It's here!!!

I want to run up and down the street shouting "It's here, it's here! It's finally here!"

Instead I will:

show you my copy,

this picture of Ev who grabbed the book out of the carton as soon as I ripped it open,

and quickly log off, get ready for bed and crack open 

COUSIN KYRAN'S BOOK!!!

Uh oh, I think that I am going to cry...

Pix from Good Friday Hike

Our last hike from Leigh and Enid's beautiful home on the escarpment. They are movin' on up to the east side (of Hamilton).

 We had a great turnout.

 Lots of kids.

 Lots of mud.

 Lots of hogging of baby Sydney by cousin Rochelle.

============================================

Last night at dinner, we were talking about the tradition of eating fish on Good Friday. Leah was pleased to point out our tradition of eating hot dogs every Good Friday.   

Taking stock

One of my loyal readers (whom I love sooooo much) thinks I need to slow down and take up knitting. Well, she admitted that she couldn't see me knitting, with a cat in my lap, but thought that I should slow down.  


On the stress scale, any one of half dozen issues we are dealing with right now would have a huge impact on one's physical and emotional health.  Yes, sometimes I feel like I am smothering under a heavy blanket of uncertainty.  But I really feel that, except for the occasional times I freeze, or "act out",  I have a pretty good handle on things and have learned to not sweat the small stuff.  (Or maybe only sweat the small stuff!)


This is largely due to the HUMONGOUS support network of family and friends that I can lean on - starting with the amazing group living under this roof.  I have learned that it is OK to ask for help. I am healthy. I have a beautiful and loving nuclear and extended family.  I have the best girlfriends that any gal could ask for. And some pretty awesome guy friends.  My amazing colleagues are the reason I enjoy going into work each day. 


I have a great (and affordable) hairdresser.
Baseball season is starting.
Flowers are growing in my garden.
My car starts every time I turn the ignition.
I have a place to lay my head at night.
Cousin Kyran will be in town soon to read from her new book at the author's festival.
Carson is starting to cook and is impressing us with her fabulous meals.
Evann and I hardly ever mix up each other's Invisalign braces anymore. Yeah, gross!
Leah still hugs me when I come from work every night.
Larry will find a way to get us crazy cousins to the airport one night to get away for a mystery weekend -  "You just need a passport and a credit card."
My house has been clean and tidy EVERY DAY FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS.
Biking weather is almost here.
I am loved. And liked. 


Gratitude and perspective go a long way in helping me cope with my topsy-turvy, teeter-totter, whirlwind life.  


The knitting will just have to wait.

Topsy-turvy teeter-totter whirlwind week

Tuesday

• lost wallet and passport (not mine - ahem!)
• found wallet and passport (thank you honest cabbie)
• 25 minutes to get to connecting flight (Terminal D to Terminal B)
• connecting flight cancelled
• scotch

Wednesday

• home sweet home

Thursday

• work email backlog cleared
• email: Chris is gone. Another member of our baseball community dies of cancer.
• Minister's briefing not cancelled
• phone call while walking to Minister's briefing: Opa's in the hospital

Friday

• great performance review
• Opa hasn't stabilized
• 4:11 p.m. rush request for information by end of day
• 5:34 train leaves without me
• 7:15 meet cousins in Hamilton for dinner
• 7:15 - 1:00 laughter, silliness and love that soothes my soul

Saturday

• Omi reports that Opa had a bad night
• still cleaning the house when the first group arrives a half hour early for the house showing
• afternoon plans shelved when reminded about baseball draft that afternoon
• reunite with the GALS and meet my new team
• dinner plans awry 
• evening out cancelled at last minute
• two attempts at picking up a daughter from work expend too much gas, energy, emotions and spoil a meal
• Ev & girlfriend keep Leah company while I go to bed early

Sunday

• lemon squares baked and ready for bridal shower
• tomato sauce prepped and ready to reheat for dinner and load of laundry done
• Avry has time in her schedule to travel with us to Caledonia for the shower
• two attempts at wrapping 3 sided box expend too much energy and paper
• new reusable shopping bag makes a perfect gift bag
• Leah is finally convinced her outfit is fine
• Gramma advised we are running late
• whiteout conditions on highway
• severe winds on Skyway bridge only feel like strong winds
• hugs to and from Gramma and Grampa after two long months away
• shower isn't at 1:00, but 2:00!
• we aren't late, we're early?!?
• tea break
• hail, snow, rain on the next leg of the drive
• meet the bride-to-be and catch up with family
• Mom, Aunt Mary and cousin Janice delivered safely back home
• cuddles and kisses to a cooing baby Sydney when Avry was dropped off home
• time stops as Leah and I visit Opa in the hospital for the first time
• tears and hugs (and fears that maybe Leah shouldn't have seen Opa so sick?)
• tears and a sprinkle donut on the ride home from the hospital
• dinner and fun conversation with Ev and Leah
• main floor vacuumed and washed
• Rob and Omi fed
• Omi says that Opa was so happy to see Leah
• Carson and Andrew cook and catch-up
• kitchen cleaned (again)
• Monday plans misunderstood, repeated, confirmed (I think)
• bedtime is near

