OMG YOU GUYS

So remember that last post?  WELL GUESS WHAT.  Justin and I went for a walk around our silly little neighborhood on Sunday, and we're a couple of streets over from our silly little house and who is walking towards us with his friend but AUNDRE!!  As you can imagine, I almost died of love and joy.  We even almost passed him before we all recognized each other!  We were in the middle of exchanging I-see-you,-other-human pleasantries as we passed each other on the street and then we were all like WAIT A MINUTE HEEEEEEEY!  He came back and HUGGED US BOTH SIMULTANEOUSLY and I said how I almost didn't recognize him because he changed his hair (from smaller dreads to bigger dreads!) and he said something about how he likes to go into outer space when he gets the chance and how he lives on the other side of that big hill and then okay see you around soon!  Now we are trying to figure out where he meant, what other side of which hill.  It all happened so fast, and it took me several more blocks to get my bearings.  Aundre is our neighbor!

There is someone you need to know about.

And his name is Aundre.  Good thing he doesn't know my name or this weblog, or else (and only or else!) this might be super sketchy.  He works at our closest CVS, which happens to be the most sloppily run CVS of all time.  The pharmacy screws up prescription orders like there's no tomorrow, whether you call it in, drop it off, or order it online.  No matter how, they get something wrong.  There's always a huge wait.  None of the photo machines ever work.  But Aundre works there, and that is more than enough for me.  Early 20s, dreads, and a big, easy, goofy smile.  A typical exchange as you put your items down on the counter for him to ring up: "Hey man, how's it goin?"  "Good, how are you?"  "You know, just livin' my life to the fullest like Indiana Jones."  Or this, as he finishes scanning: "Your total today is $13.68, tomorrow it may be different."  And a sign off, "See ya later, don't worry about much."  We've seen him probably four or five times by now, and this most recent time, he shook our hands in happy greeting, recognizing us too!  The joy leapt in my heart.  You have to understand that when he says these wonderful things, they're beyond natural.  It's not a thought-out gimmick, it's smooth and genuine.  He may be the only thing I legitimately miss about this area once we move.

ps - Totally unrelated.  I was ecstatic to see Girl Scout cookies for sale on sidewalks recently, having not had any in years!  Imagine my surprise to see that they were the same price (maybe $0.50 more) as when I sold them, twelve (!) years ago!  Imagine my dismay to realize that the box in my hand was roughly half the size as it used to be!

For those of you keeping score at home

1. We bought a new candle topper.  Goodbye scarecrow children, hello leafy vines.  Having the one I hated but using it anyway was some sort of metaphor for something?  Oops.  Sorry, undefined metaphor.
2. So I drive a boat now, a Dodge Charger.  It's bright red.  I just got a call updating me on Operation Bumper status, saying that the Suze now needs a "quarter panel" and she'll call me back soon to update me on when that might be able to happen.  Isn't that what the estimate was for?  I want to spend as few days as possible desperately trying to maintain a 13-foot radius when I drive.
3. In two distinct instances recently, I was completely outraged and furious at some outside force.  As soon as I thought I was at a complete loss, or that I couldn't get any furiouser, these things changed completely of their own accord such that they were better than what I could have hoped for, even in my most furious.  God: Thanks and sorry I yelled so much.  :(
4. One of my kids told me today that a boy in her class likes her.  I am the coolest teacher.  Also, the other day she said, "Is it true you're a teenager?"  
5. I am becoming rather competent in my employment!  Woooo
6. Can we talk about how obsessed I am with the Old Spice commercials, featuring the man my man could smell like?

Just look at me now!

Oh goodness!  Wedding Weekend Extravaganza meant writing checks for invitations (officially ordered, proof in two weeks!), favors, and cake.  So much accomplished before 3 pm!  And at school, I definitely held my first (low pressure (aka, parentless)) IEP meeting.  I'm so... official!

Another list for you:

1. I love that the universal signal for 'go ahead' is flashing one's brights.  There has been a lot of pulling over for each other now that we have like .75 lanes per street, and I find this courtesy and the communication thereof completely adorable.
2. Isn't it weird to think, in general, that driving involves a significant amount of reading other people's minds?
3. The fiance just signed up for Mint!  Rob came swing dancing!  I am spreading my influence far and wide.
4. This one brought to you by the fiance himself:  Isn't it kinda stupid that one of our defining characteristics as mammals is having body hair?
5. I hate when people don't pick up their feet when they walk.  Or just when they walk really heavily in general.  Tread lightly, friends.  Sprightly.

Hooray!

Happy V-Day, friends!  I find it strange in a touching way that this is my most "serious" Valentine's Day but also my most low-key one.  Really, usually [insert boyfriend here] and I fret and worry about plans, cards, cookies, flowers, presents, how much are you spending, how much are YOU spending?!, are you getting a funny card? or a sweet card?.  Don't get me wrong, that's fun in its own right, but it is nice to be comfortable and settled and it's not a big deal.  (Now, fiance, that is not my position for the rest of our lives...)  Most of my newfound calmness about this holiday of love is circumstantial, what with several feet of snow and all preventing us from making plans or buying cards and whatnot, but I still think it's pretty sweet that we resolved to make each other belated cards.  Our one "date" today is also kind of an accident but also kind of perfect - we have an appointment with our coordinator at our venue!  Wedding details and the menu, on heart day '10!

In other news, for some reason I'm super excited that when the State Farm Select Service Auto Body Shot repairs the Suze's bumper, they will vaccuum and wash her!

Oh ps

I have ALWAYS hated Alex Trebek.

Running out of things

1. solitaire
2. war (card game)
3. past War of the Roses from the Hot 99.5 radio website
4. The Golden Compass
5. looking outside
6. videotaped documentation of profound boredom
7. poking around FMLs, Facebook, Awkward Family Photos, Twitter, Buzz, Reader, and Mint
8. The Middle, HIMYM, Modern Family
9. two-hour nap
10. planned the wedding ceremony (five months away)

There's a lot of hours when you're stuck inside.  My big idea is to write a play that the fiance and I can put on.  We can even tape it.  It could even involve housemates.  But, since I'm not actually 12, it's hard to think of what to write about.  But let me tell you what, being stuck inside for days upon days does wonders for my debit card.

Still taking ideas for things to do.  Keep em comin'.  We've still got Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday without having any idea when we'll see a plow.