Sign, Sign, Everwhere a Sign

This week our topic for Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge is signs.

I began with some pictures around my home town.

I saw this sign at one of the music schools where Andrew auditioned last year. It made me laugh because I’m certain that the guy who wrote it was serious.

Nothing shouts signs like Times Square.

One blustery frigid day at Niagara Falls, Andrew and I came across this sign as we slipped our way down the path.

And last of all, Ari had to make yet another appearance. If she doesn’t like getting her picture taken, she really doesn’t like getting her picture taken by a sign.

Thank you for hosting this weekly event, Cee! Be sure to check out all the latest entries by clicking the badge below!

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Y is for Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

When did this become socially acceptable?

Two people are talking to each other. Perhaps one person has been monopolizing the conversation. Maybe he has taken too long to answer. He might be adding way too much unnecessary detail. The other person interjects, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah” in quick succession, in other words saying ‘hurry up and finish already!’

I’ve noticed this more and more often lately. Someone I talk to on a regular basis does this, not only to me but everyone. Does she realize how rude and dismissive this sounds? Like she can’t be bothered to hear the end of the other person’s sentence. She’s done. Move on.

I think the worst (and most shocking) was when my mother-in-law yeah,yeah,yeah,yeah,yeah-ed Kris a few weeks ago. She’s usually very proper and correct. hmph

We have all been on both sides of these types of dialogues but this vocal equivalency to “Wrap it up!” has to end. (And I have never yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah-ed anyone…no matter how badly I might have wanted to..)

Have you encountered this?

X is for X

I had one of those days that if I could have marked a big red “X” on the box on my calendar to mark it as over before it even began, I would have. I knew it was going to be a difficult day for many reasons.

First of all, it was going to place eXtreme demands on me socially. I would have to be “on” for hours, making small talk, smiling, having pictures taken, connecting… all in a setting where I am uncomfortable with some people that I don’t really care for.

Once those formalities were over, I would be in an intense meeting setting, interviewing prospective candidates with a group of people that I had not worked with long enough to get a real feel for their personalities outside of murk pressings based on my gut instinct. (My gut instinct is overwhelmingly accurate but that wasn’t reassuring enough to ease my anxiety.)

In the end, we chose the person I did not want, which will have a major impact on how we conduct business moving forward, making me question my position on this board. The evening ended with me feeling emotional, frustrated, undervalued, disrespected and judged. It was disheartening.

I’m struggling to look on the bright side and search out the positive. The day sucked all around. The best part of my day is that I am finally able to “X” if off as DONE!

And moving forward, on a positive note, tomorrow I will be visiting a cousin who I have not seen in a few years and spending time with a friend who I have spent a year seeing in passing, exchanging, “we need to catch up really soon!” But most best of all, this weekend we are going to visit my youngest son, Andrew, at school!

We are Family

Today is Wednesday and part of Ronovan’s Be Wonderful on Wednesday post- One Family Race– brings up the topic of race.

Here are some pictures of my family.

Here’s a little known fact about my family (unless you know me)- we are a colorful family. When Michael married Jasmine and CJ became our grandson and then Beej was born, we became a culturally and racially diverse family. I am proud to call Jasmine my daughter and Jasmine’s mom is proud to call Michael her son.

I don’t talk about it much and do you want to know why? Because it doesn’t matter. My kids are all very unique individuals. Over the past 3 years Kris has had blue hair and pink hair. Andrew grew a pretty impressive beard a few months ago. Jasmine hair puffs out into a fluffy ball when she pulls it back into a ponytail. None of those things change the way I feel about them. Sometimes CJ won’t take off the paramedic shirt that his daddy made for him and he wears it for days on end. Beej drools like nobody’s business. Doesn’t matter. Our hair ranges from almost bald (Mr. K) to black and curly with everything in between- blonde, red, brown, dark brown. Our skin colors range from blindingly pale white to a beautiful cocoa brown. And these things do not matter either. Eyes- brown, blue, green, hazel…

What does matter? Michael is caring and affectionate. Jasmine is loving and thoughtful. Kris is passionate and kind. Andrew is sensitive and intuitive. CJ is expressive and sweet. Beej is an amazing work in progrerss. Mr. K takes care of us all and he is so steady and dependable.

They are awesome people. I celebrate the incredible people they are. I am thankful daily that these  people are my family. And what makes them so special is not the color of their skin or their eyes or their hair. It’s who they are inside that counts. And that’s pretty darn wonderful!!!

One Word Photo Challenge: Sun

One Word Photo Challenge is hosted by Jennifer Nichole Wells. It begins each Tuesday and you can click on the link to find out how to participate.

This is the first photo that comes to mind when I think about the sun. I took this picture over 20 years ago when Kris wasn’t even 2 yet. I remember being disappointed that his face was shadowed and that the sun was so bright.

And a sunny day last spring before the trees got their leaves.