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October 28 GhostsI went to my college homecoming a few weekends back. I've really been enjoying the reconnecting. The more distance I have from those college days, the more I'm able to see how lucky I was to have so many quality people in my life, people who are still lovely and interesting and smart and informed. I was just really, really fortunate to spend four years with these people. As I was walking around campus and hanging out in the tiny little town where my school is, I commented to my brother how many memories were lurking around. He called them ghosts, and I thought that captured it perfectly. I was remembering things I hadn't thought of in years, things I guess I didn't know I even remembered. I was most taken that the ghosts weren't even necessarily those of dramatic proportions, but lots of them were just of having fun…oh, we did 'this' here or 'that' there. On the flip side of that, I had some friends who didn't have many ghosts at all. Some have never stopped remembering and reliving the 'good ol' days' so there was really nothing to look back on and be surprised about. I remember sitting in Kristin's dorm room in Agnus Howard Hall our junior year. She was sitting on her bed and she looked at me and said, "I really hope these aren't the best days of my life. Not that they're not good, even great, but I hope it doesn't end here." I never forgot that. Going back and finding so many ghosts, good ones, mostly, I was thinking about Kristin having said that. And, I decided that the fact that I have ghosts at all is a really good thing, because that means there have a been lots of good times and good things filling up the past 15 years since I've been gone from Sunny Buc. I have never lived with the intention that the 'good days' were behind me. I've never been someone to look back, and for that I'm grateful. Like my friend Tony said to me a few weeks ago, I believe the best days are still ahead. And I do. I guess I always have. The past 15 years have held some of the hardest times I've ever had, but they've also held some of the best. I have so many things to be thankful for and I am--so thankful. So, on this, my birthday, I say to the ghosts, "I'm glad you're there." And I’m glad I have lots of them, all over the place. It means I'm still among the living and still going forward, and leaving things behind to make room for the new. Here's to the ghosts and here's to the best days still ahead. -b
October 27 SimsJim introduced me to the Sim's video game. I've been trying to figure out why it's addictive. I mean, these characters really do nothing all that spectacular. I have to make them eat, go to the bathroom, shower, clean, pay bills, sleep, go to work, etc. So, what is the draw? Why do people 'play' this game?
It dawned on me this morning: Sim's is like playing with Barbies, only on the computer! I was a Barbie FREAK when I was little, complete with the Dream House, the convertible and the hot tub. So essentially Jim has given me permission to play with Barbies again.
...or he just wants me to have a project so I'll stay out of his way.
-b October 26 mental energy It's been a week. That's for sure. Suffice it to say that a cancer scare, albeit small and miniscule, pretty much takes all your mental energy. I'm fine, though. And, I'd also like to give a 'hat's off' to my friends who have actually gotten the bad news and who have fought the disease. Much love and respect to you. Maybe one day later I'll tell you about how on the second day I was called back (out of three) they left me sitting in the gown (we use that term very loosely) in a little non-private waiting room and all went to lunch. They literally and admittedly forgot I was still sitting there--this after sitting there for hours as the other women in the room were disappearing one by one after telling me their breast cancer diagnosis'. Maybe I'll tell you about the random lady talking out of her head who came into the little waiting room and began digging in the dirt in the corner plant. I thought she was going to try to get in, but, alas, she was just digging up little pieces of it to put in her purse so she could take them home and plant them...I guess...I hope. Or maybe I'll tell you about how on the third day, the woman who registered me was wearing a lacy bra with full on cleavage underneath a jacket as part of her outfit. Of all places, I was stunned that someone would be so unaware that they would think it appropriate...women who go there are facing potential surgeries, scars, mastectomies, and yet Trish thought THAT outfit was just right for Thursday. Anyway, it's over for a few months and I don't want to think about it anymore right now. Heading out. Make your Sunday a great one. -b -b October 19 Buying a Couch...or Not: The Fight for the Right to BrowseI haven't bought a couch/sofa for years now. (I'm going to call it a couch for our purposes--I was recently told that sofa's are more expensive, and who are we trying to fool here? I'm a songwriter, right?) I bought one when I lived in WV. It was easy enough. I went in, saw the couch and chair set that I liked, paid for it and it was delivered a few weeks later. I didn't spend weeks going into every furniture store in all the neighboring towns. I saw it, I liked it, done.
