Survived

I just survived a very unusual thing...... a thing I cannot remember doing for over 17 years......

I slept alone in my house last night.

OK Spanner was here but no other humans.

I was not, as evidenced by my typing this, bludgeoned to death by an intruder overnight.  Not even any silent scream or chasing dreams.....

In fact..... thanks to a lot of physical work yesterday (in my world that means shopping for the new centre instead of sitting at a desk) plus a protest in the hot sun followed by a pint with my parents I had a pretty good sleep.

Lindsay is at camp.  And the boys saw this

So they packed up this

Made a list of boy food to pack

Note the most important food in the right column

And headed to the mountains to camp by a lake.   And fish.

I went to a protest on behalf of public education outside a Liberal Party fundraiser - $500 a plate when teachers are using the food bank to survive the summer....... SO not ok.  Lots of folks turned out including some of my dearest friends......My Mom came so there was no possibility of a repeat of a previous protest in my youth in which the police were possible involved.

#strikeselfie

Solidarity foreeever..... the musical section

Trying to spot those dastardly Libs

It was hot - we made our point.  My parents treated me to a lovely meal and a pint of beer afterwards.

I came home, fed and played with the puppy.  I threw his ball onto the neighbours roof which caused great consternation ...... for Spanner.  Oh well.  Puppy Mama Fail.

And this morning I am working from home for a bit and then running some work errands before again working from home catching up on things that are not to do with the new centre ..... other work continues!

And tonight I get to sleep alone again.  Nobody tell the axe murdered where I am ok.

Wordless Wednesday - He's 2

The brown bundle of energy named "Spanner" who stole our hearts just turned 2........ hard to imagine life without him now.

Sleepless in Steveston

I can't be the only person who has ever laid in bed in the wee hours listening to a party gone wild.

Next door.

I was up, I was looking, listening..... pacing.

I was exasperated, I was tired.

But mostly I was afraid, worried.

I was afraid for the stupid choices I could hear teenagers making.

I knew some of those teenagers....knew of them....this is my neighbourhood, my kids are at school with these kids.

I smelled the pot, heard the tapping of pipes on the ground, the opening of beer cans.

I listened to screaming and yelling and foul language, the fending off of unwanted touching...... and eventually the vomiting.

And I lay awake wondering what my part in this little drama was?

I could say "teens will be teens..... they'll live.... they'll grow up" and turn over and go to sleep.

I could call over there but I already know there are no parents and mainly drunk or high teenagers.

I could go over there but no one is going to think that is a wise idea.  I could wake the peacefully sleeping Mr. Byres and send him but that is an even worse idea because he does know them ... as their teacher....and we can all agree their reactions could be....volatile.

I could call the cops.  I consider doing so.  But this is a lovely family, an unusual occurrence.....I don't want to be THAT neighbour.

So I lie there.

Eventually around 1:15am kids drift off down the road or inside.

By 2am its quite enough or I am sleepy enough that my sleep begins.

Only to end with a 5:45am alarm.

This morning I am even more uneasy.  I ponder all day whether to let it go or talk to my neighbours..

I see the parents are now home

After a little nap this afternoon I wrote them a letter.  I said I more than understood the fun of a summer party, a celebration even but that when open drug use and drunkenness disturb the neighbourhood to such a late hour I think its disrespectful.

I keep it short and neutral.  I say we can chat if they like and I leave my phone number.

I pop it through their mail slot.

Minutes later the Mom is at my front door.  Holding my letter.

Mortified.  She has only been home a while and already her house has told her that something went awry. Her teens less forthcoming.

She is disappointed that her faith in her kids to be responsible was not well placed although we both agree that when things start to escalate in these situations and teens text one another....its beyond the host to manage.

We talk on the doorstep for a while.  We console one another with words and eventually we hug it out and agree parenting teens is not for the weak.

She leaves relieved.  I feel relieved.

I think we were just the village in this moment.

You know the village.... in which we all have a part in raising the children.

That's not just for little children.

That means our teens too.

That means standing together to help them make good choices.

