We’ve had a very quiet, laid back day. We went to Kroger and
bought groceries, and late this afternoon, CVS.
Oh, almost forgot, I took Mike to the optometrist again this
morning. The doctor said that Michael’s glasses are not for distance, they are
just for reading, and mainly to prevent eyestrain. So Michael is to wear them
in school when he is reading, but he doesn’t have to wear them all the time.
When we were coming home from Kroger, Alesia saw some black birds
and said “Oh no, crows! That means death.” I had told her that crows were symbols
of death in the native American cultures. She quickly realized her gaffe and
apologized.
Mother started telling Alesia that there are all kinds of black
birds which are not crows. Alesia interrupted her several times, indicating she
really didn’t want to hear the explanation. Mother got really irritated. I
couldn’t blame her.
I pulled the car over and told both kids that I am tired of them
interrupting, which is rude. I am tired of them walking away when we are trying
to talk to them. They have gotten so rude, at times. Mother and I both let ‘em
have it. I wrapped it up by pointing out that rudeness is a habit, and if they
are in that habit at home, it will get them in trouble at other times in their
lives, like at school or on the job.
As Mother rightly pointed out, most kids learn to listen quietly
to older folks, even when bored, when they are around 5 or so, at least here in
the south.
I was never allowed to be rude or disrespectful the way my kids
act sometimes. They have to learn good manners NOW. Nobody in their birth
countries cared about their manners, but it sure matters here.
They are good kids, 90% of the time. We just have more rough edges
to smooth over than most parents.
Some of Alesia’s issues are typically teenage things. I have warned
her repeatedly that I am REALLY tired of the following:
Using “like” ALL THE TIME, in, like EVERY SENTENCE!!!
Saying “whatever” all the time
Another one: “I know, right?”
And the omnipresent “seriously” – Michael uses that one too
I wish I had gotten more done today. I need to clean my room. I
need to put away some of the Christmas stuff downstairs and get the house more
straight for the upcoming party. I have a surprise I am preparing for Mother’s
birthday, but it didn’t get done. I didn’t get out the instructions for my
video camera and learn to use it. I didn’t work in the backyard, pitching out
all the dead plants. So much to do, and what did I do all afternoon?
I let Michael play on my computer and I read the John Lennon
book. Just to spend some time sitting in an easy chair reading a book is such a
rare luxury.
I did feel a moment of great triumph this afternoon. Michael
pointed out that there was a Kodak Easy Share camera at CVS, and it was priced
at $99. I paid half of that for his and Alesia’s cameras. Yay!
BTW - It was in the 50-65 temperature range, rainy and foggy all day. Sure didn’t feel like December…
