Splenda is Not Equal

I've been going to the same Dunkin Donuts in Newton for years on my way to work and really love that they know my order without even asking--medium French Vanilla, cream and sugar. The people who work behind the counter are always friendly and efficient and there is rarely a line since they get everyone's orders so quickly. And, the people who buy their coffee always seem pleasant too-until today.

Today, as I got into a brief line, I heard a man say, "I said Splenda, not Equal." As someone who worked in the food business as a waitress for years in college, I can understand getting an order wrong or making a mistake once in a while. When you are serving person after person, sometimes what they are saying blurs.

The woman behind the counter said, "Okay, was it two Splenda?" And the man said, "No, I said four." Not a big deal, right? Personally, I don't think I would be able to tell the difference between the two but if that's what the guy wanted, fine, and the woman could just change the order, right? Wrong. The man then said, "Forget it. I'm out of here" and he stormed off with some lady he was with, muttering about the "idiots behind the counter." Beyond rude and I would be totally embarrassed if I was the woman with that man.

I was very glad to see that the guy next in line said something nice to the woman who made the mistake and a few people chuckled at the man's rudeness. I just don't get sometimes how people can be so rude and don't they realize how they act and what they say affects others? And, to get so mad about something as silly as the blue vs. yellow packets of artificial sweetener is ridiculous.

Not in a million years

Not in a million years of dating horror stories would I have thought I'd be the guest of honor at a bridal shower. I know people say things like that but I really feel in my case it's true. I think I have blocked out some of the bad dates I've been on but as my friend Erin would say, I had some doozies that I could write about. A friend of mine told me recently about her friend who went on a few dates with a guy and then when she Googled him, she found out he had been convicted of raping someone. Mel and I joked that we could see this happening to me: "I finally meet someone and he turns out to be a rapist!"

Anyhoo (as mel says), there I was at my bridal shower last Saturday. The girls surprised me with a cake that had a picture of me in nursery school. I actually remember that day; I loved that Woodstock dress and my mom told me to make sure that both of my braid were in front of my shoulders so they would show. I loved it. And, Mel ordered boxes of Whitman Sampler candy for everyone. I embraced all the traditions I would scoff at as a single woman enduring the shower--notably the opening of the presents. Although, I did not do the bow thing which is just ridiculous. The food was great--highly recommend Baker's Best caterers, esp. the quiche--and I really liked seeing family and friends, especially those who I haven't seen in a long time like Aunt Edith.

So, I guess the point of this story besides saying that I had a great time at my shower is that I probably should have been more receptive and open minded at the previous showers I attended. Oh well.

Sister, Sister

Remember that show with Tia and Tamera and their mom Jackee? Did the parents ever get together? Anyway, I am writing today to say how lucky I am to have the best sisters in the world. While we sometimes have our frustrating moments with each other, these are few and we always bounce back hours, if not minutes later. They know me so well--my quirks, likes, dislikes--soft cantaloupe and peaches, icky people, grape jelly and countless other things that which i won't go through here--and often know what I'm thinking even before I say. When I have children, I can just hope that they are close like we are.

I was just so touched this week when Mel came up to my apartment to go to the gym in the morning and she gave me her gym reimbursement check to help pay for my car door "incident" which happened the night before. She knew I was really upset that it happened and wanted to help me pay for it. She likes to say that "she's not all bad" and that's definitely true.

And today, Tracy suprised me with a lipgloss that we had talked about. She had a gift card at Macy's and bought it for me. I love that she was thinking about me and purchased it bc she knew I would like it.

I don't want you to get the idea that I am touched bc they both spent money on me. These are just two examples of how they think about me and are really just so great. I am lucky to have them.