I Am Here. I know it has been too long since I've written an entry, and I sincerely apologize to my readers...if I still have any, but I am still here. This time I really don't even have the excuse that nothing is going on...my only defense is that I've been working alot, and am too tired and hot to sit at the computer when I get home. Today, however, I had the day off since I was supposed to go out of town so I am able to still be awake at 11:51PM. So without further ado about nothing...
I did, as many of you know, make it to Florida a couple of weeks ago. The trip was fantastic! I got to spend time with many of my wonderful friends, and even got to spend some time with family in Cocoa. When I'm at home, I so often just miss hanging out and talking with friends, so it was really refreshing to see everyone. I especially enjoyed the "Girl's Outing" which I found to be not only fun but therapeutic as well. Thank you Z for putting up with me for an entire week, and even welcoming me into your family's home. It was a great week, and I started missing you as soon as you dropped from sight in my rear-view mirror! I'm sorry, Rob, that we didn't get a chance to get together...we'll have to make up for that next time!
Things here have been going pretty well. I have, as I said earlier, been working a lot. My sister has been getting really busy in school, so I've had to work many of her shifts in addition to mine which makes for a 7:30AM-6:45PM day! The money has been good, but with temperatures often in the high nineties, it's been pretty rough. I have, however, been spending more and more time with José. We talk every morning at the Farmer's Market, and then he often comes over to my stand at lunch time, and then comes over after he gets off too if I'm working late. We also have been talking on the phone alot. I still have serious doubts that he will be "the one" but he has many great qualities that are at least for now very compelling. He is nice, funny, and thoughtful, and I might add, a talented kisser. Who knows how long it will last, but for now, it's fun, and I enjoy talking to him everyday. He even came over to my house last Sunday(our only day off). It was a bit awkward at first having him meet my family, but after a while it got easier and after watching the end of Apollo 13, playing several games of badminton, and a couple hours of talking on the porch, I would say the visit was a success. He even brought some boiled peanuts that I had joked about a few days earlier saying they would impress my Dad.
Tomorrow I leave for West Virginia. We are headed to the Butcher Family Reunion in Huntington (Go Herd!). I will be coming back on Sunday. I really look forward to seeing Mamma...I haven't seen her since November when she moved there. I'm also looking forward to a relaxing weekend, and the pool at our hotel! I'll be sure to write all about it when I return...honestly, I'll try ;-)
My Mom got me the neatest thing the other day. It is "The Men in Uniform" calander featuring none other than The Alachua County Sheriff's Office and The Gainesville Police Department! It is the most random and cool thing I've gotten in a long time. Anyone that knows me well, knows I love men in uniform anyway...and Mom happened to be watching Regis and Kelly the other day (a show she never watches) and Regis was talking about this calender being sold by the ASO and the GPD. She thought I'd get a kick out of it, and portions of the proceeds go to support Reichert House and The Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch. I think it's a great idea and recommend you check it out! I've added it as a link on the blog.
I hate it when I go long periods without writing, because then I feel that I need to do alot of catching up, so the entry becomes more dry and news-like and loses alot of its flow and wit. I felt that especially with this entry, so I apologize...
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Pas Le Même
Not The Same. Working at the peach stand, like many other places, can get monotonous. Everyday I get up at 6:45AM, get ready, arrive at the Orchard at 7:30AM where I pick up my peach-laden truck. I then head down to the Greer stand and pick up some other stuff...usually blueberries, plums and tomatoes. I then drive to the Greenville Farmer's Market and make a delivery. After unloading the truck, getting baskets back, and getting paid, I drive over to my stand where I unload my truck, set up the stand, and sell peaches until 1:30 on an early day, or 6:30 on a late day. I then load all the empty baskets on the truck and drive it back to the orchard. This would be the reason I haven't written as many blog entries of late. I simply haven't had much to write about. I worked 45 1/2 hours last week selling peaches, and that doesn't leave too much time for anything else.
Well, I'm telling you about my boring, ordinary days, so that I can tell you about an exception. Today, wasn't quite like every other day. I still had to get up early, which was bad since we had a BBQ thing last night to celebrate the 4th (a day early since Dad was off that night, but not tonight). The day actually started off kinda sucky, because I went around a corner and dropped a peck of plums (that's a small basket for those of you that aren't produce savvy) off the back of my truck. They spilled all over the road. I was so mad at myself and scared of telling my boss, but she actually just laughed and said things like that happen sometimes and it was no big deal. Yesterday her grandson dropped 15 big watermelons off the back of his truck, so at least my plums aren't too bad in comparison.
