It takes a Village to Fail a Child…

I work in a school with gifted learners – the best and brightest.. And they truly are an amazing group of kids. The way they think and process information is extraordinary.

Sometimes a certain kid in a class stands out to me because of their skill or personality. Six years ago, it was a tall, thin boy by the name of V.   He always grasped concepts easy and he spent hours doing his projects. I wasn’t only his technology teacher, I also coached him on a robotics team. He was skilled and the team did well at the robotics match because of him. Of course, when he graduated I thought he would become a mover and a shaker in his high school and our community.

After school today, I went to a local grocery store to grab a very items for dinner. A young man wearing sweats was sitting on a milk crate outside the store. He said, “Hey Miss ___, it’s good to see you. How are you? Do you remember me?” I stared at the tall, messy young man with a big grin. I said his name and asked him if he worked at the store all in one sentence. He wasn’t surprised that I knew his name and then told me that he needed the money and that he would rather work and make money then go to more school.

I went inside the store, grabbed a few items and couldn’t stop thinking about the kid who was once in my classroom. He gave up college to work at a grocery store and take a break on a milk crate outside the store. I paid for the items and went outside to talk to him. I was glad he was still on break because I wanted to know what I did wrong. I reminded him of how successful he was in junior high school. He said things changed for him in high school and that he was sick of school. I asked him why he didn’t go to Manhattan and get a job in the city doing computer work. He said he wasn’t sure and that he didn’t think about that. He told me he was going to community college in January. He said he didn’t know what he wanted to major in. I asked him if he ever thought about teaching. He hadn’t, but said he would. I gave him my info and took his and told him I would be checking up on him. I could tell by his eyes and his voice that he wanted to please me…..but what about pleasing himself? Why wasn’t that factor there?

He’s not a child any more. He’s a working man. So I should be happy, right? He’s not living off the City of NY – he’s working. But I’m not happy. I feel like we failed him. We meaning Me, his family, our community and his high school.  How did a kid who loved school and learning decide that working in a grocery store was enough? I realize his circumstance could change this year, but something is wrong when a 19 year old man doesn’t have dreams bigger than being a grocery store stockperson.

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Williams Sonoma Outlet – 35 minutes from Brooklyn

New York City people did you know that there is a Williams Sonoma Outlet 35 minutes away from Brooklyn? I didn’t realize that there was an outlet in Cederhurst, right on the edge of Nassau Country. Normally, we’d drive to Riverhead to go to the Tanger Outlet for Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma outlets out there. It’s amazing to have a Williams Sonoma outlet so close to us in Brooklyn. We drove on the Belt Parkway heading east towards the exit for Kennedy Airport. Williams Sonoma 419 Central Avenue Cedarhurst, NY 11516 516-295-9484

So what deals did I get at Williams Sonoma?

– highball glasses $2.20 (I like to use that size for water, juice, soda & highballs)

– dish rack (20% off sale price). It’s the metal kind with a container for utensils and a tray under it.

– 2 dish mitts ($3.99 each – they are nice and thick)

– Turkey rub and turkey seasoning (regularly $7.99 and $9.50 – now $.99) I’ve never tried it, but it’s Williams Sonoma so it must be good.

No discount codes or coupons needed to get the good deals at the outlet. For Black Friday weekend, they are also doing a few deals…..popcorn maker for $29.99, an egg poacher for $20. For every $50 you spend at Williams Sonoma, you get $10 back in gift certificates.

Cederhurst, Long Island is a very nice section of Long Island. It’s near Five Towns. If you can’t get to the Williams Sonoma Outlet, there are always sale items here.

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Lowes Doesn’t Know

I ordered a light fixture from Lowes (store number 1674) on November 13th. We called about the fixture several times and they told us it wasn’t in yet. We were being patient because it was a special order item. On Monday, November 21st, the sales associate who sold us the item called and asked us how we liked it. I told the associate, “I would probably like it if we received it, but we haven’t.” He told me he would check on the item and call me back in 10 minutes.

