The Dash by Linda Ellis & Mac Anderson

I find my new role in life to one of humor. I have grown up being the smart-ass, the care free thinker, and known to live the stress free lifestyle. My sister stands by the phrase "don't worry about my little sister, she will always land on her feet" or "while I don't want to watch her work everything out, she will always find a way...everything always works out for her." I have always loved hearing those words come out of my sister's mouth. All growing up she has stressed about things that I have never given much thought. A perfect example was attending the Florida vs. Miami football game in 2004. She didn't think we could get tickets, if we did we wouldn't be able to afford them, and if we could afford them they would be bad seats...I told her not to worry, I'd find us tickets, and that is what I did :) We payed face value for seats in the fourth row on the 50 yard line...when I am in the picture she has stopped worrying about the details, she knows that it will work out. I love the fact that she has such trust in her little sister. Clearly she is the intelligent successful daughter, I am the care-free hippie child so to speak.

I still live that carefree lifestyle or at least I try to continue to live like that. Since moving to Colorado, I have taken on a new role. A caring compassionate helpful role...or at least I have been told that is the role that I have taken on. A few months ago, one of my friend's boyfriend beat her up at our sister bar. I was the phone call at 3 am in the morning to help her. I am totally fine being the stable one. After all, I don't live the lifestyle that most of the people that work in the industry do. I haven't ever been arrested, I invest money regularly, I read the wall-street journal, I work for the idea that my job is actually fun and I don't have to use my brain so that is an added bonus, I don't live beyond my means, and I don't live pay check to pay check...I have a college degree, one I don't use but I have it. I go to work and I am the one that people come and tell me whats going on in their life. My mother always said people just talk to her, well apparently I have taken on that role. People just talk to me, reach out to me and seek my help or support. Today was no different.

One of the baker's crew, supposedly tripped down the stairs, hitting her head and got a concussion. She was unable to come to work. One of the managers sent me a text message that read "not sure why I would tell you other than the fact that you help people out. but (person x) called today because she fell and hit her head, which is code for punched by her boyfriend...might want to call and see if she needs anything." I immediately responded to him saying, I had actually already gotten that phone call and was on top of it. He called and laughed saying he wasn't surprised at all. He was happy that someone so "stable" was on staff that is there to lend a helping hand. He continued to make fun of me that I have a bleeding heart and that someday it will come back to bite me. I listened to him, and then realized why he is so lonely. He has no family, minimal friends, and no desire to ever reach out and help someone. I asked him if he ever read the book "the dash" by Linda Ellis & Mac Anderson. He hadn't ever heard of it, and I recommended that he read it. I told him I will bring him my copy to read. He didn't really like where the conversation was going and ended up saying that he had to go because another call was coming in.

I was completely fine with how the conversation ended. At the end of the day, I am glad that I am that person that people come to when they feel that they have no where else to turn. I am glad I have the role of the care-taker, compassionate with people who are upset or whose life seems in total turmoil. Yes, it sucks that I continue to get the people that need to be picked up by their boot straps, but its also an extremely high compliment. One that I look at as an honor that everyone thinks I can make it all better...as if I am the mom with the magic band-aids that cure everything. I love my new role! It will help my widen "my dash!" If you get a chance please pick up a copy of "the dash" it has changed my look at life.

breath in, breath out...

Apparently I am tacky, heartless, miserable, thoughtless, distasteful, disrespectful, disorganized, rude, evil, hideous...the list goes on and on. However, I agree with none of that. I write matter of fact, I write to express my feelings, I write as a release. I do not ask anyone to agree with me nor do I advertise my blog for anyone to read it. If you stumble upon it, by all means read it. It is published in cyber space for that reason.

I write every blog with the idea what would my mom think if she read this. That is a fantastic way to write. I get my release, I write with proper grammar (or try too, but I screw that up occasionally), but more importantly I write with the thought that my mother is going to read this. I write every blog and then ask myself "can my mom read this?" If I can't write it for my mother to read, then it obviously doesn't need to be published. Trust me there have been a few blogs that I absolutely loved to write and was proud of them, but after I read what I wrote I realized that I didn't want my mother or grandmother to read them, so I should post it...they are saved in the "glad I wrote folder, but for my eyes only."

