Autumnal New Year

It always feels like a new year on the Labour Day long weekend more than it does in the middle of winter after Christmas. The change is far more palpable in September. In the dog days of August you can feel some of the coming crispness in the air in the evenings in spite of the searing heat and humidity during the days. This weekend we went from a major high of 34C ( almost 100F) on Friday to barely 17C ( 65F) on Saturday. Change is in the air.

White clothes, tank tops, capris and open toed shoes are tucked away at the end of August, and panty hose makes a return - much to the chagrin of women everywhere.

I've done my share of back to school shopping this year. I took both girls shopping, separately. Their styles of shopping are so different, it never works to take them together. Never has.

Rebel is working now, but I still have to cut her a little slack after her two+ year absence from the work force. She is coaching gymnastics and loves it, but because she doesn't have her certification she has to take a whack of courses and qualifiers to be able to work without a certified coach trailing her every move. She's frustrated but is getting the short term pain long term gain point of view. The other coaches (many younger than her) don't think her diving experience is worth much but she is handling herself. "Back summersault on a trampoline? Piece of cake. You go ahead and do one off a 7 metre board and hit the water without hurting your head or back, okay? Then we'll talk about who was in the tougher sport!" That's a Rebel for ya.

Rebel Junior has finally started looking for jobs. Though given her school agenda - and I don't mean classes, I mean Yearbook Committee, Athletic Association, Grad Committee, and a drive to be valdictorian, not sure whether a J-O-B will fit. Both XSU and I have told her it has to fit as we will not pay for any number of her extra curricular activities including her plans for Punta Cana at March break.

I also did a little shopping for myself. A pair of jeans to die for - Yoga Jeans by Silver. OMG! Best jeans ever! Sold to me by a wonderfully sharp dressed young man at the jean store. I have to get another pair they fit so terrifically. Cost a fortune but whatEV! And a pair of shoes. Not quite flats - a little wedge heel in gold. Perfect for jeans. I also shopped around for drills and impact drivers. But that will now have to wait until late fall, since I blew the budget on the girls.

And this new year for me? It's now been a year since I officially separated from XSU. I am still adjusting but it is easier. I am mostly enjoying my independence. Money is tight. But I'll get there. At least I have a great job and don't have to worry about that. And it will get better.

Had a martini with the widower neighbour the other night - was taking the dog for a walk and he was out on his porch. I told him I envied his porch and his drink, and he invited me to share both. With the dog. And his two cats. We took a chance. Conversation and that's about it. It was a nice. Friends for now that's all I can manage. But I digress....

This year I am still on the board of the gymnastics centre, (yeah the one where Rebel is working- first time I ever used my influence for anything) I will be teaching again in the winter, I have my theatre girls, and am thinking about working a compressed work week, if I can ever figure out how to be a morning person so I can get to work earlier so I can work the extra 50 minutes a day in order to get the 10th day off every two weeks.

I'll be heading to Halifax in a couple of weeks. I won an award from my university. Imagine that. Outstanding alumnae of the year. Given to me by a committe of my peers from the school. The citation was very nice. I have become one of those "been around forever people" and now need to get my speech written. The new crop of students will be in attendance so I have to speak directly to them. Rebel will be coming with me which was a real surprise. She asked to come.

So the "new year" is off to a good start. The air is changing it's a new start for all of us. Happy New Year to you too.