I've been working on this post for weeks. Some of this is now outdated, but I'm not editing anything. You get it all.
1) The deer were back! I would really like it if they ate all the greenery in our yard.
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| Hey, is that a jungle? No, it's our backyard and our algae-stained siding! |
2) Do you know what Michelle sent me? A dragon the size of a teacup!! I nearly died with the cuteness. Thank you so much, Michelle. She holds a pride of place in my office.
3) Last weekend was my birthday weekend! I was a lady who lunched! On Sunday, my actual birthday, I lunched with some friends in town. On Monday, I met with Sarah, Birchie, and Kyria in Madison for a quick brunch. There was cake and presents! What a life.
The water bottle is a thing. So, I'm sort of a picky witch about water bottles. I hate plastic ones. I don't want a straw (impossible to clean - FIGHT ME ON THIS). I have been using a dented old metal Nathan one (Nathan doesn't even make metal bottles anymore) that wobbles because of all the dents, but earlier in the summer, the carabiner clip BROKE on the lid and my husband had less and less patience for me and my busted, wobbly water bottle. USE ANOTHER ONE, he implored.
He bought me this one. Here's the sssshhhh secret. I don't like it. I hate the mint green color. This can be fixed with a judicious use of stickers. But more than that. The lid is plastic. I don't want my lips to touch plastic (this is a sensory thing - plastic has a *smell* and apparently no one else gets it, but I DO). Okay, I can take off the lid. Well, that's all well and good, but then I have to put the top down and IT DOESN'T LAY FLAT.
It was a thoughtful gift, but there's a reason I was still using the busted Nathan one.
(Also, I really am grateful he bought it for me. You know I'm going to use it until it, too, is busted. And then I'll find an old Nathan water bottle on eBay.)
4) I'm going to Indianapolis this weekend to see Garth Brooks in concert with TJC!! Woot woot! We saw him in Rockford, IL in 2014, Detroit in 2015 (we went with my mom, sister, and BIL, and they were SUCH DOWNERS - don't go to concerts with people who don't share your concert vibe), and Columbus in 2016. Having a blog with all these details is AMAZING. Anyway, I'm going to have so so so so much fun.
5) It wouldn't be a Five by Friday post if I didn't tell you a little bit about how disappointed I am with my fellow humans. I was driving home Wednesday night after a very long workday in which I ran a training for all the faculty advisors in my college. I was looking forward to yoga and convincing my husband that a frozen pizza is a healthy dinner option. As I drove along the river, a woman was literally LYING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD trying to stand up and she kept falling over. A man was with her, but he seemed unable to help her up. I watched THREE CARS in front of me pass by her. I pulled over as soon as it was safe to stop and ran back to help her.
I watched ANOTHER THREE CARS drive by as I ran towards her.
Anyway, the man and I helped her up and walked her to her car. She was shaking and her knee was terribly scraped. I asked if they wanted me to call an ambulance or run to my house (like three blocks away) to get first aid stuff. They declined and drove away.
WHY DIDN'T ANYONE ELSE STOP?
I honestly thought the boys on the roof situation was the last time I would deal with this. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE? I don't think of myself as the kindest/most helpful person in the world, but I was literally crying as I drove the three blocks home. Why are we not helping people who need help? Is this just my town? I love my town. I'm a big booster for it. But maybe my town doesn't have anyone's back? I apologize for the all caps but WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?
Good for you for stopping. I don't think it's just your town, I think this happens everywhere, which is a sad and unfortunate truth.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had such a good birthday and wow, that cake looks delicious!
First of all- Happy Belated Birthday!!! But, I'm also mad at you that you didn't tell us ahead of time that your birthday was coming up so we could shower you with cards and gifts. If you did mention it, then I missed it and I'm mad at myself. But, I'm very glad that you got a blogger birthday celebration with presents and cake!!! Also, I'm having a possible water bottle epiphany. My daughter is constantly complaining about the taste of her water. We've actually replaced our entire filtration system, and we make her ice specially and keep it separate just for her.... and she's still complaining. I WONDER IF IT'S ACTUALLY THE SMELL OF THE PLASTIC LID. I'm not sure what the answer is, since I doubt I can find a water bottle without a plastic lid. But I will suggest that she take the lid off when she drinks, and see if that fixes it.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this will make you feel better or worse, but I'm pretty sure if I were lying by the side of the road, people would stop to help. I say this because I've had times where I'm out running, and have to stop and fix something in my shoe- so I'm sitting on the sidewalk and someone always stops to ask if I need help. I've also been out running in the rain, and had people stop to ask if I need a ride. I will say that if it were a busier road, I'm not sure people would stop. Also I'm not sure if they would stop if it were dark. Not sure if either of those apply in your case? Also... what if it had been a man lying by the side of the road- would you have stopped? I think sometimes people are afraid for their own safety, which is also kind of sad.
Wait...why not return the water bottle and get one that you want?
ReplyDeleteThat cake tho...I am drooling. Also frozen pizza is an excellent dinner.
My daughter is not particularly a country music fan, but she said that a Garth Brooks concert was really good. This was a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteAs far as stopping to help others, good for you. The passersby probably thought it was too socialistic to help others.
I saw Garth Brooks when he was the "opening act" for the Judds' Farewell Tour. He was an amazing opening act! And I agree, only go to concerts, or anywhere really, with likeminded people. Have a blast!
ReplyDeletePeople not stopping to help happens everywhere and I think it's sometimes out of fear, too busy to wait for police/ambulance etc. Just two days ago there was a car accident during rush hour a block up the street from our house - guy ran into the stop sign coming down the hill - several cars drove by before one lady pulled over. I saw this as I was walking up the hill after I heard the crash. Thankfully there are people like you and that other lady.
ENGIE. First of all, Sarah AND Birchie AND Kyria!!!! What a banner day!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I share your aversion to both straws (HORK/DISGUST/BARF FOREVER) and having plastic touch my lips (GROSS). Please please please, return the water bottle and get one that will not bother you all day every day. Your husband -- I AM SURE -- wants you to have a water bottle you like more than a water bottle he bought you.
Here is an alternative: the Waterdrop Thermo Steel water bottle with bamboo cap. I do not know anything about this company, but they have a water bottle with no straw and a metal lip to drink from: https://tinyurl.com/46r3t39x Also: IT COMES IN PURPLE.
Second, ugh. That poor woman! It was so kind of you to stop and help. I like to think I would also have stopped, but maybe I would have seen that a man was already helping her and I would have driven past as well???? I don't know!!! My suspicion is that most people are purely oblivious. They are in their own heads or are busy texting or crafting mental responses to emails or worrying about their marriages or whatever and they simply don't notice the world around them. Is obliviousness better than willful disregard? Not sure. I'm glad you stopped.
Frozen pizza is one of nature's perfect foods.
YAY GARTH BROOKS!!!! Which songs are you most excited to hear?
Wait, I did not mean to skip over the darling dragon that Michelle sent. Adorable and fierce in equal measure.
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