Valetine’s Day – Day Care Edition

It is Valentine’s Day tomorrow. A day where men get in trouble, new relationships are solidified or ended and feelings are crushed throughout the world. For the young among us, it is a time to get bags full of candy and pencils and stickers and … wait, what?

Maybe it is just because I am too old to remember, or because I am repressing memories of rejection en masse but, the vague recollections I have of Valentine’s day as a child, were getting a few cards in a paper lunch bag taped to the front of my desk. Granted, I have NO memories of Valentine’s before grade school but I experienced that today dropping the kids off.

At first, we were just planning on giving out the little cards that come with a sticker. Thought that was going to be good enough. When I picked up Tori yesterday, a few friends already had passed out some Valentine’s. With packets of Goldfish, and a little gift bag of a few things. I called Mrs. Voices and told her to stop at the store. Glad I did. When we got to “school” this morning, little bags of goodies abounded.

A friend of mine called it the “Valentine mompetition” and I heartily agree. What I do remember is getting the cards, maybe a box of chalk hearts … not an entire swag bag worthy of the Oscars. All I know is that I told Mrs. Voices … “I don’t want to be THAT parent that totally cheaps out.”

It seems to be just the evolution of things. It also happens at birthdays. The kids have a party, give out goodie bags, but then also give out bags of treats at school as well. It must be because of the whole, “must include everyone” mentality. To make sure that no one gets left out.

While writing this, I have decided that it is because I am getting cranky as I age. Let the kids have their fun Bob. They are kid’s for cryin’ out loud. If you want to be the cheapskate so be it. At least their mommy is cool.

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R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

I wore a tie to work today. I normally do not dress anywhere close to that nice. I usually wear jeans and a collared shirt of some sort. Even on client days I wear khakis. Today it was slacks, dress shoes, tie … the whole nine yards. Why? Why not. It was Valentine’s day and I decided I would look nice for my wife who would see me for 30 seconds as I left for work and wouldn’t see me since I would be changed into different clothes by the time she got home. That and me and another guy at work wanted to see how many people would ask us if we had job interviews. I told people I was going on a mob hit later in the day. It actually felt nice to dress nice. It gives a certain respect the client meetings we had today as well. That is something that I can honestly say I think is lacking from today’s yutes.

A few years ago, I was between career assignments and was going on numerous interviews. I always wore a suit. It was in the middle of the summer and in was 90 plus degrees. I always wore a suit. I am wondering if I maybe didn’t get some of the jobs I interviewed for because I was over dressed. A lot of the people I interviewed with, wore jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts … I very often times felt uncomfortable. I have seen a few interviewees coming into our office for job interviews and they aren’t even wearing a polo shirt. The dress like they just came from a head shop and decided to apply for a job. I feel that is a lack of respect. That and the whole “business casual” has just gone to “casual crap”. I just don’t think that ripped jeans and t-shirts should be worn when you hold a certain position or if you are giving a presentation. Shorts should never be worn at work unless you are a lifeguard or a mail man/woman. Enough of that.

While I am ranting about respect, how about respect for the flag. I am NOT some conservative or liberal whack job. I just don’t think that the flag should be lowered to half staff for a celebrities funeral. Yeah, New Jersey is doing that Saturday. Along those lines of respect, her fans are all ticked off that there isn’t going to be a public memorial. Now, I don’t care one way or the other but, I have always felt that a wake/funeral should always be for friends and families unless maybe you are a head of state or someone ultra super important to the world. Not if you are a drug addict. Yeah, I said it. I can’t respect someone who does that to their life especially when they more than have the means to get help. I understand it is a disease. That doesn’t mean it isn’t controllable. Even with that feeling, I think that is any family, wants to grieve, they should be allowed to do it in private if they want.

Well, that became a downer really quick and way went off the rails.

On a lighter note, I finally got Tori’s new bedroom painted. With any luck, this weekend will have everything moved in to the new room and I can start getting the rest of the house clean and ready. The new little guy is due 4 weeks from Friday! FOUR WEEKS!!! St. Patrick’s Day! That is not far off at all. I am feeling the stress but of course I know it is all worth it. I mean, I will get a few days off work after all.

 

 

I Beat It

Not what you are thinking you sickos. I finally got up enough strength and determination to get out and tackle that yard I have been avoiding. I didn’t finish it all I admit, but I did get a good start. I knew it was going to take me a couple days. The wind, wet, pollen, and what not started getting to me as I was cutting. Despite the mass quantities of drugs I took before I started, the grass finally got to me. I started wheezing and had to stop.I thought a good mother’s day present to Wife would be to live.

Speaking of Mother’s Day, it was our first! Well, Wife’s first. I let her sleep in the best I could with a crying baby. I got up with Tori and fed and changed her. Fed the dog, etc, etc, etc. We did have to go to Wal-Mart to get some food for the little bug. It was a good excuse for Wife to take her new car out and show it off to the neighbors. I am not sure getting Wife a car for Mother’s Day was a good idea. She got a baby for her birthday, diamonds for xmas, roses on Valentine’s Day and now a car. Not sure how I am going to top these things next year. At least I am getting a new car too. Hopefully I should be able to pick it up tomorrow. Pics will follow as soon as we get around to taking some for those of you that care 🙂 Have I mentioned that I really, really recommend Wickstrom Auto Group in Barrington IL for all your car buying needs? I do. Ask for Jared.

Have a good night everyone, off to take a last round of cold meds. I think I am just about over this thing!

Valentine’s Day With The Kid

Today we did our first Valentine’s day dinner with Tori and Jackie’s parents. We went to a little Italian place where the tables are about 4 inches apart from each other. The food was really good though. It was Francesca’s in West Dundee. Tori behaved fabulously once again. She did cry a little, we had to change her and feed her so I didn’t get to eat right away but it was worth it.

I think Tori is going to love going out to dinner. As long as we aren’t the parents that let her scream and scream and not do anything about it.

Oh yeah, the food was great! Go there.

Tomorrow is actually Valentine’s day. I suppose I should get my wife something. Is it too late? Maybe I can get her something at lunch. Think Walmart will be too picked over? I do work down the street from a florist, maybe I should go there. I think there is a dollar store near work as well. I should have thought this out a little more. We did say that we weren’t going to get each other anything so maybe I will be off the hook. If you don’t hear from me for a while, you know I didn’t make it.

Yeah, that’s about it for tonight. This post a day thing is pretty brutal. I might be starting to lose it a little.

Until next time remember … “Roses are red, Violets are Blue, They’ll need dental records to identify you.”