2009 is on it's way out the door...

Hey blog readers...well here it is, the final blog of 2009. Kind of nostalgic, and at the same time creepy. I feel like I am growing older every day, and find myself appreciating things in my life that before I took for granted. Like time with friends and family and just making great memories. If you know me in the least, you know I love a good story. So my focus this coming year is to write more chapters in my little story I call life.(oh and never pass up a chance to tell a story or two or three...well you get the picture)

I am currently sitting in the fire station working on New Years Eve. If you don't know already this is the winding down of our fire department as we know it today. We are merging with our neighboring department as of Midnight tonight. What does that mean you ask? We are growing from a 3 station department to a 5 station department. Gaining lots of great guys and building onto a great fire department. I will be a Captain in this new department and I look forward to the challenges and rewards that come with such an assignment. I look forward to working with each and everyone on my new brothers and sisters in the coming years...long story short, I am looking forward to where we are headed and can't wait to see the change.

Jenny and Sharkboy are at home tonight sharing a movie. I can't wait to go home in the morning and wish them a Happy New Year. I wish I was there, but it appears that a movie and bed at 9:30 are on the agenda, so morning will do just fine. Those 2 people sacrifice a lot everyday so that I can live this life as a fire fighter. I appreciate every sacrifice they make, and hope that I make it up to them in other ways.

So in closing this year out, I wish each and everyone who reads this to have a Healthy, Happy, Safe and Happy New Year. Be safe in your celebrating. Take a few minutes to appreciate the things around you, the good things in your life, everyday. Never miss a chance to tell people you love you love them. Never settle for cheap beer or cigars and never miss a chance to shine.

In the coming year and everyday...Be Kind, Be Safe,

Shalom my Peeps.

PS...Absofab and her husband had there baby boy today! Congratulations you two, and welcome to the world Ian Mathew. You have a very special family, and they all can't wait to make all over you.

Milestones...

Hey blog readers...as we approach the coming new year I am reminded all the time the milestones in our lives. My memory really only allows me to remember certain milestones in my life. First: day at a new school, time using a locker at school, dance, kiss, time driving a car. I also remember graduating, first real job, getting engaged, getting married, new jobs, promotions becoming a parent, etc...etc. So some of my childhood milestones can only be remembered through parental recollection...Well as a parent these milestones are those little things that I will have the opportunity to pass on to Sharkboy(and if you have met him in person you know I will need some help remembering them all...)

Well yesterday was one of those milestones. It wasn't as big as his first breath, first bath, first feeding, first smile, first Mommy/Daddy, first step, first using the potty, first day of preschool, first day of real school...etc...etc. But a big first in a world where your mother is a Dental Hygienist. Sharkboy lost his first tooth!

Yesterday started as many would say "a normal day". Sharkboy is on holiday break from school, so sleeping in and playing in your pajamas most of the morning was in line. But in the last month or so he has had a loose tooth(not uncommon for a 5 almost 6 y/o). The unique part was that his adult tooth was coming in right behind it(Prime v Perm proper dental terminology). Not waiting for the baby tooth to come out first. So it has been a focus of Jen Jen's "Dental Professional Eye". Well the time came(after some prompting from Dr. Ricco)that the tooth come out. So we made the trek to the DC for the "Procedure"...

Sharkboy arrived with his typical fan fair at the DC...he is almost a celebrity there. He jumped up in the chair and was put on the "Happy Gas". They applied some topical anesthetic and he was ready. Dr. Ricco talked to him for a bit and then with a "Sneeze"(obvious even to a 5 y/o that it was fake) The tooth was out! High fives were exchanged all around and we were headed home.

So now onto the tooth fairy festivities. Sharkboy spent most of the afternoon & evening on his knees praying to the tooth fairy with requests ranging from $1,000 to some new toys. Friends offered their tooth fairy memories and experiences with their children. Leaving his tooth fairy(ies) with lots of decisions to make. That is a lot of pressure for a fairy(ies). So as he drift off to sleep last night he had no idea what was in store for him in the morning...

