MMMMMMMMMMMUSTANG

I didn`t want to write about my Metallicar anymore so I wouldn`t bore you to death with it but a lot of you have come up to see me to check up on her.
So here goes.
Why wasn`t I at school with it lately ?
Why am I only using it on weekends you asked ?
It`s very simple.
My car went through open heart surgery.
Right before my eyes , in my garage.
What a sight.
Pierre and I learned a lot about mechanics thanks to Kevin Marcotte ( yes Joelle`s brother who was also in Intensive).
Kevin will graduate next year in - you guessed it- auto mechanics.
Kevin bought his first car at the age of 11 ( I swear this is true ) so he could fix it with his uncle.
His family owns 2 vintage Camaros and Kevin has been under a hood since he can remember.
I call Kevin the CAR WHISPERER.
This is an art, a science, surgery I tell you.
It`s in his blood or it`s just in him period.
He`s a perfectionist and looooves my car.
I wouldn`t let JUST anyone touch my car, but Kevin can.
And it`s great to know that the money I pay him mostly goes on mechanic tools ( very expensive ) he needs to do his craft.
He`s presently working on his own project : a vintage pick- up truck that could race a jet.
He gives us lots of advice on the car which we abide to religiously.

After weeks of working on the motor : new gaskets, spiffed up motorheads etc, she was ready.
So we thought.
But keep in mind this is a 1973- do the math : 35 years old this year.
After a road test, she wouldn`t shift - change gears
She didn`t do that before. Hmmmm.
Problem - solving becomes a hobby when you own a vintage car.
Try this, try that and a test drive.
Do some research, talk to your mechanics, test drive .
See your mechanics at the garage, hold your breath, cross your fingers, pay- go for a test drive.
Eureka !
She`s ready.
You should have seen Kevin`s face when pierre started her up in the garage !
It was a million dollar smile of satisfaction .
But it`s raining, Kevin says NEVER to take her out for a spin when it rains !
Let`s make an exception, we`ve been waiting 8 months, then she`ll never feel the rain EVER promised.
And it`s pure bliss.
Satisfaction, reward`after 8 loooong months.
She`s purring under the hood and so was I, I swear.

So that ladies and germs, is the update on the Metallicar.
And the good news is that the weather forecast for the rest of the week is sunny and warm.
Perfect weather to go for a ride or to go to work with it.
It`s sunny and warm in my heart too let me tell ya.
Was it worth the 8 months of longing ?
Darn straight, it makes you appreciate her much more.
You recognize her old sounds and creaks and on the lookout for any other strange noises.
Why take drugs when you can drive a Mustang ?
Being high on just plain living and driving is good enough for me.

On that, I`ll go meet Pierre in the garage so we can sigh in chorus.
Tata,
No rest for the wicked.

Annie xx

V8 motor 302 : not a jet but just enough juice for mom and dad with their kids.

Kevin and his apprentice Pierre working hard on his children`s inheritance !
Kevin, the Car Whisperer.

Almost ready for the test drive......Pretty soon she`ll purrrrrrrrr like a kitten.

Thanks Kevin for the great work. You`re her favorite mechanic. It was a joy having you around.

Thanks for the mechanics 101 classes.

THE DAIRY QUEEN

ATTENTION ALL SEC.5 INTENSIVE STUDENTS : JUNE 5TH, 5 O`CLOCK. BE THERE.

Hello there Ladies and germs.
It`s been a while,hasn`t it ?
Many things have been going on since my last post.
Mostly good, mostly hectic.

I wrote a check to a science charity in Silicone Valley in California today, NOT to get bigger breasts but to quickly find a way to clone people . ( I can`t believe I just wrote that. Note to myself: edit last sentence .)
I need a clone and I need her yesterday !!
If I had to pick her, she would be exactly like me except more patient and drug-free.

No I am NOT a drug addict but at this rate, I just might become one.
Let me explain before you start thinking I`m on drugs and liking it.
I`ve taken 3 series of antibiotics and other prescription drugs ( anti-imflamatory pills ) for what was thought to be tonsilits.
After 2 sets of antibiotics and no change ( thank God for Motrin, Advil ! ), I return to see the doctor with a final verdict : my annual Streptocoque.
But so soon I tell the doctor ?
I usually get this the 1st day of my summer vacation ( for some it`s vacation, for me, it`s convalescence ) !
So that`s 2 in 10 months. Bingo, Jackpot. Where`s the check ?
Pierre says my Steptocoque is as stubborn as me after 3 antibiotic treatments with no results.