Family Day

Family Day weekend began on Friday with Leah participating in a hockey tournament.  This time it was in Oakville.  Once again, the team made it to the finals.  This time though, despite a hard fought contest, the team finished with silver medals.

Monday was Leah's first day "off" and she spent it with cousin Avry.  Dwayne and Janice had dropped into Adam and Yvonne's.  I brought over a dozen donuts - thinking that at least some of Dwayne and Janice's kids would be there to enjoy them.  No Holliday/Boose kids but somehow the donuts disappeared without them...

Once again, baby Sydney managed to contain her excitement, keeping her eyes closed most of the time we were there.  Dwayne and Janice tried, but just couldn't get that baby to wake up.

My oh my, that Sydney is a cutie

Ev and I left Leah with her cousins and headed home.  On the way, we decided that we were ready for Ev's first driving lesson.  We searched our neighbourhood for a vacant (and plowed) parking lot, switched seats and with goofy grins plastered to our faces...kept the car in park while Ev got familiar with the location of the gas and break pedals.  Then it was time for the real thing.  A few circles around the parking lot and then out into the street.  Slowly Ev drove the 10 or so blocks home.  For her first time, she did really well.  (When I tucked in Leah that night, I told her about Ev's first driving lesson.  "How was she taking corners? Really wide or too tight?" Leah asked. "Uh, both." I replied, wondering how the heck she thinks of these things.)

The older girls hung around the house most of the day and Andrew joined us for dinner - thank you Irma for the stuffed pasta shells and sauce that you made and froze for us before you left for Florida.

Adam, Avry and Leah showed up after dinner for a splash in the hot tub.  They had been taking advantage of lots of free Family Day activities at the local rec centre.  The plan was to go for a swim after their skating session, but they found that the pool had a long waiting line.  Plan B worked out perfectly.  We were still sitting around the kitchen table after dinner.  Rob, Andrew and Ev were showing each other their favourite games on their phones and iPad.

I joined Adam, Avry and Leah in the hot tub. Avry was in heaven, swimming back and forth between us.  Once out, Carson dried and styled Avry's hair - I don't know who had more fun...

That evening was a perfect end to a very stressful and hectic week.  Hooray for Family Day!

What happens in the Falls, stays in the Falls

High-roller Aunt Mary treated me to a get-away in Niagara Falls this week.  We graciously let Brent be our chauffeur and join in on the fun.


I was battling the end of a head cold but managed to persevere and enjoy a crazy big buffet and a fabulous live show - Human Nature - 4 scrawny white guys from Australia who performed all the Motown hits and moves to perfection.  As for the gambling, I just couldn't bring myself to sit in front of a slot machine and feed it my hard earned $.  While Mary made her way around the casino trying her luck, Brent and I were happy to sit at the bar and play Blackjack.  At least that took a bit of skill.  Of course it was just on a machine, not at a table with real cards and a real dealer and real big stakes.  And of course, I probably managed to lose just as much $ as if I was playing the slot machines.


We were there less than 24 hours, but it was a much needed break from reality.  Casinos are fascinating places.  I could just stroll around all day being entertained by people watching.  As for what stayed in the Falls...somehow I managed to leave my phone charger and reading glasses behind.  Thankfully the hotel found my charger and is shipping it to me.  And today I will be heading out to pick up another 3-pack of reading glasses...

I know I've said it many times before, but I sure am grateful for my wonderful family.  Thanks Mary and Brent.

A Non-Ficton Story...to be continued

We are tackling a big job at the house - decluttering.  Some stuff is easy to part with.  Other found items are treasures.  Everyone has kept the complaining to a minimum and have been rewarded by the discovery of some blasts from the past.

Leah's reactions to the pix below were:

1. Indignant
"Am I eating dirt? You let me eat dirt?"

2. Embarrassing
"Oh I remember that party. Everyone was drunk."
(OK - it was me who was embarrassed.)

My heart melted when I found this:

I keep as many of the kids notes as possible.  Evann is the most prolific.  I thought it was because she shared my love of writing, and the need to reflect and make sense of the world.  I remember putting pen to paper to express my disgust with my mean cousin Cindy.  I was 7 or so and had to let my aunt and uncle know that "I hate Cindy because she won't let me play with her Spirograph".  About 20 years later, Aunt Pat showed me that note and I was immediately transported to their living room, fuming as I watched Cindy make beautiful designs with the magical little plastic wheel. And not letting me have a turn!

