Things I Noticed As A Salvation Army Bell Ringer

We continued our WOMC tradition of manning Salvation Army kettles all over metro Detroit this past weekend. This has become one of my favorite holiday traditions. And it really makes me respect those bell-ringers I see on a regular basis where I shop. Even though it was a moderate day I was chilly and stiff after my two-hour shift.

Even if you don't have cash or have already donated for the year, please say Hi or smile at the bell-ringers. They get ignored a lot. And while we're out there ringing we realize that not everyone is going to donate so you don't need to avoid us, or slink away.

I did notice a few consistent things while out there ringing:

1. Kids LOVE to donate. They get such a kick out of stuffing money through that X in the barrel.

2. Birmingham police officers and fire fighters don't wear coats.

3. The Kroger employee who brings in the carts NEVER gets a break.

4. Winking is still a thing. I would have preferred a smile  or a nod, but I guess any acknowledgement is a good thing.

Happy Holidays!

Work

Yes, boys and girls, Today's Distraction is an old-fashioned, punch-in-at-4 a.m.-punch-out-at-noon job. Which I am very grateful for. I'm filling in this week on the Bobby Mitchell Show with Chuck Gaidica on 104.3 WOMC (and thank God they don't make me say that whole title every time I do a traffic report) and I'm working with some lovely gentlemen and get to see some old friends and coworkers again so it's alllllllllll good.

I was going to say "however" but there really is no "however." Sure, my marathon training and my reality TV watching time have suffered, but so what? I'll find a way to work them back in. Other people do it, right? Maybe not at the same time. Maybe you CAN'T Keep Up With The Kardashians (I really only wrote that because of the alliteration, I would NEVER watch that show) and attempt to train for a marathon at the same time. Especially when you're (ahem) over 40. Maybe I won't be able to keep up my amazing ability to make dinner AND the next day's lunches AT THE SAME TIME. Maybe this job won't last longer than this week. Whatever happens, I'm good. Sure, I may be a little more sleepy and a little more flabby and not up to speed on which Housewife isn't speaking to the other Housewives but I'll bounce back. I'm still (ahem) young.

Though if you really want me to remember something make sure I write it down. Otherwise......gone.

I meant to write about the toaster oven...oh I guess I did

Yesterday I woke up with the flu and while I was getting my son ready for school (because I am a MOM and we still do things like that even at our sickest) the toaster oven stopped working and in my State of Unmentionableness I didn't figure out until hours later that the toaster oven was just fine but I had blown a fuse in the kitchen. Then last night at the hardware store my husband saw a shiny new toaster oven on sale for $50 and brought it home even though I reminded him that the old one was working just fine but the new one is now in place and this morning I had to try and figure out how to work the thing while getting two kids ready for school (and still recovering from the flu). First I couldn't figure out how to turn it off, then I couldn't figure out how to make it make toast and then it totally redeemed itself by toasting the almond slivers TO PERFECTION which is something the old toaster oven could never get right, either burning them or under-toasting them and usually both at the same time (How is that even possible?).

Then I had to finish painting the bathroom. I painted the first coat Sunday evening (my radio partner, Chris Sunday Brunch 10-2 on WOMC 104.3!!, says that's why I got sick....because I did a radio show, then ran errands, then painted a bathroom on Sunday and I did too much. I think that makes me sound like some Victorian chick who ended up in the bed with the vapors after high tea AND a ball in the same day) and I had to lay in bed all day yesterday trying to recover surrounded by piles of stuff that should have been in the bathroom - so I couldn't even stumble around the bedroom safely - and the unfinished walls taunting me.

The bathroom is painted but now I DO feel like a Victorian woman with the vapors because I am EXHAUSTED. But do I have time to be exhausted? No.

Things I Need To Do But Probably Won't

Figure out how to really use the new toaster oven
Do laundry
Clean the house
Find pictures of my son because he is Star Student in his class this week
Clean up the painting stuff in the bathroom

Things I Don't Want To Do But Probably Should

Shower
Get copies of Son's comp sheet for his audition this afternoon
Clean up the painting stuff in the bathroom

Things I Want To Do But There Isn't Any Chocolate Cake In The House

Eat chocolate cake