Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Bits & Pieces

My morning commute takes me down off the mountain {only one lane when you’re heading down} and around the perimeter of downtown Chattanooga. The route takes me right past a few of the most crowded exits due to downtown commuters and therefore the average speed around there is no more than 45 mph.

Trust me, you needed that background info.

So this morning, I’m sitting in bumper to bumper traffic in which I can go no faster than 10 mph. I glance in my rearview mirror as traffic starts to pick up and notice a pickup truck sitting on my tail. Now I’m all about a well timed bumper ride, particularly when someone is sitting in the left lane while everyone passes them on the right {Hello, South Carolina! I’m talking to you!}. But when I am traveling with the flow of morning traffic and smoothly passing everyone in the right lane, there is no need to sit on my tail.

I tapped my brakes. No good, he was still there. He pulls out into the right lane in an attempt to pass me {and I swear I did not speed up to block him} but is unable to because did I mention the slow moving traffic on the right? So, back on my bumper he goes. At this point, I more than tap my brakes, look in my rearview and annunciate as clearly as I can, “Back! Off!”

He does.

For about a minute.

And back on my bumper we go. He tries one more time to pass me on the right, again, to no avail. The traffic clears up, another lane is added and I watch as he veers all the way to the right. All of a sudden I hear him honking his horn and I look back, thinking the idiot might be honking at me.

No, it appears that he veered off to the right trying to cut off another pickup truck in order to get to an exit. That truck would not let my bumper lovin’ friend in {rightfully so} and he was pissed. I watched as he pulled beside the innocent, safely driving truck and began honking his horn, shaking his fist and yelling indecipherable things {of which I’m sure there were more than a few colorful words}. My jaw was on the floor as he did this for half a mile.

Clearly, someone did not have their morning coffee.

Also, wouldn’t a simple bird have sufficed?

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There is a darling little four year old girl in our neighborhood who takes a daily afternoon walk with her dad. Apparently she is very threatening because my empty headed dog barks furiously at them every time they pass our house. About a week ago I was walking Knox and passed them on their walk. I introduced her to Knox and let her pet him. She looooooved him.

Today, they were passing our house when Knox and I were headed out for a walk. She made a beeline for her new friend crying out, “Ohhhh, such a cute puppy dog!” {Lick, lick, lick on her hand} “Ohhh, he loves me! Such a cute puppy. I love you too puppy!” {She puts her hand out for Knox to lick it again} “He’s giving me kisses! Daddy, he loves me! I love him.”

This repeated at least three more times before her dad was able to pry her away. I don’t think a more delightful four year old girl has ever existed.

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Amy Beth and I went to see “Julie and Julia” on Saturday night.

If Meryl Streep is not nominated for an Oscar, I will be seriously disappointed. Perfection.

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The Lifestyle Change is continuing in good form {if you’re just tuning in, you can read about the initial change here and the first update here}. Two and half months later, I’m down twenty pounds. I’m sleeping soundly, exercising at least four times a week {I ran my first 5k distance in over a year this week!} and feeling stronger than I have in a long time. I haven’t starved myself, I’ve eaten pasta in moderation and I am now eating fruit as a dessert.

Y’all, that last one? Nothing short of a miracle.

11 comments:

  1. Oooh- I soooo loved Julie & Julia too. Went and saw it all by myself- heavenly. Hint- DO NOT read her blog- she's not nearly as sweet as Amy Adams- cusses like a sailor and bashes conservatives, Christians, Republicans, etc. Politics aside- I'm going out on a limb to say she isn't Southern material.

    Sigh...just joined Weight Watchers...again. Have put the 13 year old on warden duty- my reunion is in 5 weeks! Yikes.

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  2. Anonymous11:37 PM

    So proud of you! ;-)

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  3. Sounds like life is treating you very well (except the car incident)!! Congrats on the "new you". That is awesome. I know you are also loving your new job and hopefully you have a sweet class of children. I will be anxious to hear more about your new teaching job. I absolutely loved the movie too. Meryl Streep was amazing and I enjoyed Amy Adams too. I can't wait to buy that movie when it comes out! Take care and have a great week. Love & blessings from NC!

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  4. When I saw your title and started reading your first "bit", I thought you might be referring to your car after this driver hit it. Glad that wasn't the case!

    Mom said the same thing about Meryl Streep. Can't wait to see it!

    Love and hugs!

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  5. I heart Meryl Streep and loved her even more as Julia!! What a great movie for anyone...especially bloggers:) Your lifestyle change is totally paying off and I'm going as far to say...it even shows in your writing. Have a wonderful day!

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  6. Way to go, Leslie!!! :)

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  7. Road Rage man... some people are ATE up with it!!!!!

    OK - I'm dying to go see Julie & Julia & you're yet ANOTHER person who liked it... I'm going this weekend - even if I have to go by myself!!!!

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  8. Way to go on the changes - I'm so impressed. (And jealous - I would kill to be able to go for a run right now!)

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  9. I didn't think that I would like Julie and Julia but I am now thinking that I may need to see it. I have heard a lot of great things about it. Great job with the exercise and weight loss!

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  10. I loved this post. I am so proud of your lifestyle changes! :-) you rock girl!

    and I LOVED Julie and Julia too -- so so good!

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  11. Anonymous9:58 PM

    yes, Meryl Streep is clearly amazing!! I've yet to see her in a role she didn't master beautifully! Good article in Time magazine on the movie too.. must read.
    Loved the movie, loved her DH. Almost... gave me a desire to cook!

    You're doing such good things for yourself.. I'm so proud of you!

    xo, Marmee

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