Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Heart broken...
After posting this morning I hoped all day I was over reacting, but I wasn't. I drove home after picking my sweet Jake up from school with him crying in the back seat saying he doesn't want to go to school tomorrow and that he doesn't like his school here...
When did it become a bad thing to take things personal?
My name is Carrie, I am 34 years old, a doormat and I take things personal. I have been in "taking things to personal recovery" for most of life. But just a few minutes ago I realized, I may not always be the one with the problem. Since when is it okay to be mean? Since we have been told to not take things so personal, that's when. It is like giving people a free pass to be mean to you. I have been told taking things personal is a bad thing and that I shouldn't worry so much, but I am starting to realize this is something about myself I don't want to change. In fact I think everyone should start caring a little more!
Should it bother me when a cranky old man cusses at me at U-Scan because there are people waiting in line and I am in charge of 4 different registers of which no one can figure it out how to use correctly and I am too busy to CHECK him out...AT U-SCAN???? Yes I think it is okay for me to take is personally when some one cusses at me because they are acting like a 2 year old and can't control their temper when they aren't getting what they want. Why is okay for him to be a total jerk and I have to not let it bother me at all. A grown man cussed at me? I am supposed to be okay with that????
Should it bother me that my 9 year old son had a 3D project due today that had colored glass stones glued to it (hope you don't mind mom. Jake thought the blue and green ones would be perfect to represent the Piedmont of NC) and I helped him carry it in (because he had to carry in his metal book holder thing) and his teacher was not happy to see me. Keep in mind there are parents galore carrying in projects (the whole 4th grade did the same project) to help their children (we are still allowed to do that right?) but it is obviously frowned upon in Jake's class. Jake sees a poster sitting by the door (we are literally in the door way) and asks if there is another place to put his so the 3D part doesn't get crushed (the other poster was a flat collage and you can just imagine what would happen to a 3D poster if it gets piled on top of....). Before he can even finish his sentence, his teacher tells him to read the board it tells you what to do and she doesn't have enough room in her classroom so they are going to have to be stacked on top of each other....Okay. Isn't it rude to interrupt people in the middle of a sentence? I know Jake is only 9 but don't those rules apply to everyone? And since when did it become a problem to ask questions at school to make sure your project doesn't get ruined? I understand that they are trying to teach responsibility but does it have to be done rudely? Maybe he should have waited to get all the way in the classroom to know what to do with it, but he was trying to be RESPONSIBLE, so maybe we can talk to him with a little more respect. It also bothers me that Jake wasn't at all caught off guard by her interrupting him and being annoyed by his question. I took it personally that she didn't even look at me when I greeted her (and I know she heard me because she mumbled hi) and didn't even say bye when I did when I was leaving the classroom. Even though I was surprised by the way she talked to Jake I didn't let it show or act rudely. Remember I am a doormat so I just acted like it didn't happen. So, now I am teaching Jake it is okay for people to treat you like that....Great way to start the day! I don't think she was trying to be rude and I think it is just her personality, but it is hard to think Jake is spending 7 hours a day this way. At least when I am grumpy and rude he knows I love him and I apologize....
And that brings me to the character trait about myself that I would like to change. I AM GOING TO STOP BEING A DOORMAT. What do I even do to start not being a doormat?
To tell you how pitiful I am, I am now worried about what you will think when you read this...It is my blog and I am allowed to vent....right? It's better than going to work and taking it out on the people that can't figure out how to use U-Scan right?
Should it bother me when a cranky old man cusses at me at U-Scan because there are people waiting in line and I am in charge of 4 different registers of which no one can figure it out how to use correctly and I am too busy to CHECK him out...AT U-SCAN???? Yes I think it is okay for me to take is personally when some one cusses at me because they are acting like a 2 year old and can't control their temper when they aren't getting what they want. Why is okay for him to be a total jerk and I have to not let it bother me at all. A grown man cussed at me? I am supposed to be okay with that????
