Money Woes

  Last night I went to my son's schools Parent Council meeting. It's a great way to get an inside look at your child's education and the workings of the school. It's also a great way to be disappointed in our education system and to see just how much "extra" goes into being a teacher today.

  Like most things in this world it all comes down to money. Right now schools need cold, hard, cash. And lots of it. Every time the school board cuts back a dollar the school must stretch that much farther. Some principals are very good at it. Some not so great. My point is they shouldn't be having to work so hard to cover costs.

  I spent an hour this morning trying to find a per student allotment of money. I found only a report from the 1998-1999 school year. I'm sure the numbers have changed drastically since then! For the life of me I can't understand why they are so hard to find.

  Next month the Parent Council will have to vote on what will be funded and what won't. Someone will suffer and it will be the kids. It's always the kids. We won't even get into the lack of art or music. Small schools sometimes suffer the most in those areas.

  I'm not sure where the money is going to come from. Sadly, I'm not sure there is a place. But as parents we need to keep looking. Under every rock and bush. 

  Maybe we will find buried treasure!

  Ang

  

National Coming Out Day

 October 11 is National Coming Out Day in the U.S......it's also International Day of the Girl but that's for another day. Coming Out day is to try and make things easier for kids, adults and anyone needing extra support to have an open and honest dialogue with their loved ones. That's a simplified version but you get the general idea.

  I thought this would be the perfect day to tell you about a woman I know. In the past year her daughter has told her that basically she was born in the wrong body. Again a simplified explanation. I'm not giving specific details because the story is his to tell not mine.

  But the story I am going to tell you about is the unconditional love of a mother for her child. A mother who has been nothing but supportive. Loving. Fierce in his corner. Without hesitation, the parent she needed to be.

  This woman put her child's happiness, well being and truth before her own. She has been open and honest to her friends and family. While I'm sure every response hasn't been positive, she has bypassed the haters. Her love for her child has made that easy I'm sure.

  She is an example to all parents, not just the ones with transgender kids. All parents should look at her and say that's the parent I need, and want, to be. Every child deserves that. 

  The fact that her son came to her and had, what I would imagine to be, one of THE most difficult conversations of his young life is proof of great parenting. Love and support is the most important thing for good parenting.

  And my friend could teach a class!

  Ang

A Lesson Learned

  When I got up this morning I made coffee, checked Twitter...seriously I'm addicted!....then Facebook. My quiet morning routine before all hell breaks loose in my house. Even before the coffee was done I was ready to rant!

  I'm used to negativity on social media. It's a grim fact of life it seems. But this morning, and late last night, it was everywhere. People were complaining about health care, prisons, care of the elderly, education and on and on. You name it someone had a beef about it in the past 12 hours.

  No solutions. No plans on how to change it. No thought out reactions to these injustices. Just bitching and complaining. Bitching and complaining. On Thanksgiving. Hmmmm interesting.

  I started typing like a mad woman. I had a heated response to your complaints. One person, who complains ALL the time, was on a rant about the education system not teaching the basics or giving enough homework....she is not in education and has no children so I'm not sure exactly where she is getting her information. Trust me the basics are outdated and as for homework....you have no idea.

  Then as I was tearing apart argument after argument I stopped. I was bitching and complaining too. With no solutions except to tell them to stop talking about things they knew nothing about. I was them. On Thanksgiving. Interesting.

  We are all quick to pass judgement. We are just as quick to complain. With or without the facts. If we all took a second to think before we speak, type, or hit send, the world would be a much more positive place.

  So on this sunny Thanksgiving Monday I've learned, or rather relearned, a valuable lesson. Be part of the solution. Not part of the problem.

  Ang

***I took my own advice and took a minute to read what I wrote before hitting "send". I was still a little judgmental on the whole education thing. But no one is perfect ;) ***

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

  It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. While tomorrow is the official day I thought I'd beat the rush and get all of my thanking done early.

  I'm so very thankful for my children. You drive me crazy, make me laugh and be happier than I ever thought possible. We are lucky to have more happy than sad in our lives. Each day I marvel at the glimpses we get of the men you are becoming. Now if only you would sleep more...

  My family and friends make me very thankful indeed. I'm not sure what my life would be like without the love and support you have given. We learned a long time ago genetics isn't everything when it comes to family. 

