Green envy

Nothing like being bored and finally having the time to dust off the old blog.  So, I have told several of my friends this already, but I have to admit that I am annoyed (but glad at the same time) that it’s so very trendy now to be green.   I mean, at the risk of tooting my own horn, I was that girl, who in the 4^th grade, learned about recycling cans and how you are supposed to cut through the plastic that held a 6 pack of cans together so that fish and other animals don’t get stuck, so I educated my family on this and we began recycling cans and cutting through the plastic.   Nowadays everywhere I turn and everything I see there is talk of how something is friendlier to the earth and there are a ton of new organic products (not just vegetables, but cleaning products and everything) out there.  Which, also annoys me at people’s perception of what organic means or implies.  It does not mean it’s healthier or retains its vitamins better (referencing food here).  It does not mean lower in fat or that it’s automatically healthy for you.  It also doesn’t really help the environment.   Sure, not using pesticides is a good thing, but organic farming is generally sustainable by planting less things per square feet – therefore, to yield the same amount of food as a conventional farm, it requires more land.  It drives me crazy now that everyone is jumping on the big green bandwagon and is doing so because it’s the cool and trendy thing to do.  Why do people have to wait until something is socially acceptable before they are willing to participate?  Are people afraid that someone will think they are un-cool because they recycle their beer bottles?  <insert rolling eyes>  Come on, people, don’t you have beliefs of your own?  Or, do you have to wait until Mary Kate and Ashley say they are only going to ride their bikes from now on to reduce their carbon footprint before you feel that you can finally agree to recycle your newspaper?  Ugh, ugh, ugh.  While I am complaining  - yes, I will admit that I am very glad that people’s awareness is being raised.  However, please take note that people’s awareness is only raised because of some of the big companies now marketing their “green” products.  Clorox even has green products – hello?  Clorox.  And, the one that REALLY bugs me is Wal-Mart.  Yes, their commercials are compelling, but they are so not a green company.  It’s also now the cool thing to renovate your house so that it’s green-friendly – bamboo flooring, recycled tile and glass, fluorescent light blubs, etc.  Also, let’s discuss all of the “re” words.  Meaning – starting with REcycle, there’s also – REnew, REduce, REuse, REpurpose, REclaim.  Please don’t take this the wrong way – I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that people are finally catching on that we have to take care of the earth, and I love that now when I reuse or repurpose something people don’t think I am just being cheap.   I have been green for a long time now and am truly happy to see others joining me.  I guess it just bugs me though that I have gotten comments like, “do you want to recycle this used kleenex?” and now those same people are FINALLY seeing why it makes sense to recycle. 

So, I figured I would share a few of my own green tips.  Generally, because you are incorporating one of the RE words above, you are also saving some moolah too – not such a bad thing, right? 

·         Make your own all-purpose cleaner with vinegar and water – to reduce the vinegar smell, add drops of an oil scent (I like lemon eucalyptus myself)

·         Recycle most everything you can –glass, aluminum, newspaper, junk mail, cardboard boxes, boxboard, and plastic.  Keep in mind that on soda bottles, the caps are NOT recyclable.  Depending on where you take your things to be recycled, it might be best to just throw the caps away because some places may not be willing to sift through the plastic bottles just to remove the caps.  When you start recycling all of that, you will be AMAZED at how little actual trash you have.  DH and I go through about one (13 gallon) bag a week – if that. 

·         Take your own cloth bag to the store – that’s every store – it’s not just for groceries.  Take it to Target and even Wal-Mart and have them put your things in there.  Seriously, people what do you do with all those plastic bags???? 

·         Check out books from the library.  This saves trees from being cut down for paper and is usually free.  And really, how often do you want to keep a book you have already read?

·         On the same note, buy things that are used.  I know – some people might think “growdy”, but not everything has to be new.  Like books.  If you don’t like the library, then buy your books at a used bookstore (still keeps trees from being cut down for new books).  Check out thrift stores for unique items.  And, sometimes, not so unique -  I bought a small coffee maker for my office at Goodwill for a few bucks (it even has the REusable mesh filter basket so I don’t have to use paper filters aka trees to make my coffee).   And, bonus it’s a good brand (a DeLonghi). 

·         Subscribe to a list called Freecycle.  The original intent of this email list was to get rid of things you no longer want to other people in your community.  It keeps things out of landfills.  Everything MUST be free.  You can also ask for something you might need as well and you never know when someone says – you know what?  I have an extra iron, TV, etc. I am no longer using.  Unfortunately, depending on your area, some of the lists are filled with freeloaders who are only asking for specialty items (flat screen TV, laptop, La-z-boy).  However, it’s still a good list to be part of and you might get some cool stuff.  I got a set of Williams-Sonoma pasta bowls . . .  for free! 

