Here's some tips I've collected from others, I thought I would share.
Read the Bible Daily.
Set a time goal of how long it's going to take you to read the whole thing. You'll remember a lot more if you complete the entire Bible in a timely fashion, than if you let it drag out.
In the table of contents, I wrote how many chapters are in each book of the Bible. It helps me have a series of smaller goals to reach to finish the whole thing.
It takes about 100 hours to read the entire Bible out loud. That would be 20 minutes a day for 300 days.
Download the NWT on MP3 to your ITunes. That's how I found out it takes 100 hours to read. You can plug yourself in any time and listen.
Keep your Bible with you the way you keep your cell phone with you. You would be surprised at how much down time there is in a day to read.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
PS Organizing
Well kids, next year is a whole new meeting system for those of you who are Jehovah's Witnesses. The big difference is that we're only going to have 2 mtgs a week. However, there is a similar amount of material we will be covering. That means there is less covering material at the meeting, and more covering it on your own, in preparation for the mtg. The PS ball is in our court!
There is a direct link between our PS and GT preparation. So lets share some ideas for PS projects, FS topics, organizing and schedules.
Here's some I've heard/done:
Collect the study materials you will need each week and put them in one place. When you go out, make sure you have something from that stack to read and study in case you have down time (like waiting for someone, or hanging out).
My goal is to prep for one mtg per weekday. (Example sched: Mon-WT; Tues-JD; Wed-TMS; Thur-BR; Fri-SM). It breaks it up in small sections, and I'll always be a few days ahead prepped for mtgs.
Podcast, Podcast, Podcast. It's indispensable, especially when I'm cleaning. You can get your house cleaned, and be months ahead on the magazines at the same time.
Turn on the WT library the way you turn on the internet. It's such a habit for me to turn on the Internet and just check 'my sites'. It's not like I'm looking up stuff I HAVE to know. In that same amount of time, I can turn on the library, read the DT, get a handle on the TMS topics this week, and read some article of interest in the Insight.
WT library for JD book scriptures. Some CBS lessons are loaded with scripture quotations in this book. Perhaps because it sights examples from 12 different books for all the points. If you use the WT lib, you'll be able to look up them all, in a timely manner. Otherwise, you'll end up skipping a bunch, or spending hours on your lesson.
Please comment me and tell me what stuff you're doing!
There is a direct link between our PS and GT preparation. So lets share some ideas for PS projects, FS topics, organizing and schedules.
Here's some I've heard/done:
Collect the study materials you will need each week and put them in one place. When you go out, make sure you have something from that stack to read and study in case you have down time (like waiting for someone, or hanging out).
My goal is to prep for one mtg per weekday. (Example sched: Mon-WT; Tues-JD; Wed-TMS; Thur-BR; Fri-SM). It breaks it up in small sections, and I'll always be a few days ahead prepped for mtgs.
Podcast, Podcast, Podcast. It's indispensable, especially when I'm cleaning. You can get your house cleaned, and be months ahead on the magazines at the same time.
Turn on the WT library the way you turn on the internet. It's such a habit for me to turn on the Internet and just check 'my sites'. It's not like I'm looking up stuff I HAVE to know. In that same amount of time, I can turn on the library, read the DT, get a handle on the TMS topics this week, and read some article of interest in the Insight.
WT library for JD book scriptures. Some CBS lessons are loaded with scripture quotations in this book. Perhaps because it sights examples from 12 different books for all the points. If you use the WT lib, you'll be able to look up them all, in a timely manner. Otherwise, you'll end up skipping a bunch, or spending hours on your lesson.
Please comment me and tell me what stuff you're doing!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Filip's Colors
I'm pretty sure Filip knows 'Orange'. I pointed it out to him a couple times, and the next day he was pointing at orange things saying 'arrrnj'. I'm trying to teach him 'Blue' now.
Today, he was playing with Weivel (spelling) people at Mom Mom's house. He's learning to put the little people in their cars. He found a brown man, and a pink woman, and put them together in the car. Isn't that cute? He made his Daddy and Mommy.
Today, he was playing with Weivel (spelling) people at Mom Mom's house. He's learning to put the little people in their cars. He found a brown man, and a pink woman, and put them together in the car. Isn't that cute? He made his Daddy and Mommy.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Potty Training
Filip is really good at asking to go potty. He does it like 500 times a day. He's even good at making it seem really urgent. He squints his eyes, and bears down and says 'potty' in a really strained voice. We get all excited, and take him to the potty and pull his pants down. He'll sit on it for 2 seconds and then walks away. Everything is still dry.
