Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. It's National Bike Week...do you own a bicycle? When did you last ride a bike?

I don't own a bike anymore. I got rid of it by the time I graduated college. So, that would also be the last time I rode a bike, was in Chico. I stopped because even though Chico is a "bike friendly" town, due to the amount of college kids, because the "bike friendly" drivers don't pay any freaking attention to the bicyclists. A roommate of mine nearly got run over once.
 

2. What's something you learned in school that wasn't part of the curriculum?

How to french braid my own hair. In chemistry class, of all places.
 

3. What's a food you've never tried, but want to try? What's a food you've tried and will never try again?

I'm not sure about the first part of the question. But I tried sushi once and I will never do that shit again. OMG. Worst. Food. EVER. The rest of my Japanese meal wasn't very good either, but the sushi was the most memorable part of it.
 

4. Have you been more demanding on yourself lately or less? Why? Do you think that's a good trend?

Both . . . although I'm not sure that's possible. I'm trying to find full-time work, spending an inordinate amount of time with Boyfriend, and working part-time. I'm pressuring myself to find full-time work because I despise dealing with unemployment because, I'm sorry, they are a bunch of assholes. Rude ones.
 

5. Who is your favorite book, movie, or TV show villain?

Delores Umbridge. hehe.
 

6. How concerned are you about identity theft?

Pretty concerned. Especially since my bank account was hacked online a few years ago.
 

7. I saw this last question on Dawn's blog a couple of week's ago and asked if I could share. Everybody hop over and say hi, but first answer this...would you rather have an ordinary home in an extraordinary place or an extraordinary home in an ordinary place?

Hmmm. Well, I'd probably go with ordinary house in extraordinary place. Because an extraordinary home will probably require too much cleaning. And an extraordinary place is wherever you want it to be, whether it's on the beach, in the mountains, in the 'burbs, on acreage, etc. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

The last two weeks have been a whole new experience for me. I'm house-sitting for my parents while they are on a 5 week vacation, and Boyfriend has been spending a lot of time at the house with me. He's taken up the all the mowing and seeing to Mom's garden. He even power-washed the garage floor. He spoils our hound dog, Charley, more than we do. He cooks dinner - never worry, I help by making awesome salads (his words), garlic bread, cleaning the corn, you know, simple things. Here's my "new" experience: I've never lived with someone, and the last two weeks have been about as close as I've been to that. We went grocery shopping together the other day; I've never grocery shopped with a boyfriend before. (Seriously.) And he and I even talked about this tonight (Tuesday) . . . he has just settled in with my family, he likes them and they like him, and loves my parents property . . . and he told me he's never "settled into a family" or relationship quite this way and or fast. I have never had any of that, so, it's all new to me. I'm liking it, but it does take some getting used to. lol 

Handicap Accessible My Ass

Last week, I wrote a post about spending an entire Monday with my Granny in town as she thought she had a doctor appointment that day. Turned out it was in June. However, it brought to the forefront (again) how inaccessible many places are for those that are handicapped in some manner, i.e. wheel chair bound.

It depends on how far away something is as to what my Granny uses. If it's not very far, she will use her walker (that has a seat on it in case she gets tired). However, if the distance is a little too much she will use her wheel chair - well, if someone is with her to push her - because she can't walk long distances anymore.

Last week when Granny and I went to Applebee's, we used her wheel chair to get her up the ramp and inside. The distance from the handicap parking to the front door was a bit too far and she worried about the ramp. Plus we knew that the ramp inside the restaurant to get to a table was in the back of the restaurant. So I hauled the wheel chair out of the trunk. And that was also the day when the random lady too a moment from her lunch to come to the front and open the door to let  us in because it would be too much to ask that the employees be around to actually do that. Considering the doors are heavy and do not have a handicap button to open the doors, I'm going to go with they are not "handicap accessible".

