Christmas stuff...

Hey blog readers...as you know it has been quite some time since I last posted. I have once again been hit with a case of being very busy and when I get time to post, I just am too lazy/tired to actually post. So here is the run down from the last few days...

Sharkboy had his Christmas program. Good stuff, I have grown to appreciate the choral efforts of the pre-school demographic. You know Jingle Bells (or the first part of it...over and over and over again). I have finally discovered that all this time I thought it was the "Round Young Virgin", when all this time it was actually the "Wound Young Burgin"(that clears things up...). But they had a blast and it is sad for it to be our last program at PDO. Big boy school next year.

I completed my Christmas shopping about a week ago(Thanks B.O.P.). I finished wrapping today at the firehouse and am happy to report that I actually have Jenny's Birthday present already as well...(completely out of character for me). I hope she likes her presents...I put a lot of effort into them as I always do...

Work has been a little on the crazy side. We have been hit pretty hard with cold weather and snow pretty early this year. Today we hit a whopping 10 above zero as our high. It is getting a little old. But they say by the weekend we should be in the 40's...so we should all be sick by Monday. Just remember a couple things when you are traveling this holiday though. Slow down if the weather is bad and give the emergency workers some room. They don't want to be hit anymore than you want to be late for your holiday gathering. We also don't close down lanes/roads for no reason. I have to be honest...when it is 4 degrees outside, I have a lot more fun thing to do than stand in a roadway. Just give us a little room and we will be out of your way soon....

Well the Sharkfamily (as coined by Athena) has big plans this Christmas. We will be celebrating at Mimi & Papa's (L.A. and F.i.L.) on Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas we will once again hit the trails and have Christmas at my parents. Followed by some post cocktails and visiting at Mimi and Papa's again(see a trend). I am also hoping to squeeze in a visit with Athena and Sister. I think I remember them saying they are going to be in town this week sometime.

So if we don't see you before or during...have a Safe and Happy Holiday.

Until next time(who know when that will be, but it will be soon)

Be Kind, Be Safe (Stay Warm)

Shalom my Peeps!

They hang out and...

Hey blog readers...I wanted to jump on and share a little Sharkboy story. You know what they (whoever they are) say, "kids say the darndest things".

Well we have a little tradition around our house that we hang a stocking for "The Christmas Elf" to put things in. You know, little gifts to gear us up for Christmas. Just little toys or stuff to encourage being good during the season.

So Sharkboy and are I going down the road today and he asked if I thought the Christmas Elf had stopped at the house when we were at the Firehouse seeing Santa. I told him that I didn't think he would, since he got something from Santa today. He then asked how Christmas Elf knew that he got something from Santa. I immediately responded that Santa and Christmas Elf hang out together. Quiet followed...so I figured that was that. Well then when we got home he asked if when Santa and Christmas Elf hung out if they smoked cigars. I said I was sure they did...you know a couple of guys hanging out smoking cigars and swapping stories. He then said "I bet they don't drink beer though...they don't want to be like you and Papa, they are way cooler"... I guess I know where I fall in now.

Have a safe weekend...I am sure I will have some material tomorrow after the Christmas party tonight. Jenny is planning some karaoke...

Until next time...

Be Kind, Be Safe...

Shalom my Peeps!

Home at Last...home at last...thank the lord I'm home at last...

Hey blog readers...well I survived my 36 hour turn. It wasn't all that busy...but I am still pretty tired. Sleeping isn't the same at the fire house...and I missed Sharkboy and Jenny.

Sharkboy has been dealing with some listening problems. He is simply 4 years old and really trying to figure some things out(or test the waters, you choose). He had a great day at school yesterday and then followed that up with a great day at the babysitter's today. It is so much more fun when he is being good. Tomorrow I will be taking him to the fire department Children's Christmas party. Then at night he has an overnight at Mimi's(L.A.). He is really looking forward to it, and I think they are too.

Not to much has unfolded in my life since the last post. I went on a call today for a person who passed out. That person was involved in a car accident prior in the day. I make this plea to all of my friends. If you are involved in a car crash and your car flips over or your airbag goes off...please seek at least an evaluation(from your family Doc or the Emergency room). I can't tell you how many times people under estimate their injuries...and then end up hurting themselves more. You can imagine...then we get involved.

Well tomorrow I am taking Sharkboy to the party that I previously mentioned. Then Jenny and I will be going to a Christmas party with the girls she works with and their significant others. Should be some good blog material...stay tuned.

