I'd call this post "Sh*t My Dad Says" but that name was taken.

Six years ago my father passed away somewhat unexpectedly. He had been struggling with health issues, but what was worse is that he fought to hide them, as well. When it all got to be too much, his body just couldn't handle it anymore and we lost him at the age of 54.

I still think of him in some way every day. Sometimes I still get sad, like when I see the Little Miss with her "Paw-Paw" and wonder what it would have been like to see my own dad as a grandfather. Mostly, I receive humorous reminders of him, like when I have anxiety about a menu test at the restaurant because he drilled it into me taught me to never accept mediocrity from myself. Or when Rush Limbaugh or Don Imus say something stupid and I think about how I'd say, "See, Dad? I TOLD you they're idiots!" only to have him remind me that I've been brainwashed by the bleeding heart liberals at NPR.

Ultimately, we have to accept that we never have a say in who stays and who goes. If nothing else, I've learned that it is never too late to start making the most of your family and the life you have been given. I spent a lot of time with my head and heart clouded with disappointment and regret. Having a child has certainly helped change my perspective, as well as constantly evaluating how I view the world. That's not to say that I am never in a bad mood (just ask my husband about how I woke up this morning) or don't find things to bitch about. But when I do find myself caught in a loop of negative thinking, I remember one other important lesson my dad taught me:

Suck it up and deal.

Those might not have been his specific words, but it was the gist of anything he ever told me when I had a complaint.

"But DAD. EVERYONE makes fun of me and calls me a goody-two-shoes."

"I don't care. They won't be the ones to help you get a job. Only your grades will."

"BUT DAD! It's just a B-! Lots of kids did WAAAAY worse!"

"I don't care. You've gotten A's before. This time should have been no different. Now go study."

"BUT DAD!! I NEVER GET TO DO ANYTHING FUN!!!"

"You think this work I'm doing right here is fun? No. But it's what I have to do to earn a paycheck. Now go do your homework or you're grounded."

These are not exact quotations, but a pretty accurate representation of the bi-weekly argument I had with my father from 5th through 12th grade. 

The funny thing is now when my coworkers complain about what hard-asses our managers are being about the menu tests, I want to say, "Suck it up and deal. Go Study."

Now, at the age where, if I chose to, I could probably avoid taking a test ever again, I find myself seeking out challenges on purpose. I push to train at a certain pace so I can be in the front seed of a race. I received a certificate in personal training from school, but will continue to pay as I am able for additional tests and certifications. I continually subject myself to the joys of the food service industry and having my knowledge put to the test on a daily basis.

And heck, even when we win the MegaMillion jackpot, I will still challenge myself to to learn and grow.

I just might take a vacation and hang out with the cool kids, first.

Love you, Dad.

Three Things Thursday, er, Friday. Whatever.

1. Work 

After being employed at this new restaurant for a little over a month, I am finally caught up on all the orientation and initiation brouhaha. This place is kind of a big deal. What's more, is I don't technically work for the restaurant, I work for the hotel it is situated in. We all do. This has been a new and educating experience for me. Often times it is exciting, as I once again find myself face-to-face with A-list celebrities. Other times, it is challenging as we find ourselves under the microscope of company executives. For the first few weeks, I honestly wasn't sure I had made the right choice by leaving the previous restaurant. It felt like I was doing a lot more work, facing far more ridicule and criticism, and making mere pennies more an hour. I have seem to find my balance here, however, and am once again excited to continue my work as a "service professional."

Look how professional I am.
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 (Doesn't that sound nice?? That's what the company refers to us as. Far better than "server" or "waitress," I think)

2. Work Ethic

As I mentioned yesterday, we're back to interviewing new sitters. I need someone reliable just through the summer but based on past experiences I can't help but be really picky. We are no longer in the day in age when it's enough to have a neighbor's teenager come over to eat Doritos while the kids chase each other with sticks in the back yard or become hypnotized by cartoons on TV.

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I don't know what has happened to peoples' work ethic (or has it always been shitty?) but I'm inclined to require a resume even if it is only for 8 hours of work a week. Our first candidate didn't make it to an interview for a date and time SHE requested because her internet was down and she didn't receive my message (through a caregiver website) confirming the meeting until half an hour ahead of time. In my confirmation I had provided my phone number but rather than calling and seeing if she could just push the time back, she messaged me saying she'd have to reschedule for next week if I still wanted to. Uh, no thanks.

3. Working Out

Every now and then I hit a week that just sucks the life out of me. This is one of those weeks. The foot issue remains ever-present and I can never go more than two days without experiencing some major discomfort. I have yet to see what insurance can or will do for me if I try to go to a sports medicine center, not that I can even go without a referral. And guess who has a gimp foot and no General Practitioner? That's right, this girl. Seriously, I never go to a doctor unless it's to check the health of the *ahem* other parts of my body. I don't think a referral from her to a podiatrist will do the trick as far as my insurance is concerned. We shall see...

In the mean time, I clocked another 3.5 miles with the jogger today and the run was fine. Work is what really makes my body hurt. Barring major injury, if I can at least run and feel good before I have to deal with running around the restaurant, I can continue to cope with my foot's temperamental nature. When running starts to fill me more with a sense of dread than excitement, it will certainly be time to fix my hip/leg/ankle/foot.

What aches haunt you on a run? When do you decide it's time to put the running shoes on the shelf?

Any suggestions for my suspected plantar fasciitis (besides compression and elevation... or rest. res is usually out of the question.