Observations from today

I saw an old man riding a bicycle today, he stopped half way up a hill for a smoke break....

My 98lb dog is afraid of ugly ducks. While walking today, we rounded a tree and surprise to all 3 of us and a pair of ugly ducks were resting in the shade. The ones with strange lumps on their heads and bills. Actually I think they are very interesting looking, anyway. After the surprise Brindle tried to remove my left arm by the wrist. He took off so fast after  the flailing, frightened ducks he almost jerked me down. I should of just fallen, it wouldn't of hurt as bad as the leash burn I have on my wrist and my throbbing shoulder! After a very short pursuit the ducks realized they were safe and turned on the dog, my very large, brave K9 turned tail and hid, behind me and Bailey my smaller, saner dog.

Tonight's t-ball game was rescheduled, it was suppose to be Friday night, realizing it was Good Friday and Easter weekend, it was moved to Thursday. In moving the day we also had to change fields. Form field C to D. On approach to the fields someone from another team approached me, apparently I looked like I knew what was going on (HAHAHAHAH). She asked if I knew which field her grandson was playing on, I inquired the teams name, she couldn't remember. I asked the color of the team, she didn't know. So to keep things simple I said, "Well, its either field C or D" she says, "C or what" D I say a little louder, as in DOG. Questions are coming, I feel em... she says, "Dogs, no there are no dogs here...."

Kids say the strangest things. tonight while practicing t-ball one of the kids dads came to the fence. He said 'hi dad' and I said, 'Wow is that your Dad??' He said 'Yes, and he's Black!!' I was stunned silent, he (the child) then stated, 'and I'm white!' to this I was also stunned silent and tickled!

Rules

As I grow, I have come to expect a certain amount of aggravation from people. When I enter a situation, expecting the aggravation its not as bad as when its thrust upon me.

For example. I am helping my brother coach nephew #1's t-ball team. Lots of 5 and 6 year olds running amok in the dirt. Its great, I love it! (Really, I do!!!) I expect to be aggravated by the small sticky people running around, not paying attention, playing in the dirt, throwing rocks, wearing their baseball gloves on their heads, telling me they have to potty (right in the middle of their turn at bat), asking me to tie their shoe for the 4th time. Stuff like that makes the whole situation comical and enjoyable. I also expect the kids to not follow the rules to the letter, not because they are ignoring them but because they don't know them and the fact that they are 5 years old, has a lot to do with it. I do, however, expect their parents and grandparents to follow the rules, TO THE LETTER! I understand an excited parent, yelling instructions to their child, jumping up and down, running to the fence to be heard. Fine, I did that watching nephew #1 play basketball and soccer. But flagrant disregard for the rules that leads to the children misbehaving (even more) and delay of game play is aggravation I cant stand.

By the time the game was over last night brother and I wanted to pummel the other team parents and coaches with bats, short t-ball bats at that. We are there to teach these children about baseball, following rules, playing by the rules, being a part of a team, working together to make something happen. What happens out there on the field shapes a small part of these little lives and I want it to be a wonderful, fun experience for these future adults. Their parents need to stand in the dug out and makes asses of themselves doesn't bode well. What are they learning from them? Do the adults even realize what the kids are seeing and retaining? Don't they realize little Timmy sees Mommy acting like a fool, kicking the dirt and yelling, not staying out of the dugout as instructed, that he is processing that into "Hey, she doesn't follow the rules... why should I!?"

Yea, yea, easy for me to say, right? I don't have kids at home to raise everyday and do the parenting thing. Well tough noogies, I'm not an idiot and quiet frankly I think, since I am on the proverbial sidelines, I can see, objectively, some things parents cant. 

Follow the rules, people! The small ones are watching us, they will grow not into the people we dream about but into the people they see everyday... US.

Holy Crap! When did I turn into my Mom?

Today the Hubby and I were at a local restaurant, eating some very good fried pickles, when the bus boy came slouching by. My first impression and following comment was "Wow, what bad posture, he needs to stand up straight and stop dragging his feet!" Next came the realization that I could see 5 inches of his blue plaid boxers. His pants were a little too low. So the next comment was something like "No one needs to see his boxers... but at least they match his apron."

On the ride home a small, fast car with 2 young, very young girls inside, sped by. They looked about 12 years old, when did they let children drive? anyway, at the next light they both lit up a cigarette. You can guess my comment on that, "They are way to young to be smoking, I bet their mothers have no idea! And look, the driver isnt even paying attention to the road..."

I stopped talking, abruptly, I sat in shock for a few moments, pulled down the vanity mirror and took a quick look. Hubby asked, "whats wrong with you?" my response, after checking to make sure I still was me, "Holy Crap! When did I turn into my Mom?"