Mondays....

Here I sit in the office another Monday having arrived. And although I am grateful its getting closer to my vacation and that my boss is on vacay for a week, there is one thing that keeps the dreaded Monday mantra of "I hate Monday" alive and well. Patients. Yes ladies and gentleman, my Mondays are overrun with walk-ins who have problems with their hearing aids, ears and all other types of medical conditions that no one should hear about, let alone know about.

Today is no exception. So far Mr. and Ms. Nasties have called or shown up to complain about their appointments that are not soon enough, can't be made soon enough or that they even have one at all. Please God if I ever get to be over a certain age, just let me die so I won't cause anyone else the pain and discomfort of putting up with my bad attitude. Yeah, yeah, I know most of these folks are old, they are on fixed incomes and its hard for them, blah, blah. But ya know what? Most of these folks have money, get free health care and are miserable because they want to be. My grandparents are old and have a heck of a lot more problems than most of these people, yet they are sweet and polite.

I guess its starting to get to me because everyone seems to have lost any semblance of manners. No one says goodbye when disconnecting a call, they can't be bothered with a simple thank you! Were they raised in barns? I and my sisters got beat if we didn't say yes ma'am and no ma'am, yes sir, no sir. All I hear now is yeah and alright..and the hateful "whatever!" Its bad enough people can't eat their food without showing everyone else in the restaurant what they are having for dinner. Its getting old and truthfully I am hoping to win a lottery or something so I may purchase a small private island in the West Indies where I can be alone and not deal with so many individuals who have so little regard for others.

I know I am not alone in feeling this way. This is a total rant entry and I know that, but I am not allowed to scream at a patient and its rude to scream at someone for being an idiot. I'd be yelling all day if I did. So, if anyone out there finds a magic lamp and makes a wish, please wish all of us here in the world with good manners and that we use them. I say that would make everyone's day!!

For Example....

Unfortunately for me, two of my fellow co-workers made a statement yesterday that made me think. All I can say is....thanks a lot you guys! It took a lot out of me and my head really hurt afterwards. But, the main part of the story is that Whitney (aka physical therapy extraordinaire) and Kirk (the oh so worldly wise one..or so he thinks) stated that they were becoming just like me, after an unpleasant encounter involving some patients. Lets face it, at first, totally funny...then after I quit laughing I was a bit worried. I mean, for me well, that's just me...but I didn't want sweet, adorable Whitney and doe-eyed, naive Kirk to be like that! I'm sarcastic, absolutely politically incorrect and lets face it, I can be...hhmm...lets just say the list goes on...and on.

And so there it is. The problem. I am an example. Obviously, not a very good one. Yeah, I can be nice and I work hard, and I'm more than happy to help get your butt out of a sling..blah blah blah, but I need to be better. I need to watch my mouth, try to be less negative and look more to the positive (per Kirk, I tend to be a Debbie Downer). So, forget the swear jar (which was not working!!), I am now on a mission to go 21 days straight without saying a bad word. I will also work at being more positive no matter how stressful things might get here at home and at the office. I figure it will make me a better person and keep my fellow workers from shifting to the dark side (those mandatory bad guy masks they make you wear get to be a bit confining ya know).

The only thing is that my humour is so funny when its sarcastic. If you ever see me, ask me about the one-legged man blind date and the haunted hearing aids! That in itself is proof enough. I will keep you posted through my journey towards self enlightenment (or as Oprah calls it, your Aha! moment), so until then ladies and gentleman, I bid you adieu and bonsoir!

One Plus One Equals Four

For those of you that know me, my automobile is not the prettiest thing in the world. Recently, its been a problem of tires. I had one that has been going low for the past few weeks, but thanks to a small air compressor it has been keeping me going. So I go to Sam's to purchase a new tire and what happens? My front drivers side tire goes flat, right as I pull into the parking lot. I guess if its going to happen somewhere, that would be the correct area to have it happen. I can see one tire going out, but two? I see it as a sign to take no chances. I purchased four new ones. So although I am now four new tires safer, I am also $360.00 poorer. Its times like this that I miss my baby pick-up truck "Little Red."

Red and I had been through a lot over the years. Thunderstorms, hurricanes, snowstorms, ice storms, two major moves (not counting moving friends and church members) and many, many trips to the repair shop. It always got me where I needed to go when I needed it most. It is what hooked me on pick-up trucks. As soon as I save up what I need, that is what I will be purchasing for new transportation. I have my dream truck, a nice gunmetal grey quad-cab Chevy Silverado lifted, with chrome. You thought I'd go red, but I just can't do it. You can't replace one truck that you've had with another. Its just not right and its never the same.

Ahh, the memories. Where does time go? Just last year I moved back to the city of my birth for a final time. I just can't move again. I figure this is where I will always be. Thankfully I have many family members and new friends that I am making. I have a good job and work with good people. I count myself lucky. I can always find something to complain about, its my thing. But I am feeling a bit maudlin and am trying to look for the good in what is out there in this world.

So on that note, I am going to go visit with my sister, make lists for our vacation (cause we like to do that stuff) and enjoy what is left of my Sunday. May you have a restful afternoon....

Good grief...

And I don't mean Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang. Its been a long day, a lot done but a feeling of nothing being accomplished. Now here I sit, wanting to go home, but unable to do so because I was dumb enough not to order toner earlier in the day. For some reason I cannot fathom, small businesses (such as the one I work for) purchase copiers that you have to order toner from some other business out in BFE. What's worse, you can't get it at Office Depot or Staples. Just my luck, its almost out and my boss will freak (well, in the only way he knows how). I guess I will have to save all remaining toner for him and hope no one wants to fax us (yeah right).

