I'm no Poe.... (By: Jess)

I Once Knew A Guy Named Gus

I once knew a guy named Gus
He was a friend who I could trust.
I miss our talks
and all our walks.
I once knew a guy named Gus.

It's a sad story, but true
about a guy who I once knew.
He now chooses drugs
over friendship and hugs.
I once knew a guy named Gus.

Drastically changed has he,
From the man he used to be.
There are so many he's made cry,
with his rants and his lies,
I once knew a guy named Gus.

To others he puts the blame,
and to me it's such a shame.
He's lost a great deal,
some scars will never heal.
I once knew a guy named Gus.

It's amazing what drugs can do,
they can take everything away from you.
I know this to be true
'Cause it's happening to a guy I once knew.

He will steal, cheat, and lie
all so he can get high.
You wouldn't believe the stories that I hear,
About a man that I now fear.
I once knew a guy named Gus.

All I can do now is pray,
that he gets help some day.
This addict that I see
is such a stranger to me.
I once knew a guy named Gus.

It's a Blog, Blog, world (By: Jess)

I would like to thank my co-blogger, Lindsey "L-Dog" Wise for introducing me to the wonderful world of bloggers.



Everyday I get excited to check the blogs that I love the most! When there is nothing new to read, I may read an older post that was written or just leave the site and come back later. But, what I LOVE and what is my most favorite part about "checking blogs" is seeing a brand new post that was recently written waiting for me! I get so excited and can't wait to see what she (whoever the author is) has to say! It's like a new hobby. A way of relaxing for me. I really, really enjoy reading other people's "diaries". Some make me laugh. Some make me cry. Some give me inspiration and ideas of my own. Some make me feel that "I'm not the only one" and that is comforting.




Here are some blogs that I enjoy reading, daily.




E, Myself, and I




My Life Without Erik




Making Memories of Us




Kristen is Just Sayin'




The Seven Hills Collection




According to Kelly






Kevin and Amanda

A Life in Ordinary

And if I just want to kill some time and search around for something good to read, I go here.....




Blog Card Catalogue

Happy reading!

Confessions...Part 4 (By: Jess)

Here I am again...linkin' up with my girl, E!

1. I'm currently looking into the virtual school industry.
2. I wore the same pair of black dress pants 2 days in a row.
3. I need to shave my legs.
4. I'm pregnant. and I drink coffee sometimes, and really really really want (1) piece of sushi. Only one bite. I might break.
5. When I IM with people my spelling goes to hell.
6. I broke down last week and bought 2 new pairs of shoes. Black dress shoes and new sneakers. Honestly, the 1st new pair of shoes I've bought in MONTHS, maybe YEARS. Newsflash: I'm NOT a shoe person.
7. I want so desperately for my husband and I to do fun things together (swing dance class specifically) but he is not into it. Bummed. Can't he just humor me?
8. Leo cried for the 1st time when I dropped him off at the church nursery yesterday. As sad and pitiful as it was, it made me feel good cause that meant he wanted me to stay! awe!
9. My mother is currently "seeing someone" and I am through the moon for her! I pray that it works in her favor!
10. I do not think I will be home to Ohio to visit my family until Christmas. Depressing.

Happy Birthday (By: Jessica)

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, dear Dad!
Happy Birthday to you!

Dear Dad,
Happy Birthday!! I'm gonna be honest and tell you that I had to text Jill and ask her if your birthday was the 30th or 31st.... cause EVERY YEAR I get confused! Sorry!

I hope you have a great birthday in Heaven this year. I hope you celebrate with Jerry! I'm sure you two will play a round of golf, have a great steak dinner with a martini or two, and maybe play some video games together like old times.

I was thinking about you and your birthday coming up, while I was driving to work, and I began daydreaming about how we would celebrate your birthday if you were still here. Here is what my imagination worked up....

I, of course, would call you up bright and early and sing a beautiful "Whitney Houston like" version of Happy Birthday to you over the phone! You would prolly laugh and call it "catter-walling", but say "Thanks Bumpo" anyway!

I think that I would have gotten you a Nook or Kindle for your Birthday gift. I know you would have loved one! As much as you loved to read and loved technology, it would have been a perfect gift for you! (unless you might have already had one... then I think I would have gotten you a digital picture frame filled with pictures of Leo to put in your work area at work. You would have loved that!)

I also imagined that you and Mom would prolly be planning a trip to come visit us to celebrate your birthday. I have a feeling that you would have been down to see us a lot. I know with 100% certainty that you would be smitten with Leo and you wouldn't be able to get enough of him, and I'm almost as certain that you would completely adore Toby! I think you two would have gotten along great!

I would make you a German chocolate cake with coconut frosting, complete with candles. We would all sing to you as you blew them out and you would be beaming with joy! Dinner at Ruth's Chris or Stella's would be your choice and I would probably force Toby to get us tickets to see "something" at the Peace Center, knowing your love of theatre. Oh, and a carriage ride through downtown would defiantly be in order! You would probably want to go somewhere and have a drink or a coffee and maybe sit down by falls park or the bridge, not being in a hurry to do anything. I can almost hear you saying, "Isn't this nice. We are in no hurry."  Hearing your voice in my head makes me want to cry. It would be such a fun weekend and I have a feeling that I would be anxiously awaiting it!

I hate that it will never happen.

I miss you, Dad. A lot.

Happy Happy Birthday! I think I may even make a German Chocolate cake in your honor anyway!

