And I Quote

I am a people watcher [weird I know but that's me] and I love to listen to random bits of conversation [I know...that is even more weird and creepy. I'm not a stalker...].  I wouldn't call it evesdropping as much as I just happen upon someone talking and I pay attention as I walk past them in Wal-Mart [great place to people watch], the grocery store, the ball field, etc. It's funny what we think when we hear random bits of information, out of context sometimes, and not meant for us to hear.
Overheard in the hall at school before break:
Boy 1 [talking to another boy]: Get your hand out of my pants Johnny! [As always, names are changed to protect the innocent...or extremely embarassed.]
Boy 2 [dumfounded that about 30 people just thought he had his hand down another boy's pants]: I hate you.

Overheard at the ballfield:
Person #1 talking to KM fan #1: She had to go to the hospital because her foot touched a leaf.
Person #2 [which happens to be me] ask KM Fan #2: What kind of leaf sends you to the hospital?
[And what actually happened is she had to go to the hospital because she had an allergic reaction to Aleve....which makes way more sense...]

Witnessed at a Shoney's [yes fine dining was always on our radar when on vacation] in Daytona Beach a million moons ago:
Waitress: Do you want soup or salad?
My sister: Well if the salad is that good I'll have that! [She thought the waitress asked if she wanted a SUPER salad.]

Overheard at a table next to us at an IHOP [not sure if that is a step up or back from Shoney's] on the way back from a weekend football game at UT:
Man: You know, when I was stationed in California we used to eat at a place like this but it was called something else.
Woman: I remember.  It wasn't called IHOP.  It was called the International House of Pancakes.
[Now Craig and I have just had to turn our heads because they were serious.]
Man: Yes you are right.  But they look just like this place.
Woman: I know!

Said in my own house one time:
Me to Craig: Put this back in the refrigerator.
Craig to Me: Did you tell me this was a turd burglar?
[Seriously Craig?  Why would I use the word "turd" when pointing to the fridge?]

So your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to really pay attention the next time you are around lots of people - Wal-Mart [you will NOT be disappointed], the flea market [bahahahahahahaha!!!], the hallways of any middle school in America, your local grocery store, or just anywhere there are lots of people.  It's fun and you just never know what you might hear....

You Have No Idea

I read, somewhere, this week the following quote:

Be nice to everyone you meet - you never know what they are going through.

When someone tells me to not get involved in teenage drama [which is very true] then maybe they should have been walking in my shoes about 10 days ago...when my world was rocked.  Allow me to explain [which I will do whether or not you say yes 'cause its my blog and I can] where I'm going with this...

I agree - teenage drama should not be for parent involvement. Let them grow up and defend themselves.  I live with them. I teach them. I am involved with the youth at church.  I am well aware that kids [mine included] have to grow up to learning how to deal with conflicts, heartbreak, and disappointments.  I try my best not to always put my 2 cents in when they have issues [it ain't easy] and I try to be the sounding board when they want to vent or just talk.  I think that is my job.  No, I am not the perfect mom [sorry to those or you ready with my trophy] and I am very protective [maybe slightly over-protective...if slightly means alot]. My kids aren't perfect either and sometimes I wonder if their brains are actually functioning. [Have you met Gabe and Emma? Just kidding. No, seriously.] I really get all of that - I understand.  My parents didn't walk me down the primrose path, holding my hand and I am a better person because they allowed me to make and then learn from my mistakes.

However, don't mess with my kids. [It means exactly what it says.]  That isn't getting into drama but protecting my kids from things that may turn into monumental, life-altering, no do-over kinds of decisions. [Disclaimer:  The following is a rant I've saved for a perfect time - now is that time.  Twitter and Facebook can be and are both used in the most vile ways by many teens and young adults (even some old adults).  If you are a parent of a kid old enough to use these then get off your "Little Johnny Needs His Space" of "I Don't Know How to Use That Facebook/Twitter Stuff" rearend and wake up!!  Now I do not mean to go all "Tipper Gore" on you but if you aren't smart enough to check behind your kids then you need a good swift kick in the butt.  Pay attention to your kids and the crap others are posting for your kids to see - it can be BAD....very BAD.  In my opinion (which counts for zip these days) you are CRAZY if you don't check behind them to see what they are posting and see what they are reading.  I told you I'd been saving up.  Call me crazy (won't be the first time) but I refuse to lose my children to hashtags, status updates, and tagged pictures that are not acceptable.]  Ten days ago I may not have been so "defensive" or may have reacted differently but now I realize mean people that say things to the sometimes irrational and emotional young person can have serious implications.  Some people have no idea.  Some people have no clue.  Some people can't even begin to understand. 

Again, thanks be to God for interevening in a number of ways. First, for diffusing the issue and making sure all involved used good judgement, talked it out, and mended fences.  Sometimes hurt feelings and speculation spark issues that are not really issues.  Secondly [and most important...for me anyway], thanks to God for pointing me back to the book of James.  I needed to read it.  I will probably read it again - like tomorrrow morning.  Grace and mercy.