The GIANT and The Other Girl

The weirdest thing happened today -and it got me laughing.

I spent the day with my friend Annie -checking out some stores -buying a shredder =looking for a carry bag for my new lap top -nothing -had lunch -talked and laughed

Annie is on the look out for a desk at local thrift shops - I meant to suggest the Freecycle group in WW and check with her landlord -who may have 'extra' furniture stashed somewhere.

Anyway, I dropped off two bags of my stuff at the Rio Grand ARC/ Thrift store -ok I am going a little low with the down sizing of my home and me -but two bags are still two bags. Got the receipt as Annie searched for her desk. Nothing

I had to stop at Home Depot and get a bathroom fan. My cousin Dave, had taken it down from the ceiling and handed it to me -to get a replacement at Home Depot. So Annie and I go into this store. I always loved the smell, but feel like a alien in a foreign country. I just don't speak the language. But Dave told me to show them the old fan and they will know.

I showed them at the service desk -what my assignment was -and she said isle 13 and ask for Floyd. He would be around. So we walked down to isle 15 before Annie saw where the isle numbers were. I had totally missed them and truthfully it is not like a supermarket.

No one is around to help us -but Annie found a tiny little middle age woman, in an orange apron, who said Floyd was at lunch. She proceeded to look at my old fan and look thru the shelves. She was barely 5ft tall and couldn't hardly see to the second level shelf.She calls on the intercom for Floyd to interrupt his lunch and call her back and direct her to the fans. He doesn't call. The she calls an orange apron man walking by, to help -He is shorter than she is! They both stand and stare at the second shelve........stretching to reach and move the boxes so we can see behind. He trys to reach a hidden box...........When I say........

I can get that.

I am 5'9" and in my younger days liked to wear 4" heels -I like being tall. I am use to being around my brother-who is 6'5". Short people ore ok -but get in the way -I often stop and offer to get things off the top shelf in at the Acme for short old ladies. So I am ok with offering to help. Hey , I am what I am. But the short Home Depot orange apron lady says:

Yea let the GIANT get it. She is the tallest one of all of us.

Who says that to a stranger? At first I was sort of taken aback -then I started to laugh.

These two little people -that I could literally squash- just called me a giant.

I was calling Annie -the 'other'one -So we were the GIANT and the other ONE ! LOL

Even after the munchkin people got the yellow step ladder and checked the second and third shelves -nothing. They sent me to a supply house that had it in stock but for over thirty dollars.

The GIANT will check on line. No, Thank you.

What kind of person calls another person GIANT ?

I mean REALLY? How Rude/ funny but rude.

Good thing I am a Friendly GIANT.

In this ECONOMY?

Well I had a melt down at work, at the gym on Monday -and it was not from over exercises. It was from stress.

I had been answering non stop questions for 4 hours/ putting new people into the computer/answering phones/ watching the floor for people in distress/ taking money for classes and memberships/The owner had just come in to make high energy shakes (a new duty,the staff was asked to do) and decided to do an introduction to a potential new member (-I had just put on a 7 day free trial membership)/ I had just started a new shake (I had never made that type) and the owner came over to help me and then left me to take the money and put in the cafe register/ I was able to wash out that blender holder/ and start disinfecting all the gym equipment/ empty out the trash cans/ then say goodbye to the owner (=who had finished the introduction and was on her way home after a 10hr day) / clean the three stall men's bathroom and women's bathroom (=all except the floor)/

-I stopped.

The other staff on duty had finished her third introduction to the gym and was making shakes. I had not eaten dinner or had time to buy a water to drink.

I got really light headed and almost fainted. I though i was having another TIA. I freaked out. I said I was leaving/

The other staff/ making shakes/ said what about the floors / I said i don't care/ she said at least close out the cash register for the gym / I tried but it didn't match /and me -auditor and brain/ couldn't think how to fix it.

I left, and spent the next 48 hours praying for an answer.