When he actually does have to relieve himself, he just does it in his pants. There's no bearing down or squinting. Once we see him just standing there and staring, we know it's too late.
When he actually does have to relieve himself, he just does it in his pants. There's no bearing down or squinting. Once we see him just standing there and staring, we know it's too late.
Fire Fox
I just downloaded Mozilla's Firefox and am using it today. It's seems better than the Internet Explorer. I can have tabs, it has a nice 'most visited' tab. The font is a little different. It seems to spell check everything. I also like how it keeps the website history easy to click. The only thing I noticed wrong is that it doesn't automatically turn websites I type out into a hyperlink. I don't know how to make a hyperlink manually. Any ideas?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
My Show
I know it's old, and no one cares about this anymore, but I love Star Trek: The Next Generation. I've been renting them from Netflix regularly since Dec 06. I started with seasons 5-7 since they were the best. Now I'm working backward on season 4, which is pretty good too.
I think my favorite charactors are Captain Picard, and Data. The captain is such a good example of reasonableness. Data's lack of emotion, but interest in becoming more human is such a refreshing approach to life.
I'm not looking forward to season 3. They replaced Dr. Crusher with Dr. Polaski for that season. She's not as pretty, and her personality is not that engaging. Plus, she misprounounces 'Data'. I might start at the beginning after I finish the season I'm in.
Filip loves Star Trek too. He especially likes the opening title scenes that show the ship in motion. He also likes to sing the theme song. So he goes daa dada daaah dada daaahhhh.....
Next, I'm going to have to get him into Daria. La la LA LA la
I think my favorite charactors are Captain Picard, and Data. The captain is such a good example of reasonableness. Data's lack of emotion, but interest in becoming more human is such a refreshing approach to life.
I'm not looking forward to season 3. They replaced Dr. Crusher with Dr. Polaski for that season. She's not as pretty, and her personality is not that engaging. Plus, she misprounounces 'Data'. I might start at the beginning after I finish the season I'm in.
Filip loves Star Trek too. He especially likes the opening title scenes that show the ship in motion. He also likes to sing the theme song. So he goes daa dada daaah dada daaahhhh.....
Next, I'm going to have to get him into Daria. La la LA LA la
Monday, November 24, 2008
Door to Door
The neighborhood I was supposed to preach in requires me to get a permit to go door to door. Apparently, this requirement has no legal grounds, because the streets there are county-maintained. Still, a few homeowners there feel the need to report this to the HOA.
I'm sure some people feel they are doing a service to their community when they report door to door activity. To do this, the assumption must be made that no one in the neighborhood will welcome a visitor calling. I'm sure many do not realize that doing this supports an arrangement that violates human rights and freedom.
When someone is approached at a door, (assuming the approacher is not antagonistic) they are given the option to accept or decline a visitor. This is whether they're girl scouts, vacuume salesmen, or as I am, one of Jehovah's Witnesses. There are no rights disturbed here. One could claim a 'disturbance of peace', but there would have to be some proof of this, such as damaged property or injury.
On the other hand, barring someone from calling on another's home is potentially damaging to a community. If people have goods or services to offer, they should be allowed the opportunity to do business in the area. As for Jehovah's Witnesses, freedom of religion is an unalienable right.
Where will it end? Can neighbors visit eachother for social visits? What if they decide to do business together, or start their own church group? When one supports an arrangement that encroaches on other people's rights, it cracks the door for everyone's rights to be encroached on.
What kind of society believes that revoking human freedom is for the 'good' of the group?
I'm sure some people feel they are doing a service to their community when they report door to door activity. To do this, the assumption must be made that no one in the neighborhood will welcome a visitor calling. I'm sure many do not realize that doing this supports an arrangement that violates human rights and freedom.
When someone is approached at a door, (assuming the approacher is not antagonistic) they are given the option to accept or decline a visitor. This is whether they're girl scouts, vacuume salesmen, or as I am, one of Jehovah's Witnesses. There are no rights disturbed here. One could claim a 'disturbance of peace', but there would have to be some proof of this, such as damaged property or injury.
On the other hand, barring someone from calling on another's home is potentially damaging to a community. If people have goods or services to offer, they should be allowed the opportunity to do business in the area. As for Jehovah's Witnesses, freedom of religion is an unalienable right.
Where will it end? Can neighbors visit eachother for social visits? What if they decide to do business together, or start their own church group? When one supports an arrangement that encroaches on other people's rights, it cracks the door for everyone's rights to be encroached on.
