band rocks

especially the lead clarinet.

I learned something this week

I learned that I am blessed with really super, long-term genuine friends. The ya-yas have been together for 9 years, and I gotta say we are so much more than a book club. We share a poignant deepness with each other that I so cherish. We share laughter that that has the power to move mountains, heal leprosy make us all incontinent. You can't put a price on that.

The Football Family has gotten together for ten years. We were there this weekend for the game. And as I watched Cates limp off and heard the murmur of conversation around me, I realized that this experience is so much deeper than a football game. (And Kerrin's prime rib was unbelievable!)

But these aren't all - there are people far and wide with whom I share a mutual knowledge of and love for that is very genuine and very deep. This is a great blessing and I hope I can learn how to honour this adequately in my lifetime - incontinent laughter not necessarily included (but pretty likely.)

I learned that my position at work and our business has forced/invited/allowed me to use strengths of visioning, appreciative inquiry and leadership that have not always been embraced in other work situations, and that I can freely embrace who I am, even if I am strong. This is a great freedom.

I wish I could say that I've finally learned where the turnoff to Hiway 11 is from the #6 north of Regina. Could have saved me some mileage today.

Great weekend. Great prime rib. I'm hungry...

AHHHHH.... Remembering Summer '08

Is it just me or was summer a completely sublime experience?

Highlights:

• TIME OFF: Lots of weeks of it for all of us
• NO PLANS. Everyone should try this for one summer!
• Sub-head under NO PLANS: LOTS OF PLANS for puttering around the yard: Deck stuff, gate stuff, painting, building rock pathway, flowerbeds, outdoor lights, installing garage door opener... a task for every day in the sun while running kids back and forth to camp, camp and more camp.
• SMOOTHIES: Perfect day scenario: Accomplish the day's plan, rest in the sun until your brain sizzles, mix up strawberry/yogurt smoothies, plop lawn chairs in the pool and sip them with J3, who totally gets how cool this scenario is.
• MARCO POLO: Okay, the pool's size makes it really easy to find each other. Getting creative = more laughter and occasionally some agua up the schnozz. Good times. Even J2 and Mr. Jones got involved!
• CHITTER CHATTER: Parents from BC, friends from all over, around the fire pit or on the deck, reconnection time was sweet.
• NEW NIECE: Isabel is beautiful.
• COMPED AT ELK RIDGE: Our weekend at Waskesiu turned extravagant when we were double-booked at our cabin and were 'forced' to overnight at Elk Ridge. Uber-schmance!

On the horizon:

• Once upon a time Mr. Jones had a twinkle in his eye. Now, he's got a second agency running in Regina. Lots of trips back and forth for him.
• Last year of high school for J1 and lots of thoughts about the future.
• Grade 10 for J2 plus a lotta Grade 11 classes, some driver training and learning a new musical instrument.
• Grade 7 for J3, indoor soccer sked (God help us) and a lot of hair product.
• Puerto Rico for Gentle Teaching conference, October
• Winter family vakay somewhere warm, some time in winter.

Let the autumn good times roll!