The next couch I bought was here in Nashville. Before I even went to the store, I knew what I wanted: a red couch. This was before everyone had red couches--you couldn't even find one on display in a store. So, I went into a store where you picked your style and then picked your fabric and color and they made it for you. About 6 weeks later, it was delivered. Done. That store is now closed. Sigh.
Well, that should tell you how long I've had this couch. And, while I knew it needed to be donated, I also knew that I was redoing the place and I didn't want to pick a new one till the walls were painted and finished and the floor was in...and until the puppy was a little older (once I got the puppy.)
It is now time. And, once again, I know exactly what I want. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of going in to the most expensive furniture store in Nashville to find it, and I've been wrestling with justifying it ever since. I've pretty much decided that I shouldn't splurge on it, considering the puppy and all, and so I decided to go to the more affordable furniture stores in town to see if I could find something else I could live with.
I knew what I was getting into. I'd tried to buy an entertainment center once from these people. I remembered being so miserable that I almost cried in one store. I couldn't get a moment of peace. It was like they were afraid I was going to put a table in my purse and try to walk out with it. I was expecting to have to fight for the right to browse. After this experience, gang, I couldn't harbor more hatred for the furniture salespeople in this town if sat down and consciously tried. I didn't know I could hate a group of people so much. I seriously didn't know it was possible.
I'd actually walked through Rooms to Go several weeks ago. It was on a weekday and I took Jim with me and I suppose the stars were aligned differently because it wasn't so bad. I mean, I was accosted at the front door, but Bob generally left us alone. There was one couch that I was a little interested in so at the end, I took Bob's card and told him I'd get back with him if I was interested.
I had thought I'd go back to Rooms to Go, but first I wanted to look in some other stores. I wanted to see what else was out there. I decided to go about this by walking in fast and with purpose--try to avoid the salivating, slimy salespeople ganged up at the front door. "Just walk right by them like you're looking for someone," I thought. Then maybe you can browse peacefully.
First stop, American Signature Furniture. I'd never been in there before and didn't know much about it, but I was sure I'd be drooled all over, so I hurried through the front door. I walked as fast I could weaving through couches and tables till I made it safely to the back corner. I looked around and breathed a sigh of relief when I realized it had worked. And so I snooped around. My Mom had warned to me to look for seat cushions that are unfinished. I guess they don't want you to flip your cushions anymore because many couches I found had only one useable side. They'll put the fabric on the top, the front, and then take it a few inches underneath, but if you'll flip it up, you'll see that most of the underside is that black fabric. Frankly, that infuriates me. FINISH THE SEAT CUSHIONS, FOR HEAVENS SAKE. As a consumer, I should be able to flip my cushions so I can get longer wear. Anyway, most of the cushions I flipped in American Signature were unfinished. However, they had the Rooms to Go couch for $400 less. Hmmm... Maybe the one at Rooms to Go is more expensive because the cushions are finished.
Next stop, Ashley Home Furniture. Again, I just wanted to look around UNSTALKED for a minute. Just ONE minute. I ducked my head and walked in as fast as I could. I noticed the group of wolves lingering around one set and so I veered to the left. Hurry, Belinda, hurry. You can make it. Then I heard one coming after me. "Ma'am!" Crap. Keep walking, keep walking. "Ma'am," she shouted--yes, shouted. I turned just a little to see a woman with a clipboard literally jogging after me. She was seriously JOGGING to catch up, her necklace bouncing up and down. I was so irritated. "Ma'am, is there something I can help you with?" "No," I said blankly. "But, I can help you if you have questions." "I'm wondering if my mother is in this store," I said with growing frustration. "Oh, I'm not sure." "I didn't think so." Yes!!! It worked. I was able to do a quick run through alone. They had nothing I liked. And, to be fair, I assumed my Mom was at home in WV, but just in case she wasn't...
Furniture Factory Outlet. I couldn't even find the strength to go in. I got to the door and there were a group of desperate salespeople sitting on the couches facing the door. I had my hand on the front door when I spotted them. The one man was looking at me. I dropped my hand, turned around and got back in the car.
