My Pet Peeve

I am a consummate devil's advocate. Any time someone makes what I deem to be a judgemental statement, my default reaction is to justify/defend whoever is being judged. I hate Judgey McJudgerson's and I judge them out of spite.*

Remember when you were little and people used to say, "It's a free country?" People would use that excuse to cover over whatever abhorrently childish behavior they had just completed. I hated that phrase when I was a kid because it was basically used to convey the attitude that there are no rules for proper etiquette and treatment of other humans.

Now, I wish some of those little brats would remember those sage words. Or others like, "Live and let live," or "Judge not, lest ye be judged," by Jessi.**

The current crop of judgers inspiring my ire are grocery store clerks. I'm not sure when we passed the mark between pleasantries and commentary on my purchases, but I'm over it.

This has been a bad week. For a myriad of reasons that I am not going to get into. So, last night when I was trying to pack two lunches for Brynna and discovered I only had enough supplies for one, I was sort of just grateful for that. I'm not sure how we managed to run out of everything but turkey Bologna but we sure did. So, today over my lunch, I took my little ten dollar bill and ran to the store. I picked up a Lunchable for her to take tomorrow.

This one had sandwich stuff, applesauce, cookies and a tiny water bottle with an optional Kool-Ade packet.
I know this isn't exactly health food. For one thing, to make this stuff shelf stable, they add a ton of sodium. I also know, however, that in a five minute trip to the store, I could have done a lot worse. I also-also know that this is a rare occurrence. We very, very seldom get lunchables and as far as treats go, this is right up there with a Snickers bar and a Big Red.

Since I didn't have lunch for myself either, I picked up a second one (along with a Coke, because, yo - caffeine) and headed for the check-out. As I was waiting my turn in the express lane, I was reading the contents and marvelling at how they though of everything, including a nifty little red spoon for the applesauce.

"Reading what's in there?" the checker inquired while reaching for my contents.

"Yeah," I retorted - witty as always.

"Do you really want to know? Cause it's nothing good. Especially for kids. People think these are so great for kids," was her lighthearted and skippy reply.

Now, you may think that we have a crap-food crisis in our midst. You may even look at my overweight frame and assume that I am raising my children on nothing but Nilla wafers and sodey-pop. You may think that someone should intervene. But here's the deal: 1. You, oh-wise-grocery-store-checker are not that someone; 2. You have no proof that this is anything but an occasional treat - in fact, by my befuddled contents reading and the fact that I was only purchasing two, I think it's more likely an occasional treat and 3. Mind your own freakin' business.

I don't know why this has bothered me as much as it has. I'll be over it the moment that Brynna sees what I've done and proclaims me mommy of the year. I think it's just the audacity of it. Why does everyone assume that I want their opinion anyway? And why should your judgement mean more to me than my own? Am I really supposed to be that hung up on what other people think? Especially people I don't know?

Just a bee in my bonnet this fun and frilly Thursday afternoon. Enjoy the buzzing.

*If you are thinking that this makes me no better, well, you may be right. But whatever. I'm still doing it and you can't stop me.


** Meaning that I will judge you, not that the quote is by me. The quote is obvs by Jesus, who I suppose will judge me for judging the judgers. But then He'll probably laugh about it and accept that I was trying to do the right thing.