Founding a Father - Latest Comments

Re: Counting Cars

Melissa Enos — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:23:26 -0000

I used to count cars with my kids as we waited at the school bus stop. We would each pick a color in advance and see who won. My advice- always go with white! :)

Re: Conversations with my Wife. The Proposal

kclews — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 12:49:29 -0000

Cute blog. Nice recollection of "popping the question"!
Happy anniversary to you both. May you be blessed with many more happy and healthy years together.

Re: Try and Remember

jettele — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 04:20:59 -0000

I'm glad you liked it.

Re: What She Does

jettele — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 04:20:38 -0000

Thank you. Thanks for reading and thanks for the nice words.

Re: What She Does

Ellie Showers — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:36:49 -0000

Wow! This is so touching! Thanks, Jimmy.

Re: Try and Remember

Ellie Showers — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:16:06 -0000

Jimmy, this one made me cry.
Thank you for sharing this
with us.

Re: Jumping Waves

Ellie Showers — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 12:03:11 -0000

Great story!

Re: Conversations with my Wife (and kids). 10 More Minutes

jettele — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 04:48:23 -0000

Thank you! I think every parent goes through this at one time or another. Thanks so much for reading too! And tell your Dad I said hi!

Re: Conversations with my Wife (and kids). 10 More Minutes

jettele — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 04:01:51 -0000

Thanks Bruce. I think its a right of passage for every parent to go through this. I'm just trying to get close to the surf ;)

Re: Conversations with my Wife (and kids). 10 More Minutes

Catherine Smith — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 13:51:35 -0000

This was hilarious! My father Bruce I know appreciated this with full delight as the flashlight came on to illuminate the joys of being Dad. For me, as a single mother for most of my kids' lives, had the joy (and pain) of being both director and negotiator. Like you, I found myself trying to delegate the time factor without losing my cool. What's even more funny about this is that I'm sure there were times that you literally had to act as if you were leaving without them in order to get their legs in motion. Wouldn't it be nice if as adults we could actually lose the importance of time just once in awhile? I look back now and as I give a great sigh, I long for those care free days where the world didn't stop because 10 minutes was the cap. I enjoyed reading your post, thank you!

Re: Conversations with my Wife (and kids). 10 More Minutes

Bruce Smith — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 13:10:50 -0000

I am trying to stop laughing so I can write this reasonably legibly (not doing so well, there). Your account of one of MY favorite parenting times is spot-on! At our house, daughter Jen was the chief negotiator with me acting as the hapless middle manager trying to enforce upper management's (my wife's) edicts. Needless to say, when it came to bedtime, our lines were drawn in the sand...but periously close to the surf of our children's enthusiasm. Good Times!
Thanks for sharing!
Bruce Smith

Re: Beware of the Ash Men

jettele — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 04:56:58 -0000

We owe them so much, it was the least I could do for a man who was such a huge influence in my life.

Re: Try and Remember

jettele — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 04:56:25 -0000

Thanks Bruce. I like that. An interruption. I like that a lot.

Re: Try and Remember

Bruce Smith — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 12:56:09 -0000

Thanks for sharing this one Jim. I'd say "Sorry for your loss", but I think you ultimately gained so much in your relationship, it's not a loss at all.
Just an interruption...

Re: Beware of the Ash Men

Bruce Smith — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 12:52:41 -0000

Where would we be without those teachers who took the time to not only instruct us, but inspire us? Mine was Mr. Guilfoyle in the 6th grade. He encouraged reading, writing, art, virtually anything that tapped our creative little brains. It's a good thing..

Re: Try and Remember

jettele — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 04:32:29 -0000

Thanks Linda. I'm glad we're both able to look back with reverence, love, and understanding that our dads were humans. With their flaws but full of life and love too.
Love you too!

Re: Try and Remember

Linda Manzella — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 10:57:56 -0000

Thank you for the cry, Jim. It's been way overdue. I'm glad you had these times with your Dad. I had some great times with mine, too. He was, also, an alcoholic. In the last 30 years of his life with no alcohol; he made up for the bad times of my younger years. On his dying bed he said, "guess I didn't do too much bad in my life." I was able to say, with the deepest sincerity, "any bad you did has been erased by who you've been these last years." He became one of the most for real men I've known. What a gift that was to me! Glad you were able to have a similar experience, Jim. Let us go through this day in joy for who our Dad was and what he meant to us; and relish in who we are today having had our Dad. Love to you.
You are a great Dad!

Re: The Tooth Fairy Came Back

jettele — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:45:14 -0000

You are too gracious. Thank you so much for the nice words.

Re: The Tooth Fairy Came Back

jettele — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:44:37 -0000

You are way too kind. I have to give my kids all the credit. They're the ones who make me who I am.

Re: Laugh Until I Cry

jettele — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:44:12 -0000

Thanks Ellie. It did for me too :)

Re: Laugh Until I Cry

Ellie Showers — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:11:48 -0000

This story made me smile . . . & cry.

Re: The Tooth Fairy Came Back

Ellie Showers — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:53:30 -0000

p.s. And a terrific writer!

Re: The Tooth Fairy Came Back

Ellie Showers — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:48:26 -0000

Oh, Jimmy,
I love this story! Thank you for sharing it with us!!
You are an amazing Daddy!!
Hugs,
Ellie

Re: Name My Car

Rick Littlehales — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:20:44 -0000

The Streak (as in The Blue.....)
Max (as in The Blue.....)[Obscure reference only literati would discern!]
Midnight (as in .....Blue)
Old Blue (Animal Reference!)
Meanie (as in Blue......)[The Beatles?!?!?]

Re: Name My Car

Suzy Anzulavich — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:07:46 -0000

How about "the Dadmobile"???