Random Ramblings

I promise not to apologize for allowing my posting frequency to lag. I won’t list my excuses, because there really are none. Instead, I’ll just reign in my thoughts for five minutes and reflect on what has been floating around in my gray matter over the last week or so.

I had an early morning epiphany several days ago. I rolled myself out of bed, pushed through my getting ready for work routine, ran late as usual, and hurried out to my car. As I fired up the old (but paid for) Ford Windstar, these words came to mind: “Terrie, there are so many things in life that you think you have control over, but you don’t.” Hmmm. Just like that. The truth with no frills. I sighed deeply and offered up a prayer to the One who is in control.

President Obama’s stimulus package probably won’t be much help to our family at all. That’s because we fall into that “make too much money but not enough” bracket. I don’t want to complain, but all three of our kids will be in college next year. (Ahhhh!)  We are helping them with their tuition, but they will still have to take out some student loans to bridge the gap. I just hate to see them in debt. My husband reminded me that we could possibly get government help if he were to lose his job. That was his way of telling me to get off my pity party and be thankful we can do what we do. He’s right, of course. Ok. I’m officially grateful.

I like to watch the TV show, 24. If you’ve never seen it, you won’t fully understand why I am so amused by what I am about to tell you, but I think you will get the idea. I work at a very conservative, loving, family oriented, Christian elementary school. As I was watching 24 this week, this question popped into my mind: What if Jack Bauer ran my school? For example, part of my job is is helping the kids out of their cars each morning. Their parents drop them off and I’m there to open the car door, facilitate an easy transition as the students exit their vehicle, and give them an encouraging and friendly greeting to start their day. If Jack Bauer ran my school, I might violently yank open the door and yell loudly, “GET OUT OF THE CAR! NOW!” If Jack Bauer ran my school, the teachers might say things like, “TURN IN YOUR HOMEWORK! NOW!”  Or, the cafeteria ladies might shout, “EAT YOUR VEGETABLES! NOW!” This thought kept me giggling for quite some time. I am easily entertained.

I ran a book fair last week at school. It was a very busy week. Our school library was converted into a veritable bookstore. One thing I absolutely loved about the book fair, though, was the smell of books. I know, sounds weird. But, in my opinion, new books have a most delightful aroma. It was such a joy each morning to unlock the library door and be greeted by the tantalizing bouquet of books, books, books! If the essence of new books could be captured in a perfume, I think I might buy it. Hmmm. Eau de Tomes. Yes, that does have a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

Here, I’ll end these random ramblings. I could go on, but it’s late. The night is cold. My warm bed beckons.

Good night.

The Omniscient Librarian (I Wish)

I am an elementary school librarian. One of the reasons I enjoy my job as a librarian is because of the kids. Here are four actual conversations I’ve had with students in our school library.

Conversation #1:

Kid: “Mrs. Veebee, do you have that book I like?” (FYI, there are over 13,000 books in our school library.)

Me: “Uh, can you give me any more information?”

Kid: “You know, that book I like!”

Me: Blank Look

Kid: (slowly, with eyebrows raised and careful enunciation as if speaking to a two year old) “THE….BOOK….I….LIKE…..”

Conversation #2:

Kid: “Mrs. Veebee, I’m looking for a book. It’s the one that has a guy in it named Frank. Do you have it?”

Me: Blank Look (We never did find the book with Frank in it.)

Conversation #3:

Kid: “Do you have that pink book my friend checked out last week?”

Me: What I thought: “Sure! It’s right over there in the pink book section!” What I actually said: “Maybe you can ask your friend the name of the author and we can find that pink book for you.”

Conversation #4:

Kid: “Mrs. Veebee, I really, really liked my book this week!”

Me: “Oh, really? What was it about?”

Kid: “I forget. What was it about?”

Me: “Why, I don’t know.”

Kid: “I don’t know either, but I REALLY, REALLY liked it!”

I guess if I could be a Super Hero Librarian, I would choose omniscience as my super power. That way I would have no problem finding the books kids like, the book with Frank in it, the pink book, and I would know exactly why a kid would REALLY, REALLY like a particular book.

But, then again, life would not be nearly so interesting.