Smuggle Life (Muggle....but a swimmer mom)

Today could have been my last time volunteering at a swim meet. Peirce swam in the high school meet. I was the chief finish judge....a fancy name for the person who checks to make sure all the times seem legit (i.e. timers remembered to hit the plunger) as they come across the computer.

I had zero experience with swimming when our kids started out. I've been a treasurer, a secretary, a timer, a stroke and turn judge, a bottle collector, driver, cheerleader, electronics helper, learned how to get the names up on the scoreboard and a bunch of other things....but most importantly, made a bunch of good friends. It was fun to run into some of my old friends today. We even had a group hug!

Today, as I was thinking maybe this was my last time doing this, I volunteered with two ladies I didn't know. One was a grandma who did all this when her daughter swam and now is doing it again while her grand-kids swim. The other lady hasn't had age-group aged kids for a number of years, but still volunteers because she seems to really love it (that's my assumption....she did say that she's a valued volunteer...which felt awkward so I just moved on in the conversation). So, maybe it won't be the last time. I kind of doubt that I'll go back and volunteer just for the  good of volunteering though.

Truth is, one day I'd like to join a masters club. I have this secret goal to be a triathalon-er one day. Maybe I won't leave the swimming world forever.

This was my view today. I had front row seating to the pool and had to watch every race carefully. Tough job, but someone has to do it! :)

Swim Practice

It's amazing how quickly we slip back into the routine of morning swim practices. It is fun to be back at the pool.

Day 136 KSI Invitational

We don't usually participate in meets with Killarney Swim Club. I really enjoyed it today because I got to visit with Michelle and Ian Fox. We used to car pool with them and so we interacted a lot. I have always enjoyed visiting with them. It was great to catch up with them today.

Jill felt like she did the worst job she ever has in a 200 fly. Still doing her worst, she was in the A final. She is amazing.

Day 114 Fernie Meet

Every April, for years, we have been going out to Fernie for a swim meet. It is a really fun weekend because they plan team building activities along with the swimming. The kids all hang out all afternoon, checking out Fernie and having fun together. Saturday night they have a pizza party and games night. This just may be our last time going to this great event. I will miss it. I found myself wondering how I could get a vacation in Fernie once we no longer have this tradition. It is a beautiful place!

A few years ago we had some parent discord in the club. It was then that I discovered the Fernie library (had to get away from the angst!)  It has become one of my favorite places to spend a little time. It is a beautiful building! It does my soul well to hang out there. I'll be forever grateful for those tough years in the club because I found a real treasure because of it!

Day 113 Happy Earth Day

Today Jill and I ventured out to Fernie, BC. It is SO beautiful to drive through the mountains! All along, Jill would see some beautiful scene and shout out, "Happy Earth Day!"

Day 82 Jill in Hawaii

Day 79 Good bye

Today Jill left for her training camp in Hawaii. I am going to miss her. This morning we went and brought her grad dress pattern and then went out for breakfast at one of her favourite coffee shops....the girl knows coffee shops! 

She is going to have a great time. We are very excited for her. And we are very excited that we don't have to get up for 5:30 swim practice. 

Allen thinks we should send her away for two weeks....or more! I disagree. 

This is half the group. The rest left earlier. 

 7:00 sleep ins here we come!! #swimparentproblems

Day 75

Allen is out of town having to tough it out in Scottsdale, AZ. Poor guy.

Chico waiting for Jill at the pool.

That means I'm doing all the driving. Today I got up at 4:30 to take Jill to swimming at 5:00. She forgot to mention that she decided to not go this morning. She has a test today. She really does need the sleep. 

That's ok.  Can get so much done this morning, right??

....if only I can make it through the day. So tired!!

Day 74 Piano Lessons

I taught piano lessons for years. I quit teaching them when I started teaching school full time. This past month we had an online auction and everyone was asked to donate something. I decided to donate three months of piano lessons. The first lesson was today. It is so fun to do this again. I have different skills and confidence than I had before. I think it is going to be a great experience!

Day 49 Facebook Connecting!

Jill is off at Westerns. Tonight we tried out the Facebook calling and video function. Very cool! Works like a charm!

Chico misses Jill. Poor little guy needs someone to comfort him! I am trying to console him by giving him more lounging the with me....I have had more of it this week! When I read, I always put a pillow on my lap. Chico rests his chin on it. 

Day 47 Western Nationals

Jill is gone to Winnipeg this week for Western Nationals. She has a roommate this year that is really good about calling home, so we heard from her on the very first day! Yea for roommates.  :)

We are so proud of her. I am sure she will have a great time there and accomplish some great things. We miss her!

Day 37 Mornings

What do you do on Saturday mornings?

I get up early and drive to a pool.....every Saturday. This is us at the Airdrie Pool getting ready for the Timmerman's meet.

I don't know why the doors aren't open. We're waiting.

The quiet of the pool before the meet starts.....

I'm doing the job of Recorder Scorer this morning. This afternoon I'm the Chief Finish Judge.

It's always fun to be #1, even if you do add time.

Day 36 Glamour?

One of the things we have done to fundraise for swimming is to volunteer at Flames events. It is really a great fundraiser. In exchange for our time, t Flame make a donation to Jill' swimming.

