Monday, March 31, 2008

seven-month itch

Well, it’s starting again. That season we Southerners know and love as HOT, and that season that all the mosquitos of the world seek out their favorite redhead to chomp on.

The heat is not too unbearable yet, I have to admit. But I did get my first mosquito bite of ’08 this weekend, leaving me to think that since I barely spent any time outside at all these past few days, it’s going to be a verrrrry long summer.

I really don’t mind the heat so much, but my boyfriend jokes that I’m better to have around outside than any Off or Citronella, because mosquitos automatically buzz toward me rather than dreaming of heading anyone else’s way. And he’s right! While Carl might have gotten five mosquito bites in his whole life, they were definitely before we met. I can literally get eaten up from sitting outside for 10 minutes, and he would never know it if I wasn’t constantly slapping all exposed areas of my body.

Lucky duck.

So I’ll break out the B-12, pray there’s a better smelling spray on the market this year, and head outside. Because even after years of this, I just can’t stay in. After all, it’s spring!

So buzz off, bugs. Here I come.


4:50 PM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos


I so feel your pain! My husband always asks me how come I have so many bites and he has NONE! I tell him it's because I am so sweet!
Posted by Wendy on April 1, 2008 - Tuesday 6:29 AM


Bekah, boo, boo...you know Mississippi has already reported it's first case of WEST NILE VIRUS this year...the second one in the whole U.S....I can only imagine what is going to happen...Beware bugs, though, of you...redheads are like red ants...they bite back!
Posted by Saintsation on April 1, 2008 - Tuesday 9:15 AM


Great blog and I feel your pain... I wish I had a word of wisdom about prevention, but I'm just a victim like you. It's extremely bad where I am right now beacuse of the destruction from Katrina, so streets & such are still out of whack & we don't have drainage... there's always standing water to the point of "swamp-ish-ness"... mosquito heaven! I can't enjoy the outdoors either. I'm thinking of investing in bat houses cuz I hear they eat mosquitos. I'll let you know how this turns out.
Posted by Susan on April 1, 2008 - Tuesday 6:12 PM

Thursday, March 27, 2008

I am PLB, hear me roar.

A few years ago, I earned the unfortunate nickname of Prissy Little B*%^$, which I was happy to have shortened to PLB after the story had been retold enough to satisfy everyone.

I like to think that normally, I’m not a PLB. I mean, there are generally only a few days out of the month that I wake up ready for a fight. But even on my most ready-to-be-nice days, the whole quandary of where customer service went can be baffling, and sometimes a girl’s just gotta sound her barbaric yawp to get heard around here.

My first PLB label -- and very bad customer service experience -- came when I was a junior in college. I was headed to work when I stopped to fill up my car on Hwy 49. After a ridiculously rude run-in with the cashier, I spun around on my heel, tossed my hair, and said, "Fine. Have it your way. Your manager will hear all about it in the letter I’m going to write." Still reeling from the shock that I had said that, I heard the chainsmoker’s gravelly voice mutter, "Prissy little b*tch."

This was obviously quite the hilarious story to my friends and family -- especially after I did write that letter and received a sincere apology letter in reply along with a significant amount of free gas gift certificates. (Why did I already cash those in?! Worth GOLD today! But anyway...)

Since then, I guess my PLB occurrences have taken an upward turn. Not something I’m proud of, necessarily, but something that occasionally is deemed necessary to get any customer service, much less good customer service. A few of those instances over the years have included living/landlord/car wreck experiences (I have a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time), and the most recent is in progress now. It involves carpet replacement and lack of communication and workers who are "too tired" to finish the job when they said they would, but I won’t bore you with all that.

My basic point is that today, I had to be somewhat of a PLB in order for a company to do what they said they would. And why is that? Why can’t jobs be done right the first (or God forbid the second) time? I know I’m sounding really ancient here, but what happened to "the customer is always right"? Many friends who own their companies, I’m sure, can name situations where customers can’t always be appeased. And I understand that. But doing a job and doing with a smile seems to be a thing of the past.

