Boularderie's awakening

Hi All,

Raise you're hand if you think it feels like spring. Me neither. But in the last couple of weeks, I have seen my beautiful Boularderie Island wake up from a long winter's nap. The snow has finally melted and tree buds are just starting to burst. But the real way to tell that we will soon be planting perennials and mowing the lawn is to look around and see the businesses that have reopened for another promising season.

Boularderie is blessed with a lot of seasonal businesses, most of which open the first or second week of May. In the last couple of weeks, businesses like Hank's and Morrison's Greenhouses and Mac Neil's, Seal Island and Kelly's View Motels have reopened. Our lovely antique stores, Den of Antiquity, is filled with treasures and open for business! Island Point Resort in South Side Boularderie is a beautiful place to spend a quiet, relaxing vacation. There are also several cottages available for rent such as View of the Sea and Bird Island Boat tours.

The Bender's Restaurant, Fitzgerald's Restaurant, Seal Island Restaurant, and Captain Ron's are all up and running. My absolute favorite establishment on the whole island Cedar House is back to serving delicious meals and to-die-for baked goods.

There's no excuse and plenty of reasons for everyone who comes over the Seal Island Bridge to spend a little time browsing the Den of Antiquity and to have lunch or supper at one of our fantastic restaurants. Why not make it a weekend trip and stay at one of the wonderful accommodations offered on my beautiful island? I think you'll see it's worth the time.

Until next time,

Michelle

Michelle's tips for living greener

Hi All,

Well, with Earth Day here today, I think it's time I got to posting this blog!

There are many ways that we can help out our planet that don't take much time, effort, or money. In most cases, you will save money if you try some of these little tips.

- Reusable coffee and juice cups

As little as a couple of years ago, I sent juice boxes with my kids to school. I soon realized it didn't take much more effort to fill three reusable juice boxes in the morning, so I switched and no longer purchase juice boxes. Same thing goes for coffee cups. MOST of the time I can remember to take mine with me in the car, so if I want to stop for a coffee, I have my own cup, and I also save 10 cents if I purchase it at Tim Horton's. This leads me to my next tip....


- Don't drive thru

Although we still eat out and buy coffee, etc., I no longer use the drive thru. By getting off my fat you-know-what and walking into the store, I am usually saving myself time by not waiting in the drive thru, and I am wasting less gas and putting out a little less emissions.


- Buy used

I purchase alot of clothing, games, books, you name it at second hand stores. I can get great deals, and give something a second chance at life, instead of heading to a landfill.


- Turn off the lights

We all saw what a huge effect Earth Hour had on our planet. If we turn off lights when not needed, we can again save money and harmful emissions.


- Buy Local

I know it's not possible to buy all things local all the time, but do it when you can. We are lucky here on Boularderie Island to be able to buy fresh eggs as well as tomatoes and cucumbers from Eyking Farms all year round. In the summer, you can get all kinds of locally grown fruits and vegetables from Hank's Family Farm. We can also get fresh strawberries from Rendell's and Quinn's Farms. All on our doorstep. We have to eat imported fruits and veggies all winter, so it's nice to be able to buy local, fresh produce when the season allows, and it's a great way to support your local economy!


- Don't litter!!!!!!!!

I saved this one for last because it seems like a no brainer, but sadly, every spring we see the evidence emerging that the snow has covered all winter. I am always surprised to think about and sometimes SEE people throwing from their cars everything from cigarette butts to McDonald's bags stuffed with garbage! Where do they think this will end up? I'll tell you. It ends up ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD YOU THREW IT ON!!! So please, this is the easiest of all....don't litter.


So you can see that these are very easy things that cost nothing to implement, require very little effort, yet can make a big difference. And if you're like me and occasionally forget your coffee cup, forgive yourself because you are trying. And a little effort can go a long way to make a cleaner, greener planet.

Until next time,

Michelle

How I Stunned the Grade 3 Class

Hi All,

I guess you're all wondering now from the title how I managed to COMPLETELY stun a class of 17 eight and nine year olds. Well let me tell you....

As a stay at home Mom I have more than my share of time to do volunteer work in my community. As you all know, I LOVE living here on Boularderie Island, and feel it is my duty to be an asset to my community. Our whole family has volunteered to clean up 1/3 of a local park, and my husband and I do many hours of volunteer work at our children's school.

