Stalker Talk with S. Elf and Kimmi-Jo

Sundays and Mondays a couple of colleagues and I have gotten into the habit of meeting for breakfast at the IHOP on Hwy 121 near Glade Road in Euless, Texas, after our night shift completes.  We picked this new brekkie-hangout spot because it's en-route to each of our homes, and only a few minutes from our office which is nearly located in the back yard of DFW International Airport.  I'm not plugging DFW in this blog because, I have an intense dislike for that airport in particular, and detest American Airlines just as much.

I won't bother telling you here, what I used to do when I'd heard the roar of an AA passenger plane overhead, flying past the flat complex I lived in, which was nearly in the back yard of Love Field Airport in Dallas - and YES!!!  I LOVE Love Field and Southwest Airlines!!!  That one I was happy to link for you!  Next time you're there (for the locals) please tell them femme said "hi!"  I'm much more restrained with less-than-best behavior these days, or I at least try very hard to be.  Most of us don't manage to be perfect 100% of the time.

Our good friend S.Elf.  She allowed me to put her in the blog
if I promised to maintain as much anonymity for her as possible.
I think this suffices, don't you?

And so, back to the IHOP breakfast groupies, which yesterday morning consisted of me, Kimi-Jo and S., our friend who's had an issue with a stalker for longer than Kimi-Jo and I have known her, is our colleague as well as Kimi-Jo's business partner.  S. is very much into the full swing of the spirit of the season, and has been sporting either a Christmas cap (of various sorts) during our shifts, or antlers with bells, or sparkly bouncing snowmen attached to her hair-band, and various other Christmas personal-deco.  S. also has antlers on her new SUV (which is named Sabrina, by the way), and I'm surprised she's not shown up in green and red banded knee socks, or decorated the rest of Sabrina to look like whatever method of Christmas transportation she might have in mind to mimic.  For the duration of the holidays, S. will be heretofore known as S.Elf, which takes less time to type.    S.Elf is over 6' tall and is lately sprinkled liberally with glitter.  That makes it difficult for anonymity in regards to her stalker, but Kimi-Jo and I maintain vigil and surround her when anyone we suspicion might try to make off with our vertically-enhanced partner.  Since I have no description of him, I'm in hopes the stalker isn't as tall as she is.

The logo on my favorite flourescent green cycling tee-shirt.

Earlier in the morning (or night, depending on whether you judge it by if the sun is up or not) I'd voiced to the girls that I needed to find a drop-depot for the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots either close to my neighborhood, or close to places I frequent.  Leave it to S.Elf to notice the big box next the desk at IHOP, and the big sign on the window stating that this location was exactly the sort of drop-depot I was looking for.  You'd be absolutely correct in assuming that I showered the employees with thanks and gratitude for supporting the program.  They just won three customers who will guarantee repeat business when we're in the area.  We'd have come back anyway.  We always get exceptional service there from the manager and the wait staff.  They're friendly, they're articulate, and always very accomodating.

Do you think I'm obvious enough in my
pride and support of the USMC?
(My sincere thanks to Don Proctor for this much
loved insulated spill-proof!)

After the girls got me calmed down from the hyped-excitement of the Toys For Tots box, we were escorted to our table.  And, while waiting for them to present us with rejuvinating beverages, I made the comment that attending a writers' convention might be fun.  I followed the comment with a question to the girls.  "What do you s'pose folks do at a writers' convention?" (I've only been to journalism conventions and found them to be rigid and boring.)

Kimi-Jo's suggestion was that perhaps writers sit around and discuss what they've written, or what everyone else had written.  (I thought that might be ok for about an hour and then I'd be bored with it as well.  You can only cover style but so much before it becomes repetitive and mundane.)

S.Elf however, came up with some excellent ideas at what one might, or maybe should, expect to do at a writers' conveention, which Kimi-Jo and I have since wracked our brains trying to remember. Two sleepy blondes are not known for great ability with re-call, and S.Elf is off tonight/this morning, so we can't consult her to re-deploy the brilliant info she shared with us.  I only know at the time she said it, I deemed it brilliant and wish I'd written it down.  I'll be sure to check with her in regards to sharing the information when I get back into town later this week.

We moved from the discussion of writers' conventions to weblogging, and that I'd noticed my friend Irish's blog (Irish is better known as Annette Donaldson, a friend and author out of Northern Ireland), and how some buttons for following and sharing her blog's hadn't been implemented into it yet.  Hopefully, that is soon to be remedied.  I helped Kim set her blog up and her buttons are all in place and functioning fine, as far as we know. 

Kimi-Jo

Then the discussion moved to style, both in what's written, as well as in presentation.  This bit of the conversation presented a bit of confusion for Kimi-Jo, and during the struggle to break it down into Kim-friendly explanation, S.Elf became frustrated.  Kimi got amused, and I warned her to be cautious about overly-annoying our elf, but ... ah well ... Kimi-Jo laughed and S.Elf responded with a threat.  "Don't push it and make me have to SPARKLE you!" It was then that I noticed the Christmas-cap-of-the-day had elf ears on the sides of it, commented on it, the gears shifted again and everyone climbed back on the let's-laugh-and-be-happy-train. 

I've noticed several reviews stating the service quality of this IHOP is very poor.  However, my friends and I frequent the place, and so far, our service has been great!  I sometimes wonder if the majority of folks who get poor service are poor customers.  I agree with the addage about the customer always being right, however, right is one thing.  Jerk is another.  Some customers I've had the misfortune of having to be seated near ... the very tone of their voice and the foul expression on their face could incite me to dump their order in their lap and serve coffee on their head.  Or worse ... I could send our S.Elf to sparkle them.

