Road Rage - Grrr!

5/15/11 – Since it is Sunday, I have something to confess.  I Shea Bamberg have road rage.  I think I’ve known this about myself for a while but I have finally reached a breaking point.

I don’t understand people who just putter along.  Why even drive?  Why not walk or bike?  Help save the planet and get out of my way – win, win. I think all this animosity is really brought about by school buses.  I fully support school buses.  Carpooling is great and it keeps more cars off the road as I’m trying to make it in to work.  My real problem that stems from school buses is parents who can’t get their child to the bus stop on time.  I wind up getting stuck behind the bus.  The kids that are on time get on and I think “Not too bad.  Let’s get going.” And then a door opens.  That, my friends, is the problem.  The door opens and a lady and her daughter saunter over to the bus stop (the key word is “saunter”).  They take their time.  No, don’t worry, there’s not any one stuck behind the bus who needs to get to work on time.  Not important that you stay at home all day and the only real responsibility you have is to get your child onto the school bus on time.  Not important.  So the kid finally gets on the bus and of course the lady needs to share something special with the driver.  As the bus finally drives off she waves sweetly and says “I love you” like a sweet mom.

Over it!  So over it.  This is where my road rage stems from.  Kids are sweet.  School buses are good.  I should be thinking sweet thoughts – kittens and lollipops.  Not me.  As I’m waiting on the bus and this inconsiderate lady I’m seriously considering honking and tailgating the bus.  Tailgating them would do no good because it’s not like the driver would even be able to see me.  I consider rolling down my window and yelling at the mom that I’m glad she has all the time in the world because some of us aren’t so lucky – I’m horrible, right? 

However, I realize the mom is not fully to blame.  She’s not really the one that I’m mad with.  She might be having a long morning and she seems really loving toward her daughter.  The one that I really am upset with is the bus driver.  He or she is the one that stayed.  All the kids were on the bus.  He hesitated.  He intentionally held up traffic and waited.  I blame the bus driver.  Unfortunately his vehicle is bigger than mine, but if I were to meet him on a dodge ball court it would be ON!

So, all the school bus drama leads to further rage toward other drivers that get in my way.  In my mind everyone is intentionally slowing me down.  I don’t have time for this.  Where did they learn to drive?  By the time I make it to my destination I am frustrated and tired.  This should explain my constant snarkiness.  It is brought on by negligent drivers.  I exempt myself from all responsibility.

The last few days have been great.  I went to watch Something Borrowed with friends.  It was hilarious.  I highly recommend it.  Since I was watching so much Reba last week I was easily able to pick out “Van” in the movie.  He looked completely different.  I also did some shopping therapy to relieve my road rage (that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it).  I also had a great cheat day.  I managed to eat an entire pizza all on my own (don’t judge me – you would do it too).  I’ve been feeling great and have had a very busy week and weekend.

If I could have anything to eat I would love to have one of our left over cookies from our cheat day.  My song of the day is “Closing Time” by Semi Sonic.  I’ve had this song stuck in my head the past two days – ever since the previews at the movie.

http://grooveshark.com/s/Closing+Time/2pxwMU?src=5

Night y’all!

Blogs vs. Diaries

5/13/11 – Happy Friday!

Yesterday I went to post my blog and received a notice “blogger service not available”.  What?!  I have to have the link.  I need the link.  I write all this weird stuff about things I observe and my life and people want/need to read it.  If I just wrote all this stuff and no one read it that would just be a diary.  Diaries are for elementary and middle school kids, not 28 year olds.

I learned the hard way that having a diary doesn’t work out in the end.  It is really sad because you get this cool diary that looks all pretty and even has a lock and a key.  You write all your crushes.  Things that people did to you or things that you did to them.  How your parents just don’t understand.  What your favorite color is.  What you want for your birthday.  How you’re gonna grow up and be some cool movie star or rocker and other random things.  You really let loose and share all your secrets – with a book.  A b-o-o-k.  The first rule of keeping things a secret is never write it down.  Once it is written, it is out there.  No pretty cover, no key, no “keep out or else”, no special hiding space (under my mattress) can save you.  You’re out there.  You’re exposed.  Exposed to ridicule and shame.  Shame. 