One of the new commitments I took on this year for Boularderie School is Roots of Empathy. Roots of Empathy is a program where I bring a baby and the baby's Mom into the classroom (in this case grade 3) to help teach the children about the baby's development, and to try to teach them empathy for the baby, and in turn, for each other. I do 27 visits over the course of nine months, and I bring the Mom and baby in for 9 of those classes. After completing my training in October to be a qualified Roots of Empathy instructor, I was assigned to the grade 3 class.

Things have been going very well, and the kids are just in LOVE with the baby. Their little faces just light up when they see him, and he seems to enjoy all the attention. He is absolutely adorable.

Last Friday, during a pre baby visit where we get prepared for the baby visit, things were completely getting out of hand. The kids were, at some points laying and pulling on the blanket we sit around during the class, shoving each other, and "changing" the words to the nursery rhymes we were practicing in preparation for our baby's visit. If you have children, or was one at some point, you can imagine the lyrics these kids can come up with. The teacher and I had tried to pull them back on track many times, but nothing seemed to be effective.

Since I've never been a "teacher" before in a school environment, I have to use the skills I've developed by raising three children. After the nursery rhymes fiasco, drastic measures had to be taken. I stood up and listened to the chatter, looked over to the teacher's aid (who had taken over from the teacher) and said loudly (just to be heard), "Can someone help me fold up the blanket, please?” something we do at the very end of our visit. Since they LOVE to be helpful, three or four children immediately jumped up and began to fold the blanket. After about 5 seconds, someone said, "Why are we folding the blanket"? No, a hush didn't come over the class, but those of who had heard the question began repeating it and that's when I stunned them.

I shushed them as they passed me my blanket and began to explain. I told them that I had to leave. Why, they asked, to which I replied, "You guys are not listening or participating the way that you are supposed to and this class is to get ready to bring the baby in and I won't be able to bring the baby into this kind of environment. You are being too loud and inappropriate and it's not a safe or loving environment to bring the baby into. I'm sorry, but I have to leave."

After they picked their little jaws off the floor, they pleaded with me to give them another chance. Between me, the teacher, and the teacher's aid, we had already given them at least a dozen warnings about their behavior. None had previously worked, but for one fleeting second, I contemplated putting the blanket back down and continuing. Then the next second, I went back to the only skills I really had to draw on from teaching, my own children. If I had given them that many warnings, would I go back on my word and stay? Not on your life. I apologized to them, and told them that I would have to come back another day and left. I could tell that they were sorry then, but why were they only sorry when something was taken away from them? Why weren't they sorry when we were pleading with them to pay attention? Were they sorry for their behavior towards me and the teachers, or for themselves? I would find out shortly.

I found the teacher in the school and told her what had happened. She agreed that I did the right thing, and we made arrangements between ourselves that I would return Monday morning.

My son (who is in the grade 3 class) came home after school and handed me an envelope. Inside was a letter from EVERY child in grade 3 (my son included) telling me how sorry they were, how much they liked the class, how they LOVED "their" baby, and how very very sorry they were about their behavior. It literally brought a tear to my eye. Not only did they appreciate the class, they also wanted me back, even though, "Miss took away our art class," was included in one letter.

I questioned my decision to leave so abruptly as soon as I stepped out of the school. I called my mentor for the program later that day and asked her if I'd done the right thing. She assured me that they had learned a lesson of empathy that is not in the books. They had learned that my time is important, and that a certain behavior is expected of them. They are far enough into the program that they know what's expected of them in terms of behavior. And, they were genuinely sorry. This I knew for sure.

I am happy to report that bright and early Monday morning, I was back in class, with their letters in my hand, to tell them how much it meant to me that they liked the class and wanted me back. I explained to them that I was not getting paid to do these classes and they did take time to prepare and I was glad that they could appreciate that. I also told them how much I truly LOVE teaching Roots of Empathy to them. And I am happy to report that class went off without a hitch, with kids who were laughing, smiling, and being kind to each other....and to me.

I am sure this is a lesson they'll never forget.

Until next time,

Michelle

Are you there Spring? It's me, Michelle.

Dear Spring,

I know in the past that I've complained and even cursed your sticky, dirty mud that covers the kid’s shoes, jackets, and occasionally hair, but can't we PLEASE put that behind us? Please?