And to hold them accountable when they don't.

Maybe doing my part today for the village......maybe that was worth a few sleepless hours.

PS:  As I was posting this the three teenagers from next door showed up.  They had a little speech.  They were incredibly sweet and very very sorry.  Ahhh.....poor things......their Mom must be mad... but good for her for helping them do the right thing.  I told them I was as worried as I was annoyed and I was sorry their plans didn't work out the way they hoped.

Wordless Wednesday - Canada Day 2014

Early in the morning

A little later

Hundreds of kids on bikes before the BIG parade

You know what they say about Canadian and Canoes right?  

Oh to be Sammy the Salmon in 30 degree heat!  

You're not a true Canadian unless you know what this vehicle is!

Oh Canada 

Work

Our work.

Our paid work.

Being paid for our work.

These things have been on my mind for obvious reasons - like Allan not getting paid recently due to the ongoing (please let them reach a deal by tomorrows deadline!!) labour dispute.

Like me working a gazillion hours with no over time pay.

But that's life. We'll be fine.  "Normal" life will resume soon hopefully.

However our children have long been wanting to work.

I pondered in THIS post about my feelings on teenagers working through their precious summers and even through busy school terms.

It really is quite normal here and this year Lindsay was determined to get a job.  A real job.  Because sadly taking care of young children responsibly and creatively doesn't "count" as job experience.  She dutifully drafted a resume and I edited it.

She took it around Steveston and dropped it off in various places.
Nada.
"No thank you. You don't have any experience".  
"No thank you. We want someone who can work days in the Fall"

At about the same time I was on a local FB chat page and saw a local business person who owns a franchise was looking specifically for student help.

I sent in Lindsay's resume.
Then I remembered to tell her.

She was called for an interview.  Her references were called.  She completed a 2 hour in store orientation on Saturday and VOILA Miss Lindsay Byres is employed.

12-18 hours a week.  Ongoing after the summer adjusted to after school and weekend hours.

I am so proud of her!

She is very happy to have a part time flexible job that will give her retail and customer service experience.  I am grateful to a business that gives students a chance.

At about the same time all this was happening I posted in the FB Chat group that I had two reliable babysitters who could also mow lawns (David) and walk dogs.

I was quickly overwhelmed with interested folks in the community clamoring for all their services.  It was a crazy few days following up with so many people and setting up lawn mowing and meeting families for babysitting and pricing out dog walking....... Both kids have been hired - David has a few lawns to mow this summer every couple of weeks as well as some babysitting which he loves and has offers of more in the Fall..  Lindsay has met some families looking for a babysitter and I am sure will be busier than ever very soon.

They are getting out and about in the community, we have met some families who live close to us and the children both enjoy helping others while earning some money.

David is still saving for his trip to France and will shortly be having a garage sale to boost his fund.  And Lindsay is saving for a Grad trip to New York next Spring......and University, of course!

I am grateful we live in a community that allows them these opportunities to grow up and become responsible young adults...... though it pulls a little at the Mama heart strings to see them become more and more independent.

Filled up

There is so much that is a drag right now.

Much I could rage on (and on) about.

I didn't buy a ticket for the Mad/Sad ride but somehow I am on it.

And it doesn't show any signs of slowing or stopping.

But in the midst of all this....this crazy ride.... I have choices.

I can dwell on it.  I can allow it to be the horizon.

Or

I can dwell on things that fill me up and lift my head and my vision to a different horizon.

While I am, by nature, more Eeyore than Pollyanna...... I am here to celebrate some things that have filled me up, lifted me up this week (or so)

1. Rampant honking.   I have honked (hooted for those of you in the colonies) at every picket line I could find.  I drive very odd routes just to honk my support.  Solidarity is a powerful thing.

2. Time with my Honey.  He needs his spirits lifted a lot right now and I have tried to make time to connect and walk and talk with him...... we needed that... we need to know we can get through this potentially challenging summer together. We've got each others backs.  Plus he's handsome.

