Journal Jar #4-3 Pet Peeves

1-Lateness. I’m one of those people who have difficulty understanding how some people can be late to every single event ever in their whole entire lives. You would think that they would clue in and maybe plan a little in advance so they can arrive on time. Because as one of the usually on-timers, it can be very frustrating and a huge waste of my own time (which, contrary to their beliefs, is just as valuable as their time) to sit around waiting on the perpetually late. I feel like I’m late if I’m not on schedule to arrive ten minutes early, so I know that being on time can happen on a regular basis. Yes, there are times when life just craps all over my plans and I end up being late, but it is the exception not the rule.

2-Rudeness. No, you really don't own the road. And no, I'm not to blame just because you are either 1)having a crappy day or 2)just a total jerk.

A fine example of rudeness happened five or six years ago. I was shopping with several children in tow, I think I had Matthew in the cart and Nathan trailing along behind. I turned around the corner of an aisle, peeking back to make sure Nathan was behind me at the same time, and accidentally bumped into the back of a woman with my shopping cart. I felt terrible and apologized profusely. However, she didn’t even take time to listen to my apology. She just lit into me, hollering that it was the third time that I’d hit her. Ummm, no. It was the first time. It had been an honest accident and I had apologized sincerely. Nevertheless, she felt she had the right to yell at me in the middle of the store in front of my kids.

I’m not perfect, but I do try my best to be polite. I say please and thank you. When I am driving I let people in when they are trying to merge. I don’t butt in line. I don’t assume that I’m more important than everyone else. And when I’m in the wrong, I apologize.

Seriously, if everyone would just treat others with the kindness and concern that they feel they personally deserve, the world would be a much nicer place. Remember that famous little golden rule? There's a reason it is so famous. Unfortunately, it seems to be less and less popular as time goes by... (And when people sincerely apologize, accept it for crying out loud!)

3-Saving seats at church with scriptures, lesson manuals, etc. when there is no warm body in sight! If at least one person is there I don't mind, but rows and rows of printed materials preventing people who arrive on time from finding someplace to sit really bugs me. And it bugs me even more when the people saving the rows are then late for church! Seriously, if having a great seat is that important to you, get there early…like I do!

Journal Jar #3-If You Could Have Lunch With 3 People (Dead or Alive), Who Would They Be?

In spite of the fact that this is a completely fictional question, it has actually taken me awhile to narrow my list down to three people. If I could have lunch with someone once a week for a year, that would probably be about right for all the folks I considered. For those of you who know me well, you may feel like I’ve missed some pretty obvious choices. But know that there were about a dozen runners up.

1. As a student, I was never all that interested in history. All the dates and such bored me nearly to death. I was always intrigued when I could get a glimpse into the lives of the actual people, but most often history classes were concerned with dates, causes and effects, etc. and so I was bored. The exception to that was always Harriet Tubman. I was completely intrigued by her story, even in elementary school. I think she would have amazing tales to tell and I’ve always thought she must have been an amazing woman to put her own life in danger on numerous occasions to help others.

2. I’m an avid reader. If I’m not in the midst of a book that has completely caught my attention, I always feel a little off. So I knew that one of the people I would break bread with need to be an author. But which one? As I pondered that question, it occurred to me that off all the books I’ve read and loved, there is one author that I’ve read more often than any other: L.M. Montgomery. I read “Anne of Green Gables” for the first time when I was twelve. I received all eight books in the series for Christmas that year and over the years they have been read and reread more times than I can count. Once I made my way through the Anne series, I started reading as many of L.M. Montgomery’s books as I could find. “Emily of New Moon” and “Kilmeny of the Orchard” became other favorites. When I was in college, I would often pop into the bookstore when I was particularly stressed or overwhelmed and pick up a book by L.M. Montgomery. By then I had read most of them, but still only owned “Anne” and “Emily.” Since paperbacks were only $3 back then, it was a supportable habit, even for a poor college student. I had a L.M. Montgomery paperback in the front pocket of my school back for almost the entire five and a half years it took me to graduate. The only time I did not was when “Gone with the Wind” was my flavor of the day. Being able to tell L.M. Montgomery that she brought to my harried life a bit of peace, calm and a whisper of a time that was slower and somehow sweeter would be nice.

3. With a historical figure and an author already on my list, I figured I should choose an entertainer of some sort. This was actually a hard choice because there are so many to choose from! But I finally narrowed it down and chose Joss Whedon. For those who don’t know, he is the creator of such t.v. shows as “Buffy the Vampire” and “Firefly.” He has written screenplays for films like “Toy Story” and “The Avengers.” He has a talent for balancing the action and drama of a moment with witty one liners or humorous quips. I think a conversation with him would just be highly entertaining and probably pretty darn funny. And who doesn’t need a good laugh? I know I can always use a good guffaw.

So there it is. My very seriously pared down list of folks to chat with over fried chicken and biscuits, chicken salad and ice cream, or hot dogs.

Journal Jar #2-The Most Surprised I’ve Ever Been

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m not a particularly athletic person. I can dance and I can play volleyball a little bit, but besides that I’m pretty useless. As such, P.E. was always the class I dreaded. I absolutely hated having to run the mile and a half knowing that I would be the last person to finish. Those classroom weigh ins and such were humiliating. And having to hang from the chin up bar in front of everyone knowing full well that I was never going to get my chin anywhere even remotely close to the bar was sheer torture.

