Thankyou, have a nice day.

My seven year old walks to school every morning and is helped across the street by a policeman, directing traffic. I joined her one day this week, to take muffins in for her classroom. As we were directed to cross the street, she yelled "Thank you, have a nice day" to the officer, he responded in kind. I asked her if she always said that, she replied "everyday" It was a proud mom moment, because, after years of telling her "remember to say thankyou" etc, etc, she just does it, like its second nature. I'm raising a good kid. Sometimes, I just have to remind myself of that.

Homeshopping network and 75

75, thats the age my mom was when she started referencing products that she'd heard of on HSN. I'm not certain if she's bought any yet, but many have caught her eye. Most recently its the WOW bra. She said she wanted to get it, but then, she heard from a friend that was equally impressed with the infommercial and had actually purchased it.... she said she'd wait until her friend's had arrived, and just try it on then.

Bifocals--- Really?

So my last eye exam was two years ago and I was told my vision hadn't changed much, my current script for glasses, which was two years old, was fine. So, naturally I was shocked when I heard the optometrist say that I need bifocals... then he added "well, you're about the right age" REALLY? I'm 42?
So I offered my new standard response that "40 is the new 60." He didn't laugh, he was probably 60, and, he was ugly, but that's not relevant, and perhaps petty on my part, since I was blindsided by the new script... but come on bifocals, really?
I've had them now for six hours, and the only thing that I've noticed so far is that the letters that show up when your change your password on Google, you know that funky curved script on a word that may not be a word, well, they're no longer blurry... I just assumed that they were designed to be blurry. So if those letters and numbers are blurry to you, you might be joining the bi- club.

Ash Wednesday

In the car today, my 7 year old announced that she wished there was a cure for everything. The nine year old agreed and added that people need to work harder to find cures.... and if they would have worked harder for Aunt Eileen, then she wouldn't have died. I let the conversation between them go on for a minute or two before saying that every one worked as hard as they could to try to cure Aunt Eileen, it was just her turn to go to heaven. Her death, and everyone's death, is all part of His plan, and you could be here for 2 years, 28 years, 88, or anywhere in between, but when God calls you home to heaven, its time to go. The 9 year old added that you don't even have to be two, you could go to heaven before you're even born (referring to a friend's miscarriage). Put that way, it seems so simple, I need to think that way more often. I guess it helped that we were on our way to Ash Wednesday service, that moment of grace was quickly replaced when I had to sit in the front row with 5 1st graders who, despite their best efforts, couldn't keep from fidgeting. Then again, as I put the 7 year old to bed, she said " I smiled when they put ashes on my forehead, because I knew that God was happy with me." Thats what I'll think of tonight as I go to sleep.

Belated tooth fairy

my eight year old lost a tooth last night. The tooth Fairy didn't come, which as any parent can surely imagine made for a very difficult morning. Nothing seemed to pacify her, although me saying that I too was mad at the tooth fairy, seemed to be of some consolation. My fear that she would continue to talk about it at school was confirmed when she came home and said that Jessica told her there was no tooth fairy, just like there was no santa 'its just your parents' (ouuuuuch). I told her its not important what others think, what matters is what you believe. Then, I quickly added 'why would I be the tooth fairy, don't I already give you enough money?' That got a laugh, and she's anxiously awaiting the tooth fairy tonight.

Talking in flight

On a recent flight, someone asked me if I was traveling for business or pleasure, the answer was neither, but I said 'business'. In doing so, I wondered how often people casually lied to me? I changed the conversation quickly, asking the woman the nature of her trip, which was pleasure (returning from vacation). It was an easy diversion, and she was happy to talk about her trip to the Keys. Ultimately she asked me what business I was in, and I choked... I said I was in fact a stay at home mom (not a businesswoman), just anxious to get home to my kids. She didn't even seem to care that I'd lied about my agenda. Oh well... I think, in the end, most travelers aren't that interested in the people sitting next to them, they just feel obliged to make small talk and probably secretly hope for brief answers, so they can feel good about being polite, then move on to their Us Magazine.