Not a bad day :-)

My parents called first thing this morning,
Hubby was at work.
The pets were clamoring to be fed,
And the dog outside.
Youngest son awoke,
and gave me an unexpected hug,
Then the dog and I had a nice long walk.
Reading's done,
Now hubby's home so we'll go for lunch.
The sun's still out but will change
to rain.
Only half way through but,
it's not a bad day.

Being a Parent

One of the hardest parts of being a parent is letting your children fail. It goes against every instinct a parent has, yet is the most important opportunity we can give them. If there is no failure than can be no success. And learning to handle that failure well, is a life skill everyone should have.

Our youngest has reading comprehension difficulties that make all book learning a slow and tedious process. He has gradually been working through 2 correspondence courses that he must have to get his high school diploma. I have been at him for months to get the work done. This has gotten me a lot of "yeah, I know"'s but not so much work done.

Last night we were at a grad meeting, discussing the requirements to be included in the graduation ceremony and other details. He was stunned to hear he had until May 1st to have all of his course work handed in. I had been telling him this for months but it took someone else saying it before he took it seriously. AHHHHHH!

He was practically in tears because he knew there was no way he could get everything done by May 1st. At home we discussed the options and I stressed that while he might not participate in the ceremony, he still had a chance to qualify to take the diploma exams and thus get his high school diploma. (Of course I didn't say he would keep at it until he did pass, although that was what I was thinking)

This morning he spoke to the principal of his own volition and got an extension on his course work. I don't now the details of the conversation (he is never good at sharing) but the result has given him the incentive that he needed.

Even if things don't work out, he learned something important. And that makes it all worth while.

30 Poets/30 Days

Go read Charles Ghigna's Be Still in the World at GottaBook. It's part of 30 Poets/30 Days and it is awesome!
Go, Now!

VOTE!

Working on getting youngest registered to vote in next month's election. I'm trying to educate them about the need to vote even if you don't think your vote will accomplish anything.
May be one vote can't but if everyone who hasn't been voting actually did, things might be VERY different.

Slow Pace

The Library Renovation and Expansion project is slowly moving ahead. We have conceptual drawings that have to go before the public for input. We have some things to go through with Parks and we'll have to go through the steps to get approval from FHBRO too. Then it can go back to council for final approval.
While this is going on we need to find a place for the library to relocate for the duration of the renovation and expansion. We know we'll have to store a lot of stuff. Once everything has been given the go ahead then we can panic, I mean plan. With a full inventory and weeding coming up we should have less to pack, store/move.
I'm going to have to do some serious thinning of my craft and programming stuff. The thought gives me a headache :-(
But in the end it will be short term pain for long term gain.
We can do this!

Spring

may not have sprung yet, or at least not here, but the days are getting longer and the air is warming up. The snow banks are going down too. All of this has helped improve my mood a lot.
Of course the seasonal changes are effecting the pets too. Our cat Dragon, has been displaying loads of energy lately. Of course his antics have resulted in a certain amount of  destruction. The poor dog can't relax for fear of the cat knocking stuff onto her. It reminds me of when they were young and they would chase each other around the house. I hope things settle soon before someone gets hurt.

 

Down

Maybe the grey weather has something to do with it.
Maybe I'm just due for a break.
I'm feeling disconnected.

Haven't spoken to my best friend in weeks (she lives far away). When I did catch her at home she was just welcoming visitors so we couldn't talk.
My local friends are in a different place in their lives (new jobs, young children etc.) and we don't spend time together very often.
There is drama going on that is affecting work but no one tells me anything because they assume I'm hearing things from "the other side". Or they're making assumptions about my allegiances, which I don't have because I don't know what is going on. (nothing worse than having a conversation with someone who assumes you have the details when you don't even have the broad outline)
I have no idea what's happening with the library expansion, partially because I'm not often around when the boss is around. (Really makes me feel out of the loop)

My youngest son is making all these plans for grad, but I'm not sure he's going to get through the courses.

I have all these feelings sitting in a pit in my stomach but no way to deal with them. I need to get them out or at least find a way to deal with the stress.