tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9997027228828131362024-03-05T04:55:17.970-05:00HeptadecagonA journal. A log. A story. A place to come and stay a while. Welcome.Timmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02741762709920172138noreply@blogger.comBlogger1890125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-78413946347373846172017-04-11T05:30:00.000-04:002017-04-11T05:38:38.160-04:00Moving On . . . I've thought long and hard about where to go lately. Not physically. I plan on staying here, in my house, with my family, for a long time (I hope). But with respect to my writing, where do I want to go?<br />
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As all you faithful readers know, I actually know the answer to that question. I want to write novels and edit other people's works. Which means I want to be a writer and an editor.<br />
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But an acquaintance of mine reminded me that <i>I am already a writer and an editor</i>, I just don't pay my bills that way.<br />
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I'll be honest. I'd love to someday pay at least a few bills using my writing and editing skills. My first step toward meeting that goal? A new website.<br />
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That's right. Thanks to <a href="http://fredrickmarion.com/" target="_blank">Fred</a>, I have a brand new <a href="http://christinaconsolino.com/" target="_blank">site</a>. I plan on blogging there, and he's imported all that I've had to say from this place. So while I might be moving, I won't be forgetting you. So feel free to visit me over at <a href="http://christinaconsolino.com/">christinaconsolino.com</a>. Once I have books to also share with you--whether they be self-published or via the traditional route--you'll be able to find them there as well.<br />
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Hope to see you there! <br />
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Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-61522430014426800582017-04-10T05:30:00.000-04:002017-04-10T05:30:09.137-04:00One Step Forward . . .What's the old saying? One step forward, two steps back?<br />
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I feel as though with writing, that's exactly what I do. I find a place to publish something of mine, and then a slew of rejections settle in. I decide to follow the self-publishing route, and then doubt sets in. I decide to contact an editor to look at my work because I think I'm ready to move forward and not give up the writing life, and then, I fall back into thinking that <i>Nah, I'll just stick with teaching, thank you.</i><br />
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But on a sunny Sunday afternoon, when the rays of the sun sluice between the blinds and the words flow quickly, tumbling from my fingers in a scurried frenzy, it's easy to think that yes, maybe <i>someday </i>will become <i>reality</i>. It's easy to convince myself that sure, many people can write a book. Yet not everyone will continue to work at writing such that they see a book all the way to the end, whatever end that may be.<br />
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In my younger days, I might have given up on this dream. But I'm older and wiser and realize that for many people, it's tenacity that gets them that book on the library bookshelf and nothing more.<br />
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Step with me, people. Step with me.<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-27766057747748749142017-04-08T05:30:00.000-04:002017-04-08T05:30:11.306-04:00Scenes from My Week, XI<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-38971241399737759522017-04-07T05:30:00.000-04:002017-04-07T05:32:41.936-04:00Hot PursuitI sat in the front office, grading papers. My colleague, Ken, walked in, the usual coffee cup in hand. "You write that Great American Novel yet?"<br />
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Ken knows all about my "other" life as a writer. In fact, he's been a great champion of the cause, since he himself dabbles in photography. Over the last several years, we've been co-conspirators in a plan to bring creativity and arts to the scientific world of the Biology Department.<br />
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"Nah," I said. "I've never had plans to do that."<br />
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I stated the truth. A long time ago, when I first put pen to paper and began writing, I never even considered that one of my stories would ever become the next Great American Novel. My intention then was to write something that somebody enjoyed. At the time, my mom read what I wrote, and she liked most of what I produced. Her approval served as an incentive to keep writing. So I did.<br />
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As I progressed in my years, I still wrote, but again, not in pursuit of the Great American Novel. Instead, I wrote for a grade, or to find release from stress, or to remember something that had happened to me, or to amuse someone else. I found satisfaction in the writing process and the physical paper that sat before me.<br />
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It didn't take me long to learn that my love of grammar and correct use of punctuation, and my yearning to make a story better, served me well in the editing world. And those feelings I got from writing--the same endorphins I manufacture when running--bubbled up during the editing process, too. I knew this 22 years ago when I became a peer editor at the University of Michigan. I knew this when friends would ask me to read and comment on their writing. I knew this when I took over the blog from Timmy years ago.<br />
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The question exists, then, what am I in pursuit of now? Since having jumped back into writing and editing, my intent is very clear to me. I'm not working for a grade, or approval from my parents. I'm writing because I want to get a story into the world and I want to put a smile on someone's face. I edit for almost that same reason: because I want to help other people bring <i>their</i> stories into the world so that those stories can put a smile on someone's face.<br />