Should it bother me that my 9 year old son had a 3D project due today that had colored glass stones glued to it (hope you don't mind mom. Jake thought the blue and green ones would be perfect to represent the Piedmont of NC) and I helped him carry it in (because he had to carry in his metal book holder thing) and his teacher was not happy to see me. Keep in mind there are parents galore carrying in projects (the whole 4th grade did the same project) to help their children (we are still allowed to do that right?) but it is obviously frowned upon in Jake's class. Jake sees a poster sitting by the door (we are literally in the door way) and asks if there is another place to put his so the 3D part doesn't get crushed (the other poster was a flat collage and you can just imagine what would happen to a 3D poster if it gets piled on top of....). Before he can even finish his sentence, his teacher tells him to read the board it tells you what to do and she doesn't have enough room in her classroom so they are going to have to be stacked on top of each other....Okay. Isn't it rude to interrupt people in the middle of a sentence? I know Jake is only 9 but don't those rules apply to everyone? And since when did it become a problem to ask questions at school to make sure your project doesn't get ruined? I understand that they are trying to teach responsibility but does it have to be done rudely? Maybe he should have waited to get all the way in the classroom to know what to do with it, but he was trying to be RESPONSIBLE, so maybe we can talk to him with a little more respect. It also bothers me that Jake wasn't at all caught off guard by her interrupting him and being annoyed by his question. I took it personally that she didn't even look at me when I greeted her (and I know she heard me because she mumbled hi) and didn't even say bye when I did when I was leaving the classroom. Even though I was surprised by the way she talked to Jake I didn't let it show or act rudely. Remember I am a doormat so I just acted like it didn't happen. So, now I am teaching Jake it is okay for people to treat you like that....Great way to start the day! I don't think she was trying to be rude and I think it is just her personality, but it is hard to think Jake is spending 7 hours a day this way. At least when I am grumpy and rude he knows I love him and I apologize....
And that brings me to the character trait about myself that I would like to change. I AM GOING TO STOP BEING A DOORMAT. What do I even do to start not being a doormat?
To tell you how pitiful I am, I am now worried about what you will think when you read this...It is my blog and I am allowed to vent....right? It's better than going to work and taking it out on the people that can't figure out how to use U-Scan right?
Monday, September 27, 2010
Still Playing Catch up! Some of August and September...
This is some of what has been going on...I will get back to the big trip up North again eventually. Right now I am going to try to catch up on ever day life!
*We got Jake a little $4 planner from Target to keep track of projects and chores and he loves it. I couldn't resist taking a picture of him using it for the first time. It works (worked) great! (We haven't even looked at it the past week and a half...but those first couple weeks went great. Why is it so hard to keep up with my brilliant ideas to keep our home running smoother?
*After the first day of school (yep that is how behind I am...School started 8/25..) we stopped by $1 Cone to get an ice cream. Jake had a great first day. I spent the day doing laundry, cleaning, and in these pictures I hadn't even taken a shower yet! I got a lot done and even though I wish Jake was home with me everyday it is nice to have the house to myself on occasion to hit the To Do list head on!
*On Friday 8/27 I brought in a cookie cake to Jake and his class. He decided he wanted to sit outside and eat lunch with just me. He says if he had any friends come out he would talk to them too much and miss spending that time with me. I am so glad he hasn't hit the "I don't want to hang out with you any more" stage yet.
Jake and Corey
Jake and his teacher
What was left of it after serving all 28 kids in Jake's class...That's a big class.
Jake and Me...My hair is looking really sad in this picture...
We saved the best piece for the Jakester. (No he didn't eat it all in one sitting...It is 2 giant cookies with frosting in the middle.)
The receptionist and vice principal singing a birthday song to Jake and giving him his special b-day pencil.
