Sixty Years

Yesterday my Dad turned 60! We threw his surprise party on Sunday. It was quaint but sweet. He wasn't all that surprised since Mom had left an invitation lay out, but he certainly was touched! Meg worked very hard on a scrap book with pictures, quotes, and all the cards people sent. I added in "The 60 Reasons We Love You". It's an awesome book!

It was amazing how this party moved him. Suddenly, I've come home the last couple of nights to see him sitting tearfully. He has expressed how good the scrapbook makes him feel. He shared that he has written several unsent letters to us kids, expressing how ashamed he is of how he has fathered us. I'm amazed that the man I look up to would feel low about himself. I'm amazed that he doesn't see that his ability to break the cycle of dysfunctional family life is amazing. I'm amazed that he doesn't see how we view his work ethic and skills as dying characteristics in this world.

Another noted change has been that Dad has started sharing stories and thoughts from Vietnam. There is so much about him that I don't know. So many stories that haven't been told. I think I'm going to investigate the Vietnam War more. I'd like to learn about his generation. About the fight for survival in war and in the return. I don't want this generation to leave this world, without being recognized for their great dedication and achievement. Not that one person will validate all of their struggles or give them great honor, but I feel obligated to do my part.

I'm Amazed!

For the Love of Shoes

The return to school has been painless...except for my feet! The first day I wore comfortable sandals with a wedge heal, no pain just a bit sore from standing all day...maybe I should consider training for work in the future. The second day I sported my Crocks so all was well. The third day had me brave and I was dying to wear my new shinny oatmeal heals! By the time I arrived to work my personal heals were bleeding...blisters and all on both feel. The fourth day I evaluated my lower extremity situation and opted for a high wedge black sandal...comfortable! I walked into the quiet building only to notice that my shoes made an irritating and LOUD squeak with every single flippin' step! The shoes were violently placed in the corner of the room and I proceeded through the day bare foot (but at least not pregnant)! The fifth day brought me to a Friday and with much joy my piggies found themselves comfortably placed in my New Balance gym shoes. They were warm in my 85 degree classroom but smiling non-the-less!

I love cute shoes! I will continue to try and wear cute/sexy shoes, but we'll be taking a break this week!

"I Dressed Myself"

I've returned to work this week. Each morning I've gotten up, walked, gotten ready and headed out the door. Nana took on taking B to daycare so that he wouldn't have to get up so early this week. This morning B was up when I left...in his pj's watching cartoons with his choc milk and bar. He bid me farewell with a kind "have a good day".
It was a good day!
I entered the room to pick B up to a wonderful surprise. A pair of Spider man jeans about 3 inches too short and a sleeveless shirt with orange, green, and blue; and best of all a pair of spider man sandals. I only wish I could have gotten a picture of it!
Needless to say he's not leaning anywhere near being a metro-sexual. Apparently my mom tried to get him to change his outfit but he was so proud in saying "I dressed myself!" with a meltdown at the request of a new outfit! So his pride won out and he looked (as my students would say) "a hot mess" today! God love him!!

What we've been up to!

Well the house, however perfect, will not be ours. I decided the timing just isn't right for us and I have a goal for this year to put us in a better place for buying the "true perfect" house. I'm going to focus on aggressively paying down my debt. I'm also going to finish applying for my Principal certificate, get my resume updated, and be ready to look for a principal job for next school year. So this year will be light on the gift giving, the traveling, and the eating dinners out. The rewards will be outstanding!!!

This week B went back to school full time and I followed suit. It was nice to be back in the building getting my room ready. Today I finally took a deep breath at my desk and thought "I can spend time here!" I'm ready. So the bulletin boards are done, the cleaning is as good as it gets, the papers are copied, I'm confident and ready for the new group of kids.

B took on the topic of wildlife. He's told me all about quails, rabbits, turtles, and snails. He loves learning, swimming, walking with his mom, kung-fu fighting, and aggravating. Got to love him!

The Perfect House

Well today's been hard. I looked at a house. It met all the criteria. I could afford it but would we have electricity, basic cable, water, oh yeah and then food. I think I'm too scared. Not that I want to share all of my financial issues cause that's not what it's about. I'm just putting my fears out there. I worry, or should I say feel bad, that I'm not able to provide better for my son. At any rate check out the house.
http://www.sibcycline.com/viewlisting.asp?mls=1109164&b=CIN&p=RESI&s=SFRD&m=1&sender=SearchResults&a=6401-Greenfield-Dr-Finneytown-OH-45224

Joe No Go! and Funny Things Kids Say

So Joe never called. I guess not offering to pay for lunch should have been a sign, I'll try and keep that in mind.

However M has called. He's dropping hints of being interested but I'm still taking it slow because I'm not sure of his status. He mysterious...maybe that's the attraction.

Yesterday I was on the phone with a co-worker who doesn't know my family. This is the moment B decides to run up stairs butt naked! OOOO you're thinking well the woman on the phone couldn't see him. It wasn't his nakedness that struck me funny it was the fact that he adamantly and loudly declared that he couldn't eat his penis. Yes that's right blogger fans my son said with great frustration "Mommy, Mommy, I can't eat my penis!" Oh if that was the end it would be funny but it's not, it gets better! He proceeds to sit down with his skinny little legs stretched out, he bends forward to demonstrate his lack of ability to "eat his penis".

Where do they get this stuff??