This note transported Ev too - she got indignant all over again!

(Click on it to make it bigger to read)

I'm now thinking that she is writing to set the record straight.  Oh, the trials and tribulations of being the perfect sister (and middle child)!

Syd the Newest Kid and the Miracle of Modern Communication

 Monday January 24, 2011
BBM [Text messages] with Evann and Carson

1:43 pm
E:      What are we doing with those fish that were in Carson's bathroom?
          [Discussion ensues.....]

1:50 pm
E:      Oh! and did you hear where Carson went?

Mom:    Uh oh.  Where?

E:      To take aunt yvonne to the hospital!!   Wooooo

Mom:     Wooo!  Have you heard from gma and gpa?

E:       Nope

Mom:    I can't find them

E:     Find? or reach

Mom:   I will call up to aunt Joyce.  I think they might be there

E:        OK tell me what happens then

Mom:   When did C go to hospital?

E:         Maybe 20 minutes ago or so

Mom:   How exciting!  Keep me in the loop

E:         Yupp!   Ughhh what is your administrator password for the last time! I need.....
  
 [More discussion that reveals:
   1. mom's complete disregard for a teenager's need for her own laptop, or at the least,
   2. a teenager's need for a mom who can remember administrator passwords...]
====================================================

2:12 pm
Mom :   Hey - what's going on?
 
C:          Hey yvonne is in labour, guessing you knew that but I'm just 
             at the hospital with her right now.  With uncle adam and flo
 
[Phone call to catch up and to direct me to text phone numbers to C so A can call folks and brother]
 
C:        Or just call them
 
Mom:   Will do
 
C:        Call dwayne too
 
Mom:   Kk
 
C:        Or just give me the numbers ill do it
 
3:04
Mom:   Gma & gpa are coming home tomorrow morning.
            I left a msg for D&J
 
3:46
C:         Ok!  Omg adam passed out
 
Mom:   Is he ok?
 
C:        We brought him some food and drink. He hadn't eaten anything all day. 
            Poor guy was white as a ghost
 
Mom:   My tummy flipped when I read that
 
C:        Passed out when Y was getting the eppidural.  I just took him home...
 
Mom:   You aren't in there too are you? Let me know what we can do to help
 
C:         No I'm not. Flo and I were  in the waiting room
            Well he's home now. 
            I drove his car there and bob followed and drove me back
        
            But u can do my laundry, shower for me and go to work .... :D
 
Mom: Np! [translation - No problem]
3:52
 
========================================================
10:00 pm
Mom at A&Y's keeping watch over Avry 
Ev at home studying for biology exam
C at work
 
Status on my BBM -  "Baby Bailey weighs in at 9 pounds!"
 
10:06 pm
C:       Aww!  She was born!!  What time! And what's her name? 
          Please say drew!
          And holy moses 9 lbs!!!!
 
Mom:  No name yet.  Ad says she looks just like Avry only darker hair
 
C:      Awww
 
10:20 pm
E:      Name?
 
Mom: None yet
 
E:      OK
===================================================
Tuesday January 25
 
10:55 am
 Mom:     Hi. Let me know what you are up to today. 
               Do you have time to visit Y and Syd this afternoon? 
               Should bring a gift but I don't know what. 
               Something for Avry too?
 
E:           They named her sydney!
 
12:16 pm
C:          Thanks for the email, were gonna go visit right now!


And shortly after, the girls had posted these pictures on their BBM profiles:

Awww!
Tonight Leah and I made it to the hospital a half hour before visiting time was over.  I was in such a hurry to get there, that I forgot my camera.  Thankfully I have a phone that takes pictures...


We arrived as Avry was about to hold her little sister

 Leah was a pro at holding a newborn

 And here she is - this picture doesn't do her justice 'cause she is a real cutie.

Welcome Sydney Gwendolyn!

Rink rat Christmas

It has been unseasonably mild yesterday and today.  This has put a damper on the skating fun we have been enjoying lately.

We've been on three different rinks the past two weeks - starting at Dwayne and Janice's.

They have a natural rink out on the corn field.  So in addition to exchanging gifts, filling up on a yummy brunch and taking lots of fun family pix, the kids and uncles had a great time playing hockey for an hour or so. The rest of us enjoyed our wine and watched them through the windows.

