rainy Sunday!

eww! I left my windows open in the Jeep last night! not fun. Selena has invited us over for a BBQ after church, but I'm not so sure how that will go, either.
Nice day at market yesterday. Dalton enjoyed lunch with Emma while I "slaved away" at our table, our final run at fund-raising for Dalton's Padres, his Relay for Life team. It was really nice to meet Laird and Jane Sloan in person...although Philip has done some work for them, we had never met. Throughout our journey on the mainland, Laird and Jane were kind enough to send Dalton cards and treats...most memorable, his track suit from the Olympic Torch Relay this fall. Wow! what an awesome gift! I called Dalton over, and he immediately recognized Laird form his pictures. I just stood in awe as I watched their conversation...Dalton extended his hand for a hearty handshake, and then announced how glad he was to meet him. Totally unprompted by mama!! How did that happen?? Dalton turned into a polite young gentleman, no longer the shy little boy, right before my very eyes. I am so proud of him, in so many ways. Every day, he continues to amaze me.
We got home Friday after school, and I knew Dalton was dragging his feet, a typical stance at 3pm. After a quick supper, Dalton settled in to watch TV, and was asleep in no time. He slept for 3 hours!! so glad he "wasn't tired"!!
Missed out on Rebecca's class yesterday, but can not seem to muster the time or energy for scrapping classes just yet. Instead, I attacked our laundry room. Should be able to finish it today, then hit the living room for a once-over before my cousin Troy arrives this week. Troy is coming down for the Relay; it'll be nice to see him again.
Well, must go get ready for church.Hope everyone finds a way to ward off today's chill!

Gotta love short weeks!

Thursday night ritual...watching The Mentalist, and CSI, while getting the week's marking caught up. I'm enjoying my Media Studies class, much more than when I first stepped in to take over in March. I enjoy the group of kids I have; a small group, but very eclectic. Very much a group of individuals. With only 11 classes left, I am trying to juggle final assignments and projects; trying to make sure we have the last of the outcomes covered, and still manage to get some work periods in their!
IWK called today, and we have some times finalized for Dalton's next visit. Our typical one day appoiintment has stretched over three days, as we get times set up with nephrology (after initial kidney assault), neurology/EEG, physiotherapy and dentistry. Throw in the expected chemo and spinal, and we'll have a jam-packed visit to IWK! Unfortunately, this is all during Exam Review week, so next wee will be crucial for my students. It would be nice to wish away the time til exams, but that just means the real panic mode begins with graduation preparations.

But summer on the deck is still calling!! It was so great to have the gals over on Monday; we scrapped some cute Cherry-O projects, and then enjoyed a BBQ on the deck, able to put up our feet and relax! Final Hostess Club order of the season has gone in, with anticipation of start up again in September.
But back to summer....

Victoria Day!

I overheard one of the grade 12s in the hallway Friday afternoon..."Can you believe it! It's the long weeend of May already!! That means when we come back, it'll be almost June exams and GRADUATION!!!"
So true! We've enjoyed the weekend so far, BBQing every chance we can, and gardening! Philip has been diligently working in the yard, hauling up the strawberry patch, and reworking it. It looks so much better! I got my hanging baskets planted, and dug the trench around one of the gardens, to get the lawn edging put in. The black flies got the best of me, so I came in and got some supper. Nice to get a couple of loads of laundry out on the clothesline - one thing I really missed last summer. I love the smell of fresh laundry! Picked out some of the rhubarb patch, too...planning on getting some rhubarb punch made for the freezer- always a treat to have on hand for those hot days!
I think I will have the gals over on Monday afternoon for a little get together, some scrapping and some munchies. I have really missed getting together with everyone. Nice to see my pal Jane Miller back on the island for a short visit...definitely some catching up to do.
Hope you enjoy your long weekend...a tease for summer vacation, for sure!

Rain Rain and some more RAIN!!!