These past few years I've been hard on you Spring, and I'm ashamed to admit it. I have a new appreciation of you after living through this long, cold, snow covered winter. I can't wait for you to arrive so I can open the windows and feel your cool breeze flow through the house. Or to hang out laundry on your beautiful (yet still cool) sunny days and not have it freeze solid. My back will thank you when I no longer need to carry 40 pound bags of wood pellets into the house. I can't wait to be able to take out my bike, my golf clubs, my sneakers......oh Spring, how I long for you.

I know that you're as anxious as I am to arrive. I've caught a glimpse of you a couple of times. This past week I was able to drive up the driveway without silently praying or cursing for the first time in months. Just the other day I spotted some of your sweet little buds on the trees in the yard.

Don't be afraid Spring, this year I promise to take advantage of every cool, sweet day that you are willing to give me. I will drink my morning coffee on my deck, even if I have to wear my winter coat as long as I don't have to look at the dirty mountains of snow in the yard and worry if more will come. I will ride my bike over the pot holes on the road and not complain because I'll be thankful that you melted the snow. I will silently thank you every time I tee off on the first hole...and every hole after if you'd just show yourself to me.

There's something in it for you too, Spring. This year, more than any other, people will be thrilled to see you. They are sick of shoveling, sick of cold weather, and are anxiously awaiting your arrival. March came in like a lion, so can you help us out and let it go out like a lamb?

Signed,

Michelle Symes

Just when you think life really sucks......

Hi All,

Well, where to begin. Let's see. When my husband goes to work, it takes a good week for me to come down off my pins and needles. Let's just say that if a crisis is going to happen with the house, car, kids, etc., chances are it'll happen when he's at work. Case and point, the septic system flooded THE DAY HE WENT TO WORK! He had been in HRM about an hour when it started. If the kids are sick, 9 times out of 10, he is at work.

I guess I was starting to let my guard down as I kicked back to watch Survivor Thursday night. My husband had been at work since Saturday, and so far so good. Until I heard the sound that could wake me out of the deadest of sleeps. The bed puke. This time it was my daughter, and it continued for 28 hours straight, and off and on until Saturday sometime. The lack of sleep, laundry, and disinfecting was going at a rapid pace around here all weekend, and is continuing even now. By the way, who got voted off Survivor?

Saturday, my oldest son went for a sleepover at one of his closest friends houses, Samuel. These guys have been really close since we moved here and it's not hard to see why. They both have a very laid back personalities, and really have a great time together. My son often says that Samuel is the nicest kid he knows, and I really can't argue, he really is such a sweetie. Sunday morning, I get a call from Samuel's parents that my son had been struck with a golf club (by Samuel)and had a nosebleed, might need stitches and I could meet them at the hospital. Total panic in my house. First, I have just gotten out of the shower, my hair is still in a towel, Pukey McBarf is still queasy, and my other son isn't even dressed! What next?!? I called my parents and asked them to meet us at the hospital, told them the bbq I planned for us that afternoon was now cancelled, and could they take care of the other two while we waited who knows how long to get my son taken care of at the hospital. Without a seconds hesitation, they were on their way, with my Aunt Cella in tow.

When we arrive at the hospital, I don't know who to console more, my son, who eventually needed 4 stitches to close his face, or his little buddy Samuel, who was crying way harder than my son.

My parents and Aunt arrived, took the other two kids to our place, and Samuel and his Mom Brenda stayed through the X Rays- nothing broken - the stitches -4 total- plus some steri strips. Meanwhile, my friend and neighbour Jody had stopped by the house when she heard what happened (news travels fast on Boularderie Island!) and said she would take the only healthy child I had left to his banquet at 5:00. Boy I can't wait for my husband to get back home!

As I thought about what a crappy looong weekend I had lastnight, something occurred to me. When I needed help, my family, neighbours and friends were there without a moment's hesitation. My Mom was almost late for work, my parents and Aunt had boiled hot dogs for lunch instead of yummy bbq, Brenda and Samuel stayed at the hospital with me the whole time and helped ease the tension of the situation (I am so not good with needles!), Jody picked up my other son to take him to the banquet. How lucky are we to be surrounded by so much love and support? This is exactly why we love living here in Boularderie.

Thank you Mom and Dad, Aunt Cella, my daughter and other son, Brenda and Samuel and Jody. I really appreciate everything.

I guess just when you think life really sucks, you find out just how lucky you are.

Until next time,

Michelle