OK well sorta happy, sorta freaking out......in a happyish kinda way.
As most of you know, I own a car upholstery shop with my mom. Have for over 20 years. My parents owned a shop when I was a kid and I grew up doing car upholstery...and hated it most of the time. What I always wanted was my very own bookstore! Not a fancy, uppity bookstore, but a friendly, fun used bookstore.
Well life happens and my bookstore never did. A few well paying jobs outta high school. One where I was earning as much as our town mayor at the time, but screwed up and was fired. I told my boss he was an asshole, he said I was insubordinate, I said I was honest and he said I was fired. He really was an asshole though. And then there was the pie job in customer service at a major "charge" card company. I had just had enough one day after reading the same old "do you feel depressed or have suicidal thoughts?...call our company help line" posters in the breakroom and restrooms and training kids fresh out of college to be managers, when their where folks who had been with the company for decades that didn't need training, yet they were passed over again and again because they didn't have degrees. A few other random jobs...several random jobs, which were fun, but didn't pay the bills. Finally I broke down and one Christmas I bought my mom a set of wrenches. When she opened them she knew that meant I was ready partner up and open our own shop.
We have had a hell of a run. Have been lucky enough to meet some of the best people in the world, made friendships that will last forever, have won awards, our work has been featured in magazines, taken more number ones at car shows than any other shop in NC and have the most super, loyal, awesome customers in the the world.
Now it is time to move on. Mom is tired. I am tired. Because of my lyme disease and arthritis due to lyme, I can't do what I once did. Safety standards on cars, won't let me do what I once did....but let me tell you those safety things do save lives. They are just killing my business. It is just time. It isn't fun or satisfying to either one of us anymore. I hate watching mom work until she is ready to drop. It is just time. Which means....I can either go forward or I can get by or I can go work for another asshole.
I take what is behind curtain A....I'm going forward. Yep, after all these years, all this time, I am going to open that bookstore. Not going to be easy, at times not the least bit fun, but it is going to be one heck of an adventure and wonderful all the time. Excited and scared don't even begin to cover it, but they will do for starters.
Soooooo, there you have it My Happy Blog. Oh my gosh, I am going to open a bookstore! I must be crazy.....but isn't that what makes life interesting?
I can't promise this will be the last time I write fussing about one thing or another...I am pretty good about fussing. I do promise to write about something happy after this one though. In the mean time I was just wondering what your take on some of this stuff is...maybe I am looking at it all wrong?
A young lady(about 18) came into my shop this week. She had just bought her first new used car and was trying to fix the little broken things that are standard on a new used car. She was asking how much would I charge to replace the handle on her seat that allows you to tilt the thing forward so you can get into the back. I told her to go to the junkyard, give the guy a buck and a half and just stick it on there. Ooops sorry salvage yard...forgot that junkyard is not PC. She got this stunned look on her face and said she had been to the dealership(you know those guys we bailed out) and they had told her it would cost $80 for the part and $160 to install it. $80 for a knob?!! $160 to take it out of the plastic and stick it on the seat?!!! Woulda taken them less than 5 minutes. Let's say the young lady left my shop....very happy and promising never to go back to the dealership again.
On the same note...a rock flew up and hit my windshield a few weeks back. After calling and arguing with my insurance company(they didn't want to give me any say so in who did the work), MY guy(yeah I won) came out and installed my new windshield. A week later I saw him out and about and stopped him to tell him how happy I was. It is just nice to hear you did a good job sometimes. He was on his way to a dealership to pick up a plastic piece of molding that goes around a windshield. He wasn't happy about it. This part used to be metal. Now it is plastic...most of your car, if it is new is plastic. The thing about plastic is left out in the weather and the sun, it will become dry and brittle and when that happens it will break....it will break easy. One had broke when he was installing a new windshield and he had to replace it. The cost $490. For a piece of $10 plastic. And that was his cost...which is way cheaper than the retail cost. I have had cars that didn't cost $490! And needless to say my friend didn't make any money on that job...went in the hole as a matter of fact. I am really glad these car companies we bailed out are returning the favor and helping us out...yeah right.
