Soap Box

Did you know that if you get stopped by a cop all you have to do is give your name and birthdate? Or anyone's name and birthdate? Yep. I know this because my sister has given MY name and MY birthdate several times to get her out of a pickle. And me right into one. I was stopped for speeding a couple of years ago and the trooper almost didn't let me drive myself home. Nope. He was supposed to take me to jail and have someone else come pick me up. Because my license had been suspended. My what had been what?! He told me it was due to a traffic ticket earlier that year. Nope...not me.

I spent the next few days at the DPS in Jenks, the Tulsa County Courthouse, and the Tulsa Municipal Courts. My sister had been stopped for speeding, told them she didn't have her license, gave them my name and birthdate and I was issued two tickets...one for speeding and one for driving without a license. Which turned into a supsended license when "I" didn't pay it. So I had to request an ID hearing to have my record cleared. When I got there I found out I also had a petty larceny charge on my record. A what?! Yep. "I" had shoplifted at a grocery store. We added that to the docket and I got everything cleared. My sis wasn't really hanging with the fam much in those days but I got a hold of her and told her if it ever happened again I would absolutely press charges.

All that to say I recently found out that I have a seat belt violation on my driving record now. I immediately called my sister (recently in everyone's good graces) and asked her if she knew anything about it. "No way, sis, not this time. I haven't done that in years." Later that day I received a text. She fessed to it but said she had been drunk and didn't remember...her boyfriend reminded her of it. Upon further investigation, I learned that this ticket was actually paid a couple of weeks after the ticket was issued. So she didn't remember getting the ticket or paying it later. Hmmm....interesting. So it's back to the courts for another ID hearing. Unfortunately I cannot transfer any of these things to her record; they can only be dropped from mine. Because this one has been paid and the last ones were erased. Well crap. How is she supposed to learn she can't do stuff like this and get away with it when she does and can?!

Doesn't it seem wrong that all you have to do is know the name and birthdate of someone who has the same color hair and eyes as you? How is that acceptable? A lady I spoke with said that unfortunately this happens a lot with relatives. Grr...

Feeling a little restless this evening. Need to break out some crafting supplies and have at it. Or at least bust out my brand new journal and scrawl details of the past couple of weeks. Or paint my bathroom. Nah, I'll just sit here for a bit and then catch some TV.

Yesterday was pretty monotonous at work (that's actually a GREAT thing considering how Monday went. No principal. No assistant principal. That's right folks, the counselors are next in command! A fight at lunch. A suicide threat. A DHS referral. A catfight on the bus. A handcuffed student. Yes indeedy, a calm Tuesday was a blessing). It picked up quite a bit in the afternoon. I ran over to my voting location and was pleasantly surprised the line was only four deep. I was in and out in minutes. Headed home to change for "Bootcamp."

That's right, I worked out. For the first time in years. My mom and I used to go to the Y a few years ago and we took a class that a lady named Denise led. Lots of cardio and step and random torture devices like weights and bands and poles and balls. We went for months but eventually stopped going. Anyways, I finally gave into my stepdad and agreed to go to the Bootcamp his office provides for its employees and their families. He had said the instructor was named Denise but I thought it was absolutely impossible for her to be THE Denise. I was wrong. And I'm in some kind of pain today. My legs, my arms, my back, my neck, my "core" (apparently that fitness-ese for abs) are all screaming at me. But I was proud of myself for finally going and, for the most part, keeping up with the group. I was red-faced and stinky by the time it was over, but I did it!

Then I had to haul ass home and get ready for a date. Now, I wasn't so into this (second) date so I didn't shower or anything, just smeared on another layer of deodorant and caked on some more makeup. Threw my hair into my standard headband-pouffy-ponytail combo and headed back out. I tried the whole subtle hints thing all night long. He had offered to pick me up but I said I'd meet him at the restaurant. I had also told him I needed to be home by 9:00. I had previously told him that we could postpone this meeting until after he returned from a business trip. We wrapped up dinner pretty quickly and it was still fairly early so we headed to the movies. In separate vehicles. Yes, he offered to drive again. I declined, telling him it made more sense because we'd be right off the highway and he could just hop on and head back home. In the theater I kept my hands clasped in my lap. The only time he got any "action" was when I shielded my eyes from the gore and he was able to grab the hand nearest him and hold onto it for a few minutes. Afterwards I kept the goodbye as quick as possible but he was still able to sneak in a hug and a peck. I thought I was free and clear when he remembered that he had to take a picture of me for his friends. Apparently he has been telling them about me. And apparently my "subtle hints" tactics aren't working. He's really a pretty neat guy who sounds perfect on paper but there's just nothing there. And I feel bad but I can't help it. What to say to him? I'm apparently going to have to use some words. Because he plans on calling me often while he's on his business trip.

Oh little Buttercup, you're a dream come true...

Ah, Buttercup. My sweet little scooter. That hates me. Now I know that it's been four months since I've spent any time with her. And that I had her for less than a month when I stopped spending time with her. But still...she should not be so tempermental yet. My pal Val and I got excited about spending time on our scooters during this abnormally gorgeous November weather. She hopped on White Lightning and headed over to my place. I had drilled new holes in my license plate so it could be displayed properly and had even grabbed a towel to wipe my baby down.