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But I have to be honest, I've done a lot of thinking over the last five years or so. I've waffled as to what I want to do with my stories. Do I continue in the quest for an agent, or do I go ahead and self-publish? I really have no intention of not teaching, so a life of self-publishing would certainly fit the bill very well. But while I may not have wanted to write the Great American Novel, I have wanted one teeny tiny thing: to see my little book sitting on the library and book store shelves. And that's not going to happen if I choose to self-publish.<br />
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So where does that leave me? I'm not quite sure yet. Stay tuned.<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-5921309140339459232017-04-05T05:30:00.000-04:002017-04-05T05:30:04.143-04:00Social TabAnyone who knows even a little bit about me will understand how excited I am by the announcement that my "Social tab is empty."<br />
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Now I'm looking for a way to transfer that emptiness to real life. Wish me luck.Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-53929376276239537592017-04-03T05:30:00.000-04:002017-04-03T05:37:45.787-04:00Into the Pensieve, XMom moved away from her family in 1973, so the phone served as an important life line for her. I don't remember her speaking to acquaintances much, but I do remember tripping over the long, winding cord of the phone hanging between the wall and the floor as Mom spoke to her sisters. Those calls sometimes went on for ages, and I could probably have determined how long by the number of cigarettes Mom smoked during those conversations. If I could go back in time, I'd do just that, then I'd place the conversations into categories: a 1-smoke call, 2-smokes call, 3-smokes call, etc.<br />
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Later on, after Gina had gone off to college, Mom spent time speaking on the phone with her, too. Trying to dispense advice about the college dorms or money or classes or boyfriends. All the subjects moms try to help their daughters with. I remember calling Mom from college as well. She knew how I was doing just by my voice. I thought she possessed a pretty unique ability until I became a mom myself. And now, I do the same for my kids.<br />
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After I moved to Dayton in 2003, I experienced the same feelings Mom might have felt when she first moved, and I used that phone to reach back to my friends and family. It's what kept me sane at times, being able to reveal the sad state of affairs as I chased after 18-month-old twins and longed for familiar faces. I don't know how many conversations Mom and I had, but I'm sure that many of them fell into the 4- or 5-smoke category. That's how long we stayed on the phone.<br />
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And now, my mom can't speak on the phone. When she does, she muddles her way through the conversation with a laugh or an incomplete question. I've written about this before, but the lack of phone calls specifically from my mom feels odd, and it's something I've had to get used to. Of course, I can't bemoan my place right now: it's hard to imagine what Mom's going through and how frustrating it must be. It's too bad she can't use the phone. If she could, she might be fighting some of these uncomfortable feelings with a few phone calls back home.<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-3540161157432453342017-04-01T05:30:00.000-04:002017-04-01T05:30:19.073-04:00Scenes from My Week, X<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-7279726860825267592017-03-31T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-31T05:30:03.905-04:00A New PlanI've had a great time putting together blog posts everyday for these first three months of 2017. And I do believe I said I'd blog each and every day for the entire 2017 year. But I have realized that by blogging each day, I'm not finding the time to revise my work, nor am I finding time to edit other people's work. Both of those scenarios NEED to happen in order for my work to grow.<br />
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So here's the new plan. Starting tomorrow, April 1, I'll post a couple of times a week, and I'll keep up the Scenes from My Week post, since I enjoy collecting those photos as a way to keep memories in tact. Once I figure out what days work best for me, I'll try to let you faithful readers know that posting schedule.<br />
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FRN, I know you'll be disappointed, but I also know you'll understand.<br />
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And maybe (just maybe), if I spend a bit more time on my actual writing, I'll eventually be able to tell you that I 1. found an agent, or 2. made the decision to self-publish. (I'm <i>still </i>waffling on that decision.)<br />
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In the meantime, to my happy place I will go . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJZVJIap0IWNQpFRtCZb3_HoJyBRwAkaQwvktFH_nEHul7myBRmEUY8OFVF66-FcIWjhScK75C2wQJ-zXM3MmdQb9qgmJvzLBivxsgd_ElalwNhTJYCy62vSQ8cx_1ScSKCvqIP-GXjE/s1600/soap-bubbles-817098_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJZVJIap0IWNQpFRtCZb3_HoJyBRwAkaQwvktFH_nEHul7myBRmEUY8OFVF66-FcIWjhScK75C2wQJ-zXM3MmdQb9qgmJvzLBivxsgd_ElalwNhTJYCy62vSQ8cx_1ScSKCvqIP-GXjE/s320/soap-bubbles-817098_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-3189101266383189272017-03-30T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-30T05:34:28.048-04:00The Need BeMomma always told me to get a good education.<br />
<br />
"LilyAnn," she chimed. "Don't do what I did. I've got nothing but your papa, and y'll know he's questionable at times. What
if you don't find that with someone? A decent relationship? With that unbelievable
head of yours—" And here she'd point the stained wooden spoon or threadbare
dust rag she had tethered to her hand in my direction, "—you should be
able to get a good, proper, and useful education. That Bachelor's degree, heck, maybe
even a fancy Master's or MBA. So you'll be able to support yourself if need be.
