Confused Woman!

Last Friday, my daughter and I decided to go and order takeout from a local restaurant. Afterwards, we ran to the nearby drug store to buy some cat food. What should have been a quick stop turned into a two hour nightmare.

I had my keys in my hand as I approached the checkout counter. I dug in my purse to find cash and after I paid for the food, my keys were gone.  That’s when I went into silent panic mode, so not to freak out my daughter (which was pointless, she went there anyways).

I asked the cashier if she saw my keys and she knew I was freaking out and there was no reaction. Not once did she offer to help me look for them or offer any sympathy.  It was like we didn’t exist.

After walking through the store and checking my purse several times, I called the police.  I didn’t know what else to do.  I needed help, and no one else gave a rip. Unfortunately, it took the officer 45 minutes to show up because of a shift change.

In the meantime, my daughter was beside herself.  She’s crying, convinced she will never see her house or kitty again.  All the while, the cashier does not react or help.  Nothing.

The officer arrives and after we chat, he talks to the store manager, who is irate the cashier did not notify her of the situation or offer to assist us.  The officer and manager review the security tape and it clearly shows I had my keys at the counter and then I am wondering where they are.

I was convinced either the customer in front of me took them or the cashier did. But when my new car sat in the parking lot untouched, I believed they were in the store somewhere.

After the officer’s review of the tape, we approached the counter to look around.  There was a hole in the counter where the cord from the scanner went down to the computer.  My daughter looked down there and said, “Mom! The keys are down here!”

My reaction? “You better not be lying.”  Sure enough, the keys somehow managed to fall down this small hole without me noticing or the cashier caring. The manager fished out the keys and the customers around us cheered.

I’ve never been so relieved in my life. All I could think about was the amount of money I would’ve spent on a locksmith to get into my house, change the locks, and get a new key made for my car.

I thanked the officer and manager profusely, and we got into the car and I cried. It was so stressful to think I was locked out of my car and house. What was even more sad, is that my daughter was crying, thinking she’d never see her kitty again, and this woman stood there and didn’t give a crap.

It made me so unhappy to think that someone could be so mean and not care about another human being, especially a child, when they’re in a stressful situation.  I was so relieved that the kind officer, manager, and other customers were there and happy we could go home.

Let’s hope people like that cashier are more rare than the people who have empathy and want to be there for others.

Friends are telling me to jump in the pool!  Sign up for online dating! Go out and have fun! Of course, all of them are either married, seriously dating, or hate men so much they never want to see one again.

While the thought of going out sounds fun, the fear of rejection and creeps is holding me back.  I’ve done the online dating thing before.  Granted, it has worked out in some capacity in the past, it still scares the crap out of me.

It’s almost like another job…sifting through the profiles or swiping left and right, deleting/blocking the perverts, and weeding through the maybes to see if they’re first date worthy.  I feel like I deserve overtime pay from the dating gods.

I’m pondering the idea and over the next few months, I will be chronicling my slow entrance back into the dating wading pool.  I am not ready for the deep end yet.  Slow and steady, tip-toe into the water, and maybe sport some floaties to make sure I keep mentally and emotionally afloat.

For the past two months, my daughter and I have been playing a really fun and neat game of pass the cold.  I was fortunate enough to have it first, then it was her turn, and like a ping-pong ball, right back to me.

I’ve bragged in the past I RARELY get sick and how my little concoction of vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea keeps the crud away.  Well, not this year!  I took those stupid pills and I still managed to get sick…twice.

It’s hard to dodge illnesses when your child is in a bubble of contaminants at school all day.  They also have the amazing ability to forget to wash hands.  How many times have I had to say, “Wash your hands and….um, hey….you need to use soap!”.

At least we’ve dodged the flu, so maybe our flu shots have worked?  All I know is, I don’t want another ping-pong match of crud.  The game itself is fun, but not when you’re running for tissues and going through cough drops like water!

