If Only There Had Been A ‘Warning Label’ Printed On The Bottle

Okay. Um.

I almost did not write about the little incident I am about to share with you, because things like this should probably stay private. However, I have decided to throw caution to the wind, along with most of my dignity, and tell you the story about a girl who drank what appeared to be a seemingly harmless all natural digestive supplement, and then suffered intense and severe consequences.

Ready?

[Oh, and to Moooooog35, I will be telling this story ‘In The FIRST Person’ just for you.]

I believe it was last Thursday afternoon when I decided to visit one of my favorite people ‘Amy The Bartender’ at my favorite place known as ‘KHCC.’ Amy The Bartender and I were chatting about the beautiful weather and laughing like usual.

Amy The Bartender shares the some of the same afflictions as I do, especially when it comes to dealing with heartburn. The both of us practically live on Tums and Pepcid Complete, full well knowing those are basically just masking agents to cover up our real digestive issues.

[Side bar: As many of you already know I have severe Food Allergies, Crohn’s Disease, Celiac, Ulcers, and a Hiatal Hernia, so I am quite familiar with dealing with any sort of stomach and/or intestinal ‘situation’ but I was certainly not expecting what happened.]

One of the members of KHCC, whom I adore, and who we will lovingly refer to as ‘The Mayor’ overheard Amy The Bartender and I talking about our perpetual heartburn and how annoying it is to live with.  The Mayor jumped right into our conversation all to eager to discuss a product he takes himself, on a daily basis.

According to The Mayor, this clear liquid, all natural, dietary supplement, helps promote healthy digestion, increases your energy, removes waste and toxins from your system, liver, kidneys, blood and colon. And it also has the power to relive heartburn and hiatal hernia symptoms.

Apparently, it’s filled with miracles.

Sounds awesome right?

Since I am always up for trying something new that might help me feel better, and since I trust The Mayor, I agreed to try a sample of the said miracle-working product along with Amy The Bartender.

Amy The Bartender prepared two shot glasses, one for her and one for me. Then, Amy The Bartender measured out less than half a teaspoon of the ever so innocent looking clear liquid into each glass and mixed it with some raspberry iced tea.

On the count of three, we downed our shots.

At first, it didn’t taste that bad.

But…

Only a mere three milliseconds later?

The aftertaste kicked in.

And that is when all hell broke loose

In our mouths.

To use the term ‘intense’ would be the understatement of the year.

The best and only possible way I can compare what the taste of that drink is truly like, would be if someone were to drink a mouthful of sea-water, from the very bottom of the ocean floor, mixed with rotting kelp, and all things dead, coupled with a side of rust.

Only. Worse.

That ‘distinguished flavor’ must be some kind of an acquired taste.

Amy The Bartender said that she felt as if she had just licked ‘A Jetty’ with rocks covered in moss, conveniently located in the middle of the Dead Sea.

In an effort to remove the foulness covering our tongues, Amy The Bartender and I sucked down on lemon and orange slices. All to no avail.

The aftertaste was so powerful and so potent, I thought for sure if I spoke to anyone they would have been able to smell the offensive taste in my mouth. I was one hundred percent certain my breath could have very well been lethal for any unsuspecting individual.  Therefore, I figured it would be best for me to exit the building.

[FYI: To this very day, my taste buds are still not the same.]

I really think it would have been nice if the manufacturers at least had the decency to put the ‘aftertaste issue’ on some kind of a Warning Label. Because information like that would have been really handy BEFORE drinking their product. Yes?

In fact, they should have put a lot of things on a Warning Label. Much like the ‘Warning’ I am going to give you right now.

[WARNING: I tried to write what happened next as delicately as possible. However, the following portion of this post, is not for the squeamish.]

Now, if that wasn’t bad enough, when I came home from KHCC, the real problems began.

After dinner with my family, I started feeling the all too familiar wave of sickness brewing in my intestines. I knew the inevitable was going to happen, as soon as the beads of sweat started to form on my forehead. I had to get to the bathroom and right quick.

Thankfully, because I am used to dealing with situations like this, my bathroom had recently been stocked with the necessary supplies such as triple-ply Charmin toilet paper and air freshener.  But sometimes, no matter how well prepared one may be, there just aren’t enough baby wipes.

