9 11 10

There is so much talk of the 10th anniversary of 9/11 at the moment.  At the risk of sounding callous I find myself a bit over it (or overwhelmed by it?).....and I wonder why "we" so desperately want to make a big deal about this?

It was, no doubt, an horrific moment in history.  For my generation it is one of those seminal moments when people remember where they were and what they were doing...... like when JFK was shot for the generation before us.  That is if you are from a first world, westernised country (and in the case of 9/11, an Arab country).   I know where I was.

Because let's be honest for millions of people it was just an event in a distant land.

It strikes me that this re-hashing, re-living, re-looking at the images serves a political agenda and serves to justify the actions of some western countries since 9/11.  Actions that have brought much suffering, much death, cost bazillions and brought little peace or security to any nation involved.

I know the quote that those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it and I know there was much heroism and self-sacrifice that day and that for many it is indelibly imprinted on their lives and families, on whole cities and even the nation of America.  I read this week that up to 80,000 people in New York still have PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder) from the images they saw first hand that day, from the sounds they heard, from the stress they felt.  How do you recover from something like that?  How does the almost constant replaying of those images and sounds help these people?  And doesn't it expose a whole new generation to the trauma?

Truly I don't think anyone who wasn't there will ever really "get it".

I remember when I came to live in Canada for a year after finishing Grade 12 (back in the 80's) I realised I had no idea about the impact of  the Vietnam war on Canadians/Americans. I went to the Kerrisdale branch of the VPL and searched out books explaining what happened.  Equally so, my peers here in Canada had little to no knowledge of the apartheid regime in South Africa and all it's abominable implications.  I guess what I am saying is that these events are all relative to where you are and who you are.  I am sure not everyone reading this blog is being saturated with 9/11 memorials, tv specials, radio specials, newspaper special editions as we are here in North America. 

I know that grieving takes it's own unique path and for many many people they are still on that journey since 9/11.  I don't think anyone will ever forget it, many will never forgive it, some will continue to exploit it but my own hope and prayer is that some will find healing and peace and that the remembering will spur us on to find new ways to live together on this earth that was given to us to take care of,  not tear apart.

Jack Layton, a Canadian political leader who died recently penned a  letter to our nation on the eve of his death...the world could do worse than heed his words........

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world."

The Rhythm of Life

That is a totally ridiculous and misleading title for my blog but it is better than "Thursday" which was the alternative......"they" always say to use a hook to get your readers so now that you are hooked read on.....

I love Thursdays........ actually I love this Thursday.... because this Thursday is normal....... ok almost normal.

This week is all about getting back to "normal", getting back into the routine, back in the flow..... the universe is slowly settling down into a predictable pattern.......well my universe is.

David has had a great start to his new school and has readily made new friends and today he biked to school and back (and no....I did not shadow him in my car or hide behind trees to watch....and the RCMP turned down my request for a motorcade flanking him all the way.....so much for my tax dollars.).  I am so proud of the way he has handled this transition.  Tomorrow he finds out who is teacher is and next week all will be normal.... for him... the new normal.....hopefully the better normal.

He also found out his soccer team and has his first game this Saturday at 8:30am!

Lindsay has had two good days at school....... well except for the math teacher who clearly hates her because she gave 10 sheets of homework on the first day. If only her drama teacher had been in the car with me during Lindsay's rant when I picked her up today she would have given her an A ........ oh the tragic life of a Grade 9 girl with a bad schedule.   I must give her credit that once the rant is over she is able to shake it off and move on and regain her usual gracious, smart, funny self.  We really don't let her take herself too seriously.  Me thinks this year is going to be a bit of a rollercoaster.

She has decided not to play league rugby (There is a God) and is excited to start at a new Musical Theatre school next week.  It is in Vancouver which will be fun as I think we will use the skytrain and go together......

Allan has settled back into the current "normal" of school life and started his new course at Trinity. 

So tonight I went back to Jazzercise which is my normal thing.  It amazes me that I still, after these many months, love going.  Only once or twice have I had to drag myself there.  I had a great workout tonight...... situation normal.

And on Thursdays I come home, dinner is on the table, we have a quick meal together and then Allan goes to the Pub with his mates (almost every Thursday for over 6 years those guys have met on Thursdays - I envied them on the patio at the Blue Canoe tonight).  I then shower for as long as I want and then normally I put on my PJ's and pour a glass of wine and watch Grey's Anatomy....... so next week will be more normal when my beloved Dr McDreamy is back.

It's not that I crave normal, really it's not. (Ok ok I do love routine and order but I am learning to be better about going with the flow and being flexible - I think I get a silver star for my spontaneity this summer) 

I just like getting back into the rhythm of life..... so there you go......celebrating the return of normal.

Wordless Wednesday - Summer Highlights

Old Hat

OK I have done this back to school thing as a spouse of a teacher for almost 20 years and as a Mom for 9 years.

It should be old hat.

But today it was not.