What happened to me to make writing in a diary so traumatic?  2 words – little sister.  What is it about little sisters that make them so sneaky?  Growing up I seriously underestimated her powers.  Yes, I did mean things to her (hey, it’s sister code, you have to be mean to your little sister when growing up) but I never searched for her diary or let alone read it.  Let me just take a moment to say that I believe this shows my high moral character even at a young age – sorry Erin, you lose.  But really she got me in the end.  She snuck around and found my diary.  I’m not sure how she opened it.  Maybe she is good at picking locks?  Maybe those things just don’t have good locks in the first place?  Maybe she knew where I hid the key since she already knew my secret hiding place for my diary why not the key too?  She read my diary!  Not only did she read my diary but she talked about it.  What a fool!  What a fool I had been writing all that stuff down.  Touché Erin, touché.  That my friends, is why writing in a diary is a bad idea.  It will only lead to shame and disappointment.

Now, I just write all my random thoughts and feelings into this blog.  Yes, I am basically doing the same thing as allowing you to read my personal diary but the difference is that I know you are reading it.  I can fabricate anything I want to and you would never know.  That is why I like blogging.  I can be me or I can be someone else.  It’s up to the informed reader, who can read between the lines, to decipher the real from the make believe.  Blogging beats a diary any day.

I have had a great Friday.  Mom is in town to run in the Warrior Dash tomorrow.  If I could have anything to eat I would like a milkshake.  My song of the day is “Smooth Criminal” (because Erin stole my diary) by Alien Ant Farm.

http://grooveshark.com/s/Smooth+Criminal/2vB4Fi?src=5

Night y’all!

No, I'm not trashy!

5/12/11 – Can you believe it’s Thursday?  That sentence might seem a little odd to some of you because you may be living for the weekend and Friday can’t come fast enough.  I had this realization today while at work.  I tend to lose track of the days of the week, so I was reminding myself that it was Thursday.  I realized the week has seemed to go by quickly.  Tomorrow is Friday.  I’m not ready for Friday.  I would like to hang on to this week a little longer.  It has been lovely.  In the past I would never have said that.  I was a “can’t wait for the weekend” person.  The weekend was my time to do what I wanted.  No waking up early, no traffic unless I wanted to be in traffic, no responsibilities except for the ones that I chose.  The weekend was the pinnacle of the week.  It didn’t get any better than that. Now, I relish a boring Tuesday of a good week.  Friday comes too fast.

As I was driving home today I had another random observation.  No, I did not see any teenage girls walking around in bathing suits, thank God.  What I did notice was trash.  I turn on to this small road to get to my subdivision.  It is filled with a variety of houses from mid to low income level.  They are all relatively well maintained homes regardless of the size or type of house.  So, I’m cruising down the road and notice that house after house after house has piles of garbage lying on the side of the road awaiting pick up.  As I pass the 2^nd pile of junk I start to look at what is being trashed.  It is important to note that this trash is not in bags or in trash cans.  It is simply laid out on the side of the road.  I’m looking at each pile I pass and I see a theme – mattresses.  Mattresses.  House after house after house (maybe it skipped one or two, but not many) has some form of a mattress laid outside for disposal.

Interesting.  All these mattresses got me to thinking.  “Why are there so many mattresses outside for pickup?”  “Where did they come from?”  “Did all these people just have stacks of mattresses lying around their house that they did not need?”  “Why are they all getting rid of them at the same time?  Is this some special pickup?”  The sheer volume of the mattresses really bothered me.  I feel like I need to know what these people are doing and why they all have these extra mattresses.  Am I supposed to keep an extra mattress handy for some reason?  Was there a mattress sale that I missed out on? Seriously.  I must know.

Now all this garbage – let’s just be honest here, it bordered more on the “crap” designation if I were the judge of it – was not in bags.  Zero bags.  This leads me to another point.  Why is it not in a bag or a trash can?  Who is their trash company?  Where I live (a few miles down the road) we have a designated trash company.  We have huge trash cans along with a similar size recycle bin – Todd and I are avid recyclers.  (Like how I use the term “avid” like recycling is a sport?)  We can’t just place random crap out on the road.  Our trash company would refuse to pick it up and our neighbors might send us a dirty letter.  We have to call for a special pickup and can only place one item outside a week.  I do not understand.  What trash company just picks up garbage on the side of the road?  Isn’t that what community service details do, not trash companies?