Recently, I wrote a post about a funeral that changed the way I look at life. I wrote about my wake up call to live life for the moment and not go through the motions. I wrote about my my desire to continue to strive to make everyday wonderful. This week, I have been given a reminder to really love life. Life is precious yet priceless and once it is gone, it really is gone. I am thrilled that I went to a funeral that provided me the opportunity to plan my own. When I pass I hope that there is a huge party, with my beautiful family surrounded by great friends. I hope there are fantastic stories to share of the stupid things I did or didn't do, stories that make people laugh and not cry. I hope my funeral is really a celebration of my life...if there were ever flowing bodingtongs or jack on the rocks with 3 limes I wouldn't mind that either. :)

I am incredibly sorry, that it took me attending a funeral to realize that I need to capitalize on my own life. I clearly offended numerous people as I was called such lovely names (the ones that kicked off this blog), so I removed that blog. My deepest sympathies and condolences go to the loved ones of the funeral I attended this week. The family asked that people learn from this, I feel special that I am able to pull away two things from this...live life to the fullest extent and live like there is no tomorrow. If I died today, I hope that I did something fantastic yesterday for them to talk about. Take this opportunity to make something fantastic happen, if not for yourself then for your loved ones.

Enjoy today.

Everyday there is a choice to make it great or just go through the motions. Don't go through the motions, life is too short to just pretend to enjoy life. Go out and live!

Voting.

• I voted and I have the sticker to prove it! I did my research and I believe that I made the best options for myself and how I would like the country to be run. Every vote counts so I am happy to say that I was part of this election. I am also extremely happy that I am done voting, done with the process, basically done worrying about it. It is another thing checked off my list of to do's. I grew up in a state that has probably the worst reputation for voting in the history of the United States. Florida is the butt of everyone's jokes when it comes to voting. We can't count, our ballot confuses people (or they are just dumb), and we continously have the same issues come up in every election. It is safe to say that Florida is not the land of the most intelligent folks!

• I went to vote on the first day of early voting. I arrived with my voter registration card and driver's license...think that is all I needed. Well, it wasn't that easy. I walked up to the table of four women handed them my voter registration card and drivers license, the lady second from the left responded with "what can I do for you?" I told her that I was here to vote, and she seemed a little surprised, but said "oh, we don't need your voter registration card, just your registration number, do you know it?" In my head I thought to myself, this lady is a retard, but I responded calmly with my registration number is on my voter card. She again asked me if I knew the number. I tried to be polite but I could tell I was dealing with a mental midget. I asked for my registration card back and read her the number. She immediately responded with "oh, it is on your card, good to know!" Are you kidding me lady? She ended up printing my scantron type of paper twice so she didnt know which one to actually scan to make sure my vote counted. I was beginning to get a little nervous, but this was only the beginning. After I signed my name (what felt like twenty times, but probably was only 4), she pointed for me to stand behind two elderly gentleman.

• There I stood behind two gentleman waiting to get their paper ballots. In Colorado you can have the choice to use a paper ballot or electronic touch screen. I elected for the touch screen when I registered to vote a year ago. It was clearly on my registration card (which the lady didn't want to read or look at). It is finally my turn, I give the lady behind the second table my blue paper with my name and bar code, which was given to me at the first table. The lady looks at it and says you aren't suppose to be in this line you are doing electronic touch screen voting. You have to go back and get your blue card re-scanned and then head the tabled labled "electronic." I turn around and go back to the first lady who says, wow you are done voting fast! I proceed to explain to her that I hadn't voted yet, because I was in the wrong line and I need to get scanned for electronic voting. She immediately responds with "oh, why didn't you tell me that when you first got here?" I could have reached acrossed the table and slapped her, but she was probably like 65 or 70, so it wouldn't be very nice to do that...I again tried to remain calm and said in a very polite but yet extremely sarcastic tone "I am sorry, I guess I should have mentioned that instead of giving you my voter registration card."

