Thursday, January 27, 2011

#112-THURSDAY'S PICK (April)


I love reading people's comments.  Therefore,  have decided to feature comment(s) on Thursdays.  Of course this will fall FLAT if you guys aren't making comments!  This is no longer an issue.  In fact, I have so many wonderful comments to choose from that I am having a hard time keeping up.  THANK YOU!  ALL OF YOU!
BY THE WAY, APRIL JUST STARTED BLOGGING.  WAY TO GO APRIL.  LETS ALL GIVE HER A WELCOMING HUG BY DROPPING BY HER SITE AND ENCOURAGING HER!
                                     confessionsofaterriblemom.blogspot.com

By ape2016 on #74-THE LAST SANTA on 12/20/10
I believed until I was 12. I was very determined to believe and (since I couldn't stand most other kids) I wasn't inclined to listen to what they said. I mean they had already tried to impart some sex ed and that was so bizarre as to be unbelievable (who knew!?). I wanted my kids to believe for the longest time, so I have always gone above and beyond and my two youngest still believe. My oldest who is 12 found out last year simply because she wouldn't stop being nosy. One year, we lived in a big, nice house with a huge yard- this was quite an experience since we had always lived in apartments and trailers. I was determined to make the most of it. We watched The Polar Express repeatedly that season, and when Christmas Eve came I put the kids to bed and set to work. My parents helped me and we had a blast. First, we had to eat the cookies left for Santa and have some milk, making sure to leave lip prints on the glass. We always left apples and carrots for the reindeer outside, 
so my dad took huge bites out of the apples (to imitate a reindeer bite) and we munched the carrots, leaving lots of dropped bits (reindeer are messy eaters). I took dirt and mud and made hoof prints on the porch and down into the yard. I used 2 boards, evenly spaced to simulate sleigh tracks in the yard and the final touch was 4 shiny silver sleigh bells that 'fell' off Santa's sleigh in the yard. Luckily, there was a bell for each child. The kids were so excited and even though there is some proof of Santa each year, this is the one the kids always talk about. Isn't it amazing what parents will do to preserve magic for a child?
You left out something that would have really convinced them:
kt 1/22/11
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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

#111-AN OFFICER and A GENTLEMAN

Lady, please!
I was awakened one morning a knock at the door at about 5AM.  When I peeked out the peephole I saw a POLICE OFFICER standing there.  I was living in a small college town at the time and I figured something had happened.

I was reluctant to open the door because I was in my ratty flannel pajamas (with clunky white sports socks on my feet).  My hair was standing straight up, and I am sure I had sleep creases all over the side of my face.

When I opened the door the young officer said, “Are you Karen Taylor?”

“Yes,” I warily replied.

He returned with, “There has been a complaint filed against you and I am here to question you about it.”  I did not invite him in (I'm not stupid, I watch television).  I asked him, "What's this all about, officer?" 

He explained that the convenience store on main street had called the police and accused me of driving out without paying for my gas.  I immediately went ballistic.  There was an incident the morning before but this was WAY off.  I struck a insolent pose, thrust my wrists out toward him and said, “You’ve got me officer; I am a wanton criminal and am ready to go to jail!”

The YOUNG officer just dropped his head, shook it, looked at his feet, then looked up and pleaded, “Lady, please don’t do this.  I’m sure we can work things out if you will just come to the gas station with me.”

Ok, I felt sorry for the kid, so I dressed and then drove to the to gas station, he followed.

Now, here is what really happened the day before:

I was out of gas and knew I had to fill up somewhere close.  There was a convenience story/station behind my house (I could throw a rock from my back door to this place, and believe me after this incident, I did consider it).  I was going to be late to work if I didn’t hurry.  I filled up but couldn’t find my card.  I apologized and offered the girl a check.  She said they didn’t take checks, but I could fill out a request for a card.

“But, I said, “I already have a card.”  Besides, the application they wanted me to fill out was for a different card.  I had gotten gas there before and I didn't need or want a new card.  I argued with her to no avail.  I even had her call the owner, who  said no.  I then offered to allow her to pump the gas out of my car (by that time I was getting mad).  Not wanting to be late, I placed (no slammed) my check on the counter (with name address and phone number on it) and left.  Ergo the 5 AM wake-up call.

This was all discussed again with the employee at the store.   She was seething, and rude.  I was coherent, calm and polite (see told ya, I'm not stupid). The officer listened and asked to see the check and the application that was tendered to me.  I still hadn’t found my charge card and I still didn’t have cash.  The officer called the owner and advised him to take the check.  It was over, but I was late to work by the time they all got through putzing around.

And as Paul Harvey used to say, AND NOW THE REST OF THE STORY:

That evening, I told my 6’9” basketball-playing son (who happened to know the owner) the story.  My son, also, happened to play pick-up games at the “Y.”  But, more importantly so did the owner of this store. 

A couple of days later, as my son was helping this man up off the floor (where he had ACCIDENTALLY knocked him) my son said to this guy, “By the way, my mother’s name is Karen Taylor,” and smiled.  The owner did not return for any more pick-up games.

What a GENTLEMAN, my son is, to defend my honor!


100% TRUE
kt


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