Live from Tormville!

Happy Hot Air Balloon Day!

Mark has one of those calendars that daily tell him what day it is. This morning he came downstairs and said, "Mom, did you know today is Hot Air Balloon Day?" 

My favorite day!! 

The pandemic kept us grounded last year, so we are all appreciating this year just that much more. We flew twice this last week, and on Thursday I was lucky enough to go up.  I still work for another week, but my summer mood starts the day the kids get out - and I can say that Summer 2021 is pretty awesome so far. 

This isn't the school that I work at, but I spent a lot of time here this last year photographing events. By my count, I photographed 141 events from August - May, and I loved every moment. It was a great way to get out and be active when the options were limited. Besides, it was my stress relief. 

I loved being able to shout to the drumline to play something, knowing they had no clue who was requesting, and then sending them an immediate picture. I had the thought that I should have recorded them (they sounded fantastic) but then remembered - HAH - the burner doesn't make for good audio background. (wink) 

It's always fun to fly with other balloons.  Sometimes we stick close together, other times we end up being pulled in different directions. The directions can vary depending on the altitude.  Dennis (the balloon on the left in the second picture) took off more East pretty quick, while Joey stayed closer to the path we were on.  Joey's grandma subs in the office and library for us at Three Fires, and got to the launch in time to wave me off.  

I plan to ask her to sub for me next year (For Real! I am!) but today I used my perfect attendance bonus to purchase some new photo equipment that I'm pretty excited to play with.  

Happy Sigh 

The lake you see is the one that Mark puts in a lot of his swims. He did the pool this morning for swim number 69 of his 200 swim goal, but since it was so warm today - he went for another swim in the lake after dinner. 

At this point we were looking for a place to land, and had our eyes set on that subdivision just past the church. 

Roof is looking good. 

Joey is still tracking pretty close to the same path we are. 

The subdivision ended up not working out. We came down low, talked to a few people, skimmed between a few homes and had to pop back up. We had picked up speed at that point, and between that and numerous fenced in yards, the conditions were too risky. 

By law, we have to be out of the sky by sunset. 

By personal choice, we prefer to be out of the sky before the dew starts getting the grass wet. When we pop up and see mostly trees we reflect upon past experiences and think this could get interesting. The wind likes to play and it often pulls us just out of reach of perfect landing spots, or teases us with what look like fields - only to find that they are wetlands or crops. 

Until we find something - we just enjoy the moment. 

Here we yelled, "HEY JIM!"  No response.  Then we tried, "HEY TOM!!"  
Still - no response.  Either it really wasn't them, or they were ignoring us.  They seemed pretty focused. 

Right on target towards a perfect landing spot. The first flight of the year was a pretty rough landing, but this one was probably the smoothest that I've ever been a part of.  The grass was dry, the landing was smooth, the owners were helpful and even brought us ice cream. 

Life is good. 

-----

In other stuff: I'm going to work towards getting back into a blogging routine now that I'm back in summer mode.  It's my family that gets on me if I lapse too long. 

Also hoping to share some kayaking, backpacking, travels, balloonfest and maybe a brain drain or two as the summer goes on.   

The other thing I almost do

I am a Victim Service Advocate. 

It's not a title that I feel I've completely earned yet. It's not something that I've shared out to very many people. I have told the people that live under the same roof, as that seems somewhat warranted being that the on call lifestyle  will affect the way we do things. I know for a fact my neighbors and even some of my extended family are learning this for the first time if they are reading this post. 

Let me start by sharing a little timeline. 

• Fall 2018 - I went through the Citizen's Academy at the Sheriff's Office. It was during that time that I learned about the Victim Services Unit. While many counties have had their units for 12-20+ years - we, in Livingston County, are just starting ours. During the class in which it was brought up, I instantly got those goosebumps and that all encompassing feeling that this is my next chapter. There was (is) no doubt in my mind. 
  I applied
• August 2019 - I was interviewed by the Undersheriff, the Lieutenant and the Administrative Secretary. 
• September 2019 - I was taken on as a Victim Service Advocate and began attending the required bi-monthly training meetings. 
• January 2020 - I attended the mandatory three day training up in Petoskey, a training required to go out on calls.
• March 11, 2020 - I attended a bi-monthly meeting and got the go ahead to start carrying my on call bag/uniform. I headed straight from that meeting over to what was going to be the last basketball game of the season. 
• March 12, 2020 - morning - I hung my uniform and go bag in my car before going to work 
• March 12, 2020 - evening - all units, statewide, were put on hold

It's been a long year. It's been a frustrating year, hearing calls and and knowing of calls and situations where my training could be helpful, but not being cleared to go. I've continued with my required continuing education hours (12 CE's a year), and went on a lot of walks and took a lot of photographs. Taking pictures has been my way of keeping my mind off what else I could/should be doing. 

