My baby is graduating

My middle baby, that is.  I'm not sure why these things always blind-side me the morning of the big day.  I mean, it's not like I haven't known it was coming up.  For heaven's sake, there have been countless meetings (seriously, countless), clothes ordered and prepared, housecleaning, invitations sent, hall decorating, portapotties delivered - you name it, I've done it.  And then this morning I get all weepy because my little boy is going to graduate from high school and move away.  Well, duh.

Stephen is pretty excited to be done school.  Academics is not really his strong suit.  But I think he is way more excited about his trip to Australia.  He leaves on Saturday.  His plan is to stay awake from now until the plane leaves on Saturday night so that he can sleep the entire 16-hour flight.  I'll let you know how that goes.

It's weird, but I'm not worried about Stephen heading off to another country on his own.  He has always been able to handle himself well, and isn't scared to try new things.  He is a problem solver.  I think he is energized by new and different situations, but gets bored easily and needs to move on to the next thing.  I can't imagine where he gets that from (she says with her tongue in her cheek).  He doesn't always make the smartest choices, but then I guess that's how one learns.  At least that's how I did it!  And there's not a whole lot more I can do for him, anyway.  We did what we could with what we knew at the time, and I do see glimpses of some of that instruction at times, when he thinks I'm not watching.  He's still not too willing to admit that we might know something.  I'm told that comes a little later.   I am worried that he will never be able to get up in the morning without me yelling at him, though.   I guess we'll see how that goes, too!

So that's all the introspection for now, folks.  Stay tuned for a post on the big day, complete with photos.  Until then, you can take a walk down memory lane with me if you like, right here.

Thanks for checking in!
Chandra

Happy Birthday, Adam!

My baby is nineteen today.  My first baby, that is.  As the book reads, "as long as you're living, my baby you'll be."  So very true.

I remember so well the day he was born.  It was a gorgeous summer - hot days and rain nearly every night. Everything was so lush and green.   Except for the big blue tent - that was I.  I really thought I might melt.  I don't do the heat well at the best of times, so being nearly a week over my due date and hoping for a forty-pound baby just added another level or three of discomfort.   But the big day finally arrived.  I will spare you the details because I still wince a bit just thinking about it.  After a very long day in a very small room, nine-pound 8-ounce Adam arrived at about 7 pm, after a little help from a couple of different doctors.   We were over the moon, and in no fear of having some hospital mix-up with our child.   Our big red-haired bundle was quite distinguishable amongst all the tiny, dark little Asian babies.  I think the hospital staff were cooking him steak by the second day.

We weren't the only excited ones.  First-time Grandma Betty fairly flew in from Saskatchewan, accompanied by first-time Uncle Rob.  Great-great-aunt Esther had great-great-uncle Alex drive her over immediately upon hearing the news so that she could be the third person to ever hold Adam.   Then my lying family surprised me by all being at the house when Clem brought Adam and me home.   It was an idyllic time - I can almost hear heavenly music when I recall it.   Almost.  There were stitches involved, people.

Anyway, I think Adam has turned out to be a pretty great guy.  As Grandma Marj always said, kids will turn out OK despite what their parents do.  He's friendly, hard working, generous, and has a great sense of humour.   I just about added responsible, but we'll wait a year on that.    At Grad last year, more than one person used the word "kind" when describing Adam.  As Grandma Betty says, there isn't much of which to be more proud.

Happy Birthday, Adam.  We love you!  And please be careful tonight as you drink for the first time!   (And you wondered where the sense of humour originated?)

Thanks for stopping by!
Chandra

We're getting a new bus driver.

Not because we need one.  Or even because we want one.  We're getting a new bus driver because it's a union, folks.  We have had at least one child riding this school bus since 1997, and there have been a lot of different drivers.  Last year, a woman who lives in our area got the route, and we finally have an efficient, dependable, punctual driver who knows and likes the kids on the bus, and, as a bonus, can keep them all under control.  But do we get to keep her on this route?  No way.  She is being "bumped" by someone with seniority.  He's not a better driver, he's just driven longer for this school division.  Makes perfect sense, right?  Ya.  Right.

Normally this wouldn't bother me all that much, but I've had it up to my eyeballs with unions lately.  The teachers, postal workers, Air Canada (with whom Stephen is booked to fly to Australia in a couple of weeks!) and now bus drivers.   Don't get me wrong - I believe that at one time unions were necessary and protected the rights of workers.  But it's gone way beyond that.  There are labour laws in place, probably due to the efforts of unions, that now give workers all the rights and protection they need.   If it's a matter of compensation - which it usually is! -  then, sure, if you prove that you're worth it, you get a raise.  But I don't think you should get a raise just because you're a teacher, or a postal worker, or a bus driver.   And I don't think you should get to move someone else out of his/her position just because you've been with the company longer, particularly if said person is doing a great job!

There.  I'm getting off my soapbox now and going to make supper.  I wish someone would bump me out of that job!

Thanks for checking in!
Chandra

Quick Takes - again!

1.  We think Derek has some strange, rare disease.  He just went out and started cutting grass ON HIS OWN,  WITHOUT BEING ASKED!  I don't believe the symptoms are full-blown yet, though, because he hasn't done the other jobs that are waiting to be done.

2.  Stephen went to a friend's on a Saturday night to study for biology.  Ya.  Right.

3.  We had a great celebration party for the Midget hockey team.  Clem put together a slide show, made a great speech (well, he actually did a little roast of the coach!), and showed a couple of the last games on a large screen.  Everyone had a good time, especially the players, and they were properly honoured for their inspiring achievement of winning a Provincial title this year.

4.  Grad preparations are well underway and I am mighty tired of meetings.  Nineteen days and it will all be over!

5.  Stephen's ticket to Australia is all booked and paid for on our VISA.  Now Air Canada, my very favourite airline (insert heavy sarcasm here) is being threatened with strike action and the ash cloud from the Chilean volcano is disrupting air travel to New Zealand and Australia.  Opting for that cancellation insurance may finally turn out to be a smart choice! 

6.  Dad dropped in for a visit yesterday.  Coincidentally, it was right at supper time.  Funny how that happens!   In his defense, he had called and told Derek to tell me he was coming.  Which Derek did about half an hour before he arrived.  Let's just say Dad got to see how we really live!

7.  I was feted in fine form for the 25th anniversary of my 21st birthday.  I woke up to find a cute card and a bowl of M&M's from Derek, our wonderful neighbour took me out for lunch, and then a great group of gals took me out for supper!  The best present, though, was when my three-year-old niece sang "Happy Birthday" to me over the phone.  What a sweetheart.  I suppose I should give her parents a bit of credit there, too, as I don't think she knew before they told her that it was my birthday.  Nor can she dial my phone number.  But hey, it was my birthday and I can spin it as I like!


That's it for now, folks!  Thanks for stopping by!