Tuesday, February 12, 2008

All Grown Up

No foolishness here today.  After yesterday morning's wrestling match with the Ice Age Travel Mug that was purely the result of my irresponsible non-mug-bringing-into-the-house ways, I was determined to be a better Sheepie.  More like a grown up and all that stuff...

I sensibly washed the mug last night so it was ready and waiting for me this morning.  I had my coffee in hand come departure time and even had a nice fruit salad prepared for my mid-day repast.  There was a line at the gas station this morning, but I judged the go-juice to be at an acceptable level for the commute so I didn't wait.  Hence, I was just a bit early getting to work.

I taught America's Future with great seriousness.  I only chuckled  the littlest bit when The Kid Who Has Impulse Control Issues looked at his Language Arts packet and opted to cry out a tame, "Jeez...that's a stuff-load of work!"  I then complimented his restraint, as evidenced by his not saying what he was actually thinking.  I did this in a very grown up manner.  I did not pat his head.  I've seen teachers do that in old movies and thought it might work well for a spinster sort of educator in this situation, but worried that it might be just a bit over the top.  I think it was the right choice.

While my colleagues were gleefully gamboling around the school and merrily predicting a snow day for tomorrow, I took the high road.  I somberly stated my belief that there would be naught but a two hour delayed start given the current weather reports for our area and cautioned them to please not stay up past their respective bedtimes.  It wouldn't do to have grumpy teachers all trying to drive to work in bad weather, becoming even more grumpy as a result and then trying to teach helpless little children.  

For the record, I'm hedging my bets just a little bit on this one.  There is a possibility of a snow day tomorrow, I'll admit.  But, I'm leaning towards my being at work come the morning.  However, just to be on the safe side, I've pulled out the waffle maker.  I wouldn't want to be unprepared for waffling tomorrow if I don't have to go in to school.

I gassed up the truck on the way home so that I won't have to do it tomorrow and be late again.  I then came home and dutifully completed the Tuesday Workout.  (which I did not want to do)  And, yes, there was knitting performed while I pedaled away on the little exercise bike.  Very adult, practical type knitting, too.  





A very mature and sensible sock for a mature and sensible Sheep


Why, I even completed the heel flap as I pedaled away!  And, not wanting to stop lest the calorie burning be affected, I turned the heel from memory and picked up the heel stitches without missing a rotation of the pedals.  We shall see just how "responsible" that decision was once the heel is further into the gusseting stage and the possible errors become more apparent.  For now, we are basking in the glow of responsible decision making whilst Knitercizing.  A good bask does wonders for one's outlook, I've found.

A sensible dinner was eaten and the Big, Fluffy Kitty was denied her share of it even though she begged and used her "cute eyes."  She can have her approved snack later this evening.  We are also working towards being a more responsible pet owner in addition to our efforts at getting to work on time and not becoming overly excited about snow days.

Yes, I have turned over a new leaf.  There has been no playing with the Pez dispenser collection.  We have not been tempted by knitting wee, little baby things because they are a breeze to finish and offer the instant gratification.  We are getting to work on time and drinking from a relatively clean mug on the commute.  We are sensibly fed and watered.  We are endeavoring to create foot coverings to keep us warm on these cold winter days.  It's all Responsibility All The Time and we shall be a better person because of it.  We also seem to be using the Royal, "We" a lot, but that is probably a normal sort of side effect for grown up people such as ourselves.  All in all, it is a right and just way to live.

It's also a little bit boring.  I'll probably crack any day now, maybe get a dragon tattoo or something.  There is no way I'll be able to maintain it.  No way at all...

SA

23 comments:

Jeanne said...

As a fervid watcher of LA Ink (and Miami Ink), I'm under the impression that dragons are so 1999. Go for the Koi Fish instead.

Donna Lee said...

Grown Up and Responsible. Yep. I try so hard. But it's way more fun to be not so grown up and not so responsible. If I remember to wash the coffee mug out at night, that's responsible enough for me. Then I can eat the Girl Scout cookies that are hiding in my desk for lunch instead of the sensible yogurt.

Anne said...

oo, a dragon tattoo? Let me know and I'll come too. My daughter's swim team has these cool temporary dragon tattoos they wear for big meets and although I too play a responsible adult in real life I rally want one.