*On Friday afternoon Jake and I went and saw "Despicable Me" (Aaron was still in training at the time and was working 2nd shift so he missed out) and it was hysterical! For Jake's birthday breakfast on Saturday he requested bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits. He wanted to open his gifts first thing because he always seems to have to wait until late in the day for parties or whatever. So, after Aaron got home from helping to start roofing a lady at church's roof (that doesn't look right at all...is that how it's spelt? It's been a long day...) at about 9ish we opened all 9 of his gifts. They weren't all "things". Each gift was numbered and he got to pick which order he wanted to open them-with out seeing them. #2 was for us to tell funny stories about Jake growing up...There were a couple of creative ones, but that was almost a month ago and I can't actually remember what they were...that is pretty sad. But it was fun! We pretty much just hung out and enjoyed the day after that.
*(Big jump from Jake's b-day to Aaron's...I am sure lots of awesome stuff happened in between but I can't put my finger on the specific's right now...)We went to Spartanburg the weekend of Aaron's b-day (HAPPY 34Th AARON!) and had fun with the family. Riannon was running for student body president and we made some really cute posters and SHE WON!!!! You go girl!!!! We also had cake to celebrate Aaron's birthday...Which was great because I didn't get to go grocery shopping (I know that sounds weird since I work at a grocery store, but I have to leave work exactly at 2:00 to get Jake and don't always feel like going back after!) and all I had for a treat for Aaron's actual b-day (Sept. 19th) was Hershey Kisses I dipped in peanut butter...Seriously that is all I had...Usually we go all out for birthdays but this year...not so much. When you are a Mom and you work outside the home something has to give and that is one of those things this year. We went for simple, quality time together. Here are some pic's from the trip down to Sparkle City:
*I have been really enjoying my new schedule at work. Since Jake started back to school I have only worked one Saturday. My manager has taken pity on our family I think. When I told her my hours would have to change with Aaron working full time and going to school full time she said how that was going to be so hard. It is much easier with a great manager who understands needing family time on the weekends. :) Only one bad note. I thought I was off the hook for U-Scan with my new hours. (U-Scan was open 11-7 and I could only work 8-2) Lucky for me (extreme sarcasm), they decided to change the hours from 9-9. The first shift is 9-2! Perfect... for me to work every day of the week while Jake is at school...But I am not complaining!!! Not many part time employees get treated as good as they have treated me! So ignorant U-Scanners hit me with your best shot! I will watch you swipe your debit card in the crack in the side of the machine with out wanting to pull my hair out and I will show you that you actually swipe it in the same exact thing you would at the regular check out!
*Poor Aaron is trying really hard to get used to his new work schedule. He has Monday and Wednesday nights off-the rest of the week he works 10pm to 6am. The beginning of the week with one night on, then off, (then on...) is the easy part. The end of the week with is the tough part. It is going to take a while to get used to but he is surviving. School is going pretty good too.
*We got Jake a little $4 planner from Target to keep track of projects and chores and he loves it. I couldn't resist taking a picture of him using it for the first time. It works (worked) great! (We haven't even looked at it the past week and a half...but those first couple weeks went great. Why is it so hard to keep up with my brilliant ideas to keep our home running smoother?
*After the first day of school (yep that is how behind I am...School started 8/25..) we stopped by $1 Cone to get an ice cream. Jake had a great first day. I spent the day doing laundry, cleaning, and in these pictures I hadn't even taken a shower yet! I got a lot done and even though I wish Jake was home with me everyday it is nice to have the house to myself on occasion to hit the To Do list head on!
*On Friday 8/27 I brought in a cookie cake to Jake and his class. He decided he wanted to sit outside and eat lunch with just me. He says if he had any friends come out he would talk to them too much and miss spending that time with me. I am so glad he hasn't hit the "I don't want to hang out with you any more" stage yet.
Jake and Corey
Jake and his teacher
What was left of it after serving all 28 kids in Jake's class...That's a big class.
Jake and Me...My hair is looking really sad in this picture...
We saved the best piece for the Jakester. (No he didn't eat it all in one sitting...It is 2 giant cookies with frosting in the middle.)