Cause sometimes, <i>the need be</i>."<br />
<br />
I listened to Momma every time her beautiful pink
lips released those words into the muggy Georgia air, strung together like her own personal mantra. I
wondered if someone had said "the need be" to her at one time in her life and the truth
was that she just hadn't taken that phrase to heart.<br />
<br />
I tucked the thought into the
back of my mind and made my way forward, pushing through the sticks and stones
of elementary school, the pitfalls of middle school, and then the full-blown
landmines that seemed to go along with high school in a small southern town. Somehow, my incredible head
always got me past the obstacles that cropped up along the way. And when I was
16 (far too young, I can see now), with that unbelievable head of mine, I found
myself a scholarship and enrolled full-time in college.<br />
<br />
My head and all the rest of me spent four years
getting a "good, proper, and useful" education, and by 20, I was to be a college
graduate, ready to embark on the world, eager to find my place and make
something of myself.<br />
<br />
But as I look down at the mass of students gathered in the stadium, I'm worried. The sun glints off the metal seats
and I find myself moving my hand to shield my eyes so that I can attempt to hone
in on Momma and Papa among the multitude of families who fan themselves with
the commencement program. I glance to the right, where two fellow graduates
chirp and whistle to one another, their long highlighted hair spilling down
their slender backs, their feet encased in four-inch heels. The only part of them that looks like me is the gown they wear, silky and soft, it drapes over their
bodies in a way that I wish it would hang over mine. <br />
<br />
Alas, the gown can't manage such behavior against my
overly warm and bloated body. The velvety smoothness of the cloth starts out in the correct
direction, lying over my heaving bosom in a wash of fabric, but then, it finds
the huge bump of my belly, the mountain that cannot be contained beneath my
graduation gown, the mound that is right now being pummeled from the inside by a tiny life I helped create.<br />
<br />
I realize with a start that I have gotten the wrong
kind of "good, proper, and useful" education. And now, Lord Almighty, the need be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIqth0bZ4pahJXSoIplUjiSR8Zaw0c1dsThaYeKTyXl4PLguQmwcCa2bVerRQuU7xCUsPr4jnAXHft6WglgMS3QUNwcYZf0Qvj4BVgZgWjEj0Ay54yOgJMaY-Trr4obGXy9jFRRxrpZI/s1600/hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIqth0bZ4pahJXSoIplUjiSR8Zaw0c1dsThaYeKTyXl4PLguQmwcCa2bVerRQuU7xCUsPr4jnAXHft6WglgMS3QUNwcYZf0Qvj4BVgZgWjEj0Ay54yOgJMaY-Trr4obGXy9jFRRxrpZI/s320/hope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-33620282700711926012017-03-29T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-29T05:30:13.344-04:00Bleary EyesI'm sitting here in front of my computer, a little bleary-eyed, because in my haste to get downstairs this morning before the whining of the cat drove me to reach for alcohol instead of my coffee, I grabbed Aaron's glasses. His eyes are slightly worse than mine, but not by much, I now realize. So I'm going to try and work with the specs because if I go back upstairs to find my own, one animal or another will likely follow me, cause a scene (much like toddlers do), and then the child who coughed her way through last night will be woken up far too early. Ah, what we do for our children.<br />
<br />
What good can come from me wearing someone else's glasses? I'll tell you what: I found a new frame.<br />
<br />
Any of you who wear glasses know how hard it is to find the right frame for your face. I had a pair of glasses that I loved so much I bought the frame in red and black and then alternated getting new lenses in each of those frames when I needed a new prescription. Last year, though, our optician said,"Uh, you need new frames. I've been filling these frames since you've been coming here." She told me that gently, but inside, I cringed. I loved those frames. What could I find to replace them?<br />
<br />
I decided to go with something bigger and a little more fun, but in the end, I found myself thinking of my old frames and longing to wear them. Over the last year, I've learned to ignore the purple plastic that rests on my nose, but I have to tell you: now that I've put on Aaron's frames, I think the next time insurance will pay for a new pair for me, I'm going to see if they have a pair just like these. I'm including a photo so I remember what they look like, in the event Aaron has moved on from this pair by then.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijWzeY0gtCxuXPOcTs2AfxkP350sb4mTgycEwLNLN6KUvY54TM6cz8Lcdr97FzGXOQaRrS2p5kgOPJmFFel1pY3PuOqZVO2kOOafcujLkHk6Ras_z5tvT8i5PfkCxVYYqtaLZPFEpROs/s1600/File_000.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijWzeY0gtCxuXPOcTs2AfxkP350sb4mTgycEwLNLN6KUvY54TM6cz8Lcdr97FzGXOQaRrS2p5kgOPJmFFel1pY3PuOqZVO2kOOafcujLkHk6Ras_z5tvT8i5PfkCxVYYqtaLZPFEpROs/s320/File_000.