What kind of society believes that revoking human freedom is for the 'good' of the group?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Back in the Band
We had band practice for the first time in months last night. It went really well.
Usually, no one has any game plan for our practice session. So we waste alot of time figuring out what to play, and then spending up to 30 minutes playing just one song. I have a time limit of 2 hours when we waste time like this. Before, we would have a 2 hour session, and only have played 3 songs. This is because we didn't have a song quota, so no reason to keep things moving.
So this time, I wrote out a list of 11 songs all from one book to accomplish. I was expecting to play about 8 of them. However, we played all 11 last night. Next week, we're going to do the same set again. That way, we'll have an entire set practiced, and we'll get through the list even faster.
Usually, no one has any game plan for our practice session. So we waste alot of time figuring out what to play, and then spending up to 30 minutes playing just one song. I have a time limit of 2 hours when we waste time like this. Before, we would have a 2 hour session, and only have played 3 songs. This is because we didn't have a song quota, so no reason to keep things moving.
So this time, I wrote out a list of 11 songs all from one book to accomplish. I was expecting to play about 8 of them. However, we played all 11 last night. Next week, we're going to do the same set again. That way, we'll have an entire set practiced, and we'll get through the list even faster.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Brain Connections
This song that I hate was stuck in my head this morning as I was getting ready. It was the Beach Boys' 'I Wish They All Could Be California Girls'. I haven't heard it recently, and I had no idea why this song was in my head.
JR figured it out. I was getting ready to meet Kelsi for service this morning. Kelsi's from California.
So my brain thought ''California'' when it realized I had to meet Kelsi this morning. That reminded it of that stupid song I hate. So my brain decided to play it over and over this morning without my permission.
Thanks alot Kelsi.
JR figured it out. I was getting ready to meet Kelsi for service this morning. Kelsi's from California.
So my brain thought ''California'' when it realized I had to meet Kelsi this morning. That reminded it of that stupid song I hate. So my brain decided to play it over and over this morning without my permission.
Thanks alot Kelsi.
The Meaning of 'Parent'
Just divide it in two parts: 'Pa' & "Rent''. They just deleted the 'y' in 'Pay'.
So your parents are the people who PAY your RENT, because kids live in their homes free until they're 18 or so.
So your parents are the people who PAY your RENT, because kids live in their homes free until they're 18 or so.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Blog Update
New post on http://joellynsmusiconline.blogspot.com
It's about creating background music on the piano with chords. You should also watch the newest video on there along with reading the article if you want to try it.
It's about creating background music on the piano with chords. You should also watch the newest video on there along with reading the article if you want to try it.
Rainy Day
Filip loves his rain coat. Whenever we go outside, he asks for his 'duck' , whether it's rainy or not.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
SAD
Today we had the Special Assembly Day. In case you're not familiar with SAD, it's a yearly one-day convention that all Jehovah's Witnesses are assigned to attend. It has a series of talks, usually focused on a theme scripture. This year's is "Keep Watching the Ministry... That You Fulfill It" - Colossians 4:17
Most of it applies to Jehovah's Witnesses staying active in their preaching work. Here are some of my favorite points I wrote down.
Never allow unexpected challenges to paralyze your spirituality.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 Says that we must recommend ourselves as God's ministers through [a long list of challenges]. Basically, we fulfill our ministry whether things are good or bad, no matter what happens.
Be 'Patiently Persistant' in following up interest.
We are not to resemble aggressive salespeople who want a sale within a few days of meeting you. Being 'patiently persistant' means we continue to show concern for the people we talk to, offering to come back when they are busy, and showing up when we promise to return. The point is to patiently cultivate interest in a person, because we can't force growth out of them.
The way we 'keep watching our ministry' is how we keep watching a toddler.
Of course I liked this point, since it hits close to home. You must constantly be aware of a toddler's wherabouts. If you were to stop watching for just a brief period of time, they'll be out in the parking lot somewhere. In the same way, we must always have an eye on our ministry, and not get sidetracked with personal affairs.
If we claim to be God's ministers, that gives others the right to examine us very closely.
If you pay for something at a register with a $5 bill, the clerk just takes it and gives you your change. However, if you pay with a $100 bill, they're going to hold it up to the light, examine it and verify that it's real. In the same way, if we claim to be worshipping the Most High, and the authority to preach comes from his Son, then our actions and conduct better back that up as not conterfeit.
So it was a nice day. We really enjoyed the program, and Filip was well-behaved. It really is motivating me to make improvements on the quality of my ministry, and also in just getting out and not finding excuses to stay home.