I find it fascinating how much I can talk about the subject of garbage.  What does that say about me?  That I’m trashy?  Nah.  That I don’t put up with trashiness?  Maybe….  Maybe that’s what it is.  Is “trashiness” even a word?

On that note, I have one more trash story to round out the day.  As I mentioned earlier Todd and I do a lot of recycling.  We weren’t always so green.  I don’t know if I would even say that I’m a green person today.  I just figure why NOT recycle?  No excuse, so I do.  When Todd and I first started recycling we were given this little tub by our trash company.  Todd and I easily filled the tub and had even more recycling.  We didn’t have enough room to recycle everything each time and were developing a recycling overflow – not acceptable.  Todd spoke with the garbage company and they said “Oh, if you have a bin of your own you can place that out at the road too and the recycle truck will pick up those items.”  Perfect.  In our kitchen we have 2 trash cans – one for trash and one for recycling.  When our pick up day came we placed our designated bin out by the road along with our plastic trash can filled with recycling.  When I came home that day I noticed that the garbage company had picked up our trash can as well as the recycling in it.  I guess the recycling sign on the side made them think to take it?  Maybe they are avid recyclers as well and thought they had totally scored with a whole trash can being recycled?  Todd called the trash company and explained what happened.  They said they would replace our trash can and give us an additional bin.  Fine.  The following day I came home and found a huge trash can (like the ones that go out on the street – huge!) in my driveway along with another bin.  Um… I’m NOT putting a huge black trash bin with a hinge top in my kitchen.  Nope, not gonna do it.  I have an image to maintain, plus it would not coordinate with my kitchen colors.  Todd and I decided to buy a new trash can for inside the house and we now use the huge trash bin for our recycling pickup.  We fill it almost every week.  Back to the recycling being like a sport for Todd and I, if you were to look through our neighborhood (and probably your own) most people have the bins and that’s enough.  Todd and I have a recycle can slightly smaller than our trash can – that’s pretty large.  We would win the recycling challenge hands down, if it were actually a challenge that is.

Enough about garbage and on to lighter topics.  I felt great today.  Another good day.  If I could have anything to eat I would still like frozen yogurt from Yogli Mogli.  On my cheat day all I’m going to eat is pizza and frozen yogurt.  The whole day.  My song of the day is “Take Out the Trash” by They Might Be Giants.

http://grooveshark.com/s/Take+Out+The+Trash/1XODK?src=5

Night y’all!

"They're like beautiful....queens."

5/11/11 – I hope everyone had a good Wednesday.  I had a busy but good day.  I worked a little longer than my usual half day at work, half day at home.  I stayed at work until almost 4:00 and I was beat! I hit Target on the way home to decompress and later had some well deserved “chair time” outside.

My throat is still sore but I am happy to report that I don’t have thrush this time.  It seems to just be allergies.  Who would have thought that I would be happy to have allergies?  Not me.

I know it’s been a while since I have mentioned Jessica Simpson Collection.  I still have a lot of rage.  I was talking to Todd about how I needed to check and see if they had processed the credit.  They sent me product due to false advertising and were very unhelpful with correcting the problem, so I was due.  To be honest I think they still owe me for pain and suffering.  Anyway, off my soapbox, they processed the credit.  I am now free to let it go. 

Todd and I have been watching a lot of Reba because we are switching to Dish Network.  Todd went ahead a cancelled our Direct TV to prevent having another billing cycle.  I really like Reba.  It’s easy to watch and though the comedy is corny it is still funny to me.  I’m not sure what that says about me.  As Todd and I were watching our 10^th Reba of the night he turned to me and said, “You remind me of her.”  “Who, Reba?”  He said “No, Barbara Jean.”  Hunh.  I remind him of the woman who stole Reba’s husband, became disillusioned that she was Reba’s best friend, constantly annoys Reba and is quite frankly crazy – over dramatic and crazy crazy.  Yes, I am overly theatrical and I like to act a little crazy from time to time, but really?  Barbara Jean?  It’s good to know Todd’s real feelings towards me.  One of my favorite quotes from Barbara Jean is “I always wanted to be a beauty queen.  They’re like beautiful… queens.”

