Dangerous Deoderant

Several days ago I posted a little piece on changing my deoderant. Well here's a little update for all of you out there keeping up with my underarms.

I've used Degree forever...well for as long as I can remember. There might have been a few "preteen sticks" somewhere near the beginning, but lets just say forever it's been Degree. Well, because I'm a sucker for commercials I went and bought Dove. Here comes the update and I will warn you...it's kind of nasty and involves big doctory words.

Last Friday I noticed that my underarms were a little bumpy and slightly tender to the touch. I figured I'd shaved just a little to close and left it at that. Saturday I noticed that my underarm was extremely sore and there were two hard pecan size knots under my skin. Yep, knots under my skin near breast tissue. I told my mom and asked her to feel me up. I could barely stand her gentle fingers. Well, it was the weekend...what can you do if the doctors aren't in? I called to make an appointment, but couldn't get in until Wednesday.

So, while I waited to see the doctor I went sans deoderant. I know....gross! But I showered practically twice daily. After stopping the deoderant (began to realize that might be the cause) I realized it might have been the problem. The bumps and knots began to get smaller and were less painful. Anyway, I went in yesterday morning and the doc felt around and got up close and personal with my armpit. Diagnoisis....glandular infection of the sebatious glands. Thankfully, it didn't require lancing or poking of any sort.

So the moral of this story....stick with the tried and true. By the way...first day back on Degree...I smell great (or rather don't smell) and my underarms are feeling back to normal.

Countin' Blessings

With all the horrific devistation that has come with Katrina, I have a strong desire to count my blessings and to be thankful that all of my family are safe and well tonight.

I feel slightly guilty that I am rejoicing in my blessings and the things that the Lord has given me while others are feeling hopeless and are faced with complete destruction of everything they hold near and dear. I pray tonight for those families that are facing the unknown, for those who are rejoicing that family members are safe, and for the ones that sit by the television or in front of the computer and marvel at the forces of nature.

Some Monday funnies

How do these people survive?

ONE: Recently, when I went to McDonald's I saw on the menu that you could have an order of 6, 9 or 12 Chicken McNuggets. I asked for a half dozen nuggets. "We don't have half dozen nuggets," said the teenager at the counter. "You don't?" I replied. "We only have six, nine, or twelve," was the reply. "So I can't order a half dozen nuggets, but I can order six?" "That's right." So I shook my head and ordered six McNuggets.

TWO: I was checking out at the local Wal-Mart with just a few items and the lady behind me put her things on the belt close to mine. I picked up one of those "dividers" that they keep by the cash register and placed it between our things so they wouldn't get mixed. After the girl had scanned all of my items, she picked up the "divider," looking it all over for the bar code so she could scan it. Not finding the bar code she said to me, "Do you know how much this is?" I said to her "I've changed my mind, I don't think I'll buy that today." She said "OK," and I paid her for the things and left. She had no clue to what had just happened.

THREE: A lady at work was seen putting a credit card into her floppy drive and pulling it out very quickly. When I inquired as to what she was doing, she said she was shopping on the Internet and they kept asking for a credit card number, so she was using the ATM "thingy."

FOUR: I recently saw a distraught young lady weeping beside her car. "Do you need some help?" I asked. She replied, "I knew I should have replaced the battery to this remote door unlocker. Now I can't get into my car. Do you think they (pointing to a distant convenience store) would have a battery to fit this?" "Hmmm, I dunno. Do you have an alarm, too?" I asked. "No, just this remote thingy," she answered, handing it and the car keys to me. As I took the key and manually unlocked the door, I replied, "Why don't you drive over there and check about the batteries. It's a long walk."

FIVE: Several years ago, we had an Intern who was none too swift. One day she was typing and turned to a secretary and said, "I'm almost out of typing paper. What do I do?" "Just use copier machine paper," the secretary told her. With that, the intern took her last remaining blank piece of paper, put it on the photocopier and proceeded to make five "blank" copies.

SIX: I was in a car dealership a while ago, when a large motor home was towed into the garage. The front of the vehicle was in dire need of repair and the whole thing generally looked like an extra in "Twister." I asked the manager what had happened. He told me that the driver had set the "cruise control" and then went in the back to make a sandwich.

