Chix Chat

From: Anne
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2001 4:03 PM
Subject: Miss Anne goes to Washington?

Hi, Michele!

I’m having quite a busy day at work. Part of the day included a luncheon given by Bud Cramer (D) for Congressman Tom DeLay (R) of Texas in support of the Children’s Advocacy Center. They had the richest chocolate dessert - sinfully delicious! At one point while I was chewing, I was hoping that the local news crew wasn’t picking that moment to point the camera at me.

Re: Darrell, I thought he had a nice voice, and he always spoke with such confidence. (I miss him - sniff! sniff!) You asked about pictures of Darrell and (ick) Ray. There is a newspaper clipping posted on our wall - it has a pic of Darrell, my two bosses and me. I was just thinking that I could scan that pic and send it to you. Darrell didn’t like it, because you can really see his receding - okay, bald on top - hairline. Until he said that, I didn’t even consider it. (You can always tell when someone is sensitive about an issue - it’s the first thing they’ll point out when they see a picture.) I’m sending the best pic I have of Ray with his mom who is the sweetest person and one where he is "skimming a rock." Here’s a fun coincidence for ya: Darrell and Ray were born on the same day - October 24, but Darrell was born a year after Ray. I always thought that was so freaky!

I like your attitude about getting your book accepted. (That situation is still on my prayer list, btw.) I mean, you have nothing to lose by continuing to try right? And you have everything to gain. I’m sure it’s frustrating at times - like job hunting - but when you get it, it’ll all be worth it and you can proudly think, "I didn’t give up - woo hoo!" I will definitely buy a copy of your book, and I will definitely expect an autograph!

So, Sara’s suspension began yesterday, and she didn’t go apply for the bus cleaner job. When she was going to see where the place was a few days ago, she had to drive on a very busy highway, and she inadvertently cut some guy off who angrily blew the horn at her. Now she’s leery about getting into traffic. She was also claiming that "the ad said the hours would vary, and I like set hours." I told her that sometimes you have to give a little to get a little. That’s like with me and this job. (Funny how everything relates to me …   If I had said, "I don’t want that job - I’ll have to drive clear across town!" I probably would still be looking for something "perfect." I was telling her that most jobs have good and bad qualities. I really hope she thinks about that. There’s a good chance I’ll say it to her - repeatedly - when she starts going on about how whatever job isn’t exactly what she wants.

Speaking of jobs, the main thing I hated about ***** was the type of person that you described - the one with the snippy attitude about the invitations. Those people must have such unhappy lives since everyone everywhere they go is so much more incompetent than they are in their eyes anyway.

I’m sorry to see that your grandmother isn’t doing any better. I don’t know what to say; I know it’s a very tough time for all of you. I do keep you all in my prayers! Did you say that your grandma is 98?
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TV show- California Dreams
movie- Dance Til Dawn (it was a cute made for TV movie from the early 90’s)
song- "In a Week or Two" by Diamond Rio
cd- (love Jamie O’Neal’s song "There is No Arizona"!)

funny moment- From Frasier, Daphne is trying to convince Martin (Frasier’s Dad) that he should color his hair. She says, "And I know the perfect shade for you; it’s called ‘Cinnamon Sable.’" Martin sarcastically replies, "Oh, I can’t use that - it’s Duke’s shade. He’d scratch my eyes out."

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new questions

how do you feel about people talking on their cell phones (while driving, while shopping, etc)?- hate it! I fully agree with the bumper sticker "Hang Up and DRIVE!" People eating at ***** would call home while at their table to ask the person what plate he or she wanted the diner to bring. They couldn’t have asked before the people left to come to *****; apparently it was critical that they be able to order right at the last second.

do you (and your mom and Sara) go grocery shopping several times a week or do you do big shopping once a month?- we usually go several times a week. Sara buys lunch fixings for herself for work when she gets paid (once every two weeks).

ever come across a couple … um….well, you know!- not that I can remember … and I don’t think I’d forget something like that!

Have you ever made an assumption about someone and you turned out to be wrong?- Based a few passing encounters, I used to think our new guy, Rocky, was a stuck-up snob. Now I think he’s okay.

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New Questions!
Do you use the phrase "woo hoo"? yes, frequently! (WOO HOO!)

Have you ever been stung by a bee? I was stung by a yellow jacket when I was about four - I was swinging on my little old metal swing set, and apparently I upset it. ("Woo hoo" was not the phrase I used!)

Has a bee or wasp landed on you and not stung you? Yes. Years after my yellow jacket episode, I was sitting on the swinging metal gym bar (no, that doesn’t sound confusing) and a wasp landed on my shoulder. I sat, not even breathing until it flew away.

Ever had stitches for a cut? No, but I probably needed them for the gash on my right index finger that I got in fifth grade. Now there’s a very noticeable scar.

Every been attacked or chased by an animal? I was chased by a large white goose while hanging around the duck pond at UAH. Once when I was walking around the block with the little girl I used to baby-sit, a large collie came running toward us. I shouted, with authority, "GET BACK!" It stopped and came no closer - the little girl was very impressed!

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That’s it for now. Talk to you soon! God bless!
Anne

From: Michele
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 11:02 PM
Subject: Pay no attention to that first e-mail!

Hi Anne!

I don’t know what the heck happened with that first e-mail!  I just wrote hi and I must have accidentally clicked on the "send" button!  Oh well.  No big deal.

I saw my grandma today.  She doesn’t look too good.  They gave her morphine to ease her pain, so she’s been in and out of it for the past few days. At least when I saw her, she was coherent.  I held her had and told her that I loved her.  It was really tough, but at least I got to see her.  I had to work this morning until one and right before I left, I had to deal with this insensitive bitch at the computer (we print out invitations and address labels).  Anyway the stupid printer was acting up (perfect timing!)  and she was all like "This is very annoying.  I don’t have time for this" very snippily.  I wanted to say to her, "Lady, I could give a flying fu*@ about your stupid invitations or whatever!"  The problem still wasn’t solved when I left.  Mary had just come in and she took over.  She asked why I was leaving early.  I looked pointedly at "Miss Impatience" and said, "My grandma is in the hospital and it doesn’t look too good."  and I wanted to add "And my family is more important than your stupid invitations!"