So you can imagine my dismay when I got called down to the counselor’s office just after registration for 9^th grade and was told that due to the number of classes I was taking that were only taught during one period, the only P.E. class available for me was the class reserved for the girls’ basketball team. They had talked to the teacher and explained my situation. She had agreed that I could take P.E. at that time and could adjust to my abilities. To me, it seemed like just about the worst thing that could ever happen. But I wasn’t about to drop orchestra or one of my accelerated classes so I could take P.E. with the normal people. So I ponied up and agreed that it was a workable solution.

P.E. that year was one humiliation on top of another. Not only was I still the last one to finish the 1.5 mile run, but I was out there by myself for at least twenty minutes after the rest of the class went in. Not only could I not make a basket to save my life, but I didn’t even know the rules for basketball. The only unit where I didn’t feel like a complete dork was aerobics. Only then did my ability to be graceful put me just one step above all those Amazons. Now don’t get me wrong. Those girls were nice to me. They never teased me or treated me like crap. But we weren’t exactly friends either. It was a pretty miserable situation. One of the only perks was the fact that Cassidy, one of my best friends since kindergarten who lived just around the block, was in another accelerated gym class for the same reasons I was. She was marginally more athletic than I was, but not much. So at least I had someone to commiserate with.

Flash forward to the end of the year. As usual, I was invited to the end of year awards ceremony. That was not a big surprise for me. Neither were the majority of the awards I received. I think I received an award for orchestra and English that year. I know there were others, but honestly I can only remember for certain one specific award. As they got ready to announce the award for outstanding girl in P.E., I pretty much tuned out. I mean, there was no way I was getting that award. So after they announced my name, I just sat there for a minute. And then I started laughing. Right out loud. And my parents were sitting in the audience laughing. I walked up to receive my award, still laughing, and then they announced the winner of the second outstanding girls’ P.E. award. It was Cassidy. And then there were two sets of parents laughing. I’m sure everyone there thought they were the worst parents ever. But they weren’t. They were just as incredulous as their two academically inclined daughters. After the fact, we were told that we were chosen to receive those awards not because we were the best female athletes in our grade, but because we had tried the hardest to do the best we could in a tough situation. Only then did just a little bit of pride join the overwhelming humor of the event.

So there you have it. Most surprised I’ve ever been. And honestly, one of the funniest moments in my life.

Journal Jar #1-Guilty Pleasures

I feel like my blog has been in a rut lately. It seems that I just don’t have many brilliant things to say. And while the log of my family’s comings and goings is important (especially when I print the blog books-my kids love to look at all the pictures and read about the past year), I think I could also be recording some things about me. So I’ve pulled out the journal jar strips and I’m going to use those as blog topics. So when I have nothing much to report and feel like writing I’ll pull out a topic and start pontificating. But I will admit right off the bat that my first topic was blatantly stolen from my sister, Rachael. She wrote about her guilty pleasures and it made me chuckle…and think about what my own are. So without further ado, let me introduce my own personal guilty pleasures. Enjoy. And feel free to mock me mercilessly if you feel the need.

1.Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I stumbled upon Buffy after I had graduated from college, moved back home to take a job, and as of yet had no social life. I used to watch and grade papers at the same time. The very first time Kev and I “hung out” post high school and before we got engaged, he came to my house because I told him Tuesday was Buffy night. I figured that if he couldn’t support my habit, I didn’t want him anyway.

2. Digital scrapbooking graphics. I have a bunch. I really don’t need any more. But when I see a cute kit sometimes I just can’t help myself. I mean, they are just so cute and color coordinated and high quality (as big as I could possibly need with NO PIXELATION!) and I love to use them to pretty up cards, invites, my blog books, labels, etc.

3. Teen fiction that falls under the category “paranormal”…unless it’s smutty. Twilight may not be profoundly life altering fiction, but it sure is fun. J

4. Sharpies. Any color, any kind of tip, I love them all. There can never, ever be too many Sharpies in the world.

5. Post-it Notes. They call to me from the office supplies aisle with the voice of a siren…

6. A package of cookies hidden in the pantry so I can sneak one or two at a time when I really want a little something sweet and don’t want to share with the kiddies.

7. The two hours between the time when the kids go to bed and when I go to bed. I absolutely love being a mom, but I really covet those two hours when I can focus on just being myself.

8. Ribbon. I’ve always liked pretty things, but ever since Malia was born I just can’t seem to get my hands on enough ribbon. There are so many colors and patterns and widths and so many, many things that can be prettied up by a bow! Not to mention all the cute hair clips I can create. And it goes on sale for $1 a spool at Hobby Lobby pretty regularly so it is a pretty supportable addiction.

9. Long, hot baths and an audio book. I know I should be helping Kev do the dishes and get the kids in bed, not to mention the fact that my tub is so huge that when I fill it up the boys must resign themselves to cold showers, but in spite of those things I love it so much that I really can’t feel guilty.

10. Iceberg Onion Rings. I know they are terrible for me in every possible way, but they are sooooooo good!

Now, 'fess up. I can publicly admit I'm a Buffy fan. What are your guilty pleasures?