• I finally make it over to the electronic touch screen to vote. Having already done my research on all the candidates and issues it only took me like 3 minutes to vote. Some of the amendments were out of order, so it is a good thing I had them labeled on my cheat sheet. After I finished voting I went to hand in my electronic card to the gentleman at the table. He asked if I already voted, I thought that was a strange question because I was handing in my ballot as he asked the question. The morons they found to volunteer for this election, must be the same morons they had counting the votes in Florida 4 years ago. On my way out of the building, I had to ask for a sticker, because of "cut-backs" you don't get a sticker unless you ask for one. Of course, I wanted a sticker, that was the only reason I wanted to vote!

Skim/ Non-Fat Milk

• I grew up drinking skim milk. I had no idea that there was another option. I hated going to the grocery store with my mom, so basically I ate whatever was in the fridge. She knew what my favorites were so don't go feeling sorry for me. I always had the staples, cookie dough, whip cream, oreos, escarole lettuce...you all know the things that you can't possibly go a day without.

• I went off to college and ended up having to do my own grocery shopping, trust me I tried to get my sister to do it, but no such luck! Unfortunately, the very first time I bought milk I happened to grab 2% milk. I poured myself a glass when I got home and it was literally heaven in my mouth! I called home claiming that I found the best tasting milk in the world. My mom asked what I was talking about. I told her the brand which didn't help and she said oh what is the percentage on the milk. The question totally had me puzzled. When I opened the fridge I read that it was 2%, she laughed. I explained to her that I didn't realize you that there was more then one type of milk so I just picked one with the furthermost date. There was no way I was ever going to drink skim milk again. I can remember that conversation like it was yesterday.

• She was in shock that I didn't know there was more than 1 type of milk and that I thought 2% was like heaven. I don't go home all that often but I think every time since then there has been 1% or 2% milk in their fridge. It is kind of like lamb, no one ever liked it but we never said anything about our dislike for the lamb. I honestly didn't know any different, as for my father...I am not really sure what his story was. I guess I'll go with the fact that he doesn't do any of the grocery shopping so he to will drink whatever is in the fridge.

• Yesterday, I was at the grocery store stocking up on the weekly necessities, milk, eggs, lettuce, veggies, and half -n-half. I looked over and saw the that Organic Valley Fat Free milk was $1.59. It still had a week before it expired, it must have been some special. I really really like Organic milk, so I thought I'd give fat free a chance, completely forgetting that I haven't actually drank fat free/skim milk in 8 years. It is also a little better for you, if you can stomach it that is. I pour myself a glass today to go along with my grilled chicken and vegetables for lunch and literally thought that I could vomit the milk back into the glass. I forgot just how horrible fat free milk is! I suffered through the entire glass, but I think it is safe to say that I literally wasted $1.59! It is down right terrible! Water with a milk flavor (does anyone really like the flavor of milk...NO!). I really wonder how I could drink that my entire childhood, and not realize just how terrible it tastes.

Toasted Head

My favorite wine of all times is Toasted Head Chardonnay by RH Phillips. It has been a favorite of mine for at least 5 years (since I have been legally of age to drink), but probably closer to 8 years. I rarely and do mean rarely buy it for myself. It seems to be one of those special treat moments that I splurge.

It is actually rather sad that I don't enjoy it more often since it is still under $15.00 a bottle. It ranges anywhere from $10.99 to 13.99. Once in my life I have seen it for $6.99 a bottle, I ended up buying 2 cases! I have introduced it to numerous people who say that it is a really good glass of chardonnay. It is rich and creamy with a butterscotch oak ending. It has minimal and I do mean minimal hint of a tropical flavor and a dash of vanilla (but it has taken me years of drinking it to pick up on the those flavors, or maybe just to able to identify them). Swallow doesn't like Chardonnay's but she enjoys Toasted Head (when I share, which is rare)! When Dempsey was introduced to it, he too bought and entire case. It is an easy drinking almost with any occasion chardonnay. Of course, I wouldn't purposely pair it with everything, but it is a great glass of wine after a long day, fantastic along side salmon or light fish.

