MARK (the server, NOT to be confused with the owner) - ROASTED PEPPER

The Roasted Pepper does not pretend to be fashionable nor is it pretentious. T walls are painted forest green; they are decorated wit old stage coach wheels and stars. You might expect someone to be singing "The Yellow Rose of Texas" in the kitchen, but you'd be disappointed.
It is located in Chalfont, Pa. Right on 202, a little past (or a little before- depending on the direction you're coming from)152.
No sir, we are not in Texas, but the Roasted Pepper does bring some of that home cooked Texas feel to it; made evident by a server/host/story teller named Mark.
He recommended the Chicken Parm sandwich. After I had one bite, I knew I could trust him. The sandwich, made by Debbie who wears many different hats, was fabulous.
I was meeting a client at the Roasted Pepper, who was delayed. Lucky for me, the Roasted Pepper was a bit slow during this Fourth of July week, and Mark entertained me. The kid (he's really not a kid, though he looks like a he's not old enough to by a 6 pack)has had two kidney transplants (at the age of 4, one of his kidney's failed), has been shot (it's a really long story, be sure to ask him if they're not busy,) and has survived all the crap life has thrown against his wall. None of that crap has stuck to him.
What was most remarkable to me was Mark's easy going outlook on life. You know how you meet some people and they might have a seasonal allergy disorder and that's all they can complain about? Well, Mark had a smile on his face when he was telling his stories, as if he was describing nothing more than floating down a lazy river in an inner tube. It's allllllllll good.
I'm always moved by people who shrug off life's tradgedies. That's admirable.
And is the Chicken Parm at the Roasted Pepper.

Diana Stever-Acme Food Store, Chalfont PA

OH.MY.GOD.
I was having the worst craving for ice-cream (Breyers Fried Ice Cream), chips (Herr's Red Hot)and soda (Diet Dr. Pepper-I like the taste of Diet!). I'm at the self check out with my loot, ready to pay, when the machine tells me my debit card is declined.
WHAT? Impossible!
I try again.
A line of people forms behind me.
Enter Diana, who works at Acme.
Very patiently, she has me try again.
Nope.
DECLINED.
I blather on about how I'm SURE there is money in there.
She keeps cheery the whole time.
The people behind me are probably snickering. I'm too mortified to turn and look.
But Diana does not snicker or narrow her eyes at me. She is kind and helpful and does not judge.
I mean, I can be quite the judger myself, if we're being honest here.
I have five dollars in cash, so I buy the ice cream, and she offers to put the rest back. Nicely. In a non judgemental voice. And c'mon, what I know to be PMS cravings might look like illegal substance kind of cravings!
In the parking lot, I call my bank. The automated system says I have more than enough money available!
So I walk in and try again. Man I want those Red Hots!
No go.
Mortified. Again.
I call the bank when I get home. While I'm eating my ice cream, the bank rep tells me there had been a temporary problem with the system but it should work now.
Yippee! No one had broken into my account to steal all my millions! The bank had not revoked my card because I used it to buy US Weekly.
I had to have those damn chips. And that Diet Dr. Pepper or my cravings would not be complete.
But more than anything, I wanted to go back to Acme and thank Diana for being so kind during an embarrassing moment.
So I got my chips and soda. (the card worked!)
And I told Diana how much her patience and joking meant to me.
And Diana taught me two important lessons.
Don't Judge.
And always have enough cash on hand to buy what you want...just in case!
Thanks Diana!