Football Friday Part 9

Well, Alabama has an off week this week, thank goodness. We really need it. However, with only a few games of the season left, I can't forget about the tide here on the blog, so I thought I would share a picture that was emailed to me that was the game-changing play of the game last week against Tennessee!

Have a great weekend and don't forget about me running in the 5k tomorrow! Fingers crossed it isn't cold and rainy!! Oh and Roll Tide and Happy Halloween!!

Creepy Crawlies

Since we are so close to Halloween (and because I read this beetle story by Justine over at Almost There) I decided that it is only appropriate to mention somethings that give us the creepy crawlies!! I am an animal fan! I like lots of different types of (most) animals and there isn't much that grosses me out (except snakes slithering and the next thing I am about to tell you about). I even have a tattoo of a frog (my favorite) on my foot. Now, living in the heat in the South, we have LOTS of bugs and well, critters. We have lizards. Now, they are just your regular old salamanders (except to me, they might as well be Dragons that can kill). They can change colors too (sometimes). Well, whenever I see one of these creatures, my natural reaction is usually to shriek, yell, or squeal and do a little dance and run as far away from them as I can get as fast as I can.

So here are my two most memorable and funniest experience with these lizards:
(Be aware that the rest of this is long, but entertaining.)

1. When I first moved into my apartment in a new town I didn't know anyone! I mean, I met a couple of my neighbors, but mostly they were all girls. Well I was showering and getting ready for work and I caught a glimpse of something moving out of the corner of my eye. I was in the middle of a big shampoo lather so I decided to rinse my hair and then see what it was. Well, when I opened my eyes, I see a lizard squirming up the shower wall. I mean the thing was as big as my arm (ok, maybe just as big as my finger, but still, MY ARM)! So I squealed and hurried and got out of the shower and shut the curtain thinking I could make it go away and it wouldn't get out of the bathtub. Then, It kept squirming and I was about to die of a heart attack. I couldn't do that because I didn't want someone to find me a few days later, dead on the bathroom floor, in a towel, with half-way rinsed hair surrounded by lizards without my pearls on! Come on! So I did what every girl would do and I washed it with water into the tub (where I knew it was slick and it couldn't come out and get me)while squealing and doing the dance. I got ready for work satisfied that it wasn't going anywhere. When I got ready for work, I decided that I would give it some water (scalding hot might I add thinking maybe it would die of a heat stroke and not roam my apartment while I was gone and crawl on my pillow). I went to work and quickly forgot about the monster intruding my apartment. But as soon as I got home, I remembered the creepy thing that I had left in my bathtub that morning. As soon as I got home, I checked, and sure enough he was still there swimming in my bathtub. Well, I had to get him out! I couldn't go unshowered! So I called a guy friend of mine (who was halfway across the country) and told him the story in a panic figuring he would be nice and come get it for me or something, or at least work some magic and make it go away. Instead, I hear him laughing as hard as he can. He then asks me to repeat the story. I did, almost screeching/yelling at this point only to hear more people laughing! He had put me on speaker phone so his friends could hear my story! He said just scoop it with a cup since it was in water and throw it outside. well, this was a good plan, except I wasn't going to get close to it. So, since he was no help, I decided to go see if any of my neighbors were home and their husbands could help me out. I finally found a neighbor and she said her husband was on his way home. He didn't even get out of his car before she had him in my apartment getting the stupid lizard out of the bathtub! He took it outside and released it. Crisis averted. I didn't have to have my obituary say anything about me and lizards and no pearls. I thanked him for saving my life by baking them some cookies. I then went and cleaned my shower with Clorox to clean away the lizard cooties.

