The Fruit Truck Flipped and Gave Us All Limes

That title just about sums it up.

A couple of weeks ago, Hubs and I were visiting my family and grabbing some of the garden-fresh veggies that sometimes come our way when we're "down South."

Note: If you've never had a home-grown tomato or cucumber, please fix this as soon as you can. There are few things in the world that taste as good as a fresh-from-the-garden veggie :)

While we were there, my mom seemed to have an usual amount of limes around, and asked if we would PLEASE take some back to The City with us.

This is odd, because my mom isn't exactly a huge LIME fan, even though there were probably about 20 or so in her kitchen at the time.

It turns out, she had a surplus in the lime department because, the day before, a fruit truck that was driving through town sort of...lost its balance and spilled limes everywhere.

Thankfully, no one was injured so FREE LIMES FOR EVERYONE!

We also got a few jalapeño peppers out of the deal.

 So, naturally, we made enchiladas and guacamole for supper.

I love being from a small town in Mississippi. It's just the best.

Because It's Snowing in Kentucky

Well folks, we woke up this morning to cloudy, rainy skies with a very mild chance of snow but a very large chance of sleet, which set in around 8:30 a.m.

By the time I hopped out of the shower this morning, I had a missed call and a voice message from my grandmother, which kind of scared me because A) she never calls that early and B) she's NEVER left a voice message on my phone.

Thankfully, everything was fine. But the conversation that took place was pretty hilarious.


"Lisa-BELL!" she said when she picked up the phone (it's what she's called me since I was a baby). "You better NOT go into work today!"

"What do you mean?" I knew this was about to get good.

"You better stay OFF those roads, baby. This weather is CRAZY!"

I looked out the window. Slight sprinkles of rain.

"Umm...?"

"Those roads are dangerous! It's SNOWING in KENTUCKY!"


I love my grandmother. So, so much.


"It's so bad, people are stranded. STRANDED! The Law is having to come get 'em out!"


Down here, "The Law" = cops, ambulances, fire truck, all emergency response teams.


"Well, over here it's not too bad..." I'm trying to hide my giggles. Seriously.

"No no! I've been watching the NEWS ALL MORNING and it's BAD! Don't go to work and get stranded in the snow!"

"I love you, MawMaw. You be careful today."

"I love you too, honey. Just stay off those roads!"


My grandmother loves everybody. Even that mean old raccoon they found in the woods once that looked homeless, so they put him in a cage and took him home until he hissed and shook the cage with all of his body weight. I love that she cares so much about all of us that she stayed glued to the TV all morning, watching the weather to make sure her babies were safe.

My grandmother is amazing in so many ways. Especially since Jackson, Mississippi is still "so far North" to her; even though my hometown is only three hours South of here.


And most days, it seems so far away to me too.


Y'all be safe out there today! And if you're in Kentucky, my heart goes out to you as you wait for The Law to come get you out.

Now That We've Survived the Gas Leak

Happy Friday, one and all!


Well. Now that we've successfully completed a week of almost-snow-days and all-day rainy slush days, let's add "workplace gas leak" to the list of thing we've survived, shall we?

My, oh my. It has been a wild ride this week, I do declare.

Yesterday afternoon at work, we were all humming along, minding our own business and adjusting to a semi-normal day -- one that DIDN'T involve snow predictions, bridge closures, and detours through THE SHADIEST ROADS YOU'LL EVER SEE OH MY WORD -- when suddenly I started smelling something...odd.

It was faint, in all honesty, but...odd.

I had a half-cup of coffee sitting next to me, which had been there since around 8 a.m., so I thought maybe the creamer had gone sour? Nope, not it. Maybe it was my computer overheating? Nope.

EGAD what if it's me? Thankfully, nope, it wasn't.

A few people have some smaller space heaters under their desk -- so that was a possibility.

But the smell was faint, so it was hard to pinpoint exactly where it was coming from.

Just then, one of my co-workers sitting next me jumped out of her office and said...."Is there a gas leak in here??? It smells like GAS. Like really...GAS."

Immediately about six heads popped up throughout our row of cubes.

GAS??????

My boss flew out of her office to check with some of our managers, but none were to be found. She ran back just as we saw a nice crowd of people gathering by the front door, fidgeting trying to get out.

"GRAB YOUR STUFF," she said to us all. "We have to go NOW."

The tone of her voice said that she meant business and something scary was about to go down.

By the time we'd reached the parking lot there were probably at least 60 people outside, with more coming behind us. Confusion to the MAX.

Long story short (ish), apparently it was the building NEXT to us that had some issues, but a gas leak was not one of them and all was safe and sound.