Another thing that has been jumping on my mad spot Education dollars. My state is always spouting of about higher education, helping students, etc. Well my oldest was nominated by two teachers for Governor's school. 6 weeks of school instead of summer vacation. He was jazzed. He was thrilled. I wonder whose kid he really is? Anyway, they have to write essays and do interviews and jump through hoops to get in. He could only choose one of the nominations to go for. He choose science over art, because well, he is more interested in science. He made it all the way down to the last cut...kinda works like American Idol. That is when I received the letter. The letter say...this is not a direct quote...Your son made it, he was accepted. Unfortunately our budget was cut in half and we can only take half the students we have in the past, should anyone drop out....he is next in line, so he might want to hold those 6 weeks open this summer. Excuse me, but screw that. I was and am super proud of the kid...he amazes me. The kid feels like he failed, he has always been too hard on himself. He didn't fail....someone did, but it wasn't him.
OK one last thing to fuss about. Well I really have more, but I will stop after this one. I read in the newspaper(yep, the real one printed on paper, with ink and stuff) that extended unemployment benefits are fixing to be cut off. This will affect 30,000 people in NC. Now I am here to tell you at least a third of these folks should never have gotten unemployment in the first place, little alone extended benefits. And then there are the folks who kinda got to liking the benefits after they started receiving them when they did need them. The ones who are receiving them, while being paid under the table at a job and not reporting it. The fruad goes on and on. Then there are the ones who do need it, who have tried to find a job, whose companies shut down after 20years of loyal service, the ones not really qualified for another job...but who are still trying to find one. I get all this and it is stupid...all of it plain and simply is stupid and yada, yada. What I don't get, is now that they are cutting off benefits to 30,000 people...where the heck are these people going to find jobs? The unemployment rate is marginally down...just a little bit. And I would guess that maybe a few thousand jobs have opened up. So where are 30,000 going to find jobs? And what about those folks who didn't apply for unemployment benefits? Who lived hand to mouth while looking for a job, because they felt it was the right thing to do? The families who have struggled off of one paycheck, while the second paycheck bringer looks for another job. Are they going to have to compete with these 30,000? What the heck are we going to do with 30,000+ folks without jobs in NC and not enough jobs for half of them? Who is running this operation anyway?
OK I said I would stop here. Haven't even touched on Medicare/Medicaid fraud, insurance companies, taxes, corporate weasels....and the list goes on. How am I supposed to find my happy place when these folks keep ticking me off? Just wondering.
I have been a real pain in the butt this week to those around me. Several people have asked me what is wrong. I tell them I am just tired. This is a fact, I am JUST TIRED.
I know that is a little vague though, so let me break it down. I can not be all things, to all people, all the time. I wake every morning around 5:30. I do this mainly because my dog has a small bladder and it is easier to take him out, than to get mad at him and clean up after him. It is also so I have a few minutes to clear my head before turning into everyone's alarm clock. Seems odd to me with all the electronic devises, cell phones with alarm clocks and just plain old clocks...it still takes me, to get everyone up and moving.
After all that...moaning, whining and griping(mostly from me) I have to get everyone to there designated places on time. Make sure they all have their daily needs...food, money, paperwork, signed letters. Yeah, they always do, but the one time I don't ask them...is the one time they forget.
I go to work after that. A job that is dirty, mindnumbing on some days, physical to the point I ache all over...normally before I even start. Not that I am not thankful that I have work. I am thankful, but man oh man...it ain't easy stuff. And working with my mom is good, but at the same time, I watch her age every day. I see things she did with ease last week, that she just can't do this week. Then I step up and do what she can't. Bad thing is I can barely do it either.
Then I have to run the whole thing in reverse when school is over. Making sure everyone is where they need to be and has and does what needs doing. It is a long mundane trip.