I spent the better part of my evening trapped within the confines of that room praying to the gods to ‘please make it stop’ and promising [via pinky swear] to never drink any sort of concoction like that ever again.

While I sat in my bathroom, sweating, in tears, and practically fainting, I wondered just how concentrated that stuff must have been, in order for three tiny little drops to have had such an influential effect on my bowels.

I sincerely and wholeheartedly believe that I may have lost a vital organ that evening, as I evacuated everything I had ever eaten in the last year of my life.

I felt as if I had undergone a high colonic against my will. Not even ‘Tucks Medicated Pads’ could ease the painful burn of what felt like firewater being extracted violently.

Exhausted and utterly depleted, I managed to type out a less than coherent text message to Amy The Bartender. I had to inform her of the details to my tragic condition because I was wondering if she was dealing with the same. Fortunately for her, she was only suffering from pangs of nausea.

Amy The Bartender, proceeded to tell The Mayor exactly why I was unable to come back to KHCC that evening. Upon hearing the news, The Mayor could not get his hands on my phone number fast enough. He called several times to find out if I was okay, however, obviously, I could not answer the phone.

When I finally did make it to bed, the only way I was able to lay comfortably without triggering another round of ‘Leaky Ass Syndrome’? Was to sleep…in the fetal position.

I awoke in the morning [still suffering] to find some lovely text messages from Amy The Bartender. Which I am going to share with you – verbatim.

[And yes, Amy The Bartender sends her text messages in the third person.]

Amy is still not feeling too well, and had bathroom issues all this morning. Amy is scared to eat anything.”

I was already cracking up before reading the next message:

Amy wishes she had her heartburn back, and that she never drank the kelp.”

I can honestly speak for the both of us when I say, neither Amy The Bartender, nor I, will ever be the same.

And we will NEVER try another all natural digestive supplement.

[Especially ones that don’t come with warning labels.]

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go use the bathroom.

Because just thinking and writing about this, makes my stomach churn.

All over again.

Posted in Friends, Humor, KHCC, Life, Strong Medicine | 59 Comments

Twitter Announcement

I’m sure all of you have heard of twitter by now, in fact I tweet with most of you already. But, I have some Very Big News that I would like to share with ya’ll regarding one of my closest friends of all time AND twitter.

Also, for those of you who are not familiar with twitter, I would like to help point you in the right direction on how to get started and thrive in the twitter community!

One of my closest friends of over 20+ years whom you all may already know as Leslie Poston founder and creator of Uptown Uncorked has recently published a book!!

I am so proud and so excited for her – that I simply could NOT wait to share this with you all.

The book is called: Twitter For Dummies by Laura Fitton, Michael Gruen, and Leslie Poston.

Twitter can boost your business and marketing efforts, and this guide shows you how! Twitter, the simple-to-use microblogging service, offers immense benefits for businesses and organizations. Fire departments, political candidates, and CEO’s have used Twitter to share up-to-the-minute information. Laura Fitton, maybe better known by her Twitter handle – @Pistachio, has more than 10,000 followers on Twitter, and gives presentations on how to use Twitter to build business and personal opportunity. She’s joined by Michael Gruen and Leslie Poston to share Twitter expertise in this easy-to-follow guide.

You’ll discover how to get set up on Twitter, build a follower list, and find a voice for your tweets. Then you’ll learn to use third party tools to link Twitter to other sites and incorporate it into business communication models. This book covers

* The basics of signing up and creating tweets
* Following other users and adding followers to your own tweets
* Mastering the “Twecosystem”-the tools that tie Twitter to many other Web applications, including mobile devices
* Strategies for enhancing business communication, marketing, and networking opportunities with Twitter

Twitter For Dummies gets you up and running on this hot communications tool the fun and easy way.

The book will soon be available for purchase on Amazon!

But…You may pre-order it now !!!

CLICK HERE!

OR

CLICK HERE!

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Posted in Books, Friends, Links, Love, Other Bloggers, Technology, Writing | 25 Comments

Meleah’s Week In Review (Part ?)

Meleah has resolved to write her blog post, in the same way she writes her Facebook Status Updates. In fact, because Meleah has so much more fun writing in the third person, she is going to commit to writing this way on her blog, at least until September.

Monday evening after preparing a lovely meal for her family, Meleah decided to take her cooking skills to the next level, and try her new-found culinary hands at baking.

