over the years I’ve gotten some strange calls about my tenants, especially about their animals. But today was the weirdest one I’ve had in 7 years.

“Did you know XXX has a Turkey in his backyard?”

Huhhh???  A Turkey?

Now, this house is in a normal neighborhood. Not some country property. The typical animal is a pit bull or outdoor cat if you get my drift. But definitely not a large butt turkey in a cage.

Oh, and did I mention the rooster?

Oh my….I can’t wait to talk to him tomorrow on this one….  LOL

Gobble Gobble…..

Follow Up: I sent him a text just saying “Turkey??” He replied, “Yep, Turkey, 2 Ducks and 4 chickens”.  One day I’ll have to write a story on this man as he has provided me many laughs the past 5 years.

Shaking my head………LOL

~~till we laugh again~~~