I got my X-Files book from Amazon.com today.  Yeah!  Finally!  I was flipping through it when  I got home from the hospital.  There are a few pictures of my man in it.  He is just so commanding and manly!  Nothing wimpy about him at all.

I also got back on that horse and I started composing a new query letter to a new agent.  I found another one I really like that represents Christian fiction, but they mostly want established writers.  I figured ‘what the hey, I’ll try anyway.’  I mean, as always what’s the worst that can happen?  They say no and I’ll just go on to the next one.  I’ve been going over my writer’s market book and book of literary agents with a fine toothed comb and writing down any markets or agents with any potential.  And even if I have to query every person on that list I’m not giving up!  I mean, say I give up after 20 rejections.  Who’s to say that #21 won’t accept it?  I hate to sound desperate or even smug but when (when, not if!) I finally get it published,  I hope you will buy a copy!  I’ll even autograph it for you!

When you mentioned the girls at ***** fawning over the "pretty boys", that reminded me of an incident that happened one day when I was working at *****.  I waited on this guy and after he left Laura and Tracey were just going nuts saying how buff they thought he was.  He was a good looking guy and was built like a body builder, but he just didn’t do anything for me.  Gosh, if they would have known that someone like Mitch Pileggi gets my juices flowing, they’d think I was out of my mind!! 

From just the way to talk about Darrel, it seems like I would be attracted to him as well!  Do you have any pictures of him you could send to me?  How bout your "darling" ex, Ray?  When was the last time you saw Darrell?  You’re probably thinking to yourself, ‘He’s still married?  Damn!’  I bet he has a really nice voice.  That’s another thing that can be a turn on or turn off in a man- his voice.  I mean, imagine Arnold Vosloo with Richard Simmons voice!  I don’t think so!
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tv show- A Different World (I watch Mad About You Sometimes)
movie- She’s Having A Baby
song- 1999 (Prince)
cd- Jamie O’Neal- Shiver

funny moment- from the golden girls.  Blanche and Rose were doing a dress rehearsal for a play and they were dressed as nuns.  Anyway, they had to leave wherever they were right away because a hurricane was brewing outside.  Meanwhile, Dorothy’s uncle(?)  who was a priest was visiting from Italy and Sophia convinced Dorothy to pretend she was still married to Stan and that the house was theirs.  The Uncle walked into the kitchen where Blanche and Rose were, wearing the nun’s habits and holding their clothes (their bras on top of the pile).  They introduce themselves as "sister Rose" and "sister Blanche" and Blanche explains that "We’re collecting lingerie for needy, sexy people."
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questions answered

have I ever bought something and I don’t wear it?- yeah, about half the stuff in my closet!!  Either it’s too small or I just don’t like it.  I look at it and think "What was I thinking when I bought this?"  I should donate everything I don’t wear to Goodwill.

have I ever bought something and wearing it I realized it wasn’t what I wanted?- Yes.  I bought one of those sleeveless tops with spaghetti straps and a built in bra.  I’m not that big, but the bra doesn’t support me.  I wore it once and felt very self conscious.

what was the most I’ve paid for a piece of clothing- That dress I wore to my aunt’s wedding (the one I’m wearing in that pic I sent you) cost about $75. It was marked down from $125.  I considered it a deal.  It’s kinda a shame that I paid $75 for something I’ll probably never wear again.

what was the least I’ve paid for a piece of clothing?- I bought a skirt/top/shoes ensemble for under $10!
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new questions

how do you feel about people talking on their cell phones (while driving, while shopping, etc)?- it annoys the hell out of me!  First of all, driving and talking on the phone just isn’t safe!  And talking on a cell phone at the movies is just plain rude!  Also, I don’t want to hear someone’s conversation.  There is no sense of privacy anymore.  Just the other day I waited on some lady who was talking to her travel agent!  I thought, ‘couldn’t you just wait until you left the store to call?’  I think cell phones should be for emergencies only!

do you (and your mom and Sara) go grocery shopping several times a week or do you do big shopping once a month?- One of us usually stops by the store every day.  When I worked at ***** I’d wait on several customers who only came in once a month.  Their bills were astronomical!  But then again if I added our bills from every day, it would probably even out.

ever come across a couple … um….well, you know!- yes!  last year  at work I went  to take the trash out in the back.  Anyway, I before I opened the back door I heard a car engine running.  I cracked the door a bit and peeked outside and there was a couple in a white car going at it!  The windows were rolled up and the radio was on, but I could still hear her practically screaming!   After watching for a moment or two, partly fascinated, partly amused and partly repulsed, I closed the door and thought ‘Yeah, thats where I want my first time to be.  On the front seat of a car with some guy who probably is only using me for sex!’  And just a few months ago, Mary saw the same thing (different couple, different car).  I said to her, "Maybe we should put a Motel 6 sign back here!"

Have you ever made an assumption about someone and you turned out to be wrong?- Yes!  I could give many examples but I’ll give just this one.  This girl came into the hallmark store one day and she had pink hair, a nose ring and really heavy makeup.  i thought.  "This one looks like a real winner!"  Anyway, she approached me and asked me in this very sweet voice if I could help her with the Precious Moments case.  I was stunned when she said "A good friend of mine just became a born again Christian and I wanted to get her a little something."  It was then I noticed the cross that hung around her neck.  I made a few suggestions and she finally found the figurine she wanted.  After I rung her up, she thanked me and when she left she said, "Take care.  God bless."  Moral of this story?- don’t judge a book by its cover!! 
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Well, that’s it for today.  See you tomorrow!  God bless!

Michele

From: Michele
To: (multiple people)
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 7:33 PM

Hi everyone,

My grandma was admitted to the hospital last Friday.  It doesn’t look too good. Not only does she have a bad heart but she has uterine cancer which has spread.  She’s been slipping in and out of consciousness for the past several days.  She’s in a lot of pain. I saw her today and was able to talk to her and tell her that I loved her.  It was difficult but at least I got the chance to see her … just in case.  If you could keep her in your thoughts or say a prayer for her, and for my family as well, I would really appreciate it!  Thanks so much!

