Warrant Officer

Jul 10, 2014, 6:30 PM

Today was graduation day!! Brian is an official Warrant Officer, no more Warrant Officer Candidate. I'm very proud! This is not only a huge achievement for him but also a great sacrifice for his family. He has been away from home while he was going through training and he has more training to come. Kirsten and the kids really sacrifice a lot for his career in the military. Steve and I are proud of all of them!!!!! Way to go guys! 

After the graduation we went out for pizza and here I go again with another of my rants. We went to a Mellow Mushroom Pizza restaurant in Enterprise Alabama. It was a busy place and as you walk in there is a huge mushroom statue, for lack of a better term, right inside the door. There is a bench you can sit on going around in a circle, with a high back, and on top of the high back sits this giant mushroom. It's cool, but nothing super special. So we are sitting and talking and eating and I just happen to notice this kid. He was about six, eight at the very most, wearing a bright orange t-shirt, and he was impatiently dancing around like kids do obviously waiting for someone to catch up to him. So here comes mom and probably grandmom. Now the kid is climbing on this seat with the giant mushroom on top. I just happen to notice because you can't miss the vivid t-shirt and all the activity (just a hint here, if you have an out of control kid that has a tendency to misbehave you might want to tone down the colors of the clothing, no sense bringing even more attention to your little darling). So said "little darling" is now climbing on top of the back of the bench trying to get up to the giant mushroom. So I'm watching, having been the parent of an active little boy. I always sympathize with the parents that are constantly corralling energetic children, and the kids too, cause let's face it, it's tough being a kid full of curiosity and having to learn that it is not socially acceptable acting on every impulse that comes along. But oh no, not this mother. Pillar of discipline that she was, she's got her smart phone out and she's taking PICTURES!!!!!! Really? Are you kidding me? What the hell are you hoping that the brat gets hurt and you have video to show in court when you sue the place? Maybe you ought to use that "smart" phone to look up tips on parenting, or how to control mommy's little darling in public. Oh and I'm not done yet, this gets better. So a very nice employee comes over, damn I'm out of ear shot, and gestures that the kid has to get down and they leave. BUT THEY COME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mommy wants another whack at getting darling little boy's photo with the giant mushroom!!!!!!!!! Oh my God!!!! Here he goes again climbing on this thing while his mother has the phone in hand getting pictures. I am losing my mind. How is this even possible? Damn if the employee doesn't catch them again, not that they weren't trying to stay out of her line of sight. Great mother, "Ok little Johnny, we'll wait till the mean lady goes to the other side of the restaurant and we'll sneak in and try again. Way to teach your kid valuable life lessons. Mind you this whole time I am watching this and coming unglued!!!! I just can NOT get over the audacity, the unmitigated gall, the presumptuousness, temerity of this mother, but don't you know, little miss employee of the day sees what's going on and chases this kid down again. Out they go, again, only to come back!!!!!!! I know you are thinking this is the most ridiculous story I have ever told, but I swear it is so true. I have witnesses!!!!! This time mommy dearest takes the kids picture while he is just standing on the seat. I guess they gave up. My mind was completely blown. As this poor employee walked by I just couldn't help myself. I had to congratulate her on showing Herculean strength of character in not giving this mother a thumping. She just laughed, but boy I'd have put up money toward her bail if she'd have gone off on this woman. Hell I'd have shown up as a character witness in her defense. 

Steve and I are taking it easy tonight. We are just going to chill and start fresh tomorrow. It's a good thing too, we have had some wicked rain this evening. Good night all!!