Wednesday, on the phone with my best friend. I typed out my resignation letter.

Thursday, I handed it to the manager.

For the first time in my life I resigned from a job. I had to admit to myself and the world -I could not do a job because of my health and I think age; or all of the above.

What a horrible and humbling thing to have to admit.

When I handed in the resignation letter, the manager was not surprised. Apparently, my 32 year co-worker that evening, had all ready called her. Ouch.

I gave them 2 week notice and am scheduled to open the gym at 5am/ a couple of days. Then I will turn in my keys.

I can not believe how much this humbling experience and finally the decision to resign, lifted such a weight off my mind.

I still believe in the need to exercises for all ages and the dream the owners have for this business -but it will not be with me. Younger and healthier bodies have to multi-task and clean toilet's.

This little part time job, just is not fun any longer.

Notes about Florida Trip

My brother in law -wants to know where are my blogs -funny thing is -I wonder also.

I came home from the Florida visit with my folks on the first warm day in the three weeks I had been there. Figures. My parents took me out to a Denny's on the way to the airport -when we were just about finished -12 motorcycle police came in and took up the two tables around us. They were in full uniform and so good looking my mother (77) and I could hardly talk -we were drooling. If I did not have a plane to catch -I would have still been there. I think they must have been practicing for Pres. OBama's visit the following day.They were fine looking men. :)))figures.

I had a nice visit with my parents -but i was ready to come home -I am glad I had my lap top computer with me and had a nice break/visit with NJ friends, Paula and Stan, that had moved to a large retirement community near Tampa. About #300,000 seniors I think. Very very nice. They are very active seniors -Golf and Softball/ other sports/dance lessons/rehabbing rental properties and just enjoying all the activities offered. I could easily live in a retirement community, somewhere in the world. They made me feel so welcomed -I stayed an extra day-at their invitation. Stan and I were able to go to the John and Mable Ringling Estate near Sarasota -worth the day trip -I had a great time. Paula played in three softball games that day and we were able to catch up with her for the third one. WHEW -she is my hero!

I had rented a car in Ft Myers -Hertz- across RT 41 from my parents community. Very convenient. The price was high for the long weekend/ Thurs to Monday. I knew it was about 2 hrs from exit 131 north to exit 240 (242?) on Rt75 - but i didn't know if i would wander. I like to explore a bit, I was flying home that Monday and hadn't done much sightseeing. Anyway -I went on line and checked my emails and found a coupon code from Spirit Air Miles club I belong to -so I used that with Hertz and it only cost me $100.00 plus tax for the 4 days - I should have rented a car the whole 3 weeks. My parents offered to let me use their large Mercury -but.... I liked the Mazda 6 I rented.

The first Hertz rental car had a broken tail light -Hertz,still wanted me to take the car -but i said no- and had to wait about 40 min for a replacement car. I hope everyone checks the lights when they do the walk around -before you sign the rental lease -I never did until the lease in Grand Junction CO and my friend Bonnie found the broken headlight. This time I made my Dad hobble with me -he stood behind the car with his cane and wobbly knees and I touched the breaks and turned on the lights. He is the one that found the broken light. I was sort of upset with Hertz -but I guess these things happen with rentals -but where is their due diligence? What else hadn't they checked?

I get the replacement car -but it had no gas -so this Jersey Girl had to go to a gas station and pump the gas (we DO NOT pump our own gas in NJ and it is a lot cheaper prices also -don't ask me how?) even though i did pump gas on my road trip out West -i still had a little problem -ah- making the gas come out of the hose. LOL. But I wanted to get on the road -I was an hour late and Paula and Stan would be expecting me.

Driving toward Tampa or exit 240 north was a breeze on this great road 75. Very fast moving. But I didn't see alot of rest areas and I had to pee. Finally just before my exit -a rest area! Yea! Paula calls and I tell her where I am and she says - I am about 20 mins away. good. I hang up and go to get out of the car and the horn and alarms go off. whoops.

