Mind Your Business

This is not to you my dear readers, it is meant for me to learn to say. . . now that I've got myself all geared up to say it no one has made me feel the need to say it, which is great by me.

At The View, last Thursday, my friends and I had entered the lobby of the building and were waiting to be taken up to the studio.  We waited for 30-40 minutes and at one point, within the first ten minutes, the guard singled out my friend O, and shouted, "Put that phone away!"  

She was talking to her husband on the phone and she quickly said something like, "I've got to go, hon. I'll call you when the show's over. Bye."  

Right as she said, "Bye" an older man in the audience with us hollered, much louder than the guard, "HE SAID, TURN OFF THE PHONE!"

My friend's head did that side ways tilt, you know the one that says "are you really using that tone of voice on me?" and said forcefully, "Mind your business!"

I felt like cheering for her!  Seriously, there was no call for that man to be so rude.

Then man said nothing more and O turned back to our friends and we talked about some of our experiences, some of which were the ones I posted here and on Facebook.  And they convinced me it is past time I learned to say forcefully, "Mind your business."

I never learned to say that.  A lot of the movies I watched as a kid used the phrase, "Mind your own business" so I'm not sure which will come out of my mouth when I need to use it next, but I know which one I like better. "Mind your business" wins out, because of my awesome friends.

At "The View," thirty seconds after the aforementioned experience everyone and their dog in the audience had their phones out texting and calling.  The older man said nothing...

I am so thankful for courageous, determined friends and examples. Thanks O, M, and N! :)

Owl's Head Park Clean-Up

Our ward had a community service day where we went to Owl's Head Park in Bay Ridge and did a park clean up. Our family was the touch-up paint crew (we went to the reeeeeaaally rusty parts and painted over).

 I love our ward.  It really feels like a very large family to me.  We don't always see each other or get a chance to talk but when we do it feel like a bit of home. :)

If you see these fellas walking around your neighborhood, welcome them in. They'll share the happiest message with you that could possibly be shared (truly--it makes me sooo happy). 

Random Homeless Guy

As we were running errands today we ran into a homeless man.  He asked for some coins to buy some coffee.  Usually I give people like that a granola bar, but today I had a few coins that I could share. I got them out and the homeless guy said, "Thank you. I will pray for you that those blemishes on your face will disappear."  At first I was completely shocked and embarrassed, but then I thought about it just a tad and I thought, I guess I can always use another person praying for me--and for my blemishes specifically may be nice. :)  Not bad for 65 cents.

Now I think it is hilarious and a little sweet and mortifying all at the same time.

My friend Omayma took this picture.  R's face describes my initial reaction to that comment

Thanks homeless guy--I think. Now to set an appointment for the dermatologist, again. 

Validation

Validation. We need more of it.

For example, the other day on the train I had just settled my kids from quarreling and was trying to soothe the silliness by telling a story. There wasn't enough room for all of us to sit together (they wanted to sit by their friends that came with us), and a few moments after one stop I began.  Only to have the woman next to me say loudly, "Excuse me, could you please not yell. I am so tired."

My friend, Omayma took this picture. :)

Of course, the first impulse in me was of an exasperated, "Are you kidding me woman?  You thought I was yelling? You are obviously not a mother--because you would know what real yelling was then . . . also you do not work with children at all, otherwise you. would. know."    (Just as a side note--this does not necessarily refer to parents yelling as children are much more likely to be the hollering instigators from my experience).   I felt anger seething just below my surface . . . but I smacked it down with a "Sorry" to the woman and a look of "What on earth?" to my friend.

Now as I picture her face I remember her eyes being a little red. She may have just finished crying when she got on the train (or been up all night/day).  My perspective has been altered. Yet, I can think of a much better way to ask me not to tell a story on the train. . . . like, "You are trying to help your children enjoy the train ride.  Do you think you could continue it in a few minutes when I get off? It's just that I have had a really hard day and am exhausted."

If she would have said that I would have understood that she was at least attempting to understand why I was doing what I was doing and I would have understood with a kinder heart.

Validate people. It means the world to them.

Lunch With Dad

 Tuesday we went out with friends, but they could only stay at the Botanic Gardens for a few minutes, so S bought a Venus fly trap and we went to see W for lunch (it's about a ten minute drive from the gardens to W's work).   Things were slow enough he could join us. We drove to a nearby cemetery for a picnic (in the car) and a quick walk around.  It's the same cemetery where one of NYC's most notorious gangsters is buried as well as a few other well-known dead people.  It was beautiful.

 Then we dropped him off only to receive a text a few minutes later, "Come back. Let's get the kid's teeth checked."  We came back and, as you can see from S's face of trepidation, they checked the kid's teeth.  R and T had no cavities, but poor S had to get another robot tooth (Seriously, we have them brush their teeth twice a day and use fluoride).

R was proud of his strong teeth.

This was a moment after the first photo you saw. 

Best friends and great brothers.

T and I. 

I Needed the Remind

This was a BYU Devotional from May 14, 1996 by Elder F. Enzio Busche of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (mormon.org).  He gave advice on how to become a disciple of Christ.  The speech was titled "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit" and can be found at speeches.byu.edu.  It touched my heart.

Beautiful Brooklyn

We heart you, Grandma!  Happy Birthday!

Sitting on the sidewalk watching all the ants go by.

I think the figurine behind the kidlets is whistling or kissing. We couldn't tell.

Trip To Times Square

The other day we met a couple of our friends, M and L in Bryant Park.

Outside the police HQ in Times Square they have a mosaic of all five boroughs.

Then we went to the biggest toy store in the world,

Toys R Us Times Square. 

A mystery movie is coming . . . for your viewing enjoyment. 

Someone asked for a baby picture and . . .

I was swept away by a strong wave of nostalgia.  

Has that much time passed, really?!  I swear this was just last week.

Happy Fourth of July

Happy 4th of July!!!  Three years ago today my husband's grandfather passed away. He fought during World War II and was a very respected man. He believed completely in this country. 

Tonight we went on a roof.  We saw some fireworks. They were not the big Macy's Firework show (which I thought they would have online by NBC, but didn't), but all the neighbors shooting off their celebratory fireworks. We have fireworks too--pop its.  

  

Tonight we were reading scriptures together. We read Alma 37:37 in the Book of Mormon which says:

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

After we read "lifted up at the last day," T said, "Like up to the roof?"

So glad I have my family!! They warm my heart!