Today we shopped. Okay, we did a bit more than that, but shopping is really what its all about right? We awoke at our usual comfortable 8:30-9:00 a.m. and after having retrieved the baby (can I still call her that, she's almost two now!) from her crib, we lounged in bed for another good, solid 30 minutes. Because why not? Where else would I rather be? Little ones crawling on me, sun streaming in through the window, pillow-top king size domain, sleepiness still not rubbed from my eyes. Its heaven. Try it, you might like it too. And then we made our way downstairs for a healthy bowl of cheerios with milk (cuz that's how we roll) and sliced up bananas. Oh, but Jamie had Honey Bunches of Oats. Does that count as healthy? I think so...maybe as a healthy treat type breakfast cereal. At least its a treat in our house.
Anyhow.
We went to park-day today which is where a majority of the ladies from my church congregate together and talk while their offspring run around the park. Throwing sand. Stealing cars from each other. Pushing each other off the slide. Mild, harmless play. The topic of the day was hair. And how to make hair do what we want it to do. I have always had long, thick, wavy, kind of a darkening strawberry blonde thing going on hair, but I just cut it short up to my jaw. Which I know, isn't as short as you can go, but its rather short for a non-hair-salon-cut venturing sort like me. I think I can count on one hand the number of times I've been in a hair salon. I trim my own hair. Or my mom does it. Or my sister. Or once my hub. So, yeah. A lady was commenting on how my hair is curly when it is short. I have naturally pretty wavy/curly hair, but it will straighten when I blow it dry for about 30 hours (usually a straightener or large barrel curling iron is involved also).
As we're talking, this whole episode ensues. First, I guess I should say that I think I must have gone to a high school where social hierarchy was EVERYTHING. The cheerleaders and ASB-ers were the coolest people ever and did not talk to anyone else. If you were not in said group, you did not talk or associate with those in said group. And the fun high school social ladder went down from there. Awesome. As a result, I am forever aware of this social ladder and apply it to social situations, even now as an adult. I guess I am tainted. So this ones girl proceeds to start talking all about this girl that goes to church with us who has to have the "it" thing ALL the time. Like, $300 shoes, Coach diaper bag, super-coolest brands for everything in her life. She tends to be a nice person to your face and like she's all inclusive, but then dogs you behind your back. And the girl at the park is emphatically talking about how perfect materialistic girly is and oh, if only her hair were like hers and if only she could look as great as she does all the time. And its so frustrating to hear her go on about girly who probably wouldn't give the time of day to this girl, and then everyone else starts agreeing with her! And I am the type that just can't stand for this type of injustice. So here it comes. I have to do something. So I make a face and roll my eyes just like I'm 16 and chime, "yeah well, with a nanny" (which this girl has), "who wouldn't look good all the time?"
Uh-oh.
Everyone at the park table goes silent and looks at me. I've said something negative and judgmental. I feel all eyes on me. My cheeks go red. I am flustered and embarrassed. I just have to go and open my big mouth instead of sitting there calmly and quietly. There is just something in me that can't listen when I don't agree.
And that's how it goes with me and park-day. Which is why I make it about every fourth week. I always say or do something to completely embarrass the family name. I am just too outspoken. I mean, the girl that was talking is a way nice person. She is kind, gentle, welcoming to others, a good-mommy, and a loving wife. I don't see why she has to dog herself and build up this girl. Explain it to me. Am I too judgmental? Maybe I am.
If you never want to talk to me again, I'll understand.
After all, that's how it goes in high school, right?
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