·         Buy recycled products (paper plates, napkins, aluminum foil).  Not only is it important to REcycle, but it is also important to keep demand up for the products that are made from recycle materials. 

 OK – I guess that’s all for now.  I have been meaning to post this for awhile now – ever since I started noticing that the entire world was “going green”.   I got busy recycling and stuff and just never got to it until now.  

Stay green, y’all!  

My “friend” Allan

So, it’s snowing outside and I find myself at home with a half day off on a Friday afternoon - yippee!  Anyway, have been wanting to write about Allan for awhile now, so I figured I would take advantage of being stuck at home.  Basically, Allan has been emailing now (all forwards) for years now.  His first email to me said, “Hi Carol - it’s Allan - I am emailing you so you have my email address”.  Well, doing what I thought was the right thing, I wrote him back to tell him that I was not Carol - that I am Carrie and that he must have the wrong email address.  I never hear from that email, so I just assume he contacts Carol to get the right email address from her.  Wrong.  Very shortly after, I start receiving forwards from him.  I think the first couple I got, I did write him back to tell him that I was NOT Carol, but my efforts were in vein.  The forwards kept coming.   And, in 2004, I learned that he was a hardcore conservative - something I am not.  So, I started getting all kinds of conservative propaganda forwards about the election.  I had already set my spam settings and filtered him as junk mail, but I always check my junk mail to make sure I don’t accidentally miss something from someone I actually do know.  Anyway, there’s always forward after forward from good ol’ Allan.  I admit - occasionally I look at them and read them, and yes, I am even guilty of fowarding a few of them on (which, if you know me, it had to be a pretty good email as I rarely send forwards).   Anyway, the other day, I got an email from him and that was the final straw (or so I thought).  Here’s his email:

Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:55:22 -0800
From: bigun63383@yahoo.com
To: mxxxxg@yahoo.com; lxxxxr@aol.com; rxxxxxt@hotmail.com; sxxxxxr@themissouribank.com; lxxxxh@alltel.net; ce_xxxxx@hotmail.com 

Subject: Fwd: New bumper sticker

There’s a picture of a bumper sticker that says:

REPUBLICAN:  Because not everyone can be on welfare

 

OK, so I get pretty offended by this, so I decide to write back:

Hi,
 
I have emailed you several times before to tell you that I am NOT Carol Wilson; however, for years now you have continued to put me on your distribution list when you send out conservative propaganda.  At times  - I admit - I am amused with some of the narrow-minded forwards you send.  However, this time I am quite offended.  I work with a lot of single moms who receive public assistance, and contrary to your own beliefs and stereotypes - many are very hard working individuals trying to change their lives to be better for themselves and for their children. 
 
And, I will leave you with this final thought.  I, too, recently saw a bumper sticker that I deemed forward-worthy as well.  Here’s what it said:
 
My child is an honor student, but my President is a Moron! 

I like my bumper sticker MUCH better than yours.
 

Carrie D (not Carol Wilson) 

So, anyway, I sent it off thinking that it might start an email war.  No - no such luck.  He never responded - he has just continued to send me forwards.  So fellow readers and bloggers, I ask you to do me this one quick favor . . .  will you email Allan (his email address is listed above, or heck, I’ll list it for you again here bigun63383@yahoo.com) and tell him Carol told you to send him a quick note to say hello ;) 