One time I stopped at a McDonald's, mostly because I had to use a restroom. On my way to the restroom I saw a disabled lady attempting to open the door to the restroom. She was severely handicapped and could hardly reach the door handle . . . and you, of course, have to pull the door. Other patrons just sat at their tables, trying to ignore this poor lady. I came up behind her and asked, "May I help you with the door?" And she replied with, "Oh yes, thank you!" I also held open the handicapped stall door for her as it also a pull door. Doesn't seem so handicapped accessible to me.

The unfortunate thing is, is that you don't really notice the anti-handicap accessibility until you're helping someone. Restaurants or stores have doors that are far too heavy and if you are alone with someone in a wheel chair. Their front doors don't have the handicap button to open them. The handicap accessible ramp is all the way in the back of the restaurant. And there are some employees that just don't get how hard it is to turn a wheel chair on a dime.

I realize that "by law" these places are handicap accessible, however in reality, they are not. Law and reality really need to talk some more. Just sayin'.

And there was a nice lady at Applebees

Monday was a day off from work. (oh, in case I have yet to mention it, I found part-time work at a wedding/party rental place thanks to a cousin) Granny told me she had a doctor appointment and asked me to go with her to help her, as well as her physical therapy. Which meant that the day I had planned of staying home cleaning and getting stuff done wasn't going to happen. Which was fine, I didn't mind running around with Granny.

Granny and I made it to her doctor's office just in time - we had to drop W off at his place on our way - and I hauled Granny's wheel chair out of the trunk. Wheeled her up to the office and got her all checked in. Only to be told moments later that her appointment was for June 13th not May 13th. Sigh.

Back in the car we went. Her physical therapy wasn't until 2pm, and it's a half hour into town from the house, so we didn't want to drive all the way back home just to have to drive right back in. So we ran a couple little errands and the decided on a slightly early lunch at Applebees.

I wheeled Granny up to the front doors and was starting to wonder how I was going to get her in those heavy doors by myself (because Applebees' entrance is NOT handicap accessible, I don't care what anyone says. When a gal came out of the front door and held it open for me. I said, "Thank you!" She said, "I'll the inner door in just a second. I thought you might need a hand opening the doors." I told her thank you a few more times and told her how sweet she was. She then went back to her table to finish her meal. 

Our waitress was sweet, but kinda kept forgetting about us. Took forever for her to come and take our order, we asked for extra salad dressing for our oriental chicken salads and we never got it, and I was sucking on my ice cubes before she showed back up so I could ask her for a refill, and then it took her forever to take our ticket with credit card.

After lunch Granny wanted to take her car to Les Schwab - they had rotated her tires before my parents left for the 5 week trip and now her car has a shimmy  once you hit 70 mph. Of course being Monday they were slammed, but the guy I spoke to assured me that they could have it done so Granny could still make her physical therapy appointment. It took them about 20 minutes just to put the car into a bay, and Granny was concerned about making her appointment. I assured her that we were only 10 minutes tops from where the appointment was. Right about 1:30 they pulled her car out of the bay and ten minutes later I pulled the car up to the front door for her. We were at her physical therapy place ten minutes after that.

A little over an hour later I pulled the car up to the front to get her loaded and she asked to stop somewhere for a fountain soda. And to go to the car wash.

Once home, it was time to clean house, cook dinner, and do the ironing. I didn't stop until about 9pm.

The high spot was the gal at Applebees, who opened the door for me and Granny. It's just so nice to know that there are such nice people out there who are happy to open a door for someone pushing someone else in a wheelchair. She didn't have to get up from her table, her meal, to open a door. I really appreciate her taking the one minute out of her day to hold open a door to help a couple of people. Thanks lady, whoever you are, you're an awesome person.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. When the children of today grow up, what do you think they'll say about this period in time? What do you most hope they remember?

Hmm, probably the turbulent times of terrorist acts. I hope they would remember the good that people did to try to prevent horrible acts and the good that people did afterward.
 

