Nice to meet you.

There are times when I have experiences that are epic. I am more of an introvert with moments of feeling outgoing. I rarely engage in conversations with strangers. I have decided that I am going to pump this up a notch because I met Steve. Oh Steve.

My sister Ashlee, her 6 month old Brando, and I were on our way to Cuba, New Mexico for my fabulous friend's wedding. While at a pit stop in Flagstaff, Arizona I met Steve. Steve is employed at this particular gas station and is extremely friendly and helpful. Steve is what some of us may call an "over sharer." And I was NOT sad about it. After successfully disengaging myself from conversation with Steve, I switched places with the sister. I stayed out at the car with the baby, and she went to use the facilities and peruse the store. I made no mention of Steve. Ashlee was gone 5 minutes or so. I could tell by the look on her face as she walked towards me that she had also met Steve the talker. Ashlee walked to me and said, "Go ahead...ask me anything about Steve." I nodded my head.

As we complied our information a few things became very clear.

1. He thought we were a lesbian couple until the term "sister" was mentioned.

2. I was introduced to "Party Steve" where Ashlee was introduced to "Serious Steve"

3. We both fell a little bit in love with Steve the amusing gas station attendant.

The following is the combined list of things we now know about Steve:

• Works at the Shell Station in Flagstaff, AZ.
• 58 years old.
• From Long Beach, CA.
• Frequented Seal Beach Main Street, especially for the St. Patrick's Day celebration.
• Lived a quarter of a mile away from Wilson High School.
• Graduated from Wilson High School in 1971.
• First visit to Flagstaff was in '71 and he was amazed by all the trees.
• 40 year high school reunion is this summer.
• Will not be attending the reunion because no one will be impressed that he is a gas station attendant. The "Soshys in high school will be the soshys now."
• Steve likes shortbread cookies.
• Son, age 14, has Cerebral Palsy. This was caused by the umbilical cord being wrapped around his neck.
• Wife moved he and his son to Arizona.
• Son has a G-tube and is in a wheelchair.
• Son will be attending high school next year. Steve is very proud.
• Son is on a regimen of fish oil. "You know, if there is a wives tale about it, there's a little truth."
• Steve is a Jerry Brown Democrat
• Can list the blue pockets in AZ and "the rest is red. They are all haters."
• Won't consider himself from AZ because it is "full of haters." He considers himself a Californian.
• Believes the Jerry Brown attack ad against Whitman was genius and won it for him.
• Steve has trouble with his attention span and short term memory.
• His excuse for his lacking memory is in his wallet. A medical marijuana card. He proved it.
• Steve doesn't drink as much as he used to. Why would he with that card in hand?

This was all in less than 10 minutes, including our transition times. Delightful.

Our one regret was not snapping a picture of our new friend, Steve.

PS I dare you to go onto my sister's Facebook fan page and "LIKE" her photography business. She is fantastic.

Its all in the prism.

I was driving home after a lovely meet up with my beautiful friend, Anna. I was gellin' out to some Mumford and Sons and The Head and The Heart. Letting my mind wander where it wanted to. I was just allowing myself to enjoy the relaxing drive home. I was cruising at a steady 75 mph in a middle lane on I-15. An SUV abruptly passed me on the right. They then slowed way down so that they were next to me.

Now, as a side track to this story, I have been complaining that men will pull up next to me and stare at me, smile, wave, and continue to drive right next to me... for miles. And yes, this does happen to me quite often, nearly everyday. (It makes sense...the '96 Geo Prism reels them in every time.) What exactly do they think is going to happen? Do they think I am going to flash them? We aren't sharing some special connection. It makes no sense to me whatsoever.

Now back to the evening at hand. We drove side by side for about 15 seconds before I turned to look. There was an attractive man driving this other vehicle. I had a good 5 years on him, but he was very good looking. He was trying to get my attention. I became concerned thinking there was something wrong with my car and so he is trying to flag me down to draw my attention to it. He had his window down and was mouthing (or possibly yelling) his words very deliberately. I did not understand what he was trying to tell me. I mouthed, "What?" He began again, very slowly, "YOU........ARE......PRETTY....." I straight LOLed at this and responded, "Thank you." He then, again slowly, mouthed, "DO YOU WANT TO GET A DRINK?" He raised his hand to his mouth and mimed like he was drinking. I shook my head and said "No, thank you." He snapped his fingers as if to say, "Ah shucks." He waved goodbye, I waved back, and he sped ahead. I thought to myself, "I love you Southern California."

So, I just got asked out while traveling at 75 mph on I-15. Did that just happen? I declined his offer without really thinking about it (which is a pattern I am trying to break.) I still would have given the same response even after thinking about it. I was tired and had to be up early the next morning. But it got me thinking. Am I the kind of the girl that would say yes to that offer? I think I might be. My pre-blog persona would probably have said "absolutely not." But now that I have brought attention to the mischievous side of myself and created this desire to have entertaining stories to share...I think Jaime Boots just may be that kind of girl. Makin' it happen and heatin' things up.



This is the soundtrack to the story.

Stranger danger.

Jaime enters Walmart and heads straight for the greeting cards. This is the only thing on her list. "Buy a card." She checks her list of "Junk to do" just to make sure. Yes. That is all that she needs to purchase. She peruses the cards. Mostly duds. She finds herself in the little kid cards, this is right up her intelligence level.

A mom with her son (approximately 4 years old) are looking for a card as well.

The mom picks up a card and reads it. Then closes it to reread it to her son.

Random mom: "Happy Birthday Brother" [she opens the card] "You're the coolest!" That is a good one. You can get this card for your brother.

Kid: Uhhhh..... but he isn't cool.

Random mom: Yes he is. Be nice.

Kid: No mom. I am cool. And he...he just isn't...

Jaime: You've gotta respect the honesty.

Random mom: [silence and awkward stare. 1 one thousand 2 one thousand 3 one thousand] We will just get this one. [Mom pushes the cart out of the aisle.]


Kid: We shouldn't. I am telling you... HE ISN'T COOL!!!

I, for one, believe the kid!

Here is a little gem that I found and thought was AMAZING! So applicable to so many families...