SEVEN: My neighbor works in the operations department in the central office of a large bank. Employees in the field call him when they have problems with their computers. One night he got a call from a woman in one of the branch banks who had this question: "I've got smoke coming from the back of my terminal. Do you guys have a fire downtown?"

EIGHT: Police in Radnor, Pa., interrogated a suspect by placing a metal colander on his head and connecting it with wires to a photocopy machine. The message "He's lying" was placed in the copier, and police pressed the copy button each time they thought the suspect wasn't telling the truth. Believing the "lie detector" was working, the suspect confessed.

NINE: A mother calls 911 very worried asking the dispatcher if she needs to take her kid to the emergency room, the kid was eating ants. The dispatcher tells her to give the kid some Benadryl and he should be fine, the mother says, I just gave him some ant killer.. Dispatcher: Rush him in to emergency!

"Life is tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

Do YOU Support our troops?

**D if you're reading this I'm sorry...it's not really great on the political aspect.**

First, let me say that I do support our troops over seas. I don't like the fact that the world and people being what they are have put peace keeping forces into this situation. But I also have a great respect for the men and women that are over there fighting and those that are still here defending the homefront. What I don't understand is the people that are left at home that bash the military. Okay perhaps bash is the wrong word, but what is the right word people?

For instance....take this Camp Casey situation in Texas near President Bush's home. What is the deal? If anyone has an opinion or more information please share it. Yes, this mom must be upset about the death of her child. But didn't he know what he was getting into when he joined up? Was he forced...was the draft enacted while I wasn't paying attention? It's the military. Is there a promise or guarentee somewhere that says you or your child will not be injuried or heaven forbid have to give your life while defending your country?

And from what I understand, this son wasn't her only child. While she travels around dogging President Bush's footsteps, who is taking care of her children? Do they feel like they've lost both a brother and a mother? What else would this mother like for President Bush to do for her? He is a powerful man, but I don't think he can raise the dead. And I wonder what her son would feel about her actions.

I support our president, our country, and our troops. Do you?

Sonic Commercial...Real Life

I know...I know...I know...I watch too much tv. Which is a little funny because I'm not really home to watch a lot of tv, but when I do watch apparently I watch everything. Commercials included.

Last week sometime, I posted about odd things. I put a little thing about the Sonic commercials. Well, do you remember the one where the dude says he didn't know the Island Fire burger would be spicy and the guy next to him shakes his head and says Island Fire like that should answer that question? Well anyway, tonight we had Sonic for supper.

I tried the Island Fire burger...hey advertising does work!.... and boy was it spicy. I told my dinner companions...boy this thing sure is spicy. Being as I really like those commercials they shook their heads and said well it is the Island Fire burger.

Yeah but I didn't know it was going to be that spicy!

Unattractively Attracting Attention

***Is unattractively even a word? Well if it's not it should be because it works perfectly for my title.***

Anyway, here I was today, thinking that this would be a non-blog night because nothing really exciting happened today. Though sometimes that's a great reason to post, but then I went to the post office. Yep...a normal trip to the P.O for stamps. I get in line and right away notice that the woman in front of me is wearing the most unattractive of outfits. See if you can picture this (and for those of you who can't...be glad). The woman of a mature age is wearing short overalls. This wouldn't have been too bad except that the straps apparently didn't fit and she let them hang down her sides while still attached to the buttons in the front. A bad situation was made worse by the fact that they cupped under her bum and well emphasized something I'm sure she didn't mean to emphasize. Now moving up...she's wearing a bright pink halter top that has apparently seen better days and smaller people. The string (and yeah it was a string) that was around her neck was barely able to support her rather large (and saggy) chest. I'm talking more of her was exposed than was actually covered.

Now, I know you shouldn't judge a person on what they are wearing...I wasn't exactly styling either, but at least everything that would get me arrested was covered. Finally, after what seems like forever that I've been looking at this woman, she moves to an open window to do her P.O business.