2. About a year after the first incident, I had a heightened awareness for lizards. I always looked on doors, walls and the ground for them. They seemed to be the worst at night, they would gather near lights. I think really they just liked to see how fast I could move from point A to point B while they laughed at me. Well, one night I was going out the door and was talking and forgot to check for attackers. As soon as I opened the door, ONE JUMPED ON ME!! I SCREAMED. It slithered down my body. I was doing a crazy dance trying to get it off. I even jumped ON TOP OF THE DRYER to get away from it (duh, these suckers can climb). Anyway, he got off of me and was injured from the impact of my shoe meeting his body a gazillion times during my "Lizards give me the creeps and I have to move as fast as I can" dance.I proceeded to injure a lizard, stab one of my friends with a key, elevate my heart rate times ten, and be laughed at by everyone who saw the fiasco. I was mortified even more after that experience.

Needless to say, LIZARDS GIVE ME THE CREEPS (and induce heart attack symptoms, cause bodily harm, make me move as fast as I can, and have caused me to walk on high alert during warm months). What are some of your Creepy Crawlie stories or things that just give you the creeps??

Happy Thursday! That is Friday eve for those of us who like that day the most! Have a great rest of the week!

P.S. - I was going to post a picture of a lizard on this post, but I can't bring myself to do it. So, just imagine one. As big as your arm.

Rain, rain go away!

Well, while normally I love a rainy day and sometimes it can be fun, I am ready for the rain to hold off a bit. It started raining here yesterday afternoon before work was out and HAS NOT STOPPED. In fact, it has even gotten progressively worse! Now, as I mentioned yesterday, I am running a 5k in 4 days and finishing my training this week is crucial! I am not a fan of running in the rain.If it is hot, and it is a light drizzle I may not mind, but it is cold and it is pouring! It kinda hurts. Kinda like riding a motorcycle in the rain and the drops hitting you in the face while driving 60 mph. Ok, except not like that at all because I am running. With two feet being my horsepower, not an engine, and not at 60 mph, it just sounded good. Anyway, so that is one reason I want the rain to hold off. Secondly, people in my town do not know how to drive in the sunshine, add in rain and you are going to have wrecks. At every exit on the interstate. And having a dog who is scared of the rain and thunder is funny. He weighs as much as I do and still thinks he needs to be in my lap when he gets scared. Or if I am laying in bed, he thinks he wants to be right on top of me. Then, I guess he notices I am turning blue because he is crushing me and moves over. He needs his mom to make him feel safe, so he decides to lay beside me and not on me. How about the fact that it is already dark when I get ready in the mornings and go to work, add the rain and it is even worse. Oh well, I guess I will make the best of it and just be glad I don't have to sit out in it all day. Just part of it when I have to run. Hope you all are enjoying your Tuesday, rain or shine. Oh, and I have been reading a lot about people being sick. Hope you all get better! Maybe you would like this rain, I'll try to send it your way.

*Image from Google.

Weekend Update

So, it is Monday again....I actually did very little this weekend! No traveling, no company, no plans! I was all by myself! I took the time to watch all things TLC, eat not-meal-worthy foods, and clean (just a little). I also got to enjoy the nice fall weather and not wear much of anything but pjs. I mean, I did shower and change said pjs, but still no "real" clothes were worn!

Saturday, I thought I was going to meet my early death from watching the Crimson Tide pull out a win against the Tennessee Vols! I was on.the.edge.of.my.seat. and I was p a c i n g all over my house! It was INSANE! I did not like the closeness of the outcome, but again, a win is a win. UA has an off week coming up and we definitely need it!

Next weekend, I am running my very 1st 5k! I am super excited, but also kind of nervous! I am finishing my training by Thursday so I can have Friday off before the run on Saturday! I can't wait to tell you all how it went! We'll see! Fingers crossed it isn't too cold and I don't feel like I am breathing ice!

I am coming up on my 100th post. This is exciting and I feel like it is giveaway-worthy! So, when I think of something clever, I will have my very first giveaway! Get excited and be looking for it!

So, who else is ready for the time to change? I mean seriously, I can't take this waking up and going to work in the dark thing anymore!