However, Meleah wasn’t exactly sure how the cake would turn out [or eventually taste] considering only HALF of the batter, actually made it into the bunt pan.

The ‘Other Half Of The Cake Mix’?

Landed all over Meleah’s shirt, face, and hair. Right before uncontrollably spraying wildly onto the kitchen counter, walls, and floor – when something went terribly awry.

Meleah, having little to no experience in baking, simply thought the mixer leg thingy’s would come off the hand held contraption, when she pressed the EJECT button. Sadly, that was not the case. Instead, the mixer turned itself on HIGH while IN THE AIR and covered in batter.

Yeah. Um. Meleah is totally blaming the mixer. After all, it is quite possible that the particular mixer she used was built by the very Herbert Johnson himself, back in 1908.

As Meleah looked around the disaster that was once her kitchen and glanced down at her once freshly laundered, favorite sweat pants, and said in her best Chelsea Handler voice, “What….A Mess.”

Then Meleah wondered weather or not she was supposed to bake the cake for HALF of the time, since she was only able to use HALF of the batter? And she wondered if she would ever be able to remove the cake batter from the kitchen ceiling.

In good news, after some extensive cleanup, the cake ended up being a total success and was enjoyed by all. And, that lovely experiment forced Meleah to finally take that shower. The very shower she should have taken on Sunday.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Meleah worked her fat little sausage link fingers until the Red Nail Polish practically chipped off, typing away, writing Chapter Nine.

By Thursday, Meleah needed to get out of the house. She visited her ‘home away from home’ also known as KHCC to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Unfortunately, when Meleah arrived Amy The Bartender was NOT her usual sunshiny self.

An ‘Angry Amy’ makes for one very ‘Sad Meleah’.

Apparently, something happened that Meleah is not allowed to discuss publicly, that may or may not involve inconsiderate and/or lazy people who shall remain nameless.

When Meleah heard the cause of Amy The Bartender’s grief, she busted out her best Chelsea Handler voice again, and said, “What…A Nightmare.”

[Side Bar: Meleah really likes using her best Chelsea Handler voice, almost as much as she likes talking in the third person.]

However, Amy The Bartender dealt with said private situation- single handedly and with style and grace. And, then Meleah and Amy enjoyed splitting and eating everything from The Left Side Of The Menu along with a hearty helping of ‘Pepcid Complete’ to combat the inevitable heartburn.

On a completely unrelated topic…

In addition to the brake light warning that has been gleaming in the dashboard of Meleah’s car [ever since January] the Check Engine light is also now glowing a brilliant shade of amber. Meleah isn’t all that concerned about having these issues taken care of immediately, since she suffers from a mild case of agoraphobia and never drives outside of the 4 square miles that surround her house. Meleah is pretty sure she can get away with not having her car checked out, for at least a few months.

Thursday night into Friday morning, Meleah miraculously completed the rough draft of Chapter Nine. Meleah has posted her latest work on the internet, but you will need to leave a comment or send an email to request the password. Meleah is really looking forward to hearing what you think and she truly appreciates all of the support and encouragement she receives from all of her totally super awesome friends.

Friday, Meleah spent the entire day and night in her pajamas, in bed, eating whatever the hell she wanted and sleeping as much as humanly possible. By Saturday Meleah woke up extremely refreshed.

Sunday was a most excellent and simply glorious day in the Walter, Colonna, Hawthorne Household. Some of Meleah’s family came over to help her celebrate her son’s 13th birthday party, even though his real birthday was last Sunday and even though they already had a party for him. But, Meleah thinks that every thirteen year old should get to have two birthday weekends, because turning thirteen is so very monumental.

Amy The Bartender attended our little family function and she could not have been more excited. In fact, Amy The Bartender [Who Plays Tennis But Is Not Ranked] had been highly anticipating the chance to meet Gramma Evelyn in person for weeks prior to this engagement. Amy The Bartender was so looking forward to what Gramma Ev *might* say, that Amy The Bartender prepared a list of topics [in advance] to discuss with Gramma Ev.

Gramma Ev did not disappoint.

Amy The Bartender thinks that Gramma Ev is even more of a character in real life. And Amy The Bartender would be right. Meleah was so happy to hear Gramma Ev sound like her usual Angry Self because Everyone Needs A Little Evelyn.