My pursuit of birth control pills

So I had no idea that going to the doctor for the oh-so-fun annual exam would cost me as much time as this year’s has.   For the past several years, I have always gone to the doctor in February – don’t know why, but it’s usually in February.  I guess because I go once a year and every year I would get the reminder from the doctor that my year was up.  Anyway, so since I have moved out of Texas and am now on a different insurance, I called to find out what I would need to do to go to the doctor here.  I have the military insurance plan – Tricare.  When they knew I had moved to KY, they automatically generated a primary care manager (PCM) for me at Ft. Knox. Well, it’s not so convenient for me to go to the doctor there as I work and live in the next town over.  I called Tricare back in January and they told me I just needed to change my PCM.  So, I went online and found providers in my area.  I tend to assign an internal medicine doctor as my PCM just because I have some back issues and if my doc is an internal medicine person she can usually write me a RX for my back as well as do the annual fun exam that is also required versus having an ob/gyn who would have to refer me out for the back issues.   Anyway, I find a doctor very close to where I work and I call and schedule an appointment.  They ask why I am coming in and I say, “for an annual exam”.  Now call me crazy, but most women know what that means.  This person seemed like she knew and she wrote it in the book.   I show up for my appointment about a month later (this is last Tues) and they have me fill out paperwork, take my insurance card, weigh me (my all-time favorite part), and take me to an exam room.  I wait for the doctor to come in.  She comes in and asks if I am there for a physical.  “Uh, no.  I am here for an annual exam.”  She asks again if it’s a physical – I tell her no again that I am here for a pap smear and she asks why.  WHAT?!??  How do I explain WHY to a doctor.    I tell her I am out of my birth control pills and I need an exam so that I can get a new prescription.  She then proceeds to tell me that she doesn’t prescribe birth control pills because it’s against her religion.  OMG.  I am pretty annoyed at this point that no one bothered to tell me this when I called to schedule my appointment initially.  But, to each her own.  Fortunately, I was just sitting there and they had not made me undress yet.   She tells me she can still do the exam, but not give me the RX.  Gee, how tempting to have the exam and then be referred to another doctor who would likely make me do another exam before writing me a RX.  Thanks, but no thanks.   I leave and they tell me that they can try to help me get an appointment with another doctor if I call them with the new doctor’s name.   Very nice offer – I admit.   So, I leave and start calling other doctors the next day (my appointment with Dr. No Birth Control was at 5pm, so I knew all of the other offices were closed by the time I left - close to 6pm).  Due to weather conditions and various office schedules, I was not able to reach anyone for a couple of days – not to mention I literally only had about 3 doctors that I could choose from.  I finally get in touch with someone on Monday and I explain that I need someone who can give me an exam AND prescribe the pill. The girl that answers the phone tells me she will have to check on the pill part and will call me back.  I get a call yesterday from that office stating that they are closing their doors – that they were just informed the day before.  What??  Oh my – I am honestly thinking this is a conspiracy.  I had pulled the very short list of providers in my town from the Tricare website and happened to have that with me.  I call another one and their office is closed because they are at lunch.  I call the only other one listed and I get someone.  After being put on hold several times I tell the person that I need a pap and some birth control pills – can they do that?  I was tired of explaining the situation at this point.  She says yes, they can do that.  I make an appointment for next Fri.  She tells me I have to come twice – once for an initial appointment and then another for the pap.  Whatever.  At this point, it doesn’t matter.  I hang up and call Tricare to update my PCM  - which I actually thought I had done previously when I went to Dr. NoBC.  If I had updated it, it didn’t reflect that.  The rep I spoke to said that I was assigned to someone at Ft. Knox and that it was mandated that I go there.   I very patiently explained that I wish someone had told me this awhile back because I have been working on trying to find a doctor/get an appointment/get an exam/get a RX for quite some time now.  She tells me that it’s possible that when I called back in Jan, it was not the policy that I HAD to go to Ft. Knox and that their policies change “often”.  So I ask her – “so I can call back next week and maybe there will be a different policy?”.  I know this seems like a crazy question, but for anyone familiar with the military and how it operates, you learn very quickly not to believe anything until it actually happens – things change constantly.  She tells me that it’s unlikely that it will change by next week, but reiterates that it does change regularly.  She goes on to explain  that the  only way I can see this doctor (who I already have an appointment with) is get a waiver from the Tricare Service Center on Ft. Knox.  Hours of operation:  M-F 7:30-4:30.  How convenient when I work 8-4:30 and the post is 30 min away.  Groan.    I have no idea how all of this works, so I decide that I will just skip my lunch today and leave at 3:30 and go down there to see what the process is.  Well, it’s snowing and I did not feel like driving, so I call Josh and ask him if he can go by there (since he’s already on post) to pick-up the form for me.   He calls me and tells me that the form has to be filled out there.  UGH.   Seriously, people – all of this trouble for stirrups.  But, there’s good news!  He can put me on the phone with the person there who can fill out the form for me!  So, we go through everything and she tells me she will get it turned in for me and that generally it takes a few days to process, but that I should definitely hear something in about a week – that they will call me to tell me if I am approved or not.   That is where we are, folks.  I had no idea that going to the doctor would be so troublesome and time consuming.  I will keep you posted on how this all turns out.   Oh, in the meantime because this is taking me so long to handle, I had to call my doctor back in Texas to see if they would give me a RX for an emergency one-month supply of pills.  I talk to the nurse on Monday and she tells me that I have to come in because it’s been a year since they have seen me.  I then have to explain the situation that it’s pretty much impossible for me to come in as I now live in KY and that I am not being neglectful of my health, but that I have been trying now for about 6 weeks to go to a doctor to have this taken care of.  And when I finally go to the doctor, I am told she cannot prescribe the pills.  Anyway, she said she would look into it again and return my call.  She called late yesterday afternoon and left me a message that I returned today.  I left a message for her and am waiting for her to call me back.  Wow – just crazy.  I guess right now it’s all about waiting  . . . .