Alright, now on to a random observation that I made today.  As I was driving home I noticed a crowd of teenage girls at one of the houses (not in my neighborhood) I passed wearing short shorts and bathing suit tops.  Bathing suit tops?  Bathing suit tops?!  I instantly start thinking random thoughts “Why are these girls out in front – front! – of a house with only bathing suit tops for their shirt?”  “Why is there a large gathering of teenage girls?  What are they up to?”  “Would my parents have let me parade around the neighborhood wearing short shorts and a bikini top?” – doubtful, highly doubtful. 

I just don’t get it.  Isn’t it like inviting trouble?  There are creepers everywhere.  What kind of guys does that invite?  My answer is “none that you would really want to date.”  I mean, have you seen the guys that chase scantily clad girls?  Nevermind, I guess that’s all guys.  So, be on the lookout.  There are teenage girls randomly walking around neighborhoods with shorts and bikini tops on.  The first taste of warm weather and people go crazy.   

The allergies are starting to kick in, so I’m making this a short one, plus Todd and Buster are sleeping on the couch and one of them is snoring and it sounds like a dying animal.  Better wake them up fast.  If I could have anything to eat I would like some frozen yogurt from Yogli Mogli.  I really want this a LOT!  My song of the day is “I’m a Survivor” by Reba.

http://grooveshark.com/s/I+m+A+Survivor/2DTXG7?src=5

Night y’all!

To Wait or Not to Wait for a Parking Spot

5/9/11 – Ok, let’s get down to business.  How many of you wait for parking spots?  There!  I said it.  Might as well confess and get it out in the open.  There’s no judgement here – who am I kidding?  There’s plenty of judgement. – I have a thing about people waiting for parking spots. 

Some of you might be wondering what brought this out?  Obviously a close encounter with a car waiting for a spot, but there are details.  I find that I have certain “rules” when it comes to waiting for a parking spot. 

1.       Is it Christmas? – Christmas shopping is a pain no matter how you slice it.  Traffic is horrible, the malls are crowded, and I’m overall in a grumpy mood because of points 1 and 2.  Though waiting for a spot does not endear me to a person in any way I am willing to overlook it at Christmas time because finding a good parking spot is hard if not impossible.

2.       Is the car currently in the process of backing out? – This is an important point.  If I have to wait for you to get out of my way in order to look for my own parking spot you better not make me wait long.  If the car is already backing out I’m generally more inclined to not think ill of you (unless you decide to back into the spot – that’s a whole other rant).

3.       Are you in my way?  - Sometimes, only sometimes people who are waiting for a spot will leave room on one side in order to allow other cars to pass.  I appreciate people like this.  Other people tend to take up both sides of the lane daring anyone to challenge their soon to be spot.  That just makes me mad.  I tend to have “Fried Green Tomatoes” thoughts but I am not old enough to have more insurance or money than someone else, not that I haven’t contemplated crashing into someone who makes me mad on the road.  Road rage?  I have no idea what you’re talking about.

4.        Is your car nicer than mine? – True, this probably isn’t too hard to do.  What the Gallant lacks in style it makes up in gas mileage.  This point is completely shallow, but it is true.  I’m not inclined to like you or be tolerant of having to wait on you if your car is nicer than mine.  Maybe I have entitlement issues? 

What happened to make this an issue worthy of blogging was this:  Yesterday was my cheat day.  I, for some reason, have the overwhelming urge to try all cupcake stores in the Atlanta area.  Since I can only do this on my cheat day I HAD to have a cupcake yesterday.  Todd and I had been at church and I was worn out and hungry – not a good combination.  We were checking out Give Me Some Suga in Suwanee Town Center.  We pulled into the circle and BOOM!  - car waiting to get someone’s spot.  It is obviously not Christmas time.  The car that they were waiting on wasn’t backing out already.  The people were packing things in their trunk.  The car took up the entire road way.  And, on top of that it was a Lexus.  Check, check, check, and check.  I did not care for these people one bit.  Fortunately Todd was driving, so the poor suckers were spared the wrath of Shea.  I was slightly put off but I made it to my cupcake shop and all was forgotten.  Icing is the cure of all ills. 

Now for the big questions: Are you a person that waits for parking spots?  Do you live anywhere close to me?  Do you abide by the list of specific rules that makes waiting for spots acceptable?  Again, do you live anywhere close to me?  Maybe I should shop online for the good of humanity.  Thoughts...?