Michele

From: Anne
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2001 1:22 PM
Subject: It’s bye-bye fun; get your homework done!

Hi Michele!

Sounds like you have quite a day! 10-9 - that is above and beyond the call of duty! And, excuse me? $50,000!! I’d say that calls for a recount!

I came in 30 minutes early today - part of the whole "leave early and come back to work/going to school" plan. The traffic was much lighter - definitely worth getting up early for! It’s also kinda nice that I get to leave in the middle of the afternoon - the day seems to fly by when it’s broken into small chunks. I need to stop and get my school ID made before I come back to work this afternoon; I don’t usually use the ID for anything, but I know I’d need it if I didn’t get one.

I was reading that TV Guide article about Scott Bakula and the new Enterprise crew last night. Okay, I admit I was looking at the pic, too. I also was "in love" with him on Quantum Leap, which remains one of my favorite shows of all time. He just seems like he would be a nice guy.

Ever the glutton for punishment, I started writing another episode summary for the Buffyguide, this time for the episode where they bury Buffy’s mom. There is a lot going on in that episode! I didn’t knock myself out over it last night - I just watched it once and took general notes. I’ll watch it again today or tomorrow and add more details.

I feel the same way you do about scoping out guys: he probably has a girlfriend or he might just not be attracted to me. When I was working at *****, sometimes we’d get groups of those good-looking, preppy, rich kid guys in - I’m sure you know the type I’m referring to. They’re good looking and all that, but they know it too. The other waitresses would be in the kitchen discussing how fine they are, and I would usually be carrying on about my business. One time, one of the girls asked me, "What’s wrong with you?" because I wasn’t with the others, lusting over the current group of pretty boys. What would be the point? Those guys wouldn’t want me, and I refuse to feed their egos by fawning over them like some groupie. PLUS, what in the world would I do with the guy if he - miraculously - did show interest in me? That type is usually busy sowing their wild oats; I highly doubt they’re looking to settle down with a nice Christian girl.

Is your grandmother still in the hospital and is she still doing better? I know that’s a tough time. Have you got to see her yet, or will you get to see her soon?
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TV - Mad About You
Movie - Much Ado About Nothing
Song - "The Last Worthless Evening" by Don Henley (if you know of good CD’s, please include them! I’ll do the same when I think of one!)

funny moment - From Three’s Company, I love the scene in the episode where Janet has a difficult new boss at the flower shop. Mr. Furley and Terri go into the flower shop and see the new boss - I’ll call her B for short. Mr. Furley tells B that he would like some nails. B replies, "What? We don’t have nails here." Mr. F asks, "Then how did you hang those pictures on the walls?" Mr. F and Terri keep giving B a hard time, asking for nails, a hammer, etc. B’s supervisor finally comes out and asks if there’s a problem. B tells him, "Yes, these people are asking for things that we don’t sell." Mr. F innocently asks the supervisor, "Do you have any chrysanthemums?"
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have you ever driven/rode on a motorcycle?  Would you?- I haven’t yet, but I would. Like you, I’ve thought before what a great feeling it would be to be holding onto the type of guy who would drive a motorcycle. (Grroowll!!)

Has the type of man you’re attracted to changed over the years?-  I would say yes, it has changed. In high school, I developed crushes on the popular handsome usually jock-type guys. (Hey, who didn’t.) Now, I find myself with crushes on guys who stimulate my mind and are just generally great. I’m thinking about Darrell as I write this.

ever been in a food fight?- not that I can remember.

do you chew gum a lot?- no, because I tend to smack on it. I am a big fan of breath mints though.

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Have you ever bought something and then you don’t wear it? If so, what? I have a cute black tee that says Angel on it in silver letters - I was going to wear it to the concert that I was stood up for. I also bought a sleeveless zip up shirt without trying it on - it turned out it was much shorter than I thought!

Ever bought something and wearing it you realized that it wasn’t what you wanted? Yes. The skirt I have on today is like that - it’s so long it drags the ground when I sit down. I have a feeling I’m going to keep catching my foot in it when I climb stairs. It’s a nice skirt, and I’ll wear it again, but it’s not as good as I hoped it would be.

What’s the most you’ve paid for a piece of clothing and what was it? I guess that my suit would be the most. I used to buy Guess jeans, but the last time I shopped I didn’t like the way the expensive jeans looked on me so I opted for the $20 pair - which I love.

What’s the least you’ve paid for clothing and what was it? I got a pair of slip on canvas shoes for $2 - I wore them around the house for a long time, so they were easily worth $2. For clothes I got some $3 shorts - which it turns out I didn’t like - and a $3 shirt to wear under a button-up sweater.

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That’s it for today. Talk to you soon! God bless!
Anne

"The richest people are not the ones that have the most; they’re the ones who need the least."

From: Michele
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 10:19 PM
Subject: I work hard for the money!

Hi Anne!

Boy, what a day I had!  Well, I was supposed to work 1-9.  Anyway, around 9:20 this morning, Mary called me.  Kristin called off sick and Mary would have been there by herself until I got there at one.  So I volunteered to come in at 10.  So I worked 10-9.  It honestly wasn’t so bad.  There was a lot to do, so the time went by pretty quickly.  And I took two breaks- one at 2 and one at 6.

Around 7:30 my mom called.  She and my dad were on their way to the hospital. She told me my grandma wasn’t doing so well.  I couldn’t leave (I was the only one with the key and who knows how to close).  She said it wasn’t urgent that I leave, she just wanted to make sure that someone could drive me home.  Shelly did.  About ten minutes after I came home, my mom called from the hospital.  My grandma is doing a little better.  The doctors had to do tests on her, they think she might of had a slight heart attack.  About 8 years ago, she had a pacemaker put in.  I just hope I can see her again before anything happens.  I just pray she doesn’t suffer.  I’m just really grateful to God that he helped me get through today!