2. National Teacher's Day is celebrated in the US of A on the first Tuesday in May, this year May 7th...share how a particular teacher positively impacted you.

I remember my 6th grade math teacher, Mr. Anderson, was pretty much the only math teacher that didn't make me feel like the world's biggest idiot because I didn't understand math. Considering I've had teachers that basically laughed at my lack of all skills mathematical, Mr. Anderson was the one didn't make me feel stupid and ashamed. There really need to be more math teachers like him.
 

3. What's a dish your mama made, that if set in front of you today would whisk you right back to childhood?   

                                                                     
Spaghetti. Or "basghetti" as I called it as a kid.
 

4. Mother May I was a game we played when I was growing up...no pieces, parts, or plugs required. What games from childhood do you remember loving that were also pieces, parts, and plug-free?

I played a lot of Simon Says, Red Light Green Light and Tag (anything could be "base", like a tree or the sidewalk).
 

5. Besides your own mother, tell us about a woman who influenced you as a child?

I'm not really sure I can pick just one. Besides Mom, my grandmothers, aunts, and family friends were all big influences.
 

6. Mamma Mia! What's the best play or musical you've ever seen?

The one musical I've enjoyed was The Sound of Music. Recently I saw Les Miserables and really enjoyed that, too.
 

7. What are three smells that make you feel nostalgic?

Horses. The beach. The woods.
 

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

My parents officially started their first long trip to kick of their retirements. They will be gone for 5 whole weeks, going to the western ball parks, minus Oakland because they've been there and aren't A's fans and the Mariners because they've been there before. But they'll go to San Francisco, LA, Anaheim, San Diego, Phoenix, and Denver. They'll also go to some national parks and whatnot along the way as well. So I'm entrusted with not burning the house down and taking care of Granny. Fortunately, W has offered to help with things I don't particularly enjoy like mowing. Yay!

Where oh where have I been?

Hey blogosphere, I'm back!

I kinda fell off the face of the earth for a bit. I apologize for that. In all honesty there really aren't enough hours in a day. Because really, I like my sleep, and I don't want to give that up more than I have to. Because I love my sleep, people.

Anyway, I mentioned in a post a couple weeks ago that I met someone. And indeed I have. It's been a crazy couple of months . . . well, almost two months. So, really, that's been taking up most of my spare time.

I mentioned in a post a couple months ago that I was giving online dating another go-round. I hadn't been getting much out of it. I had met one guy who lacked a personality (literally), and in the month I "communicated/dated" him I spent maybe 5 hours with him. Yeah.

I sent out "winks" and emails to several guys, not really getting anyone to take the bait (so to speak), until W replied. We emailed for about a week, then texted for close to two. He was doing long haul trucking (he has since stopped as he hated it and I don't blame him) with a teammate, so I was playing "where's waldo?" every day with him. One of his routes wound up bringing him right through town, so we met up and spent an afternoon together. A week later, he was back in town for a few days off, and we spent a large portion of every day together while he was in town. He wound up in town for 9 days instead of the 4 he was supposed to have, so we got "bonus" days.

Just before he and his teammate were to go back on the road, his teammate quit on him having gotten a job elsewhere, leaving W on his own. W went back on the road for a week, and made next to nothing and sat around waiting for 4 days, so he finally said enough and took an extended leave. We have seen each other every day since then. We even went camping this past weekend. 

The craziest thing? On our second "date" he met my parents. And he wanted to, where I was like, "you don't have to go . . . you'll have to meet my parents," thinking he's like the average guy who will leave a cloud of dust at the mere mention of meeting the parents. Same night he met a couple of my parents closest friends and my Granny. Those 9 days he was in town he also met my Nana and her husband, an aunt, uncle, and cousin and her husband. And he was totally cool with it. I'm dead serious when I say I've never met a guy like that. I. Was. Floored. In those 9 days I also met his mom and grandma - sweet ladies.