Dear Sunshine,

I miss your face when I am getting ready in the mornings. Won't you please come out a little sooner? It makes it so hard to get out of bed when even you aren't up yet. I desperately need your help to make my feet touch the floor! k? Thanks for listening, hope to see you bright and early again soon!

Love,
Me

Football Friday Part 8

So, I missed football Friday last week because I was not at a computer and I completely forgot to schedule a post about it. Anyway, this week is a big week for The Crimson Tide, probably bigger for us than the Iron Bowl. We play Tennessee. Now, Tennessee is a bigger rival for us than Auburn. It is BAD. I don't know one Alabama fan who doesn't literally hate Tennessee. So, here's to hoping I can report back to you on Monday with Alabama still being undefeated and beating TN! We play in Tuscaloosa, so it should be a good one. See how this student feels about Tennessee. I think it pretty much speaks for the rest of the community of Bama fans....Ha!


ROLL TIDE ROLL!!

Last time today....

...well, maybe. I am a little bit bored, can you tell? I was just sitting here thinking that I was so hungry. Now, here in Alabama, as I type this, it is only 9:58 am. Not time for lunch, after breakfast. So, that means it is time for a snack. Right? At least that is what I am telling myself. We have a few snacks here at the office, lets see, peanut butter crackers, popcorn and Cheez-its. Now, my hands-down favorite choice is ALWAYS Cheez-its. I mean WHOA! (yes, channeling my inner Joey Lawrence from Blossom) They are my favorite! So, let's hear from you..what are some of your favorite go-to snacks? (especially mid-morning, mid-afternoon)

Follow-up

Well, I guess some of you probably think I am crazy for that last blog post, but I think I was just irritated yesterday and it all came out in one long, rambling, didn't-make-sense blog. Sorry for that. Here is a little explanation.....
I hate when people automatically discredit you based on stereotypes. I get it often and I guess I have a lot against me. I am a girl. From the South. I was in a sorority. And I work in a man's world...politics. Now, I don't claim to be the smartest person in the world because I'm not by any means whatsoever. But, I am not an idiot. And I hate it when people assume that because they are stereotyping me! My knowledge is like an iceberg. You can only see about 10% of it and the rest is under the surface. Seriously, if you look under the water you'll see it, or if your dumb enough to crash into it, you'll know it! Now, like I said in my last post, I like to watch people and guess their stories, but only for fun. I talk about people just like everyone else, but purely just because. I don't make assumptions that cause me to form an opinion of someone, I know everyone has a story that has been edited my many different things. It is just important to observe, but let people reserve the right to tell their own story. And that is all I have for this soapbox, come back another day and I will probably have another one. I promise since tomorrow is Friday, it will be fun and lighthearted. Because it is FOOTBALL FRIDAY and ALABAMA is #1 in the AP Poll!

