It is Friday morning and I have just finished breakfast. And now I am as anxious as a little boy waiting for the last day of school. The day has just started, but I want it to end now. I know this day will be long.

My brother is coming into town for a few days with his wife and two children on Saturday. My nephew and niece. For I have not seen them for over a year, and I find myself getting more excited as Saturday nears. Now I remember that feeling I had when I was a little boy on Christmas Eve.

"If you as so much go near that Christmas tree and rip the gift wrap to take a peek, so help me I will....."

Anyway, we will be doing a few of the attractions. I know my niece and nephew will wear me out. But it will be worth it. So if you do not see any blogs from me, that is because I will be away for a few days.

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and I will talk to you soon. And if you hear on the news about Mickey Mouse being held captive by two children and a crazed uncle...it wasn't me.

Lunch Tips For The Workplace: Number One:

Never eat barbecued chicken while you are at the keyboard commenting on blogs from fellow bloggers at Blogstream on your lunch break.

Now if you excuse me, I am going to find some @*$^@$# napkins!

As I put the flag up at half staff at the neighborhood center yesterday, I paused for a moment of silence to remember those who died on September 11, 2001. I know everyone remembered where they were on that day when America came under attack. As I read the blogs from people on Blogstream about that day, I thought back to where I was on September 11th.

I remember it as if yesterday when Dustin knocked on the window of the game room as I was doing some work. As I opened the door, he then told me of someone from another recreation center calling to inform him that two airplanes crashed into the World Trade Center buildings.

"What?!"

I was in disbelief. When there is a plane crash, it involves one airplane. But two?

We turned on the television and watched as the smoke darkened the New York City sky. When word of an airplane crashing into the Pentagon was announced, Dustin and me knew that our nation was under attack. No sooner the report came out about a fourth airplane crash, we watched in horror as the twin towers collapsed.

Later on, the call came from city hall to lock the building until further notice. We stayed closed, but answered the phones from concerned parents as to whether we will have the children in our after school program that afternoon. Parents left work early to pick up their children. And when they arrived, they held their children in their arms for the longest time.

After I left work and arrived home, I cleaned up and proceeded to drive to Ormond Beach. This is were my mother lived. As I entered the supervised living facility, the nurses there were happy to see me. The television replayed video of people walking through the dust and smoke after the collapse. A few visitors came to visit their parents that afternoon. We sat in front of the television, waiting for any new information about what happened that day. And waiting to hear who was responsible for these actions.

I sat with Mom for the rest of the day. A quiet day. We served the residents their dinner, and then we ate with an eye on the television as more information was being released.

Later on, I gave Mom a kiss good-bye and said good night to the nurses. I drove back to Orlando knowing that Mom was fine and being taken care off. A part of me, however, did not feel fine. I did not feel safe. I felt as if anything could happen at any moment. I guess that is why I felt the need to drive out and see Mom. Just to know that she was safe.

It was late when I arrived in Orlando. It resembled a ghost town. No one was on the road. Everyone was at home with their children or their parents. Home. Where it was safe. I did not call my brother or sister until the next day. I figured that the phone lines would be busy, and that I would call the next day. When I did call, they asked how Mom was. And how I was doing. And we talked for the longest time.

I stopped in to the grocery store on the way home after work on Thursday to buy something for dinner. On my way out, I looked over to my right at the weight scale next to the exit door. Publix, the grocery store I shop at, has vending machines for soda to the left of the exit. Next to the weight scale is a copy machine.

Across the weight scale is a bench for people to sit while they are waiting for their ride to drive up to the curb, load their groceries, and leave. On the bench sat a woman waiting for her ride to pull up to the curb.

I thought of getting on the scale to see what my weight was. I do not have a scale at home, and I really need to buy one. Seeing the woman sit on the bench, I remember what happened the last time I got on the scale.

Some time ago, I was leaving the grocery store when I saw the weight scale. I figured I would get on the scale and see what my weight was. There was only one person sitting on the bench, so I did not think anything of it. After I stepped on the weight scale, the dial went to the right and stopped at what I presume was my weight.

"WOW! You need to go on a diet!"

What the fuck?!

I looked at the woman sitting on the bench with a look that would have put her six feet under. I didn't say anything as I stepped off the scale.

"If you don't mind me asking, is that weight scale correct?", she asked me.

Just shut the fuck up.

I didn't say that, but I sure thought of saying it. I just picked up my groceries off the floor and left the store. Some people just do not know when to be quiet and not say anything.

Remembering that experience, I looked at the woman sitting on the bench with her groceries. I decided not to get on the scale and just leave.

I wish that Publix could move that bench so people would not be intimidated about using the scale while some people sit on the bench and watch with amusement.

Remind me to buy a bathroom scale when the stores have a sale on bathroom decor.