My Rant - The People at the Gym

OK, so the gym is a place to go work out and exercise. Why are people allowed to have cell phones inside the gym? I really don't understand it. Who do you need to talk to when you are supposedly working out? Is it really necessary to talk to that person at the gym - can't you just call them when you are finished?

Next Target - the faux exercisers. Why are you at the gym if you are not really going to work out? I was on the elliptical machine the other day and there was a woman next to me. She was talking to her guy friend on the machine on the other side. For half an hour, she talked non-stop. She was moving so slowly that the machine kept shutting off. I really don't understand why she was event there. I mean, call you guy if you have to talk to him, but not on his cell phone while he is at the gym!!

So this was a little weird...

As you know, I am taking a decorative painting class. We had our fourth meeting Tuesday night. It was a fine class; we worked on our Christmas project. At the end of class, my friend, Janet, and I were the last two to leave. Our instructor, Becky, starts to tell us how she just found out that her husband of 25 years has been cheating on her. For about 10 minutes, she goes on about how she heard a voice message on his cell phone. She then got the phone records from the cell company and saw that same number over and over. She paid for a reverse look up and found out the woman is a the wife of her husband's co-worker. She tells us all about how she thinks they went off together for the weekend. She tells us that she called the husband with her suspicions. She tells us how she confronted her husband at his place of work. She pinned his between two tables to question his and got so made that she put a knife to his throat (she had found the knife while searching his car for evidence). He has to bite her to get away.

I'm not sure which disturbs me more - her holding a knife to her husband's throat or that she told (in detail) this story to two virtual strangers. I barely know this woman - why is she telling me about her cheating husband? It was a little scary. I just hope to stay on her good side...

Great weekend, lousy Monday

So, this weekend was my big weekend. I worked at The Junior League's Bargain Sale Friday night and Saturday afternoon. It turned out to be a mostly great event. The Preview Night on Friday was particularly good. It really seemed like people were happy. The turn out was great, the food looked good (volunteers were not supposed to eat), and the band was OK. The silent auction seemed to go over very well, too. Saturday was a lovely day - sunny skies and about 65 degrees. It couldn't have been nicer. I just wish some of the BS folks were nicer. We sell nice things (donated by members) for pennies, and people still get mean. At the end of the day, we sell white bags for $5.00. Whatever you can stuff into the bag is yours - but it has to be IN THE BAG. This one lady got so angry when we would not let her go with her bag overflowing with stuff. We told her she had to purchase the overflow (for like a dollar) and she pitched a fit. She gave all the stuff back and got her $5.00. People are friggin crazy.

After BS, Bill and I had 2 parties to attend. We went to Bill's former bosses place for an open house. It was a nice little party. Bill was even able to meet a man who has worked at Bill's new company for over 34 years. It was nice to speak to someone who has had a long and prosperous career with the new company. After that party, we went to our favorite Thai place to wind down and made a little pit stop at the mall (you knew I had to get that in!) before heading to a party thrown by one of my colleagues. It was a great day overall.

Sunday was a day for rest. We relaxed and watched 2 movies. We were surprised by the movies - both were pretty good - Click and American Dreamz.

Then, Monday came. The day seemed OK for a Monday. Bill was working out of the house, so I was able to go home and have lunch with him. At about 4, our CEO invited us all to a company meeting. I was not surprised, he has these fairly often to keep us all informed. What I was not expecting was to hear that we lost a major client. We will also be parting with another client at year end. Needless to say, it was a shocking turn of events. Also needless to say, I will be working on my resume on Saturday. At least Bill got a good job.

My talented Billy

Bill designed, welded, and painted this business card holder for me. He came up with the idea all by himself and fabricated it in his welding class. He found a special paint to make it look like hammered silver. I love my new business card holder. It proudly sits on my desk now.

Time for a Bargain

This weekend marks the 67th Annual Junior League Bargain Sale. It is the time of year when Junior League members clean out their homes and sell good to the public for rock bottom prices. It is a particularly scary time for the JL members. We are each responsible for bringing in a certain amount of goods. To make it even harder, a certain amount has to be brought in for each category. I am always fearful that I will not make my quota. I have even started hoarding things to give up for next year.

It seems right after Bargain Sale, I start finding more and more things I could give up. If only there was more time and I had more energy.

The Crafty Morrisons

My talented husband is taking welding classes at the local community college. He made me this dragonfly out of ball bearings, washers, a marble, nails, and knige blades. The project looks great and it balances on its own. It looks great and I love that he made it for me. He is working on a new project for me now, and I will post the results when he finishes.

I am taking a class in decorative painting. My first project was the plaque about. It doesn't really look like the sample picture, but I like the way it turned out.

Great Quote

Some quotes are timeless. Thanks to my sister-in-law Sally, here is a quote from Theodore Roosevelt made in 1907. I think it is a true today as it was almost 100 years ago.

