Wednesday, July 29, 2009

My Final Wishes!

Yesterday was the weirdest day! Everything was fine, until after I had walked six fast miles—then things started to rapidly go downhill from there. First off, Tony came in from outside and he told me that he wasn't feeling good, so he sent Aaron home early, took some aspirin and then he went to bed.

I had declared yesterday, "my day off," so I could work exclusively on my book. Wanting my book to be the best that I can make it, I made some significant changes to the layout, that took me over three hours to correct. Then I was tired, so I took a break, and checked my e-mail.

My dear friend, Nancy D., from Chicago sent me a short note, telling me that she was going to see Mt. Rushmore, next week, because it is on her "bucket list." I thought that was pretty cool. Then I read on and nearly fell out of my chair laughing, when she writes that she also has a "f - it" list! I sent Nancy D. a reply, telling her that I had never heard that expression before, but I liked it. Then came some bad news.

I received an e-mail from Guinness World Records. It started out like this:
Dear Mrs. Nancy Parker-Simons,

Thank you for sending us the details of your recent record attempt for 'rescue org. placed 2 wild hogs at bed & breakfasts'. We are afraid to say that we are unable to accept this as a Guinness World Record. Here's their e-mailed letter to me:

"698XXXX: Guinness World Records
Monday, July 27, 2009 9:28 AM
From:
"Guinness World Records"
Add sender to Contacts
To:
cousinnan
Claim ID: 698XXXX
Membership Number: 698XXXX

Dear Mrs Nancy Parker-Simons,
Thank you for sending us the details of your recent record attempt for 'rescue org. placed 2 wild hogs at bed & breakfasts'. We are afraid to say that we are unable to accept this as a Guinness World Record.

We receive over 60,000 enquiries a year from which only a small proportion are approved by our experienced researchers to establish new categories. These are not 'made up' to suit an individual proposal, but rather 'evolve' as a result of international competition in a field, which naturally accommodates superlatives of the sort that we are interested in. We think you will appreciate that we are bound to favour those that reflect the greatest interest.

Guinness World Records has absolute discretion as to which Guinness World Record applications are accepted and our decision is final. Guinness World Records may at its discretion and for whatever reason identify some records as either no longer monitored by Guinness World Records or no longer viable.

As your record application has not been accepted, Guinness World Records is in no way associated with the activity relating to your record proposal and we in no way endorse this activity. If you choose to proceed with this activity then this is will be of your own volition and at your own risk.

Once again thank you for your interest in Guinness World Records.

Yours sincerely,
Mariamarta Ruano-Graham
Records Management Team"

As you can guess, I was very disappointed after reading it—and it was way too long! Needing to cheer myself up, I turned on my music to uplift my mood, then I went back to working on my book. My concentration on my editing, made me totally forget about my rejection letter from Guinness, and I was almost feeling happy, but that didn't last for long.

Tony walks in the front door, "No mail today, except this letter for you." Then he hands me my letter, and I unfortunately, opened it up. It was exactly what I did not want to think about! It totally depressed me. Here it is:

I especially liked the little picture in the lower right hand corner, "My Final Wishes." So, I did something that I have never done before in my life—I put the Guinness rejection letter, and my fantastic Funeral offer on my "f -it" list, and I feel so much better!

I spent the rest of yesterday editing my book. Later that evening, Kinky came over, and we laughed about my dreary day.

Today I took care of rescue ranch business, and am caught up with that. And, I came up with my own 1969—2009 saying!

1969
Woodstock

2009
Worthless stock

Y'all have a great evening!

4 comments:

DY_Goddess said...

Nancy, if I had of been drinking milk when i read your "My Final Wishes!" blog, it would have come out my nose. Seriously! I don't know what's funnier:
1. Your friends' F-it list (brilliant!)
2. This line from the Guinness letter..."If you choose to proceed with this activity then this is will be of your own volition and at your own risk." D'oh!
3. Your 2009 saying

I haven't written my Bucket List down yet, but have a feeling I'll be completing my "F-It" list first! Too funny.

3.

cousin nancy said...

Hi Fay! Thanks for the comment! I have received a ton of e-mails from people who loved the "F -it" list deal and they told me they have started one, too! Have a great weekend!

jrlavalley said...

Nancy,
I actually just started selling the Funeral Advantage Program that you put on your F-it list. It is actually a good plan that gives you the peace of mind that everything will be taken care of before you die. I am aware that many people do not like to think about that subject, but someday (not too soon, Lord willing)the day will come. I personally don't want my loved ones stressing over planning my funeral and worrying about how they are going to pay for it. I am still under 50 and signed up for it. Insuring your loved ones are taken care of is not something to blow off.

Good luck with your book.

cousin nancy said...

Hello Jrlavalley! Congrats on selling the funeral program! I agree with you about it being important, too. Good luck with your sales and I hope you know that I was just kidding!