Tag Archives: Kroger

Full Circle

Posted on by
Reply

 Full Circle

Maximus and I went on a quick grocery run to Walmart.  As we walked past the meats section I heard a mother and her young son having a conversation.  She was telling him that he should give school pizza a try, and he did not seem the slight bit interested. I chimed in and here’s how our conversation went.
Me: I used to love the school pizza!
Mom: Me too!
Kid: (looked a little curious)
Me: They used to serve on it Fridays and it was in the shape of a rectangle.
Mom: That’s right, those were the good days.

The mother went on to explain that her son was in Kindergarten and still wanted mom to  is pack his bag for lunch.  She thought he was worried about the entire process of having to learn a lunch number and go through the line. We all continued to talk about how the lunch room ladies would help him if he needed help. He only seemed a little bit more curious.

I eventually asked which school he attends.  He says Breckinridge Franklin. Being a former educator, I ask the name of his teacher.  He says “Mrs. Clark”.  I ask his mother to describe her. And here’s where the full circle comes into play.  See Mrs. Clark is this kid’s kindergarten teacher and I taught Mrs. Clark’s daughter, Katie, in both kindergarten and first grade.  Katie is now a sophomore in college. We were all excited about the coincidence and they couldn’t wait to go to school the following day to tell her. As I walked away, I started reflecting on the youth that I had taught over the years and became curious about both their successes and failures.  I thought about this kid and how much he would change over the next year.

A good education is one of the most valuable things you can possess.  There are many powerful, memorable teachers in Louisville that will leave lasting impressions on your children.  Just know, though, that as powerful a teacher is, reinforcing the educational values/skills at home with a parent/grandparent and/or mentor is just as important.  If you know kids of any age, ask them how school is going thus far. Not just how it is, but what they are studying. Encourage them and tell them about your experiences.  Although most of us didn’t walk 25 miles in the snow to get to work, we can tell about milk breaks, library card catalogues, and fluoride rinses.

Just One of Them Days

Posted on by
Reply

Just One of Them Days

May10-3I had only been back in town for a couple of hours.  I learned my fitness routine and was sore all over, but I wanted to get in a workout.  The plan: get gas, go to the gym, go home, rest.  I just gotten Lexie (my car) back from the shop the week before.  (who would have known a Lexus bumper would cost $4000!)  I started the engine and was ready to go – until I noticed a headlight warning light on.  I’d never seen it before so I opened the manual to read what it signified.  It was the light that controlled the automatic headlights.  I called the repair guys and they said to bring it in and it should only take 10 minutes to fix.

So, on my way I went to the Kroger gas station.  Every pump was full.  I pulled up behind a car to wait.  As I sat there a couple of minutes, I noticed the car was stalled.  The guy wasn’t pumping gas, he was trying to get his car to start.  Crap!  So, I pulled away and found another spot where a lady was finishing pumping her gas.  As she pulled off, another customer went up to her and told her she thought gas was leaking from her gas.  The lady paid her no mind and drove off.  Finally my turn.  Or so I thought.  As I pulled up to the spot, the gas attendant came up to my passenger window.  I tried to roll it down but it wouldn’t budge (this is the same side that Lexie was hit).  He walked around to my side and said I’d have to wait while he cleaned up the gas leak.

So, my headlight warning light is on, my window doesn’t roll down and now you want me to wait five more minutes to pump my gas?!  By now I’m getting a little bit frustrated. All the other pumps are full so there’s no use in trying to pull up to another one.  So I just wait.  As soon as he’s done, I pull up, scan my Kroger card, swipe my credit card and pump gas.  After I finish, I open my car door to head to the gym.  I realize I don’t have my credit card.  I had on biker shorts and a t-shirt so I had no pockets.  I was able to pump gas so I had to have used it.  I walked around my car several times. I squatted and looked under my car a few more times.  I checked my wallet.  I looked high.  I looked low.  My credit card was nowhere to be found.

At this point I’m pissed and baffled and I realized the only place I needed to be was in my bed.  So I drove home.  I called and reported my credit card as lost (but didn’t know if it had been stolen).  I did not leave my house for the rest of the night.  It was just one of those days.

The storm before the rainbow:  I went back to the repair shop and they just needed to reset some things to fix both the warning light and the window.  It took all of 15 minutes. I was at the same Kroger a couple of days later and checked to see if my credit card had been turned in. Underneath t-shirts, umbrellas and a watch, was my credit in the lost-and-found.  The moral of the story – when everything seems to be going wrong in your life, just be patient and realize that it will get better!

M.Y. May 2010