As luck would have it, I get the teller right next to her. I had several packages to mail so my guy was busy weighing and repeating his probably standard "would you like insurance on this ma'am?" line. I couldn't help but notice that the teller helping the woman was having a hard time looking away from this woman's chest. I found myself leaning backwards a little so I could get a better look at what this woman was wearing. Appalled and a little ashamed, I focused on the guy now ready to take my money. While this was going on, apparently the woman finished and left because the teller started to crack up.

She even went so far as to ask the next person in line ( a man nonetheless) if he'd noticed this woman's breasts. She actually said the word breast! At the post office! Anyway, the gentleman assured her that he hadn't been paying attention therefore, no, he did not see the woman's breasts. He didn't say the word breasts.

This finally, and I'm sure some of you are quiet glad, brings me to my point. The other night I was reading fellow blogger midwest_hick's account of something similar. Well it was a group as opposed to one and she was considerably older than jailbait so maybe not so similar. But the feelings were the same...well not exactly the same because I didn't well...nevermind. But the point is, young girls aren't the only ones wearing objectionable outfits these days. Here was a woman that supposedly should have known better than to go out in public in an outfit that didn't cover her completely. There was even a small blurb on the morning news show about teenagers wearing clothes that didn't cover or conceal anything.

I guess the day wasn't so uneventful after all.

Armpits to Underarms

I'd like to see myself as a risk taker. I'm a girl set for adventure. My personal box is open to anything new and exciting. I'm a liar. In reality, I'm pretty much not a risk taker. And my box is pretty darn small. Disclaimer: do not confuse small box with an unopen mind. I'm comfortable with myself the way I am. Why would I want to step outside of my box? It's very nice and comfortable in here. But alas, other people around me seem to be stepping out of their comfort zone and it's amazing to see the changes that come from that step. Some are good and some aren't so pleasant but the point is that they tried it. So (taking a deep breath), I'm going to take a step. I'm changing deodorants. Hopefully, that wasn't too bad of a let down. Baby steps is my motto.

For years, well since I hit puberty and deodorant became a daily must, I've used Degree. None of that teen speed stick for me...nope...I went straight for the stuff that keeps you from stinking. A girl, no matter how young, can never be too clean or smell too good. I've been happy with my choice of antiperspirant. But lately, I've been seeing these commercials (yes I know...I watch a lot of TV) for Dove. The claim is that it will turn my pits into soft and touchable underarms. Armed with stepping courage and the need for a new tube of deoderant, I went to Walmart.

Now for you to get the full effect of this, I want to set the scene. Here I am in the local Walmart. I've got my trusted Degree and I'm sniffing various scents of Dove. Side note...have you noticed that they make lots of scents and then put that plastic thing (no not the cap but the thing inside the cap) on top so you can't smell it? I had to take the cap off, twist up the tube a little and pull the plastic thingy off and then see what it smelled like. For those of you disgusted by the thought of me smelling the deoderant...well you don't know what city I live in and there are several Walmarts here so try not to worry. You probably won't pick up a pre-smelled deoderant anytime soon. Finally, I picked a scent (original if you must know) and put the Degree back. I've stepped out of the box. Armed with this knowledge I checked out and came home. Yesterday, was day one. I just felt my armpits and while they feel the same as yesterday, I am hopefull that they will be underarms shortly.

Change isn't so bad. I've tackled deoderant...what other wonderful things await me today!!!

Kindness...Gone and Forgotten

I'm fairly young and I can still remember the cattiness and unkind things that happened in high school. I just assumed that at some point girls out grow being unkind to each other. Apparently, that isn't the case. I do water aerobics several times a week and I'm the youngest water baby there. Somewhere amid the menopause and various female surgeries I've heard about, I've come to really admire and respect and generally like these women. Well, long story really short, the lady that teaches my class was asksed to teach other class. This class was extremely rude and unfriendly to her. They talked about her and her routine. They also made several catty comments in the locker room and when she let them know that she was in hearing distance of them, they didn't even act sorry at having been caught. Unfortunately, I've found myself being caught and I always had the grace to blush and be sorry that I was overheard. But these women apparently didn't. And the thing that really got me thinking was that these women are in their 60s. So when exactly do we stop being so unkind to people? I don't make it a habit to hit a meanness quota everyday, but sometimes it slips out. It just seems that somewhere along the way, my generation and apparently other generations have forgotten that kindness makes the world go round. What a shame.

