Time to post huh?!?! So much has happened. Here's a brief summary of things.
- We've moved. We are renting a house that is nice and spacious. It's an old house with lots of character and charm.
- I GOT MY DRIVER'S LICENSE - and I also have my own vehicle thanks to my totally amazing and inspiring grandmother (who I call 'Nannie'). After she broke her leg she decided she was not going to continue driving at the age of 88! She gave me her car. Which, to be totally honest - was a HUGE shock/surprise and I've only had it for nearly a month now and I still sort of feel like it's a dream...the impact it's made on life is beyond describable! Sure cars come with new worries, but I tell you, after spending so many years planning my life around the mercy of other people's acts of kindness and the tyranny of public transit, I'll happy to exchange the old set grievances to another set which reaps so much more independence and freedom!
- My job! Holy cow my job! I started this job exactly a year ago this week. It was a 9 month pilot contract that got extended, and now, we have achieved a 21 month continuation!!! The other piece of good news is that for this round of contract, we are 90% on our way to having 2 weeks vacation time! Let me tell you, after working for nearly 3 years without any time off - I'm tired - and I miss my sister. I'm not an envy filled or jealous person, but I'm REALLY getting tired of working so hard, and not being able to swap vacation stories. I'd like to also add that I'm not ungrateful. I acknowledge that I am extraordinarily lucky for having a job when so many others don't or can't work. I truly value my work and the nature of the very high needs work I do. I am humble, but everyone deserves a break here and there. I just really think it's time I have my kit-kat.
- During this past year I have gained so much experience. I've learned so much. I cannot tell what this work has taught me, and continues to teach me. I have evolved into a line of work I never thought I'd be in. I started working with Seniors, then with woman-led families who are dealing with many complex issues (child protection service involvement, custody and fleeing violence), and now I am working primarily with women who are currently incarcerated or who have recently been released from a correctional facility. Heavy huh? Now you see why I need a vacation after 3 years?!
- MY SON!!!! My pride and joy, Daxon. He finished his Junior Kindergarten year with his progress reports glowing! He'll be heading into Senior Kindergarten this fall. He is so smart and he is a good friend to his lil' buddies. He chooses his closest friends wisely (thank god!). Sure enough, he's grown up to express keen, solid interest in music and science. This has been consistent since he was a baby. Always listening very closely to sounds, singing, playing/making instruments. It's his own priority to know what bands/musicians play which songs, and which instruments. It's amazing! On the techie front, he has always taken things apart and loves getting help peicing together again! He loves to learn how everything works; parts, processes, cycles and patterns. He LOVES picture encyclopedias - books on the human body, insects/animals, nature/earth, space...the child is a full blown geek and I LOVE IT! He also loves to draw and practice his printing. He is a very spiritual soul and is keen to learn and explore his Anishnabe heritage, culture and language. I am beyond proud and blessed. Then of course, there is the darker side of the boy - *sinister laugh* He's got a temper and he's not afraid to use it. He's got a stubborn streak that is off the charts. He is a free spirit so these traits are no suprise to me, but handling them on a daily basis is a real challenge - but I'm learning. I've just started reading a great book right now that is hopefully going to give Gary and I some new insight onto our parenting style and framework. More on that later...
So that's the latest for now. I have lofty ideas of a writing plan - I'm taking myself seriously on that, but I don't expect any of you in the abyss out there to...
More coming!
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