Meleah can’t even begin to get into the ‘highlights’ of the day, because there were just way too many. However, Meleah is presently working very hard on editing the raw video footage of Gramm Ev’s latest rants and compiling a new family movie for your viewing pleasure. Meleah plans on posting The Final Cut right here on her blog, just as soon as she completes the painstaking task that is involved when creating said production.

[Meleah is also very busy: captioning, editing and cropping the hundreds and thousands of photos she recently took. After all, Meleah takes her job as ‘Family Historian’ very seriously. Just ask all the people with her camera stuck in their faces.]

Meleah hopes ya’ll had an excellent week and she is looking forward to reading and commenting on all of YOUR blogs to see just how YOU have been, and what YOU have been up to! In fact, Meleah may be commenting on your blog right now.

Posted in Driving, Family, Friends, Grandma Ev, Holidays, Humor, JCH quotes, KHCC, Life, Links, Off The Pole, Photos, Writing | 38 Comments

A Quick Friendly Recommendation

With all the writing I’ve been doing myself, I haven’t had much time to do anything else. However, I did manage to find the time to read the book Finding Kylie written by an amazing woman and my friend Kimberly McKay. And it was AWESOME.

I never do this, but, since her book was so incredibly good, I am highly recommending YOU read this book too. You may purchase your very own copy by clicking the image below!

Photobucket

Happy Reading Everyone!

I will be posting my usual Weekly UPDATE on Monday!

Posted in Books, Friends, Links, Other Bloggers, Writing | 11 Comments

Monday’s With Meleah

Okay, as most of you know, ever since I started working on my book, I’ve only been writing blog posts and visiting your blogs to read and comment on Monday’s. And that has been a pretty good system for me. With that being said, I’d like to wrap up the events of my life that happened last week, with this very short, packed with links, blog post.

1. I battled with Writers Block for at least seven days, until I found the cure.

2. I had a fabulous Mother’s Day with my beloved family.

3. My son turned 13-years-old and I am still so beside myself I can’t even talk about it!

4. My father provided much entertainment when he took on the challenge of Building A Waterfall In Our Backyard.

5. My Nephew MDW said,”WHOA!”  for the first time ever.

6. And My Nephew MDW has a new dance, that I like to call, Running In Place And Laughing

7. I feel confident that I will be able to resume and possibly even complete Chapter Nine this week.

8. I was reminded just how lucky I am to have such an amazing group of friends that I can always count on for encouragement and support.

9. I am really looking forward to whatever this new week may have in store for me.

And,

10. Meleah thinks its almost weird to write her blog posts in the 1st person because she got really used to writing, and thinking and speaking, in the 3rd person. Meleah already thinks next weeks blog post will be done in the third person again.

Posted in Family, Holidays, JCH quotes, Life, Links, Videos, Writing | 40 Comments

Happy 13th Birthday To My Son JCH

Posted in Family, Holidays, Humor, JCH quotes, Videos | 29 Comments

Happy Mothers Day

happy-mothers-day

As I am wishing every Mother a wonderful day, I would like to wish ONE MOM in particular an extra special mothers day.

And person, is MY MOTHER.

Dear Mom,

I am writing you this letter to express to you just how much I admire, respect, and look up to you.

If I could be anyone in the world, famous, rich, dead or alive, I would want to be you. I can’t wait for the day for someone to say to me, “You are just like your mother.”

I hear women always complaining about their mothers, and doing everything to avoid growing up to be like their mothers…not me.

First of all, your grace and style are second to none. Your loving and giving nature which is such a natural part of your character make-up, is inspiring. Your spirituality has given me faith when I had none, and has helped me grow once I found a sense of faith.

You have made the ultimate sacrifices for your children. You have defended and protected me when I was most desperate. You let me go, and make my own mistakes, only praying with extreme heartache that the outcome would be successful.

The emotional pain of raising 2 children on your own, having 4 kids at one time, step kids, divorces, ex-husbands, household moves, boarding schools, runaway children, addiction, alcoholism, Alzheimers, old age, deaths, pregnancies, births, marriages, life on lifes terms. Heartbreak and joy… and all while looking fantastic!

You have rolled the dice and taken your chances with me time and time again, without ever taking away your love from me.

You have taken care of my son, like no other grandmother I know. You have taken him into your heart, and you have HEALED my son’s scars. You undid damage inside of him I thought would never go away. You let my son be a kid. You taught him that it was safe, you gave him an adult he could trust, when he had no one else in the world to turn to.