In case any of you are reading to see how I’m feeling I’m doing good today.  Sundays take a lot out of me being at church and around a lot of people, but I enjoy it.  As long as I stay hopped up on caffeine I am good to go.  My hands have been going numb a lot lately.  I basically ignore it as best as possible.  Still very weird.  I feel like I’m starting to get a sore throat again which in all honesty scares me.  I handled thrush the first time maintaining what little grace I had left.  I’m not sure how graceful I will be if I get it again and am sick for 5 weeks in a row.  That just doesn’t seem fair to me.  Like I said, I have entitlement issues, so obviously I feel that after having a somewhat rough 3 weeks I should have one good week before having chemo again.  That’s only fair, right?  I have taken my Flintstones vitamins (yes, I really do take Flintstones), drank some of my icky throat sore mouthwash, and have taken a Claratin trying to prevent anything further from developing.  I am hoping this is just allergies.  Maybe I should break out the IcyHot just for good measure.  In all honesty I like to joke about a lot of things, but am hoping and praying that I’m not getting thrush again.  I would appreciate any prayers that this would just be something minor and allow me to have a good week.

If I could have anything to eat I would like a bowl of red velvet ice cream.  I saw a commercial for it last night.  I did not know that such a thing existed and now feel that I have to try it, though I don’t know if I should.  What if it’s not what it’s hyped up to be?  That would be disappointing and I would have wasted all those calories.  I still think I should try it.  My song of the day is the Friend’s theme song, just because it’s fun, and we need a little fun.

http://grooveshark.com/s/Ill+Be+There+For+You/Folpc?src=5

Night y’all!

Two Toothpicks

5/7/11 – Saturdays are probably my favorite days.

Todd and I started our day out with a little league game.  We went and watched Jacob (he lives in our neighborhood) play.  All the little dudes were cute and hilarious.  It was a beautiful day for a game.

After the game Todd and I got down to business – shopping.  I had to go to the Loft to get the dress that I had fallen in love with online.  I had to.  I found it without a problem and fortunately it lived up to expectation.  I then continued on with my mission to find a headband for Ashley’s wedding.  I went to Charming Charlie but struck out.  I then hit H&M and struck gold.  I found a fabric headband that is stain-looking, would match my dress perfectly and not stand out too much, and would be comfy because it doesn’t have any plastic in it at all.  Score!

Shopping had taken a lot out of me.  I was starting to fade fast.  I think Todd could tell because he suggested lunch.  He was in a mood for Chinese so we go chicken teriyaki.  In case you were wondering 2 toothpicks is code for no rice, extra vegetables.  I know.  It changed my life too. 

I wanted to check out Nordstrom Rack to see if there were any dresses that I couldn’t live without.  For some reason they did not have a very good selection for the price.  I could have bought another dress at the Loft for the same price.  I tried on 3 dresses and none of them looked good on me.  After trying on all the dresses I was fading fast again.  Trying on clothes takes a lot out of a girl.  I all but ran to the truck to drink some more Coke to give me an extra push.

The man cave is slowly becoming a reality so Todd and I checked out American Signature and Rooms to Go for furniture options.  I found a few things that I like.  Todd managed to lose his phone at Rooms to Go after we had already left so we had to go back and search the store.  He found his phone in a row of recliners with built in cup holders and electronic reclining.  The salesman said the piece had chosen him, or at least his phone.  Negative Ghost Writer, I get to pick out the furniture!

After locating Todd’s phone we headed to “the happiest place on earth” – contrary to popular belief it is not Disney World.  We went to DSW.  DSW always makes me feel better because shoes always fit.  I’ve been in a shoe rut since starting chemo.  I can only wear flats or wedges because I tend to lose my balance and fall very easily.  Wedges!  I need more wedges.  Todd needed wedding shoes – Chuck Taylors – for Ashley’s wedding so we both bought a pair of shoes.  After scouring the store and trying on countless pairs of shoes I found a cute pair of light pink wedges that fit the bill.  Shoes always make me happy.

Finally mine and Todd’s shopping expedition was over.  We headed home to paint the man cave.  I traded shopping for hard labor.  It was well worth the price.  Forget the fact that the painting that I did was mostly from a sitting position.  It was still hard work.  Cut me a break!  I had chemo this week.