And it makes me laugh when the doctor and my pharmacist say : take all the medication, eat ice cream and get lots of rest.
Excuuuuuuuuuse me ?
Rest ?
Lady, we`re in May, the end of the year, I can`t rest, can`t be sick either, there`s just no time for it.
Are you kidding me?
I can do the ice cream though ....Hagen Daz, come to mommy.
Ice cream for medical reasons, yeah right, tell my waistline.
Call me THE Dairy Queen, that`s me .

I can meditate, walk instead of run, drink lots of fluids ( that means coffee ) but rest, I don`t think so.
And according to the professionals, I got it from my students.
We share everything now don`t we ?
And the teachers constantly telling me last week : Annie, you talk funny!
In Annie`s head only : Well honey, you look funny and I don`t tell YOU!
How would you like to have a Staedtler eraser down your throat and trying talking with it all day ?
Wanna try ? I`ll help ya .
But I don`t actually say it, just think it. It`s safer that way and I don`t go back home with a black eye.
Try explaing that to my kids .
When the Streptocoque arrives, my patience and tolerance level ( the little I have ) goes out the window.
If you`ve noticed or been a victim of it , I sincerely apologize.
It`s the darn drugs.
And I don`t even get a buzz, it just makes me sleepy, fuzzy ( like I`m snoozing in bed ) and cranky.
Even my kids at home behave better than Mommy- imagine.
Pretty soon they`ll see Mommy sending herself in her room for the evening.
Wouldn`t that be a switch ?
Well at least I have an excuse now.

On the bright side, my kids are off to Ottawa.
Without me.
I did organize and set the whole thing but will sit this one out.
Annie the Benchwarmer.
I had to .
My kids will have a great time in our national capital.
I can`t wait to see how they enjoyed it and how well it went.
As promised, I will be on the front porch of the school Friday night at 9:00 O`clock.
I shall be your welcome committee.

To my other kids in Sec.5:
#1- I love you guys.
#2- Don`t forget our special evening June 5th.......5:00 O`clock.
#3- I love you guys.
Told you it was the drugs.
#4- Special thanks to Jean-Michel and Dany Jutras for almost killing me in class today.
I jumped out of my skin.
My fingers are still numb so much I got scared.
Could be the drugs too.
So boys, KNOCK before you come in !
I`m no young chick anymore, you gotta think of my ticker ( my heart).
Hi to André Bé , Etienne Dé, Etienne Bé, John Michael and Dany California.
I miss and love you too.
And John Michael, for the love of god, bring me back my teddy bear you " borrowed " from my classroom !

On that, gotta go.
I have medication to take.

No rest for the wicked,
Annie xx

Mrs. FROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHLICH !

Kathleen proudly posing with her Latté at Starbuck`s in Montreal. She begged me to order it for her but I insisted she could order it on her own. She did while I was checking on the sideline. She was very proud of herself as you can see. On the left: Alexandra and Sarah-Claude.

This is the Kathleen we all know. Thanks Sylar.

Imagine yourself walking somewhere in the school and hearing from far far away the following :
" Hey Mrs. Froooooooooooooooooooooohlich "
At first you think you`re tired and probably imagine hearing it. Then from nowhere you hear it again but still no face to go with the voice in view.
"Alright you are really losing it Annie, seriously, don`t read up so late in bed anymore."
" I gotta lay off the books and get more zzzzz`s "
You hear it again but this time with a laugh that goes along the very exagerated Mrs. Froooooooohlich.
And there she`d be with her cocky smile : Kathleen right in front of you.
I wouldn`t know if I wanted to hug her or wring her neck.
She got me again.
When will I ever learn ?