Assumptions

Do you ever wonder what people think of you? Why people look at you and automatically make assumptions about you. Not that anyone has of me lately, but then again, I am sure someone does daily. I think it is funny when people think they know you just by looking at you and you could be far, far from that. Sometimes, I too think people-watching is fun. Trying to write someone's story by looking at them and reading what you think is written on their face. Or in their step. Or in the way they carry themselves. Or even what you hear them say. But in reality, this isn't fair. This could be a stretch from the truth and you could be missing out on something truly remarkable. I often wonder what people would think of me by looking at me. Let's see, I wear pearls daily (what can I say, I am a true Southern Belle). I must be sweet and charming or some may think snotty. When in fact I can be all of those things, but I can also be rude, sassy, sarcastic, and blunt. I bet you wouldn't think that? I bet you didn't think I was judgmental either. I am. But I also find the good in everyone I meet. I am quick to give an opinion and I am always up for a good debate. I like to play devil's advocate. But I will also listen all day and all night without saying a word. Bet you didn't see that one coming. I smile all the time. I wonder what that makes you think. Probably that she is sweet, or some may say, she has no clue. When most of the time, I smile because I am thinking of something, scheming if you will. Sometimes it is because I am just not interested. Sometimes, it is because I really do care, or because it looks like you need a smile. I am sweet too, sometimes. I bet you wouldn't think that I love kids, however some kids REALLY get on my nerves. I have a great deal of patience but there are some things that cause me to be very impatient. I am definitely flawed. But then again, who isn't? We just have to learn to overlook imperfections to truly appreciate that which is before us. I read a poem today and it really made me think of how trying to write someone's story that I haven't yet tried to read, may be making me miss out. I have always had this idea of just exactly what I was looking for and I thought I knew just exactly what it looked like and where to find it. When in fact, I feel like I was really walking around with my eyes closed, even making assumptions. When I let my guard down, open my eyes, and see things for how they really are, not how I think they are, or how I assume they are, it is a great thing. And may bring great things or people into my life that I may have otherwise missed. Have you ever thought of what you were missing? People tell you all the time to take things for what they are, realize what makes you happy. And don't assume things that you don't already know. This poem made me rather aware of the reality of opening my eyes and thinking about what/who I really wanted in my life. And what great things I could be missing. My past is already written, my present is a work in progress, and there is only one person who knows the path of my future. I don't wanna walk down it with my eyes closed, I wanna see what is gonna happen, what has already been planned for me.....and I certainly don't wanna miss a thing because of my own assumptions.

John Ashbery - At North Farm

Somewhere someone is traveling furiously toward you,
At incredible speed, traveling day and night,
Through blizzards and desert heat, across torrents,
through narrow passes.
But will he know where to find you,
Recognize you when he sees you,
Give you the thing he has for you?

Hardly anything grows here,
Yet the granaries are bursting with meal,
The sacks of meal piled to the rafters.
The streams run with sweetness, fattening fish;
Birds darken the sky. Is it enough
That the dish of milk is set out at night,
That we think of him sometimes,
Sometimes and always, with mixed feelings?

Sleep Deprived

So, I am surprised I have not fallen asleep at work yet! It is 10:30 and I have had 2 cups of coffee and I have been ok for now. Why am I so tired? Well, I slept like I was 5 last night. I don't mean that I slept well, like a baby, I mean I slept like I was 5 and had nightmares about the witch. Anyway, I don't know what got into me last night! I went to sleep at a normal time (between 9:30 and 10). I didn't eat a late dinner and I watched the normal things before bed, last night was Biggest Loser. So why on earth did I dream about 1. a hooded intruder standing over my bed 2. the Nashville courthouse being bombed (and me calling my friends and brother there to make sure they are ok) and 3. My mom and I being lost in a parking garage looking for her car only to witness a fight and someone getting stabbed and arrested?! It was CRAZY! I guess I am missing my goodnight phone call. And maybe since I haven't been running in the mornings since I have suddenly become scared of the dark outside that has something to do with it! Seriously, I have always gotten up and ran at 5 am, it has always been dark, but now, I am scared? Who knows! I have to now change my routine and run in the evenings when I get off work. Maybe I will also stop watching and reading the news. That may help. Maybe the crazy dreams will stop. I know, it was only one night of them and they probably only totaled about 10 minutes of my actual sleep time, but I feel like I have been run over by a truck and am super tired today. Scout thinks I am crazy as well because when I dreamed about the hooded guy standing over my bed I woke up and sat straight up in a panic and scared the mess out of him. I think he hated me for scaring him and waking him up. Anyway...do any of you ever have weird/bad dreams? If so, what do you do to prevent them?? I am going to go fix myself another cup of coffee now and hopefully have a good rest of the day.