I quickly start the car again and put it into gear and it stops. Then I re park and get out -again the alarms and horn -FIVE times I try to get out of the car -and five time the alarms go off. By this time i am Laughing and of course still have to pee. I had picked up a card from the Ft Myers Hertz and put it in my pocketbook. So I call the manager -Steve- and tell him the problem -he has never heard of such a problem and doesn't know how to help. The Mazda is holding a middle age woman on diuretics -hostage and he cant help me -Hello?

He suggests I call the toll free number on the front of the yellow cover sheet holding my receipt/contract. He hangs up. I have the contract but my yellow binder is not in my purse -oh yea it is in my bag of maps in the trunk. Crap.

LOL ...The car is to small to crawl to the trunk and my bladder is way to full. I check out the glove box and YEA - the past lessee left their yellow cover in the box -I now have the toll free Road assistance number.

I call and a very nice man answers and I give him my problem and info from the contract. He says he never heard of the Mazda doing this to anyone.??????Figures

But he can help and tells me how to reset the alarm. Which goes off again as I get out. (meanwhile NO ONE has come over to see why the car alarm is going off ????) Long story short -I reset the alarm by opening the door from the outside with the key.

The guy on the phone from roadside assistance has a nice voice and wants to talk and laugh with me -but hey -I am at this rest area for a reason....Thanks for the help......but GOTTA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

All is well that ends well/ when you can laugh with your adventure! :)))))

Florida -Day 9 (Pine Island)

Today, Mother drove Dad and I out to Pine Island -about 30 min -a 17 mile long island mostly fisherman and artists. Not many Pine trees but lots of PALM TREE Farms. A lot of the farmers belong to the the Pine Island Growers. So you see " P I G " Farms everywhere. What a HOOT!

Although we didn't get out and actually TALK to artists. We had lunch at Capt.'s Con's at the North end -it was about 85 and breezy -just lovely. Mother and Dad had the famous house Fish Stew (cream base) fearing crab meat in the stew I opted for a nice hamburger.

We also bought raffle tickets they were selling to benefit the local Lions Club. The prizes were Pictures by local painters -all very nice. I wrote down Mothers Ft Myers house phone number. The drawing is after I leave....but......I still hope. Have you seen the art in this Florida house? OMG 1930 Motel art is better! Keep you fingers crossed.

We also drove past the house that belongs to a woman I work with at the gym. She and her husband come down whenever they can.

A nice 4 hour day trip with Mother driving and Dad directing from the co=pilot seat. They argue and Mother doesn't talk then Dad stops 'helping' and she talks under her breath -that he (so very deaf) can hear? Go figure. LOL I am having a wonderful time -although i may have to walk home -not enough exercise!!!

Thank goodness for cell phone Pictures!

Florida -Day 6

I just borrowed my parents car and drove to a restaurant off Rt 75 exit 131 to meet up with friends from work. They retired a little before I did and finally settled in Tampa -which is about an hour and a half north.

It was so good to see them. I didn't realize how much. We spoke a little bit about old mutual friends but mostly about how our lives are now that we all have retired. What we are doing -not just to keep ourselves busy- but actually enjoying our lives, doing new things and meeting new people.

We are blessed in our retirement, pensions and healthy attitude towards life.

I may rent a car my last week in Florida and travel around a bit and visit in Tampa. We spoke of the idea I have had floating around my brain of selling my house and moving here. I don't know -I wonder what it would be like with this beautiful weather all year long.

The first step is the biggest -cleaning out my mess and getting rid of all my stuff. I think i have said it before, the economy it getting worst -all we will have is barter and all the stuff an old person can barter with -I am throwing away! smile -no excuses - I need to clean out my house. sigh

Okay here it is day six and I need suggestions from bloggers -what can I do -alone- in Ft Myers and south. High speed boat to Key West and Edison House etc -already did.

