It's been a while

A lot has happened since I posted last.

My husband thought he lost his job. That was a little stressful. It made me realize all my rantings over my own job is kinda stupid. In fact, I thought about deleting those posts, because I am suddenly embarrassed to have been spouting off like that, even though I truly felt that way. It just seems dumb to me now. Oh well. That's me!

So during the moments following what my husband and I thought were his work demise, I left my laptop for a moment to collect myself and came back moments later to a water bottle that was tipped over onto the keyboard of my laptop. Now, because this is a laptop, it fried the whole thing! My stupid kitty did that. She can't pass up a water bottle, don'tcha know?

I have also been working on this spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Kayla's school. I'm the chair person and panicking because there are only a few on the committee who are doing anything. Praise God for them! I don't know what I would do otherwise! It's a lot more work than I anticipated. That's what stinks about being an optimist. I always underestimate a situation! Like, I think it will take less time to cook the spaghetti or set up for the dinner than it actually will. It's coming up on the 7th, so I had better be able to get all of the donations from local restaurants and such, really soon! It will be nice when this one is over! :-D

I fear this blog isn't going to be terribly exciting. Work is slow, I have a lot of time on my hands. I'll have to blog more regularly. I have a lot to say, but I never seem to be able to get to the computer when I want to. I plan on changing that soon. So, we'll see.

OMG, it's finally happening!!! No more kid's books, kid's clothes and thrift stores for the thrifty.

I don't even know where to begin. This is HUGE.

I am going to start off by saying that this has got to be the epitome of big government putting the kabash on the little people.

In case you haven't heard, there is a new law going into effect February 10 of this year, that prohibits the distribution (sale, resale, giving, loaning) of children's products including books, DVDs, CD's, toys and clothing unless it has been tested for lead. Small businesses, thrift stores and mom-to-mom sales will not survive. It costs between $500 and $1500 to test one book for lead. See the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act for more information.

Do you realize that you will no longer be able to get books or anything child-related (those products intended for children 12 and under) on Amazon, e-bay or any such venue unless it's brand new (and probably more expensive)?

I'm amazed to say that I'm virtually speechless! Here is an article I received from a homeschool mom and concerned citizen on this issue:

==========================================================
The Homeschooler's Notebook
Encouragement and Advice for Homeschool Families
==========================================================
Vol. 10 No 2 January 8, 2009
ISSN: 1536-2035
==========================================================
Copyright (c) 2009 - Heather Idoni, FamilyClassroom.net
==========================================================

Welcome to the Homeschooler's Notebook!

If you like this newsletter, please recommend it to a friend!
And please visit our sponsors! They make it possible.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PLEASE VISIT OUR SPONSOR:


Time4Learning.com: Online Interactive Homeschool Curriculum
http://www.time4learning.com/tracking_links.php?go=hnjan5curr

Affordable & engaging interactive curriculum with lessons,
multimedia exercises, and assessments for PreK - 8th Grade.
http://www.time4learning.com/tracking_links.php?go=hnjan5currprek_8

Our program includes thousands of student-paced lessons,
printable worksheets & graded activities for Language Arts,
Math, Science & Social Studies:
http://www.time4learning.com/tracking_links.php?go=hnjan5student

Parents like the simplified lesson planning & record-keeping:
http://www.time4learning.com/tracking_links.php?go=hnjan5lessonplans
Students like learning on the computer.

Only $19.95 for 1st child, $14.95 for each additional child.
14 Days RISK FREE. No Contracts. Try the Demos Here:
http://www.time4learning.com/tracking_links.php?go=hnjan5lessondemos


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

=================
IN THIS ISSUE:
=================

Notes from Heather
-- Children's Books Banned
Helpful Tip
-- Launchball Science Game
Winning Website
-- Electronic Naturalist
Reader Question
-- Curriculum Compromise?
Additional Notes
-- Newsletter Archives
-- Sponsorship Information
-- Reprint Information
-- Subscriber Information

=======================
Notes from Heather
=======================

The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned

---

Oh, how I wish this were a joke! But it is a grim and looming,
almost Orwellian, reality.

Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of
all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and
under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior
to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in
production are required to include a "lead-free" certification
and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.

What does this mean to the homeschooling family?

Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be
cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply
with the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to be
destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books!
Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to
close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the
ruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process
anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.

No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give
away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, how
the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling
doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or
giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" --
libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.

(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has
since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included
in "children's toys".)

Just how serious is this new law?

Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply.
No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to
compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manu-
facturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clause
to be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-print
books. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.

I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books
from the 1950s and '60s. My punishment for selling a book after
February 10th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is
a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book.

(Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a
reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly
violating Federal law.)

So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that
sells children's books? Or that homeschool curriculum business?
Or your EBay business selling children's items?

ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:

1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at
888-531-9070. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx

Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,
2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa-
tion, just enter your zip code.
http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in
each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.
http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

4) Sign the petition.
http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write
about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and
encourage them to do the same.

---

For the complete story, read the following links:

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index
page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and
other rulings

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/legislation.html#summaries

Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory require-
ments -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current
inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/101brief.html

Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be
included in the testing of lead based products

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/101faq.html

Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180
days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application
of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date
can be found on our web site at
http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/317.pdf

Getting the Lead out: There is no lead in children's books
http://news.bookweb.org/news/5695.html

There is no lead in Children's books: From a Pediatrician
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/childhealth/3955/is-there-lead-in-baby-books/

---

A violinist in the subway

A friend of mine sent me this via e-mail. I hope I'm not disobeying any laws by reprinting it here. I will include all info that I have for the article.

A social experiment that shows that we really need to stop and see the beauty around us. I suspect this is a case of cynicism as well.

A Violinist in the Metro


Who is he?

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw th e mone y in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one o f the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

If this is not a true story, that's okay. The point was made. I hope you got it!

I've been thinking outside of the box for too long...

....and it shows.

Being the kind of person I am is really getting me into trouble. :-D I realize this now. You don't homeschool, vote differently than your entire family, worship differently than most of your family and think the way I do about most everything and not get into trouble. I wouldn't have it any other way! Really.

It's still about this thing called work. You see, I have been analyzing a few things. I am like that and I don't mind being that way - most of the time.

So, this evening my husband and I were playing Rummikub. During the game, I broached the subject of why I am the way I am. First off, I'm an extrovert who does most of her thinking as she's speaking. That's how extroverts are! But that's not what I wanted to know about. I'm asking him about whether or not I'm argumentative (I already know I am, but in the context in which I was getting at, which had to do with my job at TSC). And I wanted to know what he thinks about the big complaint I hear at work, which is, in a nutshell that I talk back and I shouldn't be. This really bugs me so I've been thinking on it for a while. He's honest with me, so I know I can ask and he'll tell me. I reiterate that I want him to be honest, just in case he's thinking of sparing my feelings this evening.

So this is what I'm thinking. I think that I've been away from the world of "doing-what-is-expected-of-you-without-thinking-for-yourself" for a bit too long...as I am now very sensitive to being mistreated. I guess you could say I have higher expectations than this. When I was a teenaged employee, I resented the way I was treated and had assumed it was because I was a teen. Now I'm 38 and I'm still being treated that way. What gives? Are management that insecure that they need to talk to you like we're 3 years old and we don't know any better? I mean, sheesh, if I am not doing what is expected, then tell me in a review or a meeting or something. Don't talk to me each time I see you like I don't know I need to "keep busy", "look busy" or "should being doing something all of the time". When I hired in, one of my comments during the interview was that I like to "keep busy". What???!? What's that you say? "Keep busy"? So now why in the world would someone need to say that to me? Yes, I find it offensive. And redundent.

Like in my previous post, I mentioned that I was having difficulty with "A" and "D" and being accused of arguing or whatever it was they say I do wrong. Again, I say it's simply not tolerating the way I'm being treated. They say I need to just take what they say, no matter how they say it or who they say it in front of and be a good little employee. Don't think. Just do as they say, when they say and how they say. Is this right? I don't think so.