Weekend wrap-up

So...I haven't been on in a while! Almost a week! Yikes! I guess I have been pretty darn busy! The last you heard from me, it was Wednesday and my bro turned 30. Well, Thursday, I only worked a half day and then headed to Huntsville, and was off on Friday! The half day that I did work wasn't totally uneventful, I was kinda busy before I became totally useless and left! I headed to the ville for 2 specific reasons: One was to ship E off half way across the world for a MONTH! Boooo! The second was to go to my high school and accept my "Alumni of the Year" award and "get inducted" into the "Alumni Hall of Fame." Another thing that happened while I was there was I froze my butt off. Seriously, that was not an intended purpose for the trip, but it happened, and I definitely left it somewhere in the bleachers at Sparkman High School. It. Was. So. Cold. But, I do love this time of year (when I don't have to be outside dressed up in it) because it is a reason to wear sweatshirts, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, build fires, drink cider and hot chocolate, snuggle, watch the leaves change and decorate for the seasons. Oh, and if I hadn't frozen my butt off in Huntsville, I would totally be enjoying those heated seats in my car (ok, I am still enjoying them, I was just going with the theme). Anyway, my mom and I did what we do best and went shopping a little and we all went to church and ate a totally unhealthy meal after with my grandmother. Oh, Saturday night, I made homemade chicken pot pies for my family and my grandparents, that was good. I also watched the Crimson Tide beat South Carolina. It wasn't a pretty win, but a win is a win no matter how you get there! So, now, I am back at work, enjoying the still fall-like, but slightly warmer weather a little further south. Here's to a great week! Hope you all make the best of it!

*image from here.

Thirty. It's half-way to Sixty.

You must think that is the craziest blog title EVER! Ha! Well, today, I am writing a post because it is my brother, Chris's 30th birthday!! Yikes! We are getting old! He was born 6 years before me, so I have only known him 24 of those 30 years. He is a dreamer of dreams, a singer of songs, a performer, a constant source of laughter, a player of the guitar (and any other musical instrument he wants), a spitting image of our mama, a protector of his sister, a friend, and one, if you meet, you'll never forget! Be looking out for him, he will be famous one day if he has it his way!! Here are some photos to celebrate the birthday boy!!
Chris and our cousin Gracie


Doing what he does best


With his favorite sister


So, if you Twitter (Tweet?) follow him: @telechristopher and wish him a Happy Birthday!!

Not Me Monday

So, I guess since MckMama is giving away a cool prize, I will do a "Not Me Monday post that I haven't done in a while, even though I don't really have much that I can remember.

...I DID NOT get up at 3:30 am to drive back home (in the rain)because I REALLY don't wanna come back to this city. Nope, not me, I LOVE it here and I LOVE my job.
...I DID NOT change clothes in the car when I got to work because I was slowed by said rain and got to the parking lot just in time and didn't have time to go home and change. (It IS a 3.5 hour drive, I HAD to do it in pjs)
...I DID NOT talk trash on Gameday Saturday because Auburn lost BAD to Arkansas.
...C (co-worker) and I WERE NOT so lazy to go home for lunch today that we didn't walk down the street to the new oyster house. This isn't the same one we were at the last time we were at work. We would never eat out this much.
...We DID NOT leave from said restaurant early (before our meals were finished) because our waiter creeped us out (while shucking oysters with a knife) talking about blood in the oysters and killing himself with the knife. Yeah, it wasn't weird at all.

That is about all I can think of for now....Hope you all have a great Monday!

Football Friday Part 6

Tomorrow Alabama travels to Ole Miss for game six. I will be watching it on tv with E, even though I miss watching it from the South end-zone from Bryant Denny (pictured above) with 92,000 plus. Ole Miss is the Alabama of Mississippi, in regards to traditions, Greek life, etc. I ALWAYS wanted to go to Ole Miss growing up for two reasons. 1. William Faulkner 2. Eli Manning. So, this is a fun game for me. I still bleed Crimson and White, but it is always fun to wonder what it would be like were I to be singing "Hotty Toddy" instead of "Rammer Jammer". I am definitely glad of my decision and will be yelling "Roll Tide Roll" (and probably a few other things) tomorrow! Here's to a great weekend! I know I can't get mine started fast enough!! I will catch up with you Monday.