I would be like you if I were on jury duty.  I’d be looking at all the guys.  ‘Hmm …that one is kinda cute.  That one is even cuter!  Is he wearing a wedding ring?  Oh, who am I kidding?  Even if he isn’t married, he probably has a girlfriend …and besides what are the chances of him thinking I’m the most beautiful creature on the planet and him walking over and starting a conversation with me?’

Good luck to Sara about that job as a bus-cleaner.  That sounds pretty good to me to- full time with a minimum of people contact.  I’d be willing to work six days a week, eight hours a day if I didn’t have to deal with people!  That’s why working 11 hours today wasn’t so bad, I was in the back a lot, straightening the boxes for our collectibles (Boyds, PRecious Moments, etc) and writing the prices on the outside of the boxes.

Oh!  Speaking of *****, our inventory was off $50,000!! So they have to come back and do another inventory at the end of the month.  I wanted to ask you if it’s possible if ***** could have made a mistake.  I mean, $50,000?!  I don’t even think we have that $50,000 worth of merchandise in the store!!!

There is a picture of Scott Bakula on the cover of the new tv guide.  Have I told you that i think he’s good looking?  I used to have the hugest crush on him when he was on Quantum Leap.  I still think he’s good looking.  I’ve seen him on interviews- he’s such a nice guy too.

>
> *************************************
>
> >TV - Hollywood Squares (I love Jeopardy!  Don’t you feel so smart when you get the final jeopardy question right?)
> >Movie - Home Alone (thought Love Potion #9 was cute)
> >ok, new category will be song!  So my song for today is Ten Thousand Angels by Mindy McCready!

> funny moment- did you ever see the one Three’s Company when Jack was giving cooking lessons to the hot-to-trot Mrs. Bustamenti?  It was just on and I was cracking up at it (I needed a good laugh very badly!)
> *******************************************************************
>  QUESTIONS answered
>
> Did you ever take twirling lessons? I’m assuming you mean baton twirling.   No, I haven’t.
> Did you ever take ballet? no
>
> Have you ever been in a parade? no
>
> Has your shyness ever driven you to do something out of the ordinary? Can’t think of anything specific
>
> If you could have an exotic pet, what would it be? a ferret or an iguana (like Quincy )
>
> Is there anything that you would do on a show like Fear Factor to win a lot of money?   I couldn’t think of anything I would subject myself to to win any amount of money!
> ********************************************************************
> new questions

have you ever driven/rode on a motorcycle?  Would you?- no, I never have, but I would.  I could just imagine the rush I would get riding on the back of a Harley, my arms wrapped around the chest of sexy, tattoo wearing man wearing blue jeans and a white tee shirt, and I’m resting my cheek on his back and feeling totally safe.

Has the type of man you’re attracted to changed over the years?-  Yes!  I used to be attracted to the business suit, glasses wearing intellectual.  Now I find that the motorcycle riding, tattoo wearing, jeans wearing “bad boy” very appealing.  I want the kind of man that looks like a bad boy but is the kind of guy who would cry at Steel Magnolias and gets all mushy around babies and kittens!  I want the kind of man who is a Christian and is very open about it, and you would think twice before you would put him down about it!

ever been in a food fight?- I was in a “civilized” version of a food fight.  I was at a restaurant with my sister and my two cousins (I was 12 at the time) and we tossed a few things back and forth until our moms yelled for us to “KNOCK IT OFF RIGHT NOW!!”,                   

do you chew gum a lot?- yes.  I’m always paranoid that I have bad breath so Im always chomping on something!

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Well, that’s it for today!  See you tomorrow.  Take care, and God bless!

Michele

From: Anne
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2001 4:16 PM
Subject: LDF - Last Day of Freedom :*(

Hi Michele!

I was sorry to see that you were having a CLD. I get in those moods too, but that’s just part of life, I guess. Like you said, it is unrealistic to think that you’ll be happy all of the time.

You’re going to see Alabama and Yankee Grey on September 8?! (Are they calling that the North and South tour?) I’m sure that will be a great show too! And your friend got to see NSYNC! Color me jealous!

I was thinking like you about the jury duty: where is that dreamy officer?! I love the thought of sauntering coolly up to him and saying in my most sultry tone, "Up against the wall and spread ‘em." He’d probably drop his nightstick! And the assistant DA was cute and scholarly-looking too! Aren’t I terrible? I’m supposed to be impartially listening to the evidence or whatever and I’m trying to see if the guy is wearing a wedding ring.

Now for the next installment of For Whom the Bell Tolls. Well, it’s looking like Sara will only be suspended for one week because they don’t have enough other people that can work to take her place. It is so ridiculous! If they couldn’t do without her WHY did they even go to the trouble of saying all that mess?! I was looking forward to her being able to go job-hunting during the day. I guess I’ll find out this evening if she’s actually suspended. About *****, she is still thinking of doing that, but I, ever the fount of advice, said that since she had the chance she could look into another full-time job, since the ***** work would be irregular and some weeks nonexistent. She is going tomorrow to apply for a job as a bus-cleaner. It sounds pretty good for her, full-time with a minimum of people contact! (That sounds pretty good to me too!)

That’s too bad about your book being rejected. Or should I say "congratulations"? I am sure you’re right that NO ONE gets published on the first try. It sounds like you’re thinking like I do in those situations: expect the worst then you’ll be happily surprised when you do get it! Plus, when I’m looking, I am usually pleased with myself for putting forth the effort to try. It’s the law of averages: the more you look, the better your chances of success!

