Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Two Little (True) Tales

One of my pet peeves is when an owner of a vehicle double parks or parks lopsided in a parking space, The ones who annoy me the most is the obnoxious owners of the big double cabbed trucks. I feel they think they own the road and parking lots.

I figure if I can park straight, although it takes maneuvering sometimes, with my Cerebral Palsy, everyone else can. 

Okay, I'll drop the Cerebral Palsy card. At least I tried. HA!

The other day I went to Russell's, our little country store. There was a white double-cab Ford truck parked right on the line of two parking spaces. There was another car parked correctly in the other parking space which was a handicapped parking space on the driver''s side of the truck.This happens all the time! So what do I do? 

I parked in between the correctly parked car and driver's side of the truck. I parked so close to the truck that I knew the person wouldn't be able to get in his truck unless he went on the other side. I know it was bi$tchy but what can I say.

My shopping took less than 5 minutes. Yea, that's why I love country stores. Lo and behold, a 60-70ish year old gentleman was puffing a cigarette leaning against his truck waiting on me. I pressed my unlock button on my keychain as I walked to my car. When he heard the beep and saw the light flash, he jumped up and yelled, "You parked too close to my vehicle! I had to wait!"

I thought aww poor baby.

A couple was walking up but stopped to see the altercation. 

Not saying a word I put my bag of items on the hood of my car. Playing dumb I took a step and I leaned over to see the other side of my car.

I then said, "Oh yea, if you had NOT double parked your big-a$$ truck, maybe I would not have parked so close. You need to relearn how to park. That's why there are two line to park between NOT over. Without addressing what I said, he angrily demanded that I get in my car and move.

That was not a good move on his part. If he had asked slightly nicer I would have hurried. But he didn't. So I moved as slow as a turtle.

I very slowly got in my car playing like I was having troubles Got in. Put my purchase on the floor of. Checked my mirrors that were just fine. Strapped the seatbelt like an 100-year old.  Checked my hair in the mirror (I never do that). 

I glanced around. The man standing straight up with his hands on his hips watching me.  I know he wanted to come strangle me. If eyes could kill, I would be dead.

The couple that was watching was moving along slowly but caught my eye. We smiled at each other and they gave me a thumbs up. I thumbed back. I then slowly  put my moon roof down. Slowly. Played with the radio, started my car and finally started to back up like a snail. It took me about 2 minutes when normally it would have taken me 30 seconds. I could tell he was fuming. I saw his mouth going 100 mph as I drove off. 

The next story is about Hubby and I. MyHubby calls me every day when he gets off of work to let me know he's on his way and to make sure I don't need anything. My phone is usually nearby and I answer promptly. 

The time he usually calls passed. I thought nothing about it because sometimes he works a little later or if he has to do an errand he'll do the errand than call me. He had mentioned the previous day he might do something.

About 1-1/2 hours later he walks in and sees me sitting in my chair. I could hear some panic and tinge of anger in his voice. He asked why I didn't answer my phone. I responded that my phone never rang.

I looked at my phone and I saw it was on silent. I had forgotten to change my ring after our ASL class the previous night. OOPS! He had called me 5 times. He said when I didn't answer the first time, he figured I was in the bathroom or didn't get to it in time as it does happen. However, I usually call him back right away. I didn't. He waited a few minutes and called again. No answer.

So he drove to Wallyworld because we needed a few things. He called me when he got there but I still didn't answer. He said he thought twice about going into Wallyworld and instead just head home. 

But we needed some things so he went into Wallyworld.  He called me again to confirm some things on the list. Sometimes I put abbreviations he doesn't understand. He was also hoping I'd answer. But I didn't. 

He then started to really worry. He hurriedly got the groceries and when he got into his car, he tried again with still no answer. He said by then he had started to think the worse and wondered how he would find me.

Did I fall and he would see me bleeding? 

Was I deathly ill in bed?  It has happened when I was sick and my blood sugar was very low and he ended up bringing me to the ER.

He was very worried and kept thinking what he could find. My poor Hubby!

When he returned home and saw me perfectly fine he was relieved. MyHubby doesn't show worry much but this time I could tell in his voice he was. I apologized and he took a deep breath hugging me telling me to NEVER do that to him again. Throughout the evening he repeated for me not to do that again and I scared him bad!

I felt so bad the whole night. But thankfully, everything was fine.


Thursday, September 25, 2014

What I've Been Up to

Maybe some of you have been wondering where I have been. Actually, I know some of you are. I've received a few emails asking so I thought I would update.

I finally have my fungal foot problem controlled. It is not healed. It will take time, at least a year but I see signs of health and no more crazy symptoms that nearly drove me insane. 

I had mentioned that I wanted to do some volunteering. I have gone through the general training program for Hospice.  I thoroughly enjoyed it. I learned so much and there is so much more to learn. Everyone was so nice and helpful.

I had to take a Tb which was negative and now I'm waiting for my background check to come back.  After that I'll be ready to volunteer my services.

As I was listening to the different ways to volunteer I thought I could do this or that. My nursing urge kicked in big time. I just want to jump in and do it all! However, I know as I explore I'll find my niche!

It was amazing how many others wanted to be a volunteer. We were from many different areas. That's good because the Volunteer Coordinator, Mrs Ann tries her best to match the volunteer with a client that is in our parish, (Or county, as most of you say) if we decide to volunteer our services in that way. 

I met Mrs. Ann when I went apply a few months earlier. She is the most genuine nicest person I have ever met. Seriously!!!

I also signed up for ASL (American Sign Language). Actually about six months ago, I contacted the local Diocese who offers the class.  MyHubby decided to join me. I am excited he decided to join me.

We started last week. It is fun and I think it will be challenging for the next few weeks. It's a six or eight week class.  I know the basics for the most part such as the ABC's. Our teacher, Ms Katie showed me the proper way to do some signs as I've become sloppy throughout the years.

It is difficult for me to do some signs because of my spasticity of my hands. However, I am getting it for the most part. It was reassuring when some classmates had trouble doing some signs as well and they don't have Cerebral Palsy.  

I am not sure what I want to do with the ASL knowledge. I've always wanted to do some interpreting for the deaf but this course is just the beginning. I would have to get certified and that's a long road ahead and more extensive learning. We will see.

This weekend at our Mass, they announced that our church is trying to start a Come Lord Jesus program which I'm interested in. Not sure if I will join but will attend the first meeting for more information tonight.

There it is. That's what I have been up too.  Thanks for those who inquired about what I've been doing.