One Makes all the Difference

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Doug is our newest coworker. I learned this week that he married a foreigner. I figured it out when I answered the phone and had a difficult time understanding her. Living in the South – although cultivating me on new food, phrases, and "slow talkers" - has not allowed me much interaction with other cultures or accents especially outside the country. After Doug got off the phone, he informed me she is Scottish.

Later in the afternoon, I was trying to explain her background to Jordan and Mark. I attempted by saying, “She is from Scotland, so she isn’t a Native American…ummm, and neither am I for that matter.”

I meant to say a native of America.

One word in the middle of a two.

One word would have made all the difference.

One.

One vs Two.

Single vs Married.

The next time anyone gives me grief about being single, I’ll have to point out just how important One is.

I’m One.

And that makes all the difference...somehow.

Double Talk

Today Johnny-Cherie turns 15! Oh my goodness. One more year and she'll be driving...

The other day she and I were relaxing on my bed. I was browsing through a magazine while Johnny played a game on my cell phone. I saw an advertisement for some ridiculously overpriced skin-care products. I read the description to Johnny and then told her the price.

She looked up from the phone and exclaimed, "Are you serious?! You would have to be stupid, rich, or (pause) a celebrity to pay that!"

I told her there was no need to be redundant.

Oh well.

Johnny-Cherie, Happy Birthday, I love ya! (pause) Happy Birthday, I love ya!

I Smell Trouble

...and it smells kinda fruity.

I was thinking the other day - in the shower of course because that's typically when my best ideas come. Anyway, so I was thinking and not paying attention to my shower routine. I picked up the can of shaving gel, cupped my hand, and sprayed a generous amount. It was orange.

My shaving gel is green.

I looked and realized I'd picked up Johnny-Cherie's gel by accident. Her shaving scent is Melon Medley. Curiosity got the better of me so I sniffed it.

That was stupid. I was mere inches from a nose full of gel.

Which brings me to my question: why do shaving creams have scents? I don't need to have shaving gel that close to my nose. I mean, it's not like I have to shave my nose hair...and even if I had to for some gross, unfeminine reason, I wouldn't use shaving gel.

Scented tweezers. That's what I would need.

You Know You're a Blogger if...

10. You google your blog to see how well it rates.
9. Conversations start with, "You can't blog this."
8. You spend at least an hour everyday catching up with friends.
7. You end a phone conversation because, "you have to go write your blog."

6. You find random pieces of paper in your purse, in the car, at work, in your pillowcase, in the fridge, on your hand with ideas for a future post.
5. You can type the first letter of your domain name and your blog immediately pops up on the drop-down menu.
4. A friend says, "How are you doing? I haven't been to your blog recently."
3. Conversations end with, "Charlottalove, did you hear that story? This would be a great post."
2. You talk about your friends even though you have never actually met.
1. You meet someone at an activity and know each other by their profile name.

Isn't it Ironic

My office just hired a new guy named Doug. We were each introduced to Doug last Friday and he officially started Monday. Until we get his office set up, he is working at a table in the break room. Yesterday I went to get either a snack, a cup of water, or a glance out the window and Doug was talking with Ray. Ray broke from their conversation and asked Doug, “Have you had a chance to talk with Charlotte much?” Doug answered, “Yes. She is pretty sharp…and real funny.” Ray responded, “Yeah, she’s funny!”

I nodded and said, “Thanks boys, I’ll be here all week.”

Ironically, I couldn't have been more serious when I said that.

Sisterhood of the traveling earring

GREAT NEWS: I was accepted for a month long study abroad program to Spain during the month of July.

SAD NEWS: Due to ridiculous passport processing times, I will not be going to Spain. My passport should arrive shortly after I should have left.

OKAY NEWS: It's fine though. I strongly believe that Spain will still be there next year. Unless of course, Spain turns out like the USSR or City of Atlantis...

SILLY NEWS: Look closely at this picture. Where is my other earring? I didn't notice until after the picture was snapped that I'd lost half of my accessories.

Seems my earring will have all the adventures.

Fives

I was tagged by Burg with a 5-meme. It's supposed to be about me but since Father's day is this weekend, I'm changing the rules up a bit. Here are the 5's of P2.

