Chix Chat

From: Anne
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 2:57 PM
Subject: Three day weekend? WOO HOO!

Hi, Michele!

I will be labor free on Labor Day. I also do not have to go to class. WOO HOO! Did you say you are working? Drag. My sister has to work too. Looking at the bright side (?) she said, "I would have been off if I was still suspended."

I also cannot believe that it is September! You mentioned Christmas Cards, last year I noted on my work calendar for Sept 1 to start looking at company Christmas presents. (It’s usually some cheesy/cheap something with our cheesy company logo on it.) When will the boss learn the magical phrase "gift certificate"? I suggested that last year when my first gift plan fell through. The boss said, a bit peeved, "The gift certificate … people just buy whatever they want …" Okay, why was she saying that like it is a bad thing?

I feel your pain on that Harry situation. I guess if we learn valuable lessons from our mistakes then they served a purpose. But why are men such … men? They claim that women play games well they do too! Don’t beat yourself up over what you should’ve done - I try to take that same advice but I know it can be difficult!

Speaking of men being … what they are, Sara has had a big crush on the manager at *****. (I may have mentioned it.) Apparently she took a picture of us to work yesterday and he told her that I’m "cute." Yechh! Considering the picture that he saw, I really think he is just trying to start something between Sara and me. What a mean thing to say to someone who likes you: "Oh, your brother (or sister, cousin, mother, father, great uncle, etc.) is cute." I mentioned that previous statement to Sara and she shouted, "I do not have a crush on him!" Whatever! I wish she hadn’t shown him that picture. I can see it already: she and I will be arguing in the near future and she’ll shout, "You’re the one all the guys want!" and storm off crying to her room, feeling bad about herself. And she absolutely shouldn’t feel bad because that jerk is a just that a JERK! He is the main reason I want her to find another job, soon!

I will try very hard to scan that pic of Darrell next week and send it. Man, do I miss him! Like in one of your questions though, it may be for the best that he’s gone on to bigger and better things.

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TV - Caroline in the City (love Bloopers!)
Movie - Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (love Grease)
Song - Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC (love the music from Grease)
CD -

funny moment - from Frasier - his ex-wife Lilith was back in town looking for reconciliation but Frasier, knowing no good could come from that asked Niles to keep her away from him during their evening out. It turns out that Niles and Lilith wind up in bed together at her hotel room. As they’re waking up, they’re both surprised and a bit panicky. Niles says, "Let’s just stay calm.  These things happen, they happen everyday… (he starts to panic again) everyday in Arkansas!" (The whole episode is great!)

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Questions answered

ok, say its two years from now and you haven’t met Mr. Right yet.  You see Ray again, after a long absense.  He has totally changed into a better person and he wants to give the relationship another chance- what would you do? I would also be very leery of getting back with him; so many times he promised me that he would change and "not ever take you for granted again" and the next day he would stand me up. Plus he’d still have the kids, the ex-wife, the emotional baggage … it was just so much with him!

here’s another what would you do question- what would you do if you and Darell were alone together and well, you know, he started kissing you?- I am just like you are with producer Bob, sometimes if I was ..er … hormonal when Darrell was here, I’d think of slinking into his office and getting scandalous! I used to think about some of the handsome and married managers at *****l like that too: what would I do if they had me in the office and started kissing me. Like you, it’s very good (praise the Lord) that I never had the opportunity to find out what I’d have done.

what was the nicest thing a man has said to you? At ***** (I’m going to start abbreviating that ***** like I used to do in my journal) one temporary weird manager asked me at one point on a busy evening "Where are you going?" I was, like, "Where am I ‘going’?" One fellow guy server volunteered, "She goes to UAH." Another fellow guy server said, "She’s going to heaven." This was at the time when I was having a lot of doubts about salvation, etc., so that was absolutely what I needed to hear!

do you like grilled cheese sandwiches?- love them! 

what is one thing you would like to see during your lifetime?- cures for cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer’s, etc.

(Yuck!) Did you ever throw up in school?- I did - but thank goodness I made it to the toilet just in time.

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New Questions

Do you like salsa? If so do you like mild or hot? love salsa - mild

Are there any commercials that you like? The York Peppermint Patty one where the old man is in his recliner saying he gets the sensation that he’s riding, " … the luge! Racing along at over 100 mph while the wind whips over my body!" While he’s saying that he leans the recliner back and does his interpretation of the luge. (I really hope I’m referring to that sporting event correctly and "luge" isn’t something else!)

Any computer games that you like? Spider Solitaire, Solitaire, FreeCell.

Have you and your sister ever had a crush on the same guy? not that I can think of.

Would you ever date a guy that you and your sister were both interested if he asked you out? I truly don’t think I would, even if I really liked him.

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

From: Michele
Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2001 12:09 AM
Subject: Gram’s getting the VIP treatment at the Pearly Gates!

Hi Anne

Well, as you probably know by now, my Gram did pass away early Saturday night (around 2:30).  My aunt Mel and two of my cousins, Beth (who is a nurse) and Hope were with her at the time.  She was 88.  She died peacefully, what we all had been hoping and praying for.  I’m sad and I know I’ll miss her, but I also know that she is with God now, and she is happy.  I feel peaceful about it.  Those last few days in the hospital, I could just feel God’s presence so strongly.  It’s times like this when I wonder how in the world could someone not believe in God?  Thank you so much for your prayers and support.  Even though we only known each other for a few months, you’ve been such a great friend!