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>TV - Jeopardy!
>Movie - Love Potion No. 9 (Loved Look Who’s Talking )
>Cd - (Love Phil Collins!) / SONG - "Almost Doesn’t Count" by Brandy
(including a new category for when I can’t think of a cd!)
>
>funny moment- from Frasier, the whole episode is great where they fly to Boston to spend Thanksgiving with Frasier’s son and his ex-wife Lilith. Frasier and Lilith are very excited that their son is being considered for a very exclusive private school. Frasier, trying to calm down, asks Lilith if she still keeps the Valium with the contreceptives. She says, "Sorry, I needed the last one just to go pick up the application." Frasier replies, "I’ll assume you meant the Valium."
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new questions!

can you only eat breakfast foods during the morning and lunch food at lunch time (etc)?- no. I’ll get a hankering for cereal at night and I will not hesitate to pour myself a bowl. And I love pizza for breakfast!

do you have a lot of guy friends?- not best friends, but my email buds are guys/men I used to work with. (Hey, most of the people I work with are guys.)

when was the last time you flew on an airplane?- April of 1988 - 10th grade trip to Washington DC.

do you like to go clothes shopping?- no - I was just telling my mom this yesterday! I despise looking in vain through rack after rack and everything that I kind of like is either the wrong size or way too expensive. I get angry at one local store that has "clearance" racks with merchandise that is only $3 less than the original price. Some clearance - that isn’t even a good sale price!

ever spent a night (or nights) at a bed and breakfast?- not that I can recall, but it sounds lovely!

Has anyone asked you flat out if you were a virgin?  How did you respond? How did they respond? - yes, they’ve asked. I told them that I was. A lot of women say, "I wish I had waited." Some people didn’t/don’t believe me. Some (tramps) say, "Whoa, I know I couldn’t do that!" (One guy asked, stupidly, "Don’t you ever get horny?" I wanted to fake offense and say sarcastically, "Sir! I resent your implication that I am raging with desire like some common slut!" It’s like, of course I do, you moron!)
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NEW QUESTIONS

Did you ever take twirling lessons? no

Did you ever take ballet? no

Have you ever been in a parade? no

Has your shyness ever driven you to do something out of the ordinary? yes. When I was in eighth grade or so, I hated standing in the lunchroom line with my tray of food looking vainly for a place to sit. I felt so conspicuous, and I had no one to sit with. So for several weeks, I just hid in the bathroom during lunch.

If you could have an exotic pet, what would it be? A pot-bellied pig.

Is there anything that you would do on a show like Fear Factor to win a lot of money? How much money would it take? I might let a tarantula crawl on me for a million dollars. (Their bite isn’t dangerous to humans, you know, but they sure look evil!) I don’t think they’d accept me on that show, because they’d want fifty tarantulas to walk on me, and they’d have to pay me $50 million!
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That’s it for today. Talk to you soon! God bless!

Anne

From: Michele
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2001 10:41 PM
Subject: CLD (crappy, lonely day!)

Hi Anne!

That’s a bummer that your class starts on Wednesday- it seems like you didn’t even get a break!  My weekend was good, well except for when I was in that crappy mood.  Then last night I got really lonely.  It wasn’t just loneliness- I just felt that I just wasn’t where I wanted to be at this point in my life.  My self worth was really low.  So I wrote page after page in my prayer journal, asking God to help me trust him.  I did feel a lot better when I was finished.  Ok, I figured I’m entitled to a CLD (crappy, lonely day) every once in awhile.  It be unrealistic to think that a person could be happy 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Did I mention that I’m going to see Alabama and Yankee Grey on September 8?  That should be a lot of fun.  My friend Kristin saw N’ Sync on Saturday.  She said they put on a really good concert.  I can imagine.  They were on The Today Show this morning.  I gave my neighbors a wake up call when I blasted my television to almost full blast!  I’m sorry, but a song like Bye Bye Bye has to be played loud!

Also, I got a response back from the book agency and … I’ve been rejected!  Yay!  Why am I happy about it, you may ask?  I’m happy because I know they read it and considered it and that I’ve taken the plunge and I can’t go back.  Do I feel discouraged?  Heck no!  I’ll just send it to the next publisher on my list and I’ll keep on doing that until someone says yes!  I almost expected it to be turned down.  I mean, nobody gets something published on their first try.

I can’t believe you have to be on jury duty again!  That totally sucks!  Hey, maybe you’ll see that cute cop with the handcuffs again ("Oh, officer, arrest me.  I’ve been such a naughty girl!  Why don’t you handcuff me to that bedpost over there!")  I could go on and on about this!

That’s good that you can work around your school schedule.  That’s one of the good things about where I work at.  Any time I need a day off,  I usually get it.  Nora’s pretty flexible that way.  ***** was pretty much that way too.

I really do hope Sara gets a job somewhere else.  Thank God I wasn’t suspended after the money was stolen, because if I was, I wouldn’t come back.  I’d be like "If you think I took that money, you all can just kiss my ass and I can just as easily find another job that will pay the same as I get paid here!"  And the song "Kiss This" would be playing in the background! I thought you mentioned once that she was going to try to get a job with you at *****.  What happened about that?  How about the grocery store your mom works at?  Couldn’t she find something there?  Just tell her to hang in there- something is bound to come up!

I have to vent another "mom" frustration and I admit I’m partly to blame about this.  Ok, as you know, I don’t have my drivers license.  I don’t know why I’ve waited so long to get it, part procrastination, part fear I guess.  But I really do want to get it!  Anyway, I don’t even like to mention it to my mom because she starts bothering me about it.  "You need to get your license, Michele." she’ll say, and that will really irk me.  I mean, don’t tell me what to do!  And when she says it, it makes me not want to get it, you know?  And then I get mad at myself and think, "why am I letting her push my buttons?"  I guess I’m just so stubborn that I don’t want to admit "you were right."  I mean, I know she’s right.  I know that having a license will be a huge step in my independence and in my adulthood but why can’t I just admit it?  No, I never have those try to scream but no sound comes out dreams.  I have those kind of dreams that I’ll try to run, but my legs move very slowly kind of dreams.

ARRGHH!! This guy came into the store tonight and well, he could enter himself in a Mitch Pileggi look-a-like contest.  Drool!  Growl!  Groan!  He was married, of course!  And so the list of men frustrations continues…  I also think, "If only men could know the real me!"  I mean, I shudder to think how many men perceived me to be this boring, humorless stick in the mud Christian who’d probably faint if she’d hear anything sexual.  But I’m not like that!!  I think I’m a really fun girl!  And just because I have values, that doesn’t mean I can’t have a good time!  I also get very peeved when I think of my older "crushes" who might have thought I was too young for them.  No, hon, I am a woman!  Hear me roar! (ROWL!)