I have never met someone who didn't like it...they might not have loved it like I do, but no one hasn't liked it, until Saturday! I introduce Seabiscut to Toasted Head and she immediately tells me I have extremely poor taste in wine. I then enlighten her that I just requested a case of Two Buck Chuck to be shipped to me. You would have thought I just shot her mom. She gave me the worst look in history and proceeded to tell me that she was going to teach me about good wine. That after she was done educating me on good wine and wine pairing that I would never even look twice at Toasted Head. I just started laughing and then wished her good luck.

The bottom line is I can't enjoy a $40 bottle of wine. I can't appreciate the fact that each glass is $10. I can't value the taste, the pairing of food, and desire to drink a certain vineyard from a certain year. It is kind of like a grown up car. I am a grown up an actual adult (whether I behave like one or not) I can't justify spending $35,000 or $40,000 on a grown up car (Cadillac, Jaguar, etc...). I perfectly content driving a honda, toyota, or the alike.

I will continue to enjoy my Toasted Head Chardonnay from California and will continue to save it for special occasions or moments when I feel like I want to splurge. I might continue to drink it more when Seabiscuit is around so I don't have to share with her. :)

Amendments

Hungry and I went spinning class at 5:30 this morning and then headed over to Peaberry to enjoy an Americano. Since we had done so well at working out at the butt crack of dawn we thought we would treat ourselves to a cup of coffee. As we stood in the kitchen talking, I asked him if he knew anything about Amendment 47. I know that is kind of a random conversation, but the previous day I had seen two totally different commercials for amendment 47. The commercials were both done exceptionally well. Unfortunately, the way the commercials were presented I would have simply voted for whichever commercial I had seen. Lucky for me I saw both, which made me question how they can really represent the same amendment in such different light. It seemed as though the second commercial was only to confuse the voters. Hungry explained amendment 47 too me (or tried too), but unfortunately he too was confused about what amendment actually meant.

Since today is the first day of early voting and I am off of work...I thought I would take the time to actually read all 14 amendments and 4 referendums that are on the ballot this year. It is so sad that election is so dominated by the presidential campaign that many people over look the local ballots. I started reading the amendments and was a little unsure of the language that they were using. I feel as though I am an educated American. By no means am I a brainiac, but I am smart enough to carry on an intelligent conversation. However, the more I read the less I understood. If I can understand the amendments language how would a high school dropout be able to do it? Since I was struggling, I decided I would call my interpreter (mom) and tell her to get online and help me read the amendments. We both read them (independently) I told her what I thought they meant and she either agreed, elaborated or corrected me. I am sure she was thrilled to read all 18 things on the ballot for the state of Colorado (since she lives in Florida), but she was a trooper. Luckily for me, I only interpreted 1 amendment completely wrong.

Swallow comes walking through the dining room as I am sitting here making notes of how I am going to vote for which issue. I immediately informed her that she will be voting this year (since she has point blank said she doesn't want too). Before she could respond one way or the other I went off an a tyrant about how she needs to vote on the local amendments, that will effect our day to day lives today, tomorrow and for our children. After I was finished ranting, she informed me that she did plan on voting for the local elections and that she would be writing her name in for the President. I was happy to hear that she did want to vote on the amendments, but she was quick to inform me that she had no idea what they were (I think she said that because she knew I was researching all of them, weighing the pros & cons, and writing notes about each 1 individually...and she knew I would give them to her, so she didn't have to do the research on her own).

I finally finish making all of my notes (which took almost 2.5 hours), she mentioned that I could leave them on the table and she would look them over at dinner. I just turned around and smiled, happy to know that she will at least be educated about what she is voting on. Early voting starts today, and I feel pretty confident in the choices I have made. I am happy to go and vote and get it out of the way. Unfortunately, I am extremely excited to be done with this election! I am sick of the political debates, the random arguments that I continuously bite my tongue through, and the idea that people really think it is okay to try to convince me that their political opinions are the only ones that are correct. I find myself in situations where it is clearly evident that people are trying to convince me of something I already believe in, only because I will not open my mouth and talk "politics" with the crazies!

Vote! It is a right, but it is also a luxury I hope you don't take for granted!

