What a busy, bizarre, sad, happy, funny, emotional week this has been! But in the end, by Friday night, it’s all good.
My oldest has suddenly become very serious about his future and goal oriented. Who knew??!!! I think his looming 17th birthday and the idea that in a year he will be a legal adult has sobered him a bit. Anyway, he told his swim coach this week, “If I’m not at practice, I’m at work – all summer!” He is enjoying the fruits of his labor as his bank balance grows via the grace of direct deposit.
And lest you think the life of a Lifeguard during the summer is one of leisure and bliss, let me assure you that the hours are long (he has to be at work at 5:30 a.m. because of the “fitness” swimmers) and the work is tedious.
I do have one funny story to relate. He has to get in A LOT of inservice hours to hang on to this part-time summer gig. He had to have 65 points by tomorrow and he only had 60. While he was at work yesterday he heard the dreaded words, “someone pooped in the pool.” It was true. That scene from Caddyshack immediately came to mind but I guess the reality was a bit different.
They cleared everyone out of the pool and then the lifeguards were responsible for all the vacuuming, screening, straining, cleaning and whatever else it is that they do to get human excrement out of a public swimming pool. At the end of two hours, it was sparkling and ready for the swimmers to return. The manager was so happy she told Calvin and the other guards that she wished that she could give them something for their hard work. Immediately Calvin said, “how about 5 inservice points?”
He got them too!
Sam started working with his dad this week. The thing about having your kids work you is that it counts as homeschooling, they learn a little trade, and they make a little money. Sam is thrilled. He made $70 for two days of work – which included free lunch and all the Mountain Dew he could drink! Not bad.
Last year, Gabe had the chance to ride in a charity event with Lebron James. Yes, THE Lebron James. All of the kids that participated received a new Schwinn low rider bike. It was so cool. I knew that bike would be stolen. This week it was. Some low life kid snuck into the back yard, grabbed the bike out of the garage and then threw it over the fence (not very easy because it’s a high fence!) and rode off. Calvin saw him do it and tried to catch him on his own bike, but couldn’t find him. Gabe cried. I just hated that. Every year we have at least one bike stolen. Mr. Pete keeps getting them out of the garbage and fixing them up – it just doesn’t make sense to buy new bikes around here. We were lucky to keep this special bike as long as we did.
My mom is all moved into her new Independent Living apartment and loves it. Her main meal of the day is in the community dining room and it is the highlight of her day! Really good food too. Prior to moving she had lost about 9 pounds because she just doesn’t like to cook that much. I don’t think she’ll have a problem now.
Moving mom was quite a job though. My sister and I have been on it for about three weeks. We threw out lots of stuff, saved a lot of stuff, and moved a lot of stuff. My basement is STUFFED! I foresee some interesting eBay sales in the future. I told mom she can use some of the money we make to spend on the interesting field trips they have at her new place.
Tomorrow should be an interesting day. My kids and I are singing and playing at mass for the new Bishop when he visits my church! Hope I can get close enough for a photo op! If I do it will be right here!
A highlight of my week was being linked by author Danielle Bean regarding the posting I did last summer on St. John Vianney. I couldn’t figure out why I was getting so many page views from there. Anyway, it made me sit down and read all of the comments on Mrs. Bean’s blog and then re-read what I wrote last summer. It’s always nice to be recognized for something you wrote that someone else found helpful or useful.
Speaking of the blog – I am considering moving. I am looking at options that would let me put up a web site AND a blog. I would really love more categorization and stuff like that. I would also like more security features like controlling IP access to the blog. But that would be a big job and right now, I’m sort of moved out!!
Instead I think I’ll just try to enjoy my family and my home a little more. Have a great night!
Related Tags: St. John Vianney, My Domestic Church, Lifeguard, Teens, Work, Moving Mom, Mom
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