5:00 rolls around. I have to shop for food, with money I don't have. Try to find something, everyone will eat, cook it, clean house(a little), wash clothes, tend the dog, make sure homework is done, figure out everyones schedule for the next day, pay bills(with some more of that money I don't have), take care of everyone's boo boos...both physical and mental.....ok so you get the general idea. Yeah, I get some help from the ones who need me, but the major part of what gets done falls on my shoulders and my shoulders are just tired. I am just tired and once in a while, I would like to go back in time, to when I was the one being taken care of, but then I feel guilty because I must have made someone(my mom) feel just as tired then as I do today.
Why have I been snotty? Because I am not freaking Wonder Woman...hell I am not even Underdog. So that is the story. I am sorry if I haven't been at my best...or maybe this is my best and it just ain't enough.
I have been away for a while and since being back, I have discovered that I am having to relearn everything. That is ok, because some of the stuff I learned while I was gone...makes it worth while.
I learned that some people have no respect for others, which pretty means they have no respect for themselves either...in my mind.
I have learned that you could put all the cuss words I know, all the cuss words Avant knows and all the cuss words Bob knows together and some people know even more. They also use them as a first language. THAT is a lot of cuss words btw.
I have learned that some people agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.....as long as it doesn't disagree with their opinion. If you disagree then it will make your opinion invalid.
I have learned that some people think Youtube is the best source of news and information and that according to Youtube, all other news medias are involved in some kind of conspiracy to destroy humanity.
I have learned that some people will say, do and print anything for attention. No topic is off limits and if a few well chosen, nasty comments get the ball rolling they are all for it. Post something controversial, start a riot and then sit back and laugh while everyone else tears each other to shreds.
There are also a few things I just know.
I know there are good, kind, open minded people and even if they do not agree with you, they still respect you.
I know that there are people, who can debate, disagree with and sometimes not even like a person, but will still treat others in a decent manner.
I know that there are people who understand that there is a time and a place for everything and that not everything belongs in public view.
I know that a social site is supposed to be fun, not a fight or a personal attack.
I know that I miss some of the people at the "other" place, but there are some people there I won't ever miss at all.
Sorry folks another repost, but one I thought might come in handy this time of year.
You are sitting at home relaxing, feet up, watching whatever stupid show is on the old television. Feeling pretty proud of yourself because you have just finished ALL of your Christmas shopping.
The phone rings. It's that dear old friend you haven't seen since, ohhh....LAST CHRISTMAS. They are on the way over to your place to bring your Christmas gift. Oh crap!!! They have caught you off guard and you can't even think to say "oh I'm sorry, I was on my way out the door and won't be back home until sometime in June" Your mind is busy racing to the presents you have so carefully picked out for the family and friends you love and see on a regular basis. You do not want to give up any of these gifts to these people who are on there way over to intrude on your Holidays. So you do the only thing possible, you grab some cash and the car keys and head out for the convenience store that is only 5 minutes away.
If your once a year gift giving friends are drinkers then you have it made. A six pack of their favorite beer or ale will solve your problems. If these are people you really don't like and you are trying to drop a hint without seeming impolite you can always go for the PBR or if you are lucky enough your local store will carry the plain white cans that proudly proclaim the liquid inside is Beer.
If they are car buffs, the local market has you covered there too. You could always go the safe route and buy a gas gift card but why not use your crafting skills and put together a quick gift basket. Tire gauge, fix a flat, quart of oil, a few pine tree air fresheners and some STP gas treatment will make a very ummm, thoughtful gift.
Candy is the easiest. Grab some lifesavers, a Baby Ruth, Snickers, Goobers, Rasinettes, breath mints, bubble gum and most stores still have that bucket of penny candy on the counter(you know the nasty stuff no one will buy). Take it home dump it in a small gift bag and you are relaxing once again.