Our conversations would often start with her saying : " Annie, you know what ? "
Our best conversations were non-verbal : she walking in the corridor, I blow her a kiss, she blows a kiss back, we wink at each other and that was it : short, wordless and to the point.
I could read this girl like a book .
I first met Kathleen 2 years ago and fell in love with her the very first period of the year :

Day 1 of the year.
She`s sitting in front of my desk in class.
I knew she`d had my sister Caroline in grade 6 at Baie Du Febvre.
I start my first period of the year by introducing myself and 2 minutes into my speech she raises her hand :
Me : " Yes Kathleen "
Kathleen : " Are you like your sister Caroline ?"
Me : With my most serious poker face : " I`m exactly like her and worse ! "
Kathleen : She thinks, then gives me a big grin.
I loved this girl instantly. This girl has balls, I`m gonna like her.
And I`ve loved her ever since .

To be very honest with you, I must say that this week has been one of the most difficult teaching experience if not the most difficult. Children just aren`t supposed to die.
Surely it was just as difficult for you.
I found out about Kathleen`s heart attack early Sunday evening .
I was sleeping due to tonsilitis.
The phone rings and I get the news.
I get to work the next day and my sister confirms the worst.
I`m in total denial.
Kathleen has character, she`s strong, she`s a tough cookie, she`ll make it.
So I won`t see her till June but I`ll see her bouncing around the corridors next September.

Then Wednesday morning comes around : 8:10 a.m and I see my sister Caroline waiting in the corridor near the school`s front doors.
How sweet, she wants to give me news on Kathleen.
" Step into my office" she says.
OK, that`s not good I tell myself but don`t fret, this can`t be bad I have 3 periods this morning I gotta do and .......surely she can`t give me bad news just before I step into class?
" Annie, Kathleen passed away "
Total shock.
Not kathleen, she`s such a fighter !
But even the best soldiers can go down.

Needless to say I couldn`t do my first period nor my second but I got myself together to do the third period thanks to Caro, Pierre , Josée Garon, Karyna and Katherine .
And I had to do the 4th one: English Lit Sec.4, Kathleen`s group.
With the help of the staff who graciously offered their support and help, who were on standby in the corridor just in case , I survived.
Taking the presence was the hardest.
A common, banal action like taking the presence seemed impossible to do when you have an empty desk in front of you and see your kids crying.
What can you say to make the pain go away ?
Nothing.
You can only acknowledge it.
Like a batter,you give it your best swing and pray for a homerun.
(Thanks K. )

And strangely as it seems, I still expect to see her walking in the corridor near my classroom, blowing me a kiss on the way.
I still wait for her to show up for class and hear her say : Hello Mrs.Frohlich.
This is what we call denial/ yearning/searching which is a normal phase of mourning or grief:
Yearning and Searching - this phase combines an intense separation anxiety and disregard or denial of the reality of the loss.
In other words you still do not realize she is gone and that she won`t come back.
Some of you feel like that now, you`ve told me.
You are so normal.

I`ve made a list of some of the best memories I`ve had with kathleen.
Everytime I roll the film of the moments in my head, I cry.
But I do know that time will permit me to roll that same film in my head and I will smile and it will eventually warm my heart instead of being painful.
How much time ?
I don`t know, but it`ll take the time necessary.
It`s called healing. Like healing from an injury.

Here`s my homemade movie with Kathleen :
7- She would have to work hard in English , it wasn`t always easy for her but she never quit. She always worked hard and often she did it just to please me.
6- Her working hard on the novel The Outsiders because she found it difficult but loved the novel so much . She`d tell me often.
5- My first meeting in class with her in Sec.2 : love at first sight.
I still see the grin she had.
4- The cute little smiles she`d send my way in the corridor while I would be greeting my students at the door.
3- Her favorite conversation starter : " Mrs. Frohlich , you know what ? "
2- Her bossing me around last Thursday ,her pretending she was scolding me because I hadn`t corrected her text YET : " You did not correct my text yet ? Mrs. Frohlich I will punish you"And we`d laugh .
1- Two years ago when I taught Kathleen in Sec.2, I had to stay home for a couple of weeks for medical reasons. It was in June. A week into the exam week.
Julie Houle calls me up from school and says there`s a certain Kathleen who really wanted to see me before the summer holidays.
Could she come over my house for a few minutes she asks.
A few minutes later they were both at my place and I was really glad to see both of them.
We chitchat for a few minutes and then she hands me a plastic bag.
In the plastic is a small box.
In the small box is a little pink angel pin.
" It`s the protective angel of teachers" she says .
" I wanted to thank you for all your help you gave me this year "
I look at her, I hug her and although it really wasn`t necessary, I truly appreciate the angel and will gladly wear it I tell her.
Pierre was as touched as me.
The first day of school I had kathleen this year, I wore it on my sweater to tell her I still was very grateful and especially to tell her I was still there for her.
Sometimes words aren`t necesary.
I wore it this week too.

