Cup 43 - Carla

November 15, 2014

Carla - while unique in so many amazing ways -  also reminds me a lot of me in other (less amazing?) ways.  I'm not sure how SHE would / will feel reading this statement but I would hope she doesn't mind!  Carla joined the teaching profession as her second career, and while this fun fact is not similar to me, since starting teaching seven years ago she is continuously reinventing her practice, either through changing roles or through an evolution towards leadership herself. (At least, this is what I see.  Again, I know she knows I hold this view of her but am unsure if she holds it of herself.) 

Confident in her practice probably partially thanks to her exceptional organizational and technological skills (not a similarity) Carla is also able to volunteer some of her time to the ATA and other extracurricular endeavours.  She keeps an open mind and has a balanced perspective. She can juggle multiple tasks, as evidenced by her Executive position as Local Secretary (although when she has tired of this title I plan to recruit her to our Convention Board and Executive!  Worst kept secret now!)

But enough about her professional attributes! The most important thing about any person is their character.  Carla is talented and funny. (She can sing and play multiple instruments - she recorded a CD!)  She is genuinely kind, interested in other people and has a fun sense of humour.  So does her husband, Terry.  They are a perfect pair and clearly have lots of fun together. (And, they were married at a more "seasoned" age which is something else I relate to.) Another trait I recognize is her being a sports fan and casual participant.  I haven't seen her play ball but if she can bat like she golfs then her team is in good stead.  

Of course, her athletic stints can only happen when she doesn't have a cast on her foot or have to rely on a knee scooter to get around!  Carla had a little "mis-hap" earlier this Fall, leaving her unable to teach for the term.  Hearing she was going a little stir-crazy at home, I "volunteered" her to assist me with some of my Convention Program administration.  It was during this visit to her beautiful and "homey" home where we got to catch up a bit.  I realized (not surprisingly) how much I like her and miss having her optimistic attitude permeate my world on a more frequent basis.  (Which must be where my "recruiting" idea has come from.  See paragraph 2.)

Carla is a lovely, down-to-earth friend to so many.  Colleagues admire her and students adore her.  I am one of those fans!

Cup 42 - Brier!

Brier 2000-2014

Not a lot I need to write. Those who knew him already know there aren't enough words.  I made a video though.  That was therapeutic!  You were a Good Boy, Brier!  THE Best Dog!  XXXOOO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5OjuGVD9bQ

Cup 41 - Tiffany

November 4, 2014

Tiffany came into mine and Derek's life, first as a causal friend but then played a professional role, which before long led to her becoming a highly valued and significant friend.  Tiffany is another one of those incredible, successful moms who somehow manage to do it all.  The fraction of the "all" which we have enjoyed has been largely as she wears her Veterinarian hat.  A friend to our cats she is extended family to Brier.  Or....she will be for a couple more weeks.

Tiffany came by tonight to consult on Brier's quality of life as we have been suspecting he is on a gradual decline although us seeing him everyday makes that difficult to discern.  She did agree that all signs point to him being weaker than when she saw him last and that "making a plan" was probably in order.  I think the decision is as hard on her as on us!  

Brier has played a role in her life too.  She and Curtis parent two boys, one of whom is autistic and has always been nervous around dogs.  Brier met them at Bowness Park one weekend a few years back to play ball.  It went really well. Following this, he also had weekend sleepovers at Tiffany's house and those visits went even better.  She credits Brier with helping Logan overcome some of his worry around dogs and this is where the "extended family" descriptor comes in.  We think Brier was the lucky one!

But Tiffany is much more than a veterinarian or surrogate family.  She is a beautiful, intelligent, hard-working, fun-spirited and adventurous woman. She is not afraid to make tough decisions on behalf of her family as she has a practical streak to overrule her free-spiritedness.  She is sincerely caring and down-to-earth.  She is fast to do a favour and never expects anything in return.  We have been blessed to enjoy parties with her, as well as shed tears.  Her friendship has meant the world to us!

Thanks Doc!

(PS - She is also very tall!  In the picture above, Derek is standing on a stair!  At that same party (my 40th), friends of mine drove up, saw her in the window and decided they were too underdressed, compared to her, to come in!)

Cup 40 - Jen

October 21, 2014

Jen and I met a little over six years ago. although it has only been in about the last three to four that she and I have become good friends.  Prior to that we were colleagues of the "acquaintance" variety given that she originally worked at my school part time and then was on a maternity leave and in a substitute role.  As with any great relationship, people have to spend time together to get to know each other and I am ever glad I've had this opportunity!

In common are our "approximate" ages, our love (hate) affair with good food, Keurig coffee, pets, shopping, Grey's Anatomy (I feel like I've blogged about this show before), our sense of humour (she's funny - and I like to think I have a good sense of HaHa too...).  We even did a "Starter" triathlon together. One of the most important commonalities, though, is the way we are wired up to work with kids and colleagues and to have an innate desire to lead.  I blush inwardly when she sometimes refers to me as one of her "mentors" because this seems far too lofty a regard when I know I have learned just as much from her as potentially otherwise.  However, she is currently the assistant principal in the office where I used to assume that same position so I suppose I did share a few pearls of wisdom with her over time.

In her outside sections of our Venn diagram is the fact that she is an amazing mom to three girls who, being in varying stages of their  life / career / education, she advises steadfastly and loves fiercely. They all genuinely love spending time together and possibly hold some sort of record for Mother-Daughter selfies.  All beautiful people, Jen regularly is mistaken for a sister of her older daughters. (And I don't mean to highlight the word "older" here.  It's just that her younger daughter is, like, six!) Jen juggles their worlds, and that of her devoted - though remotely working - hubby.  How she manages all of the hockey, dance, part time jobs and various school commitments (her own and her girls') is a feat.  I know lots of moms do it, and they all deserve high praise, but this is Jen's Cup of Coffee so we're bragging about her today!

Jen and I met at OJs tonight to catch up on life in general.  Despite a lot of "shop talk", including much about our own learning / university programs, the mood was light, time passed quickly and it was just another fun, casual chance to relax with a like-minded soul.  Where we used to see each other every day, now we have to carve out intentional moments.  This is "good" because it means we have each evolved into new opportunities but it is "bad" because now her Keurig machine is on the other side of the City from mine!  Thankfully Jen is always just a text, email or phone call away (yep, still know how to use a phone as a phone!)  I'm proud of both of us and especially because our common career trajectories ensure we will get to continue crossing paths.