In fact I remember the party where she earned that name. I think it was either the Winter -don't call it Christmas- party, or the Valentine's Day love fest. The kids were all going to decorate large sugar cookies. Another VoMo friend and I just had to help them with the various toppings because Cookie Lady had made all of the cookies and supplied all the fixings.
VoMoing was super easy with Cookie Lady in our classroom. I really think she just loved doing that stuff - being a school mom and all that went with it. That's what I told myself anyways to assuage my guilt for not doing much, but SHE said!
Meego's fourth and fifth grades sent me back to the grind as Cookie Lady's son was in different classrooms.
So I was a bit surprised to have a voicemail today from Cookie Lady. I really don't know her that well outside of VoMo duty, and last we were in the trenches together was five years ago. But there was the voicemail.
"Hi Abby, I got your number from an old Hoopa Choopa Elementary directory..." She went on to say that her oldest son is a high school senior and wants to raise his college test score a few points, would I tutor him?
So here I am, on dumb Friday. I've survived my first week back to college, and am feeling pretty good about things. I've managed to keep my head above water even with the full tutee slate. But I'm REALLY looking forward to having that slate wiped clean in about three weeks when the current tutee batch takes their tests and is done with me.
But it's Cookie Lady. How could I say no? I don't even know how she knows I'm a tutor of such things.
He's taking a later test and doesn't need to start right away. He's just one kid. It's Cookie Lady.
Fine. Yes. Of course.
But he's it. I swear!
In the meantime, it's been a fun if busy week. My homework's done, I've been fingerprinted and background checked up the ying yang, I have a nice undergrad for elementary teaching partner, a nice young mom for middle school teaching partner, and have met both of my mentor teachers and some students.
I've also come close a couple of times to beating the Queen of the Mountain on one of the mapmyride courses on my bicycle commute.
Her: Me:
I will be Queen!!
But first... Cookie Lady.
14 comments:
Joe and I get in more trouble by answering the needs of others. I keep saying "We're here to HELP, not to be a convenience!" But we find ourselves with limited energy, money, and self-esteem when we say "YES" ALL THE FRIGGIN TIME.
Who am I to judge you for saying yes to the Cookie Lady. The day after I delivered the 10 cakes, I made 24 cupcakes for a different co-worker and a few days after that I said yes again. **sigh** We're all just too nice - or feel too much guilt.
Happy to hear you had a great week of school! And be sure to let us know when you reign the mountain!
I've gotten better at the "no" skills, but Cookie Lady took me by surprise.
Well, I did think of YOU right after I got off the phone with Cookie Lady. Thank God (for her) she didn't ask me to bake!
I think that's very cool that she thought of you. Maybe she'll give you some cookies ;)
If you have to pause and think "who is this?" then you owed her no favors. It's strange how they return when they want something, never to show up again once you're beyond pooped out.
I'm amazed that THIRTY-ONE people have commented at my blog. Where were they before? Odd. I'm still trying to figure out what to do.
Oooh, knowing her, she just might! I still don't know "why" she thought of me... I'll hafta ask.
I should've noted that they ARE paying me. I was just content to have more time in my schedule and to be broke.
I'm not amazed at thirty-one comments. Don't you always get a boatload? Or is it just when I'm there??
Oh yes, you HAVE TO tutor Cookie Lady's kid!!
:)
How could you let Cookie Lady down. Good for you. You have the chance to help her and Karma came knocking.
She could pay you in everyone's favorite currency: oatmeal raisin.
I think you did the right thing. Your mind and body will tell you when you absolutely can't tutor anyone else!
You're Princess of the Mountain now, but surely to bump the Queen down soon.
There's always a Cookie Lady in the school volunteer circles, isn't there? Our kids will have fond memories because of the Cookie Ladies of the world.
I'm not surprised you couldn't say no to CL's request for tutoring of her son. And I think you're pretty good at knowing how much you can handle. Good on you for saying yes.
And I'm sure you'll overthrow the Queen soon enough!
Yea. You and ShadowRun saying no to a baking request. Like THAT's gonna happen. I seem to recall how long it took to give up the Run With Lumber mantle you had for a while.
You keep working on your QOM.
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