Audree's Musings

Audree: how old is Lucienne?
Me: She'll be one soon.
Audree: no, how old is she?
Me: her birthday is in a couple of weeks and she'll be one year old.
Audree: no, how OLD is Lucienne?
Me: 11 months.
Audree: wow, that's tall.

Hot Summer Pool Blues

So at the end of summer last year Rene went out and got one of those 12' pools that are about 4' deep to satisfy his French yearning for a pool (people in Quebec do not have A/C, they all have pools). The girls have been on me to get it out this year so this morning I hauled it out, cleaned it off, cleared some space, found all the pieces and assembled it. Lets just say it took most of the morning and I probably could have filled it with the sweat that was pouring off my face. Finally got it all together, blew up the air-tube-ring-thing that sits around the top and stuck in the hose to let it fill. When I went to check it I noticed the air ring had lost some air. I hadn't stuck the push-plug-thingy all the way in the hole where you blow it up so I thought that was the problem. Blew it up again, made sure the plug-thingy was all the way in and went and made lunch. After putting Lucienne down for a nap I thought I'd check in again and lo-and-behold the air ring had lost about half its air. Unfortunately, that air-tube-ring-thing is pretty integral to keeping the water in the pool. I also noticed a sprinkler action happening over by the hoses that filter the water and keep it moving. Needless to say, finding the pin-like hole that is leaking air is going to be next to impossible. I'm going to try to maintain what's there for when the girls get home from school but after today it's getting hauled to the dump. I feel really guilty about filling up our dump with this pool that wasn't suppose to be a disposable-one-summer use pool. I also am not leaping to get another one. Throwing out one pool is enough. We're just going to have to find other ways to keep cool this summer...like air-conditioning. Have I ever been grateful for that over the last few days of heat wave. There's also a sprinkler and water guns (I can already see Amelia's eyes rolling with these suggestions as she pouts about our broken pool). My poor, hot, under-privileged children.

Dad would have been proud....

Even as I wrote that post title I thought, "He IS proud", but I think you know what I mean.  When I look at my Facebook page and think this is where it all started (Two people falling in love...) and this is where we are now, it makes ME proud.  In every single one of my prayers I thank Heavenly Father for our children and the people they have brought into my life.  I often think about what it would be like today if Dad had been able to stay with us...How he would have loved the resolute woman you have become, Erica, and how well you take control of your life, and he would have loved your "How hard can it be?" attitude when it comes to tackling some home renovation or repair job.  He always had a sense that you would chart your own course.  And then there's you, Erin, who has always had that same mischievious sparkle in your eye that Dad had, and are willing to take on whatever comes your way with a positive attitude ~ even if it doesn't feel quite right in the beginning, you are always able to turn things around and make it work.  Both of our daughters have that sixth sense that recognizes people who need their help and don't hesitate to do what's needed and offer a helping hand.  Dad was a giver.  And Adam... though you're not a mini-Bill in looks, (though I must mention that Sister Harding remarked on how much you looked like Dad...) you certainly have many of his personality traits, so much so that sometimes it startles me!  And it's not even so much the computer know-how (as a matter of fact, computer-eze is one aspect where you're unlike Dad.  Dad was a lousy teacher, lacked patience and really couldn't deal with answering computer-illiterate questions ~ quite the opposite of you), but Adam you have the same ability of socially connecting with people, no matter what their station in life, and you are a great teacher.  I feel somewhat sad that you weren't really able to tackle some of the outback adventures with Dad.  I'm thinking there are going to be some interesting hereafter connections!

And I know he would have loved how we can all make each other laugh!

And look at all the people and animals that have been brought into my life through these three chosen vessels!  Thank you for choosing wisely and bringing such joy into my life.  I love your Dad.  He was the love of my life and looking at the fruits of that love makes it all worthwhile.  Thanks kids. 

Always remember that your Dad and Mom love you.