Third Time's the Charm
Well, I had no luck figuring out the origin of this phrase, unless it is related to the English "Third Time Lucky". Regardless of where it originated, my mom knew it and I've heard it all my life. In fact, I've found myself saying and I think I could apply it to several major events in my life.
And now I have another example, kind of. This isn't a case of me trying something twice and finally getting it right the third time. Well, maybe it is a little (I'll explain that angle later). But this is something that has happened to me twice before and now that it has happened for the third time, I'm vowing to never let it happen again.
Today I went to Crystal City to attend the class I'm teaching at Advisory University tomorrow and Friday. I came in around 10 am to miss the traffic and the registration desk was very quiet, so I got the full attention of the lady behind the desk. A very chatty but clearly socially inappropriate lady. While she was printing my name badge she asked, that question NO ONE in their right mind should ask any one at any time, ever unless they have been previously briefed by either the questionee or a close personal friend of same ....
When are you due?
Oh no she di'int?! Yes, acutally she did. Twice. My answer was "Excuse me" (insert incredulous look)?! And she asked again, "When are you due?" Thinking fast on my feet and clutching my hands together so that I didn't pull out my orange belt tae kwon do fighting skills and knife hand strike her ... I replied, "Oh, I'm not due to teach until 1:00 but I wanted to be sure I didn't get delayed by traffic."
Anyone out there appalled? What kind of person ASKS that question? Seriously? Well, ok, what kind of WOMAN asks that question (Mike admits, he's done it)? Anyone else remembering the title of this post and thinking "wait a minute, this isn't the first time this has happened to her?" Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner! This is the third time my non-pregnant belly has been mistaken for a baby carrier. So let's review
1. The first time this happened was when I was working at MPlan and wearing, I'll admit, a shapeless knit tshirt-type dress that didn't do a good job of hiding my 6-month post-Aly didn't-lose-the-weight belly. The offender was mortified and a co-worker came to her rescue, pointing out, "You know, that dress does make you look pregnant." Thanks Kathy.
2. The second time was at a VA training session in Asheville NC. A participant pulled me aside and said "I'm just dying to ask, but are you pregnant?" Now, I don't know, asking "When are you due?" isn't smart, but if you have to ask IF someone IS pregnant, don't do it. When I told her no, she just smiled and said, well the way your jacket fits, and you carry yourself when you walk, it does make you look that way." WTF? I waddle?
3. This time was the worst I think. I was wearing a new outfit that I had worn to church on Sunday. I must have told Mike at least 6 times how much I loved the outfit (print calf-length skirt, silky brown top with cowl collar, tan suede shirt jacket and brown suede slingback heels) and he said it looked good. I think it must have been the clingy brown shirt that accented the belly. I don't know if I'll ever wear it again.
After the first time, I did the Atkins diet, lost more than 30 lbs and kept it off for two years. When we moved to Greenwood, about 15 lbs came back. It was after the second time ... several months after ... that I dieted again via a new year's resolution, and lost 16 lbs. I've actually kept most of that off, and I promised myself I would not make that kind of resolution again, but it did end up on my list thanks to doctor's orders. So here we go with the third offense and the third try. There's no failing this time or my next cliche is going to be "Three strikes and you're out".
- Engaged twice, I finally met and married the love of my life on the third try.
- Two sick baby boys, and I finally had a healthy baby girl.
- Two career paths (Chemistry, Insurance) and finally, I'm happy in Consulting.
- Not counting college, we've lived two places (Boonville, Indianapolis) before we moved to Virginia, and this one is sticking.
And now I have another example, kind of. This isn't a case of me trying something twice and finally getting it right the third time. Well, maybe it is a little (I'll explain that angle later). But this is something that has happened to me twice before and now that it has happened for the third time, I'm vowing to never let it happen again.
Today I went to Crystal City to attend the class I'm teaching at Advisory University tomorrow and Friday. I came in around 10 am to miss the traffic and the registration desk was very quiet, so I got the full attention of the lady behind the desk. A very chatty but clearly socially inappropriate lady. While she was printing my name badge she asked, that question NO ONE in their right mind should ask any one at any time, ever unless they have been previously briefed by either the questionee or a close personal friend of same ....
When are you due?
Oh no she di'int?! Yes, acutally she did. Twice. My answer was "Excuse me" (insert incredulous look)?! And she asked again, "When are you due?" Thinking fast on my feet and clutching my hands together so that I didn't pull out my orange belt tae kwon do fighting skills and knife hand strike her ... I replied, "Oh, I'm not due to teach until 1:00 but I wanted to be sure I didn't get delayed by traffic."
Anyone out there appalled? What kind of person ASKS that question? Seriously? Well, ok, what kind of WOMAN asks that question (Mike admits, he's done it)? Anyone else remembering the title of this post and thinking "wait a minute, this isn't the first time this has happened to her?" Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner! This is the third time my non-pregnant belly has been mistaken for a baby carrier. So let's review
1. The first time this happened was when I was working at MPlan and wearing, I'll admit, a shapeless knit tshirt-type dress that didn't do a good job of hiding my 6-month post-Aly didn't-lose-the-weight belly. The offender was mortified and a co-worker came to her rescue, pointing out, "You know, that dress does make you look pregnant." Thanks Kathy.
2. The second time was at a VA training session in Asheville NC. A participant pulled me aside and said "I'm just dying to ask, but are you pregnant?" Now, I don't know, asking "When are you due?" isn't smart, but if you have to ask IF someone IS pregnant, don't do it. When I told her no, she just smiled and said, well the way your jacket fits, and you carry yourself when you walk, it does make you look that way." WTF? I waddle?
3. This time was the worst I think. I was wearing a new outfit that I had worn to church on Sunday. I must have told Mike at least 6 times how much I loved the outfit (print calf-length skirt, silky brown top with cowl collar, tan suede shirt jacket and brown suede slingback heels) and he said it looked good. I think it must have been the clingy brown shirt that accented the belly. I don't know if I'll ever wear it again.
After the first time, I did the Atkins diet, lost more than 30 lbs and kept it off for two years. When we moved to Greenwood, about 15 lbs came back. It was after the second time ... several months after ... that I dieted again via a new year's resolution, and lost 16 lbs. I've actually kept most of that off, and I promised myself I would not make that kind of resolution again, but it did end up on my list thanks to doctor's orders. So here we go with the third offense and the third try. There's no failing this time or my next cliche is going to be "Three strikes and you're out".
posted by Tonya at
10:47 PM
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