This morning he awoke to glitter/fairy dust on his pillow and face and some new toys on his dresser(tooth fairy didn't want to wake a sleeping 5 y/o, damn she is smart). He was pumped...a couple of transformer key chains opened and played with and it was back to his little cars and Nintendo DS.

So, apparently the tooth fairy(so far) is more for the parents than him. He loves his key chains and the thought of waking up with glitter/fairy dust on his pillow. Little does he know when he is older there will be a lot of explaining to do if he wakes up with glitter on his pillow. But all and all it wasn't as big a deal as I thought it would be for him. So the precedent has been set, toys when you lose teeth, and glitter...he seems alright with it all.

On a family update...I worked Overtime last night and received my new shield for my helmet. So now all I have to do is wait for my new badge and the transfer to Captain will be complete. Also for Christmas Jen Jen and I decided to use some of our Christmas money to buys some web cameras. I was shocked to see how many people already had them and enjoyed a couple of nice conversations via the cameras with some very good friends. The coolest part was last night I got to say goodnight to Sharkboy via Skype and I could see him. It isn't the same as being there, but it certainly was nice to see each other. So the Gadget fetish continues...

Tonight I am joining UNC and some friends for a beer and some wings. It has been a long time since I was out in that capacity, and I am looking forward to it. Then tomorrow it is work...New Years Eve and a Full Moon, let's see what that cocktail offers.

So in closing, in this time of remember milestones and memories, try to keep the good ones in the front of your mind. Don't forget the bad ones, we all have things to learn from our experiences (good or bad). But most of all, never pass up an opportunity to make new memories with friends. In the past week I have enjoyed the time I have spent with friends and my newest New Years resolution is to spend more time making memories with Family and Friends.

So wherever your New Years travels take you,

Be Kind, Be Safe(especially)...

Shalom my Peeps!

I am back...

Well blog readers...I like to think of my absence as somewhat of a creative sabbatical. I can't say that I haven't been creative or really looking for some sort of creative juices though. I just haven't really felt the need to blog. But recently I have found that I say to myself that there is big pieces of my life and my life experience, that I could blog about. So I thought, what the heck, lets give it a whirl.

My new years resolution is to blog more and have some fun with it. I set this dang thing up and for a good year or so was more than eager to blog. My life has not slowed any and I still have funny stuff happening everyday. So here is today's post, and I hope to post everyday(or close to it from here on out).

Lots going on right now, I really don't have time to spell it all out. But here are some updates from which to start.

Holidays were awesome. I reconnected with my Aunt and Uncle. I wouldn't say we have been estranged or anything of that sort, but we had lunch over the holiday and it was very nice. I really think we are going to make a habit of hanging out with them. They have so many things in common with us, that I think it would be hard for us not purposefully cross our paths more often. My Uncle J, is crazy about Sharkboy and Aunt K is a hoot. So I am sure there will be more time spent with them.

We had pizza, beer and socializing time with Athena...I absolutely love our time with her. She shares a love for many of the things that Jen Jen and I enjoy. I have no other words for our visit than "Absolutely Fabulous". She is a dear friend and I look forward to spending some time with her during my Florida trip in January.

L.A. and F.i.L. came up big this year on the Christmas gift. They always seem to top the last years gift. This year, they gave me a bottle of Hennesey Cognac and 5 Cuban cigars. I absolutely love them(both the gift and them). They are truly a treasure as in laws.

Sharkboy scored a Nintendo DS from Santa. It has been his focus since opening it. He it pretty good at it. I can see why he is so focused on it. Sometimes I have to help him out of a pinch on it and he has an even tougher time getting it back from me. He is doing much better in school. They have taken him off the rainbow system and he is now on a star system. He seems to enjoy that much better. He actually likes going to school...and is missing it during this holiday break.

All is good in Jen Jen's world. She had a nice little vacation over the holiday. She was able to catch up all the things that she needed to do around the house and spend some quality time with Sharkboy and I.

Well that is about all I have for right now...but stay tuned, there will be more.

Be Kind, Be Safe...

Shalom my Peeps!