Simple Joys in Life: trip to the grocery store

So I went to the grocery store with my husand, Scott and my one-year-old son, Griffin. Griff was in a cute, new outfit- looking good, feeling good, so I took him out of the cart and let him walk beside us.
There was a woman walking past who smiled and said 'hello' to him. He giggled and hid his face in my legs, then wandered closer to her. When she smiled at him again, he ran back over and giggled and hid himself in my legs.
She told me how cute he was before she wandered down the aisle. When Griff saw her walking away, he went toddling off after her, waving his arm and calling out. She didn't hear him so he got right up to her legs before she noticed and when she did, well! It was like the Lord himself was smiling down at Griff the way he reacted! He was smiling and laughing and just so happy to be smiled at!
He talked and smiled at a few other people until two aisles later, he found another woman looking at the spices. She told me how cute Griff was, walking around like he was and then smiled at him. He went right up to her and reached out for the can of garlic salt she was holding. She shook it at him and then handed it over and he started shaking it and laughing with her and shaking it some more because he could tell that was impressing her. He had her eating out of his hand in mere moments and he was milking it.
He had interactions like those all over the store, with men and women -- pretty much anyone who crossed his path. It was so neat to watch how much joy he took in everything, in the people around him, in a display with balloons on it, in the brightly colored cereal boxes. That kind of joy is contagious and when I left the store, I felt so uplifted. I am so blessed to have such a great and beautiful family and doubly blessed that I am able to realize this so I can enjoy every moment with them.

Crystal

Side Note: I also made an excellent joke at the store that I'm very proud of. Scott had put two pies in our cart, but then, at the checkstand, changed his mind and asked the cashier to put them back. I told the cashier that Scott had,"Pie-ers remorse!" Ha ha! Good one, Crystal.

In Search of That Mythological Creature: Adults

Okay, I've been very naughty and missed my last few turns to post but here I am! And with many brilliant words to shower you with... hmmm, maybe I shouldn't set the bar so high right off, so let's just say I'm slightly more interesting than that one aunt who has a cliché for every situation and no concept of personal space.
So, as per my subject today, I want to talk about adults. I've always thought an adult was someone who is mature, honest and empathetic. If this is the true definition, then they are a dying breed. I'm constantly amazed at how people my age and older act; lying, cheating, trying to get something for nothing, constantly complaining about inane things like having to wait in line or, heaven forbid, needing to go the extra mile for someone else.
I think the problem is worse at my job more than anywhere else (probably because I have a choice about who I surround myself with otherwise). I have one coworker who willfully misunderstands and misquotes people to make herself look better. Though this trait really never bothered me before, now that we both are in line for the same promotion, it's gotten especially irritating because I feel like to correct her inaccurate version of the truth would be sinking to her level, or at the very least, engaging her.
But what do I do when she's misquoting ME? So far, I've just kept my mouth shut and let her build her own trap. Though it is working, it's hard not to get upset, not to get sucked into the drama, and worst of all, not to root for her to fail.
Yes, it makes me feel awful to admit it, but I'm rooting for her to fail. For her to get caught in her lies and be horribly embarrassed. What kind of person have I become? Am I turning into that disfigured version of an adult I mention above? And if so, when do I get my own reality TV show?
I guess the main thing I want to know is: does everyone else out there have to deal with these things too? Do we ever graduate high school? Is it true (as one coworker told me) that I will have to deal with drama like this no matter where I work? Or is there a far away land where people have intelligent discussions, appreciate their blessings and confront issues head-on instead of going behind people’s backs?


Just wonderin’

Crystal

The power of rhyme?

Hello, hello! Well, I'm Crystal Liechty, author of The First Year and this is my first ever blog! I've read my share and commented on my share but never got around to posting a blog all on my own. I think part of the reason is that I kind of think of blogs as an online diary. With that in mind, it's hard for me to imagine posting my unadulterated thought streams for all to read.

So far it's not so bad.

Let's see, what to talk about? Hmm...

I was thinking the other day that most people will agree with what you say if you can make it rhyme. For example: 'the couple that plays together stays together.' Or 'a stitch in time saves nine.' Even 'he who smelt it delt it.'

That last one especially I know from personal experience. Third grade-- I was foolish enough to point out an odd smell. The boy next to me loudly proclaimed the above cliche while pointing at me in front of the whole class and for the rest of the day I was teased. I said then and I will say again now: I was INNOCENT! But, even though the boy's reasoning was based on nothing more than rhyme, the class believed him.

So, I've been working on a few rhymes of my own to try out on various people. Feel free to try them yourself and report back on their success. Here they are:

He who does the dishes gets what he wishes

If I'm busy typing, you do the wiping (that one's for poopy diapers)

If I ask about the size of my thighs, it's best to tell lies

If I get any praise, it's time for a raise

Hope you enjoyed,
Crystal