Annoyances

Just some random things that have really bugged me this last week. I think it would be a good idea to exorcise them all before I begin the weekend, don’t you?

1) After witnessing a particularly traumatic pedestrian/car collision in a crosswalk (that was a year ago???) where the pedestrian – an elderly man in a motorized wheelchair/scooter – later died, I have been even more aware of the pedestrians around me when I’m driving, especially the young and the elderly. However, I was on my way to Obachan’s yesterday and waiting at an intersection (Bothell Main Street, for those of you in the know), when an older gentleman looked at the red lights, his own “don’t walk” light, and proceeded to cross the intersection right in front of me anyway. By the time he was halfway across, I had a green light! I’m not angry that I couldn’t move right away to let him pass – I’m angry that he did something that he would never let his grandchildren do. And what if it hadn’t been me sitting there at that intersection, watching him??

2) I was raised to respect the silence of the library – which is why it embarasses me terribly when Tad throws a hissy fit when it’s time to leave his beloved computers. Fortunately, most of the other patrons are quite sympathetic when they see me hauling out a yowling toddler. So I try to give other parents the same courtesy I’ve been given. But it really annoys me when parents bring very young children to story time. I leave Tad at home for this very reason – he’s too young to sit and listen. Last Tuesday, there were two kids who had to have been under age 2, and they began to really disrupt the reading about halfway through the first book, so the parents had to take them out. Both little kids had older siblings that behaved perfectly, and one mother was by herself, so I know why her little boy was with her. I would just like the parents to be more realistic about what their kids can handle. And to the parents who brought both boys, one who was too young, so dad took him out while mom stayed with the older one – yeah, we can hear his crying through the door.

3) Note to Cubbie parents on Wednesday night: you know the room that you left your child’s coat and book bag in? The one with their name on the flyer next to the door? Yeah. Your child is in that room at the end of the evening for you to pick them up. We really didn’t change that on you in the middle of the evening. It’s not necessary to stick your head in all the other classrooms and ask for your child. You’ve been doing this since September – it’s not that hard!!

4) Mr. UPS driver – a cheery, extended knock when you drop off a package is not necessary. Especially when my kids are napping. I know that you may not know that, but I don’t need an entire song bar played out on my front door. I still am not happy about the package left on top of my hosta plant last summer, and I am watching you.

5) Nursery workers at church: I really do appreciate the time and effort you put in to watching the babies on Sundays and Wednesdays. I really do. I serve my time in there cheerfully, because I only have to do it once a month thanks to the fact we have so many great volunteers. That being said, would it kill you to change a diaper?? The Webmaster and I make a point of checking all the kids’ diapers at least once in the 90 minutes that we watch them – it isn’t that hard! We’ve lost track of all the times when Tad – or Ane, in the past – has been handed back to us reeking like a port-a-potty. Not good for the bottom, let me tell you. A quick smell test acheives much, and just giving everyone the once-over before service ends is always a good idea. Please?

I feel better now. Anyone else got something they want to get off their chest before the weekend? American Idol results? The Mariners’ spring training record? The barista who added whip when you asked for no whip? We do not judge here. We’re just here to help so we can all go to our weekends in a more peaceful, happier place. And now, I am going to find some more happiness in my coffee. Won’t you come along?

This entry was posted on Friday, March 16th, 2007 at 10:08 am and is filed under General, Mommyhood.
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