3. My kids..... yup those sometimes challenging teenagers also make me laugh until I cry with their smart mouths and quick wits and those endless meme's and junk they find online that are both hilarious and horrifying (sometimes at the same time).  The hugs and back scratches (top 10 reason to have a child in the first place is a getting a good back scratch) the valiant attempts to clean their rooms..... lots to love.

4. Friends.  I have had so many wonderful chats with new and old friends, so much concern shown. Friends near and far.... friends who call or email or Whats ap or text .... friends are such a blessing.  I am rich in friends.

5. My house has been full.  I love to entertain and even in these times of austerity we managed to have a couple of gatherings this week.  A tender and heartfelt reunion of several women who once worked with me, years ago - we caught up and shared where life has taken us.... proud to know them and blessed they wanted to reconnect.

The other a much bigger and more raucous gathering of 30 youth and their parents from St. Johns Richmond.  A summery BBQ in a decked out backyard..... I loved having the kitchen humming and the yard full.  Such a great bunch.

6. Work - I have had a new perspective on my much lamented workload  - at least I have it.  As so many around me struggle for work, are out of work not by their choosing etc.... I am grateful for work.  Still more grateful for meaningful work.

7 - 200.  toes in the sand, sunsets, puffy clouds, a brown lab named Spanner, spicy wontons, a starbucks card that still has $ on it, frozen yogurt bought by Dad, family walks, peonies, a new mortgage (soon),  my car getting fixed, casual dinners, iPhoneography,  the fun of moving into a new child care centre, church, helping a stranger, wine (especially as it was given as a gift!), my blog passing the 100,000 views mark, holding a tiny babe for a while, my pillow, homemade pizza...........life.....

Feeling filled up and choosing to keep my head up.  Will only succumb to brief rants directed at politicians who disrespect teachers........ oh boy.....head up Nicky......Head up....... focus on the good.

Battle Fronts

I remember my history classes in second year university.....waaay back then.

It was a relatively small class with an oddball professor who was engaging and a walking encyclopedia.

He was particularly knowledgeable about the World Wars and taught in a narrative way, telling the story rather than dictating facts.

I still have the text book from that class.  Besides highlighting some hoarder tendencies I may have it shows just what a good text it was.  Highly readable.

As these days have been passing and despite my clinging to the Grace I believe exists even in the hard places..... I found myself remembering my History Professors examples of the foolishness of war generals who had too many fronts.

These "too many fronts" made them weak and exposed them to attack, defeat and ultimately failure.

They had to fall back or reinforce or close on some fronts to advance in others.

While I am no army general I have certainly been a foot soldier these past weeks and most definitely fighting battles on too many fronts.

And yes.... weakened, defeated, sad, exhausted...at times... understanding well that too many fronts doesn't work.

So I have battled on.  Some days more of a battle than others.
Seeking Grace.
Trying to hold it all together.

And lo and behold a few "fronts" have started to close/resolve.

Some not in the way I wanted.  But maybe in ways I needed.

Like losing my teaching job due to amalgamation.  That sucks but it sure does close down one front on which I was "battling"/working.

Like letting go a big contract in my event planning business that has become unfruitful and only marginally profitable.  Another front closed.

Some "fronts" closed exactly as I hoped.

A big deal was resolved at work.  In an incredible way.  I saw that battle front close through a veil of tears. Tears of relief.

But

Some fronts remain.

We continue to be worn down by the BC Governments treatment of teachers.  And worn down with worries over lost income.  There is true solace in the solidarity of family and friends and we have had our spirits lifted by some truly kind acts and messages and offers this week.  Moments of light and victory in the battle on the picket line.

I continue to be overstretched at work.  Balance is elusive.  Fatigue constant.  Guilt high.

While my beloved family is a constant source of love and support parenting teens is hard work. They are facing the world, the complex world, and trying to figure it all out.  And we are trying to let them do that without smothering them but with just enough support and much love.....its a fine balance we don't always get right.

And no matter what - the kindness of people and the support of community and the deepness of faith shore me up.

So onward .....with trust and optimism that a brighter day, with no more fewer battles lies ahead.