Bed Head

The latest addition to the "accumulating episodes" that is my life:

Friday morning my son did not have school (another teacher prep day), but my pre-school age daughter did. Because of the reduced morning ritual, or maybe just because it was Friday, I chose to leave the house while running to drop her off in the mom look dubbed "please, oh please don't let me get into an accident today." I know you all know what I am talking about.

On our way, I pull up to a red light in a right-hand turning lane. Out of the corner of my eye I see a hand waving. After a couple seconds of delayed response I realize Chuck is standing there. Right. There. He is parked in the first stall of a gas station on that corner waiting by the pump - so maybe 20 feet away. At the most.

This is strange in itself because I normally don't drive to pre-school this way (usually from the opposite direction having dropped my son off first) and Chuck doesn't live or work in the area. This particular gas station seemed an odd location for him to be stopping at. What a random place and time. My stars are SO not aligned this month (year, decade...whatever).

Please picture massive bed head. The kind where you go to bed with wet hair and wake up with waves going up (really high up) and out in all directions. No makeup with skin in the midst of one of those weeks where it forgets you are not in Jr. High anymore. Oh, and did I mention the pajama top? The one only you can appreciate because it's old, dingy and comfortable?

At least I had big sunglasses on. And I am praying there was a really good glare on the window (I was facing east and it was approx 8:15 am...yes, I tried calculating the sun's angle in relation to my car's location). And I can only hope my hair came across from that short distance as more "tousled" in a sexy sort of way. Ya, right.

I at least pulled it together quickly enough to give a smile (or maybe it was a grimace) and wave. Fortunately my son in the back booster seat recognized him too and waved from his window. I know he looked good sporting alien sleeper pajamas and a milk mustache.

Laverne

How Does He Do That?

I have been thinking a lot lately about how to introduce Henry to my kids and if it was the right time. It's a big deal to me and I wasn't sure what he thought about it. I don't know if he can fully appreciate how I feel about this. I do think it's the next step that needs to be taken. If he doesn't mix well with my kids then there is no reason to continue dating. However, I haven't wanted it to seem like a big production or a big deal. I wasn't sure how to even bring up the conversation and make it seem casual. I've gotten advice from lots of friends (thank you). I decided that tonight was a good time to bring it up. Although, during dinner the restaurant was noisy and crowded and I didn't think it was the right moment - or I chickened out a little.

Well, we went to a different place for dessert that was quiet and Henry, once again, brought up the topic that I needed to talk about and did it in a very easy way. Seriously, how does he do that? I guess my Now What question has been answered. We are going to try to do dinner with my kids on Thursday. He also said that he was going to do better at seeing me next week because he felt like he hadn't done a good job this week. Which may be true.

At dinner tonight he gave me a a bunch of music that he titled "peaceful" because we had a conversation earlier in the week and I said that I was having a hard time falling asleep. He made me a CD of music he thought would help. He also told me this week that he missed me. Aww. So cute. It made my day.

I don't have any embarrassing stories to tell. Things seem to be going really well. I am having so much fun and I am happy. Yay!

Shirley

Now What?

I've now officially met all of Henry's family members that live here. His sister in law asked me lots of questions, she is VERY direct. I think the best one was - So do you like Henry? I responded affirmatively. Then she said - I know you like him, but do you LIKE him? Ahh? How do answer that to his sister in law? So embarrassing. I decided to go with an honest and simple - Yes. I don't know if he LIKES me - I get that he likes me, but I don't know if he LIKES me. I don't know if me LIKING him will go anywhere other than where it is right now. She followed up that question with why do you like him? Super. This is fun. I could do this all night long. Umm. Not really. She seemed to like the answer that I gave her and we were finally able to move on. One funny question she asked was "Is your ex-husband just evil?" Oh. Where do you go with that. You will be happy to know that I did not bash on Ned (the ex although not his real name) because I really just feel sorry for him. I did have a great time getting to know the rest of his family. I have to say that coming from the slightly dysfunctional family that I did - I ♥ his family - they are truly great people. What fun it must be to have siblings like that.

I am trying to enjoy this journey and see where it takes me. It's been full of angst, anxiety, stress, fun, humor, awkward, enjoyment, joy, happiness, and moments of pure awesomeness. I know there are conversations that will probably have to happen in the future and steps that need to be taken. One that I probably need to initiate is having him spend some time with my kids and I. I don't know if I am ready for this yet. I think that I need to feel more secure about his feelings towards me before I can let him into that part of my life.

Being with Henry has been great for me - I think each time we are out he tells me that he thinks I am amazing and smart and beautiful. Who doesn't like hearing that about themselves? We have plans for next week so check back.

Shirley

Therapy

Because mid-single activities have currently proven to be more painful than fruitful (love cheesy words), and while I wait for my friends to hook me up with someone worth dating (e.g. Henry variety), I am enjoying my favorite means of escape; reading. I LOVE to read, and will read almost anything - except self-help books (they don't help).

While looking for something new for spring I ran across this great list from Oprah. Granted, my break-up was over 2 years ago, but the concept still applies. Especially in little doses while dating. Besides, how else can I keep my mind off of the accumulating episodes that is my current life? ...FB posts with good intentions that trumpet to everyone current "hook up" efforts, reports of run-ins with Chuck's sister and conversations about Chuck and I while scrap booking (love to hear when a group of people have been plotting about you), and a mother who has decided she is going to give you advice on what is attractive and what it is I should be looking for in a man. Apparently the recent articles about Sandra Bullock have made her an expert.

I like to joke that someday my life may result in a book - if for no one but myself. And yes, I do remember those of you who asked to be written in with a larger chest and skinnier thighs (I'll be applying the same make-over to myself as well). As of today, it would only be described as a tragedy or drama with possibly a little comedy. I'm sure the upcoming mid-singles conference will provide a solid chapter for that.

