Bear-ly Able to Watch... Cape Wrath, Scotland

I will be the first to admit that when I do occasionally get my hands on the TV remote, I force the dh to watch what I want. You know, skimpily clad gladiators, vampires, serial killers, men in kilts... It serves him right for all of the times he coerces me into watching every fishing, hunting, manly show under the sun. I'm sorry, but there are only so many times a gal can watch Alaskan crab fishing! Every episode is the same!

After being married for so many years, we read each other well. For instance, I will make him a nice dinner and say, "Do you mind if we watch...?" He usually caves. On the other hand, I'm more difficult to persuade. My son and daughter join in and we outnumber his vote, overthrowing the king's command. Due to our rallying efforts, it has influenced the dh to be much more creative.

One of his favorite shows is Man vs. Wild. Yep, I could not tear my gaze away when Bear Grylls drank his own urine the first or the second time and let's not talk about when he actually ate bear excrement. Any man that drinks his own man juice... *cringe* 

Anyway, the other night the dh says, "I taped something for you. I really thought you would like it. I think it was filmed in Cape Wrath, Scotland."

"Really?" I ask with excitement. "What was it?"

"Now before you say anything and roll your eyes, it was Man vs. Wild."

He has me cornered, knowing I'll watch anything about Scotland.

The show starts off with Bear jumping out of a helicopter, living in a life raft and then swimming to shore. Hey, this isn't so bad! The scenery is beautiful and it's Scotland. Wait, he realizes he's on the wrong island and must swim the channel. No big deal. Is that... a baby seal? He's not. Please tell me--he's not.

Pulling out his blade, he cuts the head from the seal. What is he doing? Oh, that explains it. He's making a baby seal wet suit to wear over his chest to protect him from the elements of the sea. Donning his stylish blood soaked skin; he swims the channel--not as shark bait. He made it. Mmm...

The remote scenery of Cape Wrath was breathtaking, but next time, I think I'll leave the Bear at home.

Valentine's Day Special--Worst Date Ever

We've all had them. Dates from hell.

In lieu of Valentine's Day, I thought it would be fun to share some torturous moments that all of us are forced to endure--dating. God help you if you are in the dating pool with the sharks and cads. What ever happened to men actually wooing a woman? We used to ask, "Did you kiss him on the first date?" Can anyone actually remember that? In today's world it's, "Did you sleep with him on the first date?" Are you freaking kidding me? No woo... no can do!

Prior to meeting my wonderful dh of 21 years, I had some winners. I'm hoping someone can top me!

I double-dated (aren't those the best?) with a friend of mine and a 'college boy,' only to be taken to a cemetery in the dark hours of the night. Mmm... maybe if I was Bella and the guy looked even remotely close to Edward or Jacob.

Another date I had was with a man who worked at Daily's. When we found out we had absolutely nothing in common, he proceeded to instruct me the entire time on the different products Daily's made. You know, orange juice, popsicles. Yes, let's talk about popsicles and all of the different flavors offered for two hours straight! Yikes!

So I'm attending a really nice dinner and having a reasonable conversation with a seemingly normal guy. Bill comes. "I don't have my wallet." Kill me now.

While I'm ranting, let's go back 'several' years. Prom Night. My 'escort' popped an entire box of No Dose and was ill the entire night. I managed to have a good time by myself, but seriously.

And the best for last... I'm in college. Far away from home. Made a few friends and this is my first college date. He drops me off and is sitting in my living room. He wipes the sweat from his brow and starts to look unwell. "Victoria, there's something I must tell you." Casting me a serious look, he grabs my hand. "I worship the devil. If you want, I can bring him here right now." Pulling out Runes from his pocket, he tosses them on my table.

How could I possibly make this up? Care to share your worst date ever?

Is Chivalry Dead?

I hope that chivalry is not dead, but I'm afraid it may be true!

Look around you. I have and I'm not crazy about what I see.           

For instance, public transportation. Love it or hate it; if you work in the city, you probably have to take it.

Every day is an adventure. I see the same faces and silently chuckle at some of their antics. Everyone will get a seat, but yet, everyone will "jockey for position." Where is the train going to pull up? Can I be the first one on even though I take the same seat every morning? Hey, I was on the platform before you, but go ahead. You can cut in front of me. 

I personally thought the women would be the worst, but no! It's actually the men. I have seen men cut in front of women and not give it a second thought. I have seen men take a seat and leave a woman to stand. I have even seen men sit and leave a pregnant woman stand. Where has the chivalry gone? I did not burn my bra!           

I have had doors slammed in my face, been elbowed in the head, been bumped and pushed without so much as an apology. If I walk through a door, I hold it for the person behind me. It's common courtesy! It doesn't matter if it's a man or a woman--hold the door! I don't understand why it is so hard.

In all fairness, I cannot say it is all men. There are a chosen few who exhibit chivalrous behavior. You know who you are!

My son is one of them. He is a little lad in training. We were coming out of Wendy's one day and a woman was following a man out the door. The man did not hold the door for her and my son was not happy. "Hey! He did not hold the door!" he said matter-of-factly. Hmmm. My son is how old and knows to hold a door? Doesn't anyone have manners anymore? 

My CP's DH still opens her car door and has her walk on the inside when they walk down a street.

A friend of mine opens the car door for his wife, stands when a woman enters the room and will not sit until a woman takes her seat. *sigh* I think I was born in the wrong century.

What about you? Do you have any stories to share of chivalrous behavior? Have you seen it and does it still exist?                        

Fate-Fact or Fiction?

The definition of fate is described as the power or agency supposed to determine the outcome of events before they occur; destiny; something inevitable, supposedly determined by this power.

