Catholic Girls

Last night we attended a fund raiser at a Catholic School and it sure brought back memories of my school years. Uniforms, saddle shoes and a sense of security.

What really struck me last night was the politeness of the students. They acted like responsible, considerate and happy teenagers. What a great experience. If only we could all pass on this joy to the rest of the world.

Three things I am thankfor for....make that four

1. a wonderful hubby....

2. great kids....

3. peace and contentment inside myself....

4. good friends....

Economic Hardships

Money does not grow on trees like I previously thought. Sometimes my fantasy world is a lot happier place than my real world. In the real world I go to work every day, get a paycheck (not much) and pay bills. Prices for everything have escalated but my income has stayed right where it has been - stuck in the mud.

In Japan restaurants have compensated for these tough economic times by employing monkeys. Yes, monkey waiters. Perhaps we should give that a try. We may get better service and we can tip them with peanuts.

I have tightened my money spending by no longer feeding the birds this includes the seagulls at the beach. 'Let them fend for themselves', is my new motto. When dining out, usually at a fast food location and always from the 99 cent menu, I make sure to get extra napkins, utensils and condiments. I no longer have to purchase napkins, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper or mints. It has been a great savings on my grocery bill.

I have found a fantastic way to have dinner out without spending a dime. Some stores give out free samples of food. I know all of them. The kiosk in the mall are big on this during the holidays. No one has said anything to me about the grazing although some of the food preparers give me strange looks. One does have to make several stops at the same pizza sample station. The pieces are very small. The deli's are my favorite. They just place the food right out there with no one watching or passing it out. It's a help yourself buffet.

Another fantastic meal is the financial seminars. They are usually held at great restaurants but you must listen to the speaker for at least an hour. There is one financial planner that has his seminars at a steak house. MMMMMM. Always ask for more rolls and butter to take home with you as it makes a tasty late night snack. If you are lucky you can attend three or four a month without ever spending your hard earned cash.

Harry and David's is an all time favorite. They even have coffee. Their cups are way too small so one day I just took in my own cup. Ice cream parlors is another favorite. You can sample every flavor they have. They will not let you sample the toppings - darn! Making the rounds at these food giveaways is a real night out for hubby and me. Pickings may be slim after the holidays so the movie Wedding Crashers has given me another idea.

The holidays have depleted my cash reserve- not that it was all that much to begin with. A Christmas gift from the boss was a gift card to a local theatre. The amount was more than what two people could spend. I decided to do my 'good deed for the day' (that should go on my goals list - a good deed everyday) so I invited several friends to go with us. I was afraid the gift card was only a one-time use and didn't want to miss an opportunity.

I dropped in my purse a can of soda and several granola bars ( I know, I know) they are so expensive in the theatre and the granola bars help me achieve my goals for the new year. My friends can use their own money to buy popcorn and soda at the concessionare stand.

We strolll casually up to the ticket window and I produce my little red envelope and pass it through the half- moon opening. The sun is glaring on the glass window and all I see is a shadow - no face. The faceless girl says "I need the card."
I reply, "What card?"
"I cannot process this transaction without the card it has the verification numbers on it."
"I don't have the card, just this envelope."
"Sorry, I need the card."

I begin the search through my purse being very careful she doesn't see my contraband and confiscate it. I remove two wallets, cell phone, old grocery store receipts, a winter hat, a half chewed rawhide dog toy and seeds gathered from that palm tree I adored in the park. The natives behind me are growing impatient so I step aside to continue the search. Hubby tries to help with the mission and pulls out my can of soda. I try to grab it back and place it indiscreetly in my zipper compartment. It slips from my grip and crashes onto the pavement. Splush!! It spurts diet soda all over. I look at the tinted window but cannot tell if the faceless person can see my disaster.

The card is not anywhere in my possesion. What would I have done with that all important card? Why would I have removed it from the envelope? Then, the light, ever so dim flashes inside my head. The card had the website printed on the back and I looked up the showtimes on the computer. Very clearly the dim light flashing inside my head shows the card sitting right next to my gel infused mouse pad - AT HOME.

There is one showing today for this movie and we traveled on a busy highway for an hour to get here. No chance of returning home and no chance of asking my invited guest to pay their own way. I move into another line feeling the guilt of contraband tugging at my insides. I pull out my credit card and cringe. My hands are sticky with soda. I pass it through the half-moon shaped opening to another faceless person.