I pulled her out of the garage and tried to start her. Now, I admit that it has been four months to the day since I've ridden and I needed a quick tutorial on how to start her up. We sat there for minutes and she wouldn't turn over. Val made a quick call to scooter maven Sacha and we tried to kickstart her. Still nothing. Buttercup's battery is a little depressed from the lack of attention I guess. Drats! But at least we snapped a few photos (for my eHarmony profile - a whole other post topic) in between laughing our heads off and breaking a sweat trying to crank that kickstart.

Here's a brief visual timeline of my relationship with Buttercup...

Wednesday, June 11 - picking her up to take her home. I didn't know how to drive a scooter, so Valerie drove her back to my place.
Later that afternoon - Valerie gave me a lesson and I was on my way. A natural indeed!
Thursday, June 12 - I found myself thrown off of the scooter and onto the roadside as she careened into a ditch. Maybe not such a natural after all...The scars are still really bad!

I continued to ride for a couple more weeks until I was shaken up by a young kid who was riding his scooter in my neighborhood in early July. He ran a stop sign and hit a moving vehicle. He died on my street corner. My house was the backdrop for the live newsfeed that evening.

November 2 - Well, at least she still looks cute.

Rally!

I have been dealing with a particulary ugly situation involving a boy. And my gal pals have been a fantastic support to me. Each of them has offered great advice with a different perspective. They all, however, agree that I should not give in and talk to the jerk again. This is an excerpt from an email my spud bud Valerie wrote me today:

"DO NOT CAVE AT ALL. Think of him as long gone. No more communication. He does not have good motives. He does not have your best interests at heart. He lies. He cheats. He does not want a commitment. Period."

Yep, that about sums it up. I cut and pasted it into a word document, shrunk it, and taped it to the back of my phone. Just in case I feel the urge to give in and text the loser.

Little Miss M turns three.

My former foster baby turned three years old last Saturday. I was invited to her party and took my nephew and sister along. It was a Hannah Montana/Transformers party theme. Go figure. Complete with Pin the Tail on the Donkey, a balloon pit, and a pinata. Little Miss M was shy at first but then warmed up to me again. She seems pretty happy and healthy. I felt a little weird to be there with her family but I'm grateful they're okay with me coming around. I love this little girl so much!

"I three!"

Too much fun (and sugar) for one day!

I heart Halloween

I don't know what it is about this holiday but I love it! Each year I get more and more into it. I'm not over the top with tombstones in my yard or creepy candy bowls and reach out and grab you or anything like that. I just like the idea that kiddos (and adults) can get dressed up and be someone else for a day. Like this...

And I love to decorate for Halloween. I only pull out my Christmas tree once every two or three years (because who really wants to put it all back up again?) but I can do Halloween every year. Here are a few shots from around my house:

A Long Time Coming

Over a month has lapsed...impressive, I know. Well, it's certainly been a full month. Some highlights: traveled to England, babysat my former foster baby, invited my little sister to move in with me, went to a biker rally, and took in a stray cat.

September 5-9: London, England.

Saturday - Jason and I hit the ground running. Hopped on the double-decker tour bus and learned the skinny on the city. Toured St. Paul's Cathedral and climbed the hundreds of stairs to get the Whispering Gallery and hundreds more to the observation deck around the dome. Travel tip for those of you considering the cathedral...save it for one of your last days abroad. My legs were so sore for the rest of the trip, most of which was on foot! Hit the Tate Modern museum. Warhol, Mondrian, Picasso, Leichenstein, you get the gist. Dinner in Picadilly Circus.

Sunday - National Gallery and Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Gardens, Houses of Parliament (Big Ben!), Tower of London (crown jewels!), Jack the Ripper walking tour. Scrumptious dinner at Wagamama and two different pubs. Monday - British Museum (Rosetta Stone), Notting Hill and Portabello Road Market, the Tate Britain (Ophelia is currently on display in Japan. Of course!), Union Station, Harrold's (shopping heaven) and Harvey Nick's. Spent the evening in Beaconsfield (pronounced "Beckinsfield") with Jason's work colleagues (could have listened to the Brits talk for hours!) at the most delicious Chinese restaurant ever. Could have done without the teeny tiny hotel room and lone twin bed. "Cosy" it was not.

September 12-14: 48 solid hours of toddlerhood. Wowza. I was so glad to see Little Miss M. that Friday evening. By Saturday morning I was ready to turn her over again! She was sweet and she was ornery and she was awful...everything a two-year-old should be. She seems to be doing just fine. Of that I am truly glad.

September 26-28: Bikes, Blues, and Barbecue in Fayetteville, AR. The rally was actually Thursday through Saturday, but I was in the area Friday through Sunday. If anyone would have told me a year ago that I'd soon be on the back of a Harley and attending bike rallies I'm pretty sure I would have laughed out loud. But I think it's so much fun! Maybe because it's so much of a shift from my "real life." I tell you, if my butt didn't hurt so badly after long rides and I hadn't experienced that pesky little scooter "incident" this summer, I might consider having a bike of my own sometime down the road.

September 29: I brought home a cat. A coworker's son found this little kitty in a QT parking lot and didn't have the heart to take off without her. Having considered the possibility of cat ownership for the better part of a year, I decided to give it a whirl. She's sweet and cute and is now named Olive.

Furthermore, my little sister is making some big decisions and we're going to try the whole roommate thing for a while. Hopefully it will give her the financial boost she needs to make her goals a reality. I think it will be okay but I can't shake the memories of chasing after her in Casa Bonita when she used MY quarter on a skeeball machine that went berserk and spat out the longest trail of tickets. I still believe I was the rightful owner of at least half of those tickets!

And no, I still haven't found that snake!