No inkles? I SO want a snow day.

Anonymous said...

All responsibleness and respectability makes for a sad and constipated Sheep (figuratively speaking). Go ahead, eat a black and white cookie, have a glass of wine, kick back and start livin' large. You've earned it.

Anonymous said...

Hey, you're scaring me with all the grown up and responsible stuff! :)

MsAmpuTeeHee said...

Ok, so where do we send the chocolate. This calls for intervention.

Knitting Linguist said...

Dude. Responsible and grown-up? Totally overrated. Or so my students assure me, in almost exactly those words. If you're going to go for a tat, get it in the approved tramp-stamp location (also info garnered from the college-age set), right on the back above the whale-tail showing over the low-cut jeans.

Mel said...

Yeah, it can't possibly last. But we shall see what the weather holds. My getting home from work in the morning kind of hinges upon it.

EGunn said...

Remember when you were a kid and said that "I'm going to stay up late every night when I'm grown up?" It's the ambition of a lifetime; to be grown up and be able to do whatever you want. I, for one, feel that we get the raw end of the deal when we grow up and decide to follow all the rules just because we're grown up and must be responsible. I am mature and responsible 99% of the time, and then I give up for the rest of it and just do what I want. I made chocolate cake last weekend, and we wanted some for breakfast. I was grumbling about oatmeal when my husband took the opportunity to remind me that we can have cake for breakfast once in a while, seeing as we're grown up and can do whatever we want. So, don't let being all Grown up and Responsible get in the way of a little doing what you want...you'd be giving up on your earliest dreams! (Aren't blog readers good for self discipline?)

mehitabel said...

Ok, grown up and responsible is highly overrated. I think I'm going to descend into my second childhood. Much more fun! Why, I even had potato chips for brunch today--the stomach acids were in overdrive and it was the only thing that didn't need to be heated, defrosted, or toasted. Must not let the stomach acids eat up the inside of the tum!

Anonymous said...

Well, it's morning now and I'm guessing you're making the waffles and enjoying a snow day! Me? I'm sitting here reading blogs when I should be getting ready to leave early for work so I can get there on time (because we town workers do NOT get snow days).

Anonymous said...

I think a zombie hunter tattoo would be perfect.
I love your new sock. It's beautiful!
Karen
http://nothingbutknit.blog-city.com/

Cursing Mama said...

A dragon tattoo certainly would jazz things up.

Yarnhog said...

"Knitercize." You should make a video. I'll bet it would sell like hotcakes: "Come on ladies! LIFT those knees! TURN that heel!"

Army_Wifey08 said...

See? that is why I'm not a teacher, I would have thrown a book at that kid. But that's just me. But I might not have actually thinking about it, my patience is getting a bit better....Unless the us government calls for jackson at 7 o clock in the morning......grrr...

knitnzu said...

Mmmhmmmm and I bet this big old snow day just cracked all that resonsibility right asunder.

sheep#100 said...

Isn't grown up and responsible a bit overrated when you are a Sheepie on the Go?

And yes, as a Grown Up, you may eat dessert first, if you like. I actually knew someone who did that in a restaurant once. Ordered chocolate cake. Ate it. When the waitress brought the bill, he said, "I'd like a steak, now, please."

Wonder if the waitress finished out her shift that day...

debsnm said...

Not a dragon - either a sheep or a ball of yarn! I have one, you can do it too. Chalk it up to "mid-life crisis."

Lorraine said...

But . . . your the Peter Pan of the Sheepish set. Don't grow up on us!

LOVE the sock. The stripes are fabulous.

Geraldine said...

Bad WP, bad Blogger....somebody just ate my witty comment.

Suffice to say, a life without Pez dispenser play and no junk foods is not a life worthy of a Sheep. Chalk it up to a sloooooooooooow day!!!

Huggs...

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

I went in search of Pez yesterday and didn't find any! When I asked at Target the associate said, with eyes that clearly stated I was too old for Pez, that they didn't carry them this time of year. huh?

Ronni said...

Responsible is definitely way way over-rated. I hope you got your waffles today after all.

Cathy said...

Who wrote this post? Is it a zombie? Oh no.