Why my feet get tired at the Post Office

Today after work, I went to the post office. I knew it was going to be busy. Its Friday and I arrived there at 4:00. It was going to be busy. Now - if I knew that, wouldn't you think the post office would know that? Apparently not.

When I arrived, I was the 5th person in line. Not so bad. There were three cashiers at the windows to help. Also, not bad.

Window #1 - As soon as I arrived, she was helping someone but she put up her "Go to the next window" sign. She apparently quit at 4 o'clock.

Window #2 - She was waiting on a man who was looking for a missing package. She "wandered" off somewhere to look for it - apparently in the deep dark crevices of the mail room 'cause I didn't see her again for quite some time.

Window #3 - When I got there, he was waiting on somebody but as soon as that person finished, he walked away.

So there we stood. All of us. All 20 of us.

Window #1 - The manager came out and she asked him if she should go ahead and close up. He said NO! Thank you.

Window #2 - No sign of her. She might be lost.

Window #3 - Again, no sign of him.

Window #1 - the next person in line goes up to her and has to fill out some forms etc. While he is doing that, the cashier's cell phone rings. I thought to myself "Oh no she won't." Well, she did. Seriously. In the United States Post Office! She answered her cell phone! Seriously!

Window #2 - She comes wandering back without the lost package and proceeds to tell the customer how sorry she is.

Window #3 - Nothing

Window #1 - The guy is still filling out his forms.

Window #2 - The next person in line goes up.

Window #3 - The cashier saunters back in with a cup of coffee. The manager asks him if he could help the next person in line. He says "sure". Question: If you have one hour left, why do you need a coffee break?

Anyway - you get my point. After 20 minutes, I get my one little package weighed and sent off.

As I was getting back into my car, my right foot was asleep. Post Office Foot its called.

Look at my smile......

Can you tell by the look on my face how much fun I had in Kansas? Can you see that sweet smile on Braylon's face? That explains my smile!

Kansas vs Washington DC

Kansas: I can walk into IGA and recognize practically everybody there plus get hugs from about 50% of the people.
Washington DC: I can walk into Giant and maybe recognize one of the checkers.

Kansas: I can drive to work in about 15 minutes but end up frustrated with traffic about 75% of the time.
Washington DC: I could drive to work in about 2 minutes and never have to worry about traffic.

Kansas: I can go to church and spend about a half hour afterwards talking to friends.
Washington DC: I can go to church and then leave - everybody is too busy.

Kansas: You can drive for about 5 minutes and end up in the middle of nowhere - its quiet, no traffic, and you can enjoy a wonderful sunrise or sunset.
Washington DC: You can drive for quite some time to get out of the city, end up outside of the city with the same amount of traffic, and probably not see a sunrise or sunset because of all the buildings.

Kansas: You can talk to people you see on the street. You can look them in the eye.
Washington DC: You'd better not talk to anybody on the street, or on the Metro, or in the mall because they might think you're a stalker or a wierdo - or they might be a stalker or a wierdo. And you'd better not look anybody in the eye. They might shoot you.

Kansas: My children are there. Braylon is there.
Washington DC: They are not here.

I just got back from a short weekend in Kansas. I told Jay on the trip home that I felt like I lead two lives - the one in Kansas and the one in Washington DC. I almost feel like two different people because of the huge difference in locations. I'm not saying that I'm not happy where I'm at. I am saying that I'd be happier in Kansas.

And the winner is...........

Kansas. By a country mile. :)

Driving 101

There are just rules. And I'm not talking about the quiz that you take at the Department of Motor Vehicles. I'm talking about rules of the road. Things you should know if you're gonna drive. Things that you should have to swear on a stack of bibles that you will abide by !!!

1. If its rush hour, be it morning or evening, do NOT drive 25 miles an hour.

2. If you pull out in front of someone, punch it Margaret! If you're in that much of a hurry, then DRIVE!!

3. When the light turns green, GO. Pay attention. Drive. The light only stays green for a certain period of time and those of us about 5 cars back would appreciate getting through the light on the first try.