I’m pretty sure that if I went to work, griped all day about how hard my work was -- and not just to a select few at lunch -- kept looking at my "customer" (coworker, boss, branch, department, or division I’m working with) and shaking my head while complaining that I’d never seen a job this hard, actively did things to put the work I’d accomplished in peril and ruin its quality, then proceeded to leave with the job half-completed (but still during working hours) because I was "too tired," this is "really hard work," and "I’m having to work with HER, and she’s never really done this before," I can almost guarantee that would not total job security for this redhead.

Do I run into those very issues at work? Of course. Do I sometimes have some of the same temptations? Naturally! But do I give in? No way, man. I like my paycheck. My bills really like my paycheck. And most importantly, I was not taught to get out of work, but to tackle it like the (closet) PLB I am.

Now that I’ve given myself a major pep talk, I’m pretty sure this is where the blog ends. Maybe I’ll remember these words next time one of my "customers" isn’t happy with me. One can only hope.

Until the next rant,
Your (closet) prissy little b*%^&




2:23 PM - 5 Comments - 2 Kudos

Focus on what these people do for a living, what their education level is, what their pay level is ... etc ... also focus on where we live. The comination of these things should explain to you why good customer service is a thing of the past. Take one person who disappoints you and follow their career... they work at a certain gas station for a few months, switch to a fast food restaraunt for a few months ... and so on. A pretty, educated young lady like yourself is just a PLB to them because they wish they were :)
Posted by Susan on March 27, 2008 - Thursday 7:58 PM

Sigh. You're right. Bye-bye, wind in my ranting sails. Your words are so true!
Posted by Arr-Jay on March 28, 2008 - Friday 6:35 AM

(I mean your words about their place in life are so true. Not necessarily about their wishing to be in my place! But thanks for that, too.)
Posted by Arr-Jay on March 28, 2008 - Friday 6:36 AM

Bekah....Bekah....BEKAH!!!! Terms of endearment are what makes us each *special*... Now I dont mean Window-licking "Special", but the kind of special that all of your friends see and go, "I really DO love this Pri$$y Lil Beyaaaatch!!! At LEAST the Chain Smoking Ass-jacket didnt turn around and start into the third verse of.... "Say You..........Say Meeeee........"Love, CRB(Crazy Redneck Bastard)
Posted by Jammit on March 28, 2008 - Friday 12:56 PM

You are a total nut job! I definitely thought of you while writing this, wondering if you would read it and call me out on those work times together when I reared my ugly PLB head. :-) Love and miss you!!!
Posted by Arr-Jay on March 30, 2008 - Sunday 5:28 PM

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

manna from heaven

Sunday was Easter, which meant the end of Lent, which meant the end of no-bread-for-RJ. That’s right, people, I had bread again! And God bless the stuff.
I do love my bread...and I can’t believe I did without it for FORTY days. And nights. Amazing!

But, the point was made...my sacrifice wasn’t nearly as amazing as my Savior’s. And if the delectable rush of joy I felt when taking that first bite of Le Madeliene’s hot turkey bistro sandwich is even a taste of what God feels when we come humbly to Him and realize all He’s done for us, then wow. I had no idea.

Which was the point, right?



3 Comments - 2 Kudos

That is awesome. Reminds me of a 3 day fast to raise money for hungry children at the BSU back in the day... it was only 3 days, but I thought I was going to die.... I remember the baked potato soup that Jackie Ball made.... it was the most fantastic food I had ever tasted at that point in my life. 40 days and nights is amazing... I wish I had will power like that.
Posted by Çhr阮ïñå on March 27, 2008 - Thursday 4:48 AM

LOL...well, I did eat SOMETHING, just not bread. And I wish I could say I noticed a difference in weight, but alas, I think I just compensated with other non-bread foods. ;-)I remember that fast...I didn't get to participate because I was getting over the flu or something. Go figure.
Posted by Arr-Jay on March 27, 2008 - Thursday 10:24 AM

