How I met Mr. Wonderful

Scott and I celebrated our fifth anniversary on August 1st.  We both had to stop and think about the significance of that.  It has been the longest relationship for either of us, as well as the longest either one of us has lived with another individual that wasn't a family member.  We have had good times and bad times and through it all we still seem to love each other.  Go figure!

As many of my friends know, my marriage to a certain guy fell apart in the summer of 2005.  We were legally separated when I went to my friend Gill's wedding in July. It was at Gill and Ben's wedding that I had a kind of epiphany.  Hell would have frozen over before I told Gill about my divorce on the weekend of her wedding - so I went, acting happily married and cringing on the inside. So needless to say I wasn't expecting to enjoy myself - it was going to take all my strength just to get through the weekend.  The day before the wedding was the first time I met Gill's hubby-to-be, Ben and when and I saw the two of them together, I realized that I never had that kind of relationship with my ex.  And so I stopped feeling sorry for myself, and so when I got back from Arkansas I started online dating.

I had gone on a couple of dates with guys I had met on match.com, but wasn't really thrilled - so I raised the age limit - and Scott had just lowered his age limit.  (There is a 13 year difference between us - but we don't even notice it)  He winked at me first, so  I read his profile and I said to myself, "No way, he created his profile after reading mine!" So we chatted online before I headed to San Francisco for ATHE conference.   We exchange phone numbers, and he told me to give him a call if I had time in between conference sessions.

I had a couple of hours free before my first session so I gave him a call - well I ended up being late to my first session!  We talked everyday, for as much as we could.  At one point he even considered flying out to meet me - I told him we wouldn't get to spend time together because I was in the conference -so why doesn't he just pick me up at the airport in Detroit.

Yep, the first time we met in person was at the baggage claim in the McNamara terminal at the Detroit airport.  It was like a plot to bad romantic comedy - I can honestly say it was love at first sight - well actually before first sight - in fact he already had a ring for me when he picked me up - it is a Celtic silver ring that translates to "Song of my heart." (insert awwww here).  He has since met my family and most of my college friends and has passed approval with everyone (like that would ever stop me).  He makes me very happy. We are very lucky to have found each other.  And every day I'm amazed to find myself in a loving and healthy relationship - I prefer to save the drama in my life for the stage, thank you very much.

My "new" job

Yesterday was my first day of my "new" job.  It is part time with odd hours and scheduling.  I worked yesterday for 8 hours, I'll work today for 4-6 and then I'm not sure when I'll work again.  Six o'clock yesterday morning found me at a local department store - well actually just one branch of a national chain (the name rhymes with bowls). There I met up with my team leader and was given a set of instructions for the day.  It was chaos to begin with - the District Manager telling us one place while the store is telling us to start in another place. 

We began in juniors - my first run was sportswear - I had to scan an area ticket, scan each item, then hand count and verify. No yellow tags allowed (a handy little thing that helps keep track of counting). Two young ladies from the store hovered and verified my count - nothing like a little pressure to help you get your bearings.  It took a while to remember left to right, front to back and top to bottom.  I also found it difficult to get used to the machines which are now basically mini computers complete with wireless transmitting (no more finding a team leader to upload your data to), touch screen, and easier search tools.  Because I was new, I was only allowed to count the hanging clothes.  The morning consisted of sportswear, misses dress clothes (apparently handkerchief shirts are back in style along with suede jackets - hopefully not worn together - but can never be too sure), petites, winter coats, women's plus, clearance racks (yuck!!!!) and then starting on the Vera Wang line.  By the time our lunch break rolled around, my back was bothering me and I was remembering why I only lasted a couple of months on this job nine years ago.

I spent my lunch break sitting in my car - it was just nice to sit and talk with my mother on the phone.  I discovered the source of the spider webs I kept discovering in my car.  A large wolf spider took up residence in Horatio (my PT Cruiser) back in Minnesota - Mom said she hadn't seen him in so long she thought he left - well he did now - I squished him.  I then felt bad about it, but I couldn't very well have him crawling out of a vent and scaring me half to death while driving on the highway.

After lunch, back to the Vera Wang section, Elle and Daisy Fuentes.  The Vera Wang clothes made me send up a silent prayer to get an office job very soon.  I like the clothes and I'm better suited to that then counting all day - counting just makes me cross and I tend to want to guesstimate rather than be accurate - but  I fought that tendency.  Then I was sent over to men's basics - sleep pants.  Here is where I encountered problems - I got 118 both on my machine and my two counts - the sales associate got 120.  I had already transmitted so she had to go and get the print out and go through it - oh darn.  I was then promoted to ties - not too bad and rather pretty to look at.  I ended my day with men's shirts.  I hate them with a fiery passion.  Too many pins, too difficult to shove back into the cubbyholes they came out of - and then I was expected to recount every item.  This is where I didn't (I know - shame on me) but I figured since I had to take out every individual shirt there was no way I could be off - and I was right. Thus ended my first day - today a grocery store.  I'm thrilled, can't you tell?

Again...

September 21st– my "new" job
September 22nd – thoughts on food
September 23rd – a song that makes you cry (or nearly) and a song that makes you smile
September 24th – how I met Mr. Wonderful
September 25th – favorite quotes
September 26th – a talent of yours
September 27th – a hobby of yours
September 28th – your favorite roles
September 29th – websites
September 30th – job hunting
October 1st – where I live
October 2nd – your day, in great detail
October 3rd – what makes you strong
October 4th – my worst habit
October 5th – whats in my handbag/purse
October 6th – computer games
October 7th – why I am working on my PhD
October 8th – a traveling story
October 9th – new revelations
October 10th – a photo that makes me happy
October 11th - cupcakes
October 12th – why I like cats more than dogs
October 13th – thoughts on coffee
October 14th - weight loss and body image
October 15th - my writing process
October 16th - dealing with loss
October 17th - hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days

Recently and 12 years ago.

April 2010 - Chinatown - NYC - Diane and I in NYC on her bachelorette party weekend.  This is pretty mild compared to what happens when we get together.  Diane and I have been very close friends for the past five years - couldn't do with out her in my life.

October 1998 - Assassins! The Musical - I recently have been listening to Assassins again and can't help but remember the people I worked with in the show.  Here's the group from "How I Saved Roosevelt." along with Zangara who kept interrupting our lovely song. ;)