Thank you for keeping my grandma in your prayers, I really appreciate it!

have you checked out that Arnold Vosloo site yet?  It’s pretty cool.  And he’s pretty hot!

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>TV - Alien Nation
>Movie - Look Who’s Talking
>Cd - Phil Collins- The Hits
>
>funny moment- from Wings.  An old buddy of Joe is walking around the airport terminal.  IT is obvious he is looking for someone. He is very good looking.  Helen is watching him intently.  Fay walks over to Helen and says, "Helen, have you noticed that man over there?"  Helen replies, "Notice him?  I’m thinking about what I should get him for our 25th wedding anniversary."
>*******************************************************************
>
> NEW QUESTIONS ANSWERED
>
> Is there a kind of hairspray that you use and/or recommend? I use white rain blossoms or something like that.  Yeah, I recommend it.  IT’s cheap and it works pretty well. 
>
> Have you ever had a pen pal that just stopped writing to you all of a sudden?  Yes!  When I put my ads in the Christian pen pals website and also in a secular pen pal website, I got like 10 responses.  Now only four people (including you) still write to me. I sure hope you won’t just stop writing to me (and vice versa)!
>
> How did you celebrate your high school graduation? I went out to dinner with my grandparents, my parents, Danielle and my aunt and uncle.
>
> Do you often find yourself telling the same stories over and over? I do! However I try to recall if anyone that I’m currently telling has heard it before. If they have, I try to acknowledge that I’ve mentioned it to them before.  (yep, same here!)
>
> ********************************************************************
new questions!

can you only eat breakfast foods during the morning and lunch food at lunch time (etc)?- no.  I can get in a mood for waffles at 11 o’clock at night and I can eat a slice of pizza at eight in the morning! 

do you have a lot of guy friends?- no.  that’s another reason why sometimes I feel like a freak of nature when it comes to the opposite sex.  I mean I have next to zero experience with men.  Not even as friends. (Ok, this is the part where you’re supposed to tell me that there’s nothing wrong with me!)

when was the last time you flew on an airplane?- December 1997 (Disneyworld)

do you like to go clothes shopping?- no!  Finding clothes that fit, the styles I want, the colors I want- it’s just one big headache!

ever spent a night (or nights) at a bed and breakfast?- yes, about ten years ago in a place in Ohio (the name escapes me).  It was a very charming place.

Has anyone asked you flat out if you were a virgin?  HOw did you respond? How did they respond? - yes, people have asked me.  We’d be on the subject of sex though, so it wasn’t like it was out of the blue.  I respond truthfully that I want to wait until I get married.  Most people admire me for it, and frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn if they think any less of me because of it!
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well that’s all for today.  Till next time, take care and God bless!

Michele

From: Anne
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2001 3:43 PM
Subject: The party is SO over!

Hello, Michele!

How was your weekend? Here, I tried to enjoy my last weekend of freedom. (Sniff! Sniffy! Sniffle!)  School - or should I say Class – is starting back on Wednesday. I need more break time!! At least this is the class I’m retaking from last Fall. Maybe it’s terrible to say but I hope that he assigns us the same HW problems, because I still have all of my assignments from the last time and I’d like to have SOME benefit from taking this class previously. The last time I had to retake a class I thought, "Well at least I’ll have a few of the HW probs done already." Wrong! That professor assigned HW from a previous version of the book; he ran off copies and passed them out. Curses, foiled again!

I’m glad you had a good time at the concert - I suspected that you would since those were two primo country acts!

Did I mention that "they" are re-calling me to jury duty at the end of September? That is just (not) great because there is quite a controversial case that will surely come before us regarding a game warden who shot an unarmed suspect after a brief car chase. One group keeps protesting at the courthouse demanding that the guy be indicted for murder. In my opinion, those people are the equivalent of a modern day lynch mob, standing there trying to sway the legal system based on their ideas. To be fair, I would need to abstain from voting on that case: I cannot be fair because I’m determined to vote the opposite way of what they want!

Back at work: Hello Monday Grind! The bosses are back. I hope you can read in that sentence exactly how thrilled that I am not. Seriously, it isn’t so bad. I need to tell them today that I will be starting my class and it is in the mid-afternoon, just like it was before. This means that I’ll have to leave at 2:00 and then return about 4:00 to work until 5:00 or so, and I’ll have to stay over on two of my non-school days so that I can work 40 hours for the week. I know that’s inconvenient for everyone, but it’s the only way for me to take that class. I really appreciate my bosses working with me so much! That is another reason that I don’t look too hard for another job right now - this one does have some pretty good benefits.

Sara’s suspension begins Wednesday; she’s talking about the places that she is going to look. I hope she finds something - you just can’t imagine how much I want her to NOT go back to work at *****!

Believe me, I can relate to your frustrations about your Mom babying you: you spoke the absolute truth when you said that it’s difficult to prove independence while we’re living at home. The other night I had one of those dreams where I was trying to scream at my mother but no sound would come out. (Do you ever have those kinds of dreams?)

You said your mom said Danielle’s pic wasn’t good(?!): my mother is the exact opposite of that. She used to send me out the door looking like crap and assure me, "You look fine." She would buy me clothes that were way too big to wear to school: not surprisingly one creep nicknamed me "saggy bottom." Even now if Mom feels compelled to emphasize, "That looks alright, " I’ll take a good hard look at what could be wrong with what I’m wearing.

I also understand your frustrations about men. Believe me, if anyone does understand it’s me! I also find myself wondering, "Why is it that not one of these single, attractive, worth-a-darn guys will approach me?" As a rule, guys do not see me and think, "I must go talk to her!" I have just about accepted the fact that it’s my personality that wins guys over. I guess that’s okay, but there are very few guys that get to see me actually being myself. That really sucks too! Maybe this is a case of "the grass is greener elsewhere" - if a bunch of worthless guys were always approaching us, we could still have the same complaint: that no one good shows interest in us. But the question remains, "Where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods?"