A fascination With Everything Odd

I have two cats. Two male cats. Two male cats under the age of six months. Life in my house is all about adventures and clean up from the "terrible two". My little guys are great, but the other day I couldn't help thinking that my cats are only fascinated with the odd things in life. For example:

The toilet. This very common place item provides hours of amusement for the boys. They love to sit at it's base and stare at it. I often wonder if they are trying their own version of worshipping the porcelain god. They are really cute when they cock their heads to one side and stare at the seat while swirling noises fill the bathroom. Also, the toilet will apparently work in a pinch when they need a little bit of rehydration. I suppose potty water tastes better than the stuff we serve in the water dish. I'm going to have to just believe them on this one as I am not about to test my theory.

Bugs. Ahh the power of little things that crawl around in the grass. The boys live to bring inside and drop at my feet little friends they have made outside. I should mention that I am terrified of bugs so this isn't so amusing for me. At first it was kind of cute...oh look he brought me a grasshopper. I normally just yell for the man to come and get the bug. It's kind of sad in a way. The cats look so sad when I take away a play thing. But it doesn't last long. Soon they are on their way out the door to find another present for me. If only they would start doing the killing and eating outdoors. There is nothing worse than a bug that comes back to life as you reach down to pick him up with a kleenex!

Now, I consider the toilet and bugs to be odd things to have a fascination with. But then again, I'm not a cat. But it did cause me to ponder the things in my life that I'm fascinated with that some might see as odd. For example:

Sonic commercials. I love the two guys in the Sonic commercials. Yes, the are pretty pointless and even I'll admit sometimes a bit dumb. But hey...That's what makes them great! I have several favorites (which annoys my mom when I start repeating the lines word for word when they come on). The one with the silent r after the w. Where the guy says I think you've just been saying it whawrong. Even now I feel a chuckle making it's way to the top... I also like the one where the guys are talking about high school and again the guy is like so how long did you go to high school? The other guys says four years...so you were like on the accelerated program. Okay the chuckle broke free. But the best is the Island Fire one... I should stop. Now I've just confirmed I'm odd. :op

Those colored cube thingies. Are they positive that there really is a solution that will make everyside have the exact same color? I mean really...

The list could go on but who would voluntarily list just how odd they are? Perhaps my cats and I aren't all that odd. Well, the toilet thing...that is just plain odd.

Missing Him

I am very fortunate to have many great friends. I'm blessed to have some friends that are just those ones that drift in and out of my life. Tonight I'm missing a friend that falls into both catagories. I bumped into him during my freshman year and we stuck.

We're pretty much the odd couple...he's older and I'm younger. He's very much a pessimist and I love to look on the bright side. He's had the hardest of life thrown at him and I've been pretty spoiled by the best of life being handed to me. He's the quiet type and I'm completely not the quiet type. He's a realist and I tend to let my dreams run away with me. He's gone and I'm here...missing him terribly tonight.

I don't really understand why tonight he's weighing on my heart and mind, but he is. It's crazy to think about having a connection with someone, but how else do I describe this feeling. So, wherever you are tonight and whatever you are doing, my friend, I pray that you are safe and finding the peace you've set out to find.

Holiday traveler

I love to travel. And apparently I love to travel around the Christmas holidays. In the last three years I've been to New Orleans and Las Vegas. I wonder if there is a connection considering I go to "party" towns...hmm. Anyway, I'll be embarking on another holiday holiday this year too. My best friend D and I are going to New York! I'm so excited about this trip. Considering that I'm a planner, we've already booked our trip on one of those various internet booking agencies. So far the only things we have planned are to see a show (Beauty and the Beast) and we've booked a City Pass.

Now, with everything, there are pros and cons. For example, I got a really great deal on my Vegas trip by booking at an off peak time. That was a huge plus for a college girl's budget. But there were some negative things too. The show I really wanted to see (the pirate show at the Treasure Island) was closed for the holidays. But you know I guess that just means I'll have to go back at some not off peak time. Yeah...another trip to Sin City must be planned.