  Not to be over looked, I'm so thankful to live in Canada. We may not be perfect but we get a lot of things right. To know my kids are growing up in a safe place means everything.

  And finally to my hubby. You I'm most thankful of all for!

  Ang

Oh Donald

  Oh Donald Trump. Just when I think there is nothing else you can say that would offend women more than you already have....you keep proving me wrong. Over and over and over again. 

  I'm not surprised, or even that bothered by, your comments. After bartending for years, I know how some men behave when their significant others can't hear them but their buddies can. Not usually men in their 50's and 60's but hey there are always exceptions. 

  However the comments about being rich and famous meaning you can do whatever you want and get away with it well that's a different story. That's not "classic locker room banter" as I've heard different people describe your comments. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Ask Bill Cosby.

  Then you, or your "people", get your wife to make a statement. How she is disgusted with your comments. But any Howard Stern fan knows that she was well aware, and even at times participated in, your bragging and disrespectful comments. Her disgust makes her look controlled. Which I'm sure with that statement she probably was. 

  During the past few years you have said things that should make women run  in the opposite direction. The fact that they haven't scares me even more than you do.

  And the idea of you running a country scares the crap out of me!

  Ang

  

  

  

I Should Be.....

  I should be at the grocery store this morning. As Riley reminded me at 6:18....we have no food. It's a never ending job. The list is longer than my arm. It really should just say "everything".

  I should be finishing the laundry. We go through clothes like some people do water. Poor Riley, who has more than everyone else, needs two changes per day. Socks always seem to be in short supply.

  I should be moving the last of the dirt for the walkway. These might be the last warm days before the cold sets in. Not to mention the snow. It needs to be finished before then.

  I should be emptying the dishwasher and cleaning the pans from this morning. The back splash and counter are so pretty they should always be on display. Not covered in dirty dishes.

  I should be cleaning out the car. It's been neglected this summer and needs a proper cleaning. Soon the salt and sand will be on our boots and the new mats should be in place before then.

  Instead I'm having a second cup of coffee. It's almost white since the only cream in the house is whipping cream at a whopping 35%! On a positive note there is no need for sugar.

  After this I'm going to get started on the above list. With a new sense of determination. An energy unheard of this past week. I'm going to work quickly and efficiently, letting nothing interrupt me.

  Or I might just take a nap. Decisions. Decisions.

  Ang

Wedding Traditions...New & Old

  This past weekend we were honored to be invited to a wedding. It was beautiful in many ways, very personal, and I'm sure the newlyweds will have many happy years ahead of them. Over coffee Saturday morning we realized there were some huge differences between this one and previous weddings we have been to.

  To start with this was a 100% outdoor wedding, on a Friday evening. In all the weddings I've been to I can only think of one other that wasn't on Saturday. I'm assuming it would be easier to get a venue, not to mention cheaper, on a Friday. Smart.

  Flowers....there were none. At least none that I saw. None of the over done displays and center pieces that dominate most receptions. Simple stones and candles decorated the tables. Classic. Timeless. Inexpensive.

  Speeches.....one. Short. Sweet. Grateful. Funny. Perfect! We all know, but maybe don't say, the speeches are mostly boring and made by people who definitely don't want to be making them! Usually they go on too long and very few people "get" the insider jokes.  Not the case here.

  There was no "head" table. Lots of little tables, close enough together to chat with folks beside you but far enough apart to sit comfortably and walk through. The newlyweds walked around mingling and thanking their guests. Very relaxed and a chance for everyone to get a selfie with them.

  When the music started it wasn't from an over priced d.j. playing whatever they choose and think the crowd might like. Nope it was a playlist, on either a phone or ipod, made by the couple. Their favorite songs. Music that meant something to them. Songs that made almost everyone get up and dance....think Prince and Madonna. Every age group was on the floor.

   I think the major reason this wedding was so different is because the couple weren't twenty something. They are adults, in the work force, with a mortgage and a sense of what is important and what isn't. They know who they are and how they wanted to celebrate. Maturity brings clarity.

  A wedding takes a lot of time. And money. We all try to make it the best day possible. This last one is a prime example that the traditional ideas aren't always necessary...or the best.

  Congratulations Blair and Gordon! We hope you enjoy many, many happy years together! And thank you for letting us be part of your special day!

  Ang