I’m sorry to see that your grandmother isn’t doing so well. I will include her (and the rest of you) in my prayers.

*****************************************************************************
TV - 21 Jump Street
Movie - Air Force One (loved the Brady Bunch: "Marsha! Marsha! Marsha!")
Cd - PUMP by Aerosmith

funny moment - from That 70’s Show - the guys went to Canada to buy beer; as they are about to stop at the border the Mexican one, Fez, can’t find his green card. They almost make it through the border, but of course they get discovered by the Mounties at the last second. Back at the Mounties office, they are questioning the guys. The whole scene is pretty good, where the Mounties as a question then we see each of the guys answer the question. After the first question, Fez’s answer is a quick, "Me no speako Englisho." His answer to the next question is the hilariously nonsensical "Wee fooby dibby dooby."

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new questions - answered!

when you go to the movies, do you buy or bring munchies?- The last times I’ve gone - by myself - I didn’t do either. I think I did pop a Breath Savers as the movie started to prevent dry through. I remember sneaking snacks in a couple of times, and I remember buying snacks at the theatre, although they do ask for both an arm AND a leg to pay for it. (Zoix! The price of their snackage!)

ok, think about all the men you’ve had crushes on and all the men you’ve dated (including Ray).  If you could know what they really, truly thought of you, would you want to know?- I’m sure I would want to know, but after I knew I’m sure I’d wish I didn’t know!

what do you think they’d say about you (be honest!)?- I know that all of the crushes wouldn’t say the same thing, but most would probably agree that I’m very quiet. That’s about it - I can think of a couple of crushes that probably didn’t notice me that much!

ever read an entire book (like a novel) in one day?- I’m sure I did in middle school - I was quite the introvert and always had my nose in a book. I remember the girl at the library was impressed because I’d return books so quickly after checking them out.

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NEW QUESTIONS

Is there a kind of hairspray that you use and/or recommend? I use Rave or Suave - yep, the cheap stuff - in a pump but I don’t recommend it because it always builds up in my hair.

Have you ever had a pen pal that just stopped writing to you all of a sudden? Yes! I can think of at least four that have: two when I was in middle school/junior high and two very recently. I think that is just about the rudest thing ever - they never give any warning, they just disappear and I’m left wondering, "Was it something I said? Or did they die or something?"

How did you celebrate your high school graduation? I went with a couple of friends to Opryland. We stayed in the $100-a-night Opryland Hotel and spent much time at the Theme Park.

Do you often find yourself telling the same stories over and over? I do! However I try to recall if anyone that I’m currently telling has heard it before. If they have, I try to acknowledge that I’ve mentioned it to them before. My friend Mark tells people (when repeating something), "Now I may have told you this before, but don’t tell me: I want to see how I end it this time."

********************************************************************

That’s it for today. Talk to you soon! God bless!

Anne

From: Michele
Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2001 11:43 AM
Subject: woo-hoo! it’s party time!

Hi Anne!

your bosses are out of town again?  It’s Party time! (I remember a dance song that went:  "There’s a party going on, I can feel it coming on.  There’s a party going on right here!") I’m glad you finally got that episode summary sent out. 

I had a really good time at the concert last night.  There were a lot of songs Diamond Rio sings that I like, but I didn’t know they sang them.  I kept on saying to Shelly, "Oh!  I know this song!"  No, I didn’t meet anyone out there.    Oh well.  I still had a lot of fun.

My mom really got on my nerves the other day.  Ok, I’ll tell you what happened.  Danielle and I went to get our pictures taken (her for her license and me for my photo id)  Well, anyway you know how nobody ever looks good in their id pictures (although I think I took a decent picture with my last id)  Anyway, my mom looked at Danielle’s picture and said "OH my god, Danielle, you look hideous!"  Now, it wasn’t the best picture of her, but I wouldn’t say it looked hideous.  Then she wanted to look at my picture and I didn’t let her and she got all pissed at me because I said no.  I just wasn’t in a mood to be attacked.  I mean, I know it’s not the best picture of me, but she could have said something to Danielle like, "I’ts not so bad considering it’s an id photo" or something like that.  She just gets on my nerves so bad sometimes.  She’ll provoke me and at first I’ll try to ignore her, but she’ll keep on bothering me until I blow up at her.  Then she’ll act like "why are you so upset?"  IT just really irratates me.  I also hate the way she babies me sometimes.  ( I know I’ve told you this before).  She’ll call me this little baby nick-names and I want to say to her, "Mom, I’m fu*%in 28 years old.  I’m not a child anymore!"  And still living at home- it’s so difficult to prove my independance.  I get so frustrated sometimes.  I think I want to move out, but there is no way I can afford it.  I was just in a crappy mood this morning, thinking about all of this.  I’m ok now.  There are just those times when, while I appreciate what I have, I think (to quote Ariel from The Little Mermaid) who cares?  No big deal?  I want more!!!

I’m sorry for sounding like such a gloomy guss.  Let me just vent out one more frustration.  Shelly had went to see Brooks and Dunn a couple weeks ago at the Post-gazette Pavilion (same place where we went last night).  I would have gone, but I already had plans.  Anyway, she met someone there.  Actually he works there.  She saw him again last night and they talked briefly.  I thought to myself, "Ok, God, how many single men are here?  All these men and do you think one of them would be intrested enough in me to have approched me?"  Sometimes I feel as if God wants to put me in a glass case- protected from everyone.  This is horrible for me to say, but sometimes I wish God didn’t protect me so much!  Not even that, sometimes I wish that God would just hurry up bring my soul mate and I together!  Ok, ok, I’ll shut up about that for now!

I think a big reason why I’m in such a down mood right now is because my grandma had to go into the hospital the other day.  She was bleeding from her private area.  There is a small tumor in her stomach that’s causing it.  She isn’t in pain or anything, so that’s good.  I know its just a matter of time before she passes away.  I just hope she doesn’t suffer.