4. If you're going to change lanes, then DO IT!! Don't keep your blinker on for a mile and S L O W L Y pull over into the next lane. Just change lanes!!

5. When you park, stay between the stinking lines. There are only so many spots in front of our apartment and when you've taken up two of them because you do not have good parking skills, I have to park somewhere else.

6. Quit HONKING!!!


It was a bad commute home. That's all I'm saying.

Museum of Natural History

Today we decided to take the Metro downtown and go to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. It was huge. We spent two hours there and really just skimmed the surface. Here is a picture of the Hope Diamond. It was just absolutely beautiful - but truthfully, I don't have a single thing that would look good with it!



They had a large room with a lot of crystals, gems and minerals. I do not remember the name of this mineral but they were just fascinating to look at.




There was a room with a large photography exhibition. This picture of a little monkey looking at his little wet arm was so cute!



Finally - there was a great exhibit of dinosaur bones! Chelsie - they were REAL! I swear!

All in all - we had a nice day and I know we'll go back again to see more!

A Valentine's Day Kiss

I must admit, I'm not a huge Spiderman fan. But this kiss..... Well, it kind of says it all, doesn't it?

Happy Valentine's Day!

The fire pit in the living room

When I got home from work this afternoon, there was no power. We had quite an ice storm last night and it was pretty darn cold. I lit some candles and decided to put a fire in the fireplace. It warmed up the living room nicely - except for the fact that I didn't get the flu opened up far enough - and the smoke just rolled into the living room.

I finally got it opened up - but then I had to slide back the deck doors so that the smoke would go outside. That kind of defeats the purpose of the fire to warm up the living room.

About an hour later, the power came back on - and so did the two smoke alarms. Loud and clear. I could not get them to quit for the life of me. I turned on THREE fans, all blowing the smoke out the deck doors. But no. Finally I called maintenance - and he said that I needed to shut the breaker off and let it be off for a minute - then turn them back on. Finally - they quit.

Now - the deck doors are still open, I'm finishing up the log in the fireplace, there is a smoke residue on the fireplace mantle, and its chilly in the living room because there are still three fans going to air out the smoke.

But I have power now.

2008 Grammy Awards on MSN Music

2008 Grammy Awards on MSN Music

I ran across thie picture of Tina Turner showing up at the Grammy awards. Here's the deal.

She isn't exactly on the "best dressed list" - I mean, if you stand her next to Faith Hill, she loses.

But the deal is, this woman is 68 years old. Yes. 68. I'm just saying.... if you look that good in silver - and your skin looks like hers.....you can wear whatever you darn well please. I say... you go girl.

Just getting out of the city

It really doesn't take long to get out of the city. Last Saturday, Jay and I wanted to get out of the city and away from traffic. It was a pretty nice day, so we headed west.


We found this national park that had hiking trails. I wish we would have planned ahead because we really weren't dressed warm enough to go on a hike - but the scenery was beautiful.


When it gets just a little warmer, we are going to take our backpacks and head out to this place again. There are some long trails and some shorter ones. I'm pretty sure there are no bears.

I just know that it was nice to get away from the city.

MY Nana......

This is obviously an old picture of Braylon (as old as a picture can be when you're only 2 years old) but I just love the little look on his face.

I called to talk to the girls the other evening, and in the process I talked to Braylon for a little bit. They were up at Papa's and Mary's and the boys were around. Braylon got to the phone and promptly told Andy "MY Nana!"

I love that little boy. :)

Where does the line of communication break down?

"Good morning, Christian Stewardship Ministries, this is Sheryl."

"Yes, hi. Is this Falls Church Motors?"

"..........um, no. This is Christian Stewardship Ministries."

"I must have the wrong number. Sorry."



"Good morning, Christian Stewardship Ministires, this is Sheryl."

"Is Alana there?"

"I'm sorry, there is no Alana here."

"Is this Payton Office Furniture?"

"...........No, this is Christian Stewardship Ministries."

"Sorry." Click



"Good morning, Christian Stewardship Ministries, this is Sheryl."

"Is this Best Western?"

"Nope - it sure isn't. Sorry."

"Thanks."



Seriously.