Clichés

I speak using clichés all the time.  I didn't realize this until recently.  At my new job, 99% of the employees are French.  They all speak like 4 languages.  At work I have to really check my use of clichés at the door. Ha.  I have found that many American phrases are lost in translation with the French.  In one of my first staff meetings I said, "We are really behind the 8-ball on this event."  And they all giggled.  No one would tell me what was funny.  I explained the American phrase or cliché for "behind the 8-ball" refers to the game of pool or billiards and the position of the cue ball in a tough spot...behind the 8-ball.  More giggles.  OK.  I'm pretty sure they think I am an avid drug user.  So anyway... this same thing has happened a few more times.  The other day I said, "trying to find a needle in a haystack".  Giggles.  I'm sure they think... what in the hell is she talking about someone shooting up in a barn?  And another drug reference.  Or "Not to beat a dead horse."  I'm sure they thought....this girl is crazy, likes to hurt animals...and what is up with her obsession with farms and farm animals?  And just today I said, "It's raining like cats and dogs out there."  Again.  More animals and totally lost in translation.  Even I don't know what the hell it really means to rain like cats and dogs.  Hum. 

Birds

This going back to work, being a part time stay-at-home mom and being sick all the time thing is for the birds.  So tired of being tired and sick. Sick and tired.  Ha.  I had the longest day yesterday. Got to work and was busy all day.  They are getting full-time work out of me...for this part time job.  Then at 5:15 pm I am grabbing my purse to go pick up Ava and one of our board members walks in my office and plops down to chat.  She has a 6 pm French class here and just wanted to say hi.  Dammit.  I try to politely tell her I need to go pick up my daughter, but she wasn't catching my drift.  Ava was at my parent's house yesterday so I knew I could be a wee bit late.  They won't charge me a $1 a minute for being late...like daycare does.  Ha.  Anyway I finally get released from my hostage situation and rush for the door.  Traffic was ridiculous.  And THEN as I am merging onto I-25 from 6th Avenue this stupid guy on a motorcycle cuts ME off, then flips ME off and I miss my exit.  Oh well...I go to the next one and turn around but it added 15 minutes to my already long drive.  THEN as I am getting close to home I witness a car accident right in front of me and decide to pull over and give my statement.  Thank goodness no one was hurt.  I didn't get home until 7:30 pm.  Poor Ava.  She was OVER it and tired.  And so was I.  Cheers to a better day today!  :)