Online Banking

So, I have never been a huge fan of paying bills, thinking about money (until I have none), or being accountable for balancing my check book. I think it is safe to say that I haven't actually balanced a checkbook in at 7 years. Honestly, I think it might be sad to say that if I had to balance a checkbook, I'd have to ask for help. I am sure I could at least figure it out, but why bother doing it anymore?

I love that I get daily emails from WAMU who is now Chase (not overly thrilled about that), but they tell me how much is in ALL of my accounts, what was deducted or added and how much interest has accrued. How could I not love that? Could I live without?...most definitely but why would I choose to not accept and embrace technology? Technology alone is down right amazing, and continues to make my life easier. The thing I love about Wamu, is I don't have to think about logging into their site to see whats going on, they actually send me my information 6 days a week! I open my email and see a beautifulf file, I type in my password to view the information and then I see exactly what is going on in my account. Totally awesome!

The other day, I asked people what life was like before google, today I think I will ask what life is like before online banking? Honestly, who really balances a checkbook...okay so I do actually know two people (my grandparents) that do it but they are also 88 and 90 years old. I don't think they really count. My other grandmother probably does as well, but she is alittle more technologically savy, so it wouldn't surprise me that she would have online banking.

AT&T

Sucks! There is no way around it, but to say they are possibly the the worst phone company I have ever had. I loved, loved, loved sprint! Wasn't a huge fan of Nextel but that was mostly because I didn't like their phones. Verizon back in the day had good service, but shitty billing practices. I would do almost anything to shove a red hot poker up AT&T's butt and twirl them around.

So Swallow, calls the house the today and says your phone says you aren't accepting calls. Hmmmm, that is interesting, first thought was maybe I didn't pay the bill. Log on, account is current next due date happens to be tomorrow (10-15). So, I call them...someone has stolen my phone number and made a call to China via the internet. They thought it was suspicious so they turned my phone off. Okay, good I am glad they thought it was suspicious...but why would they not call me or better yet send a text message informing me of the situation? What if it had been me making the call to China from the internet?

I sit on hold with Customer Service that says we can get your service to be able to make out going calls, but you can't receive calls or texts until we get technical support to help us out. So I sit on hold for literally 7minutes and 22 seconds (i can see the clock on my phone), and what happens we get disconnected! Of course, we get disconnected...because AT&T sucks and it drops calls all the time. I call back and have go through entire process again, because god forbid you get to jump right ahead to technical support without talking to customer service!

I finally talk to technical support who said it could be up to 48 hours to get the block to my phone turned back on...Are you kidding me? To make matters worse, in the process of removing 1 block they have reissued the first block so I can't even dial out if I wanted too! I am thrilled they thought a call to China was suspicious, but it didn't take them but probably 30 seconds to turn my phone off, why on earth would it take 48 hours to turn back on? GRRRRRRRRRR, I hate AT&T. I go to work, and everyone thinks it is hysterical that my cell phone doesn't work. If I heard 1 time to pay my bill on time, I heard it a 100 times! I finally went upstairs and printed out my statement that said I was current and my bill wasn't due till tomorrow (10-15).

Halloween

I haven't actually celebrated Halloween in about 10 years. I guess my dressing up days are numbered, or maybe I just don't find pleasure of spending the evening in an uncomfortable costume...and I never understood spending like $40 on an outfit you wear 1 time. Well, that might have all changed. :) Thanks to Hungry I might have found a costume that would be relatively comfortable, provide numerous laughs, and could be worn over and over again.

Leave it to Brandon Florida to have an old, white trash, Hooter Girl. The only thing that could have been better is if, she had a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20.

Porcelain Cup.

• What a turn of events. So I wake up to reality smacking me on the forehead. Yes, literally smacking right above the eyes. I have never understood investments, banks, or money. I have never desired to be in charge of any of it. If I could get married and find a wife (so to speak) to handle all the marital assets I would be happier than a pig in shit. In all essence I'd like to find a person like my mother to marry or even my sister (the financial Nazi...sorry tumbles, it was typed with a smile). But in all honesty I absolutely hate finances. I have a broker for my stocks that I absolutely love (bills, yes we are actually on a first name basis). However, this week I am not a fan of him. Its okay, I don't think anyone likes their broker this week.