This past week I had a five hour meeting at the Sheriff's Office. During that meeting we discussed our roles, organized materials and began preparing for when we will starting going on call outs. (June 4th) 

During that meeting we discussed what my tasks will be beyond going on calls. As one of three leads, one of my roles will be finding ways to recruit and build our unit (the reason for this post), logging CE hours, and making sure our advocates are aware of trainings and requirements. 

A little about the role itself.  

As a Victim Service Advocate, we are with the victims of tragedies during their very worst moments. We are in homes and at crime scenes and suicides when the news is fresh and the feelings are still very very raw. Our job is to be with the victim, helping them in whatever way is needed and walking them through the steps of what is happening. By being there and doing this we are freeing up law enforcement to focus on their jobs. I'm aware that I will be seeing things that I will never be able to unsee, and - as we are taught in our trainings - that it is very possible that I could be comforting a suspect of a crime. It is also very possible that I may unexpectedly find myself at a scene of someone I know. 

I'm going into this with eyes wide open, and we have all the help tools in place to assist in the processing of these situations. I believe in the system, and have told those closest to me to monitor me - to let me know if I begin to lose my humor or if the light goes out of my eyes. Keep me in check and remember me in your prayers.

With all my heart, I feel the rewards are worth it. 

The other reason that I share with you now, is because I need you to know that if - God forbid - I happen to end up in your home as a Victim Service Advocate - whatever is learned and/or shared there is completely and one hundred percent confidential.  What happens there is only between the team (advocates always go out in pairs) and the victim(s). Period. If someone asks me if I was at a particular scene, I will neither confirm or deny, but remind them that my job is confidential. 

In many ways, I feel like my training as both a parapro and an office clerk has better prepared me for this chosen path. As a parapro, we quickly learn not to take things personally, and as school office staff we practice confidentiality daily.  Likewise, the training that I've had as a Victim Service Advocate has given me tools that I use in my job at the school. 

Add to that, my being gifted with the skills and opportunity to take pictures at school is my go to stress relief. Other people may exercise, but me - I take pictures. While those volunteer hours may be fewer than they are this year, and it's quite possible I could be called away from the game right before the final buzzer - I hope to always continue my role as photographer for yearbook and the Communications Department. It's my sanity check. Besides, I'm already getting excited for Friday night football. And band. And basketball. And and and and......

I have the best of all worlds. 

In closing, if you feel like this might be something that you could do or that you are meant to do, let me know and I'll put you in touch with the right people. 

Be Good. Be Safe. 

Happy Friday!

This past month has been a whirlwind with Easter company, school, sports, quarantines, Mark's daily swim goal, archery, meetings, learning M-STEP organization, etc....

I like whirlwinds. 

BUT - I don't like falling behind here. So - a quick bullet point rundown: 

• Wendy and Kirk came home for Easter. 
• No. They are not engaged. 
• They've been very patient, know that I've been busy, and haven't even asked about these Easter afternoon pictures. 
• Kirk introduced me to a new fun gadget that I think I'm going to order this weekend and hope to implement some playtime into my photography stuff.
• Both boys are currently quarantined.
• Quarantines skyrocketed after spring break. 
• The sentencing time changed again yesterday, so both boys will be back to school sooner rather than later. 
• Mark is still keeping up with his daily swimming goal, despite the fact that being quarantined won't allow him use of the pool. 
• Yesterday morning we woke up to snow. Yesterday afternoon he was in the lake. 
• I had my meeting at the Sheriff's office this week, and after a prolonged wait due to the pandemic, I will be officially on call beginning 6/4.
• (more details coming, as one of my roles is recruiting and building the unit) 
• The timeline is perfect. My last day of school is May 28, and my last day of work for the school year is 6/11. 
• I'm still out taking pictures nearly six days a week.  
• Last night had all games canceled due to quarantines, and I was pacing.....not knowing what to do with all my free time. 
• (I did laundry) 
• Wendy got a new job!  She's passed her written scuba diving test, and now just needs to pass the swim portion.  She's going to be cleaning the muck out of the lakes of the well to do.  As many people have told her, uh...that's where Prince lived!  
• I can't wait to hear her stories. 
• Wendy tells great stories.
• Barring any quarantines, Brian will compete in archery nationals a week from tomorrow. 
• We've been driving more, again.  Our Secretary of State is closed, again. 
• I'm scheduling him for the summer. 
• Allan is still at home, and working more.  He was on the waitlist for an apartment, but it fell through when the current renter changed their mind and renewed their lease. 
• Any leads on affordable rentals of any sort - appreciated.  
• Greg is still working from home a couple days a week, and in the office a couple days a week. It's sporadic and not predictable. 

