May 22, 2013

markers.

markers
Day 22/31: Rant about something. Get up on your soapbox and tell us how you really feel (a pet peeve, a current event, a controversial topic, something your husband or roommate or neighbor or boss does that really ticks you off).

We all have ticks. You know, those little pet peeves that get to us and make us want to pull our hair out? Well, I've never been to that point, but there are times when I wonder why people do the things they do.

So here's a little pet peeve of mine that will probably just give you a glimpse at how weird I am. No judging please, okay?

It's the sight of uncapped felt-tip markers. There, I said it. It sounds ridiculous, but seeing baskets full of un-capped markers drives me bananas. And it's not because I'm mad at kids who have a hard time putting caps on--some caps are really hard to click back on the marker!--because the last thing I want to do is blame kids. Unless you're, I don't know, say sixteen years old and just too tired to put a little plastic cap back on a marker. Then I might bring out my teacher voice. It's just hard for me to see adults letting markers dry out because I know of too many kids who don't have the luxury of owning a set of markers and too many teachers who are paying for school supplies (like markers) out of their own pockets.

That said, if I see un-capped markers, I will put the caps back on. I will also test that marker to see if it's save-able. And I will take the extra moment to match the caps with the pen (it's the organized girl in me). I won't get mad at kids, just sad that there are kids out there who are missing out on the joy of art and creativity.

So do me a favor. Snap those caps on tight and color something today and be reminded of just how amazing art is.

See how I turned that rant around and ended it on a positive note? Genius writing, that is.

Okay, so not really, but that's the optimist in me.
    p.s. I want you all to know that there are always exceptions to rules and that I drive myself nuts when I let un-capped markers run dry. I know that parents are busy (I know this for a fact!) and that teachers are, too. I'm not saying that we should punish the people who let markers run dry. Rather, I just want to pass on the word that art and school supplies should not be taken for granted. Does that make any sense?

    So do you have any pet peeves that you care to share?




    16 comments

    1. I can't say that I or anyone that I'm usually around even used markers anymore, but since I might be teaching Sunday School before too long, I may have to remember this little bit of advice. And for the record, I love how even this pet peeve shows your heart of compassion and love for kids. :)

      Wow, girl, my pet peeves are endless. That said...I can't even think of one off the top of my head right now. Go figure.

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      1. You're teaching Sunday school?!?! Girl, that's so exciting and good for you! What age are you teaching? So excited for you, maybe if the kids we teach are of close ages, we can collaborate and bounce ideas off of each other! :) Can you tell I'm excited?

        And the whole un-capped marker thing is definitely not my only pet peeve. I definitely have my fair share (and more!) of them. :)

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      2. It's still up in air a bit over whether I'll be doing Sunday School, but if I do, it'll be 1st & 2nd grade. My "job" for two years when I was with a traveling ministry a few years back was to work with kids, so I basically did that every evening for two years. And I'm really missing it! Kids become such a part of who you are! And yes, if our ages are around the same, then it would be AWESOME to swap ideas, I'm definitely out of the "groove" when it comes to teaching! :)

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      3. That's a fun age and I can so see you teaching kiddos that age. They'll definitely be a lucky class if you get to be their teacher! And that traveling ministry sounds like such an amazing experience! I love that you got to work with kids, share His love, and travel at the same time. :)

        Unfortunately, I'm working with preschoolers. But if I ever switch ages, we'll definitely have to swap ideas!

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    2. Haha. I love this. I'm right there with you on this pet peeve!!! :-)

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      1. So glad you agree! We need more people who share this pet peeve in the world! :)

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    3. Oh my gosh girl we are the same person!! I hate this too! I actually bought 2 sets of markers when I was a nanny... One for me and one for them because I am soooo particular about my markers!

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      1. LOVE that we have this pet peeve in common, too! I definitely used to buy multiple sets of markers and even asked for my own (separate from my sisters, even!) because I liked to keep the tips in tact. :)

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    4. Haha at first I thought this was going to end with you saying you don't like the sight of the tips of the markers - but I couldn't figure out why on earth that would be the case. I completely agree - I hate when school supplies aren't usable just because they weren't taken care of properly :(

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      1. Haha, if only that was the reason why I didn't like to see markers left uncapped. :)

        And I'm glad you agree! Seeing school supplies (and just stuff in general) not being taken care of nicely definitely breaks my heart.

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    5. Amen to the fact that many kids don't get the privilege of owning markers or teacher have to buy their own supplies! Story- of- my- life!

      My pet peeve is pencils though.... don't bite the daggum eraser off kids!

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      1. YES! I was secretly hoping you would see this post because when I was writing it, I instantly though of you and was hoping you would agree with me on the topic. Is that weird for me to share with you?

        Anyway, pencils are a good one! I wish I had included that in the list! It's hilarious for me to see kids devour pencils (both the erasers and the wood part, too sometimes!) because it seems so gross to chew on. But then again, I don't have a classroom yet so I'm sure that laughing will turn to a pet peeve someday! :)

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    6. haha, this made me smile! my pet peeve is hair in food, drives me absolutely crazy and makes me want to throw up every time I find a piece of hair in something I am eating. I can see why the whole missing caps thing would bug you, especially as a teacher!

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      1. Ooh, that's a good one and one I share, too! Especially when it's at a restaurant or something. Then it's just plain gross! :)

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    7. haha, cute post, it gave me a laugh. Probably because I understand about the marker thing! Hmmm, pet peeves...well, the first thing that comes to mind is when someone puts cheese back in the fridge without wrapping it properly and when you take it out it's dried out in spots...yuck!

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      1. So glad you understand! And I'm glad it made you laugh, too. :)

        And oh, that's a good one! I think that's why my family keeps our cheese in a ziploc bag--although, I never really thought about why we do that until I read your comment!

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