Every year I’m excited about the Super Bowl, but it’s never about the game, it’s always about the commercials.  Oh, and there’s also the Kitten Bowl and Puppy Bowl that add to the excitement of the day.  Why is it not all about the game?

For starters, when was the last time a Super Bowl was a close and exciting game?  When were there teams in the Super Bowl that you actually looked forward to seeing and not watching the same old team again and again.

The snacks and commercials are fun, but they don’t make up for the boring game.  It’s a million times worse when the half-time show is less than stellar.  Let’s hope that Lady Gaga performs an amazing and entertaining show unlike last year.  I like a couple of Coldplay songs, but overall, they’re not a good choice to fire up a crowd at the Super Bowl.

I’m crossing my fingers that Atlanta will make it a game and not roll over to the Patriots and pretty boy Tom Brady.  Let’s have a fun, competitive game for a change!!!

The last three days have been anything but fun on Minnesota roads.  Mother Nature has been laughing her arse off as she’s perfectly timed the snowfalls during morning and evening weekday commutes.

Somehow, even after a couple months of snow, people are still not getting the memo that you need to slow down, back off the car in front of you, and get your face out of your phone.  You would think we’d had ten feet of snow with all the accidents and crawling traffic we’ve had.

It’s crazy how people think they can drive the same in crappy weather as in perfect conditions.  I don’t get the mindset.  How hard is it to just chill out and slow down?  Isn’t it better to go easy and get to work a little later than go nuts and risk an accident that will make you late, possibly broke, and in the hospital?!

As I was putting the Christmas decorations away for another year, I was reflecting back on the presents I bought for my daughter, and how they compared to 12 months ago.

Last Christmas, every gift request was circled in the Toys ‘R Us catalog, a one-stop shop for presents.  She was so excited to get puzzles, games, and dolls.  Little girl items wanted by a little girl.

This Christmas, the items highlighted were makeup, nail polish, a flatiron, and hair accessories in several beauty ads.   We went from the toy catalog to the makeup counter at Macy’s.  What happened?!

Granted, she’s too young to wear makeup, but she really likes to play and treat her mom to “makeovers”.  I think it’s just crazy the quick transition from Legos to eye shadow collections.  The You Tube videos went from Let’s Dance to makeup tutorials.

Some days, I feel like she’s 9 going on 13.  Is it just my imagination, or are kids growing up faster nowadays?  Then again, I remember being obsessed with makeup, jewelry, and clothes when I was a kid.  Me and my friends would play dress up and pretend to go out “on the town” with our Prince Charmings.

So, maybe things aren’t so different and the only difference is, I’m the parent watching my child growing out of kid years and heading towards teenage years.  It goes way too fast and before I know it, she will be off to college and I will become the crazy cat lady.  🙂

It started in January with David Bowie.  He was one of those music icons that you thought would live forever.  So many hit songs that I loved as a teenager.  David was unique and different from all of the other pop music acts I watched and listened to on MTV.

April 21, 2016 was a horrible day.  I was at work when I saw on Twitter that emergency vehicles were called to Prince’s Paisley Park in Chanhassen, MN.  My heart skipped a beat and I prayed the EMT’s were not there for Prince.  Unfortunately, they were, and I was devastated to hear he’d passed away.

Prince was a huge presence in my teenage years.  Not only was he a hometown hero, but he was a brilliant musician.  When Purple Rain and the soundtrack were released, it was everything.  To see our state in a hit movie and hearing songs that were so amazing was awesome.

He was another artist that I thought would live forever.  Prince seemed so healthy and was still performing that it was a shock to hear he was gone.  I still tear up when I see a music video or listen to his music.  Being from Minnesota, it was like he was a part of the family, taken from us way too soon.

It’s Christmas Day, and I hear the news that George Michael has passed away.  No!  I loved him in Wham and he had some of the best hits as a solo artist.  I was a junior in high school when the songs Faith and Father Figure were hits.  I watched those videos constantly on MTV and still love them today.