So I am whining now...things could be worse I am sure. I figure I will go on home, make a cobbler (blueberry.......mmmmmm......blueberry), picked from our own property no less, which makes it even sweeter. I will bring it to work tomorrow, maybe they will be so overcome with the cobbler, they will forget about the toner, yea!! Now I am dreaming! First whining, now dreaming, whats next? Better not ask, as the possibilities are endless and lets face it. My problem is that I am almost always willing to try something once, especially if it is non-fattening.

For those of you reading this, thinking, good Lord, why is she writing, you may blame my very good friend Whitney Harris (physical therapy extraordinaire, all around American girl who belongs on the cover of a magazine for Audrey Hepburn look-a-likes). Poor girl, she had no idea what was coming when I was hired to work next door to her. She'll say, Oh Michelle...don't be silly, then tell me I am much worse than I imagined...lol. In the coolest and sweetest way ever!

I would put a picture of Whit and my family and friends up, but alas, I am still learning this site and have not yet mastered the technique. Never fear, I will get the hang of it and get it going. Much to their horror and my delight.

Oh well, I would write more, but I need to be going. Daylights burning and I have a cobbler to bake, other chores to do and a book to finish reading (stayed up till 1:00 am last night and finally had force myself to stop at the half way point!). I am sure I will have more to say tomorrow and more changes to make to the site. Until then, so long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night.

To Blog or Not To Blog....

The question I have been facing since it all started. To begin with, its cool to keep in touch with everyone who, like my family for example, is scattered all over God's creation. As a con, I don't like everone knowing my business. But then I thought, everyone pretty much knows it all anyway, so what the heck. I'll do it. So here I am, now glommed together in that place we all call cyberspace telling everyone what I had for breakfast (okay, it was a Hot Pocket..sheesh).

Currently things here in the lovely capital city of Florida is wet. We have had rain pretty much every day. If you could only see my yard, you would understand my despair, as it now looks like the wilds of the South American rain forest. Tall grass, huge trees, vines snaking up everywhere ready to catch you unawares. We won't get into the fauna..lets just say some animals and insects, no matter how beneficial are gross and painful when they catch you.

I will say that I am quite grateful (although sometimes not) for all of my family. Lets face it, anyone who can claim to have six younger sisters all by the same parents isn't heard of all that much anymore. I am the oldest, unmarried (yea!!) without children (can I got an Amen?!!) and am living with my Grandma since my Grandpa passed away so she wouldn't be alone (aahhhh). I work for an Audiologist, so I get to yell at people all day long (who can say they are that lucky?)...the rest are as follows:

Diane, married to husband Sean (a cool gamer of a brother-in-law), with two hell-raising children Connor and Alex (my baby except by birth). Works for her in-laws and is a totally gorgeous. She sucked all the pretty when she was born (dang you Diane!!!).

Christina, recently married to Russell (who is still warily trying to figure us out), no children or expecting any as of yet. She too is a bella regazza, so some of the pretty gene must have been left over after Diane was born after all. LOL. Of course now I am still trying to forgive her for leaving us to move to Colorado just to be with her husband!! What a reason!

Danielle, unmarried, two children that are absolute brats in the best way, Sydney and Ashley. She's the bakery manager and is the reason all of America is obese in this day and age. Too much butter cream can be a bad thing!! Unfortunately, she also is good looking. I'm beginning to see a pattern and I have to wonder if I got gypped.

Suzanne, unmarried, no kids either. Just moved into her own place. I guess she felt she had to spread her petite cuteness all over town. Doing it around the house to annoy us wasn't enough. She works for Publix and seems happy there. I wonder if she needs a roommate....anyway, she is the bravest since she has gotten numerous tats...blech.

Jamie Marie, actually just Jamie but she gets two names anyway. She is single, no children, but she takes care of a bunch of them in her work. She's unfortunately every male fantasy in the looks department, tall, blonde hair, blue eyes, big.........heart. Hey, you watch where your mind is wandering! What did you think I would say about my sister? Looking for her Prince Charming here in Tally, living with Diane and both are still alive so far (I lay odds on Diane).

Lastly is Shannon, still in High School, part of the Color Guard, active in Church, and a good student with gorgeous features. It makes me want to hit her...She is studying medicine already and I figure she will cure at least 100 diseases in her lifetime. She is stubborn though, which I guess is normal for our family. Two more years and she will be leaving home too. She better not move too far away! And one more thing, we (her sisters) picked her name. We figured it was time we got to pick since my parents named all the rest of us.

My parents Jamie (hence why Jamie Marie goes by two names) and Shirley, well lets face it. They both belong in Chattahoochee. I don't know why they haven't made it there yet. Married 32 years, seven children, 4 grandchildren, and other crazy realtives and friends surrounding you all day long...if thats not a mental case waiting to happen I don't know what is.

We try our best to get together several times a year. Last time that happened the National Guard was called in. It seems the Neighborhood Watch thought there was an invasion of some sort. Just think what its going to be like at Thanksgiving. Hahhahahahahah...

Okay, well that is way more than enough for now. I figure something will happen to spark more of my blogging tomorrow. Until then good morning, good afternoon and goodnight.