Love,
Your Bumpo

Manic Monday (By: Jess)

I hate Monday's. All Monday's.

Here is why I hate THIS Monday....

1. Hate saying good-bye to Leo after having him all to myself all weekend. It's harder on Monday's.
2. We were out of coffee creamer, so no coffee this morning.
3. The earrings I chose to wear today kept "jingle-belling" in my ear drum all morning, which forced me to take them out during 3r prd and spend the rest of the day earring-less.
4. Non-stop talking and explaining to every class today. Bell to bell. Ugh.
5. Forgot to thaw my meat for dinner tonight, so it looks like we are having the ole backup.... pasta.
6. It rained all day and the sun didn't shine. At all.
7. My pants are becoming tighter and tighter and after living it up in my sweats all weekend, putting on pants that zip and button was not something I was thrilled to do.
8. Lunch at school today was basically a lump of salt.
9. My last prd class almost pushed me over the edge and I hate ending a school day with an obnoxious class.
10. I was waiting for an email that never came and made (2) phone calls that went unanswered.
11. I still have essay's to grade..... from last week.

Tuesday.... you gotta be better than this!!

The Mama's and Papa's said it best.....
"Every other day of the week is fine
But whenever Monday comes
You can find me cryin' all of the time"

or maybe it was The Bangles.....
"Just another manic Monday.
Wish it was Sunday.
'Cause that's my fun-day.
My I-don't-have-to-run-day.
Just another manic Monday"

Forward. (By: Jess)

I recently went on a trip to WALT DISNEY WORLD! I planned and chaperoned a school trip that consisted of about (75) 7th and 8th graders and about (19) parent chaperone's. We take this school trip every other year and this was my 4th time going. I love this trip....and all the drama that always comes with it! I had been looking forward to this trip since September. Now it's over. So I need (yes...I DESPERATELY NEED) something else to look forward to.

Here is a list of things that I am looking forward to in the near future.....
1. Bringing Leo to the Jr. High basketball game on Monday
2. All my shows that I am planning on DVRing this week
3. Switch-a-roos consignment sale on Feb 2
4. Spending next Sunday with my husband
5. Having a root beer float at some point next week.
6. Jr High youth service on Wednesday night
7. Date nite/small group meeting on Tuesday night
8. Weekend getaway with Toby, in Ashville, the 1st weekend in Feb. (our 1st time away by ourselves since our honeymoon!)

Some things I'm looking forward to in the distant future.....
1. Finding out the gender of the new bumpkin in March
2. Planning Leo's 1st Birthday party in March
3. Valentines day date! (anyone wanna babysit?)
4. Spring break!
5. Middle School Conference at the beach with my pals and co-workers
6. Leo walking...it's bound to happen soon!

OK...now I feel better. I knew there was something exciting coming up!! :)

Just because I'm a mom..... (By: Jess)

Just because I'm a mom......

• Doesn't mean that I have to be in the presence of my child 24/7. I ache sometimes for a totally silent night, a few hours of uninterrupted reality TV, a date night with the hubs, and a nice long nap with my pup.
  
  


• Doesn't mean that my house has to look like a tornado passed through it all the time. I still can't sleep peacefully if the living room isn't organized, the dishes are not put up, the counters are not wiped down, or the couch blankets are not folded before I go to bed. Does this happen every night? Heck No! But, if it doesn't you can bet your bottom dollar it will get done in the morning!
  
  


• Doesn't mean that I have an excuse to look frumpy. Thank God for good make-up and track suites with hoop earrings!
  


• Doesn't mean that I have lost myself and I have totally changed. Yes, Leo has flipped my world upside down and brought so much joy to my world, but I am still "ME". And that won't change.


• Doesn't mean that I will use my kids as an excuse for EVERYTHING! You will never hear me say....... "I can't go cause I have kids". "I can't afford it cause I have kids". "I didn't get it done because I have kids". "I'm late cause I have kids". "I'm a hot mess and so is my home cause I have kids". "I'm slacking at work cause I have kids". (I promise I won't say these things......Unless they are true. )


• Doesn't mean that my marriage comes second. The best thing Toby and I can do for our children is continue to love each other and make time for each other.


• Doesn't mean that I don't need my own mom every now and then.


• Doesn't mean that I have it all together. In fact, I really (really) don't.

Confessions (Part 3) (By: Jess)

Here are some things I NEED to get off my chest.....

1. Sometimes I notice Leo playing with Gertie's toys....... and I do nothing about it.

2. I debate starting a new career weekly. I feel like I'm getting burnt out.

3. Sometimes....or maybe A LOT of the time..... I feel like people expect way to much out of me.

4. I'm not thrilled about currently being pregnant. I'm excited and feel blessed beyond belief to be bringing another baby into our lives, but not about being pregnant. Not at all.

5. I think about drinking wine about 10 times a day. Maybe 11.


6. I'm starting to love my job less and less. Too much is expected from ME and it seems that nothing is expected from students anymore.

7. I think Leo looks JUST LIKE ME.

8. Leo has the best babysitter known to man and I have no problem leaving him with her for a few extra hours now and then! The McCall family was sent to me by God!

9. I either get my hair cut in a new cut or colored a new color every month and I STILL don't love it.

10. I sit directly on public toilet seats and flush public toilets with my bare hands. and I'm still alive.

11. I have no idea how to use itunes.

12. Any candy bar in the mini size just pisses me off.