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

I'm so proud of my guy

I am so proud of Bill - he just got a new job!! Bill has been working for an airline based in DC for about 2 years now. The company has been, well let's go with a challenge since he started. He has been searching for a new job locally for quite some time with no luck. That is, no luck until last week.

Bill had applied for a job at a company that works in the heavy equipment and trucking industry. He had an interview about a year ago, and really liked the place. They seemed to really like him as well. We were certain he would get an offer, but nothing happened. Literally, nothing happened. No one called to say they had filled the position, and people were not returning Bill's e-mails. Bill went on with life, but always kept that company in the back of his mind. He would write an occasional e-mail to remind him that he was out there and still interested in a job. Lo and behold, they called him back. He interviewed for a totally different position this time. The day after the second interview, he had an offer.

Bill starts his new job on October 31. The company has been around for 50+ years and still has lofty sales goals (like a billion dollars by 2020). I am so proud of they way he works and the devotion he showed to going after this job. I am a lucky woman.

The Best Weekends

Sometimes, the best weekends are the ones where you don't do anything special, but still manage to have fun. We had one of those weekends.

It started out on Friday when we broke open our home brew. Bill had made a batch of IPA in his Mr. Brew beer kit. It turned out to be wonderful. We drank 3 of the eight bottles already. Not to fear, we have a batch of Cherry Wheat brewing right now.

On Saturday, we kind of did our own things. I got ready for the big Junior League sale this coming weekend and Bill prepped pieces for his welding class. I even managed to squeeze in an hour or so at the mall.

Yesterday, we took the Camaro out for brunch in Carrboro. It was a beautiful fall day - the perfect day for driving a classic muscle car. We had a fantastic meal at Elmo's Diner and later got coffee at our favorite place - Bean Traders. We went for a run later in the day and took Sammy for a short walk. I even got the house decorated for Halloween. We cooked up a steak for dinner. It was a wonderful way to spend a day. It makes me wish all days were like it.

I Love a Spa Day

I took Friday off as my floating holiday and went to a day spa. What a nice way to spend a few hours. I had three different strangers rubbing different parts of my body and it was great. First, I had my eyebrows waxed. It is so nice to have them cleaned and shaped. Then, I had a half hour facial. The facialist cleaned my face and put on a hydrating mask. She told me that my skin was great for an almost 35 year old (Hope she doesn't say that to all of her clients). After the facial, I had a 30 minute massage. I love having my back rubbed. I found out something else, too. I love to have my hands massaged. Very relaxing. As if these procedures were not enough, I got a spa pedicure as well. It was a full treatment from the knees down. I topped off the treatment with a dark, almost black, on my toenails. Very hot for the fall. Thank you to my wonderful husband for giving my the gift certificate for my birthday last year. It took me a while to get there, but it was worth the trip.

Carolina Hurricanes Opening Night

Last night, Bill and I were at the opening night of the Carolina Hurricanes hockey season. There was a great celebration for winning The Stanley Cup last year. Banners for all 3 wins in 2005-06 were raised - Southeastern Division Champions, Eastern Conference Champions, and the biggee, Stanley Cup Champions. We saw footage of the great wins and relived the dream. Now, it is time to focus on this season and what happens now. The Canes retain the majority of their key players, but a few new faces appeared last night. I was particularly impressed by new defenseman Tim Gleason. I look forward to watching him over the next few months. I mourned the loss of Matt Cullen. He was the star shooter for Carolina in shoot out situations. He was missed last night as The Canes could not get a shot past Ryan Miller in sudden death. It's a long season - 1 games down out of 82. Let's hope tomorrow night's game has a better ending.

Why I love the Fall Part II

I also love the fall for the fall fashions. It gives me a great excuse to shop for the new season (of course, I don't ever need an excuse to shop!). I am really into shoes right now. I have fallen in love with Nordstrom's Shoe department. I think Bill hates that it is about 5 minutes from the house!! I have bought these great red flats from BCBGirls that I adore (I am wearing them right now). I have also purchased flats in all colors for the season - black suede peep toes, brown metallic weaved, and silver runched. I just got some brown heeled clogs from Banana Republic (my favorite store) and some brown heels from Sofft (on order - should get them soon!) What a great way to celebrate the change of season!!!

I love the fall

September 1 through January 1 is my favorite time of the year. I love the colder mornings and the changing leaves. Yesterday, Bill, Samantha, and I spent nearly the whole day outside. We went to a shopping area called Cameron Village in Raleigh. We ate lunch outside and wandered around the outdoor mall. After Cameron, we went to Umstead Park. We walked the trails through the trees and to the lake. It was a perfect sunny day, and very cool under the trees. I hope for many more fall days like yesterday.