 

UPDATE:

Finally, I get an emergency one month RX authorized from my Texas doctor.  They call in the RX to the pharmacy here.   When I talk to the pharmacy they tell me that the pills are different - they are generic.  My response is, “the pills I am on are generic.”.  She (pharmacy girl) says, “yes, these are generic - they are the same as your others”.  So, all I can think is I am getting the generic of a generic and I am STILL wondering if this is some sort of conspiracy to get me pregnant! 

The “R” Word

 Yep – racism.  Please pardon what appears to be a light – or unserious tone – that’s certainly not how I feel.  I have experienced racism before – most everyone who is not White likely has.  And, perhaps even some of my friends that are White may have experienced some level of it too.   My most recent story is from yesterday.  My sister-in-law (my brother’s wife) and two nephews were visiting me from GA.  We went over to Ft. Knox to see the museum that is there (lots of tanks and I thought my nephews ages 10 and 7 would really enjoy seeing them).  Anyway, we were mostly through the museum and we came upon an exhibit that was a tank simulator.  We saw a family there talking to a guy in uniform who also was wearing a nametag.  I just assumed the guy in uniform was a volunteer.  He was letting the kids of this particular family (all White) sit in the seat of the tank simulator, even though there was a chain across it and a sign that clearly said DO NOT ENTER.  Well, of course once my nephews see that these kids are getting to sit in it, they wanted to as well.  So, we stood around and waited for the family to finish – the mom was taking pictures and the guy in uniform was telling stories.  Well, after a few minutes, they walked off, the guy in uniform turns toward us (we are about 10 feet away from him and no other families are in the vicinity), and he also walks away from us!  He immediately goes up to these two older white ladies and starts talking.  Well, Max (the 10 year old nephew) really wants to sit in the simulator, but being the good kid that he is – will not sit in there unless he feels it really is ok (since the sign says DO NOT ENTER).  His Mom tells him that he will have to go and ask the man if he will let him sit in it.  Max is apprehensive but I tell him I will go with him.  So, we go up to the man in uniform and I stand about a foot and a half from him – close enough so he obviously knows I am there, but not completely intruding on his conversation.  He never misses a beat – he doesn’t stop his conversation or even acknowledge that I am there.  I stand there for what feels like close to a minute – waiting until perhaps he reaches a stopping point.  He never even glances toward me.  In fact, he takes a step away from me!   Finally, I just walk off and we walk over to the next exhibit.  At first, I don’t think it really hit me – I was fairly preoccupied with my visiting family and just brushed it off as rude.  But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized it was blatant racism.  Last night I really felt bad.  My heart sank into my stomach and it just bugs the hell out of me that people can be this way and get away with it.   I am very seriously considering writing a letter to the museum explaining the story and implying that the guy should really no longer be allowed to volunteer.   I guess part of this story bugs me b/c while I am connected to the military, I feel like I constantly have to be more aware.  I get looks from old veterans (and I am sure I am not the only young, Korean female to receive such looks), and at times (maybe I am paranoid), but I feel that some of the wives look at me with disdain.  And, yes, I have heard stories of male soldiers going to Korea and cheating on their wives. However, can I just say that the issue is the guy and not anything to do with being in Korea?  I mean, come on, a guy who is going to cheat is going to cheat regardless if he’s in Korea, Germany, or Iraq.  Anyway, I guess the incident from yesterday just heightened my awareness overall and makes me truly thankful for those who understand this story. 

 

Political independence?

