Where NOT to get a manicure!

David & Lindsey's wedding is this weekend and I was way overdue for a pedicure & manicure anyway. I went to my usual pedicure lady because I feel safe with her. You hear all those horror stories about infections & diseases you can get from some places but she's very particular (she's actually a massage therapist too). However, she only does pedicures. I really needed a manicure but I was very short on time (this volunteer job at church has taken up most of yesterday & today). So I went to this little shop near my house.
I guess I should have known I was in trouble when she told me "for you, twelve dollar". Don't misunderstand me, I have no problem with foreigners but I can't ever get that Jerry Seinfeld scene out of my head when I go for a manicure. I know there are some excellent manicurist that don't speak English - but this shop isn't where they are. They talked non-stop the whole time I was there but they only tried to speak English to me. *Side note- the sign in the shop actually said Manicure - $11.99.
Of course, I caused the first problem. I was hoping to match my pedicure color. I'm still not sure if they didn't understand what color I was saying or they just didn't have it - and bless their hearts, they (and I mean the whole shop- there were 5 of them) searched every bottle and compared it to my toes. I finally convinced them that a color would do just fine - but the father continued to search and compare to my toes the whole time I was getting worked on.
The girl who did my nails was either new at it or the whole group just likes to watch over her shoulder (unfortunately, I was the only customer most of the time). Every single one of them took turns standing over us and felt compelled to ask me questions. "You like?" "That ok?" - Usually I could just smile and say 'yes' and they seemed happy. When she wanted to ask me something she would tell the mother to ask me - but her English only went so far - I think she thinks I'm marrying my nephew this weekend.
The girl almost drew blood as she ruined my cuticles - I'm hoping it's not permanent damage. She almost forgot to put on the undercoat but the father must have reminded her because she scowled at him and said something but then went over to get the bottle she needed. One of the girls spent my whole time there trying to convince me I needed a pedicure also but she finally gave up and packed up and went home. As she left she said "next time you do pedicure too - very pretty" and I said "Ok" - like there will ever be a next time!!
When the torture was over and the nails were painted they left me alone for a few minutes to let them dry - I think this was because another lady had popped in and there were all over her now. But 3 times a different one would come over to check my nails to see if they were dry yet.
I know I'm probably just being cranky because as people they were actually very nice and REALLY tried to make you feel welcome. But I'm not pleased with my manicure or with what I had to go through for it - so does anyone have a good manicurist they'd recommend for next time???

History Lessons

If you asked any of my family what was the worse vacation they ever had - they would probably all tell you it was our South Carolina trip. We stayed at Kiawah Island - on the beach and a short drive from Charleston. Although the resort was nice enough and the beach and grounds were great - the mid-August weather was even unbearable for my kids. It was too hot and muggy to be fun at all. These pictures are when I made them all go to Charleston - I love old mansions and historical places - and it shows what a great family I have. They were all hot, miserable and bored to death but they didn't let that keep them from being silly and having a little fun while trying to humor me.
It amazes me that I like any history at all. I hated history in school. Three of my four high school history classes was with the very same boring, dull, dry, bad-breath - did I say boring- teacher. I never had a good history teacher although I heard rumors that Cleveland had a few - those were probably for those 1-A brainy students. Strangely enough, I enjoy visiting historical spots and I love historical fiction novels - that's how they should teach people like me history! I read "The Other Boleyn Girl, "The Queen's Fool", and the "Virgin's Lover" by Philippa Gregory and finally understand that part of England's history. I'd also recommend "Lucy" by Ellen Feldman, "Mount Vernon Love Story" by Mary Higgins Clark, "Memoirs of a Geisha", and a non-fiction book that reads like fiction, "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson. (It's about the Chicago World's Fair.)
I still would like to go back to Charleston someday and spend a little more time there - but probably more like in October or November - never again in the summer!

Late Birthday Wishes

Happy Belated Birthday to Karli Brennan - her birthday was on June 10. And also to her dad -Joe Brennan -his birthday was the 12th. I don't get to see the Brennan clan often unless there's a wedding or Joe & Sandi happen to be in town. Hopefully we'll get to see a bit more of them next week since there's a wedding AND Joe & Sandi are in town for the week. It will be good to get everyone together for a nice visit.
The picture is Kelly, Joe,Rachel, & Karli (about 8 years ago!)

Miss Hullings - Part 1

Miss Hullings at 11th & Locust was my first job. I got the job over stacks of other applicants because Aunt Mazie, a long-time dedicated employee there, put in a good word for me - plus Nancy & Joe had both worked there. It was the easiest job I ever got and, except for motherhood, probably one of the most interesting and eye-opening jobs I would ever experience.
These pictures are from a 40th Anniversary promotion they had where I got to play hostess. The one picture is with Mrs. Apted (Miss Hullings). I still remember her driving me and a few other girls to a costume store for this event. She came to a dead stop in the far left hand lane of the highway because we were at our exit. She just sat there and waited until she could pull across the other 2 lanes to exit - I thought sure we were all dead.
When Nancy had worked at Miss Hullings she was a waitress in the restaurant side. I'm guessing she worked for Miss Linda? I do remember she got lots of tips because when the ice cream man would come down the street Mom would tell us to look through her purses in the bottom of her wardrobe for some change. Ask her about the "jello" incident.
Joe, I think, worked either behind the counter or was a busboy for the restaurant side. He was a favorite of Aunt Mazie and Miss Ann's. I'm sure he could probably tell quite a few of stories himself.
I got stuck on the cafeteria side (at least I didn't get sent to the kitchen) with Miss Goldie. I started out as a bus girl - the one who cleans off the tables. After a while I was graduated to bell/bus girl. Which means I still cleaned off the tables but I was the one that would go get that extra pat of butter for you or refill your coffee. You got a few tips as bell girl - but very few. My last job there was as cashier - I never realized how disgustingly dirty money could be - especially when you saw someone dig the money out of their 'hiding place' in their clothing. YUCK!
During the slack times you were always kept busy. I sometimes got put to work behind the counter, sent to the kitchen to roll silverware, sent to a banquet room to set tables, clean off tables or to fill sugar, salt, & pepper jars. Sometimes I was sent up to the bakery to help out or to the bake shop to stock shelves. And then there was this time in the pictures where I played hostess.
I met a lot of interesting or sometimes just plain weird people - both customers and other employees. I'll save them for Part 2. I don't know how Jimmy managed to avoid working at Miss Hullings - you just don't know what you missed Jimmy -ha ha

Happy Birthday Steve

Monday, June 5, is Steve's 57th birthday - we're getting awful close to 60 now. He thought he wanted to celebrate at Happy Joe's but Becky & I convinced him that Imo's pizza at home would be much better! He's lost some of his hearing, lost a little more hair and gotten a little slower - but he's still just a kid at heart - With love and best wishes - Happy Birthday to you Steve!