No matter what emotional pain you suffered from decisions you had to make regarding your daughter, you made those decisions based only on what was best for ME, never what would be easier for YOU.

I can only HOPE that one day I will be able to do that for my son.

I respect you more than you can EVER know. I admire you in ways I don’t know how to express. I love you more than the whole sky!!

I am PROUD to have you as my mother. I am LUCKY to have you as my mother. I am GRATEFUL to have you as my mother.

I love the way our relationship has evolved over these past few years.

From rock bottom, to now, the ride has been long, difficult, and hard work, but worth every single step.

I love that I trust you. I love that I can tell you virtually everything, with safety, honesty, and sometimes I’m even OPEN to advice!

I love that we can TALK everything through to the other side of the problems, and get to our solutions. Solutions that work for BOTH of us. I love that we don’t STAY in the problem.

I love that after one of those talks, we walk away with a stronger relationship, a better understanding of each others feelings, and needs, and a genuine attempt to work and change whatever is upsetting the other party.

I love how we laugh together, I love how we cry together, I’m NOT a big of a fan of yelling at each other, which is something that we have not done in a long time!!!!

I love knowing without a shadow of doubt in my mind that my mothers allegiance is to ME.

Without you, without your love, without your faith, I have no idea where I would be today.

I love you Mommy.

Forever,

xoxoxoxoxox Meleah xooxoxoxoxo

Posted in Family, Holidays | 27 Comments

Red Nail Polish

Okay, Um. I am not normally a superstitious person whatsoever. However, in light of some recent events, I just may have to attribute my new-found-good-luck to the mysterious power of Red Nail Polish.

Let me explain.

On what seemed like the never-ending quest to restore my creativity, due to my ‘so-called-writers-block’ episode, I was so desperate to find my words, I would have tried anything.

I took a short walk around my neighborhood, but when I realized I don’t have any stamina or the capacity for exercising, I decided I was better off taking long drive. I thought some fresh air might do me some good. And by ‘Fresh Air’ I mean I stared out my bedroom window watching the pouring rain, for seven days in a row, while chain-smoking Newport 100 cigarettes. When that didn’t work, I visited my friends over at my local Country Club. I devoured gallons of coffee flavored ice cream. I cried. I yelled. I screamed. I slept. I read a book. I watched TV. I deleted and entire chapter and started from scratch. I stood on my head. I even started blaming my beloved uniform for my sudden lack of words.

Sadly, after seven days nothing worked. Every time I looked at a blank word document on my computer, I felt absolutely defeated.

I was so frustrated and just about ready to set my hair on fire when I remembered the last time I wrote something that I deemed worthy – I was wearing Red Nail Polish.

I thought to myself, ‘Well, my nails could use a manicure anyway, why not use the same Red Nail Polish I wore two weeks ago when I was able to write two whole chapters?’

With that, I painted both my feet and my fingers to match. And then, a bunch of things happened in my life, which have nothing to do with writing at all!

After my nails were dry, I climbed into my bed fully prepared to deal with the customary ‘Hunting For Something Good To Watch On Television.’ Normally, it’s pretty slim pickings at 3am. Much to my surprise, as soon as I turned on my TV I was greeted with the familiar “dramatic” sound that plays at the beginning of the Law and Order. [*Gung-Gung*] A three-hour marathon had just begun!

I thought to myself, ‘Ha. That’s funny. I just painted my nails and things are already looking up.’ I went to bed without thinking anything else about the Red Nail Polish.

The following day, my mother had to go the hospital because she needed a specific test in order to find out why she keeps having all these bladder infections.

[Side bar: Sorry mom, I hate to break it to you, but your secret(s) will never be safe. Especially when you live with someone who is forever searching for material to write about, and the same someone who has a blog.]

My mother had to undergo what’s called a “cystoscopy”. It’s kind of like a “colonoscopy” except, that it’s completely different. [For more information on that subject, Google it. Or not.]

Since this procedure requires anesthesia, someone also know as the currently unemployed writer (namely me) had to drive her to and from the Care Center.

Unfortunately, I had to travel on that whore of a highway. Fortunately, I only have to enter the combat zone and battle with her occasionally. Luckily, the NJTPK was quite forgiving. There was little to no traffic.