Kids you say? Parents don't like them having candy? Well, what Stop-n-Go doesn't have a few overpriced cheap toys, a deck of cards, notebooks, pencils/pens. You can always buy them dish washing liquid and a fly swatter...tell them it is the newest thing in bubbles stuff. I saw an alligator cigarette lighter the other day at the store. Now what child would not love to have an alligator whose butt you press and fire comes out of his mouth? And yes they still sell Mad Magazine, Rolling Stone and High Times for the teens.
Yes folks they have it all and it is just right around the corner. Run out right now so you will have something to give those once a year friends. I bought mine in advance, but I don't seem to be having any last minute visitors this year. Hmmm?? Can't seem to figure out why. Oh well, if you should see Billy Joe Jim Bob, tell him I have his gift waiting right here, same as last year. Cheap cigars, chewing tobacco, condoms, rolling papers, copy of playboy and a vintage bottle of MD 20/20. It is perfect for him..he is gonna love it.
MERRY CHRISTMAS YA'LL AND REMEMBER CALL BEFORE YA SHOW UP..... I NEED TIME TO RUN TO THE STORE.
Subject : Do you remember....???? Posted Date: : 01 Dec 2007, 04:39 PM The older I get the more trouble I have remembering what happened to me yesterday. But I do have some memories that seem to linger, from times long ago.hehe Do you remember....
Going to the mall to watch guys strut like John Travolta?
Getting sent home form school because you pants were too tight?
Redoing your hair 3 times in one day, so that you would have the Farrah Flip?
FTW instead of WTF? FUBAR and your soooo low, eyeball?
Wayne's World, Saturday Night Live, Shock Theater, Dialing for Dollars?
Putting training bras in the freezer at slumber parties, screaming like crazy when the neighborhood boys showed up outside your window, like you all didn't want them there.
Polaroid cameras where the best invention ever? When you thought the guy who invented Pong was a wizard of some kind?
The first time a guy asked you to go with him and you said go where?
Getting your first stereo and spending every cent you had on albums, and laughing at your parents 8 tracks. When albums became extinct and you got a cassette player?
Eating a huge Sunday dinner and suffering through Hee Haw so you could see Disney. Praying for it to be a cartoon.
Cranking up AC/DC, Van Halen, REO, Boston, Heart, Queen,The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and on Saturday nights Casey Kasem in order to drown out your parents arguing?
When skirts where either maxi or mini but, never knee length?
When guys and girls actually dressed up for JR High dances, no jeans allowed?
When the only time a guy got a haircut was when he was going to court?
Laying on the hood of your car, staring at the stars, while you and your friends contemplated what life would be like in the year 2000?
When your dad's crew cut embarrassed you only slightly more than his perm?
Volunteering your mom to make cupcakes, cookies and sheet cakes for class parties and then remembering to tell her the night before the party?
Reading "Are You There God It's Me Margaret" for the first time and thinking it was written just for you, reading the" Happy Hooker" for the first time and thinking Oh no people don't really do those things, do they?
Buying Archie, Betty, Jughead, Richie Rich and Spiderman comics for a quarter?
Hanging out with your Grandpa on a Saturday and thinking the best thing you have ever eaten was sardines on a cracker with a tiny pecan pie for dessert?
Grandpa and his friends drink out of a jar and then pulling dimes out of your ear so you won't tell Grandma?
Swinging on Weeping Cherry trees and Musidine vines?
Spying on your brothers and their friends while they skinny dipped in the creek, laughing and then telling on them?
Catching lighting bugs and playing flashlight tag, all over the whole neighborhood?
Having tree houses that where made from leftover house projects and not bought from the store for a couple a thousand dollars?
Being called jail bait by the older guy you were crushing on? Being asked out by the same guy 2 years later and turning him down?
Riding down Stratford Rd on Friday and Saturday night and not caring how much gas cost?
Hanging out with all your friends at the local fast food place until the manager came outside and ran you all off? Going back and hanging out again when his shift was over?
The first person you were ever truly in love with and how just seeing them across the room could make you blush and how you still feel warm inside if you think back?