Rooms to Go was just insulting. I just wanted to look at the couch again to see if the seat cushions were finished on the bottom which would have sold me. I knew the couch was in the front row, third on the left from the front door. I tried the hurry thing again. Only this time, all the salespeople were blocking the aisle, all very large and tall men, very 'cheap used car dealership' looking. Like any one of them could give me home decorating tips. Right. I tried to walk through them. I just wanted to flip the cushion, but this one large and tall man blocked me. He jumped out in front of me and I ran smack into him. "May I help you?" he said forcefully. I looked up and said, "Can I just walk through?" with matching force. "I'm just trying to do my job," he smarted. "What? Are you a bouncer?" About that time, I guess it was the manager who walked around the corner. He stepped in and asked what was going on and I informed him that I just wanted "to check something on that couch, but apparently the public isn't welcome in the store." He told me it was fine to go ahead (can you belive this?) and so I flipped the cushion. You guessed it: unfinished.
I went to two other stores and found the same unfinished cushion problem, but I will say that the woman at Badcock didn't tackle me at the door, and I did appreciate that. The woman at Haverty's stalked me from afar throughout the store, but at least she wasn't offering 'helpful' hints everytime I glanced at something.
So, I guess this is what buying a couch has come to. A miserable game in which one must be physically able to move quick and for which one must own a helmet to plow through the bouncers. At this point, the splurge is looking more and more probable if for nothing else than my sanity.
...or I'm going to buy one online and take my chances. It's just not worth the fight.
-b October 17 DangerWhen you're wearing corduroy pants and you walk really fast, you could spontaneously burst into flames at any moment. It's very dangerous.
-b October 16 YesterdayI forgot to mention the best part of my visit yesterday.
I got a parting gift: a pizza slicer.
Really. I had the mammogram and they gave me a pink and white round pizza slicer.
I. Have. No. Idea.
 -b
October 15 Just Do It, Ladies I'm not of the age that a mammogram is recommended, per se, but my doctor sent me anyway. I'm fine--don't everyone panic. But, I have to say it wasn't anywhere near as bad as people make it out to be. I was prepared to want to pass out with pain. I left having felt no pain at all. None whatsoever. So, either technology has come a long way or Sandy was a total pro--probably both. I only mention this because it is breast cancer awareness month and I know many women who have had breast cancer. I also know many women who refuse to go for yearly testing due to fear. Frankly, I was horrified to go. I almost skipped it. I almost walked out even AFTER they had taken me back out of the lobby waiting area to the little changing room waiting area. I didn't, though. And, as my brother reminded me in response to one of my panicked texts--"This will all be over by the time Oprah is coming on."  Now I'm going to turn on Oprah. -b October 06 Mean People StinkI will vote for the first candidate to pledge regulation of women's jean sizes. Tell me you will make them consistent across the board and I will wear your button. Free us from the debilitating size variances, Mr. Future President!!! Free the People!!!
I actually went against my entire moral fiber and tried stuff on at the store on Saturday. I kid you not when I say that I had to try on a range of FOUR sizes across brands. FOUR! Needless to say, the pair with the tag showing the smallest size won. Donna Karen is getting a Christmas card this year (or Hannukah, whichever). And to Calvin Klein? You're just mean.
-b
October 04 road report I had a tire go flat on me last night while driving down the freeway. That's always fun. I didn't hear it at first because I had the windows down and I was blasting Keith Urban. Which song? "Who Wouldn't Want to be Me." Nice. I think my entire life is destined to be set to a soundtrack.  -b October 02 VP DebateWe just watched the whole thing, beginning to end. Sarah Palin actually speaks. You all know how relieved I am regarding this. I kept listening to each candidate thinking, "Okay, how would it feel to call you President." President Biden? President Palin? I crack myself up sometimes. I don't know why I think my vote matters so much this time around, and yet I do. So, I read political things daily and I'm watching the debates all the way through for the first time (not saying that's a good thing.) And, I fully believe that no matter how I vote, the State of Tennessee will register a republican vote. I press on, though. And I'm wondering how much I'm pro 'electoral college' these days. I wonder if everyone in America is as drawn in as I am? -b |
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