I Don't Want To Grow Up, I'm a Toys R Us Kid
After the loss of 22 pounds in 6 months because of not providing my body with alcohol calories, I wondered if I am still fun. Remember the alcohol loosened me up for mayhem behavior. Whatever I thought to do, there was no filter in my actions because of those uninhibited elixers. But I am glad to report, I've still got it. Here's the latest:
Shopping on the LAST SATURDAY before Christmas weekend, my Younger Teacher Friend asked me to go with her to Atlanta. Because she had just gotten out of school for the school break, she was behind on her shopping and had to get some things done. I wouldn't think anyone would really want to go buy Christmas presents on one of the last Saturdays in Atlanta if they didn't have to. But she had to and she asked me to tag along.
As a retiree, I didn't have to go. Not only were my presents bought, but they were already distributed to the recipients (and opened, I might add). But that happens a lot in retirement. Hey! Don't be thinking you wish you could have this much time to be done with these responsibilities. Remember - retirement is for OLD people. If you are younger than retirement age, don't wish it away.
I mostly went to be with her, of course, but also to see the malls decorated because she was going to a couple of them. I hadn't been in a MALL in years. I tend to shop in the stand alone businesses. So, getting out and visiting the pretty sights, even with all the humanity, which I was going to try and ignore (yeah, right) was going to be entertaining. And she was driving in that Atlanta traffic. I wasn't in charge of anything. I was along for the ride.
We started early and arrived home after dark. She was on a mission and I don't blame her. Her job was to "getter done." I have recently had a bit of plantar fasciitis. I knew I might need to sit down on our walking/shopping excursion to keep it at bay. And I did. So it wasn't so much the standing and walking as it was the length of the all day mission trip. But I signed up for it.
Late in the day I was starting to be worn slap out. By that I mean standing in long lines and ticking of the minutes before it was our turn to make a purchase, especially at Bath And Body Works in Perimeter Mall.
Young Teacher Friend needed SEVERAL items as gifts. She is such a girlie girl, even if she has a household of testosterone. There were 3 lines and the wait looked unbearable. But instead of both of us in line, I suggested she shop while I hold her place for her. The lines barely moved. They must have hired a bunch of new people for Christmas to run the register. It didn't look like they had the ringing-up merchandise rhythm down yet.
So, while waiting, I, of course, started talking to others in line to pass the time. Time stood still just like the lines and I tried to make the best of it. I didn't mind holding her place, it would have been worse to shop and get in line LATER. She soon joined me and we still had a ways to go. It's like "hurry up to slow down." You know the feeling. Anyway, we both were chatting away with our fellow linemen (and women) when I started to be come giddy. When I get bored, watch out!
I started using my "outside" voice. That's what we called it when I taught pre-school. We had "inside" voices and "outside" voices. With my "outside" voice I was taking command. I talked loudly so others could hear me say, "Did everyone get their number?" "You need a number to be called to purchase your gift." or "Don't forget to get your number before you get in line (and you know tons were already IN line)". Then I started calling OUT numbers: "Number 26." , "Number 79", etc. That was really fun to watch their faces then. Because it was so crowded, only those around me knew the source of this outlandishness and giggled...or were amusingly horrified ( I knew they were because of the expression on their faces). THEN, getting closer to our destination, I continued and said, "After your purchase, be sure and get your ticket stub stamped for free parking." That was the last thing I remember saying as we walked out of the store. And I said it several times to get a reaction to amuse myself with my trickery.
Thank goodness my Young Teacher Friend did not mind and laughed along as we left the store. My PARTNER-IN-CRIME from my younger days (as mentioned in my books) would have done the same, THEN. But today when I act goofy while visiting her in Atlanta she shames me. She has grown up now, I guess. She says, "You can't act like that up here." What? I am supposed to pretend I am mature?
So, thank goodness for my younger set of friends. They take me as I am...and that is that I am growing old, but I'll never grow up.
Shopping on the LAST SATURDAY before Christmas weekend, my Younger Teacher Friend asked me to go with her to Atlanta. Because she had just gotten out of school for the school break, she was behind on her shopping and had to get some things done. I wouldn't think anyone would really want to go buy Christmas presents on one of the last Saturdays in Atlanta if they didn't have to. But she had to and she asked me to tag along.
As a retiree, I didn't have to go. Not only were my presents bought, but they were already distributed to the recipients (and opened, I might add). But that happens a lot in retirement. Hey! Don't be thinking you wish you could have this much time to be done with these responsibilities. Remember - retirement is for OLD people. If you are younger than retirement age, don't wish it away.
I mostly went to be with her, of course, but also to see the malls decorated because she was going to a couple of them. I hadn't been in a MALL in years. I tend to shop in the stand alone businesses. So, getting out and visiting the pretty sights, even with all the humanity, which I was going to try and ignore (yeah, right) was going to be entertaining. And she was driving in that Atlanta traffic. I wasn't in charge of anything. I was along for the ride.
We started early and arrived home after dark. She was on a mission and I don't blame her. Her job was to "getter done." I have recently had a bit of plantar fasciitis. I knew I might need to sit down on our walking/shopping excursion to keep it at bay. And I did. So it wasn't so much the standing and walking as it was the length of the all day mission trip. But I signed up for it.
Late in the day I was starting to be worn slap out. By that I mean standing in long lines and ticking of the minutes before it was our turn to make a purchase, especially at Bath And Body Works in Perimeter Mall.
Young Teacher Friend needed SEVERAL items as gifts. She is such a girlie girl, even if she has a household of testosterone. There were 3 lines and the wait looked unbearable. But instead of both of us in line, I suggested she shop while I hold her place for her. The lines barely moved. They must have hired a bunch of new people for Christmas to run the register. It didn't look like they had the ringing-up merchandise rhythm down yet.
So, while waiting, I, of course, started talking to others in line to pass the time. Time stood still just like the lines and I tried to make the best of it. I didn't mind holding her place, it would have been worse to shop and get in line LATER. She soon joined me and we still had a ways to go. It's like "hurry up to slow down." You know the feeling. Anyway, we both were chatting away with our fellow linemen (and women) when I started to be come giddy. When I get bored, watch out!
I started using my "outside" voice. That's what we called it when I taught pre-school. We had "inside" voices and "outside" voices. With my "outside" voice I was taking command. I talked loudly so others could hear me say, "Did everyone get their number?" "You need a number to be called to purchase your gift." or "Don't forget to get your number before you get in line (and you know tons were already IN line)". Then I started calling OUT numbers: "Number 26." , "Number 79", etc. That was really fun to watch their faces then. Because it was so crowded, only those around me knew the source of this outlandishness and giggled...or were amusingly horrified ( I knew they were because of the expression on their faces). THEN, getting closer to our destination, I continued and said, "After your purchase, be sure and get your ticket stub stamped for free parking." That was the last thing I remember saying as we walked out of the store. And I said it several times to get a reaction to amuse myself with my trickery.
Thank goodness my Young Teacher Friend did not mind and laughed along as we left the store. My PARTNER-IN-CRIME from my younger days (as mentioned in my books) would have done the same, THEN. But today when I act goofy while visiting her in Atlanta she shames me. She has grown up now, I guess. She says, "You can't act like that up here." What? I am supposed to pretend I am mature?
So, thank goodness for my younger set of friends. They take me as I am...and that is that I am growing old, but I'll never grow up.
No comments have been added yet.
