How may I offend you?

So, in no particular order (except the first one is my biggest least fave), here's a few of my least favorite things. I will not include obvious things that we should all despise (murder, stealing, racism, etc.). These are just things that make every day life irritating for me. Things I should get over, okay? I know that. Still here I go:

Tardiness of any sort. Don't like to be late, don't like to wait on people. What you're saying when you're chronically late is that you are more important and other people's feelings and time mean nothing to you. If there's a stated time - be there. Simple as that.

Procrastination. Ouch. Hitting myself over the head with this one. I am the world's worst procrastinator. Gets me into trouble all the time. Results in late nights cramming to get something done (usually housework when I have company coming-see below).

Housework. I know, I have no job, but I have never been good at the housework thing. Only laundry doesn't bug me. The worst thing - dusting. Ugh. Never ends and the dust comes back so fast!

Crying and/or misbehaving children in restaurants. A few minutes, okay. After that, take them to the bathroom, outside, whatever. Just take them away. Fortunately, my kids were good restaurant goers and I didn't have too much trouble with them, but I know I had to leave the table with them on occasion. I love me some children, but don't let your precious one lean over the booth or table and touch me with slobbery and/or sticky fingers. Oh my goodness! It's also not cute to let your children run around in a restaurant (exception being places like McDonald's, Chuck E. Cheese, you know kid places). I've seen toddlers almost take out waiters with trays piled up with food because the poor waiter couldn't see the child until it was almost too late. I don't even like to put my purse on the floor - can't imagine letting a child crawl under the table. Yuck.

Dog hair. Love my dogs and the king of shedders, Preston, but the every other day vacuuming required to keep the carpet hair free, not so much...don't get me started on the hairy furniture.

Owasso roads, speed limits, stop lights. How many more lights can we install on 86th and 96th Street North?

Having to call a repairman (except for the plumber-I know he's good at what he does. Thanks, Mark Rose). I never know who to call and usually end up with some yahoo. Took me forever to find a roofer. I'm just not confident about my repairman choices.

People who don't R.S.V.P. Come on, pick up the phone or mail the response card. That's not too hard. Common courtesy.

People who don't send thank you notes in a timely manner. You have to teach your children to be grateful, they don't automatically learn this. Yes, it is sometimes a hassle, but it's the right thing to do. Hand written thank you notes, no email. They are important. Kudos to Casey Largent (or Casey Rose, which is what she will always be to me) in this department. She is the world's fastest thank you note writer. My daughter, Ashlee, is right behind her. Tyler still has to be prompted occasionally, but he also gets his notes out pretty fast. Fortunately, most people I know are good at this. The worst thing is mailing somebody a gift and no thank you note. You don't know if your gift was ever received. Do you call and say, "Hey, did you get my gift?" Awkward.

People who talk incessantly during the church service. Steve and I have moved around in the sanctuary lately in an effort to find a quiet zone. And I don't mean teenagers. They will always talk, been there, done that. You can tell by the things that irritate me, that I really need to listen to the sermon, so do yourself a favor, and be quiet. I might learn something.

Cell phones. When you're at a dining out with me, please don't answer them unless it's an emergency. I prefer that they are turned off until we're finished with our dinner. Also, if I'm in the car with you, keep it short. It's rude to carry on a conversation on the phone while you have company in the car. Don't forget to turn them off before church. I've forgotten and mine rang and I was mortified. Lesson learned.

Pet stores that sell puppies and kittens. Come on, people. Most of these animals are puppy mill puppies. Oklahoma is one of the top puppy mill states, along with Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas. Buy your pet supplies from Southern Agriculture, PetSmart or Petco. They work with rescue groups to find homes for adoptable dogs and cats.If you have a certain breed you're interested in, go online and find a rescue group or find a REPUTABLE breeder. You can find them by checking with the AKC (American Kennel Club). Do your homework before you choose a dog. Make sure it will fit your lifestyle.

Rude wait staff, sales people, etc. I know it's a hard job, but I am always pleasant and kind to you. Don't make me feel like less of a person because I have to return something. Flip side of this coin - people who are rude to wait staff, sales people, etc. They are just doing their job. Ease up. Don't make them cranky. I might be in line behind you and I don't want them mad at me.

Gum cracking or smacking. For the love of all things decent, refrain from cracking or popping your chewing gum. Like fingers on a chalkboard, needles in my eye.

Here's a new least favorite. No, not the man, the jacket. Steve is turning into this quasi-mountain man. He has wanted a suede jacket with fringe for a long time. He already has very ugly knee high moccasins, courtesy of his long suffering wife, that he can only wear at his cabin/shack; now he has this, courtesy of my loving brother in law and his wife:

Ain't it purty, y'all?

I know I have a very blessed life. I don't have to worry about where my next meal is coming from, no real money worries (crazy stock market!), family, health, good friends, the list is way long. I do count my blessings. I just thought it was fun to list my irritants. I know I have so many character faults, I will definitely make your "Not So Favorite List" in some way. I even make my own list of irritating things. Don't take any of it personally - unless it applies. Ha!

Okay, are you brave enough to list your least favorite things? Come on, it's fun.