Thanks to D's Designs for the above snag :)
The last weekend assignment I did yesterday made me realize something. I "travel" every day. Okay, it's not leisure travel, but nonetheless, it's travel. On average I spend about 2 hours each day on my Monday thru Friday work commute--that's 10 hours every week, just going over Hwy 17 from San Jose to Santa Cruz. (And that is not counting weekend...OR the little errands I do everyday..) It's a good thing I like driving..hey..?
While leaving work today to pick up my son from school, I realized that I see the same people almost everyday while I'm driving to work, picking up my son, and going home. The people range from the ones I actually work with, and the random, people of no name who just happen to be walking by each morning, or each afternoon, or evening when I'm out there on the road. I have a desire to name these "nameless" people for some reason.
There's the Asian woman and her kids. Each morning, I see her, wearing the same straw triangular hat--she wears it rain or shine. I see her rushing over to the bus stop with two round faced little boys. I see her in the morning, and later in the afternoon, wearing the hat.
And then there's that man who I always see walking up and down the street--the guy who wears the white shirt and white pants. I don't think this guy EVER changes his clothes. I saw him once at a concert on the beach a few years back. He got to the concert early and placed his towel right in front of the stage. Tiffany was performing (I think we're alone now.. Tiffany), and he made it no secret that he was Tiffany's #1 fan!
There is also the man in front of the town clock. When he isn't holding a card board sign for food, I see him past out sleeping at the bottom of the town clock, or he is sharing a cigarette with some other friends. Seems like all he does is walk back in front in front of traffic, holding his sign. I often wonder if he is an angel in disguise, and he was sent to this world just to test the compassion levels of people passing by. Honestly though, this woman does not carry cash. (My kids have it. ) I always pass him by, with guilt written all over my face.
I also see the same people casually walking or jogging in their cute little jogging outfits, as I rush past them in my car. I often wonder to myself.. What do these people do for a living? Do they just stay at home, and get up early for "fun" and exercise? Naturally, I am very envious of this crowd. I don't see this crowd at work--I see them in the residential areas near my home and by mother's house. I try not to make eye contact in fear that they see my evil snarl. There is one woman in particular that wears the red sweater with matching scarf and head band, who swings her arms a little to fast for my liking. She looks like a walking windmill, and she makes me nervous.
Of course I cannot forget the "neighborhood watch" woman from my mom's neighborhood. Sometimes she walks her dog alone, and at other times she walks with her husband. She will walk by, not smile, but stare at you. I'm not kidding. For awhile there I thought she had a personal vendetta against me. Sure, I threw a rock down the canyon and hit her ugly, red haired freckled son right on the head, but I wasn't aiming, and that was years ago! I think she is the reason why you have to have a parking permit in your car to park on the street.
I cannot forget the nice people I see from time to time. The nice couple at the corner that walk their dog. They always say hello to me. And then there is "Nell". Nell is an elderly woman lives right across the street from the nice couple. She has lived on this street as long as I remember. She must be in her 80's and she still drives. I shudder each time I see her behind the wheel. She used to talk to me about my the neighbors that used to live across the street. She is sort of the neighborhood gossip. She probably still talks about the torrid affair that our neighbor Loretta had with her "friend" the piano player, while her husband, Jim was working late.
Well, these are some of the people "I see in the neighborhood.. The people that I see each day..."
This Saturday we are going to aneighborhood party that one of our neighbors down the street had invited us to. These neighbors are new, and I don't think I've ever spoken to them other than saying hello. We've lived on the street for over 3 years now, and I don't know everyone very well. Mrs. Stewart, the homemaker who makes awesome pies, with the beautiful garden, Art, who gives us tomatoes from his garden (this was before Nicholas pooped on his lawn), and then there is "Robin" the woman who lives down the street who always has her holiday decorations up before anyone else, NAKED MAN--Robin's "friend", (hopefully he'll be wearing a shirt AND pants), oh, and we can't forget Joe and Anne--the quiet couple across the street. Joe practices his putting, and Anne makes doll clothes for dolls... This should be exciting.. I can't wait. The anticipation of it all is killing me. May be I should bring my camera and share it with you later. I'm being sarcastic. I'm sure it won't be that bad--it might be fun. May be Mrs. Stewart will give me her receipe for that chocolate pie!
Weekend is coming.. It's December TOMORROW! Have you sent out your Christmas cards yet?!
My older son is home from school.. He is suffering the usual allergy symptons that my daughter has. She however went to school. To tell you the truth, I didn't get much sleep either. Lizzy worked from 7:30 until 1 am last night, getting the store floor ready for the holiday shopping. I was sleeping soundly until the phone rang at a quarter to 1, but afterwards, I just couldn't get back to sleep. I kept hearing my son getting up at night, and my youngest was tossing and turning.. I should know better not to throw a party on a Sunday expecting to be all bright and chiper the next morning... 