I believe everything in life happens for a reason; so yes, I believe in fate.

I'm sure everyone can relate to having a bad experience in their life--well, for some of us, maybe more than one. When I think back on my own personal experiences, I have had my fair share of good and bad. To be truthful, I am thankful for both because without one or the other, I would never be the person I am today. I am a strong believer in letting nature take its course.

Did you ever ask yourself, "What if I would have done this instead of that? What if I made that decision instead of this decision?" You'd probably go mad thinking of all the possible outcomes.

When I was young, I would always ask my grandmother to tell me the story of how she met my grandfather. It was always so intriguing to me. You couldn't help but ask yourself, "Was it meant to be?" 

I thought I'd share a couple of my favorite stories on how love flourishes in sometimes the oddest of places. Was it fate? You decide.

***

A friend of mine was a 23 year-old hair stylist in Pittsburgh, PA. 

25 years ago, Pittsburgh had a terrible blizzard and she was at work. The salon hardly had any customers all day long and it was time to close. It had been a long, tiring day and she just wanted to close the shop and go home.

She had just finished mopping the floor when the door flew open and the bitter chill of winter cut through the salon. A man appeared in the doorway and shook off the snow. "Is it too late for me to get a haircut?" he asked.

She turned around to see a very handsome man standing there. How could she turn him down? Would you? So she smiled politely and told him to come in. As she was washing his hair, she tried not to study him too intently. One thing was for certain, she thought he was gorgeous. 

Trying not to be nervous, she slyly looked down at his ring finger. Thankfully to her, it was bare. She tried to make polite conversation to ensure he did not have a girlfriend. To her dismay, the answer he gave was not the one she wanted to hear. That was all she needed to hear, he was off limits.

She gave him the haircut and never thought about him again.

A few weeks later, the same man called and scheduled another appointment with her; however, something was different about that visit. He was now single.

They talked and talked and scheduled a date for that same night. In fact, they were together every night for the next three months, until he dropped a bomb.

His job required him to move to WA and he would not be returning anytime soon. Having very little choice in the matter, he regrettably left for WA, leaving her behind. He called three weeks later and told her he couldn't live without her, begging her to come to WA. To her parents' dismay, she dropped everything and moved to WA to be with him. Her parents were furious, but she took a chance on love and won.

25 years later, they are still married with three kids and very much in love. Fate?

***

A friend of mine shared this story with me about his grandparents and it always brings a smile to my face.

His grandmother was from England. During World War II, she was engaged to an English tank operator. By some twist of fate, no pun intended, her betrothed was killed in action. She was completely heartbroken.

Six months later, she was in a pub in England. An emcee was up on stage and tried to get the audience to participate in his banter. He asked if anyone in the audience had a birthday that day to please come up on the stage. His future grandfather, an American soldier, walked up onto the stage. Low and behold, his grandmother's birthday was also on the same day. As he's telling me this story, I thought I knew right away where it was heading. It gets even better... 

As she attempted to climb up onto the stage, there were microphone and speaker cords laying all about. She lifted her foot, got tangled in the cord, tripped, and literally fell into the arms of his grandfather. Fate? *happy sigh*

***  
The last one that I'll share is my own personal story with my DH.

After earning my degree, I was looking for a job. A family member suggested that I come to MD and look for a job down there.  

So off I went into unknown territory and lived with family for a few months. I had just ended a two year relationship that I had in college and was in no means ready or even willing to start dating again. I was enjoying my new found freedom too much.

That family member boarded a horse at my future mother-in-law's farm. We would go riding there all of the time and I would see my future mother and father-in law. When I think back, it was sort of funny not knowing that someday you would be related. They spoke of having a son, but of all the times I had been there, I had never seen him. 

A few months later, that family member thought it might be a good idea to "hook me up" with the MIA son. Having no desire to date, let alone being "fixed-up" with someone, I kept blowing her off. That was such a loser thing for me. Who wanted to be "fixed-up" with someone? I was not some charity case and I did not need to have a boyfriend at the moment. I was totally against it.

A few weeks later, we had just returned from riding. As I brushed my mount, I could not help but notice the shirtless guy with the cool shades mowing the grass. He screamed masculinity. The sun reflected off his bulging biceps and I had to consciously lift my mouth.

I nudged my family member. "Who is that?" I asked, trying not to drool. She looked at me and smiled. "Oh, that's the son. You're not interested remember?" she smirked.

I think my response was a giddy, "Oh my God! You've got to introduce me!"

Needless to say, we were introduced and we were inseparable. I knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with him after that first date. We were married a few years later and also moved back to PA. It was almost as if I was in MD for the sole purpose of meeting my DH.

20 years later, we are still together. Fate? I think so!

What about you? Do you believe in fate? If you have an interesting story to tell, please share!

Most Romantic Words Ever Spoken

Do you remember the most romantic words that were ever spoken to you?

My dh literally swept me off my feet when we were dating. He was so handsome, big and strong and had that sweet southern twang.

He was the kindest man I'd ever met. Who wouldn't fall for that?

I think the most romantic words came from him when we were dating. I remember being upset about something and I was crying. I did not want him to see me upset so I turned my head away from him. Having him see his girlfriend as a watering pot was not on the top of my list.

He grabbed my chin and turned me to face him. He wiped my tears with his thumb and gave me a warm smile. "I can't stand to see you cry," he whispered. "I wish I could take away your pain. Maybe I'll have better luck as your husband," he murmured, bending his head in for a kiss.

Yep, that was a winner. Just like a scene from a romantic movie or book. I'll remember that one forever.

In lieu of Valentine's Day, what were the most romantic words ever spoken to you?