Thanks for the pic of Ray.  He isn’t a bad looking man.  Too bad he turned out to be a ….well, a loser.  Yes, if you could scan that pic of Darrell and send it to me that would be great!  Who cares if you can really see his baldness?  I find (some!) bald men to be sexy!  That’s wild about Ray and Darrell having the same birthday.  Too bad Ray wasn’t the one who was married and Darrell was the one who was single and persuing you.  Didn’t you say that Darrell was a Christian?  When was the last time you saw him?

Thank you for keeping the situation about my book on your prayer list.  As you can imagine, I’ve put that on the back burner for the moment.  When I feel I’m up to it, I’ll send out my next query letter.  I know there will be times when I’ll get very frustrated, and I’ll just want to give up, but I also know I just need to hang in there!

How’s Sara holding up?  You’re right when you said that most jobs have good and bad qualities.  No job is "perfect".  Hell, if there was, everyone would be applying for it!  I think it also has a lot to do with a person’s attitude towards a job.  And it is true that you have to "give a little to get a little."   I hope Sara takes your advice.  I can understand her resistance, though.  Speaking on behalf of "older siblings" everywhere, sometimes it’s difficult to take the advice of the "lowly younger siblings". .  Sometimes when Danielle tries to tell me something, deep down I’ll know she’s right, but I still bark, "You just don’t understand!"  Then when I’ve cooled down, I’ll admit that she was right.

Speaking of giving a little and getting a little, I was thinking about that rude lady with the invitations.  I don’t know about you, but for me the nicer someone is to me, the more I want to help them.  When a person is rude and impatient and demanding, I just want to get rid of him or her but if they’re nice and patient and appreciative, it makes me want to go out of my way to help him or her.  I don’t know what people think they have to gain by being nasty.  Is it some sort of twisted power trip?  And in the end the nice people are the ones that are treated better!

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tv show- Rock & Roll Jeopardy!

movie- She’s Out Of Control (thought Dance Til Dawn was cute)

song- Money For Nothing (I want my, I want my, I want my MTV!)

cd- Dire Straits- Brothers In Arms

funny moment- from The Golden Girls.  Blanche  wanted to take a stab at writing.  She walks into the kitchen one morning, holding a stack of notebooks.  It is obvious that she hasn’t had a wink of sleep in a very long time.  She is babbling on and on and she mentions something about her being a tortured soul like Van Gogh.  Dorothy says, "Blanche, Van Gogh was a painter."  Blanche says, "It doesn’t matter.  We’re all artists.  Maybe I’ll cut off my hair like he did."  Dorothy says, "Blanche, he cut off his ear!"  Blanche seriously ponders over this for a few seconds, then dismisses it, saying, "I have too many earrings."

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new questions answered

do I use the term Whoo-Hoo a lot?-  Ever since I started e-mailing you, yes!  Whoo-Hoo!  Yee-Haw!  Yahoo! (giggle) 

 > 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!) Oh my gosh, the same thing happened to me!!! But I was older than four, I was about eight.  And I had been stung by bees a couple more times since then.

>
> Has a bee or wasp landed on you and not stung you? No
>
> Ever had stitches for a cut? No,
>
> Every been attacked or chased by an animal? No, but I would like too- I mean after all isn’t a man considered an animal? (lol)
> ******************************************************************
new questions

are you a person who cries in front of everyone or are you more of a "private crier?"- I’m more of a private crier.  I know I’m going to cry at my Gram’s funeral, but I think I’ll save my deepest tears for when I’m alone.

do you and Sara do a lot of things together- Me and Danielle do a lot together.  We’ll go to the mall or the movies.  We’ll go to Barnes & Noble just to "hang out".

do you "doodle"?- yes, all the margins of my notebooks for my books and stories have little drawings in them.  Hearts and cubes are my specialites!

do you consider yourself a "people person"?-  no, and sometimes I was I was!
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Well, that’s all for now.  I probably won’t be able to write back until Wednesday.  Thanks again for your support!  Take care, and God bless!

Michele

From: Michele
To: (multiple people)
Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2001 7:54 AM
Subject: Thanks

Just wanted you all to know that my Grandma passed away early this morning (Saturday).  My aunt Mel and two of my cousins, Beth and Hope were with her at the time.  She died very peacefully, what we all had been praying for. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.  It really meant a lot to me.

Michele

From: Michele
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2001 7:00 AM
Subject: quick message!

Hi Anne!

I just wanted to tell you that I got your e-mail yesterday and I will try to write back asap!  I worked until 5:30 yesterday and then I went to the hospital until about 10.  It’s Friday morning now and I have to go to work in about 10 minutes. And I’ll probably go to the hospital again when I get home from work. My grandma is now in a deep, peaceful sleep.  She probably won’t last the week, but you never know what might happen.  I really appreciate your prayers!

Take care,
Michele

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!
**********************************************
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: 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!

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

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

Michele

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!
===========================================================
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.

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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

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