Before I started painting I decided to try on my bridesmaid’s dress that I’ve had for several weeks and have neglected to try on.  When I ordered the dress I was in that in between phase.  I could have gotten a size down but I decided to stick with the larger size since people generally gain weight while going through chemo.  Since I have lost some weight I was expecting the skirt to be very loose because it was loose in the store.  I pulled out the skirt and top to try on and when I went to put the skirt on it wouldn’t fit!  I had to put the skirt on over my head!  My head!  That does something to a girl’s self esteem.  I know I haven’t gained weight since I tried on the skirt in the store.  I may be in denial but I am telling myself that the skirt is mislabeled and is really a size down from what I ordered.  Perfectly rational, right? 

Well, that has been my day.  I am absolutely worn out!  I finally sat down once dinner was ready and I do not intend to get up until I head to bed.  I’m tired.  Tomorrow is my cheat day – yay!  If I could have anything to eat right now I would like some fresh fruit.  My song of the day is another rock song.  I woke up to this and have had it stuck in my head all day, not sure what that says about me.  “Monster” by Skillet.  “I, I feel like a monster!” Hahaha!

http://grooveshark.com/s/Monster+radio+Edit+/2EXcLW?src=5

Night y’all!

Happy FriDee!

My funny face.

5/6/11 – Happy Friday!

Today has been another chemo Friday.  They are all about the same.  I feel bad but it’s always better than Thursday.  It’s been the same ol’ same ol’ – tired and nauseous.  It will be over soon enough, just gotta make it through.

I received a new Loft card in the mail the other day and BOOM! I’ve been bitten by the shopping bug.  Just like that.  I think retailers plan things like this.  They update your card, and of course it looks way cuter than the card you had before.  Then the new card comes with coupons.  Coupons!  If you don’t use them it’s like throwing away money, right?  Like any good shopaholic I had to go to their website to see if there was anything I couldn’t live without.  One chance to guess the answer to that question.  Yes!  There is a black dress that MUST have.  I’m now obsessed with attaining this dress.  I need this dress.  Darn you Loft!

I plan to hit the Loft tomorrow morning and then check out one of my other favorites – Charming Charlie.  Charming Charlie is an accessorizors dream.  Necklaces, earrings, scarves, bracelets, headbands all in color order.  I heart headbands and any other accessories for that matter.  I am on the lookout for a black headband to wear to Ashley’s wedding.  I’ve embraced the headband to cover my slightly thinning hair in the front.  It is a brilliant disguise and I look cute too.

Speaking of hair loss, remember when I mentioned that there is a program that sends a scarf to people who are experiencing hair loss due to chemo?  France Luxe.  I sent in my order a few weeks ago.  I picked out several blue toned scarves that I could totally rock hair or no hair.  Well, my scarf came in the mail today.  It came along with a guide on how to wear the scarf and a card signed by their office staff.  How cool is that?  I thought it was very sweet.  The scarf is beautiful and is silk.  I wasn’t expecting silk.  I would have been happy with cotton.  I will definitely feel good wearing this scarf no matter the situation.  If anyone is experiencing or has a relative or friend experiencing hair loss due to chemo you should definitely check out France Luxe and their good wishes program.

I’ve noticed lately that some people do not pronounce the days of the week the same way I do.  This got me to thinking, which is correct?  Have any of you said or heard someone pronounce “Thursday” as “Thursdee”?  I’ve noticed it a lot lately.  My dad said it the other day, then I noticed Neil Boortz and Tom Shane from the Shane Company do it as well on their commercials and radio show.  I don’t know how I feel about this, but I just don’t understand where it comes from.  I’m 80% certain that it’s not Southern – I’m Southern and I don’t say “dee”.  Day.  Day.  How does that turn into Dee?  Does it just roll off the tongue easier?  I don’t think so.  Question: How many of you are now saying the days of the week trying to decide how you pronounce them?  I’m definitely a “day” person. 

Thanks for putting up with all my randomness tonight.  If I could have anything to eat I would like a red velvet cupcake.  Yum!  My song of the day is “Heart Shaped Box” by Nirvana.  I’ve been listening to rock today because I was driving Todd’s truck and didn’t have the desire or strength to change the station. 

http://grooveshark.com/s/Heart+Shaped+Box/3qwmSU?src=5

Night y’all!