Main entrance to the IHOP in Euless, TX off Hwy 121.
Just below the Christmas tree is the collection box for
U.S. Marines Toys for Tots

If you're a writer and have been afflicted with the block, come join us for a sun-rise coffee break at IHOP.  Kimi-Jo  is nearing the completion of her first novel, and hasn't suffered an episode of it yet.  I haven't had writer's block in so long, that I've forgotten what it feels like.

I've a new review out on the Hub covering Pirates of Savannah: The Hunt for Shamus's Booty.  I've got a trip to east Texas on Tuesday to get some photos and finish up some work on part of a larger book project, and next week, I'm headed to south-central Texas to spend some time getting photos and spot interviews from the folks in Goliad, Texas.  Before all that happens, I've got a lunch-meet with Torres, some editing to work on, tires to replace at Art Cervantes' shop, and eventually a little shut-eye before I lock, load and go.  By the way, if you're a local and haven't been to Cooper's Tire in Fort Worth, TX to buy tires ... shame on ya.

Lots of stuff going on this month folks.  If your friends, church or neighborhood have something you can volunteer to help do in spreading a little cheer, and maybe offering a hand for some peeps who are in situations needing it, I encourage you to do so.  It really is much more fun to give than to receive, and Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Christ.  He was the most exceptional giver I know of and my advice is, if you're gonna follow a leader, He sets the best example to follow.

I'm all finished up here, and I thank you for your time, and don't forget to thank a Vet today if you should meet up with one. :)
God bless and have a great day!

femme

Uniforms and Adoption Papers

This past Sunday was my day to hook up with my colleages and friends for the annual holiday memorial service at Laurel Land of Fort Worth.  The weather was less than best and the attendance was sparse, but even with that, it was good to spend some time with friends that I’ve been missing.


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Rev. Rusty Hudson - Chaplain with VITAS Hospice
& Rev. Stan Denman - Pastor, The Church at Burleson

Rev. Rusty Hudson did an excellent job, as usual.  And, Rev. Stan Denman’s music is always worth wading into rainy weather to listen to.  The small group of families that gathered seemed to appreciate their effort. 


Rusty made a comment after the service that I found both true and amusing.  It was something along the lines of it being a very hard decision, had God given him the choice, of being either called to minister or to sing like Stan.  I can completely appreciate his sentiments because Stan Denman is one of the most talented musicians I've ever had privilege of listening to.


And, Rusty ... he's sincere, has a wonderful testimony, and he officiated at my dad's memorial service.  That says a great deal about him as well that I feel needs no further explanation. 

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Jenny Barnett - General Manager
(Laurel Land Funeral Home of Fort Worth) and
Kimberly Snauffer  - Harpist

A new face joined us this year for the first time.  She’s a harpist, and how she manages to pack the harp around, loading and unloading it as well, is beyond me. 

This was our second year for two familiar faces to not be a part of the program.  Our friends and colleagues, Bob Metheny and Rev. Bill Hancock were missed.  The program was difficult emotionally for some of us to get through without them last year, and granted, this year was a little easier, but … they were for sure, not forgotten and their absence noticed.  Bob told me once, regarding Heaven, that some days he just couldn’t wait to get there.  And, of course, Bill spoke of it at every service that he ministered on.
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David Drake and Richard Valencia
Funeral Service Assistants at
(Laurel Land Funeral Home of Fort Worth)

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Glenda Rader - Administration and
Steve Faram - Regional Operations Director
(Laurel Land Funeral Home of Fort Worth)

It made for a wonderful early Christmas present to “me” to get to see some of my favorite people that afternoon.  And, though the memorial service is sobering, remembering loved ones who’ve passed from this life, it still brings a smile to my face remembering them, as well as stirring the hope and belief I have for life after this one as well.

I know I mention it frequently, but not wanting those of you who pray to forget that thousands upon thousands of our veterans will be far away from home this Christmas, and in many of them are in harm’s way.  Please keep them and their loved ones in your prayers.

The Lethal Leprechaun shared this link with me to a wonderful video that I’d encourage you to watch, if you observe the celebration of Christmas.  I loved it, and appreciate that he pointed it out to me. Camouflage and Christmas Lights is available on You Tube.  Click it and have a look if you have a few moments.  It’s well worth seeing.

Also, our U.S. Marines are out and at it, collecting Toys for Tots.  If you’ve got the finances, it’s one of my two favorite benefits to donate to.  Just sayin'.  The other one, of course, is the Adopt a Soldier program.  Either or both, if you can manage it, is always appreciated.  Doesn’t take much effort to write a note, send a card, or drop off an unwrapped gift that will make a soldiers heart light up knowing someone cared to remember them, or bring a smile to a child’s face on Christmas.  One of the kindest things a friend ever did was to get the Adopt A Soldier program started in his family's church, in lieu of florals for my dad's memorial service.  Now those soldiers get cards, letters, birthday and holiday gifts from an entire congregation.  It's a great way to really make a difference and my dad would have loved it.

That's it for this post.  My sincere thanks to you for reading it, and hope you'll make good use of the links I've enclosed.

Today I finished up my reading of author Tarrin Lupo's novel, Pirates of Savannah - The Hunt for Shamus' Booty, and will have a review for it here shortly.  Hope you'll stop by and read that too. I enjoyed it, and looking forward to telling you why. :)

'Til then, God bless and have a great day!