I thought to myself, ‘Gee, this is weird. I can’t believe there is no traffic.’ Then I laughed to myself and thought, ‘Maybe it’s the Red Nail Polish.’

As we approached the hospital, I was positive I would have to play the game ‘Where The Hell Am I Going To Find A Parking Space In New Brunswick?’ Followed by the game called ‘Parallel Parking.’ And typically, I lose, badly, while playing both of those games.

I was pleasantly surprised when my mother told me her procedure not only us granted us access to the Care Center parking deck, but, we were also eligible for the Free Parking.

I thought, ‘Wait a second. Did this ‘Red Nail Polish’ just save me from having to circle the block a million times and a few dollars?’

Of course, I was dreading sitting in The Waiting Room. Usually, when I am subject to waiting in any sort of Hospital Area, I end up getting stuck seated next to a crazy person.

[Side bar: Why is it that people think just because we are sitting next to each other, we should become best friends for the day?]

I was certain that I would have to spend my time in the waiting area, avoiding eye contact with others, bored out of my mind, reading countless magazines filled with useless celebrity gossip that is at least, ten years old.

But, low and behold, The Waiting Room was practically empty. And not only did they have free Internet access, but I was able to hijack a coffee table, which easily converted into my own personal desk! My ‘Home Office’ provided hours of entertainment while I happily waited for my mothers tests to be completed.

I thought, ‘Okay, this is getting spooky. Everything in my life seems to be working out great, ever since I put on this Red Nail Polish!

My mother’s tests were successful and we were released from the hospital quickly.

On the drive home we were blessed with yet another easy commute. There was little to no traffic to deal with. I was never stuck behind a Middle Lane Mother F*cker (MLMF) and I was never forced to take the shoulder.

That evening, I shared a lovely meal with my family before watching the one-hour season finale of my favorite TV Show Scrubs.

Before falling asleep I thought to myself, ‘Hmm…I wonder what tomorrow will bring?’

Miraculously, the next day, two more glorious events occurred.

First:

After what seemed like an eternity without medical coverage, my brand new and much needed Health Benefits arrived in the mail!

I thought, ‘Okay. I’ve been waiting forever for these benefits to kick in, with no such luck. I am definitely giving my Red Nail Polish the credit for this one.’

On some of the paper work included in the large envelope, I was given an 800 number to call in order for me to pick my Primary Care Provider.

I was positive there was no way I would be able to find a PCP that I love as much as I loved my last doctor. But, after only twenty minutes on hold, I discovered that I am able to KEEP my favorite doctor and my son’s pediatrician.

When I hung up the phone I shouted, ‘Thank you Red Nail Polish!’

Second:

I have been dying to get a haircut for weeks, however scheduling and personal issues prevented that from happening.

Out of the blue, I received a message from the totally-super-fabulous-master-colorist also known as my friend Tiffany. After we spoke on the phone she told me that she had an opening at her salon. Needless to say, I jumped all over that window of opportunity.

But, I am thanking HER not just the Red Nail Polish for ‘The Best Hair Cut Of My Life.’

On a totally unrelated note, I recently learned that “Pulling Your Hair Back Into A Pony Tail IS NOT The Same Thing As Taking A Shower.”

I discovered this ‘vital piece of information’ when I was given the MOTHER OF THE YEAR AWARD by my fantastic brother Adam.

I feel as if I have no choice, or rational explanation, as to the sudden and awesome series of events that have recently occurred in my life other than the Red Nail Polish.

I am led to believe the Red Nail Polish has also LIFTED my ‘writer’s block’ situation. Because I was able to write a total of 1389 words – in this post alone. And I even think this post may be halfway decent.

Now, if I am able to get that ‘Chapter Nine’ finished already, I may never take this Red Nail Polish off my fingers!

And, lastly, I would like to extend an early “HAPPY MOTHERS DAY” to every Mother On The Planet. I hope that everyone has a great weekend.

Posted in Awards, Driving, Family, Holidays, Humor, Life, Links, Photos, Videos, Writing | 35 Comments

My Daddy And The Bank

You all know how much I love my father and just how much I love to share stories about him with ya’ll. Like the time he saved me from a spider, or the time he fought with the gas attendant over 75 cents, or how he looks almost exactly like Tony Bennett, and just how difficult it was to change my flat tire.