So very true. I failed at my sacrifice, but I did learn from it... and am still continuing to try. I think I'm just too passionate about my bad habits and not passionate enough about my Savior. In the end, I always return to my Heavenly Father and pick myself up, dust myself off and get back on track. It is a blessing to know that he loves me no matter how dusty I am and is anxious to spend that quality time with me no matter when, where, what or how. God is great!
Posted by Susan on March 27, 2008 - Thursday 6:05 PM

brit lit

In a very unplanned sequence, I have recently happened upon several books written by and about the British. They are, of course, chick lit, which is meant to be enjoyed with a favorite tub of Blue Bell and the best bubble bath a girl can find.

So in that regard, I present to you some of my favorite British terms. I admittedly may start accidentally using some of these terms in sentences if I keep up this reading pattern, but for now, I’m just putting them in context:
  • holiday -- I am going on holiday in a few weeks, and I can’t wait!
  • telly -- Thank heavens the writers’ strike is over; now maybe we can find something decent to watch on the telly.
  • plug -- I was so thirsty after my workout that I took a long and loud plug of my water without thinking about how unladylike I might look or sound.
  • s versus z -- I’ve come to realise that things are not always what they seem.
  • arse -- Surely after a few more weeks at the gym, my arse won’t scream at me every time I walk.
  • cheesed off -- I can’t imagine why everyone is so cheesed off with me. It’s really bringing me down.
  • barking -- I’m sure the guy who walked past while I was muttering to myself thinks I’m barking. At one time, I really was viewed as sane...I’m sure of it.
  • cow -- I would love to say she’s a complete cow, but unfortunately for the rest of us, she’s quite lovely.
  • motorbike -- With the recent hike in gas prices, there’s also been a distinct increase in the number of motorbikes you see on the road.
  • tug -- I’ve been sitting here so long I might need you to give me a tug to help me up.
  • piqued -- He felt piqued when he realised she had not told him everything that seemed common knowledge to everyone else.

And there are more, but those are my favourites...especially when I'm on holiday. :-)


3 Comments - 0 Kudos

very cute. ;-)
Posted by Çhr阮ïñå on March 27, 2008 - Thursday 4:40 AM

I often use "holiday" in this fashion because I too find it just adorable. I'm loving the "cheesed off" and plan to implement it from now on. :) One thing I like to use is "bloody" as a curse word, because for some reason in the US it doesn't sound like a curse word... and you know me, I'm tryin to break that bloody habit :)
Posted by Susan on March 27, 2008 - Thursday 6:01 PM

Monday, March 17, 2008

An object in motion...

...tends to stay in motion. And an object at rest tends to stay at rest, right? That’s what I’ve always heard, anyway...and I’m pretty sure it’s actually a law.

So when I found that law (of gravity? physics? something else scientific that usually goes completely above my head?) applying to other parts of my life recently, I couldn’t help but wonder...were the science books onto something?

For instance, something got me really down this weekend. And I do mean really down. It was the kind of something that can, let’s say, take a perfectly good Friday and swirl it around until you forget why you’re thanking God it’s Friday. And once I got on the downward slope, there was no stopping me. My doctor’s appointment that afternoon depressed me. (I’m not saying I usually do cartwheels in the waiting room, but please - it was a routine checkup.) My haircut didn’t make me as happy as usual (what??! I was being pampered...hello!). And driving around my old stomping grounds made me sad and lonely rather than happy and reflective.

But then, I had GNO with my girls. It wasn’t the typical make-you-happy-till-you-drop GNO, but it was such fun, sweet, good time with my girls. So sweet that it in itself was almost more reflective than upbeat, so my downward turn could’ve gone either way. But after that, I got to hang with my main big man. THEN I got millions of hours of much-needed sleep. THEN I had girlie brunch with some friends (one of whom is a little toddler cutie that could make anyone melt). THEN I got to do some post-parading with C and see some wonderful old friends, which is never bad. And then the kicker came when we had fantastic hang-out time with other friends at their house that night. So once the upward turn started, it just kept going.

