think before i speak

I’m out at restaurant in Smalltown USA for business. It’s a real local place. Very friendly. And of course, when you’re traveling, you can’t take home leftovers. But the waiter asks me if I want to take it home. And when I tell her I’m traveling, she continues to press me. “Do you have a refrigerator in your room?

My first thought is usually to give leftovers to the homeless. So my first thought is to ask her if their are any homeless around?

Yeah, wouldn’t that have been a moment?

But I didn’t say it. I heard it in my head and thought, ew, that could go very wrong.

Yay for me!

But can’t you just play that one out in your head?

I warned you, but it’s probably piqued your curiosity.

On trip to Hawaii, after a long uphill hike, we picked up a hitchhiker to drop off along the way. We made a wrong turn and headed into a church parking lot to turn around. In the lot, there was a statue of Mary and she had several leis around her neck (can you see where this is going?). Without recalling there was a complete stranger in the car, I yelled out and pointed, “Mary got leied!!!!!” OMG I laughed out loud, much to the chagrin of hubby and our two friends. Hitchhiker remained silent. I thought it was hysterical, but apparently should have filtered for the mixed company. I wish I had taken a picture!

This is bad I know. Work has been crazy and when I was in Florida for work, the air was full of smoke from all the brush fires. It would have been an asthma attack waiting to happen. I did some walking, but that was about it.

This week, I have promised myself to run at least 2 times in addition to going back to step class.

I have been a lot quiter in conversation lately. I am thinking more before I speak. By the time I decide to say it, the moment has already passed. Last night, I think I barely said a paragraph. I will find a balance though, I’m sure.

It’s not that I’m afraid to say anything or I’m trying too hard. I’ve just been extra introspective lately. There’s a lot going on everywhere and it’s making me tired. I guess, once I do say something, there will be more impact.

Well, I spent the last 3 days at an office retreat at the Omega Institute. A beautiful campus with great amenities and fabulous food. But there was also plenty of opportunity to stick my foot in my mouth since I would be surrounded by my co-workers the entire time.

Although there were f few things I wish I hadn’t said, I think I did pretty well overall. I even caught myself from saying things a few times and said to myself, “self, you should remember to write about this on 43T.” So here I am.

I head back to work on Tuesday. I am going to try very hard not to act ungrateful about my lousy COLA raise in front of my boss. As peeved as I am, it is really inappropriate to throw stupid temper tantrums. I don’t think I have done that before. But when something is bothering me, I tend to wait for an opportune time to say something to make my point. Not very good manners.

See, this is me thinking be fore I speak!

Three hours and not one foot in my mouth. Actually longer. I volunteered to help my boss set up her house before the party and did not say anything to piss her off the whole time. I have to admit I wasn’t trying too hard. I did tell a joke at the party that could have backfired, but she laughed. Whew. Yay!

Today I thought I was cracking a joke at a staff meeting. My boss did not like that at all. Apparently, she doesn’t like wise ass remarks as much as I do. Crap. Why do I do that?

This wasn’t the gossip kind. I just wanted to stick up for a co-worker. I chose the wrong time and place, that’s for sure.

I have not regretted a word since my last entry. I wish I didn’t have to be so careful. But it is so important, especially around the holidays. Family can be so sensitive. And hey, I didn’t piss off anyone this Thanksgiving. Now for all the holiday parties!