I was getting kind of used to this sunshine thing...racing home after school to the back deck, catching a cat nap before supper...ooh, the life!
Enjoyed a BBQ with the Leonards last night, and after Dalton raced off to Youth. Dalton and Philip have been watching the Lord of the Rings movies the past few nights, as we told him he had to wait until he turned 13 to watch them. Tonight, Dalton was pleasantly surprised when Wilson jumped up on his lap and snuggled in to watch the movie too! He is slowly getting used to everyone around here, and he is even getting along better with Callie...miracles never cease!
Been crazy at work lately...grade 12s are madly trying to get their scholarship packages in, and I ma trying to get them organized. very thankful for an upcoming long weekend; and I believe it is giving
SUNSHINE!!!!!!!!

Monday, Monday

so good to me!
Had a good class today with Ms Norman's science students...they asked me to come in and talk about Leukemia. It was hard in the first couple of minutes, but once I got past that, everything was well and good. Her English class is reading HUNTER IN THE DARK, a story of a boy who gets sick, and his parents don't tell him what is wrong...he has Leukemia. It was interesting for the kids to learn about side effects of various drugs that Dalton is taking, similar to their main character. I took in some of his "stuff", including his radiation mask and Dial for Dining menus.
It's interesting to step back and look at the five phases from a different viewpoint, for sure. One step closer to October, 2012!

The Cat came Back!!

Well, "Wilson" arrived at our house Thursday night!. Wilson is a stray, that has been living outside since at least this past January, but being fed by a kind soul in his neighbourhood. He is extremelt timid, but Dalton was able to coax him to come for food. We kept him in a cage all night, recuperating from his day surgery. Friday, we let him out to explore our house. He immediately went into hiding. By Saturday, the only time Wilson was seen was when he came charging out to attack poor Callie...who never knew what hit her!! We were away at Youth Rally, so Philip had to act as referree. We decided maybe it was time to let Wilson explore his new neighbourhood outside; then he disappeared! We went away Monday/Tuesday for Dalton's next treatment, and still no sign of Wilson when we came home.
This morning, Wilson appeared at the back door! He was hungry, but still would not come in the house. Maybe he is destined to be an "outside cat". I'm sure Callie will be quite happy with that!

TGIT!! Welcome, "He!"

Yes, Thank Goodness it is THURSDAY!! A short week at school for students, as we have Subject Council tomorrow.
Another busy week, Youth Group Tuesday for Dalton, and we went to the Market meeting last night to get ready for the summer. Dalton plans on getting more Patio Stones made, so make sure you check them out! Market starts Saturday, June 26th and runs until Sept. 11th this year, with new hours; 10 am until 1pm. A great opportunity to shop and have lunchwith friends on a relaxing coastal Saturday. Hearing it will be a long, hot summer so we shouldn't miss out on too many weeks due to rain.
We are expecting a new addition to the family today. Animal Rescue League has been looking for a home for a nice fluffy marmalade cat that has been abandoned. Yes, we still have Callie, our last abandoned stray. Poor Callie has been so used to having playmates around, we thought we should find someone for her. When this cat became available for adoption, Dalton quickly said YES!, but we went up to meet him last night to be sure he would like us. He is a very timid cat, but did finally come up to Dalton for some food. With some patience and love and care, I'm sure he'll enjoy living at the Brown residence. "He" still does not have a name, but Dalton is contemplating something fitting. He will arrive tonight on the 7:30 ferry, after going away to the Vet for check up and neutering. With no school tomorrow for Dalton, it will be a good day for bonding.

i love Sundays!

Always seem to be such a peaceful day of the week, one you can sit back and relax; no big panic for first thing in the morning. We'll head to church in awhile, and stop into see Grammie Grace at the Nursing Home after. I think we definitely need to get some yard work done today!
It was lovely this morning, 7am, I sat on the back deck for a few minutes in my PJs (nice and warm!), listening to deer munching on their breakfast just on the other side of our brook. Moments like this make me so grateful for the little things in life God sends our way.
Dalton enjoyed the evening last night at Liam's birthday party, and was mad when I went to pick him up early. I knew he would be tired, but refused to come with me, and sent me away until the party finished. I am so glad he's feeling like hanging out with friends, and it feels great to know it's OK to drop him off at a friend's for a few hours, with no worries. He doesn't have anything on the agenda today, so it'll be a good day for him to recharge for the week.
Nice to hang out with Rebecca and Brenda last night, and work on a few cards. I''ll post pix a little later.
Looking forward to a short week...PD day on Friday for teachers.