Most of it applies to Jehovah's Witnesses staying active in their preaching work. Here are some of my favorite points I wrote down.
Never allow unexpected challenges to paralyze your spirituality.
2 Corinthians 6:4-10 Says that we must recommend ourselves as God's ministers through [a long list of challenges]. Basically, we fulfill our ministry whether things are good or bad, no matter what happens.
Be 'Patiently Persistant' in following up interest.
We are not to resemble aggressive salespeople who want a sale within a few days of meeting you. Being 'patiently persistant' means we continue to show concern for the people we talk to, offering to come back when they are busy, and showing up when we promise to return. The point is to patiently cultivate interest in a person, because we can't force growth out of them.
The way we 'keep watching our ministry' is how we keep watching a toddler.
Of course I liked this point, since it hits close to home. You must constantly be aware of a toddler's wherabouts. If you were to stop watching for just a brief period of time, they'll be out in the parking lot somewhere. In the same way, we must always have an eye on our ministry, and not get sidetracked with personal affairs.
If we claim to be God's ministers, that gives others the right to examine us very closely.
If you pay for something at a register with a $5 bill, the clerk just takes it and gives you your change. However, if you pay with a $100 bill, they're going to hold it up to the light, examine it and verify that it's real. In the same way, if we claim to be worshipping the Most High, and the authority to preach comes from his Son, then our actions and conduct better back that up as not conterfeit.
So it was a nice day. We really enjoyed the program, and Filip was well-behaved. It really is motivating me to make improvements on the quality of my ministry, and also in just getting out and not finding excuses to stay home.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Blog Update
I made a really good dinner tonight and posted the recipes on my other blog:
http://joellynskitchenonline.blogspot.com
It was Moussaka, stuffed grape leaves, and Merlot. Check it out!
http://joellynskitchenonline.blogspot.com
It was Moussaka, stuffed grape leaves, and Merlot. Check it out!
Blue
Filip and I met Mom, Dad, and Jae at Cracker Barrel for dinner last night. They wanted to come when JR was working.
One of the first things Filip spotted was this giant jawbreaker on a stick when we arrived. I didn't respond to it. When Jae arrived, he made her take him to the jawbreaker lollipop that he coveted. Then, after dinner, he still had not forgotten. He kept going back into the store while the others talked, right to the lollipops.
So of course, Mom makes Jae go in and buy it for him. When he got it, he kept a death-grip on the stick with both hands. If anyone came near it, he would scream and kick, jealously protecting his lolly. Even if you just asked him if you could see it, he would scream and hold it closer. So we teased him all the way home, pretending we were going to get his lolly.
Surprisingly, it was not that hard to eventually get him away from the lollipop when it was bath-time. I kept a plastic cup nearby, and told him I wasn't going to hold or nurse him until he put that thing down. So he finally put it in the cup for safe-keeping and got his bath.
Ironically, his clothes were clean after all that blue he was licking. My clothes were a different story. They had all kinds of blue sugar-laden drool stains on them from him holding onto my leg and rubbing his face against me.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Check This Out
http://www.babytobeimages.com/ then click on 'Image Gallery'.
It's the website for the business where I got my 3D ultrasound of Filip. They posted a before, after, and way-after picture of him.
The pic is also on Jae Lorette's blog, since she was the one to put it together.
It's the website for the business where I got my 3D ultrasound of Filip. They posted a before, after, and way-after picture of him.
The pic is also on Jae Lorette's blog, since she was the one to put it together.
State Pride
Have you ever noticed something in common about the people who live in West Virginia, Texas, and Hawaii?
My friends who moved to WV said that people there will sit through the national anthem, but stand up and remove their hats when John Denver's song,"Country Road, Take Me Home" comes on.
Texas originally wanted to be their own country. I guess that is why their flag is just like the American flag, except with 2 stripes, and only 1 star, to represent themselves. Plus the saying "You can take the man out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the man." portrays the thinking of many down there.
Hawaii is probably the most beautiful (as far as tropical goes) state. Also, the part of the culture that hasn't been assimilated by the western world, is older than the rest of the states. It also has such a huge tourism industry. Just these factors in themselves could lead many to think it's the best place on earth, which is a great source of pride for Hawaiians.
It seems like many people from these 3 states, are really proud that they live there. I'm from Maryland, and I never notice people here talking of some 'Maryland culture', or even care that they live in this state. The places I mentioned above are the only places I have noticed where there is this attitude of 'state pride' that competes with 'national pride'.