Two days later, Carrie Fisher dies.  What the hell?!  This can’t be true!  She’s Princess Leia!  She can’t be gone!  Not only was she the iconic princess, but she was a wonderful actress, a brilliant writer, and an advocate for mental health.  She had such a biting wit and a brutally honest demeanor that you couldn’t help but love her.

I’ve had enough sadness and tough losses.  Let’s hope 2017 is a better year.  Rest in peace, David, Prince, George, and Carrie.  Thank you for being such an important part of my life and reminding me how truly precious our time on earth is.

Here in Minnesota, we had been very spoiled by a beautiful, extended fall.  You know winter is on the horizon, but you secretly hope fall will continue into the holiday season so we can golf over winter break.

Suddenly, Mother Nature snaps her fingers and we’re smacked with winter.  If you’re new to Minnesota, you were previously thinking, “Hey, this isn’t so bad!  Why was everyone warning me about these harsh winters?”  Now?  “Ack!  This sucks!  I can’t feel my face!  The roads are slippery!  Why did I move here?!”

Even as a native Minnesotan, I am never prepared for the winter season.  I’m always in denial it will happen, and then all of a sudden, you’re buried in it.  What doesn’t help is the media going crazy saying, “The Polar Vortex is back!   We’re in for a cold winter, brace yourself!”.

I just want to reach through the TV screen and strangle them.  It’s not the Polar Vortex, it’s called winter in Minnesota, you idiots.  Just stop freaking people out thinking it’s Armageddon.  It’s cold and snowy.  Whoopee!

No, it’s not the hit song by Chicago, even though it was a favorite in the 1980s.  It’s about me, and my love of food and “happy beverages”.  When I’m stressed, happy, sad, content, etc. these are my go-to items. However, the stress and sadness increase the desire to consume them exponentially. Hence, my reason for wanting to lose weight.

I wish I could just snap my fingers and my desire for chips and Miller Lite would magically disappear.  When I’m stressed or bummed out, why can’t I crave broccoli and a meditation app on my iPhone?

The one saving grace is I have a tool on my phone which allows me to scan the bar code of a product in the store, so I know if I should put it in my cart or leave it on the shelf.  I know all too well if it makes it into the cart, it will end up in my house and in my mouth.

It’s obvious a bag of Cheetos is bad, but it’s tricky with other products like yogurt, which can be loaded with sugar. I loved Chobani Flips, until I found out the number of SmartPoints.  That’s what I used to always have for breakfast, not anymore!

I realize it’s not a quick fix, but a journey to better health and a better me.  I just wish the journey was down the block, not across the country!

The evening before Thanksgiving, many are rushing to purchase groceries for the meal, filling up the gas tank for the drive to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, or heading out for a night of bar hopping, since there’s no work tomorrow and instead, lots of food, drinks, football, and shopping!

No matter what your plans are tonight, let’s all be thankful for the big and little things in our lives.  I’m grateful to finally be able to purchase a house as a single mom and leaving expensive rent behind.  I feel fortunate to have a job I love that pays enough to put this roof over my daughter’s head.

We should all be grateful for the children in our lives (if you have them), especially after the horrific bus crash in Chattanooga, TN.  Every day we entrust their safety to others, and we should hug them a little tighter every time they are returned to us at the end of the school day.

After the ugliness of the election, I appreciate the little things more.  A smile and warm greeting from a stranger.  The thank you when you hold the door open for the person behind you.  The gratefulness of the person you took time to help in the grocery store because they couldn’t reach the top shelf.

I was in Walmart the other day grabbing some items when my basket knocked a few boxes off of a display.  A mom and her little boy were walking by at the time.  As I was picking up the boxes, the boy stopped and helped me put them back on the display.  I told him he didn’t have to do that and how sweet he was for helping me.  He said you’re welcome, and went on his way.

It was so nice and kind it brought a tear to my eye.  After the recent months of people being so horrible to each other, it was moving and cute that he came to help me.  This little guy made my day, and showed me that we don’t count out the little gestures.  They go a very long way.

May you all have a most wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends.