A Spot of T

My daughter Jenny often goes into great detail explaining her days at school. She does talk alot, but I love it, I’m NOT complaining here. Anyway, I’ve heard so much about lunchtime that I just had to check it out for myself. All this year I’ve been planning to go, and with this the final full week, decided to take the plunge.

She’s in Grade 11, and although it sounds totally weird for a mom to go to their kids school at such an age, this school is quite different. I can’t put my finger on it, but the kids, and her friends especially, really seem to *enjoy* adults. They’re good friends with many of their teachers and often have other adults visiting at lunch time.

The senior high lunch starts at 1:10, and I just made it for grace. Yup, they say grace. Twice. Once before the meal starts and once afterwards. Just short graces - a line or two. They are assigned tables, which change throughout the year, but the focus is to sit with a variety of people from all grades, including at least one teacher at each table. Everybody takes turns doing what is referred to as “dragging” and consists of putting on an apron, going back and forth to the kitchen to bring out the meal. Then they switch with the other assigned person for that day and that person clears the table.

The menu today was tomato soup (served in pitchers), grilled cheese sandwiches, and carrot cake muffins. There is also a full salad bar available at every meal.

At the end of every meal, the headmaster stands up, says grace again (???) and gives the day’s announcements, also allowing some of the students to speak. Of course I brought my camera:

This was taken from the entryway:

This was our table, see me??

Me and Jen laughing:

Jen, Patience and Ashlyn outside after lunch:

A couple weeks ago I wrote about Bobby, my middle son’s summer job.

Today, my eldest son Jeff, got some great news. He was offered his first post-college, career related, full time job! He graduates from the Natural Gas Tech program at NBCC next month and he’s already got a job to go to! The company that hired him is the same company he did his practicum with and was his first choice employer. So he’s a happy guy and we’re proud parents! Honestly, it feels like just yesterday he was beginning kindergarten - the time goes soooo fast.

Jeff’s been through a lot and this is a fantastic accomplishment for him. We celebrated by taking everyone out to dinner tonight.

Below is a picture of all three kids. Bobby on the left, Jeff in the middle, and Jen on the right.

So, it’s Friday night and what’s going on in my life? This week we all suffered from a bug that lasted 2 or 3 days. It slowly made it’s way from person to person in this family… some sort of flu… sore all over, chills, total exaustion, stomach cramps, and a constant feeling of nausea without going over the edge (of the toilet). My stomach noises were LOUD! Anyway, glad it’s over and everyone is now on the mend.

As I write this, by husband Rick, and our son Bobby are downstairs watching the Blueman Group DVD. It’s so loud I can hear it all up here at my desk. I’m not complaining, I love their music. Here’s a picture from the fall of 2006 when I took Jen (pictured on the right), with Sydney (on the left) and her mom to NYC and we saw them live in concert.

Well, wouldn’t you know that the big Blueman group show is coming here to our fair city this summer… and of course we have tickets to see them! This concert will be a lot different than the one we saw in NYC - I hear it’s the whole orchestra. Should be interesting.

The weather is suppose to be sunny and warm this weekend for a change. Among other things, we’re planning on painting our 4 adorondak chairs. I’m thinking of some bright colours… like yellow and orange?? Right now they are lavender and green… we shall see. Stay tuned for pictures of the finished product

We’re all allowed to brag once in a while, right? Please excuse me but I just can’t help myself…

You all know that Bobby, (my middle boy) is recently back from university for the summer. He’s been planning his summer job all year. He’s taking business at UNB Fredericton and I have come to realize that entrepreneurial blood definatly runs in this family! He’s started a business with a partner called Student Power Washing Solutions. They’re doing marketing like old pros, pricing and buying equipment, and planning their summer hours. So far they have thousands of dollars of work booked for the summer. Pretty cool, eh? Here’s their flyer:

Yippers. My middle child Bobby has arrived home from university for the summer. If I hadn’t seen him with my own eyes and given him big hugs, I would know anyway. Why - you ask? Because he has dumped all his belongings everywhere in this house. And I mean everywhere. The laundry room is piled high with I swear a whole year of dirty clothes (my dryer just got repaired thank goodness). The kitchen and mudroom are full of Bobby stuff too… Jackets, papers, luggage, etc. For years he’s tried to get away with using our kitchen island as his dresser, and the laundry room as his walk-in closet…. You’d never know he has his own big bedroom with all the trimmings… He’s up to his old tricks again! I’ve got his number and I’m not letting him get away with it this time. No way!

Oh - did I mention how much I love him and how glad I am that he’s home with us?

Not to change the subject but the Idol results were on tonight. I was sorry to see Brook leave but I guess her time has come. I was hoping Syesha would get the boot tonight instead. Everyone says that Bobby looks just like Jason Castro, the guy with the dreadlocks. I’ve posted two pictures of Bobby here. Let me know if you agree.

Tonight I went to watch my daughter Jenny’s volleyball game. I really enjoy watching volleyball. It’s a graceful, yet powerful sport, and a welcome respite from sitting in a cold rink watching her play hockey. In this picture, Jenny is the girl in the front row, far right hand corner. She’s very athletic - excels at whatever sport she plays - totally not like me, her mother.