News Clip

The daily news is so depressing, and then on top of that, last night we went to see Slumdog. It is definitely not a feel-good movie. And we all know how I feel about those! Nope, I will not see it again. I have seen slum cities first hand where I lived as a child and I don't need to be reminded of the kind of life I could have been born into. Being born into poverty is one thing but being born into a life that is heartless and totally corrupt is unbearable. Slumdog was yet another reminder of how grateful I am for all the love in my life.

On The Mend

The Green Glob is making it's way through our home. Last week I drove to Coos Bay to bring Chelsey home for the weekend. She was feeling sick and needed some TLC. Then, as though synchronised, John turned up with the same symptoms. I was left to fetch, fend, prepare, make, turn down, turn up, get, toss, take out, put back, etc all weekend long for the two sickies. Well, guess what? It's my turn now.

We took Chelsey back to CB on Monday and I felt the drippy nose setting on that night. I made it through school Tuesday and Wednesday but I decided to take a today to pamper myself. You heard right, I have to pamper MYSELF! No daughter to fetch, prepare for me. No husband to make or take out for me. Boohoo. At least Da Boys will keep me company.

I am already looking forward to next school year. Am I crazy? No, not really. I am actually looking forward to my next vacation break more but I keep thinking that my job at the high school can only get better next school year. I have these incredibly small classes, between two and three students that I actually work with each period, and I am finding that very hard. One of the three in my 6th period is holding a grudge against me just because his buddies were removed from my class. My original class configuration was inappropriate, too many CELDT levels in one class, so we changed it at the end of the first quarter. I went from a class of 15 to 3 students. I think these three feel left out for being split from the majority of their friends. My point being, next year's classes should be made up correctly from the start, hence, hopefully, no need to rearrange kids after the first of the year. No cold shoulders to put up with from the few remaining students.

John came back from an eye appointment after work yesterday and was told they want to do some testing for glaucoma. Apparently John may have a pressure buildup in his left eye. Untreated will lead to blindness. Then just moments later we were informed that several people that we know have gotten very sick or even died. Babies born with spine problems and holes in their hearts, pastors diagnosed with leukemia, six-year old dying from an unknown disease, etc. Wow! It definitely make one take inventory of one's own life. So now I am starting to think more, once again, that maybe I should retire as early as absolutely possible. I want to have that time with my hubby and do all the things we want to do while we can.

For now, I am staying home today and drinking lots of tea! So I can pee! Yes, I am a poet.

Two For The Price of One. Naughty? Naughty!

Sunday morning we made an early trip to Fred Meyer to get the needed fish for the cioppino. The day before the nicest lady behind the counter was oh so helpful, and naturally John and I expected the same service again. I proceeded to ask today's counter lady for each item as she was ready for the next. Alaska King Crab legs were on my list. I asked if she could possibly cut them into 2 inch chunks for me without removing or crushing the shell as I wanted to leave it on for interest and color. Without even having the chance to finish what I was saying, she quickly cut me off and said that she doesn't provide that service. I asked if she had any suggestions as to how I could do this. Again, before I even finished she said, "You are not listening! It is easy. Just cut them with scissors at the joints and then again up the openings to remove the meat." Instantly I felt like a naughty little child being reprimanded. I started to doubt myself and wonder if I had not been listening. Had I missed something? I realized that I had not missed anything but that she had obviously not listened to me. How could she have when she kept interrupting me, and now she was giving me directions for the exact opposite of what I wanted. Before realizing it, the following came out of my mouth: "No, you are not listening! I want to leave the shell ON not take it off!!!!" I'm sure she did not expect me to come back at her so swiftly using her own words because she turned beet red and immediately shut up while continuing to process the rest of my order. What happened to the teaching that the customer is ALWAYS right?

Now, I am proud of how quickly I was able to respond to her. I am not usually this quick of a thinker but at the same time I felt naughty again for being less than kind in return. I suddenly felt a need to make amends with her for my faulty response so, after receiving the last of my order, I decided to bring the subject of our "misunderstanding" up to her. I explained that her mannerism and harsh words made me feel like I was being scolded and that this was no way to treat a customer. She acknowledged the error and of course pointed out that I had done the same to her in return. Touche!

Hopefully she will think twice before treating valued customers like that again. And yes, I learned a lesson too. I would probably have made a greater impact on her had I not come back at her in the same tone as she had used on me.

Life is a learning school.