And since he's been back in town, he spends quite a bit of time at my parents house, just chilling. He volunteered to help Dad with waxing the 5th wheel. A couple days later he went outside and washed and waxed Dad's truck (was never asked to do it). He has dinner at my parents house often. He really likes my family and enjoys spending time with them.

And most importantly? My family really likes him, too.

Either way, W seems to like me. Have yet to figure out why, but he does. And I like him, too. So I guess I got me a boyfriend.  :o)

Hodgepodge (and I met someone)

1. April showers bring May flowers...what have you been showered with this month?

I was showered with a beautiful bouquet of red roses and a steak dinner complete with baked potato, beans, salad, and garlic bread - by candlelight - on Monday night. I knew about the dinner, but I had no idea about the flowers. Let me just say, I have not had a guy buy me flowers (besides Dad) in close to 10 years. I think the guy thought I was over-reacting a little, but really, I wasn't. They were "just because" and that meant more to me than anything. I guess I could also say, I've been showered with affection by a really awesome person this month and I'm just so happy.
 

2. What is the nature of compassion?  Is it learned or innate?  Can compassion be learned?  If you're a parent is this something you've purposely sought to instill in your children, and if so how?

Whenever I become a parent, I will definitely instill compassion into my kids. I think it's very important. I think in some cases, it can be learned, but I think it's better if it's been instilled into you from an early age.
 

3. Do you prefer to watch romantic comedy or romantic drama...or are you rolling your eyes saying bring on the action flicks?

I love movies from every genre, as long as it's good anyway. I love a funny, witty romantic comedy, but I also enjoy a good romantic drama sometimes, too.
 

4.  It's April which means baseball season is officially upon us here in the US of A. Humphrey Bogart is quoted as saying "A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz." Agree or Disagree?

Baseball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you tell I love me some baseball?? lol A Giant Dog is way better than anything at the Ritz because it's at the ball game. Seriously. Oh and AT&T Park makes a mean set of garlic fries. YUM!!
 

5. What's something in your community or city that needs fixing or improving?

Hmmm. Well our city hasn't been able to afford our Civic Center for awhile, so they allowed some big church in town to take it over. I recently found out the church totally sucked at managing it, so they got kicked out and now someone else is managing it. We're not a major city, but it's still a very important venue and if we could get more concerts and shows there, it would be helpful.
 

6. Share a song you enjoy that mentions flowers or a specific flower in its title.

Um. The only song that comes to mind is "Pickin' Wildflowers" . . . can't even remember who sings it, but it's a country song.

7. April 22nd is Earth Day...do you believe there's life on other planets?  That wasn't the question you were expecting was it?

Yep. I do. If the universe is truly as vast as we believe it is, there has to be other life out there. No offense, but that would be an awful amount of wasted space if there wasn't life on other planets.
 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Obviously you can tell by my answer to the first question that I've met someone. Some of my regular readers know that I've been searching for a long time, and some even had their own ideas of who I'd meet and how they'd sweep me off my feet - which made me love them even more! lol Anyway, I have met someone, and that's where a lot of my time has been going lately (that and job hunting!). I'll write more later, but I've been wanting to share it for awhile. :o)

A-Z Challenge

For whatever reason, this year, my heart just isn't completely in this A-Z Challenge.

I have skipped letters/days which has not happened the previous two years I've participated.

I just haven't had the time to sit and visit all of the other 1,000 blogs that are participating.

I've had next to no traffic brought in this year, either, which is disappointing as I visited over 100 blogs and commented on them. But I realize that not everyone has time to go running around to other blogs and return the love.

Because I haven't had the time to visit more and return some people's comment love.

Normally I would just push through, but I never got the last week or so of my posts written. All the previous posts had been written in advance, for the most part. If the rest of my posts were already written, I'd just continue to post them. But since they're not, they won't be written.

Next week I shall return to my regular blogging.

As long as I don't lose my blogging mojo in the meantime.

For those that did stop by from the A-Z Challenge, thank you. I will try to get to your blogs if I haven't already.