So, I think I might be becoming a political independent.  I have to say that overall I am quite disenchanted with American politics.   There is not any one of the candidates that is really getting a rise out of me.  I know based on my demographic I probably should be really into Obama, or perhaps because my entire family is Republicans, I should like McCain.  Who knows?   All I know is that there is not any one candidate that is making me jump for joy or truly feel that s/he can turn around this country and the landslide that it’s been in the past several years.   To be completely honest, I used to never care one way or another about politics.  I remember in 2000 I was falling asleep on the couch watching the election coverage because I thought, “ugh, how boring”.   Who knew that would be one of the most exciting Presidential elections ever?   All I know is that when I started graduate school (in 02), I definitely became more interested in the political system and the beliefs of the different parties.  Not so much about the electoral system (goodness knows that still confuses me!), but just the two main parties and what they believe. I didn’t pick a party based on how I grew up.  I started thinking about my own values and the things that I had decided, as an adult, are important to me.  In case you are wondering (you probably aren’t!):  the environment, pro-choice, anti-war, helping others not as fortunate as myself, and healthcare.  Oh yeah, and a little thing called equal rights.  As in, my gay friends who are in love should be allowed to get married and I also think women should make the same money as men for doing the same job.  I know I am merely only scratching the surface with equal rights, but I think you get my drift.   I know, I know you say – aren’t you a hardcore liberal??  Well, I guess one could argue that yes, what is important to me generally aligns with the democrats.   But, I personally prefer the term “progressive”.  One of my big criticisms of Republicans is that they don’t care about an issue until it hits close to home.  Example – Nancy Regan widow to Ronald Regan would probably totally be against stem cell research had it not been for her husband having Alzheimer’s.  Now she’s an advocate.  Another example:  Dick Cheney and gay marriage.  Would he think it’s OK if his daughter wasn’t a lesbian?  I know they tend to keep pretty quiet about gay marriage in general (those Cheney’s), but I remember him stating during the 04 election that he felt his daughter should be able to marry whoever she chooses.  Anyway, I can also criticize the Dems too.  Does Hillary Clinton truly believe she can bring home well over one hundred thousand (over 130,000 at least) troops from Iraq within 60 days?  I would have to say (not being good in math), but having a vague understanding of how much planning goes into troops re-deploying (aka returning from their deployment) that logistically 60 days is impossible to bring home that many people.  And, I am bugged in general that the troops over in Afghanistan are all but forgotten.  People forget about these guys and they are over there “fighting for our freedom” too.  Like I said, I am anti-war, but I do support the troops in that they are just doing their job and what they are told by the Department of Defense.   I am just truly irritated with everyone right now.  And, I think people get too caught up in partisan politics.  Someone (personally, none of the current candidates) needs to take the reins and truly LEAD the country.   I guess I would not declare myself an independent just yet, but I definitely feel caught in the middle with no one to run to.    

Funny Story - or at least to me!

So, last night I decided to be productive.  I had several household related things to do.  Somehow laundry was needing to be done after only 4 days!  We also had a pile of mail to go through.   And, I wanted to put a box together of things to donate.  Well, I was going through a bag or something and pulling things out to go in my DONATE box.  A red string with a small bell (like a jingle bell) fell out.  Wellington (kitty) immediately saw it and pounced toward it.  He kept playing with it - I mean  it was a string AND a bell, what more could one kitty ask for???  Anyway, in the back of my mind, I told myself to take it away from him after a few minutes.  I got sidetracked and went to put another load of laundry in or something.   After at least an hour or so, I went back into my room and saw just the string lying on the floor.  I looked around to see if I could find the bell - no such luck.  I saw Wellington just sitting on the bed very content.   Of course the first thing that comes to mind is that he accidentally swallowed the bell!   So, I couldn’t think of any other way to know if he had swallowed it except to take him and jiggle (no, not jingle) him around and listen to his belly to see if I heard anything.  I did that, but all I could hear was me shaking the kitty.   Please dont take this the wrong way - I was not shaking him hard - like I said, just jiggling him.  Anyway, I decided I needed assistance so I took Wellington into the living room where Josh was watching TV and told him to jiggle Wellington and let me listen to his stomach while he did so.   So, we took him and shook him with my ear to his tummy and all I could hear was purring.  Apparently, Wellington enjoys the jiggling.  Again, I did not hear a bell, so I decided we were safe.   I really did not want to have to take Wellington in for emergency surgery - something that has happened before with another one of my cats “accidentally” eating something she shouldn’t have.    Anyway, so I decided after two successful searches for the bell that we were in the clear.  And, lucky me, as I was getting ready for bed, I found the bell in the bathroom!  Whew. 

Culture Shock (or is it?)