When I got to the Farmer's Market, still kicking myself about the plums, it was nice to see and talk to Juan, the guy that works at the Farm I deliver to, and unloads my truck. We've been talking a little more each day that I've been working there, and it's become more and more apparent that he likes me. Yesterday he asked for my number, and I gave it to him. Today he asked if I would date him. I decided to be honest and tell him I didn't know. I explained that it could be difficult because we are very different, and he said to take my time and think about it. He gave me a 1/2 gallon of fresh-squeezed orange juice too, which really has nothing to do with anything, but it was nice. So, I think what I'm going to do is tell him we'll take it slow and see how it goes...get to know each other better...hang out and go out somewhere away from produce and see if there's any potential there.
My work then continued as usual, with the exception of it being so hot that I thought I would melt any minute and having to endure hearing about where people are going on vacation, and what they're making with their peach purchases all day. Then, at about 1:00PM this man came in that often comes in during my morning shift to buy a small bag of soft peaches. He bought his usual order, and then asked me a question no one else down there ever has...have you had lunch? I said no, but that I was getting off soon, and then would get lunch. He insisted on bringing me lunch. We went back and forth for a while until finally I broke down and accepted the offer...expecting just a hamburger on a paper plate or something simple like that. Well, he came back about 30 minutes later and gave me a feast! First he handed me a ceramic plate full of homemade chicken and rice served with fresh lemon and lime wedges, mint, basil, and parsley and covered in a grilled tortilla. I was amazed at that, and thanking him profusely, when he handed me a bowl of salad with a homemade vinagrette. Again I thanked him, and then he handed me a mug of ice, and a bottle of Coke. He even brought a fork and spoon. I was floored. I told him I had no idea that he was going to give me so much and told him I needed to give him free peaches, but he wouldn't hear of getting anything in return. I split the lunch with J and it was truly amazing, and such a luxurious meal to eat under a road side tent that doesn't even have electricity. I don't even know that man's name, but I'm so very grateful for his kindness...I will have to strive to be like that to people that I meet!
So, my day wasn't that different than any other day. I still answered dumb questions all day, sorted through itchy peaches, and sold a ton of produce, but the day had a refreshing feel to it...but then, maybe that's just those peaches...they are so darn refreshing!
Only 4 days left 'til Florida, I really can't wait!!!
Well, I'm telling you about my boring, ordinary days, so that I can tell you about an exception. Today, wasn't quite like every other day. I still had to get up early, which was bad since we had a BBQ thing last night to celebrate the 4th (a day early since Dad was off that night, but not tonight). The day actually started off kinda sucky, because I went around a corner and dropped a peck of plums (that's a small basket for those of you that aren't produce savvy) off the back of my truck. They spilled all over the road. I was so mad at myself and scared of telling my boss, but she actually just laughed and said things like that happen sometimes and it was no big deal. Yesterday her grandson dropped 15 big watermelons off the back of his truck, so at least my plums aren't too bad in comparison.
When I got to the Farmer's Market, still kicking myself about the plums, it was nice to see and talk to Juan, the guy that works at the Farm I deliver to, and unloads my truck. We've been talking a little more each day that I've been working there, and it's become more and more apparent that he likes me. Yesterday he asked for my number, and I gave it to him. Today he asked if I would date him. I decided to be honest and tell him I didn't know. I explained that it could be difficult because we are very different, and he said to take my time and think about it. He gave me a 1/2 gallon of fresh-squeezed orange juice too, which really has nothing to do with anything, but it was nice. So, I think what I'm going to do is tell him we'll take it slow and see how it goes...get to know each other better...hang out and go out somewhere away from produce and see if there's any potential there.
My work then continued as usual, with the exception of it being so hot that I thought I would melt any minute and having to endure hearing about where people are going on vacation, and what they're making with their peach purchases all day. Then, at about 1:00PM this man came in that often comes in during my morning shift to buy a small bag of soft peaches. He bought his usual order, and then asked me a question no one else down there ever has...have you had lunch? I said no, but that I was getting off soon, and then would get lunch. He insisted on bringing me lunch. We went back and forth for a while until finally I broke down and accepted the offer...expecting just a hamburger on a paper plate or something simple like that. Well, he came back about 30 minutes later and gave me a feast! First he handed me a ceramic plate full of homemade chicken and rice served with fresh lemon and lime wedges, mint, basil, and parsley and covered in a grilled tortilla. I was amazed at that, and thanking him profusely, when he handed me a bowl of salad with a homemade vinagrette. Again I thanked him, and then he handed me a mug of ice, and a bottle of Coke. He even brought a fork and spoon. I was floored. I told him I had no idea that he was going to give me so much and told him I needed to give him free peaches, but he wouldn't hear of getting anything in return. I split the lunch with J and it was truly amazing, and such a luxurious meal to eat under a road side tent that doesn't even have electricity. I don't even know that man's name, but I'm so very grateful for his kindness...I will have to strive to be like that to people that I meet!
So, my day wasn't that different than any other day. I still answered dumb questions all day, sorted through itchy peaches, and sold a ton of produce, but the day had a refreshing feel to it...but then, maybe that's just those peaches...they are so darn refreshing!
Only 4 days left 'til Florida, I really can't wait!!!
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