On Tuesday afternoon, an associate leaves a message to tell me my item is in. You can hear it here: http://is.gd/5Ah5R    

On Wednesday evening, I go to Lowes and the store is pretty empty. After 40 minutes of waiting, we don’t the fixture. I ask to speak to the manager of the store. The clerks call Harry several times and he doesn’t respond. Then one associate takes my address and says they will bring it tomorrow. On my way out, I ask the associate checking bags at the door if Harry is there. Harry is hanging out with Jan (another store manager) and another store associate in front of lumber. Three Lowes employees not assisting customers. Harry tells me that there are three store managers and he doens’t have to be the one to answer all of the calls.

Today, Harry tells me that my order just came in and that it isn’t his problem. I asked him if he knew the Lowes slogan and he said it was Customer service -a customer  is always right, but it isn’t.  Why are people working at Lowes that

Lowes, the Brooklyn store is having problems due to management. Look at the reviews for Lowes on Yelp:

Stores like Best Buy and Pottery Barn manage to have excellent customer service that goes above and beyond what is expected, but Lowes   It doesn’t take a management expert to realize that customer service has to be average or better or people are going to take their money elsewhere.

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An Open Invitation for Martha Stewart

I love Martha Stewart – I always have.

So Martha I want you to come to my house – anytime you want. Bring your camera crew and some plants and we can garden together at my new home.

And that my friends is my next cool goal in life – to have Martha Stewart visit me. We can cook, decorate or garden together!  Yes, I know it sounds crazy and all, but life is about having cool dreams. What’s your cool dream?

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Sarah Palin’s Book

Some people need to understand that their time in the sun is over. Palin’s a mother and she’s sold her privacy and her family’s time out for money. She must have been an awful lot of money to put her life (and her family’s) on display AGAIN. Or maybe she just can’t get enough like Levi Johnson, the father of her grandchild.

I feel sorry for Bristol Palin and the other Palin children who never asked to have their life put on display.

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Fall is Moving Fast

It’s almost Thanksgiving and all I can think is that this Fall is moving a little too fast for me. I have enjoyed every day at our new home. I didn’t think anyone could be this happy for this long. At the end of the day, my cheeks hurt from smiling.

When we first moved into this home, a lot of the neighbors who knew the former owners would tell us that our house was beautiful inside. I thought maybe the former owner had parties here, but apparently this house was in a movie called Margaret. The movie was made in 2006 and not released yet. But it does have an expected 2010 release date. Anyway, the house is decorated outside with decorative leaves, pilgrims and scarecrows. Everyone tells me (and Lee) how pretty the outside is And to this Martha-Stewart-WannaBe that is great to hear!

We bought an amazing Samsung washer and dryer from Best Buy.

  I mention Best Buy because their store employees and delivery men were really very professional. I thought the wood trim and my staircase were going to take a beaten and be damaged with the washer and dryer’s delivery, but they moved it in here so smoothly. The set is amazing because it’s very quiet and it doesn’t shake at all. If you don’t have a washer and dryer in your home, make some room – it’s worth it. And it’s a front loader and energy efficient. I didn’t even realize that there is a certain type of high efficiency detergent that is being used now.

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If you are thinking of buying a new home….

Just know that….you need:

• A lot of money to buy all the things you need for the home

• You will spend a lot of time in Lowes and Home Depot

• You will spend hours and hours cleaning

 And…

You will lay in your bed at night and no matter how your day went, you will smile in the dark at the walls that surround you and all the hopes and dreams they hold.

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10% back from Pottery Barn

If you read my blog, you know how much I love Pottery Barn. But I don’t love the Pottery Barn prices because they are a bit high at times and they hardly ever have give Pottery Barn discount codes, coupons or free shipping. The Pottery Barn Outlet in Riverhead is good, but no where near as good as the Williams Sonoma outlet in Cederhurst, Long Island.

But I used a 10% discount card on the Friends and Family which was good. I also have a Pottery Barn Credit Card and that gives me an additional 10% back in a check at the end of the month.