I'm a darned good worker. I am happy, welcoming to the customers, helpful, always thinking of the situation as the glass-is-half-full. I do my best. I'm honest and forthright. I have never taken as much as a paperclip from work that didn't belong to me. I help my fellow employees and want only what is best for them. I try very hard not to vent or gossip, but have to admit I caught myself a few times. I try to be discerning in all things (which is proving to be the bane of my existence there!), and anticipate other's needs. Do I make mistakes? Sure. We all do. Why would anyone want to cause problems/pick on/or be a butt to an employee such as this? If you can tell me, I will be forever grateful to you!

My husband says that's what happens when you make a little over minimum wage. He says that's how you're probably going to be treated in that type of job. My question is a big huge WHY???? Making a small amount of money is no reason to be abused. I get treated better when I make no money doing something. Oh, that's because those people are hard to come by and my people are a dime a dozen, right? Pfffft! Whatever. I really need God to direct me to my own business. I would run it so differently. I won't treat others according to their earnings or whether or not they can be easily replaced. That's crap. It also shows character. Or shall I say lack thereof?

I like these blogs. I can vent my thoughts. Who cares if it appears that I'm whining? I certainly don't.

Thanks for reading. And as is always my philosophy, if you have a thought to share, some constructive criticism or want to add to this, please feel free to do so. I always welcome honest and intelligent conversation.

Working at Tractor Supply Co.

Well, as many of you know, I began working for TSC a few months ago. I have to say, for a retail place, it is pretty awesome. I like working there and for the most part, the people are great. I won't fool myself and think that everyone is going to be super nice all the time, there are hormones involved after all! haha

Anyway, so I am going to use my blog to gripe and get this out, because I'll tell ya, I'm pretty disappointed by a few things.

First of all, my boss (I'll call him "P"), whom I really haven't had any personal issues with, is annoying to me anyway. I figure if I get it out here, I will be less likely to go off on him at work. Which would be a good thing, dontcha think? ;-D Anyway, he is so two-faced, it's pathetic. He's nice to us when the District Manager is in the store, but then turns into the grouch he usually is when he's gone. I can tell when Brian's in the store. I almost want to say, "Hey "P", Brian must still be here. You're being cordial to me for once". Or something like that. Okay, so maybe I'm being dramatic about this, but I'm a very happy person most days and I hate when people are grouchy for no reason, and they can obviously reign it in, when the right person is there. I mean, crap....if you don't like your job THAT much, find another one....or retire or something. There has to be other options for you. Perhaps not. Hence the grouchiness. IDK.

On the 28th, I was written up --- twice. Oh yeah. On two very different things.

The first write-up was the most severe and I hear I could have lost my job over it. I didn't know I was even doing anything wrong, let alone something that severe!

Here is what happened: I witness all the time, people giving their discount to their girlfriends with manager/team leader knowledge. I didn't think it was that big of a deal. So, right before Christmas, when we were being slammed with a ton of people coming in, three registers running, I told the newer girl (I'll call her "R") to give my friend in her line my discount. She did. I was off a lot during Christmas week, so the next time I came in to buy something, "R" tells me that one of the team leaders (I'll call her "D") was after her about a transaction that supposedly took place on her register, using my discount. It was for dog leashes, dog collars and other various dog stuff that I never purchased. It was noticed because we are only supposed to ring up other team members for $50 and under and this was for $60+ (for over $50, a manager/team leader is supposed to ring us up). I knew I had not purchased those things (and originally "D" said it was on a Friday morning, which "R" doesn't work and I was stuck at home with no car). So, there was a mystery. Quite frankly it really bothered me as I was thinking someone stole "R's" social security number (needed to get into our cash registers) and impersonated me. Then, we found out several days after that, that it was actually on a Saturday. The Saturday that Santa was at the store, taking pics with all the good doggies! So, I kept thinking about it. We finally figured it out. It was the time I said to "R" to give my friends my discount. So, I approached "D" and said, "Mystery is solved!". "I figured out what happened." She waited, and I told her. Her eyes got big and she whispered that I was not supposed to have done that. I said, "I didn't know". If I knew, I may not have told her! I would like to think I am honest enough to do so anyway, but I don't know if I would have. Particularly if I knew my job was in jeopardy, which as it turned out, ultimately was.

