Happy Friday! Hooray for sleeping in this weekend! It feels like fall here today. I actually wore a hoodie when we took our dog, Sid, to the park. I really wanted to wear my Uggs but thought that might be overkill, seeing as how it’s in the 70s, I think. A girl can dream, right?
Okay, so the paparazzi was out and about today. This is the danger of living two miles from your school. I knew I might run into some families at the grocery store tonight (picking up a frozen pizza for dinner because the hubby golfed all day and didn’t feel like cooking. This is what happens when I’m put in charge of dinner.) but was really hoping that I wouldn’t. Not that I don’t love my families but just because I am tired, wanted to get out of there fast, and let’s face it, I didn’t look that good. My ponytail was more of a . . . well, let’s just say that some of it was in a ponytail and some of it wasn’t, and my make up had worn off due to all of the yawning and what not, AND I stepped in something that was like gum but wasn’t really gum. It was ALL OVER my shoes, even on the sides!!!! I honestly have NO IDEA what this substance was on the blacktop, but because my pants were dragging (as almost all of my pants do – see “teeny tiny teacher” title for reference), the bottoms of my pants got the “stuff” on them, too. I was sticking to everything in the classroom afterward. Seriously – it was disgusting. EEEEWWW.
So, I am in the grocery store and I am just there to grab a pizza. My basket got a little bit full with rolos, ice cream, and Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper (how did THAT stuff get in there??) and then I heard “Mrs. Oldham!” and then I felt a kid slam into me from behind. Oh, JOY! It’s a little one from last year and she is beyond excited to see me. At this point, it’s okay. No parents to be found. ?????????? Just little S and me in the frozen foods section as I contemplate the TGI Friday’s mozzarella sticks. AND THEN, here come the parents.
About 45 minutes later, I finally left the store.
Does this ever happen to you? I just can NOT disengage from the conversation. Whatever it might be. And since I have been at my school for 10 years, I run into all sorts of parents.
I have been known to duck and cover if I see a parent before they see me. I am not ashamed to go down the Depends aisle if it means I can avoid a weird strange overbearing talkative parent. My hubs is also really good at helping me if we’re out together. I can usually just say our code word (paparazzi) and he will “block” me. Or we’ll go down a different aisle or take the long way back to the register or he’ll finish up while I hide in the bathroom. Just kidding on that last one. Okay, okay, that was only one time.
Most of the time, I enjoy seeing the parents and their kiddos. I am mainly talking about those parents. You know who I mean so that’s all I’m going to say.
One of those parents actually followed me into the bra section at Target a few years ago. (yes – I shop for bras at Target. There is just no point in the whole Victoria’s Secret thing for me. My height is not the only teeny tiny thing about me, okay?) And by the way, I didn’t go HIDE in the bra section. I was SHOPPING in the bra section. And here she came. WITH HER TEEN-AGED SON. Folks, I ain’t lying. And then we talked for about 20 minutes, surrounded by bras and g-strings, and an awkward teenage boy. It was a lovely conversation. One of the best I’ve ever had.
So does this happen to you? What do you do? Do you hide? Do you like it? Do you pose for pictures? I’d really love to know!! ๐
Mrs.M says
OMG, you made me laugh so hard…hahahahaha!!!
Gena @tekyteach.blogspot.com
Lindsay says
I love it!!! So funny and so true!
~christina says
Om goodness! Laughing so hard….although the bra story doesnt top Hindle's nude gym dressing room story! Lol! Enjoy your sleeping in time, see ya soon! ๐
Lacie Harris says
You always crack me up. I don't have this problem! In my short 5 years, I've been at 4 schools in 4 grade levels so no one knows who I am. This is the first year that I had a FREAKING MOB of children on the first day of school running after me. It's cute now, but I'm sure it will get old. ๐
Lacie Harris says
Ok, let me just add that I wasn't at 4 schools in 4 grade levels trying to avoid this problem! I reread my comment, (you know you do, too!) and then though I sounded like a fugitive or something. My district likes to torture new teachers by sending them back and forth to different schools and grade levels "where they are most needed" to completely confuse them and make them hate their job.
There. I'm glad I clarified that. ๐
Kerri says
I live in a really small town so I see kids all the time in our one grocery store in town. I had a parent last year who was confrontational and I always avoided her at the store. One time I was at the store with my mom and we ran into this parent. I was so worried she was going to say something mean and my mom was going to get into it with her. Luckily, her kids were the only ones who talked to me. I understand completely about avoiding parents. I even shop at the store in the next little town sometimes.
http://mskerriandherkrazykindergarten.blogspot.com/
Lori Faas says
When my husband and I were looking at houses we purposely did not buy in the town I teach in for that reason. I still run into children in the grocery store and they look n my cart at my Cheerios and diet coke and look shocked that I have children that eat what they eat! The one place that I DO NOT enjoy running into parents/students is in the locker room at the the YMCA. I will totally duck and cover in that case!