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing fancy, but I like them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-46536187688543407332017-03-28T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-28T05:30:29.090-04:00A Little OffNot sure why, but I'm feeling a little off these days. I think these photos capture what I'm feeling pretty well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2eAyEwX6HWRMhAWNc-bwooAB-zAKYudz8xuBCznEgGt6oFKgyFLGvAMOL4Xt8apCaVrV6PZ9ndBv5cgNxuFHZRTUZ0H6L-iS4c2404eCYYSFOeMfc8ESLYqdb-5zK1LLREeb4Yo_rl0/s1600/sad+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2eAyEwX6HWRMhAWNc-bwooAB-zAKYudz8xuBCznEgGt6oFKgyFLGvAMOL4Xt8apCaVrV6PZ9ndBv5cgNxuFHZRTUZ0H6L-iS4c2404eCYYSFOeMfc8ESLYqdb-5zK1LLREeb4Yo_rl0/s320/sad+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-13734130384345516022017-03-27T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-27T05:30:17.135-04:00Dish WoesI'm pretty sure my family believes we are the proud owner of a magic dishwasher. I can tell you we're not. It's a standard Bosch, bought in 2013 when we renovated the kitchen. We have to load the thing properly, add the soap, push the right button, and wait for the cycle to finish. The kids are mostly responsible for putting away the dishes when they are clean, but I'm not sure they fully understand how the dishes get in there in the first place. Over the last year or so, I've taken some time to show them how to load the machine properly. I've even showed them where the soap goes and which buttons to push. They can run the machine. My guess is, they just choose not to.<br />
<br />
And I have to ask why not? Doesn't the stack of dishes that piles up bother them? If this house were theirs, would they want me to leave a bunch of dirty dishes scattered around the kitchen? I can tell you, with certainty, that I'll be performing that experiment the first time I visit each of them in their new homes.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, I'll nag like the kitchen harpy I am, and we'll just carry on.<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-23706785408805010592017-03-26T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-26T05:30:17.109-04:00Birthday WishesIt's Tim's birthday. I won't say which one, but he isn't celebrating a milestone. (Although, shouldn't every birthday be considered a milestone? I mean, really, you made it through another year. That's awesome, right?) But he's old enough now (and I'm not far behind him) that I think, <i>what</i>? When did that happen?<br />
<br />
I'd like to write something witty and wonderful for today, but I attended a writing conference all day yesterday, and I'm wiped out. So instead, Tim will have to enjoy this little video:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gJL2pVGXdYM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gJL2pVGXdYM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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(I would never be able to reproduce what you just watched. Happy Birthday, Timmy!)Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-43089654976759394582017-03-25T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-25T05:30:15.082-04:00Scenes from My Week, IX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ttxmbfdydt5mJFk7yPNgbNbigbx9L3JsiDp4r645wy0o58lBy7tpkt-mSch5GQaqeJaB6ddJswHXi68_yXoRotGo-oXc9mRCHQV9AkHOVA0sts6LF6d6Z9-nPnHGrbHqMZ5EqVFuT2I/s1600/IMG_2746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ttxmbfdydt5mJFk7yPNgbNbigbx9L3JsiDp4r645wy0o58lBy7tpkt-mSch5GQaqeJaB6ddJswHXi68_yXoRotGo-oXc9mRCHQV9AkHOVA0sts6LF6d6Z9-nPnHGrbHqMZ5EqVFuT2I/s320/IMG_2746.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-7144367117768096082017-03-24T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-24T05:30:15.003-04:00Countertop Complaints?When we were getting ready to renovate our kitchen, Tim and I discussed what we wanted in a countertop. With four kids, several animals, and little time, we knew that we wanted something durable and maintenance free, and most importantly, one that hid the dirt that seemed to accumulate no matter how many times I wiped things up.<br />
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We opted to splurge on a quartz countertop, considering it fit all my requirements, so the man at the kitchen shop helped me narrow down my quartz selections to two:<br />
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I decided I would probably appreciate the contrast between the dark countertop and the ivory cabinets that we'd chosen, and hey, wouldn't the dark countertop be so perfect for hiding the dirt?<br />
<br />
Fast forward to three and a half years later, and let me tell you, this countertop does a fantastic job hiding the dirt. In fact, this countertop goes above and beyond the call of duty. I certainly can't find the dirt. But I also I can't find the twist tie, or the splotch of chili I dropped on the surface yesterday or the dollop of chocolate pudding the kids left there two days ago. In fact, I can only tell how incredibly dirty my counter top when I either turn on the under cabinet lights and crouch to see the glare, or I spray the counter down and wipe it with the paper towel.<br />
<br />
I guess I got what I asked for and then some, eh?<br />
<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-14634751457518946722017-03-23T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-23T05:30:08.894-04:00Dear Student Starts, IIDear Student: I provide notes for a reason--to make my life and yours easier. But when you email me with a question that clearly indicates you haven't looked at the notes, then you're shit out of luck.<br />
