Traffic Nightmare

It was a traffic nightmare commuting home after a truck hit an overpass.  I thought I was ahead of the game as I heard about it.  I felt even more fortunate as I was getting a ride home.

But OMG.  Every single alternate route that I could have taken was blocked or had traffic issues.  Even other accidents.  It always surprises me when this type of traffic chaos happens...on a sunny day.  

The traffic was so bad that I was late picking up the kids.  Thank goodness this is the first time.  But of course it was the one night that the daycare worker had to go somewhere by a certain time.  

It's a new day and hopefully a day full of traffic awesomeness.  One can only hope!

Teachers

I'm so thankful that my kids got teachers they love this year.  Has made a real difference for the whole family. 

At one point, my oldest kid got a teacher that did not mesh with her.  I didn't think she was a bad teacher, just personally, was not a good match with my kid.  And it doesn't matter, there are people we just will not get along with, but you need to figure out how to work with them and deal with them.  

I had a lot of conversations with my one kid about this.  It's life.  She just had to make it through the year the best that she could, learn what she could and deal with the teacher.   Considering how much she loathed the teacher, her grades were actually very good.  But it really did not make for a happy school year.  

Fast forward to this year, that same kid has no issues doing her homework, talks about what she's learning, is happy with her class and enjoying school.  All because of a different teacher.  Sure makes life around here a lot easier.  But she's learned some good lessons about life and people from last year.  She isn't taking this awesome teacher for granted.

As for my other kid, she was able to get a teacher she's had before.  Actually, both of my kids have now had her twice and I'm just thrilled.  This teacher really brings out the best in kids and I'm happy to see that she's enjoying school too.  

So thankful for a happy school year!

Finally

For those that know, getting my ears pierced was a really big thing.  And that's because my dad had some real issues with getting holes in my ear. 

But at a recent dinner, he sort of gave me his blessing to go do it.  And really, I'm close to 40!  I shouldn't have to have to get his blessing.  But it was this long standing issue I've had with my dad and it was really hard to shake. 

So sure enough, I went to get it done.   The  woman was sweet.  Though she couldn't understand why it took me so long.   The length of time it took me to do it, one would think it was because I was making some life altering decision.  Nope.  Just two little holes in my ear. 

Part of my decision of wanting to get them was because of travelling!   When I go travelling now,  I tend to get jewellery of some sort.  Every time I wear it, I get to reminisce about where I was, when I got it, and all the other great memories of that trip.  Earrings will now give me a bigger option in terms of travelling souvenirs.  

I'm thinking Croatia will have some nifty souvenirs for me!  

First Week Back

It was my first week back to work this week after a bit of a hiatus.  Wow.  Talk about a bit of information overload.  This weekend, I really do feel a bit jet lagged just due to the information that was coming in and what needed to be done.  I survived and am caught up.  PHEW.

It certainly was nice to see folks I liked and getting caught up on everything under the sun.  Maybe some different adult interaction is what I needed.  In some ways, there were so many changes in the workplace and yet in some instances, it's like nothing changed.  

The only thing that has been really difficult is getting up at 4:45 again.  Wowsers.  It was easy during the summer, but now that it's dark in the mornings.  It's a real chore.  And especially since my carpooling will be ending shortly and I will have no more work at home days.  Actually, everybody is mourning the fact that we will no longer have work at home days.

I know, I know.  First world problems.  But the time and commute really does change how our family will run.  But we will make it work.  

2031...my retirement year.  It's soon right?

Promotion

Probably about the only person that talks herself out of a promotion...on purpose.  

I was asked to take on some new responsibilities and I would be compensated for that.  However, the more I listened, the more I knew it wasn't for me.  

The money was attractive.  The title seemed great.  But it's not all about the money and title.  Done that before and I hated my job at that time.  I'm at a place where I truly feel that I can balance my home life and my work life.  That to me is more important than money and a title.  

As well, hearing the duties, I know I'd hate what I would become.  I would be that bitter employee that is constantly cranky.  I would be that miserable employee that everybody hates.  That's not good.  I would also take that anger and bring it home and probably be the crankiest mom and wife ever.  That's no good to anybody either.  And all for a bit of extra money?  

Sorry, but my sanity, mental health, and happiness are not worth that extra bit of money.  Other people probably think I've made the worst decision.  But I know myself well enough.  Being the miserable employee at work that everybody talks about is not a good thing.  

Some would chomp at this opportunity as it's about power and control.   Go for it.   Be my guest.  Some people are meant for certain types of work.  And I'm not suited for this.  

Craigslist

Craiglist - I love you, I hate you.  

When it works, it's fabulous.  But there are just some amazingly mean people out there. 

I put up some items for free because I don't need them but figured someone else would.  Thought it would be more targeted to someone who wanted the item rather than just to Big Brothers or some other non-profit organization that resells donated items. 

But today, I got the meanest, harshest and ugliest response.  Lot of f bombs, calling me all sorts of names and telling me to just throw it in the trash because no one in their right mind would spend gas to go get it.   I've given lots of stuff off on Craigslist for free and everybody has been appreciative.  

The fact that someone could be that mean spirited and spend the time to be that nasty amazes me.  If you don't want it, go on to the next ad.  I'm not asking you to take it.    I couldn't care less that you didn't want it.  Dude...it was FREE.    

Am I pissed?  Absolutely?  I was going to write back but then they would have my e-mail.  At least through the Craigslist e-mail, he doesn't know who I am.   Knowing my luck, he'd stalk me and egg my house.  

Bad karma to that freakoid.   

Kids and Friends

Today, I had to console my youngest kid.  She was crying so hard when she saw me.  Her day was kind of crappy and really, it all came down to 1 kid.  

Now, I'm an advocate of kids learning to deal the best way possible with other kids.  The reality is that those same people are out in the workplace and in the real world.  I can't be there to fight every battle. 

But this one kid is a bully, is mean, and is downright devious.  Not a real fan of hers.  However, I love the rest of the family.  

I've coached my kid on different tactics.  And for the most part, they work.  But the reality is, hurt people hurt other people.  And I don't know what happened to this kid, but she obviously has been hurt and rejected by others.  But lashing out, being a total bully and just playing mean mind games with other kids isolates her even more. 

I felt so bad for my kid.  It's a crappy way to end the day...and it's only the 2nd day of school.  Hopefully this resolves itself.  Better yet, I hope this kid is in a different class from my kid and actually leaves the daycare.  That will end this in a jiffy. 

If life were so easy.