So after moving to KY from living the big city life for about 10 years,  I have to admit KY- living was something that I had to get used to again!  Etown reminds me of my hometown of Griffin, GA – about 40 miles from a big city, lots of country and even smaller towns dotted throughout the area, and a small town mentality.  Since I had lived in a city of similar size and stature, part of coming to KY felt like coming home.  Haven’t decided if this is a good or bad thing just yet. . .  .However, some of the big differences between E’town and Griffin are significant.  Number 1, they actually have 4 seasons here (LOVE that part!).  I love wearing winter sweaters and boots!  And, I love living somewhere that’s it’s not summer 9 months out of the year – yippee!  Anyway, another big difference is the existence of the Amish communities that are nearby.  Now, I am perplexed and intrigued by the Amish.  I have never lived anywhere even remotely close to Amish country.   When I first got here, I would see them in Wal-Mart and Michael’s (craft store).  I keep thinking to myself, “aren’t you cheating??”.  And, I would tell my friends that don’t live in the area how I had seen them at the store.  The first question back to me was always, “ do they ride their horse and buggy?”.  I always giggled and explained that no, they seem to carpool – generally in a big van.  I have seen this on numerous occasions.  However, I am excited to report that I did, in fact, see an Amish man “park” his horse and buggy in the Lowe’s parking lot!  It was on my birthday and I have to say, that was quite the treat for me!  Because I live so close to Lowe’s (literally walking distance), I went home and grabbed my camera b/c out of the 7 months we have lived here, I had not seen that before.  I am going to try to attach the pic to this post when I find the camera.  Anyway, I couldn’t believe it.  I just love the contrast of living in a small town versus living in a big city.   Don’t get me wrong - I am a big city girl at heart.  I am missing my ethnic cuisine, easy access to all my favorite stores, Whole Foods, and just the general convenience of being in a big city.   But, part of me (I hate to admit it) is also finding some comforts in the small town.  I think right now it’s more of a novelty than anything else – and when it is time for us to move again, likely, I will be ready to go.  But, life here is slower, pretty laid-back, and everyone is pretty darn friendly.    When I went back to Dallas awhile ago, I was on Central Expressway (for those of you unfamiliar with this road, the average speed limit is around the speed of light).  All I could think was, “wow!  People are going sooooo fast here!  I forgot how crazy driving in a city is.”  And, it’s true.  I don’t deal with traffic jams – I have tractor jams (which usually means getting stuck behind one when you are driving, but it could also mean a country music concert).   There’s no LBJ (again, reference to a Dallas expressway), but there is Lincoln Days – which celebrates the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln.    Here, no one seems to make appointments (aka – “just come anytime – we are open from 8-4”).   When I ask for an address, no one tells me the city, I just get a street address – I guess they just assume that I know who I am talking to and where they are located.   Which, I do find ironic b/c that seems more indicative of a big city versus a rural area where there are a lot of towns in many different counties and people could potentially come from all over.    Hhmmm – I guess that’s all for now.  Just had to get out my random thoughts on small-town living! 

My Email Rules

I was going to email this out (and still may), but thought I would include them here too:

My Personal Email Rules:

  

1.       I promise no one will die if you don’t forward the email to EVERYONE in your inbox.  If the email is forward-worthy, then please send it on, but delete the part that says you MUST FORWARD THIS EMAIL ON BEFORE JOHNNY DIES and also take off the part about forwarding it to 1-4 people =you have lots of friends; 5-10 people=you are soooo popular, 11-15 people = OMG!  Are you a celebrity?; 16-20 people =if not a celebrity, you must be easy, 20+people=stop making up fake email addresses to try to look popular. 

2.       If it sounds fishy, look it up on snopes.com – they investigate nearly all email rumors and urban legends and post factual information.  If it says you will get money for forwarding it on, I promise, it’s not true.  Don’t give in. 

3.       If you haven’t emailed me in 6 months to at least just say hello, please don’t send me forwards that:  a) I likely will have seen before, b) I don’t care about, and c) I will probably prove they are false anyway by looking it up on snopes.

4.       As we approach an election year, please don’t send me any conservative propaganda. 

5.       Don’t think after reading this that maybe you should call me instead of emailing me out of fear for breaking a rule.  Think again – I would rather receive the email.   Just follow the above rules. 

Lost, but not found

So, I lose things ALL THE TIME.  I always have.  The thing is I would always find them too.  Somewhere, somehow the lost item would return to me.   However, lately, I have noticed I have lost several things and cannot find them, and they don’t seem to be able to find me either.   Here’s my list:

• hand mirror
• grooming scissors (for my eyebrows, perv)
• compact (brand new from my favorite make-up store!)
• garlic press
• brand new 2-pack of Altoids

I mean, I have lost all of these things in the past month.   How is that possible?   The hand mirror may be under my bed, but I cannot see under there to find it and I don’t think our flashlight works.   My scissors, I swear, I thought they fell on the bathroom floor one day when I was in a hurry (kind of back behind the toilet - I know, gross).  However, because I was in a hurry, I didn’t pick them up and figured I would get them when I came home.  I haven’t seen them since.   My compacy may have fallen out of my purse, or it could be with my bag from a wedding I attended last month.  I know I had it with me then, but cannot remember if I have seen it since.  The wedding was out-of-town though, so it could be in a suitcase, my clutch that I carried at the wedding, or it could be anywhere in between Texas and Kentucky.  I am sad about my compact - that thing was kinda pricey and it was one of those fancy ones with the mosaic of colors in it (pinks, greens, whites, etc) that supposedly match your skin tone.  However, I did make the mistake once of putting too much around my eyes and I glanced in the mirror and I looked freaky.  It was not matching my skin tone.   The last two items on my list I am convinced my kitchen ate.  I just had them both within the past 3 days.  The garlic press I moved from my ceramic utensil holder to my cutlery drawer just because that darn press is bulky and takes up much-needed space.  However, I went to find it because I was cooking something and it said I had to mince celery, so I thought I would try using my garlic press.  I honestly have no idea if this would work, but figured it would be fun to try.   Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the garlic press, so I just chopped the celery rather finely.   The 2-pack of Altoids is also a mystery.  I had them last night in the kitchen.  Josh (DH) came in and asked if I could open the door to the garage.  I rolled my eyes thinking, “can’t he do anything?  doesn’t he see me with these Altoids in my hand?” Anyway, I set them down and then opened the door.  Because he was loading his car and his hands were full, I also opened the car door.  I went back in and looked for my Altoids and they were nowhere to be found!  I retraced my steps, I looked in the car, I looked in our garage.  Nothing.  Where in the heck are my Altoids?  I still can’t find them, and now have to add them to my ever-growing list of missing items. 