<br />
Dear Student: When I assign an extra credit assignment, I would expect you to at least attempt to do the extra credit. I know you'll come crying to me at the end of the semester and beg for mercy, but guess what? You'll be shit out of luck.<br />
<br />
Dear Student: I didn't think I'd have to tell you this, but we have a wonderful (and so easy!) way of looking up information now. It is called THE INTERNET. You can also find so much information about the human body in YOUR TEXTBOOK. You cannot come to me every time you're too lazy to look something up because I'll tell you that avenue is blocked and that you're I'll tell you that you're shit out of luck.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Dear Student: It is so nice that you received an A as your grade for the first course in this series. If I were to be honest, though, I'm not sure how that happened (and I have to question who your teacher was). You do not know what osmosis is, you don't remember anything about how a hormone works, and you sit in class with a look of confusion on your face. When I speak to you, I find that you're not knowledgeable in any of the topics we covered last semester that form the basis of this semester. I'd say, you're shit out of luck.<br />
<br />
Dear Student: While we're on the topic of grades, let me reassure you that just because you received an A last semester doesn't mean that you will receive one this semester. In fact, if you spent as much time studying the concepts as you do complaining about how you did on the exams, I bet you'd be doing so much better. So think long and hard about what you're doing, and consider changing your behavior. Because if you don't? Well then . . . I think you know this . . . you'll be shit out of luck.<br />
<br />
(As an aside, sorry for the profanity. I did not sit down with the intention of putting together a list of starts with a common theme, but you know how it goes with writing. Sometimes, you get to a place you never thought you'd be.)Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-31660218675829046142017-03-22T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-22T05:30:01.939-04:00Fill-in-the-blank, IVFor this round of fill-in-the-blank (which come <a href="https://sbwritingprompts.blogspot.com/2017/03/shakespeare-re-writes.html" target="_blank">courtesy of S. B.</a>, of course), I've asked Aaron to help me out. He hasn't studied Shakespeare in school yet, so I'm curious to see how this goes.<br />
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All the world's a ________.</div>
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_______ is empty and all the _______ are here.</div>
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Arise fair _______ and kill the envious _______.</div>
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To _____, or not to ______?</div>
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My love's more richer than my _________.</div>
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I heard a voice cry, _______ no more!</div>
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We few, we happy few, we band of _________.</div>
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All's well that ends _______.</div>
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And here we are:</div>
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<br /></div>
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All the world's a meme.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The salt is empty and all the aliens are here.</div>
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Arise fair turtle and kill the envious ninja.</div>
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To eat, or not to eat?</div>
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<br /></div>
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My love's more richer than my potting soil.</div>
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I heard a voice cry, Cringe no more!</div>
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We few, we happy few, we band of lions.</div>
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All's well that ends quickly.</div>
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Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-2847335665334284912017-03-21T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-21T05:30:21.716-04:00Table Six(This post is a response to a <a href="https://sbwritingprompts.blogspot.com/2017/03/table-six.html" target="_blank">writing prompt</a> over at S. B.'s site. It said, "Write dialogue for the people seated at table six." Based on the pink flowers, I figured that table six might have been at a wedding.)<br />
<br />
"Table six? Really? Doesn't she know that six is just about my least favorite number? I like four. She knows that. Why didn't she seat <i>me </i>at table four?" Meg crossed her arms over her chest and dropped into one of the eight cloth covered chairs at, yes, table six.<br />
<br />
"Uh, Meg," her friend Bea said, "Don't you mean us?"<br />
<br />
"Us?" Meg looked up, her brow furrowed and her lips pursed. "Yeah, us. You're with me I guess, so why not?"<br />
