Class Dismissed

Do not underestimate the power of a correctly spelled word or the proper use of punctuation.

I’m not saying that you need to start addressing me as “Professor”, because I’m sure a few things slip by me every now and again. But nothing detracts from an attempted statement like a simple spelling error. Even worse is a poorly written sentence or paragraph. You know the type of offenders I’m speaking of… people whose emails/letters seem to go on endlessly with nary a comma or period in sight. The ones who repeat themselves over and over and over and over again, saying the same thing in various ways without really saying anything. People, periods are your friend! And sometimes saying less is more (or at least it gives others less evidence that you’re not the sharpest knife in the drawer).

The likelihood is that not everyone out there in the world is your biggest fan. Try avoid proving to them that you are not just an a-hole, but are an ignorant a-hole as well.

Round 2

Remember my resolve to take one child each month and spend an evening with them doing something of their choice? If not then you should read here or even here (did I forget to post about Emma’s date? Hmmm.).

The other night was the end of round 2 of me taking all of the kiddies out for their special “date” night. Cooper, the youngest, even if it IS only by 2 minutes, is the last in the rotation. He chose to go to Cheese Cake Factory for dinner, which is something he’s talked about since I took Ian there about 6 months ago. He said it was better than he had even imagined. Oh to be a kid again and feel exhilaration caused by the little things.

The original plan was to go to Boondocks after dinner but last-minute he decided that Nickelcade would suffice (since he really was most interested in Air Hockey). Sure it’s slightly disgusting and 1/4 of the games are out-of-order, but you can’t beat the price. AND they do have hand sanitizer conveniently placed around the arcade. Screw Boondocks. Plus, it’s insane how long $4 in nickels will last you. Towards the end I was just shoving nickels in random machines to use up our supply.

After about an hour and a half, Cooper cashed in his tickets for some really stupid shit delightful things — a Whoopee Cushion and two lollipops. SIDE NOTE: The lollipops were for Emma and Ian. Cooper thought it would be nice to bring them something from our outing. He is SO DAMN SWEET!

Like I’ve said before, my alone time with the kids is rare and as always, I really enjoyed the evening. Cooper is such a fun and loveable kid… it’s hard not to have fun with him.

In honor of my two Emma “date nights” that for some reason I failed to post (I swear I wrote a post about at least the first one… I even remember downloading the photo! It must be a plot against me), here is a super fast recap. She is goofball and I couldn’t ask for a more helpful or caring daughter.

Date #1: Swimming and I-Hop:

Date #2: Dinner downtown and the Miley Cyrus concert:

And Deep Breath Out…

It’s been quite a month, which is my (valid!) excuse for my lack of posting the past few weeks.

We’re down-shifting from the crazy remodeling/fixing up the house phase, which I am not complaining about. Most of what we wanted to do is done AND it looks like we may be holding off listing the house for a little while… something that is bitter sweet to me.

School is keeping the kids as well as myself busy. In a few days I will begin the “Art Awareness” program that I volunteered for (if volunteering means that I didn’t get the whole story when I agreed to help out, but once found out what was really involved, felt too guilty to back out). This on top of my regular volunteer schedule means that I’m becoming well acquainted with the layout of the weirdly designed school that mirrors a perfect corn maze. Guess that’s a plus.

After a minor “surgery” (and I use that term loosely) and the antibiotics I was required to take, my stupid cold, which I think was a sinus infection, that hung on for almost 6 weeks finally resolved. SWEET!

I’ve been able to begin training for a short race in Moab in a few months. It feels good to be moving again, although my stupid shoulders might not agree. I’m taking the “screw it” approach to dealing with the pain.

Jake, our beloved dog, has been keeping busy getting into the garbage as well as digging holes. Ah, to be a canine.

Much more has happened. Drama. Blood. Sweat. Tears. Vomit. As well as other exciting things, but some things must remain untold. And I’ve got some Halloween decorated to do! Adios.

Someone Save Me

So tired. And so covered in dust, mortar, and probably 10 other dirty and gross things. And I’m feeling my age plus about 89 years. I hurt every where. The worst/most difficult part of the job is over, but I still have enough work left to do to seriously consider whoring myself out to Bob Villa or even Norm Abram (if you don’t know who he is, you’re a home improvement loser) to get it finished. Ugh. The rough stuff will be over tomorrow, and I will be left with simple tasks like painting.

If you love me, you’ll send a masseuse to my home. If you don’t, do it anyway.