Decorated

Well, it is finally fall (even though it doesn't really feel like it all the time). I feel like I need to pull out some fall-ish decorations or something. My mom decorated her house last weekend, complete with this painted shovel thing on the fire place. My dad and I made fun of it. Oh well, at least she is in the spirit. I guess I will get there when it stops being above 80 degrees. (The rate we're going, I will not have fall decorations til Christmas and Christmas decorations until after the New Year.) Anyway, I did receive some blog decoration from Keyona over at The New Norm. Here are the rules for that one:




1. Each Superior Scribbler I name today must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving bloggy friends.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to THIS POST, which explains The Award.

4. Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

Here are my nominees:
Jessica
Alyse
Jennifer
Stephanie
Lindsey

Hope you all have a fabulous week! It is FINALLY Thursday! I am SO ready for the weekend it isn't even funny I feel like this has been the longest week of my life! Wow, I am so excited that I just made a huge run-on sentence right there! Ha! Hope this doesn't take away from my "Superior Scribbler" status!

Road Rage Much?

Ok, so I try to be pretty sweet, calm and mild-mannered. To me, there is no sense in getting all worked up about things that are beyond my control. It may be me trying to be a better person, or the fact that I am terrified of getting high blood pressure and having a heart attack (what? I am healthy and only 24? Yeah, it could happen.) Anyway, the only time I am easily angered and my face turns red is when I am in the car. I have the hardest time keeping my cool. No, I am not the best driver in the world, but I do try to respect other drivers and adhere to the rules of the road. I guess some people weren't taught that back when they were 15 from their driver's ed teacher. With three other teenage distractions in the car. In the parking lot of the drag strip. Driving through lanes made with orange cones. I mean, not that I was either, I'm Just saying, that may be a good way to learn. Why am I bringing this up? Well, I thought you'd never ask. Yesterday driving home from work at 5:15, I was singing and glad to be off work, then a driver decided that he wanted to drive down the middle of two lanes of the four available to him. Other people were stopping and yielding to him, no one letting him know his mistake. Well, it frustrated me so I kind of blew my horn, and may have mentioned to him what those lines on the road were for. My windows weren't down, and I still had a smile on my face, so I'm sure he didn't hear me and had no clue I was highly irritated at his lack of respect for my lane. He promptly chose his lane leaving me to go about my merry way and get home without incident. Then again, this morning, Scout and I are on our way into work and ANOTHER car does the SAME thing. Seriously people? I repeated the actions from yesterday and he moved over, I went on about my business and got to work safe and sound, but not before I explained to him too that those lines weren't for decoration. Then, when I got to work, I even twittered about it. Nothing frustrates me like people with driver's licenses who don't know the rules and responsibilities behind them. I will however remind them of those whether they know it or not. So, now that I am no longer in the car, I am cool, calm and collected. And as sweet as pure sugar! HA! Have a great day. And never judge me by the way I ride/drive/yell/instruct in the car. I mean, if I were one of the ones to learn to drive in the parking lot of a drag-strip it would probably bring out aggression. I wouldn't know....again, just sayin....

"Are you for real???"

I get an email from my brother with this title. Now, when you read this, you think "uh oh" I wonder what this is going to be about! Well, he sent me a link to this story. I mean really?! Now I understand the subject line. Only in Alabama.....well, maybe not. I have been laughing at this website that SunshineMeg posted yesterday. Seriously I wonder if people are really that stupid or if they just want attention. I can't imagine anyone wanting attention that bad! It really makes me question some people. And I have been taking notice of people around me and some of the things they do. I think I have come to the conclusion that most people just really don't care what they do. I understand not worrying about what other people think, but come on people there has to be a line drawn somewhere. I'd rather people not have to use the phrase "Are you for real??" when questioning me or my actions. I think I will "stay classy San Diego."

Happy Tuesday! One day farther from Monday and closer to Friday!