<br />
Bea sighed. "When you asked me to come to this wedding, I thought it was because you didn't have a date. And that since we're friends, and we like to have fun, we could have a great time. But now . . ." Bea glanced around the dimly lit ballroom and felt the thumping of the music under her feet. "Now, I have to question your motives because . . . Is that really what you're worried about? That she sat you at table six?"<br />
<br />
Meg shook her head and let out a breath. "Well, no, not really . . ."<br />
<br />
"Because this day. <i>This day</i> . . ." Bea placed a hand on Meg's shoulder. " . . . is not about you. You know it's not about you, don't you?"<br />
<br />
"Yeah . . . "<br />
<br />
"You got married seven years ago and then decided that you didn't want to be married--" Bea started.<br />
<br />
"I know. I know. I'ts not like you have to rehash my life for me!" Meg shot her friend a look that said watch it.<br />
<br />
Bea actually stepped back and then sat down and leaned in to look Meg straight in the eye. "I wasn't. I was just letting you know that you've already done this sort of thing. This isn't your wedding. This isn't your party. This isn't about <i>you</i>."<br />
<br />
"And your point is?" Meg rolled her eyes and sat back against her chair.<br />
<br />
Bea's hand shot out and slammed the table. "Are you kidding me? That not everything is about you!"<br />
<br />
A flush spread across Meg, but Bea wasn't sure if it was from anger or embarrassment. "That's such a cliche," said Meg.<br />
<br />
"Because it's true, dammit!" Bea leaned in close to Meg so as to keep her voice down. "People like me have to say that to people like you all the time because those people like you have no clue just how narcissistic they are!"<br />
<br />
"Speaking of narcissism. . . ." A smirk crossed Meg's face as her eyebrows rose closer to her hairline and she cocked her head.<br />
<br />
Bea's eyes widened. "Oh no. Don't go there. I don't have the energy to think about <i>him </i>right now."<br />
<br />
"How do you know I was going to talk about <i>him</i>?"<br />
<br />
"Because it's usually all about you. But in those few times when it isn't all about you, you're talking or thinking about him."<br />
<br />
"Pffft!" Meg turned her eyes away and glanced at the doors to the reception hall. She wondered where he was and whether or not he was happy.<br />
<br />
"That's true and you know it," said Bea. "But let me tell you something. This is his wedding, reception, if you hadn't noticed. Not even two hours ago, he said, 'I do' to her. Not you. Her. You had your chance a long time ago, and you messed it up!"<br />
<br />
Meg closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "You're right. I know it. I don't even know why I showed up today. Hell, I don't know why they asked me to come today."<br />
<br />
"Neither do I, really. What were you thinking when you said yes?"<br />
<br />
"I was thinking that I could show him how great I looked. How happy I am. Show him what I lost. That I was the best thing that ever happened to him and now, look what he has his hands on. A two-bit--"<br />
<br />
"Okay, Meg. That's enough! Do I have to remind you that you tossed him? Remember?"<br />
<br />
A dreamy look infiltrated Meg's eyes, and then she narrowed them at Bea. "You're right. I did. So let's just enjoy the afternoon, shall we?"<br />
<br />
Bea's shoulders relaxed and she smiled. "We shall. We shall also hope that they serve good food."<br />
<br />
"Amen to that, sister!"<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-1283077529803567762017-03-20T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-20T05:30:19.336-04:00In Honor of . . .March 2, 2017 celebrated World Book Day, at least in the UK and Ireland. And on that day, S. B. posted a nice <a href="https://sbwritingprompts.blogspot.com/2017/03/world-book-day.html" target="_blank">little writing prompt</a> that urged me (and everyone else) to look at the <i>third book shelf, second book, 17th page of that book</i>. I took the first sentence from the book I found, and used it as a writing prompt. And because I believe in full disclosure, I'm including exactly what book I used and where I found it. Don't be shocked at the messiness that has become our "library" book shelf.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayc2nufYSH99HTAw32G1aHu3nyQbu_04LDdwLGCYT9ax01rIiKPDXuc0uTsKrB5Ci31r9sUHrDFK9OOyA60RsyDnD66TKJsubVBmCheZvrwxgvpPzTEg4AJdLxNMIhGQCWqvjMo0vUZ4/s1600/IMG_2724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayc2nufYSH99HTAw32G1aHu3nyQbu_04LDdwLGCYT9ax01rIiKPDXuc0uTsKrB5Ci31r9sUHrDFK9OOyA60RsyDnD66TKJsubVBmCheZvrwxgvpPzTEg4AJdLxNMIhGQCWqvjMo0vUZ4/s320/IMG_2724.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third shelf is the haphazard place we keep library books.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eureka! A great find for the 2nd book.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here we have it, the first sentence...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What drivel did I come up with? Read on . . .<br />
<br />