Five Snacks P2 Enjoys:

a.) Riesens

b.) Glass of lemonade

c.) Hershey Almond Bar
d.) Cheese and crackers

e.) Oreos

Five Shows I watched with P2 when I was younger:

a.) Are You Being Served

b.) Mr. Bean

c.) Get Smart

d.) The Red Green Show

e.) Star-Trek: the next generation

Five Things P2 Would Do If He Were a Millionaire:

a.) Buy all the tools he doesn't have yet.

b.) Buy a Cadillac XLR Roadster.

c.) Buy a house with an entire wing for his "workshop".

d.) Invest.

e.) Put his last 4 children through college.

Five great habits:
a.) He loves to read and knows something about anything.
b.) The most dependable guy I know.
c.) Kisses my mom every day.

d.) He vacuums and wipes fingerprints off cabinet doors.

e.) Always puts the toilet seat down.

Something P2 Should Never Wear Again:

a.) Two Words: "Yellow Pants"

And yes, that is yours truly on the left. I should add that I will never again wear: crazy shorts that match my sister's, hightop ReeBoks with velcro, or a gallon of hair spray while hiking.

Happy Father's Day P2. And Happy Father's Day to all you "dads" out there!

Split personality

I work for a construction company. I deal not only with the actual guys out on the job but the guys at corporate behind the big desk as well. I see lots of hard hats, utility belts, 48oz Big Gulps, and boots every day. I talk to architects, company managers, pay-roll clerks, and the occasional telemarketer. Depending on the situation, I am either down-to-earth and cutting jokes or very professional and succinct. There is a H-U-G-E difference in Phone-girl and Desk-girl.

For example, Desk-girl would never say, "Thank Goodness it's Friday! I've been waiting all week for the weekend." Actually, Phone-girl would never actually say that either...but I hear it at least once a week. As Desk-girl, I keep the guest company until it's time for them to meet with the guys. I usually find something to chit chat about.

"Say, that's a really long braid. You lose a bet?"
(Guy with braid) "No, I belong to Hell's Angels. I grow my hair out and donate it to Locks o' Love and ain't nobody gonna mess with me."
"All right then."

(I can't make this stuff up.)

Phone-girl laments with the caller that "Monday just came way too fast."
Desk-girl laughs when coworkers come in wearing sunglasses Monday morning.
Phone-girl enunciates and politely directs calls.
Desk-girl has an awfel suthern axe-sent
Phone-girl asks the caller to please hold.
Desk-girl yells "LINE 2!!!"
Phone-girl is cheerful.
Desk-girl gives "the look" when one of the guys brings a stack of papers to send at 4:57.

As phone-girl and desk-girl, I do have fun at work. I just cater to the situation. I know enough "building-talk" to fake a conversation for 5 minutes. When a crew member comes in, I usually have to pretend I know what I'm talking about for only a few minutes. The guy leaves thinking "she knows her stuff." In the meantime, I just knocked 2 and 1/2 minutes off my hour. Additionaly, I can be quite dignified for those two minutes on the phone. I know when to drop a courtesy laugh, a quick "yes ma'am", or agree with a joke. The person hangs up feeling great about our conversation and I just chipped away another 2 minutes. You see, I'm a people person. I just like for the individual to feel comfortable while conversing with me. As long as they are happy. Give me any situation: I can adapt.

In an unrelated side note, I'm thinking of going into politics.

Wedding Bells Rang

Oh Boy, what a weekend! I knew it'd be grand.
But standard to life, events didn't all go as planned.

You see, a friend recently asked me to Be Maid of Honor.
And help with wedding details now quickly upon her.

I accepted and thought, "I'm in a wedding...That's new!"
Never expecting I'd also be sick with the flu.

It all started Wednesday; I went to bed early that night.
I thought extra rest would get me back feeling all-right.

But Thursday was awful. And work was quite busy.
I was freezing and coughing; to stand made me dizzy.

Friday was no different. I worked only four hours.
Next came rehearsal dinner and decorating with flowers.

The mother of the bride sent me home to get rest.
She said sleep would help...and I hoped she knew best.

But the following morning my voice disappeared.
It finally got better as the wedding time neared.

Although my head was adorned with red roses,
Compared to my coughing and blowing of noses,

I wasn't too pretty but it's the brides big day, Right?
All I craved was going to sleep for the night.

Now it's over and I'm glad the work's done.
Being in a wedding is hard but also it's fun.

With the heat and my flu as a bad combination
I can't remember if I gave them my congratulation.

Amber ~ may love always be in your life
David ~ take care of your beautiful wife.