Let me know the things you remember. The good, the bad, the ugly. Just close your eyes and think back to what you were doing on a Saturday night 30..20..10..5 years ago. Keep it clean, kids are reading.lol You will be amazed how wonderful and silly it will make you feel. So forget what happened yesterday and look a little further back
Yeah, I know it's hard to believe. I'm kinda stunned about it myself. Don't get me wrong...there are plenty of things I could gripe about. But, after careful thought and reflection I had decided that being thankful is the way to go. So what am I so thankful for?
I am thankful for my two beautiful kids and the fact that they really don't give me too much grief. That they are healthy and intelligent and once in a while they even let me believe I am the one in charge.
I am thankful for Ernie. A love like ours doesn't come along every day and I still wonder what I did, to be worthy. I am thankful he and his mom just made it here in one piece and for Dr. Eric who really cares about his patients.
I am thankful for my friends. The ones online who just like me for me and don't care if I did my hair or shaved my legs this morning. And for the ones here at home, who look at me and say "Damn girl, you look tired. Why don't you sit down and rest a spell?"
I am thankful for my family. Just knowing that they are there if and when I need something, allows me to breathe.
I'm thankful I don't have to fly this holiday season and risk being molested for my own safety.
I'm thankful that I am broke and don't have to go out shopping at 2 in the morning, after eating half a 24 lb turkey and 3 pies.
I'm thankful that I have a roof over my head...at least for the time being.
I'm thankful that jeans with holes and patches are still considered pretty cool.
I'm thankful for another day of life here on earth and for the hope that this might just be the day I get it right.
I am thankful for traditions....like this one, which I will dedicate to Norm's memory. It was a special one we shared a laugh over.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember out there somewhere is someone...a solider, a child, a human who is in need. If you can help, please do, they will be very thankful.
Like many I am a former Myspace junkie. I couldn't make it through the day without a Myspace fix.
Even if I had nothing to say, the first thing I did upon coming home from work was to check Myspace in order to see what my friends were up to. To make sure everyone was ok and that things were going well.
Not only did I make the worlds best friends there, I found my sister there. Well maybe, not biologically my sister, but if I could pick a sister she would be it. So I did. I love you Dez. I also found the love there. The kind I didn't think existed anywhere except in best selling romance novels or hallmark movies, only better. I love you Ernie.
I met people who entertained me, who taught me, who tolerated me. And I miss them.
Myspace has turned into something ugly and unfamiliar. I don't mind trying new things, or learning new things. However, this is not just a bit much for me, it is a bit much for my computer. Nothing will work for me at Myspace anymore. My computer freezes and locks up. I can't stay on long enough to even try the new features. I give up. Change happens and even though I will still post there...when possible and I will still attempt to read the wonderful blogs everyone posts there...when possible, for all intense purposes I have moved on.
I've been hanging out at Myboomerplace.com. I like it. OK the big comments sent three or four times a day are a bit overwhelming and the blogs, stream thingy doesn't really allow for interaction. I like being able to talk to other folks on someone else's blog. That is how I met most of my friends on Myspace. I miss that. I hear that changes are in the works at Boomer, so I guess I will wait it out and see. Besides that is where Ernie is and where Ernie is...is where I belong.
I don't know what I am rambling about tonight. I guess I just miss my friends and one old friend is really in my thoughts tonight. His birthday is Nov. 22. I miss him most. And I wonder what Kingnormie would have said about all this.
What this ain't, is about war. Although I could write about war. The good, the bad, the evil, the saints, but it ain't about war.
What this ain't, is about a solider. Although, I could write about a young man, very young man who made the choice to join the military and fight for his country, but it ain't about a solider.
What this ain't is about a father. Although, I could write about a father, who played an active role in his sons life and loved him through the rough times as well, as well as the good ones, but it ain't about a father.
What this ain't, is about a friend. Although, I could write about a friend. A friend who talked to me about country, morals, children, respect, government, life and who listened to me talk as well, but it ain't about a friend.