I really hope Sara finds another job!  Is she still suspended from *****?  Thank God we don’t get suspended because our register is short.  First of all, we have three registers and we jump back and forth to different registers during the course of the day.  So if a drawer is $10 short- you can’t really pin it on anyone.  And usually the money is found in the paperwork the next day, so everything evens out.  (for example the drawer might be $10 in cash because someone hitt the cash button instead of the credit button).  Once I thought I accidntly gave out $5 too much change to someone and I told Nora about it.  Sure enough that register was exactly $5 short.

==============================

hi again!  Well, it is now Sunday morning.  Last night after work me and Shelly saw the movie Rat Race.  Anne, it is hysterical!  You have to see it!  I never laughed so hard- and I needed a good laugh very badly!  Laughter truly is the best medicine.  I was so stressed out and frustrated yesterday (couldn’t you tell?) and I could just feel all of that draining away during the movie.

I didn’t know you had that Charmed episode with Arnold on tape.  Have you watched it lately?  Dear lord, that voice!  He is da bomb!  Ok, I’m gonna shut up now before I get carried away!

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>TV - The Brady Bunch (it’s kinda corny,  but it grows on you)                                          Movie - The Brady Bunch (I’m working with a theme as well!)                                          CD - The Brady Bunch Soundtrack

funny moment-from Laverne and Shirley.  Shirley was berating Laverne for being kind of "loose" with men (even though they were both "good girls"  Laverne just liked to make out with them!) Shirley says, "You see, Laverne, I choose to treat my body like a temple.  You , however, treat yours like an amusement park!"

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>questions answered
>
>Ever joined a fan club? yes, I belonged to the X-Files fan club a couple years ago.  I’m sure I belonged to a fan club or two when I was younger, however my mind is coming up blank as to what they were!
>
>Do you match your lipstick to your nail polish? no
>
>Do you recycle?  no.  I used to before I moved because it was required.  It isn’t required here. 
>
>*****************************************************************************
>new questions!

when you go to the movies, do you buy or bring munchies?- usually not.  Danielle will usually buy a popcorn and something to drink and I’ll take a handful here and a sip there.

ok, think about all the men you’ve had crushes on and all the men you’ve dated (including Ray).  If you could know what they really, truly thought of you, would you want to know?- yes, even though I’d be a bit apprehensive about it.

what do you think they’d say about you (be honest!)?- I really think most of them would think I’m a "sweetheart" and a "nice girl".  I also hope that that "nice girl" quality would make me sexy to them.  You know that air of mystery?

ever read an entire book (like a novel) in one day?- no, but I read Flowers In The Attic in two days.  I was just so enthralled by it!

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well, that’s all for today!  See you soon!  God bless!

Michele

********************************************************************

I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle, I just wish He didn’t trust me so much! -Mother Teresa

From: Anne
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 3:57 PM
Subject: Good Friday!

Hi, Michele!

Happy Friday! It’s especially happy for me because my bosses are out of town again. Woo hoo! Plus I finally sent off that darn episode summary. If she likes what I wrote there she’ll ask me to write some for a few more episodes - I told her that I could write three more. (She needs seven more, but I’m not going to be there for her for all of them!)

I’m sure you’ll have a great time at the concert; I bet Kenny Rogers is great! He’s a living (country music) legend! And Diamond Rio is da bomb!

I’m glad that Olivia is okay! (I know you are too.) It’s good that you get checkups for her. I hate to admit it but we don’t even take our cats to get shots. Remember that the only one we can get close to is BoBo…

I appreciated your thoughts on Sara and job-hunting. I know job hunting is tough and so frustrating. (I’ve been there!) Last night we were discussing it a bit more calmly and I’m glad. I try not to tell her things like, "You shouldn’t apply for that job." I try to just tell her what I would or did do and why: "I never applied for a job at a veterinarian’s office because I know I didn’t want to be around hurt animals." I just want her to consider these type of things. I don’t know if Sara’s prayed about the situation, but I assume she has.

No, I didn’t watch the Charmed last night. I do still have it on tape! I’m surprised that AV was married before. I think it would be tough to be the ex-wife of someone like that; you know people that know her think, "Well, she really blew that! He’s freakin’ fine!"

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TV - Mission Impossible (The remake that came on a few years ago.)
Movie - Mission Impossible (I’m working with a theme today!)
CD - the Mission Impossible soundtrack(love Paula Abdul!)

funny moment - from that same Frasier episode I mentioned yesterday, where he, Niles, Martin and Roz are on the cruise. While Frasier, Martin, and Roz are hiding in Maris’s bathroom, they don’t know that Niles is with Maris. (They think that she’s hooking up with some sleazy guy from the bar to get back at Niles for flirting with the other woman.) At one point, Frasier decides that he is just going to go out into the cabin and confess that they snuck into her room and have been hiding. As Frasier is pulling the door open, Niles is pushing it open from the other side. Niles is very surprised and lets out a little scream: "NAHH!" To cover he says, "Maris, what a lovely bathroom. NAHH!"

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where’s the closest to the stage you’ve been at a concert?- I only remember us being in the balcony…

did you ever go camping?- yes, when our church group went white-water rafting.

do you like soup?- I love the potato soup that they serve at Shoney’s! I also like vegetable soup.

have you ever been suspended from school?- no.

did you ever have detention?- no, but I was kept inside for break.

do you eat breakfast?- I eat cereal just about every morning. If I have time I’ll make oatmeal or vegetarian pancakes (made with applesauce instead of egg.)

if you had the money, do you think you could move out of state and live by yourself?- no, having worked and lived out of town I know that I’d miss my family too much. I now tell people, "Life is too short to be away from people that you love."
*****************************************************************************
NEW QUESTIONS

Ever joined a fan club? no

Do you match your lipstick to your nail polish? no

Do you recycle? As much as I can. I stockpile paper at work then take it to the bins at UAH. At our house we’ve recycled glass, cans, and newspapers for as long as I can remember.

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That’s it for today. Have fun at the concert! God bless!
Anne

Whenever fellow servers would tell me that one of their customers looked like Kenny Rogers, I’d reply, "Does he look like he knows when to hold ‘em? Knows when to fold ‘em? Knows when to walk away? Knows when to run?"