Any ideas? I want to hit Pine Island but after that ? _I am almost ready to stop in the IRS office in Ft Myers and take a bunch of numbers off the customer service help machine. smile Ok -so maybe not.

Visiting Parents in Florida =Day Four

Visiting with Parents in Florida is a unique experience.

It is going to 32 tonight or lower and the grounds people are covering the flowering bushes. I should go around and take pictures but I will not -Florida lazy. I did get Dad to ride around with me as I drove the car. It will not be much longer till I have to escape to - ah- less heated enclosures. I had not driven this car much, so I needed to practice. Mother was not joking when she said "oh ,we don't go out in the cold". OK, it is cold for everyone but the Canadians who are still riding bikes but have found long pants! LOL

Dad and I just rode their three wheel bikes up to the club house and the little gym the retirement community has for the residents. Three tread mills (two work) /two bikes (one works)/ one rower/one leg lift/one leg press/ one arm lift and a universal with five stations. A separate weight room but no weighs under eight lbs (all the lower weights are missing). Another separate room has a desk and file for work out cards and you can do Swedish exercise balls and steps , both of which are stored in that room. Pretty good if everything worked.

We went up to learn the equipment from a trainer who works at the gym around the corner. Where, I think , the hard core exercise boomers belong. She teaches some classes in the retirement community and has individual clients she works with; in their homes. She also said her gym has Silver Sneakers and lots of instructors. I am calling Mother and Dad's insurance to see if they will cover that wonderful exercise program for Seniors. Anyway it was a good hour of instruction and how to use the equipment and she wrote down all Dad's settings and weights and exercises. She was great -I would hire her! Maybe Dad can get Mother to go with him? I brought Lysol whipes to use on the machines & I left it there.

Yesterday we watched the Inauguration all day.

I have a 1958 memory of a little white girl, moving South. from up North -wanting a drink of water in DC but not being able to use the water fountains for "coloreds only' and wondering why?

I remember wanting to sit in the back of the bus and the bus driver admonishing my mother for allowing us to go back there. She never could explain to my brother and I, Why we couldn't sit back there with the other children. They were black.

What an amazing and awesome day. Over a million plus people on the mall waving American Flags !

I still have tears in my eyes.

You reached me in sunny Fl -it was at least 75 today -maybe warmer.

Flight left on time maybe a little early -when the stewardess said for everyone to turn off their phones and tunes or electronic stuff -one guy in row 7 or so, decided to ignore her -she kept telling him and he kept back talking her.

She then told him she wasn't going to have a problem at 32000 feet and if he wanted off she would take the plane back to the terminal. Those of us in the back couldn't hear what he said but she was trying to get him to listen and spoke loudly.

Then this window seat man said the guy in the middle threatened (?) him. The problem passenger was about 25 to 30. So the stewardess moved the guy in the middle seat over to another row. But the young man at the window continued to give her grief.

Sooooo she told the pilot to turn around and go back to the terminal and then we docked and a black man in a suit came onboard the plane along with two uniform security police and had the problem passenger get his ONLY bag from the overhead -and walked him off the plane.

The man who had been moved from the middle seat to another row -went back to his row and now took the window seat....hummmm? LOL

My row mates and I asked the stewardess what happened and she told us the watered down version. Never a dull moment.

My row mates were my age and on their way to Miami to pick up a three day cruise. He had retired from the Auto Industry and lost all his savings and retirement and was now back working at a sales job for 48 hours a week. She has two part time jobs. Life goes on. I would like to go on a cruise someday, any advice? They said go on the least expensive cruise -it is all good -just go!

We were about 45 min. late to FT Myers (RSW). Everyone was relived the stewardess took the precautions BEFORE we took off. Nobody wanted trouble at 32000 ft!

My parents are fine and had no idea the plane was late -and they remembered I was visiting!!!

I hear it is snowing in the Northeast, and the Eagles lost= OH well..........-Thinking of youall. /