 It’s just odd because I do lose things frequently, but as I said, I always find them, so usually it’s no big deal.  But, what is up??  Why am I losing everything and it’s not coming back to me?  I am actually pretty sure there are other things that I have lost and cannot find, but just cannot remember.   It seriously drives me crazy, especially regarding the Altoids and the garlic press.  Is it a coincidence that these two items are missing at the same time?  Hhhmmm . . .  I might be on to something.   When do you need Altoids the most??  Actually, lookng back on my list, the items are sort of similar when you group them (hand mirror, scissors, compact = all grooming items) and we have already discussed the garlic press and Altoids.   I might just have to look into this some more.  Detective Carrie on the prowl . . . more later. . . .

UPDATE - November 21, 2007

Detective Carrie has found all but one of the missing items!  Yippee!!!  I found the garlic press minutes after typing the above entry - it was NOT where I thought it was.  I also found the Altoids in the back of not the car that Josh put his things in, but in MY car - duh.   The hand mirror and tweezers (oh - I never even mentioned that I was missing my Tweezerman tweezer set!) were found in a drawer in the bathroom - go figure!  I think I must have put them there when we had our Halloween party last month and I was rushed to get ready so I threw them in a drawer.  The compact I also found in Josh’s car - it had fallen out of the purse I have been carrying lately - fortunately, nothing else has fallen out that I am aware of.  Let’s just say I am much happier as the only item that is still missing cost me .99.   So, not much lost there and I can likely find another inexpensive pair.   Go me for being a good detective! 

One month in and the curse of the red folder

Just realized it has been one month today that I posted my first post here.  It has been an insanely busy month.   Since my last post on the 9th, I have taken 3 out-of-state trips.  I am tired of traveling.  I feel like I am never home, and even when I am home feel like I have so much to catch up on from being out of town, that I can’t ever really relax or get into a schedule.  My cats and new dog still hate each other.  Actually, the dog loves the cats, but they do not want anything to do with him.  I feel bad for Jasper (dog) because he just wants some four-legged, furry friends, but I also feel bad for Wellington and Baby Kitty because now they have taken up residence in our basement :(   I am hoping with some more time, things will get better.  It’s been just over a month now, and if anything, the situation has gotten worse with time.  My friend gave me the number to a pet psychic and I will be calling her if things continue this way.