Allan went off with little ceremony - poor guy - Teachers are not the focus of the day but he is returning to a challenging school environment with job action and an unsure future. It is so hurtful to see the rhetoric about teachers and their demands when there are so many wonderful educators who go so far above and beyond working for their students.  Most of them do not want to take any action that impacts kids.  But they do deserve a fair wage and decent working conditions.  Teachers working conditions are our kids learning conditions.

Allan is also back to being a student today after his 1 week break.....back to Langley and TWU and now 12 months from graduating (and finally being paid what a first year BC teacher makes after teaching here for 17 years).

David and I went off to Homma - his new school.  We found the Library where the "new kids" gather. Obviously there were very few kids in his Grade that were new but he looked calm and confident. The parents were summarily dismissed after 2 minutes (note to schools- parents have feelings too - a tour would have been nice for us too!).  I was SO surprised how the emotion overtook me as I walked out of that Library.  The tears just flooded - I barely made it out of the school in time to get the sunglasses on to disguise the tears.  I also realised as I walked down the boardwalk in Steveston that I was still angry about what happened at his old school.  I had a good walk, a good coffee and a little sit in the sun.  I prayed for both my kids and Allan and I felt like I got some perspective.  I blotted the tears and walked back to the school to get him.

I chatted with some familiar faces - other Homma Momma's - very comforting....and David came out looking calm and happy.  He knows which classroom he is going to tomorrow and that is a huge relief.  I look forward to meeting the teacher!

David and I got him a haircut and then had a celebratory coffee/hot choc and brownie at Rocanini.... I love that kid - he is amazing - and boy does he love chocolate!

We came home to a hair salon - three girls in a row doing each others hair, texting, watching TV, chatting about school and their classes and teachers.... it was fun to watch and listen - I even helped with the hair.....

They went of in a happy cloud and even let me snap a photo on their way out the door.  I drove them to the Mall after school for some "essentials"...... you know Mom...... "stuff" I neeeeed.  She is not a demanding child clothes wise so I don't mind her getting some "stuff".  Trooping around the Mall with 3 teenage girls and David makes me feel like Mrs Duggar...... LOL no wonder I only had 2!

I am so grateful to have this day to be with my kids.

I made them each a little project for their rooms for the school year and Allan wrote them each a note which we left them to find this morning.(Thanks RM for the quote that inspired me!)

So the new year is started.....it was a good start...may we (and you) be blessed that it continues to be a good year.

Hanging on.......

I always feel like we need to squeeze every last moment out of the sunny-end-of-summer-days...... I feel almost desperate when I feel that coolness in the breeze that signals the decline of Summer.  It's like when you are flying and you feel that moment when the plane starts it's descent, that subtle change in the thrum of the engine and the slight slowing down...... that's how this week feels to me.

So we usually throw a Labour Day Weekend Party as a final assault on Summer. 

We are not usually, however, away until the day Labour Day weekend starts!  The bonus was we were coming home through Bellingham so we made use of Trader Joes for a few short cuts on the catering and the bonus of coming north when everyone else was going south meant no border line-ups and we were waved through with no hassles!

Allan did however import a cold with him and was laid low Saturday so Lindsay and I headed out with the lists to Costco and other places and by the end of Saturday I had all the groceries and had done most of the prep.

On Sunday we were delighted to see Miss Penelope Pepper Hofs  dedicated at church.  She is such a joy in my life and I love watching her family grow together. 

And then a quick swing to the Steveston Farmers and Artisans Market to pick up the previously ordered Angry Bird Cake Pops I alluded to here.  The very talented Brad of Doughboy Bakery made 10 red angry bird for David's birthday cake!  I have made cake pops, watched the Bakerella videos, seen the amazing creations on Janice's blog.......... they are so much work and Brad's attention to detail is incredible and the tasters tell me the cake was "Amazing"........ I wish I had the time and the patience, not to mention the skill....but I know when I am beat ..... and I am more than happy to support a local business.  I will be back to Doughboy before too long!

David making his Angry Bird face

A busy afternoon of preparing food, chatting to teenage girls who floated in and out followed by clouds of hairspray from freshly straightened hair, everyone pitching in and doing jobs and suddenly it was 5pm.

Party on!

I had a vision for this party...... I wanted simple, tasty food......in abundance..... "Abundance" was the word that kept coming to mind.  I wanted platters piled high with good, fresh, tasty food.  So I kept the menu simple and although we did kebobs which took quite a pit of prep - they were pretty and tasty!

Blueberry Crumbles

Working together

Veggie Kabobs

Chicken Kabobs

Lots of soft, white, fresh bread

That kind of menu also means the party runs pretty smoothly and with 25 or so people it went relatively smoothly.  The little people were lovely and played well.  The teenage girls were sweet and came and went as the mood took them.  The pre-teen boys tried to annoy the teenage girls, made up loud and crazy games and then built a giant fort in my livingroom.

David and his buddy Jason decided to sleep in the fort.

