I just need to vent.

We have bad sportsmanship.

We have people who know that they are looked up to by the younger set and choose to make bad choices regardless.  Though she says that it is no big deal, I had a discussion with K- about what she did, why it is wrong and about how her or her famous character will no longer be in our home.  (She was on a minimal basis only because of items she had received, not because of things we bought or encouraged.)

I had a mother and daughter, in their mid-50's and mid-20's, fighting in front of my cash counter yesterday.  A co-worker had to walk away to regroup.  A customer who wanted to get something was so disturbed by it that she apologetically told me that she "gave up" and left. 

I also had a flurry of very needy, need-to-know-your-name customers so that they could specifically belt out your name from any corner of the gallery to have you come running.  Yesterday was packed.  The folks were in and making up for lost time from the winter weather occurrence of earlier on in the week. 

I had one lady who was very irritated because we were busy and couldn't snap-to right away and let her into jewelry cases.  Now, I did call for back-up and thankfully, Sherri came running.  This was the same lady who purchased her items as if each was solid gold and truth be told, the average price of the 6 items she bought was about $7.50.  Each sale is crucial.  Still, please don't act like you own the joint at any time of any sale ever. 

The charge machine also ran slower than cold tar yesterday. 

Also, a lady came in with a barely signed credit card.  I asked for ID, she told me that it was in the car and, "You aren't going to make me to get it ARE YOU?"  I took down all her information.  "Well, I just don't understand why people ask for ID all the time if the card isn't signed."  "Well, we're looking out for you.  Thieves are out there and people steal stuff."  Rrrr.

I am trying to pull together a holiday party for K-'s classroom.  (I'm writing this Thursday AM because OH! I need to vent.)  I have a book exchange scheduled.  I sent home two notices stating if they needed a new book provided for their child, to please let the teacher know.  The teacher was contacted by two parents.  We had 4 additional children sent with nothing.  Now, it is covered and not a big deal, but if they needed it provided, why wouldn't they let us know in advance?  One book was wrapped in white tissue, so that you could see what book it was.  It was probably all that they had and I re-wrapped it.  I did request gender neutral books and that one was Littlest Pet Shop.  Let us hope that a girl gets it or is willing to trade with a boy for it. 

:After party note:  K- was the recipient of The Littlest Pet Shop book.  She was so excited.  She didn't realize until later that the book was very well used.  The only way that my child noticed was that there was a page missing.  She couldn't understand why.  Never mind the marker on the corners, the name written on it or the very worn cover.  When I explained that it was a sheet of stickers that had been removed, she said, "But Mommy, Mrs. S- repeated several times that the book needed to be new.  A- didn't follow directions."  (She said it in a mortified that someone didn't follow directions tone, not a ick used book tone.)  "Well baby, my thought is this.  Maybe A- didn't have enough money for a new book and she decided to give up one that she loved very much.  This book was well loved and even more valuable because she gave it up special just for the book exchange."  Now I don't know what the true reason was, but my explanation seemed to work out just fine for K-.  I told K- that she loved the book and was so thankful to A- when she got it, that it shouldn't matter new or used.  She agreed. 

I sit here this evening in a much different place than I was this morning.  I spent a few hours with K- this evening trying to track down a rather expensive book for a hopefully inexpensive price while on the way to drop a box by my in-law's to have shipped.  Turns out that I looked Barnes and Noble up online tonight and the very book that was $25.00 just a few days ago was marked to $14.61 and I had a 20% off coupon in my e-mail box.  I was scattered and irritated, but stopped to remember that I needed to tell K- that I wasn't frustrated with her, I was just frustrated because I felt like I couldn't take care of the remainder of a gift because the requested gift cost more than I could spend at that point.  (It was supposed to be a filler item that was going to be $5.00 or so.)  She was very kind and said, "Don't worry mom, it's okay."  I have to remember to be more in tune to the flip-out's that I'm having.  Her behavior can wear on me some days, but the same holds true for her.

This season is supposed to be a season of love.  It is a season of celebration.  It shouldn't be a season of over-extending (monetarily, physically, mentally).  It shouldn't be a season of irritation. 

I've taken in, processed, dumped (thank you, by the way) and let it go.  Thanks for being a set of eyes for my venting session. 

Smiles in my day:
-  Any other kid would have made it well known that the book that was received was used.  I'm so glad that K- got it.  She was so blinded by the fact that it was a wonderful title that she wanted that she didn't realize the wear. 
-  Mr. B- talked to a school board member who is looking into exactly why they've decided to move our crosswalk and lovely Mr. Jim.  When the school is reconstructed, all of the entrances will be to the front, which faces the street that is now losing the main intersection crosswalk that we currently use.  I thanked him for checking into it, as I also stated that I'm not willing to add 2/10ths of a mile to our walk in the AM when I don't need to.  I told him that we will be crossing at the school street and I even informed the officer in charge of the crossing guards that, too.  The officer disagreed with the move, but traffic engineering decided that is what they wanted to do.  I'm so glad that the school board is checking into it!
-  That K- goes to such a wonderful school.  A friend has been sharing tales about their school.  The school is just up the road, an elementary in our same district and it is a raving mess.  Seeing their lack of communication and organization makes me even more thankful for our little school every day.  In fact, I did mention to her that she could always change schools and she mentioned that idea again to me today.  I told her that open enrollment is January.  Who knows where it will take her, but stories she tells me makes our school sound like a golden palace.  It is to us.  :)

Have a great weekend!