But throughout this very difficult ordeal this week I keep reminding myself that I had the privilege of saying good-bye last Friday at 3:45 not knowing it would be our last human contact.
She came over to talk to me in the central corridor, we talked, we hugged and I kissed her good-bye and finally wished her a nice weekend.
And that is how my Kathleen movie ends:
On a happy note, a Hollywood ending, a happy ending.
But the movie isn`t quite over.

I see a sequel coming out eventually.
I see her with her grandfather( who by the words of Kathleen is a saint ) and she`s bossing him around , the Kathleen way.
I see her watching over my kids and family.
I see her watching over me when times will be difficult at school.
I see her smiling eyes and hear her laugh .
And I know that even though it is painful now when I see this sequel and tears are shed, eventually, with time, a grin, a smile will eventually replace my tears.
And that ladies and germs is a grrrrreat sequel.
And now, I have a face to go with my teacher angel pin.
She`ll always be with me, sometimes on my shirt but always in my heart.

So for you Kathleen, a track that`s been in my head all week .
SAY THAT YOU`LL BE ( track # 10 )
http://www.orangerecordlabel.com/lindyjukebox/jukebox.html

To better understand grief/mourning, its phases and process, here is a link that simply explains each phase.
We get to see that we are all very normal in our personal grieving process and that eventually, it will get better.
Here`s the link : http://www.journeyofhearts.org/kirstimd/AMSA/grief.htm

To all my kids in Intensive, hang in there, it`ll get better you`ll see.
You know where to find me if you need anything........Don`t be shy.
To Pierre, Caro, Josée Garon ,Katherine, Karyna, Claude and the staff in general,my students, thanks for your support, your love, your smiles, winks and high fives.
I totally appreciate it.
Rock on,
Annie xx

ROAD TRIPPIN '

Road trippin' is one of my favorite things in the world. Sometimes there`s a destination, sometimes none : a nowhere trip. What a joy.

I had the chance to have one this weekend but with a specific goal in mind: Picking up a LARGE parcel in Burlington Vermont for a certain 1973 Mustang.

After a week of waiting, our parcel from California was finally at the bus terminal in Burlington Vermont. They called us very early in the morning and an hour later, Mamma and Pappa bear were ready to hit the road with their two baby bears.

But to have a successful road trip there is a certain minimum of preparation : books, crayons, paper, a Gameboy with headphones, a picnic basket with provisions, a map ( thank you MAPQUEST ) , classic rock music, sunglasses and official papers to cross the border. With that you`re ready to roll.

Lunch time and we`re finally there already. The kids are great, no fantastic, no whining or complaining, everyone is enjoying the ride, the sun and the music.

After the border Pierre and I get a bit nervous. We bought our parcel on EBAY.They were sent from California. The WHAT IFS kick in : What if they`re not like in the pics on Ebay, what if they were wrecked during transport, what if we don`t like them ? Etc, etc.....

We finally get to the Greyhound bus terminal and we collect our Large, no make that VERY large parcels. Pierre and I inspect the goods and we smile and high five each other. Mission accomplished, they are fantastic. God it`s fun to live on the edge isn`t it ?

We litterally roll the parcels out of the bus terminal with the help of our kids and put them in the trunk. Before closing the trunk we stare at them once more, sigh, smile and giggle : " She`s gonna look great with those on isn`t she ? " Darn straight she will, it was worth the trip.What a great way to spend a Sunday.The kids are happy simply because Mommy and Daddy are happy . Bless them.

