Correction ink in a blog
You might (or might not) remember a few posts ago I shared a list of things I have learned. Well, I have to amend one of them.
Specifically #4, wherein I stated (and I quote): 4. Children don't mind being told that they aren't going to win or that they aren't the best at something. "Mom, I entered a contest!" "Wonderful for you. I hope you do your best, but you do realize that you probably aren't going to win, right?" I've said it before, I bring reality to life, not dreams. Pessimistic and mean, you think? Shrug.
I am not amending the statements that I am pessimistic and mean and that I tell my children they are probably not going to be world-class anythings. I have to amend the statement "You probably aren't going to win."
New statement: "You probably aren't going to win. Unless you are me, and then you (I) just might win something."
In my childhood, I won two contests. In first grade, I won a coloring contest sponsored by the fire department. I colored a fireman picture and because I thought the picture lacked necessary details (i.e. a fire hose, a fire truck and a burning house) I added to the picture. A fireman called me a couple of weeks later and explained to me (yes, to me and not to my mother) that my picture--because of the added details--had profited me a toy firetruck. I had no idea what he was talking about. Remember I was in first grade. First graders are not known for understanding anything beyond "Lunchtime!" "Recess!" and "You are in grave trouble." But winning a toy truck does not require understanding, although once the fireman dropped the truck off at my house, I understood. New toy! And boy howdy, did I ever play with truck! It was at least 2 feet long and it had an extendable ladder. I gave no thought to the idea that it might be a boy toy; it was incorporated into many Barbie play sessions. I played with that truck well into my early teens.
The second thing I won was a Sunday school class contest. The teacher wrote on the chalkboard: _ _ _ ergro_ _ _ and we were supposed to guess the word. Winner received a pumpkin (it was around Halloween). The thing about the word, the teacher explained, was that the letters that fit in the first three spaces also fit into the last three spaces and were in the same order.
Can you guess what the word is?
...
...
...
...
...
Underground.
And I guessed it. And I won a pumpkin. I won a pumpkin so large that when my friend Julie kicked it with her foot, she sprained her toe. It must have weighed over a hundred pounds.
My point in all this? Sometimes people do win things. And I won something (something small) just yesterday! There is a blog called seriously so blessed (a satire on Mormon women bloggers) and occasionally there are giveaways on the blog. I won one of the items! A charm bracelet! Check out my name (Shoebox Princess) here on the list! Out of almost 1700 entrants, I won one of the prizes! Go me!
Also if you are The Handsome Prince at the Shoebox castle, you might win a $10 gift card to Target for exemplifying the Horsey and Wagon bank mission statement as an employee, as chosen by other employees. Go Handsome Prince!
Specifically #4, wherein I stated (and I quote): 4. Children don't mind being told that they aren't going to win or that they aren't the best at something. "Mom, I entered a contest!" "Wonderful for you. I hope you do your best, but you do realize that you probably aren't going to win, right?" I've said it before, I bring reality to life, not dreams. Pessimistic and mean, you think? Shrug.
I am not amending the statements that I am pessimistic and mean and that I tell my children they are probably not going to be world-class anythings. I have to amend the statement "You probably aren't going to win."
New statement: "You probably aren't going to win. Unless you are me, and then you (I) just might win something."
In my childhood, I won two contests. In first grade, I won a coloring contest sponsored by the fire department. I colored a fireman picture and because I thought the picture lacked necessary details (i.e. a fire hose, a fire truck and a burning house) I added to the picture. A fireman called me a couple of weeks later and explained to me (yes, to me and not to my mother) that my picture--because of the added details--had profited me a toy firetruck. I had no idea what he was talking about. Remember I was in first grade. First graders are not known for understanding anything beyond "Lunchtime!" "Recess!" and "You are in grave trouble." But winning a toy truck does not require understanding, although once the fireman dropped the truck off at my house, I understood. New toy! And boy howdy, did I ever play with truck! It was at least 2 feet long and it had an extendable ladder. I gave no thought to the idea that it might be a boy toy; it was incorporated into many Barbie play sessions. I played with that truck well into my early teens.
The second thing I won was a Sunday school class contest. The teacher wrote on the chalkboard: _ _ _ ergro_ _ _ and we were supposed to guess the word. Winner received a pumpkin (it was around Halloween). The thing about the word, the teacher explained, was that the letters that fit in the first three spaces also fit into the last three spaces and were in the same order.
Can you guess what the word is?
...
...
...
...
...
Underground.
And I guessed it. And I won a pumpkin. I won a pumpkin so large that when my friend Julie kicked it with her foot, she sprained her toe. It must have weighed over a hundred pounds.
My point in all this? Sometimes people do win things. And I won something (something small) just yesterday! There is a blog called seriously so blessed (a satire on Mormon women bloggers) and occasionally there are giveaways on the blog. I won one of the items! A charm bracelet! Check out my name (Shoebox Princess) here on the list! Out of almost 1700 entrants, I won one of the prizes! Go me!
Also if you are The Handsome Prince at the Shoebox castle, you might win a $10 gift card to Target for exemplifying the Horsey and Wagon bank mission statement as an employee, as chosen by other employees. Go Handsome Prince!
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