The Rink

I always said we would NEVER put our kids in minor hockey.

My words taste not bad.

Some of my best memories are of the rink. My skates were of the figure skating variety, but I don't think that makes any difference. Although when I offered to come out and help at hockey, Rory DID laugh. Apparently Moms in figure skates, no matter how well they can move their feet out there, are not cool.

AND...MY BIGGEST PET PEEVE IS "GIRL'S SKATES and BOY'S SKATES" so don't EVER refer to them as such in front of me.

ANYWAY..back to my thoughts.

I pull into the rink parking lot, I follow Rory in, I help him put on his hockey equipment and I curl up in a chair to visit with anyone else or I grab a cup of hot chocolate. I visit with Kennedy or I wave at the Rory Crosby on the ice. I am in my happy place. So is Rory.

My parents created me and molded me into the person that I am ...but the rink built me. The man I married...the curling, the skating, the carnivals...the friends...the determination...the disappointments...the scars...came largely from the rink.

I have a massive scar on my knee from the day I fell on Austin's natural ice during melting time. I was electrocuted alongside my best friend when we tried to play music on the same melting ice. This still makes me laugh.

I had my first 'real' kiss at the rink.

Junior High and High School drama class was at the rink.

I met the ice caretaker one year. We started curling together after he quit at the rink.

I married him. Although I am pretty sure he almost dated the aforementioned best friend. She never did like cows so I guess it worked out.

I still rate songs on the radio as, "If I were in Stars on Ice, this is what i would skate to" I still think the song "Higher" would be perfect...even though I can no longer tell you who sings it.

Once, we were the Beatles on Ice.

How the years go by. I am so grateful for our small town ice surface and all of the wonderful memories I have from the rink. I watch with pride as Rory makes new friends and is able to move and express himself in a way that makes sense to him. I can't imagine being a snowbird because winter is a part of me. It is a part of us.


See ya at the rink !

A+

I am feeling a tad cranky today. There is something nagging at me. It has been bothering me for quite some time and I am sure my teacher friends will disagree, but I just need to tell you anyway.

Teachers complain too much about report cards.

Okay okay. I am a teacher. AND I DO think the new report card is slightly over the top. AND I do not hold that every teacher is to blame for my crankiness. But I have noticed a trend that I believe I can offer a solution to.

Get some kids.

The ones that live in your home.

24/7.

Life somehow takes on a whole new perspective when you have little creatures in your house....or maybe it is that I am getting old. Truthfully...I am worried about these new teachers who have taken report cards to a whole new level of sleepless nights, long hours in front of the computer and a lack of personal life. You will get it done. Believe me. It should not be at the expense of your loved ones and your own sanity. Your health matters.

I think what bothers me is that I don't see any of my doctor friends (because I have literally THOUSANDS of doctor friends) posting on facebook that they were up all night long helping a Mom give birth. Steve doesn't post every day about the HOURS upon HOURS (and HOURS) he spends harvesting food for the world. The caretaker at my school did not post on facebook that he cleaned up vomit today. Know why? Because they know it is part of the job. I choose to smile and be so very thankful for a job I love for all of its pitfalls and celebrations. I choose to get 'r done. Lousy days happen. So what. You have 2 more report cards sessions to get through. Is it the ONLY thing going on in your life? If so...get some perspective.

Tonight, I played Trouble with my kids.

I may do some report cards now.

It is so awful. Feel sorry for me? Of course not! You have a busy life too and a job that keeps you hoppin'. So cheers to whatever you do to help make this world go 'round.

Teachers do work incredibly hard. They walk a crazy blurred line between work life and school life. They take hours of work home every night... But we CHOSE this lifestyle. No one wants to hear us complain about the choices WE made. Report card stress = first world problem.

And if you want to borrow some perspective...I can rent mine out for a few hours....delivery, sauciness, hockey practice, dance parties and lunch making included.