• I never imagined that the stock market crash would really effect me. I have probably asked my father 1000 times, if people just leave their money in their how could it possibly go down? I have never understood his answer, yet it is the same every time. I honestly don't think he gets sick of me asking (at least he never lets on, although at the same point he probably doesn't remember since I haven't asked him in at least a year). Here I thought I was doing a fabulous job of investing. I thought I had it all figured it out, oh how wrong I was! I work in an industry of dirty money (literally dirty money)...no I am not a hooker! However, the money seems to come and go with such ease. I watch people waste the $100 in 20 minutes, it happens to be the same $100 they just made working that day...oh and to make matters worse it is from the same people that say I am not going to make rent this month unless I pick up 3 shifts. Honestly, people...get your shit together and realize that the booze you are buying is a) a waste of money & happiness (after all they never remember how happy they were the next morning, because they look into their wallet and see only a 5 dollar bill) and b) will have no improvement on your current financial status...(yes mom I know that was a run on sentence). However, I digress, the money comes and goes!

• I have had a kick butt year. I have saved money, I have invested dirty money, and I have continued to live a fat life! KK continuously asks what I do to live the life style I lead. Its become an on going joke, we make probably about the same amount of money but shockingly enough she never has any. I pay cash for almost everything, I take weeks off at a time, I supposedly fly all over the country (which is a little true, this year alone I have been to North Carolina, Phoenix, Massachusetts, and Florida). I have also managed to dump funds into the stock market on a regular basis...probably not the smartest idea, but any other year people would say that you have to spend money to make money. Well, I have decided that I now have to just sit tight to make any money...and there is a good chance it will take an incredibly long time! I have been trying to follow in the foot steps for my fiancial nazi sister, I am worlds away from the stablity she has (and I am incredibly jealous) but I keep telling myself, that until I have three incomes and two people it is going to be hard to compete. I am okay with it, I will always land on my feet!

• So here, I sit drinking a cup of coffee in a white porcelain cup, ever so often placing it down on its matching white saucer. I begin to realize that I am officially old! I have had these cups for 3 years, yet I rarely use them. Its like my parents fine china, it gets brought out for special (and I do mean special) occasions. I am a grown up and I might as well start enjoying being a grown up. If that means enjoying the finer things I have then so be it. Yes, it is nice to sit around and drink coffee as if I would be getting served at a 5 star restaurant. It is a rare yet immensely enjoyable to make the coffee as strong as I like it and get refills without waiting on the server to realize my cup is empty, in a white porcelain cup with its matching saucer...oh the finer things :)

• I understand that the logic behind the stock market crash and porcelain cup is a stretch, but I see I the connection without even a glimpse. I have tried to be an adult (financially, independently, intellectually) yet I never saw myself as anything but the 17 year old kid that wants to skip 3rd period to go get a donut. I guess getting smacked in the head with stock market crash isn't such a bad thing after all.

• In short, I have stopped looking at my stocks and started looking at getting a real job again. I have had a few interviews here and there and in short I have turned down as many jobs as I haven't gotten. I said I was waiting for the right job to creep up and bite me, but in doing so I probably missed some great opportunities...simply by over looking them. As for the moment, I am going to enjoy my white porcelain cup and realize that life is pretty fantastic (no matter what my portfolio says).

Sister Dinner

Swallow and I went to "the sister's" for dinner last night. Text and Deer (who are also sisters) also joined us so there were a total of six of us. We laughed, drank, shared stories and experiences and just bonded. Of course the two groups of sisters already have a strong bond, and Swallow and I are about as close to being sisters as possible (our butts look the same), so our bond is pretty tight, but its a good mix. It was hard not to bond after 4 bottles of wine. The six of us have made a pact that we will have family dinners on Wednesday. The location will rotate and 1 person has to be the so called "chef."

Amos was up first and Mexican was the flavor of the night. She made green chili, to put over a beef or bean or combo burritos and homemade churros. It was my first churro ever, and I have to admit it wasn't all that bad. I am not sure I like them as much as I like funnel cakes, but how can anything be as good as a funnel cake?