Athena...I hope you are enjoying your trip in Florida. I think I am leaving puddles of jealousy everywhere I go. I want to be in Florida...But friend, I hope you get lots of reading in, many libation consumed and much stress left in the yard(after smelling the flowers).

So until next time...

Be kind, Be safe...

Shalom my Peeps.

Education and it's many possibilities...

Hey blog readers...as many of you know, I am the very proud father of a 4 y/o little boy (Sharkboy). Well we are at that stage in life where we are making a decision for the first building block in his education. We thought we had it all figured out. We are not big fans of the South Bend Community Schools(currently, nothing against previous graduates). We looked into the different private school option in the area and had decided on a nice school near our home that has an after school program for those days when I work and Jenny doesn't get off until 5.

Well as you may have guessed a wrench got thrown in the mix. We had dismissed the public magnet programs, since the one Sharkboy would have qualified for was on the South West Side and I am not a big fan of him riding a bus...you know the whole kids being left on buses and the other kids bad habits coming home. I recently was on a medical call on a bus and was floored that when I asked if the Mother of the child had been contacted, I was informed yes, but it wasn't by the bus driver. It was the 3rd grader with a nicer cell phone than mine(and for those of you who know me...that is a big deal) that had contacted Mom. The bus driver didn't even have a cell phone. Well we found out that South Bend has a Montessori Academy. We were interested.

I am not sure if any of you are familiar with that style of education, but it peaked our interest. I am not saying that, that is the answer, but it was worth the look. Well we sat through the open house, and the question and answer torture session that followed. Here is my concern. We are generally interested and educated parents. We did research prior to going in and I would say we have a pretty good understanding of the Montessori style of education. The presentation was well put together and pretty much outlined what we had learned on our own. But the question and answer part of this program was painful. I would rather have the toe nail on my left big toe pulled out without anesthesia, twice...than sit through that again. The people that were asking questions apparently did not pay attention/do any research. (So here is my plea...) If you have a child and are making education decisions for them...do me, and every other person who did prepare, a favor. Put a little effort into you decision...do some research(educate yourself) and pay attention during the presentation. It may sound crazy, but presentation do often times have good information in them...ok soap box away.

So long story short, not sure yet where he will end up. But the applications are flying out like planes to tropical destinations(I wish I was going someplace nice...).

Had a great Daddy Day today with Sharkboy. We had lots of "Matchbox Therapy" and had some really good talks about stuff going on in his life at school. I have a new outlook on some things. For example...I now look at it as Sharkboy will only be 4 on Dec. 10th once. Why rush it.

Tomorrow I start a 36. Overtime first 12 on Friday. I may not be able to post until after that turn. But then on Sat. we are hitting the "Pony" for a Christmas extravaganza. Polish style buffet, here I come.

So Blog readers...until next time:

Be Kind, Be Safe...

Shalom my Peeps.

The weather isn't bad if your a sea otter...

Hey blog readers...been a little while since my last post. Since then, I seem to have the original laptop running ok. But according to my computer geek friend it may not last for very long. He basically said it could last a week, or a year, or an hour. No tellin'. So we purchased a new one...well a refurbed/used one and I am posting on it now.

Since the last post we met up with Athena and Sister. It was amazing. We got to catch up, which is always nice. We got to eat yummy food, and the beer was amazing. Oh yeah...and we had dessert, shhhhh don't tell anyone.(I know...) But we also got our latest installment of beer from "Brew". He is a true artisan, and he is a master in his craft. I hope to learn from him someday soon when I undertake my own brewing adventures.

Not a lot of other stuff has happened. Jenny and I had a date night the other night. It was very nice. We finished Sharkboy's Christmas shopping and went out to dinner together. We hit Granite City Brewery and Food. It was sooooo good. So good that I went back on Monday for lunch. I have to say that it was truly nice to go out to eat and not have to check the Menu for chicken strips or Mac & Cheese. It was also nice to eat my food and not cut his up first. I love that little guy, but sometime we need Mommy and Daddy time.

Some observations I feel compelled to vent about: When you come to a stop light and they have a white line painted on the ground. Stop behind it! It is there for a reason... If you are not comfortable driving in the snow...move or stop driving form Nov. to Mar. You most likely end up in a position in which you have to drive in the white stuff. Why does the snowplow always come by after I have shoveled the driveway? ok...that is all I can come up with right now.

A big Thanks to Absofab for picking up Sharkboy from school. I am sure tomorrow I will hear all about how awesome it was to run errands with you. Thank you...

Well that is all I have for now...

Be Kind, Be Safe...

Shalom my Peeps.