A large group of us stayed outside for a little longer just in case, but it proved to be okay.

We still smelled like gas for a few more hours, though.

BUT. All's well that ends well, I guess. Right?

Right.

Because it's FRIDAY. And a sunny weekend is (finally) ahead!


May your skies be bright, your coffee be delicious, and your air be NOT poisoned with gas!

Happy weekend!

That Time I Heard My Boss's Kid's First Words

My Bosslady has two precious babies and one on the way.

Awhile back, Bosslady brought her kids to work for part of the day. The girl, her oldest, is bright and energetic and has just entered the preschool age.

The youngest, at the time, was still a butterball of a baby boy with chubby legs and a contagious smile. I'd never heard him say a word except the occasional "Glaaahhhhhhh" and "ooooooohhhhh."

Presh.

A few of us around the office were prepping to take some stock photos, complete with random props found around the office and cheap party decorations I'd found in the trunk of my car (because I carry things like that around on a daily basis - don't I keep getting more awesome?). One of said props was a cheap plastic hat that read, "Happy New Year!" -- you'll see the point of that in a minute.

Right as we were wrapping up, Bosslady walks in with the two children; The Girl, at her side, and Chubby Baby on her hip.

"I need to take The Girl to the bathroom," Bosslady said. "Will you hold Chubby Baby for a few minutes?"

Before I knew it, Chubby Baby was on my hip, looking up at me with the bluest eyes I've ever seen.

Ohh Chubby Baby. You shouldn't make me melt so!

Chubby Baby looked around, amazed at all the shiny objects in the room, just out of his reach.

Until he spied The Hat.

The cheap, plastic, "Happy New Year!" hat.

He reached for it.

"Oh the hat!" I said, way too eager to please Chubby Baby. "He wants the hat!"

So I handed it to him. And he giggled.

Aaaaahhhh Chubby Giggles!

It was a beautiful, peaceful moment.

Until he held it up, trying to show it to me -- and started making noises.

"Huh! Hah! Haaahh!"

Oh snap! What's going on? Asthma? Gas? Did he just realize his mommy left the room?

Part of me panicked.

"Hey look at the hat!"I said, trying to entertain. Smile, Chubby Baby, smile!

He lifted the hat again.

"Hah! Haaaaa--tuh!"

Silence.

No way. No way did he just do that. I was hearing things. Surely I was. Nobody is supposed to hear a baby's first words except his mommy and daddy. NOBODY.

"Ha--HAAAT!"

Yep. It happened. Chubby Baby said his first word.

"No!" I said, desperate to somehow undo this situation, then make it happen again once Bosslady was back in the room. "No hat!"

"Haaattt!!! HAT!" Chubby Baby grew louder in volume.

"Shhh!!!!" I shushed! "Shhhh!!! Stop it, Chubby Baby!"

I took the hat and hid it!

But it didn't work! Babies are smart like that.

He saw it, and pointed!

"Hat! Hat! Hat!"

"No! No! No!" Bosslady was going to brokenhearted.

I'd never be able to hold Chubby Baby again!

Finally, my co-worker (who had caught on to the situation) presented Chubby Baby with a shiny object in front of his face, which caused a sweet little "coo" followed by silence.

Relief.

How long does it take for a kid to go to the bathroom?! I was growing anxious for Bosslady's return.

Finally - FINALLY!!!! - Bosslady returned with The Girl by her side and told us she was taking the children home.

BUT, before they left...

"Hey Bosslady," I said, casually and in all coolness. "I think Chubby Baby really likes this HAT here."

Chubby Baby sat up straighter, still on my hip. He wasn't going anywhere until he spoke for his mom.

"Hey Chubby Baby, do you like this HAT?!" I'm soooo subtle.

Chubby Baby reached for it. Here it comes!

"Haa--Hat-tuh! Haa-at! HAT! HAT!!"

I nodded at my co-worker.

Nailed it. 

"Bosslady! Did you hear that?!"

"Hear what?"

OH NO! She missed it again. I heard nothing. Nothing at all. {Plugging ears} LA LA LA LA!!!

"Oh, did he say 'hat'?" Bosslady said, way too casually.

"Maybe?" I said, completely calm, obvi. "I mean, I didn't really hear, I wasn't paying attention."

"HAT! HAT!"

Oh, Chubby Baby.

"Oh yeah, haha," Bosslady laughed. "He's been doing that a lot lately...He's been picking up on a lot these days."

"Wait..." I paused. "How long has he been talking?"

"Awhile now," Bosslady said. "Why?"

"Oh just wondering."

Apparently kids start talking when they're babies.

You can imagine my surprise when I found out he could walk.