The receptionist and vice principal singing a birthday song to Jake and giving him his special b-day pencil.
*On Friday afternoon Jake and I went and saw "Despicable Me" (Aaron was still in training at the time and was working 2nd shift so he missed out) and it was hysterical! For Jake's birthday breakfast on Saturday he requested bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits. He wanted to open his gifts first thing because he always seems to have to wait until late in the day for parties or whatever. So, after Aaron got home from helping to start roofing a lady at church's roof (that doesn't look right at all...is that how it's spelt? It's been a long day...) at about 9ish we opened all 9 of his gifts. They weren't all "things". Each gift was numbered and he got to pick which order he wanted to open them-with out seeing them. #2 was for us to tell funny stories about Jake growing up...There were a couple of creative ones, but that was almost a month ago and I can't actually remember what they were...that is pretty sad. But it was fun! We pretty much just hung out and enjoyed the day after that.
*(Big jump from Jake's b-day to Aaron's...I am sure lots of awesome stuff happened in between but I can't put my finger on the specific's right now...)We went to Spartanburg the weekend of Aaron's b-day (HAPPY 34Th AARON!) and had fun with the family. Riannon was running for student body president and we made some really cute posters and SHE WON!!!! You go girl!!!! We also had cake to celebrate Aaron's birthday...Which was great because I didn't get to go grocery shopping (I know that sounds weird since I work at a grocery store, but I have to leave work exactly at 2:00 to get Jake and don't always feel like going back after!) and all I had for a treat for Aaron's actual b-day (Sept. 19th) was Hershey Kisses I dipped in peanut butter...Seriously that is all I had...Usually we go all out for birthdays but this year...not so much. When you are a Mom and you work outside the home something has to give and that is one of those things this year. We went for simple, quality time together. Here are some pic's from the trip down to Sparkle City:
*I have been really enjoying my new schedule at work. Since Jake started back to school I have only worked one Saturday. My manager has taken pity on our family I think. When I told her my hours would have to change with Aaron working full time and going to school full time she said how that was going to be so hard. It is much easier with a great manager who understands needing family time on the weekends. :) Only one bad note. I thought I was off the hook for U-Scan with my new hours. (U-Scan was open 11-7 and I could only work 8-2) Lucky for me (extreme sarcasm), they decided to change the hours from 9-9. The first shift is 9-2! Perfect... for me to work every day of the week while Jake is at school...But I am not complaining!!! Not many part time employees get treated as good as they have treated me! So ignorant U-Scanners hit me with your best shot! I will watch you swipe your debit card in the crack in the side of the machine with out wanting to pull my hair out and I will show you that you actually swipe it in the same exact thing you would at the regular check out!
*Poor Aaron is trying really hard to get used to his new work schedule. He has Monday and Wednesday nights off-the rest of the week he works 10pm to 6am. The beginning of the week with one night on, then off, (then on...) is the easy part. The end of the week with is the tough part. It is going to take a while to get used to but he is surviving. School is going pretty good too.
Some of My Favorite People Live in Virginia (for a little while at least), Part 2: The Powells
We were lucky enough to spend a little over a week (split between on the way up to Vermont and on the way back down to NC) , in DC with Tina's (my sis) family and we had a blast. I already posted our trip into DC, but I had to post some of the other fun things we did while we were there. It is always a treat when the Powell's are in the US for training because Jake loves spending time with his cousins and so do I! We had fun doing all sorts of things. Saku had a store, Sam wanted to have a restaurant so all the cousins worked together to create a wonderful cafe, we had a photo shoot at the Picture People, we made forts for Ben 10 toys, went on bike rides, made a big mess while trying to organize, and even home schooled the kiddos (I am jealous that Tina is home schooling her kids!), Allen and Tina went on a date to the Temple, and Tina and I went to the Temple....In other words we had a blast and can't wait to see you guys again! Thanks for letting us invade your home for so long! And do I even need to say this? These pictures are not in order! :).....My computer is uploading my pictures FAST, so will I just kept adding them until it slows down to normal snail speed! Nee and Papa you are going to love this post! I am going to print these pictures and send them to you guys...It is has been on my To Do list for about a month now...