Seems like a great opportunity to see lots of this:

We do see a little of that....as much as we can.

Mostly we see this though:

Not that glamorous.

I have to say though, it has been fun to see the 'behind the scenes' at the Flames games, Hitmen games, Roughneck games, concerts, and Stampeder games!

Soon Peirce will be old enough to volunteer too!

Day 14 Driving Driving Driving

Poor Allen. This morning he drove Jill to swimming and sat in the car dozing and listening to the radio. When it was time to go, he realized he had drained battery. So he called me to come rescue them.

Driving to The Talisman at 7:30 am is no simple process. I got to school just a couple minutes before I had to be out on supervision....which meant I was rather ill-prepared for the day.

Poor me.

Then after school we had to do it again because one vehicle was still down there.

Nothing like adding a good two hours extra driving to your day.

Senior Champs

I have had a great week! Jill and I have been in Edmonton at Senior Champs. My job is to keep Jill fed and rested. Other than that, I walk, read, and visit with friends. It is wonderful!

More on Jill's results later.

Jill and Sean. What is she looking at? A spider? A band of naked cyclists? A misunderstood band aid on the bottom of the pool? (Sometimes band aids look like poo....causes great concern) :)

Jill and Sean and Kieran and Emmett. Funny how Jill and Emmett have the same swim suit.

What I have learned....

A year ago we were at provincials. As we pulled into the driveway, we opened up a recently sent  email that unleashed a torrent. That torrent took over our summer. It started a series of events that stole many people's summer, caused great stress and in the end, really changed the swim club - but not the way the torrent creators expected.

So what have I learned from it all?

1. It is never too late. When I played racquetball with my dad, and I'd miss, he would always yell, "Get it again!" You can always hit it after the bounce if you miss it before the bounce. Life is like that. Even when something crazy happens and it seems like people are way down that road, it is never too late to turn around.

2. If people won't listen, and you really want to be heard, get organized. When we got the news that they were firing our coach, we immediately tried to contact the board to get some history. They wouldn't talk. We even got creative in trying to talk to the board. We were told to go away (that is the very polite and kind version of how they told us to go away). Their minds were made up and they said there was no turning back. Since their job was to represent the members, we decided to organize. Our collective voice made a difference.

3. If you aren't happy with how things are in an organization, you better have everyone on board before you decide to revolutionize it with your little merry band of dissenters. The board members ended up all resigning. The new board has worked hard to repair the damage, build relationships, and focus on the areas of weakness. They have done an amazing job.

4. Never quit. Nothîng is irreparable. And if you are not happy with a situation, find a situation where you will be happier. 

5. Good can come out of a seemingly terrible situation. There have been changes made in the club that are really great. We could have made these changes without all the drama, but I will be grateful for the changes, nonetheless.

The interesting thing is when we look at that list of people who wanted a different coach, none of them were at A's this year and most of them aren't even swimming anymore. Did that happen because their dissatisfaction actually wasn't rooted in who was coaching? Or was the mutiny such an experience that it even spilled over into their kid's lives and tainted their desire to swim? Or maybe the issue was more about the parents than the kids? Hard to say. All I know is we are grateful to still be here!

Procrastination Project

I'm embarrassed about how long this has taken me. I made it for a family in the swim club. It's been more than a year in the making. I really do enjoy sewing. It just seems to be lowest on my list of things to do. However, I finally got it done. Now I can give it to them at the swim meet this weekend. Phew!!

Awards Banquet

Tonight was the swim club's award banquet. 

They had it at Heritage Park. Cool place eh?!

Peirce got a certificate and new swim cap for getting his MQT and B time.

Jill won the Timmerman's Award again - second year in a row!

Peirce and Jill also got nominated for the training awards and came close on the kick awards.

Scenes From Saturday

Up at 5:30 to get one off to practice. 

Bribe him with breakfast out with dad after. 

Take off for a 6 km walk. 

Hurry home to get the other one to her race at the meet where, surprisingly, I not only find a parking spot, but a place to sit. 

Now for some undivided attention on my way too large pile of marking. 

I love Saturdays. Really. I love it.

Jill, Libby and Elaina were all in the same heat. In the end, Jill came in 2nd, just ahead of Libby. She moved up 2 spots too from the seeded positions.

Swim Meet/Track Meet Weekend

This weekend our club hosted a swim meet - which means more time/commitment from Allen and I as well as our kids. We volunteered at three of the sessions. Allen did timing and I did stroke and turn.

Note to self: Don't wear flip flops for the first time when doing stroke and turn. Oh my toes!!!

I calculated the metres I walked that day. It was 13,800 metres!! That's a lot of distance in flip flops!

Peirce did really well. He just aged up so now he has to re-qualify for his B time. He is getting closer though. He took 5 seconds off his 200 IM. Only 5 more seconds to go.

Jill missed the Saturday portion of the meet as she had the City Finals for track and field. She has done really well this year in track. She ran the 400 and 800 today and placed 6th in one and 4th in another.

Jill basically got talked into doing track. I was telling her how proud I was for her for working so hard at it and doing so well when it wasn't something she really had set as a goal to do. She said, "Well, I think the best thing about it all is that I learned how to tie my shoe laces well."

So Jill!