So, on to the red folder . . .  I have a red, plastic folder that I use for work and when I travel.  I like it because it’s sturdy and won’t get beat-up easily.  On my most recent trip to Dallas this past Tuesday, I had all of my important work papers in it.  On the plane, I had taken out the folder and was highlighting some notes for a meeting I had later on that day.  I placed it in the seat pocket in front of me.  I actually had placed it behind the airline mags, but then realized I should move it to the front so I would be sure to see it and remember to grab it as I was de-planing.  Hmmmm . . . . so, I fall asleep the last 20 min or so of the flight.  I wake up when we land, and grab my things and go.  I am in the rental car shuttle when I realize, “dammit - I left the red folder on the plane”.  Many bad words came into my thoughts.  Because I am slightly neurotic and because I used to travel a lot when I lived in Dallas, I kept the airport general phone # programmed into my cell.   Fortunately for me, I had not deleted this # when I moved.  I called it, got someone at lost and found, and explained the situation.  I gave her all of my flight info - flight #, departure city, terminal, and seat # (since the folder was at my seat).  She said that if the cleaning crew had already gotten it, it would take 5-7 business days to get it back if I got it back at all (meaning if there was some identifiable mark and a way to contact me - of course, there wasn’t).   She said she would go to the gate where I came in, and see if she could get it for me.  She called me about 15 minutes later to say she had it and told me where to pick it up.   In the meantime, I had received a phone call that my hair appt had been canceled.  I get my hair cut in Dallas because I haven’t found a hairdresser here in KY yet.  I love my Dallas hairdresser, so since I go there periodically, just decided to work in a hair cut here and there.   But, I got a call while on the plane that she (hairdresser) had called in sick that day and they needed to re-schedule.  UGH.  My appointment was at 9:15am and I landed at 8am.  With the red folder debacle, there was no way I would have made it to my appointment anyway with picking up the rental, having to go back to the airport to pick-up the folder, and then driving to my appointment.  So, while I was very sad my appointment was canceled, I was also kind of relieved.   HOWEVER, I knew I HAD to get my hair cut - it was looking really bad - as in, almost-like-a-mullet bad.  I called the salon back, asked if there was ANYONE who could cut my hair that morning an they set me up with someone who had a 9:30 appointment.   This is at 9:10 and I am just leaving the airport.  It takes about 20ish minutes to get to central Dallas from the airport, so I am thinking I should make it.  Well, I am going to a new location, I am told over the phone and she tells me where and I know the general vicinity.  I drive and try to figure out how to get to the road I need.  It’s now 9:25 and I am at least 10 min away.  Eeek.  I call back and tell them I will be late.  I finally get there at 9:40 and get my hair cut.  OK, this story really doesn’t have much to do with the red folder.  However, the following day, I am leaving Dallas, but meeting someone for a work-related coffee meeting that morning.  I have my red folder with me.  We meet at a Starbucks in an area of town that I am not really familiar with.  We have a great meeting and we depart with a few words of being in touch soon, blah, blah, blah.  I get in the rental and drive to my next destination.  I am about halfway there (it’s about a 25 min drive total), so about 12.5 minutes in, I look over at the passenger seat and see my purse.  Just my purse.  Only my purse.  I don’t see anything poking out from underneath my purse that has a red tint to it, or even a red stain (I AM in a rental).  What the F???  I left the freaking folder at a Starbucks in an area of town that I never go to, nor is it on my way to the airport.  So, I get to where I am going, run in, jump on a computer, look-up the # to Starbucks.  Yes, they have the folder.  The dialogue goes: 

 Me:  I was in there earlier and left a folder

Starbucks:   Was it a RED folder?

Me:  Why, yes, it is

Starbuck:  Yep - we have it!

Me:  Ok, I will be back by to pick it up later today

 OK, so it’s now 11ish, and my flight leave at 2:20pm.  I am going to lunch with some people, have to gas up the rental, and now have to go to the Starbucks in BFE to pick-up this damn cursed red folder.  All before heading to the airport.   And, we all know that we *should* be at the airport about an hour early.  How in the world am I going to get all of this done?  I can do it - I tell myself.  Just stay calm.  Enjoy your lunch.  Pick up the folder and head to the airport.  Sounds easy, right?  Well, I finish lunch at 12:25 and head off thinking that if I can be at the airport (after dropping the rental off) by 1:30, I will have plenty of time.  I am almost tempted to call Starbucks and tell them to throw the folder away.  I don’t want it.  But then I realize my paycheck is in it (am a contractor so direct deposit is not an option, and since I was going to be on-site, they just figured they would give it to me instead of mailing it).  Eeek - bad idea.  Do not throw red folder away.   So, I HAVE to go back and get it.   This is getting really long here. Long story short, traffic is bad, the drive is longer than I anticipated, and I am VERY worried I will not make it on my flight, and I desperately want to make it as it is Halloween and I WANT to give out candy!!!   I had to go through at least 4 -$1 tolls to get to the airport (took an alternate route due to traffic), but I finally made it to the rental car place at like 1:35.  Flight leaves in 45 min.  I can do this.  I can make it.  I jump on the shuttle to the airport and wait for the driver to decide it’s time to leave.  Each second seems like hours.  He finally drives off and heads to the airport.  But, of course, I am the last stop.  I get there at 1:45, check-in, and head to security.  Make it thru security fairly quickly, and head to my gate.  They are boarding, but I can see a lot of people have not yet boarded, so I am relieved.  I make it.  Whew.  But, still no thanks to the red folder. 

 The other red folder story is one that really makes me think the conotation of a red folder is bad.  In college a million years ago, the local high school experienced a very traumatic situation.  Two of the students had committed suicide in a romeo and juliet type tragedy.  They did this in the bathroom at the school.   The school had a policy that whenever there was an emergency that the teachers needed to be aware of (but without alarming the students), that someone would come over the loud speaker and say that a red folder was missing/left in the teacher’s lounge (or something to that effect).   That day, that was the phrase that was heard at the school.  I am not comparing my situation with this one by any means, but I did look up online to see if there was some bizarre urban legend about red folders.  I couldn’t find anything, but I am starting to think that perhaps there should be something written about the curse of the red folder.