Except, maybe Alabama. They have that song 'Sweet Home Alabama'.
My friends who moved to WV said that people there will sit through the national anthem, but stand up and remove their hats when John Denver's song,"Country Road, Take Me Home" comes on.
Texas originally wanted to be their own country. I guess that is why their flag is just like the American flag, except with 2 stripes, and only 1 star, to represent themselves. Plus the saying "You can take the man out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the man." portrays the thinking of many down there.
Hawaii is probably the most beautiful (as far as tropical goes) state. Also, the part of the culture that hasn't been assimilated by the western world, is older than the rest of the states. It also has such a huge tourism industry. Just these factors in themselves could lead many to think it's the best place on earth, which is a great source of pride for Hawaiians.
It seems like many people from these 3 states, are really proud that they live there. I'm from Maryland, and I never notice people here talking of some 'Maryland culture', or even care that they live in this state. The places I mentioned above are the only places I have noticed where there is this attitude of 'state pride' that competes with 'national pride'.
Except, maybe Alabama. They have that song 'Sweet Home Alabama'.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Post Office
Speaking of Customer Service. Have you ever gotten that one guy at the Patrick Street Post Office? He's the middle-aged white guy. I hated getting him when it was finally my turn in line. If you don't have an address written out on a package, he'll make you sit out of the line so he can have another customer while you're writing the address out. Like that takes more than 10 seconds.
One time, I needed one small piece of tape to cover up a gap in the seal of my package. He said
"I can sell you a roll of tape, but I cannot give you a piece that belongs to the post office." I'm sure that was going to make a huge addition to the national debt if he gave me a free piece of government-owned tape. He wouldn't even put the sticker that he has to put on the box anyway over that gap.
A friend of mine knew the guy I was talking about. He said he had told him off (nicely) in front of the whole post office and embarrassed him. It was a funny story. This friend would call the Post Office employee ''mean" to the customers. I would just say he's 'by the book' and 'ungracious'. I've never actually experienced any rudeness from him, though he is unpleasant. In any case, my conversation with my friend encouraged me to not let the guy ruin my mood.
Usually, I'm tempted to let the next person in line go ahead of me if that particular employee is the next person available to help. However, after my conversation with my friend, I decided to use the method of just being subtley irritating, by being slow to move and friendly.
That very day that we were all talking about how unpleasant he is, he was the one to help me at the post office. He was friendlier than I have ever known him. Very helpful, I even had to leave my spot to chase the baby, and he patiently waited. Why the switch?
I had listened to his conversation closely with the prior customer he helped. I heard him say, and I quote "...in case you're the mystery shopper."
One time, I needed one small piece of tape to cover up a gap in the seal of my package. He said
"I can sell you a roll of tape, but I cannot give you a piece that belongs to the post office." I'm sure that was going to make a huge addition to the national debt if he gave me a free piece of government-owned tape. He wouldn't even put the sticker that he has to put on the box anyway over that gap.
A friend of mine knew the guy I was talking about. He said he had told him off (nicely) in front of the whole post office and embarrassed him. It was a funny story. This friend would call the Post Office employee ''mean" to the customers. I would just say he's 'by the book' and 'ungracious'. I've never actually experienced any rudeness from him, though he is unpleasant. In any case, my conversation with my friend encouraged me to not let the guy ruin my mood.
Usually, I'm tempted to let the next person in line go ahead of me if that particular employee is the next person available to help. However, after my conversation with my friend, I decided to use the method of just being subtley irritating, by being slow to move and friendly.
That very day that we were all talking about how unpleasant he is, he was the one to help me at the post office. He was friendlier than I have ever known him. Very helpful, I even had to leave my spot to chase the baby, and he patiently waited. Why the switch?
I had listened to his conversation closely with the prior customer he helped. I heard him say, and I quote "...in case you're the mystery shopper."
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Kid Party
Filip had a blast at the Glenn's kid party today. They had a hay ride, moon bounce, face painting, popcorn and cotton candy, plus a bunch of prizes.
Filip refused to try the cotton candy, but he did like holding it like a torch.
He insisted on his own bag of popcorn. We tried to take it from him. He screamed, and would not let anyone touch it.
I did some of the face painting. I painted a third eye on Filip's forehead.
Several of the families at the party are in the congregation we're being assigned to this January. So it was nice to hang out with other people in Catoctin.
Customer Disservice
My friend Andrew and I were talking about how we deal with bad customer service a couple weeks ago. We had both come to the same conclusion that instead of letting a person like that ruin our mood, we should make the most of their bad mood by subtly making it a little worse for our own entertainment.