Time for me to put my stuff together and get to work. 

Happy Friday!!

District Champs!

My photo isn't the best quality. 
I was struggling with timing and a lens change, and - as things happen- the moment was over before I had everything in place. 
It happens. 

We'd lost to Hartland twice this season, and Saturday's game had all the elements. The score was tight, the three pointers were sinking, there was at least one technical foul, and at one point I almost couldn't watch anymore as the Hartland team was gaining momentum and we were losing our lead in the 4th quarter.  My stomach was in knots, and I lost a few key photographs for it. 

But this one is my favorite, out of focus and all. 

Why? 

For a few reasons I suppose.  I'll look at it and always remember the energy that that game held. 
I'm grateful that, despite all the politics and all that goes with it, that winter sports were able to finish their season this year. 
And I love their smiles. 

I had to sit on my fingers Saturday night when the paper posted their article, and the lead picture was a picture of just the Howell team on the sidelines and two of the six pictures players with their masks slipping. Not off. Not all the way to their chin. Just slipping.

Within minutes there was a snide mask comment made. 

Not a way to go team comment. Not a congratulations on defeating the team that you lost to twice this season.  Only an impolite comment on the masks. 

I typed out at least three responses, deleted them all and crawled into bed. 

But it's weighing on me. Because I'm at those games.  I have seen those boys put on a fresh mask before they hit the court, only to come off a few minutes later and have to wring the sweat out of them into a garbage can. 

I have seen them, repeatedly, pulling them up during and after a play.  I've seen them pulling them away, not down or off,  from their face as they try and catch their breath

I've been witness to masks so drenched, they lay on their faces like a soaked sweaty sock. They. Are. Doing. Their. Best. They should be commended for their efforts and how well they've adapted.  

Now we are requiring them to get tested several times a week, and some of them are already getting tested twice a week if their job requires it. This is a fact. We have teenagers that are getting tested four times or more a week, so they can play. And work!  Give them some grace.

As for this picture - I love their smiles. They spend more time with each other this time of year than they do with their families. Their team IS their family. The eat pre-game meals together, play together, go out to restaurants together to celebrate their wins, have classes together, get tested together and hang out together during their off time.  

Let them enjoy the game. 

Tonight they take on Walled Lake Northern in the Regional Semifinal. 

Go get 'em Boys!  

 

 

Fifty-One

My husband is fifty-one today. 

Greg doesn't show up on here very much. He doesn't have social media, he's not a game chaser like I am, and he can most often be found out in his garage working with his hands. He still carves, he's built his own forge and likes to experiment now with metal by making knives and plant hangers,  he plays with his lathe now and then and he can still fix pretty much any problem we have with our home or vehicles.  And he cooks! 

While he's never been interested in my plus one ticket to the games, he's always been supportive of my going. In fact, he's been supportive of every single thing I've tossed out over our 33 years together, 29 of those married. 