When bad times creep up, remember your wedding
Your love; your vows; the direction your heading.

For better or worse, in sickness and health
In poverty's grasp or abounding in wealth,

May life give you moments to keep and to treasure
And here's to your love that it's too much to measure.

But when I say of weddings, "I'm sick!" and "I tire!"
I only speak of my health; can't call me a liar.

TheDeanInc

TheDeanInc turns 26 today! Happy Birthday!

I personally don't remember the day he was born but I'm told I placed some flowers from a bathroom vase next to his head the first time I saw him. He and I became buddies. We always were together and conjured up games only understood by us. Even though I'm two years older, I looked up to him quite a bit while growing up.

Now-a-days we don't get to hang out very often since we live a few hours away: 2 hour time zone and 4 hour plane trip. Despite the distance, I still look up to him. TheDeanInc has incredible talent when it comes to computers or anything electronic. He is especially fond of Photoshop. I enjoy his pictures - it helps me keep up with his recent adventures.

Here's his search for the Holy Grail.

Here he is competing in the "Anyone can be the Governor of California" body-building contest.

And here he is returning from the war.

As you can see, TheDeanInc keeps busy. Bro, you amaze me still. In fact, you taught me all I know about technology. I decided I would pull out all the stops for your birthday and send you $100. What's your fax number?

WASTED OPPORTUNITY

I attended a conference in Atlanta this past weekend for young adults of my faith. There were a series of workshops, service opportunities, well prepared meals, and of course - the dances.

I've mentioned the dances before - oh, Snake Boy was there. Snakeless this time. I still avoided him.

Fortunately, I was able to meet some normal, fun-loving people as well. These annual conferences provide great ways to network with other individuals in the Atlanta area plus socialize and befriend others. I enjoy small group or one-on-one conversations the best. I learn so much about the other person, their life, family, hobbies, etc. I especially enjoy listening when someone talks about his or her career.

I learned one guy makes signs for a living. You know: company signs, mall kiosk signs, etc. I listened to him talk for a minute about different types of signage he'd worked on. During a pause, I proved the South has had an influence on me and asked, "When the customer comes to pick up their order, do you ever say 'Here's Your Sign'?"

He'd never thought of that.

I'm in the wrong profession. I should be making signs!

Slow Down, You Move Too Fast

I suffered with blogger's block this weekend. Although I had several ideas running through my head, none seemed to come together on paper. In an effort to clear my mind and relax, I walked to a park nearby and sat on a bench.

I looked down and saw hundreds of ants scurrying about. I followed their trail for over 20 feet. At first I thought the ants might be gathering food but only about five were carrying anything. The rest were just moving, going from one end to the other, passing other ants and totally oblivious to candy wrappers strewn nearby. I thought these ants were rather silly stuck in their fast paced little world - not even aware of sweet treasures inches away. If only the ants would just slow down from their frantic journey to wherever.

Silly ants.

Silly ants indeed.

Pomp and Circumstantial Evidence

The season is upon us.

I don't mean allergy or hurricane season as much as the culprit surrounding senioritis - graduation season. Every time I turn on the radio, I'm inundated with ads for grads. These commercials made me a bit nostalgic and I recently flipped open my senior yearbook.

Ten years have gone by - my how time flies.

My how many people I've forgotten. I obviously knew them at some point though. Their notes scribbled on various pages prove we had a connection. And as you can see, uh, what a connection it was.

Trenton, um, St. Patricks Day was three months ago... And hopefully one day you'll have a son so the Burk-the-First title actually makes sense.

Chaz, I owe ya big. I don't even want to think what would've happened had you not advised me about the foil.

Robert, um, ahem, no actually you won't see me next year. It's my senior year. I'm, uh, I'm leaving. That's why you are signing this book.

This one's from my boyfriend-at-the-time. Cameron knew I didn't know elf - not many people do actually - so he thought it would be funny to sign in code. Someone gave me the code so I was able to interpret the note but I remember thinking he could have written something more worthwhile since it was a secret message and all. I don't know elf anymore to translate but any hobbits out there wanting a challenge are welcome to dicipher it.

Brandon, I'm sure he'll find some new girl. I pity her.

Jeremy, because you asked, I sign your yearbook. ~Charlottalove

Kelli, I also "LoveYaLikeASisterButAHeckOfALotMore". Good thing we shortened that.

Class of 1997 - TTYL!