At this moment, Lucy and Edmund both sneezed. Coincidence, or something else? Mother thought. It seemed to her that more and more these days, Lucy and Edmund performed exactly the same actions at exactly the same time. That behavior might have been explained if they were identical twins. She had heard that happening with the Jones twins up the street. But two kids, four years apart? What in the world?<br />
<br />
"Bless you both," Mother said. "Are you catching a cold?"<br />
<br />
"Nope," the kids said, in unison.<br />
<br />
Mother shook her head and smiled. "Are you trying to bother me?"<br />
<br />
"Nope." Again, the voices chirped in at exactly the same moment, and this time, it was almost difficult to tell which voice belonged to which child.<br />
<br />
"Okay then. Would you like some tea?"<br />
<br />
Neither child answered their mother, who had been studiously inspecting the rows she just knitted in a scarf made for Papa. She lifted her head and looked at her children. Just moments before the sneeze, the pair had been sitting in the large bay window of their living room, playing cards as the sunshine filtered through the curtains. But now . . .<br />
<br />
Mother's heart thumped in her chest and her hand flew to her mouth. "What?"<br />
<br />
"What's wrong, Mother?"<br />
<br />
Two voices, intertwined and eerily harmonic, reached Mother's ears as she sat and stared at her children. They flickered in the light, as if their bodies were no longer tangible . . . like the holograms they saw on an old Doctor Who episode.<br />
<br />
Mother sat up straight in her chair. "Lucy! Edmund! Are you okay?" She threw her knitting to the floor and rushed to the window. In the two seconds it took for her to get to the children, they were gone . . .<br />
<br />
That's it, my friends. I have nothing else to add, and sometimes, that's what happens when you take a prompt and go with it. If I think of anything else, I'll be sure to update this post.<br />
<br />
(Oddly enough, the entire world does not celebrate World Book Day on the same day. Here in the US, we don't celebrate until April 23. Which means I have that much time to finish up the rest of that story. Maybe.)Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-40492690446107831712017-03-19T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-19T05:30:25.925-04:00I. Am. A. Unicorn.Because we just came off a cold and busy week . . .<br />
<br />
And because she just makes me smile.<br />
<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-40413642955201935892017-03-18T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-18T05:30:10.097-04:00Scenes from My Week, VIII<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-86360371383986714012017-03-17T05:30:00.000-04:002017-03-17T05:30:10.526-04:00Shamrocks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-23980918742017232112017-03-16T05:30:00.001-04:002017-03-16T05:30:22.829-04:00May vs MightI tend to second guess myself when it comes to using <i>may </i>or <i>might </i>in a sentence, and I know that other people do, too. So today we're going to clear up some confusion about when to use <i>may </i>and when to use <i>might</i>. (As an aside, if I just speak, without thinking, I usually get them correct. Which means that somewhere, sometime, someone taught me the rules of this game.)<br />
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First off, when referring to possibility or probability, we tend to use the two words interchangeably, but if you speak to a Grammar Guru, they will tell you that a difference exists. And what is that difference? It's easy, really:<br />
<br />
We use <i>may </i>when we want to express anything that is factual (or could be) or possible. We use <i>might </i>when we want to express something that is only improbable or hypothetical. Knowing that, then, how would you fill in the following examples?<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Zoe and Talia<u> </u>go to Nebraska.<br />
We<u> </u>leave for the store in five minutes.<br />
Melina<u> </u>need to eat dinner soon.<br />
Patty<u> </u>want to go outside.<br />
If I color my hair red, I<u> </u>make myself Irish.<br />
Aaron<u> </u>buy an $11,500 soccer ball if he wins the lottery.<br />
They<u> </u>have made it to the game, if traffic hadn't been so backed up.</blockquote>
If you're good at this, you'd answer <i>may </i>for the first four examples and <i>might </i>for the last three examples. And really, if you can keep in mind the fact that something ridiculous (or improbable) requires <i>might</i>, you'll be okay.<br />
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The problem, I think, is that <i>might </i>is the also the past tense of <i>may</i>. Yes, that's right! The English language at its finest.<br />
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So, if you want to say something that is factual, but in the past tense, then you need to use <i>might</i>. For example:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
She <i>might </i>have stopped by the house at 3 p.m., but I was not there.<br />
He <i>might </i>have been caught cheating, but the teacher was not looking.</blockquote>
Switching those verbs to the present tense could look like this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
She <i>may </i>stop by my house at 3 p.m. but I will not be there.<br />
He <i>may </i>be cheating, but the teacher is not looking.</blockquote>