 The adults sat around the table having conversation, drinking wine, watching the antics of youth and enjoying the summer evening.

More than once I took a moment to take it all in and revel in the blessing of great kids, wonderful and diverse friendships, good and abundant food, a home overflowing but accommodating, my son having fun with friends, being embraced for who he is, being celebrated for his birthday. My beautiful and confident daughter with lovely friends and straight hair. And every once in a while I caught my husbands eye across the crowd and we shared a smile of contentment.

I am seldom more happy than on a night like this.

Today would be a good day to check in on my one little word for 2011.  :)

The Summer of 2011 was different, unexpected, bumpy at times, with little oases of joy and delight, like the gift of this night.

Sleeping Lady

The Sleeping Lady is a mountain on Icicle Road in Leavenworth Washington....... and in her shadow is a resort named after her that is fast moving into the Top 10 list of "My Favourite Places in the world".

It is a unique place and a concept resort that works.  It is a series of rooms built in squares around ponds or fountains.  The rooms are very well done and comfortable.  It has all the comforts of a high end resort (like toweling robes, down comforters etc) but also manages a friendly "homey" feel.

It is built in a forest and I love the sound of the wind rustling the leaves and that added to the running river cuts all the human noise to a minimum.  Although the resort can serve alot of people it never feels crowded as the "pods" of rooms are so spread out.

The natural rock pools are lovely and even when there were several families there it accommodated everyone very well.  Once or twice we had the pools to ourselves including late one night where we sat and watched the stars shooting in the night sky. A special moment.

The food is world class and comes largely from their extensive organic garden.  The breakfast buffet is really fantastic and offers such an abundance of options including options for special diets and kids.  The dinner is pricey but again such excellent food and good service and largely organic and local.  There is a more casual option called the Grotto which offers Pizza and Tapas - a lovely patio for a relaxed evening.

At this point in our lives our kids prefer being busy and doing new things, as do we, but sometimes we like to slow down and relax and do a bit of nothing!  Although our kids love to read they do like to have something to do.  So 48 hours at this resort was long enough for them and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and could have stayed longer.  It was the slowdown I needed - I read, I worked out, I wandered in the gardens, I swam and sat in the sun, I ate too much, drank good wine........  It was just what I needed. 

We all had fun - the kids and Allan went horse riding at the ranch next door - a 4 mile trail ride along the river which they loved.

It was, in the end, a great end to the vacation and a wonderful place to celebrate David's 12th birthday.  The drive home was lovely too - I do so love the mountains.

It is good to be home although Allan brought a nasty cold home with him - such a miserable time to get sick!  But the party plans continue for the Byres End of Summer Backyard Bash tomorrow - so much food in the house!!  And the weather is perfect!

Not thinking about Tuesday.......

12

My son David , my "baby" turned 12 today.  September 1, 2011.

On one hand it seems like just yesterday he terrified us with his very quick arrival and rather blue tinged appearance and on the other hand it seems like a lifetime ago....... after a scare at his birth he came home and settled in to our family very well.  But unlike his sister who slept through the night at 6 weeks old (don't hate me - keep reading...) he had several digestive issues and didn't sleep through the night until he was 8 months old! 

In many ways he was an easier baby than Lindsay..... or was I just more relaxed and bit more confident?  Or was it because he is a boy?   I don't know.

What I do know is that our family needed David.  We needed his laid back, loving, smiling self.  To this very day his smile melts my heart.  He is such a caring and sensitive and empathetic child.  In this day and age and in this culture this has meant he can be bullied and easily hurt but he is learning that he can be strong in the face of that and be no less who he is.  He is learning to banish the voices that say caring = weak, sensitivity = wimp and seeing that standing up for others and yourself is good and noble and shows a strength of character beyond his years.

We needed David for his cuddles and his giggle......and his whip smart observations about the world and his deep curiosity about how things work.  He makes us pay attention to what is around us and how it works.  I love how he "disappears" into books and reads for hours and sometimes forgets he is back in the real world...... I have seen him command the dishwasher to "Accio" with wand action ....... forgetting though he may resemble Harry Potter he does not - yet - have his magical powers!

He is also our dreamy, forgetful child who sometimes drives us all crazy with his absentmindedness.  We joke that we can be standing at the door ready to go somewhere and David is still upstairs playing lego in his underpants!  He is getting better at paying attention to the world around him.

He is a deep thinker with a big heart.  He feels deeply and thinks creatively.  The world is lucky to have him and I am so blessed to be his Mom. 

I love you David Byres - 500billion x 2485750026762559002 x 60 trillion x infinity........(and if you think he won't try and figure out that math you don't know David!).

Sharing Food Cart lunch with Mom

Where does he get his Root Beer love from???

With the sister he adores

In an ear?

Following in his Dad's footsteps

Reading in the car

Last day of being 11

Birthday at Sleeping Lady Resort

Course #5 of his birthday breakfast buffet

Riding Postoffice....