Well, today boys and girls, I have yet another tale from the ‘Daddy Chronicles’ to regale you with. This story also features the one and only Gramma Ev, because Everyone Needs A Little Evelyn in their life.

It was just a typical day here in central New Jersey. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping and all was seemingly well. On his lunch break, my father took a leisurely walk over to the local bank, which was conveniently located right around the corner from his office.  My father had his bi-weekly card game that evening and he needed to change a few twenty-dollar bills in for singles.

Upon entering the building, my father stood in the appropriate line and waited for the next available teller. When he was called up to the window an unusual turn of events occurred.

My Father:  “Hello, yes, I’d like to change these bills in for singles.”

Lady At The Window: “Sure. What’s your account number?”

My Father:  “I don’t have an account here.”

Lady At The Window: “Then we can’t change these bills.”

My Now Confused Father: “What do you mean you can’t change these bills?”

Lady At The Window: “We have a new policy. If you don’t have an account with our bank, then we can’t change these bills.”

My Now Even More Confused Father (looks intensely at his money): “This is American money right? I am still in America right?”

Lady At The Window (programmed to produce the same reply): “We have a new policy. If you don’t have an account with our bank, then we can’t change these bills.”

My Now Annoyed Father: “Let me get this straight. You can’t change my American Money for other American Money, IN A BANK OF AMERICA, because I don’t have an account here?”

Lady At The Window: “Well that is our new policy.”

My Now Seriously Agitated Father: “Okay. I am going to need to speak with your manager.”

Lady At The Window: “Well, he is not here right now, and he wont be back for awhile.”

My Now Irate Father: “Fine. But, I’ll be back.”

And with that my father stormed out of the bank.

He walked over to his favorite deli and ordered a sandwich, but he could not stop obsessing over what had just happened. He paid for his lunch and headed back to his office. While seated at his desk, my father proceeded to work himself up into such a state of mind that he couldn’t even eat his food.

He decided to ask a few people around the office if the ‘situation’ that just went down at the bank seemed normal to anyone. As the more people agreed with my father, the more annoyed, angry, upset, irritated, and frustrated, my father became.

He was so vexed it was quite possible the pulsating veins in his neck could have very well exploded. My father left the office, in a huff, and went back to the bank in hopes of speaking to the manager.

My Very Pissed Off Father: “Hi, remember me? I want to talk to your manager.”

Lady At The Window: “Well, he is still not here. I am not sure when he will be back.”

My Angry Father: “Okay, let me ask you a question. I am not a customer of this bank so you won’t change my American Money, but you have no problem taking my $1.50 for the fee every time I use your ATM machine.”

My father’s voice was so loud and booming through out the building, a lady from inside the back offices heard the commotion and came out to see if she could assist in any way.

Bank Office Lady: “Sir, sir, May I help you?”

My Livid Father: “I hope so, because this is kind of crazy. I don’t have a bank account here, but I work right around the corner and all I want to do is change these bills for other bills, and they lady in the window wont do it. Apparently you have some sort of new policy.”

Bank Office Lady: “Well yes that’s true we do have a new policy. And we can’t….”

Suddenly, she stopped right in the middle of her sentence and began staring at my father as if she recognized him from somewhere.

Bank Office Lady: “May I ask you a personal question?”

My Furious Father: “Yeah, sure. If it will get me some change.”

Bank Office Lady: “Are you Evelyn’s Cxxxxxx’s son?”

My Perplexed Father: “Yes I am. Why?”

Without saying another word, The Bank Office Lady took my father by the hand and led him over to the bank teller.

She approached the window and said, “Forget the policy. Please just give this man whatever he wants.”

As it turns out, The Bank Office Lady lives only a few doors down from my Gramma Evelyn. Anyone who knows Evelyn knows best – not – to mess with her.

My Gramma Ev has no qualms in putting together a picket line, going to the newspapers, calling the cops, in sighting a riot, or creating a massive scene.

I went into a complete state of hysterical laughter when my father told me this story, for two reasons:

1. No matter how good any of his arguments were over how stupid and obnoxious their new policy may have been, it took the simple mentioning of his mother to solve the problem.

2. Because I wouldn’t want this woman coming after me in a fit of rage either.


Posted in Family, Grandma Ev, Humor, Links | 39 Comments

Sorry Ya’ll….

missing-milk-carton

Posted in Humor, Writing | 27 Comments