Erin says
hahahahaha! I can agree with the duck and cover, BUT fortunately those things don't happen too often.
There are days that I HATE my 20 minute drive to and from work, but I love it for the fact that I seldom see parents when I'm out running my errands. (granted, if the town I work in did NOT have a Walmart, I'd probably find them in my Walmart all the time! Thank you Walmart!)
Shelly says
This is too funny and I'm not ashamed to admit that I duck and cover quite often. Luckily I don't live in the town I work in and so it's not that big of a problem, but I'm always on high alert when I'm at Walmart. Thanks for the laugh!
Miss Reeve says
Ah, one reason why I LOVE living 45 minutes away from my school!!! You are hilarious! Always make me laugh!!!
Jenn @ The Kinder Life
Kristen says
haha you are hilarious. And, since I live 45 minutes from school I don't really have to deal with this THANKFULLY! Although, when I work aftercare I've been known to get into those situations when parents just won't get the heck out of there! I just want to scream at them, don't you want to leave already so I can go back to getting things done?!
Elaine says
I love your post, it is so funny! I live 45 minutes away from my school, so I don't usually run into parents, but once my husband, son and I were out for dinner and one of my cute little ones came in with her family. She immediately ran to me, plopped down in my lap followed by her family, who squeezed into our booth with us. (My son being 4 years old at the time, was quite jealous.) Needless to say we never ate at that restaurant again.
anne says
I don't feel so bad about the third grade parents who stalked me and waited till I was done in my kindergarten son's back to school night. They sat there waiting by the door and looking expectant.
Holly says
Oh my gosh you make me giggle – I work about 20 minutes from where I live but for some reason a good many of my students/parents love to shop at MY (yes, I consider it to be MINE) Target. So, I've been known to drift and dodge a time or two. I crack myself up when I will vanish from thin air and I'll see my hubby look all around him wondering where I went…
One time I was at MY grocery store, all dogged out (I go all sorts of casual on Saturdays) and an old parent of mine took my picture on her phone and proceeded to "Oh my gosh I have to show Mackenzie…she'll never believe I saw you"…I just know that picture landed itself on Facebook.
And, like you, I CANNOT walk away from conversations…I'll "just go out for milk" and will be gone an hour. Hubby will say "Saw a parent, eh"…when I finally make it home.
Going to use your code word from now on though…paparazzi….I like!!!!!!!
Thanks for the laugh!!!!!
Allyce says
one more reason it is nice to live almost an hour from my school- I have yet to see anyone while out running errands! I am sure I will though especially when there is nice weather as I live at the nearest beach…
Rebecca says
OMG! I just found your blog, and you got me rolling'! How flippin' funny are you!?! You may be a teeny tiny teachere, but your sense of humor is HUGE!!! YES, I know exactly how you feel! My sweet hubby runs interference for me too. lol Come by when you get a chance!
Happy Weekend!
Jess says
Hi! I love your blog! You have some really beautiful ideas. I totally understand what you mean about parents – I think my most embarrassing moment would be one of my kids seeing me at McDonalds!
Jess @ http://wonderfulgradeone.blogspot.com/
Jess says
Love the way you write! You are too cute!
Your blog is so amazing! I just nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! Check it out:
http://ramblingaboutreading.blogspot.com/2011/09/versatile-bloggers.html
Tonya says
Now, THAT was funny!!
I am guilty of duck and cover too. I did just that a few weeks ago. I was in the grocery store when I saw one of THOSE parents with one of THOSE children. I quickly did an about face before they saw me. I felt just a tad guilty. But not enough to face them. ๐
Thanks for the laughs!
Mrs. Magee says
You've won an award on my blog!
http://www.firstgradebrain.com
Heather says
hahaha that is too funny!
I dread going into my local Wal Mart because of that exact thing & ehh getting stuff that I really don't need!
-Heather
http://my1stclass.blogspot.com/
twincessmommy says
YOU CRACK ME UP!!! Luckily for me, I', about 8 miles from my school, so I shop in a lot of different stores from my students. However, once (ok more then once)a random student will pop up on my turf!! I usually feel like my space has been invaded and usually try and hide/not make eye contact as well.
Hadar says
Was I on vacation for this post?!?!