While we`re here why not go downtown on Church street ? It`s lovely and rustic and the kids really like it there, they deserve a break and so do we. We go for the American classic : pizza and fries. We stroll and enjoy the family time in a very quaint corner of Vermont. We have very good family memories in Vermont: camping, swimming in Lake Champlain at midnight with the kids with only a lantern for light, meeting new people, visiting Ben and Jerry ice cream factory......

Sadly we had to leave but we`re going to come back this summer, on the way back from Boston right ?

Need I say the trip back was loooooong. Not because the kids were pests, they were great. All we could think of is getting our parcels installed on the Metallicar. Wait till I get my hands on her Pierre says.

We finally get home, I get the kids ready for bed, Karyna called during the day so I call her back. The trip with the Sec.5 kids went super well she tells me ! I`m so glad you all had a great time and everyone`s back safe. I can`t wait to hear more tomorrow.

I hang up and there it is ! The 8th wonder of the world, after Pierre that is : my Metallicar with her brand new accessories !!!!!

Do you wanna see what we picked up in Vermont ? You`ll have to scroll down at the very bottom.

BUT WAIT ! Before you do that, one last thing . To the kids in Sec.5, please do NOT forget May 9th.

Karyna and I have worked on this evening since August and we really wanna see you guys there. I know we didn`t want to tell you anything about it before but I am willing to compromise.

Here`s the deal: the evening is composed of many surprises, some you can bring home and some you can`t . It should be an evening you won`t forget for a while. For Karyna and I, it is an occasion to spoil you one last time before you leave Jean Nicolet for good. We loved teaching you guys and wanna show you how much we did. So there, I gave a little input, but don`t tell Karyna I did, she`ll have my head on a platter. May 9th, 5:00pm, be there otherwise you`re gonna regret it.........

Here are the pics.

My 2 Vermont parcels are at the bottom if you haven`t figured it out yet.

Kevin : our own personal mechanic in my garage with Pierre " helping ".



The real pro is under the hood, the apprentice is holding the manual book.




In Vermont : " can we go now Mom, you got what you wanted ? "




What you DO NOT see between the takes is me pinching Félix-Antoine`s shoulder so we can take a proper picture.


I should have pinched harder.


God they`re cute.

Eating pizza the American way : no fork nor knife !


" A Whole Lot Of Rosie "

The 2 parcels and 1 happy Momma : authentic 1973 tires from California.

One on already while I was on the phone with Karyna !

She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean......She shook us all day long........I simply could not resist posting this one. Nadia and tonton Sébas, this is for you. Game 4 Montreal-Boston. Filou and Pierre watching the game in the cinema room.

Me and my Kat.

A big hug and kiss to my pal Kat who helped me with my shopping for clothes Friday night.

I hate shopping, she doesn`t and whenever we walked in a store she owned the place. She`d bring me clothes to try, told me when I looked nice or stupid and truly gave me a helping hand.

What a great evening : shopping, dinner and a hockey game in Trois-Rivieres. This Kat is hilarious, we had a grrrreat time. So Dany Dallaire stayed on the bench, we had a blast. Speaking of, I still owe you 5 bucks.

Love you darling,

See y' all later,

Over and out,

Annie

BEAUTIFULLY UNDONE

April 15th will be for some of our Intensive Students a memorable night.
It certainly has been an unforgetable one for their parents, friends, teachers thus their supporters.
The Secondaire En Spectacle semi-finals were for them and us a celebration of their talent, creativity and guts no matter the results.
They were all winners to us.

The evening was intense, electric and well, darn straight fascinating.
Thank you for the grrrrrreat evening.
You made going to bed very late and getting up early worthwhile.
We were all so proud of you.
Congratulations to all of you , Caro ( you nailed it honey ! ) and Georges ( hot legs ) Caron.
It couldn`t have been possbile without your time and devotion to these kids.
On to Gatineau!!
All aboard.

Eye candy of the evening.


PS: You`re probably wondering what the title of my blog today is all about?
It`s actually the title of my favorite song in the world : Beautufully Undone.
This song will play at my funeral I swear.
Anyway, this song haunts me, practically everyday when I least expect it.
When I saw Une histoire Frappante at school, this song ( chorus )whispered to my ear when their performance was done, while I wiped away the tears.
It happened again last night, beautifully undone.



