Listening In

My location at work provides me much interesting listening as parents talk to their children. Sometimes this is in a voice of encouragement as the children successfully count on the big, colorful abacus. Sometimes this is a voice of anger as the children are disciplined for not minding. Sometimes this is with a voice of absentmindedness as the parent actually has no idea where the kid is, but thinks if they talk soothingly while they peruse books then the kid must be close by. Sometimes this is in a voice of excitement as the parents and children discover favorite books together. Sometimes this is a voice of reading as the child snuggles in the parent's lap as they sit in a corner with a book. Very frequently the voice of frustration comes through as parents try to keep track of kids and there are tears or attempted quiet threats that no books will be purchased. All manner of parenting skills can be observed within my small sphere of work.
Today, I heard a brief conversation that brought a smile to my face. This mom spoke to her daughter like her daughter was an intelligent being (you'd be amazed at how many parents talk down to the kids). The little, adopted girl (probably between 3 and 4) had two ponytail, sprigs, one above each ear--so cute. She walked over to me and held up one finger on each hand and said, "We're buying two Clifford books." I responded with proper excitement and then she went over to where her mom was looking through the books on the Clifford shelf. The little girl had quite a lot of energy and in the process knocked over some books on a shelf. Her mom told her to put them back and the little girl struggled to follow the instructions but the books kept flopping over and she said to her mom, "How do I do this?" Her mom glanced over and said, "You need leverage. Pull out the bottom of the book a little so it can lean back." The girl did this and it worked.
Seriously, though, how many parents are going to tell their 3-year-old, You need leverage? I'd never think to say that. But it was really kind of cute, their adult conversation.

Surprise!

Yesterday I was feeling quite lonely for my dear, sweet, far-away boyfriend. It's amazing how long 7 days can feel between a visit. I talked to him briefly over his lunch break, but it didn't suffice. A couple hours later, I was paged over the intercom at work. When I walked over to where I was called, a beautiful vase of flowers awaited me! From three hours away J managed to make my day. I've never been sent flowers before and I'm pretty sure I had a huge smile on my face when I saw those gorgeous flowers!

Sister 3 battling hair.

I had issues putting these photos in order, but you get the idea. By the end she almost looks pleased doesn't she?

Sis 3 sometimes forgets things and she's told me she just can't help this forgetfulness. This can be leaving things behind at someones home, not returning a borrowed item, or as in the case of this week, leaving her brush at school while she's home on spring break. So, she has nothing to brush out her long, tangly hair.

Sis 3 and I have the same kind of hair, very straight, fine, tangly, and long (hers is currently longer than mine). This morning she asked to borrow a brush or a comb (I use an orange wide-toothed comb). Because I want to make sure that my comb is not misplaced--it's not very replaceable since I'm pretty sure it's been around since I was a little girl--I pulled out a brush I never use because it just doesn't get through all the layers of my hair. Sis 3 took it along in the car as we were driving. As she attempted to tug the brush through her hair she said, "This doesn't work." I have to admit that I kind of started laughing because I knew it wasn't going to be particularly easy for her, but I knew she could make it work and I didn't want to risk the loss of my favorite comb. After about 3 minutes she said, "Does that brush company not care that underneath the layer of smooth hair it's really tangly underneath?" She did eventually brush the tangles out and it looked rather nice. As you can already see, I photo documented the process as it was making me laugh. Enjoy!

A moment today...

I can't really qualify today as a bad day. However, it had its moments, including the following dialogue with a customer:



Man: (Mumbles a question I think has to do with where something is in the store.)

Me: Pardon?

Man: Where's the guy who buys stuff?

Me: (With a directional point) We have a buy counter in that corner where we have buyers.

Man: (slightly antagonistically) That's what I was asking. (then under his breath, I think he said) Why does everyone have to be a smart a** today?



Sometimes I am amazed at the attitudes/moods people bring into the environment of our store. It can be kind of toxic when you are the employee experiencing the brunt of it.

Cause and Effect

Overheard at work today:

I need to get a bookmark so I can start reading my book. (What? Since when does a person need a bookmark in order to read?)

I learned to read on Grace Livingstone Hill! (This proclaimed multiple times by a woman who said her grandma started her reading them when she was 6. What kind of grandma actually gives her 6-year-old granddaughter an inspirational romance novel to learn how to read?)

Movie Moment

The boyfriend has been gone from this city for a week now. And for me it's been a week of adjusting back to having my evenings mostly free. I miss having him around for the day to day, but I believe wholeheartedly in God's sovereignty in His working out many details for him to get the job he moved away for.

J is a friendly guy and left behind a string of restaurant workers and shop clerks that knew he wouldn't be frequenting their establishments any more.

Earlier this week I went out to nearby Chinese restaurant over my lunch break. I walked in and sat down at the table the boyfriend and I always sat at together (granted this was maybe once a month we'd go in together). I left his chair vacant and sat in my customary seat. I pulled a book from my bag and settled in. One of the woman walked over with the menu. She held two in her hand. Motioning to J's empty seat, she asked with a smile through her accent, "Is he coming?"

Nature up close

The deer on the terrace in my background.

The huge giant turkey nearly getting hit crossing the road.

Neither of these are great photos, but you get the idea.