I told him about this lady at the UPS store in Germantown. I rarely have to come in contact with her, because she never acknowledges customers until they come up to the counter and ask for assistance. Then, she'll acknowledge a customer's existence with a frown and waits for a question.
Usually, all I need to do is get my mail on my own with my key. However, this time, I didn't have my key. I really didn't want to lose my good mood that day, so I decided to make dealing with this lady fun, at least for my self.
Filip was lying asleep in my arms. I asked her if she could get me my mail, since I didn't have my key. I told her the number. She sighed, and went to the back, brought it in, and dropped it on the counter. I propped Filip on the counter as he slept, and went through each piece of mail one by one, just to make sure it was all addressed to me. Being that conscientious about proper mail delivery is not usually my habit, but since she was there waiting for me to leave, I figured I might as well.
Then, she stood at the counter and watched me stack all the mail on top of Filip so I could carry him out. Then she watched me struggle to open the door carrying my purse, Filip, and the stack of mail. I decided that I did not enjoy that enough. So, I dropped my mail and purse back in the car, and came back with just Filip.
I asked her "Did any of my mail accidently get delivered to my sister's mailbox?" I told her my sister's box number.
She said "Your sister?"
"Yeah, when I first got my box, I wasn't married yet, so we had the same last name Jarvis. Sometimes, when you guys sort it, you see something addressed to me with my maiden name, and you throw it in my sister's box" I said.
She responded in an irritated tone "If it's your sister, she will give you your mail."
"No, I really don't see her enough for her to remember to give it to me." I said.
She looked in the back room and said:"She has alot of mail, you will have to go through it yourself."
She came back and dropped it all on the counter. So I went through it one by one. It turns out that there was not any mail misdirected, so I thanked her. Instead of making her stuff all that back in the box, I offered:
"Could I take this mail and drop it off to her?"
She frowned at me and shook her head no. When she came back, I asked her if they offered some services that I knew only the post office offered. I also asked her for directions to the post office.
So, instead of frowning myself, I got to leave that place rather pleasantly diverted. The trick is in the subtlety. Always be polite, and try to be helpful. That way, your antagonistic motive is not revealed.
I told him about this lady at the UPS store in Germantown. I rarely have to come in contact with her, because she never acknowledges customers until they come up to the counter and ask for assistance. Then, she'll acknowledge a customer's existence with a frown and waits for a question.
Usually, all I need to do is get my mail on my own with my key. However, this time, I didn't have my key. I really didn't want to lose my good mood that day, so I decided to make dealing with this lady fun, at least for my self.
Filip was lying asleep in my arms. I asked her if she could get me my mail, since I didn't have my key. I told her the number. She sighed, and went to the back, brought it in, and dropped it on the counter. I propped Filip on the counter as he slept, and went through each piece of mail one by one, just to make sure it was all addressed to me. Being that conscientious about proper mail delivery is not usually my habit, but since she was there waiting for me to leave, I figured I might as well.
Then, she stood at the counter and watched me stack all the mail on top of Filip so I could carry him out. Then she watched me struggle to open the door carrying my purse, Filip, and the stack of mail. I decided that I did not enjoy that enough. So, I dropped my mail and purse back in the car, and came back with just Filip.
I asked her "Did any of my mail accidently get delivered to my sister's mailbox?" I told her my sister's box number.
She said "Your sister?"
"Yeah, when I first got my box, I wasn't married yet, so we had the same last name Jarvis. Sometimes, when you guys sort it, you see something addressed to me with my maiden name, and you throw it in my sister's box" I said.
She responded in an irritated tone "If it's your sister, she will give you your mail."
"No, I really don't see her enough for her to remember to give it to me." I said.
She looked in the back room and said:"She has alot of mail, you will have to go through it yourself."
She came back and dropped it all on the counter. So I went through it one by one. It turns out that there was not any mail misdirected, so I thanked her. Instead of making her stuff all that back in the box, I offered:
"Could I take this mail and drop it off to her?"
She frowned at me and shook her head no. When she came back, I asked her if they offered some services that I knew only the post office offered. I also asked her for directions to the post office.
So, instead of frowning myself, I got to leave that place rather pleasantly diverted. The trick is in the subtlety. Always be polite, and try to be helpful. That way, your antagonistic motive is not revealed.
Daylight Savings Time
Don't forget Daylight Savings Time ends tonight. Set your clocks back an hour before you go to bed.
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