I'm sure there will be more entries about this trip as it draws closer. Did I mention that I'm darned excited!!!

Home Is Where My House Is

You've all heard the saying that home is where the heart is...well I'd like to propose my version of this saying. Home is where my house is. Okay, I guess a little background is in order. I have always lived in the same place for my whole life (with the exception of when I went to college). Perhaps I'm an odd ball. My family has never moved to a new house. As a matter of fact, I've never even moved to a new room. My nursery has changed through the years right along with me. At some point when I was in college, my parents started toying with the idea of moving to my great grandmother's house and I was outraged. How can you leave this house...it's my home. My mom lovingly pointed out that my home would be where my family was living...Hence the new place. I agreed (reluctantly) but I love this house. This house is my home. It's where my cats let me dress them up as babies and push them around the neighborhood. This is where I made the big bucks selling girl scout cookies. My alley....my own private city for my bicycle. When I think of home, I think of this place.

Well, now that I've graduated and I'm officially an adult I need a place to live. Guess where...oh come on...yep. Right here at my house/my home. It's pretty strange being back in my same room (yep the one that started out as the nursery). It under went some changes while I was in college but I'm settling back in nicely. Now, while I am trying to be the responsible adult, I have been looking at rent houses in which to move and start a new phase in life. And again, my parents are toying with the idea of moving into said great grandmother's house. Well, my mom causally brings up the point that they were going to rent out my house when the moved. Hey, I'm looking for a rent house. Are you seeing the picture?

Of course, this whole thing depends on timing. Great grandmother has to move into another place for the elderly (a whole other blog entry), my parents have to move and then this house that I've loved forever can be mine!!! I love this house and I'm thrilled by the prospect that I can live here for a while.

I wonder if I'm an anomaly...the only person to totally live her whole life (well up till this very minute) in the same house. My house has seen me through every phase (even the geeky ones) so how fitting that my home truly is where my house is!

Missing Money Mystery Solved

Missing $300 mystery was solved yesterday sometime when a large box from Singer arrived on my porch. When placing my order for my vacuum, I suppose some automated something decided that I didn't really mean I just wanted one but FOUR vacuums. So I now own four vacuums. Technically, my parents own one and I own one, but I've got two unwanted vacuums. For their sakes, I'll be calling the automated voice again and trying to get a shipping label to send these little guys home. But on an up note, my vacuum works very well. I was impressed and even vacuumed half of my house on a "test drive". So, I suppose that this situation wasn't completely bad...I did get a really cool vacuum. Boy, my life sure is boring when a cleaning device warrents a spot on the blog.

Annoying Automated Voice Rant (Post Script)

I hate hate hate hate hate the automated voice that customer service centers employ. I purchased a Singer vacuum from a tv commercial (my first mistake I'm beginning to realize) and was charged almost double what I was quoted. So not only am I mad at the fact that my order was messed up, I am frankly very pissed at the fact, that as of the moment, I'm out $300. I noticed the mix up on Saturday morning and of course customer care isn't available to its valued customers 24/7 so I've had to wait. And stew about the matter too. Well I called this morning...right at 8am...and waited for over 30 minutes, 18oo seconds for a person to help me straighten out this vacuum cleaner mess. Finally, after hearing the also annoying music and the Voice saying every 45 seconds (yes I was that bored while waiting) "Your call is important to us. Please continue to hold for the next available customer service representative to assist you." I get a human voice. Finally, I'm going to get to the bottom of this matter and repad my checking account. The overly cheery woman lets me know that all of the representatives are currently assisting other customers (with complaints I'm beginning to wonder?) and that if I'd like to leave my name and phone number someone will contact me before 6 pm tonight. Can you begin to understand why I'm frustrated? I politely say yes I'd like to have someone call me...it isn't her fault I can't take another second of this company and it's automated employees. So, my bank account continues to be lonely without the $300 and I remain frustrated by my encounter with the annoying automated voice.

Post Script: It's well after 6pm and still no call from the automated company. Still frustrated and still out $300.