So, the next time I came in to work, I punched in and my boss ("P") said, "Come to my office Jen". "D" and my boss, "P" were both there and he gave me "the talk", saying that normally people are fired for this, but because he believes I didn't know and that I didn't do it maliciously (actually, I said that and he said, "that's why I'm only writing you up - this time".) So, that was the beginning of my day. He also told me that the other cashier ("R") would be written up as well, because she should know better than to put through someone's stuff when it is over $5o with a team member's discount. I told him it was all my fault and did he really have to do that, and he said that he did, because she still should have known better. I feel so bad. I don't think, given the circumstances, she should have been written up. Actually, she wasn't that day like expected, so I don't know what's going on.

Then, toward the end of that same day, I managed another one.

Here is that story: I had a customer who called and I was helping. I helped her and her husband alternately on the phone for about 10 minutes. I then began getting customers at my register, so I put them on hold and paged for help with the call. Another 10 minutes goes by and no one comes back to her. I had, one time, come back to her and told her that someone would be with her shortly and she was not forgotten. She eventually hang up and called back. I answered that call too. I had her on hold again, for another 15 minutes or so. I kept calling every couple of minutes, but no one seemed to be able to help her. I know all the managers/team leaders were busy with customers, but I really feel that someone could have made a bigger effort to come to the phone. I think sometimes no one really wants to. Besides, I saw a team member at the service desk laughing and goofing off, which I found out later that she was supposedly on lunch - on the floor - with her vest still on. She's characterized by lying, so who knows if that was true? Anyway, at one point, one of the team leaders was walking by. I'll call her "A". "A" had a customer in tow, that I did not see and when I asked her if she could help the caller. "A" said in a snippy tone, "I have a customer that I am helping!". Okay. So then team leader "D" walked by. I asked "D" if she could help. She said that she was helping a customer. This was answered in a cordial tone. I mumbled to myself something about getting help for the customers around here. Another customer came to my register then, so I was still unable to run and help the lady on the phone. I heard a commotion behind me and "A" answered the phone (at that moment I had no idea it was my customer on line 1 that I had been paging forever for) and she had her customer right with her. She apparently took the call, and then began berating me and the other cashier, "R", for how we could have handled that better/differently. I was so embarrassed, mostly for her. I don't embarrass easily. I felt like she was speaking to a 3 year old, which I would never have done to any child myself. The customer's eyebrows raised when she was speaking to us this way, both "R" and I admittedly got defensive. "A" and "D" both claim I am argumentative, which doesn't surprise me all that much, however, I don't recall being that way in this situation. Not to the point of being written up for it, anyway. Certainly not. I felt defensive, and even held back because I think it is highly inappropriate to be speaking that way (and arguing) in front of customers, causing me to react that way in front of customers. Shouldn't the one in authority be held to a higher standard, especially when provoking their employees? That's the insane part. It's like rape, without the physical violation. You are helpless to the power above you and that just stinks! I really like "A" in a personal capacity, but I highly disagree with this write-up, which was a "verbal warning" btw.

This has all happened between "A" and I before. In that case, I pulled her aside (something like 20 minutes later, when the customers were gone and I could access her attention) and asked her to please refrain from speaking to me like an idiot in front of the customers. She has a way of being condescending to you, which I explained I could handle much better one-on-one, but not in front of customers. That was not the time, nor the place. She agreed but asked that I not talk over her. I explained the first time and again this current occasion that the reason I interrupt her and talk over her is because I am defensive, embarrassed and humiliated by her tone in front of customers.