I was suggesting to a friend that she get a Pottery Barn credit card as she will be able to get an additional 10% back after the Pottery Barn Friends and Family Day discount. She claimed that would be a 20% discount, but it isn’t 20% because it is actually 10% off the total  and then 10% off the amount you charge. It’s a bit more than a 15% discount.

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A Goyim Moves Out of Borough Park

As a child, I lived in Sunset Park with my family. When I moved out, I found Borough Park to be VERY affordable. I found a house with my friends within walking distance from where I work. 

People told me I wouldn’t like it there because the people there are different. I’ve been around so many different people, so I just assumed they haven’t and they had their own prejudices.

I moved into a great house in the middle of a block. I loved the house from the moment I saw it. Parking was super easy when I first moved there (it isn’t anymore). We basically kept to ourselves and just exchanged pleasantries and greetings with  neighbors when we passed on the street.

Once in awhile, I would stop in awe at the Jewish celebrations. I loved when they built sukkahs. I love decorating and seeing another cultures outward symbols of their religion made me curious.

I was glad to see the community celebrate Purim so enthusiastically. On the second year of living on the block, one of the little boys said to his friend: “Don’t speak to them – they are goyim.”  I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I heard it was said with a negative connotation.  I called a Jewish friend of mine and asked him what GoyEM was. He told me it’s a negative connotation for a Christian. So although my neighbors never asked me my religion, they assume I was Christian….okay. But why use a word with such a negative connotation?

The Jewish synagogues need to teach acceptance to their community. As of now, this Goyim has moved to Bay Ridge and is happy that people don’t classify me by my religion.

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Hallowen in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

If you have lived in Bay Ridge or even just drive through it, you will know that Halloween is pretty big here and widely celebrated.

Houses get very decked out and I was glad to be part of it.

  And on Halloween, over 100 kids came to our door. We loved it! At one point, I asked Lee to answer the door and he complained that he wasn’t really a Halloween door answering guy. After he answered the door, he came back in and ranted about all the kids costumes and how cute they were. He wanted to answer the door every time it rang.

Something strange: A few times when we answered the door bell, there was a group of grown women in costume with no children. Apparently, this is very common as many friends in Bay Ridge told me that grown women came to their door every year on Halloween. They were in great costumes, had trick or treat bags and when we answered, they joyously sang out in harmony: Trick or Treat! Yes, a bit strange, but fun none the less.

Lee and I went out to the city and caught Saw VI for Halloween night. Great movie!

We had a great 1st Halloween in our new home.

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Fall at the new house

Halloween and Thanksgiving are my favorite holidays. I love decorating for these holidays best too. Having a new house makes this season especially sweet :)

Getting used to the new house has been exciting and exhilerating. Sitting on the backyard desk still leaves me breathless….it’s mine and I’m finally here where I wanted to be for so long are the thoughts that fill my mind.

As I meet new neighbors, each tell me that the inside of the house is beautiful. Some were clearly friends of the former owner. Yet, so many people told me about how beautiful the house was. I was beginning to think that the former owner threw house parties for the block and they were waiting for me to invite them over. Yesterday, I met a neighbor who told me that a movie was filmed at my house two years ago and that my house must be pretty on the inside.  

I have finally found something frustrating here.  On the second floor, there are 9 light switches. Five for different areas of the hall and four for the kitchen. It’s a well lite house and I should be glad, but I find myself constantly returning to turn off lights. I’ll get the hang of this soon I’m sure, but for now it is annoying.

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Buying Furniture

One of the fun things about the new house is that we have been purchasing new furniture for the house.

Dining Room: The dining room is the most difficult because we haven’t seen what we are looking for yet. We are hoping to purchase a counter height table with leaves so we can sit 10 people. I have this credenza in mind:

And hopefully a small corner display closet.

Bedroom: We ordered the Pottery Barn Hudson set during the Friends and Family sale! I can’t wait until it arrives. My favorite piece is the nightstands:

Office:  For years, I have loved the look of Pottery Barn’s Bedford Desk. During the Friends and Family Sale, I was able to snag this beauty:

 So for now, we are waiting on furniture and I’ll get some pics up when it’s in place.

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