Song : Beautifully Undone
Artist :Lindy Music
Album : Suspension Of Disbelief

I had the honor of meeting Lindy in person last December in Ottawa and adored him instantly.
One of the best evenings of my life.
We were both talking quietly ( my sister was there) and honestly, the rest of the world disappeared for about 15 minutes.
When I left, he simply said " Goodbye Annie, je t`aime " with a big grin on his face.
I tell ya, I will never forget that moment.
I`m glad my sister was there otherwise I would have thought I had dreamt it all.
Beautiful human being for writing such beautiful music and was happy to see that he had a beautiful soul too.

Official suspension of disbelief theory ( it`s an Art theory ) :
Suspension of disbelief is an aesthetic theory intended to characterize people's relationships to art.
According to the theory, suspension of disbelief is a quid pro quo: the audience tacitly agrees to provisionally suspend their judgment in exchange for the promise of entertainment.

The characteristically vivid phrase and concept ‘willing suspension of disbelief for the moment’ was coined by the poet, literary critic and philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge .
Ok, enough, I got carried away there.







Une Histoire Frappante

Meggie and Alex

Do you guys do kids` birthday parties ?

Intermission, before the results........

Swell, Swell and Swell

The final bow.

Look at Etienne`s suprise look when he was chosen for La Petite Vallée Camp.

We were as happy as he was but certainly not surprised.

Congratulations Etienne !

The Cup

The Cup take II

loyal supporters, fans, friends

proud P.V/ Peavey

cheerful fans

I want to thank the superduper kids that were on the bus with me yesterday.

What a good bunch you were!

Annie xx

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

What a grrrreeat outing we had !
Aside from the crummy weather, everything else was perfect : the activities, the atmosphere and the company. What a great gang !

It started with the McCord Museum ( beautiful by the way ) with its exhibition : Reveal Or Conceal ?

It was about fashion throughout history and what was considered sexy at the time and today.

We get to understand after the visit that before, the clothes shaped the body ( like the " S " dresses ) whereas now the body has to shape the clothes hence the pressure for the perfect body today.

The museum counts the largest clothes collection in Canada.

We had the chance to see beautiful, funny and downright weird pieces of clothing.

We got to learn how the first bikini got out , why wedding dresses are white, since when and how did this trend start , the different fashions of the different decades etc.

Bottom line : fascinating.

The guides were very passionate, helpful and fun.

Then we went to live an unforgettable experience.

We had dinner at the O NOIR restaurant.

The owner was just as friendly in person as on the phone.

With a 150 people waiting list, we were very lucky to have a reservation.

I really looked forward to this dinner but I must admit, I almost choked and have Paul take over for me.

I took a good breath and the bull by the horns.

I can do this I said.

And I survived.

Actually, we all did.

Well o.k, so Kathleen almost passed out, but I made sure she breathed and we had the chance to eat our dessert in tête-à- tête.

After a few minutes, she was fine.

What`s the deal ?

Well you eat in total darkness.

Yes ladies and germs, like you were blind.

Nothing, nada, niet, you saw nothing even if your life depended on it.

Whether your eyes were open or closed there was ABSOLUTELY NO DIFFERENCE.

Blind as a bat I say.

Our waiters : Ray and Christopher were very blind for real.

Great guys, so friendly.

Need I say they were not only our waiters but our lifelines.

Our only safe extension.

Leave your table on your own at your own risk honey.

The weirdest phenomena occured right after everyone was seated ( that alone took 15 minutes ! ) was everyone was shouting.

Here we are sitting at a table, side by side, in front of each other and we`re all yelling at each other.

I turn to Paul and aked him : Is it just me or all we all shouting but yet we`re so close our shoulders touch ?

You`re right he says, weird huh ?

We spoke to the owner afterwards and said we were perfectly normal.

All the customers do that : we overcompensate for our lack of sight.

It was a very sensual experience.

We could order what we desired on the menu or live dangerously and order the SURPRISE main dish or desset.

What it means in reality is that you get your plate and have no clue but figure it out as you eat.

Another strange phenomena : try using a fork and knife when you can`t see a bloody thing.

After a few minutes, we called it quits ( including myself ) and basically ate with our fingers !