Some family pix from that day:

Back in the city, Rob, Leah and Carson built and leveled a form, laid plastic and flooded most of our backyard.  The result, a cool little skating rink that up until the warm weather hit yesterday, has seen lots of action. 

Carson and her boyfriend were out with Leah one night for almost 2 hours. Another night she had some friends over for a skate. We weren't surprised to learn that one of Carson's many Christmas gifts from her boyfriend was a pair of hockey skates:

Uncle Adam and Avry have been on the ice as have cousins Liam and Brandon.

On Boxing Day we met a dozen or so cousins in Hamilton at a rink by the Bay.  Shelley and John braved the bitter cold to stand and cheer on their kids who have had little opportunity to skate.  

That was a beautiful rink, but man it was COLD!

Thankfully mom had hot chocolate waiting for us. We spent a few hours getting caught up with the cousins (and switching the tv channels from the world jr. hockey game and NFL football).  

We caught up with most of the gang again the next day at Aunt Pat's. I love watching Leah and Jake connect so easily after being apart for so long. This cousin thing is magical.

I was able to spend a few hours in Toronto yesterday with friends and tonight will be with friends and family.  Not a bad way to spend the last day of what I think will be known as "That Year".  

Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life. Bring it on.

Day 3 - Hurlbert Field

Friday July 9, 2010

John's retirement party was as touching and patriotic as I had imagined.

We were up and out of the house by 7:20 a.m.  The wall of heat that greeted us also fogged up our cameras.  But the boys managed to get some nice shots of Kim, Cindy and I on the driveway.

 

I'm not glowing - that's condensation on the camera lens. My hair was considerably bigger and wilder 4 hours later.

We assembled in an air-conditioned room in the chapel prior to the ceremony.  Despite the institutional background, everyone began to snap group shots.  I would have preferred a better setting, but a cool climate won out over an aesthetically pleasing backdrop. 

Here's John with his nieces and nephews:

And here is the rest of the family capturing that moment:

In anticipation of sitting in the heat at the ceremony, Kim splurged on fans for all the ladies:

I ventured outside to watch the preparations.  The crowds were gathering and the uniforms were inspected:

John's grandmother Leila had her very own escort and vehicle to take her to the ceremony:

As we stood, and many saluted, John and his retiring officer were led by the colour guard to the podium

We remained standing for the national anthem and the Invocation. Next were remarks by John's former commanding officer.  I had heard that Tommy was quite a character and he lived up to his reputation.  As he made his opening remarks, he reached into the podium and pulled out a can of diet coke and an unusual container.  It was a large cup made from one of John's original prosthesis.  I found out later that John "tricked it out" and presented it to Tommy in recognition of the support provided to get John back into service following his accident. 

Following Tommy's funny and touching speech, he presented to John the Award of the Defence Superior Service Medal.  We found out later that this medal is one of the highest award that can be bestowed upon members of the United States military by the Secretary of Defense.   

I cannot do justice to John's speech.  He acknowledged the many people who supported him throughout his career.  I was in awe of the people he described - the doctor who saved his life in Nicaragua; the colleague who, after finishing his 2 hour plus marathon run, ran back to find John and spend the next 4 hours running with and encouraging John (with a stress fracture in his good leg) to finish the race: the pilot who crash landed a plane in the jungle to rescue John after his accident; the people who believed in John before, during and after his accident. John's tribute to his family was equally touching and throughout his speech, John kept his composure.  There would be no tears shed by him during this formal ceremony. That said, John (and Kyle, or so he says) were the only ones with dry eyes during the ceremony. 

We all blubbered some more when, after presenting bouquets to his wife, daughters, mom, aunt, grand-mother and mom-in-law, John handed his son a wooden box.  Jake is just a bit older than Leah, and like Leah, the youngest in that family.  John recognized that Jake missed out on a lot of time together while John held higher and more demanding responsibilities and assignments that took him all over the world.   My understanding is that Jake learned to accept this life. Imagine how Jake felt when he opened the box that his dad presented to him. It was an original coin from John's favourite squadron, and the following inscribed in the box:

Jake

It is time to make up for lost time.

The adventure begins.

Love

Your Dad

We finally had to laugh through all the tears. 

The formal ceremony over, we moved inside for the informal awards and speeches.  Both John and Shelley were recognized by the Department of Defense for service to their country.

We met many of John's former colleagues.  All of them raved about John, his leadership and his dedication to family and country.  We knew John was special, but until then, we had no idea how special.

Before we headed back to beach house, the family was invited to get a closer look at the helicopters that John had flown. I'm surprised my hair fit into the cargo bay:

Speeches and tours over, it was party time!