So, when we are all in the office, "D", "A" and I (not "I"! haha) talking about this, she admits that she was going to just send me home to "cool off" whatever that means, but changed her mind. I was fine moments after the incident. I didn't need to cool off, she did, apparently. I was shocked to be pulled into the office over this. She admitted during the meeting that she has a "chip on her shoulder" due to the fact that she is 24 and in a managerial-type position in the company and that she has something to prove. She doesn't like it when older people have issues with her age and talk down to her due to her young age. I assured her that her age never entered my mind and is not an issue for me. This leads me to think that in her mind, she is out to get us (older people) before we "get her", so to speak. I think this could be a problem. She told me how she was walked all over when she first came into this position (or to the company - not sure which) and that she was not going to let that happen any longer. I think she is looking for something that is not there. Seeking to cut us off at the knees, even when we haven't done anything, "Just in case". Set us straight, before we have the chance to do anything. Also, I don't expect boss "P" to understand the not-berating-your-employees-in-front-of-customers either, as I have seen him do it too.

So, I know this is long and drawn out, but I really feel the need to get this out. It's really bugging me. I feel like, what the heck! If this is what happens when someone really cares about their job, really likes their job and hasn't ever done anything wrong - on purpose...sheesh, I'm glad I'm a Christian and things like this matter, otherwise I'd be fired by now! How does everyone do it? No wonder another one of my co-workers, who has lasted so long, is so legalistic. You have to be, I guess.

It also bothers me because "D", whom I previously LOVED working with, seems to have turned on me for some reason. I felt it for about a week or two prior to all this and I had been meaning to speak with her about it, but I never got the chance. It was very subtle. Plus, I dreaded seeing her deny it, when I trust my discernment on this completely. So, after this little meeting and write-up with "A" and "D" as the witness, I asked "D" if things were okay with us. She hearkened back to the day before when we were debating medications for cows vs peroxide (my position). She was very angry over the topic, so I let it drop. I guess you can't debate stuff with some people! Anyway, she went back to that topic, when I had forgotten all about it. I then said that I was referring to a time prior to that and wanted to know if there was anything wrong or she had ill feelings toward me for some reason, but she quickly dismissed that with a wave of her hand, saying things are fine. I'm not so sure. I think that gossip is what gets people to "turn" on you for no apparent reason. Like, someone decides they don't like you for whatever reason, makes something up about you or twists the truth and then someone else starts acting bejiggety toward you and you can feel it. Makes no sense, but I suppose that's human nature.

Once, about a month after I started working there, I had a fellow cashier, "S" lie about me - outright!, when I first started there and "D" was the one who inadvertently revealed the lie. Still "D" defended "S", saying that she's her friend, even though she couldn't deny the lie. I think that's preposterous. "D" insisted on taking care of it herself, and asked me not to confront "S" about it. I let her. This time. I maintain that if something like that ever happens again with "S", I will deal with her myself. Okay, so it sounds like I'm going to punch her. I won't! I am not a physical person. I hate that! I just want to be sure that it is dealt with appropriately, whatever that takes or means. I will not be played like that, nor have my reputation questioned. Right after that lying incident though, "S" was extremely nice to me, doing my work for me and everything. Really bending over backwards, which just proves her guilt in my opinion.

So, now I work tonight and I kinda dread it. What is in store for me today? Will "P" be there and cranky? Will "D" not like me today? Will "S" be her usual nasty self? (something I didn't mention yet, but is unfortunately true). Will "A" still have a chip on her shoulder? Will something else happen?

I have to remember though....I Am Second! (see post below)

I Am Second

Wow! A friend sent me the link to Jason Castro's (white dreadlocked guy on last season's American Idol) I Am Second video. It was so awesome and made me so proud that I like him as much as I do.

I went on over to the link and found other celebrities who claim to be Second. What is second? That's the best part!!! Being Second to Christ. Knowing that in this life, we are not first.....He is. How awesome is that???? I'm hoping that there will be more recognizable celebrities on the I Am Second website than there currently are. I love to hear the testimonies of how these celebrities came to realize they are second.

I also always wondered what was Stephen Baldwin's story. Now I know!!!

Don't forget to click the link for more videos after viewing the first one. There are usually a few more to watch.

A day late, but.....

Here is an awesome clip you will just love. It's a Christmas song by Josh Groban, set to scenes from The Nativity.