Laverne

A Bold New World

Tonight I had a free night to myself - thank you Grandparents. I went to a friend's house that had invited me over and was hanging out with all these great single people, but I thought I would rather be hanging out with Henry. I decided why not? I could just show up at his work, right?

This is totally not a comfortable thing to do for me. It's completely out of my comfort zone. I felt a little like a tart and not the edible kind. I really don't want to be that girl, I think there is a fine line between being bold and being obnoxious. However, I called Laverne for a little pep talk. She is great with advice and said to go for it. The best thing she said was if it was him showing up to surprise you - how would you feel? I would love it. Hopefully he will too? I drove all the way out there and then panicked in the parking lot and almost turned around to go back home. I had to call Laverne again for reassurance. Then my stomach was churning and I felt kind of sick. It's now or never, right?

I got out of my car and started walking toward the door. Took a deep breath and walked on in. Too late to turn around now. Henry is not there. He was there, just not at the front. I had to go find him. He looked surprised but happy to see me. Good. Whew! He said what are you doing here? I had worked out in my mind how to answer this question. I was in the neighborhood and thought I would stop by? I got locked out of my house and needed a place to stay? I went out for a drive and ended up here?

We sat down and talked, since it's not busy at his work at night, and talked, and talked. I don't really want to go into details about the conversation - let me just say this...it was a conversation where you talk about nothing and everything and it's effortless and comfortable and funny and great and fun and everything you want it to be and nothing you don't. It was such a memorable and perfect conversation that it really felt like no time was passing.

I finally got up to leave and since neither one of us was paying attention to the clock, I wasn't sure what time is was. I got into my car and it was 4:30 a.m. WHAT??? I haven't done that before. Also, I still had an hour drive ahead of me. Henry called shortly after I left concerned that I wouldn't make it home. I told him that the kiss he gave me (which was - well...you know)totally woke me up and I would be fine. Can you believe that I said that? I am such a floozy!

I did start to fade about 10 minutes from being home. I called Henry to talk to me to keep me awake. Well...I probably could have made it, but I just really wanted to talk to him again, I cannot lie. He sang me a really cheesy song and then we just talked again. It was...perfect.

We are going to do dinner on Thursday night - my kids will be gone and I thought it would be fun to cook with him again. He wanted to go out Monday night, but it's family night. Tuesday his has this standing sports event he does and I know how much he loves going and playing ball. He said that he would rather go on a date with me. Oh, so cute. Yeah! We are finally going out with his brother, Mark and his wife this weekend so that should be fun. Check back to see how it goes.

I am still smiling, I haven't fallen a sleep once today and I usually function better on more sleep. It's going to be a good day.

Shirley

He's Kind of Like a Little Kid at Christmas

Henry and I went to a game tonight. He loves sports and watching him at the game - it reminds me of a kid at Christmas. You can see the pure joy in his eyes. We won the game so that made it even better.

While driving to dinner, Henry told me he liked the way I talk. What? I wasn't sure what he meant by that, but I guess it's a good thing. He said I wasn't totally girly. Apparently that's a compliment? We ate dinner with a mutual friend and his wife. Then went to the game. I have to say that watching him get all excited and cheer and yell - is really amusing and fun and endearing. Yeah. He's cute.

During the game one of his older brothers (Mark) sent a text message asking for a picture of me. I didn't get to see all of the message, the part I did see was hilarious. It said "Man up and take the picture!" That is funny to me that his brother would give me a hard time. I loved it. Both the brother and his wife apparently gave me the stamp of approval - we are supposed to do something with them next week.

We then went for dessert and on the way out of the restaurant I wasn't paying attention. Well...Henry had stopped to open the door and I totally ran into him and kind of ended up giving him a hug from the back. I laughed it off and apologized and Henry said any excuse Shirley? That's right any excuse to grope you. You betcha! I said can I be more awkward or embarrassing? Well right after I said that I slipped on the ice and almost went down. So apparently I can. Sweet.

Then he drove me around the city (he went to school there). He showed me all of his old apartments and told me stories about his college days. Then we ended up at his little brother John's house. If you are keeping track, I have now met two of the four brothers and his dad. We are making the rounds. If I think about it too much, I get scared. I am just trying to enjoy this dating process and not worry about the rest. His brother and wife were great, so nice. Henry has an amazing family and I really have liked all of the people I have met. After Henry was teasing me about the college I went to and his brother totally said that's not nice Henry. He felt pretty bad and sent me a text later and to apologize. It was totally a funny comment to me and I did not mind.

It was a fun night. After the good night kiss Henry was trying to ask me about next week and he kept forgetting what he was trying to say. Then he said I don't know just call me I can't think right now. Yeah. It was a good kiss. I was having a hard time processing information as well. Sigh. Smile. Good times.

Shirley

Mozart with Laverne and Lenny

Thanks to Laverne's awesomeness we had tickets to the Symphony tonight. Henry drove down to meet us. I was waiting for him in the Lobby and he walked right in and said Welcome back. Then he gave me a kiss. Wow! Right there in front of everyone! Couldn't believe it. The music was fun and it was great to see Henry again. I realize that I wasn't gone for a very long time, but I kind of did miss him. Weird, right? I only say weird because we don't really talk during the week and I usually only see him once. Hmmm. I may have to think about this.

It was fun to have Laverne and Lenny there with us. Lenny is hilarious as usual. Henry had only gotten three hours of sleep and I had to get home so we said good-night after the symphony. We have plans tomorrow though.

Shirley

Seriously Hot Heels

Maybe I should wear these to our next activity...





















Laverne

Just Because

Laverne and I saw this commerical this weekend. I haven't stopped laughing and so I thought I would share with you...

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