Weekend Recap

Well, it is Monday and I am actually telling you about my weekend today instead of tomorrow. But, I figured if I didn't get to it today, my week may start getting busy and I won't be able to tell you all about it! Even though not too much happened, it was still a great weekend with family!
Friday:
Got to eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Phil Sandival's with mom and Jared!
Saturday:
Enjoy a full day of shopping with my mom.
Visited with my grandparents and cousins! I got to play with Gracie (3 years old) and Abbie (3 months old). They were cute and fun (pictures to come).
Alabama beat Kentucky!
Watched Auburn beat Tennessee and dinner with the fam.
Sunday:
Did some more shopping with my mom.
Cooked a great dinner (if I do say so myself).
Got to hang out with E for a bit (since he was out of town all weekend except Sunday).

Pretty uneventful really, but still a GREAT weekend! The weather was in the 50's and 60's and GREAT! I am so excited fall weather is finally here. :) I have a busy end of the week this week at work and my normal computer died on Friday, so I am having to work on an old computer without all of my normal stuff on it. That should be lots of fun!! HA! NOT! Oh well, have a GREAT week! I will try to check back in periodically!

Football Friday Part 5

Well, This week the 4-0 Crimson Tide travel to the Bluegrass State to take on the University of Kentucky. I'll be watching the game on TV. The video is of a rap song written about UA. Since E won't be here for the game to listen to the song (its tradition) I posted on here, so it would be played on game day! So, if you don't like rap, I wouldn't advise listening to the above song. Here's to hoping for "W" number 5. Roll Tide Roll!

May I take your order?

This morning I got up bright and early after going to bed early and I decided that since yesterday was pay day I would skip the plain old cup of coffee at work and stop at Starbucks to get a Pumpkin Spice Latte in honor of the new weather that is here. The drive thru line was SO long, so I parked and went inside, since I had plenty of time. Here is the synopsis of the scene: One man in line ahead of me, a teenager and his mom waiting on their drinks and me. Now, here is the conversation when I get to the counter to order:
Starbucks Lady: What can I get for you?
Me: (smiling at her) I would like a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte, no whip, and a plain bagel please.
SBL: That'll be a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte and a plain bagel, is that all?
Me: (Still smiling) Yes ma'am, that's it.
SBL: $5.?? something something.
Me: (I hand her my card.)
SBL (While writing my order on the paper cup) Name please?
Me: Becky.
SBL: Do you kids get to bring this to school or something?
Me: (Looking over my shoulder to see who she may be talking to, figuring out that she is talking to me and lose the smile. And stare at her.)
SBL: When I was in school we weren't allowed to bring things like this to school.
Me: (Still no smile, still staring.) Well, I wouldn't know. I graduated COLLEGE three years ago.
SBL: (Stares at me dumbfounded with a cocked eyebrow. Speechless.)

Word of advice, please do not have a conversation with someone based on assumptions that may not make someone too happy. Especially first thing in the morning! So, I wrote her a little letter. (Ok, not really, but if I did, it would read something like this):

Dear Starbucks Lady,

Good morning. I came into your store today in a great and happy mood wearing a smile. I was looking forward to that Pumpkin Spice Latte before I went to my big girl job (even with my dog, but you didn't know that). I even got up early for it. Now, I know looks may be deceiving when someone walks in dressed like a sorority girl, you think that the polo and pearls are a tell-tale sign that one may be in school and aspiring to have Greek letters accompanying her name. I, however, am not one of those. I have been there. Done that. And I have plenty of t-shirts to prove it. I know I have no wrinkles and young looking skin, I get it from my mama. However, I do not like to be referred to as a child when I am old enough to have one of my own. Do not assume you know me, and let me enjoy my Pumpkin Spice Latte in peace. Please? Thank you, and have a good rest of the day.

Going through the drive-thru next time,
Becky, 24 years old

P.S. - I left my smile on your counter, maybe you could borrow it for the next customer?