So, today has not been my favorite day. First, I thought today was my mom's group meeting. I got to the church & the parking lot was empty. I apparently had my weeks mixed up. I've been pretty scatterbrained lately so it's not a huge shock that I goofed. I took advantage of the situation & checked out a few yard sales on the way home.
I still had to meet some folks about 20 minutes from my house around lunchtime with some furniture they were buying from me. I had planned the meetup for today because I was going to be about halfway there for the mom's meeting (I thought). So, I headed back out & made my transaction. The kids weren't thrilled about all the extra driving around today so I decided that I was going to treat them to lunch from Arby's which is just up the road from my house.
On the way, I decided to get off the exit before mine because earlier in the day (when I made my trip to the non-existant mom's meeting) I saw a set of under the bed storage drawers along the side of the road for free. I couldn't fit them in my van earlier because I had all the other furniture in it. So, I decided to go back & see if they were still there.
They were. But, t hey were still too long to fit into my van with 2 younger children with me. So, I had to pass them up yet again. Since we were out that direction & not far from a Sonic, I asked my boys if they wanted to go to Sonic instead.
Now, coming from the direction we were I had to make a left turn into the Sonic parking lot. And, I'll be honest, there is a sign there saying 'no left turn', but I always thought that sign had to be a mistake. I couldn't understand the reasoning & I had seen tons of people making that turn. I've done it before too. So, I turned in & pulled into an order spot.
I was in the middle of talking to my kids about what they wanted to have for their lunch when I notice a police officer walking up to my window. I was honestly confused. "Um. Can I help you?" I asked. And, that's when he informed me I made an illegal left turn and he asked for my driver's license and registration. I was somewhat surprised...even though I'd seen that sign. I apologized, told him I made a mistake, & gave him my information. I REALLY thought he'd give me a warning.
The most embarrassing thing was being pulled into the Sonic order space with a police cruiser parking me in, lights flashing. Two different Sonic employees walked over...one to ask if I needed any sauces!!!! And, the other with the food we'd ordered (I figured I may as well still go ahead and place my order). Both were smirking a bit.
The officer came back and sure enough he gave me a citation....a very expensive citation. I was humiliated, upset...and ,yes, a little angry. My thoughts were, 'This is so unfair!!! People do this all the time. I apologized. I made a mistake. It seemed like a minor infraction to me. It seemed like something he should have said, "Please be more aware and don't do it again." But, it didn't happen that way & I was not happy. It was the most expensive Sonic kid's meals ever.
On the way home, I called my husband. My kids heard me ranting to my husband. I ranted some more to him when he came home from work. I posted about it on Facebook. I felt so wronged & so angry. I ate too many chocolate covered raisins & only felt more sick. So, then I took a nap with my kids & woke up even more grumpy.
I'm not sure what stopped me in my tracks. But, suddenly it occurred to me. What kind of message was I sending my kids? I knowingly broke a rule. I got caught. And, I had a consequence. Yet, here I was going on & on about how I thought the consequence was unfair and how mean the police officer was for giving me a consequence. Mature right?
But, it wasn't the police officers job to determine what kind of day I'd had or what kind of driver I normally am (I pride myself on being a safe & careful driver). His job was to enforce the law. And, he did. And, I was wrong.
And now I need to eat some humble pie & talk to my children about how Mommy's attitude today was wrong.