I’ve noticed the same thing when it comes to after-hours activities. Once I get settled in after work (especially after a long day), I don’t want to move, much less check anything off my list. But if I (follow Liz’s advice and) keep going until time for bed, wham, I never knew what I missed in that nap or coveted reading time.

Basic principles, yes, but ones I’m going to try to remember more often...particularly when I’m feeling down or lazy.

An object in motion tends to stay in motion. An object at rest tends to stay at rest.


1 Comments

It was great seeing you this weekend. Nothing like sitting in a bathroom while your friend tries to fish a dry contact lens out of her eye (incidentally I did get it out the next morning, and it was folded up like 3 times)! But, nonetheless, great seeing you!
Posted by Ashley on March 18, 2008 - Tuesday 6:44 AM

Monday, March 10, 2008

wicked awesome

C and I were talking this weekend about what a GREAT time we had in Boston last spring.

It was freezing cold and we were never (intentionally) without scarves and gloves, yet everything about that trip seemed charmed...we met great people, ate wonderful food, saw fantastic sights, ventured into new places...good times, all the way around.

Some of my favorite and most random memories are being called "Mississippi" by the several people we ended up seeing more than once around town, making some wonderful new friends from Ireland, driving up to Maine and seeing beautiful scenery and SNOW, and growing to love a very big city as though it was a very small town -- set up just for us.

Good times. Wicked good.



1 Comments

I have always wanted to go to Boston. I can just feel what you mean by "charmed". Someday...
Posted by Susan on March 10, 2008 - Monday 8:05 PM

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

carb lite

Ok, it's official - this no bread thing is killing me! What I wouldn't give for a sandwich on great bread...or pasta....or just a WRAP, for crying out loud!

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Down in Mississippi and up to no good.

As a native Mississippian who is just fully encountering a new state for the first time, I can assure anyone that I am definitely a proud Mississippian (and coast trash to boot -- yep, that's right Greg and Alicia, I said it)! ;-)

You know you're a proud Mississippian if...
1. You can properly pronounce Kosciusko, Ackerman, Gautier and Belzoni.
2. You think people who complain about the heat in their states are sissies.
3. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.
4. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.
5. Stores don't have bags or shopping carts, they have sacks and buggies.
6. You've seen people wear overalls at funerals.
7. You think everyone from a bigger city has an accent.
8. You measure distance in minutes. (It's about 5 minutes down the road)
9. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.
10. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.
11. You know cowpies are not made of beef.
12. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.
13. You have known someone who has a belt buckle bigger than your fist.
14. You aren't surprised to find movie rental, ammunition, beer, and bait all in the same store.
15. A Mercedes Benz isn't a status symbol. A Chevy Silverado Extended Bed Crew Cab is.
16. You know everything goes better with Ranch Dressing.
17. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply..
18. You actually get these jokes and are 'fixin' ' to send them to your friends.
19. You have used your heater and air-conditioner in the same day!
Finally: You are 100% Mississippian if you have ever had this conversation:
20. 'You wanna coke?' 'Yeah.' 'What kind?' 'Dr Pepper.'



3 Comments - 2 Kudos

Ha Ha Ha. Thanks, this was great.
Posted by Çhr阮ïñå on March 3, 2008 - Monday 7:06 AM

I see nothing wrong with a single thing listed here. Is that a bad sign?
Posted by Skye on March 3, 2008 - Monday 6:09 PM

But can you pronounce Chalybeate?Have you been to a funeral in a barn?Do you know someone who planned a wedding around hunting seasons?Now that is the MS I know and love! (and love to joke about)
Posted by Rachel on March 4, 2008 - Tuesday 8:42 PM