Me at 23: Hey - I have an opportunity to live in Finland for a year
Him: That sounds like an amazing experience
Me, newly married: I joined a woman's hockey team. 
Him: That sounds like a blast. 
Me: I always planned to stay home, even after the kids went to school - but I there's an opportunity available. 
Him: Go for it.
Me, in the past: I may apply for a new job, but it would mean more days/hours. 
Him: It sounds well suited to you. 
Me: I changed my mind about that job, the cons outweigh the pros. 
Him: I trust your decision. As long as you're happy. 
Me: I've applied for a volunteer position that I feel very strongly about, but it's going to put me in high risk situations, and I'll be on call - so it will be a change of lifestyle. 
Him: That sounds very rewarding. 
Me: I want to go to a game tonight (and the next night, and the next night, and the night after that) 
Him: Have fun!
Me: We could use your robotics knowledge, do you think you could coach Brian's (and then Mark's) robotics teams? 
Him: What days and times? 
Me: They are looking for more coaches for archery, would you be interested? 
Him: How do I begin? 
Me: I want to paint the living room. 
Him: Tell me when and I can help move the furniture. 
Me: I want to replace your La-Z-Boy
Him:  NO

Grin. 

I am  blessed. 

Pandemic Banquets

Pandemic banquets are weird. 

Both boys had events last night.  Brian had an archery award ceremony last night - zoom style. They had to be present to win. Or not. 
As the slide show began, I was wondering if we were in the right zoom, as I didn't recognize any of the archers. I hadn't picked up on that it was a slide show and award ceremony for one particular hosted tournament and not specific to our team.
What I did pick up on is that when you have a lot of teens in a zoom meeting, at 4:30 before many parents are at home, there is a lot of chatter, scribbling on the presentation and attendees posting messages to please stop scribbling on the presentation. 

From his event, it was a quick dinner and then to Mark's Swim and Dive banquet award ceremony.  No food can be served during pandemic award ceremonies. Nobody beyond the athletes and coaches can attend - so it was a quick drop off, then back home to watch the live feed while guessing if it was going to finish early to send a driver back to pick him up. 

Only during pandemic banquets ceremonies does someone get awarded with "Most Likely to Get Quarantined" 

My husband: There is a lot of talking at this banquet. It's loud. 
Me: It's a middle school event with no parents. 
My husband: AAAAaaaaah! 

Best Team Player was the award given to Mark. 

Food in the form of pre-packaged treats were passed out at the door as they exited, an approved way of providing food at a banquet. Short and sweet and clean up was a breeze. 

On Yearbook, Plans, Markisms and Other Stuff

Yearbook

I've lost track of how many years I've put together our elementary yearbook, my favorite and my most anticipated (by me) project of the year. It's a project that brings together all my favorite things: photography, design and tedious organization.  

I had to let it go this year.  I had to let it go, or the frustration of a multitude of changes combined with not having the access to begin on my normal timeline - well, letting it go was the only choice I had if I wanted to maintain my sanity during a school year that has had double the normal work load. 

The only contribution that I put into this year's yearbook was proofreading, and I had less than a full day to do that in. So. It's going to look different. It's not bad. It's just different. 

I have high hopes of taking it back next year. Fingers crossed. 

What I HAVE enjoyed, is being accepted by the high school as a  photographer for their yearbook. While I don't have a hand in the design, that I've been able to contribute by attending events and taking photos has been my lifeline. I'm grateful. The work on the spring supplement begins soon, and my April calendar is delightfully loaded with new sports to photograph. I hope I can continue to contribute in some capacity in the years ahead. 

Plans

• Two more days of school until spring break! We are not going anywhere this year - but will enjoy Wendy and her favorite sidekick coming to town as well as hosting our guest minister - Greg's childhood friend who was best man in our wedding.  Greg has shared many memories with the boys over the past couple weeks in anticipation. 
• Forty-one more days of kids in the school. My days go by quickly, and as always, there are not enough hours. 
• More biking. The weather has been beautiful. I plan to pull my bike out of storage soon, and we've got one on order for Mark. Bikes are hard to find in the store, and ordering is a two month wait. Fingers crossed we like what we've ordered.  
• On walking. My step count is way down this year. I need to get on that. I've signed up for an IN PERSON 5K, so I really need to get my butt moving.  I wasn't at all motivated by virtual 5Ks. 
• I need to plan something fun for summer besides bringing Mark swimming 200 days in a row.

Markisms: 

• Mark, who rarely even turns his phone on: Mom, I don't even ever use Snapchat, and I got a friend request. 
  Me: Well, let me see who it is - maybe it's someone from church or school. 
  Me, not recognizing the name, I use my PowerSchool skills to confirm it is not a classmate. Delete. 
  Mark: Can I just delete Snapchat? 
  Me: Well, you could - but it's how your peer group communicates, and you might want it so you know what's going on at some point. You know, for social stuff. 
  Mark: Doesn't anyone just write letters and mail them anymore? 
  Me: Well. No. 
  Mark: Well. That's disappointing. 
  
