Monday, May 05, 2008

What Any Red-Blooded Southern Woman Would Do

I shared this story a few weeks back on my personal blog, but decided I needed to post it here too. You see, I believe that one of the most important things missing from society these days is the ability to laugh at yourself. C'mon - you know you've done something stupid or embarrassing. Why hide it? Why not share it so that everyone else can laugh with you?

So that's what I'm going to do.

So I was rushing one morning to get out of the house and to work. I had a meeting at 10:00 to pass my brand new accounting manual to the QA (quality analyst) for review and I was very excited, and running late. It was my first manual written since I started my position last year in documentation, and I was a little nervous about that first review.

So I got dressed, turned off the coffee pot, played ball with the
Sheltie, and prepared to walk out the door. When I went to set the alarm I had one of those moments - you know those moments when you know good and well you're forgetting something but for the life of you, you can't think of what. So I went through my mental list - dog inside, coffee pot off, lights off, back door locked, etc. and couldn't come up with a darn thing. Finally deciding it couldn't be that important, I turned on the alarm and hauled butt to work.

I arrived only a few minutes late and sent my new training manual to the printer to get a clean copy for the QA. Right after I submitted the job, the Business Analyst for the product stopped by my cubicle to chat about some items in the manual. We talked for about 10 minutes, then she left and I started to get up to go pick up the manual off the printer. And that's when I discovered what I had forgotten.

I had forgotten to change out of my "playing ball with Sheltie" shoes and put on my business shoes.

How big of a disaster could this possibly be, you ask? Well, my "Sheltie" shoes are a pair of bright blue & white, neoprene Nike hiking sandals. Now, we're casual at my office, but there are limits. So I'm wearing business casual with hiking sandals and I have my meeting in exactly 30 minutes.

So I did what any red-blooded southern woman would do - I hauled ass to Walmart to buy a new pair of shoes. And I called one of my best friends on the way so that she could have a good laugh at my expense. I made the trip in exactly 13 minutes - there, bought shoes, returned to office. Not bad, eh?

The shoes were cheap and uncomfortable but hey, at least no one stared. And I think I'm going to keep them in my drawer at work - just in case.

So what about you? Ever get to the office and realize you're not exactly wearing what you intended?

Deadly DeLeon

11 comments:

Christie Craig said...

Oh, I hate those, "I'm forgetting something" feelings.

The worse one was when I was young, married, and babysitting and my and husband I were in the market for a new home. We went to see this one house. It was so nice that I got all exicted.

We left and I had that "I forgot something" feeling. We got almost home before I realized what I'd forgotten. The sleeping child, still in the carrier, who I was babysitting was back at house I really liked.

Thank goodness, I got better at taking care of babies before I had my own.

Crime Scene Christie

Keri Ford said...

When the hubby and I got our DIVER certification, I packed us. He asked me a hundred things along the way, "did you get this, what about that." on and on it went. We get to the hotel at the lake to do our open water course (the last thing before getting certified). He asks another question. "What swim trunks did you pack?"

Me? I go, "Oh, crap!"
Luckily, he had shorts to get him through the first day and there was a store by the lake where he bought a pair!

Now, I start thinking about packing, making a list, ect weeks before any trip.

Jana DeLeon said...

OMG, Christie!!!! That is hilarious!

Jana DeLeon said...

LOL Keri - my sil did the same thing when we taking a family vacation to Myrtle Beach!

Jenyfer Matthews said...

I've walked out in my slippers before but fortunately didn't get far before I realized my mistake!!

Jana DeLeon said...

Well, jenyfer, you're doing better than me! :)

Leslie Langtry said...

Great post Jana! I've forgotten so many things on so many different occaisions that I can't remember any of the. I'm with Christie - I hate that feeling!

Les

Anonymous said...

Oh, Jana. Can I ever relate! lol. In high school, I went to school one day with my shirt turned inside out. Label in the back, seams exposed, all that stuff. Gah. Never dress when you're half asleep.

Of course,it's a lesson I never really learned since I've done it numerous times since. LOL.

Faye

Terri Osburn said...

I don't think I've ever done this but it's a major fear. I have that "I know I'm forgetting something" feeling all. the. time. So annoying. It's gotten to where I put whatever I'm supposed to remember in front of the front door so I can't get out without walking over it.

I have to admit my biggest fear is walking out of the house without my pants/skirt on. I realize that sounds extreme but if it ever happens, it won't surprise me one bit.

Christie - I'm pretty sure you win a prize for that one. Maybe one of these great pink t-shirts like the one I have. *w* Thanks!

Gemma Halliday said...

Faye, you're not alone. I've walked around all day in inside out clothes, only to notice as I'm taking them off at night. Gah!

~Gemma

Lucy said...

I'm with those that say they hate that feeling. A few years back I was leaving for work - just going to make it on time had that feeling but didn't know what I was forgetting until I closed the door behind me. I'd forgotten my keys. Couldn't drive to work and couldn't get back into the house to get the keys. Fortunately a friend of mine has a key to my house and was able to stop by and let me in (she asked if I needed the key back but, uh hello! I might need help getting in my house again some day...keep the key!). That evening I made several copies of the key and keep an extra in my house and one strategically hidden so that I'm not likely to get locked out again.

As for the shoes, one day I was wearing my black dress with my black jacket. I had on black hose and one black shoe...the other shoe was blue. Dark blue, mind you but NOT black. I live close to work so it was easy to come home at lunch and swap out the shoes and no one seemed to notice but, well, wasn't quite the look I was going for that day. ;)

Thanks for the laugh. :)