What a great guilty pleasure- and nobody sees you.

Eating with my fingers gave me flashbacks to when I was a kid.

How quickly we forget how much fun it really is !!!

To put on my to-do list more often.

But never in front of my kids.......They`ll bring it to a whole different level and start playing baseball with their food. I just know, trust me.

Did I mention the food was FANTASTIC ?

We had filet mignon that just melted in your mouth.

Didn`t really need a knife to begin with so much it was tender.

I ordered the surprie dessert and had a chocolate mousse cake that was simply divine.

I should know, I`m an expert in chocolate mousse cake.

I go to CMAM`s regularly : Chocolate Mousse Anonymous Meetings.

All that to say you should have seen the look on my kids face when they got out of there.

Superlatives just rolled out of their mouths.

" You have to come back next year with your students ! " they all said.

This WAS a first time for all of us and what a great and special meal.

I respected the blind before but there`s a deeper understanding of the respect now.

Wow.

Then after a brief moment at Starbuck`s just across the street from the restaurant, we get back on the bus.

Destination : The Centaur Theatre to see a play.

The title was : The Mystery Of Maddy Heisler.

For some students I must admit it is still a mystery because they had a bit of trouble understanding the play.

Darn that Nova Scotian accent !

And they spoke fast.

I have to admit the accent had some getting used to, even for me.

Don`t you fret, I shall get everything back in perspective on Monday.

I have to mention our bus driver.

Man, if Santa Claus really existed, it`d be him!!!

He looked just like him ( without the beard ) I tell you.

He was the sweetest man I`ve ever met and that smile.

One million dollar smile.

He was so relax and nice.

He even offered me his cookie after mine crumbled all over the bus floor.

I did tell him and apologized about that.

I didn`t know if I wanted to sit on his lap and give him my Chritmas list in advance or ask him to adopt me as his granddaughter. Seriously.

So without further ado, here are a few pics.

Didn`t get to take much since we had such a tight schedule to respect.

Enjoy.

Tata darlings and to my kids in Sec.4 who came to Montréal: Thanks for the great day.

You make it worthwhile.

PS : Paul and I are so gonna knock your socks off with the next activity day !

We were quietly talking on the bus on our way back when : BOOM.

That`s a very good idea we said.

To be continued.

We need to check a few things this week.

I`m looking at May 15th.

Block it now in your agenda darlings.

Now, enjoy.

MAKE- A- WISH FOUNDATION

The annual Grant-A-Wish Foundation show took place Wednesday April 9th.
As usual, the performers were great ( few surprises- a certain Jessica ) and the evening was not only top notch but very entertaining.

The fact that all the proceeds went to the foundation for sick kids was not neglectable either.

I brought my daughter to the show .

My boys had planned a hockey night ( on t.v ) so us girls

had our own girls` night out.

We made ourselves pretty and off we were.

On with show already !

When a show is good, it also seems to pass too quickly.

Next thing you knew it was intermission and I had to

tuck my princess in.

It was already WAY too late for her.

She`s going to be so cranky tomorrow, I`ll have hell to pay, but she really enjoyed it AND it was for a great cause right ?

So I say good-bye to my other kids, take final pictures and congratulate them.

Etienne T and Marie-my sunshine Luce ask me to come back after the intermission.

I CAN NOT say no to these kids I`m telling ya they have me in the palm of their hands.

Ok.

So I make sure my princess has her p.j.`s on right, brushes her teeth, I tuck her in, kiss her goodnight and off I go.

I made it just in time .

It was worth it.

Need I remind everyone these kids gave their time and effort for a good cause.

Congratulations to Étienne Bergeron and his team !

You guys pulled it off.

Big hearts, huge talent and great souls.

You`re the best.

So here are a few pics of the evening.

They are so fresh they`re still warm.

Here goes.

I count my blessings EVERYDAY that both my kids are healthy.

GIRL POWER ! SUPER NANAS

ESJN`s great performers and two of their best fans.

I`ve seen this skit more than once and I still find it hilarious

Sad koala GRRRR

Beauty and talent

This is how I will always remember those two.

On that, I`m off to bed, I`m falling asleep on the keyboard and drooling all over it.

Be back soon,
Tata darlings,
Annie