Just a Random Rant

I interrupt the regularly scheduled program to bring you a random rant from yours truly. In case you weren't aware, this week is "Teacher Appreciation Week," AND the elementary schools have got it going on with how they appreciate their teachers. I'm just sayin' ...

The Not so Forbidden Fruit

So. I was in the grocery store earlier today enjoying some me time, and shopping for apples when another customer walked up next to me, chose an apple, and casually bit into it!

It totally caught me by surprise and made me chuckle! I have never seen anyone do that. Was he just "testing" it to make sure it met his standards? Was he just hungry and decided he couldn't wait til check-out? I have no idea! He grabbed a few more apples and kept it moving as if this was something he normally did.

I have to admit, I have on many occasions, taken one single grape and tasted it to make sure the whole bunch was sweet enough to buy, but I have never bitten into an apple, banana, or any other fruit...no matter the reason. And you might be thinking, if I did that to a grape, why not another fruit?

So this strange incident made me wonder...would you, have you just tasted any fruit or anything else in a grocery store without first paying for it?

Theme Parks and Random Thoughts This New Year's Eve

We returned home last night after spending three days in theme parks at both Disney and Legoland. Our friends, The Smiths, met us in Orlando and it was a great decision as they were like our personal tour guides; they pretty much planned each day and the rides we would all take, even FastPassing us through long lines at the more popular rides.

Family trips can be stressful, right? Have you ever taken a family trip where there wasn't even a smidgen of stress? There's the packing, the driving (or flying), and if you're driving with kids there's the what do you do to entertain them for several hours of driving.

Our trip was stressful for me because one, I was really moody and extremely sensitive. Two, I didn't get to leave Atlanta at the time I wanted. Three, I wanted us all to wake up early every day and take full advantage of the theme parks, but that is really hard to do when the majority of my family likes to sleep in. And fourth, the parks were more than crowded which added to my impatience, and I felt "under the microscope" every time I took a picture, which, to be honest, was a lot. I love taking pictures; I admit it, but it can annoy my family. It does get a bit aggravating each time I stop my family and ask them to pose for a shot and...yada yada yada.

On our long ride back home, The Hubs and I talked about our trip and what we could have done to make things more enjoyable. We agreed we need to manage our expectations better and clearly communicate so that everyone has a good time. We also compromised on taking pictures...looks like I will be taking lots more candid shots from now on. And you know what, that's okay too. So here are some of the photos from our trip. Despite the drama, we did have periods of fun and good times. We've already talked about visiting Disney again, but during off-peak times!

My feeling moody during our Orlando trip over what seems really trivial now was made crystal clear today.  Earlier I went to Chipotle to get something to eat.  The line was really long, as it always is...I even timed my wait. I stood in line for 21 minutes and 34 seconds. Seriously, but it's always worth the wait. Anyways as I waited in line, I happened to look outside when I noticed a SUV pull up into a parking space. Sitting in the passenger side was a woman. I couldn't tell how old or how young she was, but her hair was completely gone and she was frail thin as if she was suffering from a life threatening illness, possibly cancer.  It took a great effort for her to muster enough energy to cover her head with a hat and then make her way out of the car. I looked at the driver, her mom possibly, and my heart went out to her. Not in a pitiful way, but in a manner that understands no human being should ever have to suffer. And worse, as a mom myself, I never want to imagine what it's like to watch your own child endure such a thing. This really helped put things in perspective for me.

As far as New Year's resolutions go, I don't make them. I don't think you need the start of a new year to make changes in your life. You can and should make changes at any time. I did see a post on Facebook that I liked. A friend posted that he, too, doesn't believe in resolutions, but he wanted to live his life by the four principles in the book, The Four Agreements: Be impeccable with your word (use your words to speak love and the truth). Don't take anything personally (nothing others do is because of you). Don't make assumptions (communicate clearly and ask questions to avoid misunderstandings). Always do your best (whether you are sick or healthy just do the best you can at that moment).  I think these are wise words to live by, and I think I need to read that book. I also need to continue to work on me becoming a better person.  

What are you up to this New Year's Eve?  After spending all day yesterday on the road stuck in a car for seven hours, and the last three days at theme parks, this girl is just happy to spend the night at home doing absolutely nothing. You feel me? And that's exactly what I did.  Our neighbors came by (with yummy snacks, thank you!!!) and we just hung out.  Here's most of the happy bunch; they really do have a lot of fun together.

Happy New Year and may you have your best year ever in 2015!

Random Thoughts

1. How come grown ups don't fall off the bed during sleep? 

I mean, I'm assuming they don't. I don't fall off the bed. The Hubs doesn't either. I know I toss and turn, but still...I don't end up on the floor.  I didn't take a poll of all the people I know, but I think it's safe to say that grown ups don't. My four year old occasionally rolls off the bed during sleep (I even place pillows all around him). I find him sleeping on the floor during the night when I check on him, or the next morning when I wake up. I know for a fact this happens to other kids as well. How come kids and not grown ups?

2. How come the smallest objects and those that don't even weigh that much can hit your toe, any toe, and the pain is so excruciating? Pain that makes you just close your eyes, wince, and make you want to say curse words you don't usually use. How come?! Does that happen to you?

3.  How come the longer you stare at a word, the more it looks like it's been misspelled? Try it. Just look at this word MISSPELLED for at least five seconds. 

4. Why would a man WANT to be a gynecologist? I mean, I know lots of women who don't mind a male doctor "down" there, but I also know a lot of women who do. There's nothing wrong with a male gynecologist and I'm sure there are many, many excellent ones out there, but I'm just wondering.  I've never met a woman who loves going to her annual exam, so it makes me wonder why any man would subject himself to that. 

5.  Have you ever been at work, or in a meeting , or worse, at an all day training and get the feeling like you could have the best sleep of YOUR LIFE, if only you were at home at that exact moment??? Has this ever happened to you? It's happened to me quite a few times, and oh how I wish I could go to sleep at that precise moment.