So anything else to trip us up? Yes, of course. What about if we're asking permission? Because both <i>may </i>and <i>might </i>can be used when asking permission, although <i>may </i>is more common.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
You <i>may </i>have dessert.<br />
<i>May </i>I be excused?<br />
<i>Might </i>I ask you for a favor?<br />
<i>Might </i>I ask when class begins?<br />
<i>Might </i>I ask you for a ride to campus?</blockquote>
So it's okay to use both words, but what if you have previously asked the question, "<i>May </i>I go out with my friends?" You can answer that question in the following manner:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I <i>may </i>go out with my friends.</blockquote>
But that response can lead to confusion. Why? Because we want to know if <i>you are not allowed to go out</i> tonight or if <i>you might not go out</i>. Which is it?<br />
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At this point, you could be wondering if I remembered all of these details on my own and whether or not I call myself a Grammar Guru. I do not. I am far from a specialist in the grammar arena, but I do love the topic of correct grammar. I used my own knowledge plus a little help from some paper sources I found here in my pile of papers that didn't cite their sources.<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-6849806554743702612017-03-15T05:30:00.001-04:002017-03-15T05:30:14.196-04:00Color TestDid I ever tell you that sometimes, when I order a drink and they ask for my name, I tell the barista my name is Sparkle? Well I do. I have. And now, I have proof for why.<br />
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I took a <a href="http://www.earthables.com/unique-color-quiz-personality/?c=bd" target="_blank">color personality test</a> and this is what I found:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
According to this color test, you are a very sparkly person! You just have an aura about you that shines when you walk into a room. Your energy has the power to brighten up any situation! While you may not be the most outgoing person in the world, you definitely speak up when it matters. There is an aura of mystery surrounding you which immediately attracts people to you! You are classy and elegant. and always strive to make a good first impression!</blockquote>
Anyone who knows me realizes that nothing about that paragraph is true (ahem, classy and elegant? I think not) but it mentions sparkly! And so, I've proven that Sparkle should be my name! Great logic, right? If Trump can do it, so can I.<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-999702722882813136.post-41518583095231651382017-03-14T05:30:00.001-04:002017-03-14T05:30:29.753-04:00The NerveI'm the type of person who looks behind me when I'm standing in line at the grocery store and offers to let the person behind me go ahead of me if they only have a few items. I do this regularly, and many times, people have thanked me profusely for allowing them to step in front of me. I don't mind, really. I think it is the right thing to do, and for the most part, I remember to glance back each and every time I go to the store.<br />
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This past Sunday, I was at Aldi and had just pushed my filled cart into the line. Of course, two seconds later, I looked behind me. There stood a woman in a red coat with about five things in her hands.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Me: Do you want to go ahead of me?<br />Red Coat: Oh, thank you, but no. I'm in no rush today.<br />Me: Are you sure? [I had to ask one more time. It would make me feel as though I'd done everything I could do to make her go ahead of me.]<br />Red Coat: I'm sure, but again, thank you.</blockquote>
I proceeded to unload my items onto the belt as another woman, clothed in a purple vest, stepped in line behind the woman to whom I'd just spoken. They got to chatting, and because I speak to <a href="http://17gon.blogspot.com/2014/09/bonding-moments.html" target="_blank">everyone at the grocery store</a>, I also added my two cents. As my groceries began to move forward, the woman in the purple vest looked directly at me.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Purple Vest: "You know, she [pointing to Red Coat] only has a few items. You should let her go ahead of you."<br />Me: I offered to let her go, but she said no.<br />Red Coat: Oh, she already offered, but I said no. I really am in no rush.<br />Purple Vest: Well, okay.</blockquote>
I felt like I should have said more to the lady in the purple vest, but I was flabbergasted by her comment. While I truly think everyone should check behind them to see if someone only has a few items to buy, I cannot possibly fathom telling someone to do that. Can you?<br />
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When I came home and relayed the story to Tim, he said, "Huh. She sure had some nerve." Yes, I think that's the best way to describe what I felt about her too. I'd love to see what she does when a conversation turns to politics.<br />
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<br />Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03926598826215431046noreply@blogger.com0