My Least Favorite Things

In my time in the classroom, I've found that kids are usually very good at writing about themselves.  They love to write about their favorite things, but they find it even more fun when you let them write about things that they don't like, their least favorite part of a book, or their worst part of their day.  Maybe it's because we all love to vent or complain or maybe our culture has taught kids to over-explain everything about their dislikes and why they feel the way they do.  I admit that I fall into the trap as well.  I sometimes have to remind myself to be more positive.  Since this is a brand new adventure, I should start out on the right note and put a happy spin on my first posts right?  Wrong!  I am going to get my pet peeve post out of the way so that from now on, I can write as the most happy, cheerful person on the planet!

Ok, I might have gotten carried away....nobody needs to have Mrs. Sappy Happy shoved down their throats until they want to toss their cookies.  So without further ado, I give you my top ten dislikes:

10.  Peas. 
So it may seem a little pathetic that I would use one of my top ten on a tiny little vegetable, but I really, really dislike peas!  I do not like their squishy texture, disgusto taste, the way that canned peas are a color green that can only be described as manufactured ugliness, the way that frozen peas look unnaturally green, or the fact that they can ruin a perfectly decent salad.  That being said, I do eat them about once a week in order to show my boys that sometimes you should eat things because they are good for you, not just because they taste good.

9.  Vanity. 
Now I'm all for making yourself all pretty when you go out, but really nobody cares if you are wearing all your makeup and most fancy pants when you go to Walmart.  I just never, ever want to be the person who someone won't recognize if I don't have makeup on.  I also don't want to waste time that I could have spent with my family on myself.  That being said, I did just buy some awesome new mascara, but really, a girl's gotta be a girl!

8. The way my dad turns the television louder and louder so that you have to talk louder. 
People are more important than television, so turn it down.  I love, love, love my TV time too, but if you can't stand people talking over whatever sports play is happening at any given moment, join the 21st century and get a DVR so you can watch it when we aren't around!

7. That guy who pounds his music so loud at the stop light that it makes your heart thump in your chest.
*BOOM!  BOOM!*  This makes me feel *BOOM!  BOOM!* so much smarter than you, guy. 

6.  Bad Restaurant Service.
Okay, this really more of a pet peeve of my husbando than it is for me, but it directly affects me since he is usually my restaurant companion (Don't we sound fancy?....Um no, we sound more like old fogies.)  The deal with it is, that most of the time, there isn't an excuse for it to happen, yet the servers still expect that 15% tip.  Now, if I get good service, I'm going to tip you well, but if I get bad service, maybe you should start tipping me.  Good idea, right?  I bet 99% of wait staff would improve if that was the deal. 

5.  Whining. 
BUT I DON'T WAAANNNNNAAAA hear it, kid.

4.  Fox News. 
I don't want to make enemies, so I'm just going to leave it at that.  Actually, I'm going to say one more thing...whatever your beliefs, be able to defend them.

3.  Texting and Driving.
It's just not safe, people.  Cut it out!  You're putting all of us in danger, and nothing you have to say is so important that it can't either be said on an actual call or wait until you reach your destination.  Also, I will make you feel bad if you text and drive with me in the car, so go ahead and try it....no don't!  Stop texting and driving....seriously.

2.  Smoking.
Again, cut it out!  It's gross.  It makes you smell bad and look unintelligent, and it isn't good for you or the people around you.  There is nothing smart or sexy about it!  As much as you'd like to think it does, it does not make you look like Don Draper.  By the way, is there anyone out there who hasn't heard about how bad it is for you?

1.  Stupidity
This is pretty all-encompassing.  It's hard for me to put it into words, so I'll leave it at this, use your brain!  Especially if you're a parent.  If you're in college, especially undergrad, I'll give you a pass.  Use your brain in class, but you can act a little stupid as long as you don't lose a scholarship or drive drunk....or smoke...or text while driving!  As for the rest of us, take a little time to think.  It does wonders for your ability to make good choices.  Brand new information for some, I know. 

Amazing how much better I feel now that I got all those out.  I can't wait to share with you the things I love...it will be much harder to narrow it down to 10!

Erin

I'm Finally Here!

So, I've been thinking about starting a blog for a while now, in fact, it was one of my goals for my summer break. Once I decide to do something I'm usually the type of person who just does it, wholeheartedly, but for some reason I just kept putting this off.  I don't know what really took me so long.  I mean, sure, I am busy, but who isn't?  I'm the mom of two young boys, a wife, and a teacher (but I am off for the summer, so I can't really use that excuse).  I'm also a girl who wants to be the next Martha Stewart or Ree Drummond so I'm always finding a fun new project (often in the kitchen) to work on, but again that really doesn't give me any reason for not getting started before now.  My other goal for my time off this summer was the "prepositional cleaning" of my house (you know:  over, under, and behind everything).  Any normal person would think that when given the two choices of cleaning or blogging, any sane woman would choose blogging, but my closets have been cleaned for a month now, and here I am just starting out.  I guess what's kept me from just taking the plunge was ultimately fear.  Fear that nobody would really care what I have to say.  Then I remembered, I'm pretty hilarious, fairly intelligent, and making my way through this journey just like everyone else.  So come along with me, I'd love for you to join me.

Erin