  
• Mark: My age (14) is the perfect age. I'm old enough that adults take me seriously, but still young enough that I have freedoms. 
• Mark, on high school: They don't have a debate team OR a club for people who like board games?!?! 

Deep Thoughts

• Can someone be both good with change and not like change at the same time?
• If every decision made is right in the moment, how can the accumulation of those decisions feel and/or be wrong? 

 

 

A New Day / A New Year

It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit. —Robert Louis Stevenson

On March 13, 2020 - I began counting days. That was the day that in-person learning at school came to a screeching halt. 

Tomorrow, March 15, 2021 - we start our fourth quarter of face to face education. I'm proud to be a part of a district that pushed forward with in person learning along with a virtual option. 

Are we back to normal?  No. 
Are there things I wish I could change?  Yes. 
Have I changed the way I do things?  Yes.  And No. 

While the year has held trials, it has also held blessings. 
While the future is still uncertain, there is hope. 

I choose hope. 

 

Staring Down The Barrel / Day 361

I remember when my mom was raising kids and working, she'd often remark that she wished that Sunday and Saturday were reversed. Her wish was that as the day of rest, Sunday came first. 

I reflect on that comment a lot, and definitely felt it yesterday. 

Last week was a long week. The work week was filled with activity, some within the norm and some out of the norm. It was a week that kept us on our toes. 

The boy's activities are in full swing, so every evening we are running. Mark's first two swim meets of the season took place this week. He learned a tough, but memorable, lesson when he rushed his getting into the pool before Thursday's event and didn't take the time to properly put on his goggles.  His goggles slipped off during his entry, filled with water and blinded him. He smacked chin first into the wall. Right in front of me, as I was cheering him on and taking photos. 

He ice packed for the rest of the meet, but did do his other events. I told him that I witnessed the coaches scrambling. They'd seen the impact and were sure they'd have to find a replacement for his relay. His response, "Even if they did try and replace me, I still would have done them"  He's bruised, but he still has all his teeth and he won't make that mistake again. 

Yesterday I crashed. 

I walked to the bowling alley to photograph that team's senior event at 8am, but afterwards - nothing.  I'm blaming it on the tough week, cold temperatures, the daunting week ahead and a poor night's sleep. 

Today I'll putter on a few things, make a plan of attack for the coming week and hope to make a meal plan. I also need to get outside and get some exercise and Vitamin D. 

This coming week are two more swim meets - both away. 
I'm working 8 hours a day this week, subbing. 
More archery. 
I had hoped to make the girl's game in Brighton this week - but there was a time change on Mark's swim meet, so I have to scratch that one off my list. 
Brian gets a haircut. You know it's getting long when he agrees to an appointment. 

We have a few rounds of out of town company coming the end of this month/beginning of April - so I'll be squeezing in some extra spring cleaning in between the cracks. 

Spring is coming. But I am hoping for one more good snowfall. Sorry, not sorry. 

------

Fun(ny) note: It was realized yesterday that Allan, our oldest, is now the shortest of our three boys. It was one of those moments that had the walls shaking and the lamps nearly breaking as chaos erupted. 

*Sploosh* / Day 357

The first swim meet of the season is in the books. 

It's a weird feeling as we're coming around to where we left off last year. Last year we had a few swim meets in when the world suddenly stopped. This year, it's masks on deck, one spectator per swimmer/diver, no transfer bus to meets and limited locker room time. 

It's hard to wrap my head around at times. 

Yesterday was the type of day that had me strategically planning from the minute I woke up. 
Work is cold = layers. 
Leave work on time to feed swimmer and get him to his meet. 
Deck is warm = change into something more comfortable. 
Have quick light dinner prepared for when the boys get home from school. 
Make it portable, as eating is done on the way to the meet.
Pick up more dinner after swim. 
Get other kid to archery in time. 

One of them kind of days. 

Tomorrow is pretty much the same schedule, but with a little more time before swim and little less time between swim and archery.  

Greg, meanwhile, is going to the office today for the 8th day in a row. He still considers himself as working from home. 
I'm curious how many days in a row he'll go to the office before he realizes that he can't say that anymore.