Jake opening an early birthday gift from the Powell's. It was an awesome book on the periodic table that Jake was so excited to get! (Sam has one and they pretended they were different elements with powers. They have great imaginations!)
A surprise ice cream cake to celebrate Jake's b-day early. In this picture Jake hasn't figured out who they are singing happy birthday too...
Eating Taco Bell after getting the kiddos pictures taken to surprise Nee and Papa.
a
On Tuesday nights kids eat free at IHOP so we decided to take advantage of it!
n
w
Tina and Ben outside their condo.
Playing under the tree
Climbing the tree after a bike ride.
Eating dinner at Sam's cafe
Jake was the host at the cafe. He is carrying a clip board with a seating chart and we even made menus.
Preparing for the dinner using team work.
Anika buying back her stuff that Saku got for her room to sell in his store. :)
These are seriously out of order...Sam rolling the silverware in cloth napkins for the cafe.
Saku racking in the dough at his store.
Jake and Sam finalizing their purchases at Saku's store.
Tina and me at the DC Temple.
Playing Mario Kart on the Wii.
Saku
Jake
Ben
Anika
Sam
Waiting for the first official customers to arrive at Sam's Cafe.
Cousins.
Jake opening an early birthday gift from the Powell's. It was an awesome book on the periodic table that Jake was so excited to get! (Sam has one and they pretended they were different elements with powers. They have great imaginations!)
A surprise ice cream cake to celebrate Jake's b-day early. In this picture Jake hasn't figured out who they are singing happy birthday too...
Eating Taco Bell after getting the kiddos pictures taken to surprise Nee and Papa.
a
On Tuesday nights kids eat free at IHOP so we decided to take advantage of it!
n
w
Tina and Ben outside their condo.
Playing under the tree
Climbing the tree after a bike ride.
Eating dinner at Sam's cafe
Jake was the host at the cafe. He is carrying a clip board with a seating chart and we even made menus.
Preparing for the dinner using team work.
Anika buying back her stuff that Saku got for her room to sell in his store. :)
These are seriously out of order...Sam rolling the silverware in cloth napkins for the cafe.
Saku racking in the dough at his store.
Jake and Sam finalizing their purchases at Saku's store.
Tina and me at the DC Temple.
Playing Mario Kart on the Wii.
Saku
Jake 
Ben
Anika
Sam
Waiting for the first official customers to arrive at Sam's Cafe.
Cousins.
Some of My Favorite People Live in Virginia, Part 1: The VA Harmon's :)
(Yes, it's true I am still trying to catch up on our vacation...)
Jake and I started out our trip north by stopping in Virginia and spending a couple of days with Mike (Aaron's older bro), Teri (sis-in-law), Sara, Kayla, and Megan. It was so fun seeing them and hanging out. We swam in their pool (yes I am JEALOUS!!!), watched Kayla's softball game, and LAUGHED A LOT! We pretty much just goofed off and it was so awesome. I wish that they were my neighbors because they are so much fun to be with. We miss you and love you and can't wait to see you again!!!!! (These pictures are in no particular order...surprise, surprise!)
Mike is the girls B-ball coach at SVU (Southern Virginia University) and he took us on a tour. It has changed a lot since Tina was a student there 13+ years ago!
Jake and his beautiful cousins enjoying the pool.
Random hanging out picture. (Teri, I could have sworn I made you get in a picture but it was no where to be found! Mom's never end up in very many pictures...)
Megan and Jake swimming
And jumping in...We took several (hundred) shots like this to get the perfect one. It was one of the only times I didn't have to beg my models to pose. They kept saying: take one of us doing this...now this. They had a blast and I did too. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)