I am not sure who is up for next week, but Swallow and I are hosting the one on the 29th. I get to be the "chef" and Swallow gets to be my prep cook (I am sure she will love that). I haven't a clue what I will be creating, but I am sure it is something yummy. Swallow has suggested that I make my homemade meatballs and spaghetti gravy...If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to pass them along.

Vaca!

For starters let me apologize for not writing more often! Since that is out of the way, let me get on to the real reason I sat down to write. Okay yes, I do live the life of someone that is on a permanent vacation, but I actually went on vacation this week. It was the first time that I had truly been gone back to Florida since I moved to Colorado. I hadn't needed to, it seemed as if I always had a visitor out here in Colorado to keep me occupied.

I booked a plane ticket on hotwire (not overly thrilled with their service but I guess it could have been worse). I ended up having to call them to do it, since their website was down...but they really were the cheapest at an alarming rate of $428.50. Not to mention the fact that it was on US AIR or Undeniably Stupid Air as I prefer to call them. I packed my backpack so I wouldn't have to pay the $15.00 for luggage and I bought a $2.19 Americano in the airport, so I wouldn't have to give another dime to Undeniably Stupid Air. Pretty funny that I'd rather pay 19 extra cents then give money to them...well that an Americano is my coffee of choice.

Swallow dropped my off in plenty of time about 6:45 for an 8:15 flight, I had a lay over in Charlotte that got me their about 1:30. I knew it was bad news as soon as I walked off the flight. I was a little bit nibbly but I didn't have enough time to actually sit at a restuarant and get food, so I thought I'd go and look at the pre-made sandwichs. They all looked absolutely terrible, as if they had been made the day before and left un-refridgerated over night. I am not a fan of east coast time, hence it being after lunch but my body says that it is still 11:30 and I don't normally eat till about 1. Oh well, I'll just have another cup of coffee that will get me to Orlando for dinner. Gotta love coffee and its ability to surpress the appetite.

I finally get to Orlando at about 4ish. I get off the plane and felt like I could eat a horse! We stopped at the publix for some yuengling beer I had been craving it for sometime. Although it was refreshing their is something to be said for the micro brews out here in Colorado (that and the old fashioned PBR, that is ever so popular)! When I walked out into my sister's backyard, I could smell the salt. Colorado smells so different, but I had never noticed it until I moved away. It wasn't a bad smell it was just different, absolutely crazy how my nose is sensitive. We played a little golf and got to take in some sun. I spent some time with Werd and got to see Skank. All in all it really was a great trip to see the family, but Colorado is home. I missed the leaves around me, I missed the pace that people walk, I missed the crisp clean air. I knew I loved Colorado, but I didn't know just how much I loved it until I went back. I mentioned that it is really nice to relax, and Werd brought it to my attention that my life is pretty relaxing as it is. When I thought about it, she is right my life is the life of leisure, itmade me chuckle. :)

The flight back from Orlando was an utter disaster...right from the start. My mom and sister insisted that I get to the airport at least 2 hours in advance because of the terrible security system at the Orlando International Airport. Okay Okay...fine I'll go, but I have a bad feeling about listening to them. Besides I am a non-stress type of traveler now (I didn't use to be, but I am now, crazy how you change when you get older). If I got their an hour and a half early and didn't make my flight when then I will get on the next one. That is typically my mentality, but just to make them feel better and be quiet about the whole thing, I had Werd drop me off 2 and half hours early. I was literally at the airport at 4:49 for a 7:30 flight. I went to the ticket window, the bathroom, security and got a cup of coffee and I had 2 hours and 21 minutes to spare, I was livid! I guess the joke was on me...I tried to take a nap after sipping on my coffee but that wasn't real successful, because two different idiots at different times walked over and said is she breathing? Seriously, people if someone is laying down with their head on their carry on as if it is a pillow, do you really think she is dead? Get a grip!

I had to fly through Phoenix which I absolutely hate. Talk about a disaster and half, you have to go completely out of the airport to change terminals and then back through security. Never again will I fly Undeniably Stupid Air or change planes in Phoenix and I most likely wont buy plane tickets through hotwire. What a trip!