“I got a bad attitude about this”. 

That’s one of our new favorite sayings around the Sumstine house.

Lisa’s work husband (who shall remain nameless but most people who know us know who he is) said this about somethings that he was anticipating and he already new he didn’t like what was about to go on, so he knew his attitude was going to be bad in advance.

But today was a long and hard day, and going out, “I got a bad attitude about this”.

I spent today, a Saturday installing a new door in an old house.  And it was no fun.

Zero fun, sir.

It was hot, I was tired and as the day moved on, it got hotter and I got tired-er.

In the midst of this hot, long and tiring day I need to go down the street to our local Ace Hardware store.

Now, bear in mind, I think I’m a funny guy.  I like to have a good time and I like to joke around with the best of them.

But not today.

I was obviously there for a working project. I was hot, sweaty and there for a purpose.

I looked around myself for a bit, as I’m a frequent patron of our Milton Ace Hardware store, but I couldn’t find what I needed to install a new door and frame in an old house that was, well …. Less than straight.

I found 3 workers talking and patiently waited to be noticed, and then said, “I can’t find your shims”.

Worker 1 replied, “They’re in the shim aisle”.

Worker 2 replied, “Now where is the shim aisle”

Worker 3 replied, “I didn’t know we had a shim aisle”.

I simply was not in the mood.

I was about to say, “Thanks – I’ll just go to Lowe’s”, when worker 2 replied, “Let’s go find that shim aisle.”

Now, I was not in the mood and out of spite and anger, I actually would have gotten in my truck, driven the hour plus in the beach traffic to go to Lowe’s because at this point, I was not in the mood to play games.  I just wanted a pack of shims to set this door. 

               *Side Note 1 – if you’re looking for shims at the Ace Hardware in Milton, they’re in aisle 11.

Well, long story made short …. Door got installed.

LONG HOT and TIRING day.

Zero fun sir

Lisa was a trooper today too.  She held stuff when I needed something held and she’d screw in a screw while I held stuff.  She also helped me clean up my tools and the old lumber we had to remove. She was also busy putting together furniture in this house.

So now we are home and decide we worked hard and we deserve a nice meal.  We got showers and got all cleaned up.   So with Kate, we hopped in Felicia to go to the Texas Roadhouse.

               *Side Note 2 – Felicia is Kate’s cars name.

I’m here to tell you – your whole life changes when your child can drive, is a good driver and can drive you places.

Good times !!!

We get to Texas Roadhouse and I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a fountain soda that bad in my life.  Something about a cold Coke with a lot of ice in a heavy glass made of glass, not plastic.

Very nice server took our order and away she went.  It had been a little bit and I expected our drinks to be out by now, and I began glancing around looking for her and our tray of beverages.

But the universe had something else in mind.

I look to my left and I see our server leading a group of several workers away from our table pushing the saddle on wheels and I knew our drink order would be further delayed.

Ugh ….  You know what was to come

Okay – the birthday announcement (made by our server) was over and the accompanied “Yee-Ha” was yelled and our server was now free to assume her server-related duties.

I could already feel the ice could carbonated beverage …

Um – NOPE.

As she walked near our section, she had to handle another table 2 tables down.

I got a bad attitude about this.

I can kind of hear the conversation and it appears this 3-top has never been to Texas Roadhouse before.  I hear her discussing the menu and then I hear her explaining their various beverages found of a separate menu.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!

The conversation dragged and dragged ……

I glanced at the bar area to see if there was space to slip in and ask the bartender for our beverages and explain, “our server has been pulled other directions”, but there was no room at the bar.

So I waited ….

And waited ….

She leaves the 3-top and now stops at the table beside ours and clears a few dirty plates.

OH MY GOD – DYING OF THIRST HERE !!!

She sees me looking to get her attention to ask her about our beverages, so she stops by our table and tells us she’s been in 1000 directions but she’s getting out drinks.

Have you ever seen a grown-ass man completely lose his mind?

I’m gonna get real – if our server had lined up to do one of their line-dances I would have completely lost my mind.

She did not. And so, I did not.

Our drinks came and it might have been the best fountain Coke I’ve ever had.

               *Side Note 3 – admit it – you want a fountain Coke now don’t you?

Today was just a long, hot and tiring day and I just needed that Coke – and it did hit a little different.

Tomorrow will be a better day and I’m sure I won’t have a bad attitude about it ahead of time.

• That Guy