things I learned at Ranger camp

I just spent my weekend with some wonderful kids....and they weren't even mine!

I was asked to fill in at a camp for the Ranger group. One of the girls works with me in my Guide unit and so when it came up that they needed another responsible adult to come along to camp....they asked me? Really??? They did say responsible right??? To be honest, there is so much going on right now that I did try and get out of it. I am so glad that they couldn't find someone else...I had so much fun and learned so much from these girls.

I had met the Ranger leader a few times and had talked to her casually, but I was wondering how we would get along. I mean, she is so much younger than me! Closer in age to the Rangers than to me. How would we relate? It seems that I worried for nothing. She is a wonderful person and so good with the girls. She brings out wonderful qualities in all the girls and the conversations that we all had were insightful, at times crazy, and full of laughter. The girls really respect her and feel very comfortable being themselves in her presence. They will miss her terribly next year as she will not be back due to school and work...and maybe a special someone in Vancouver?!

Of the three Rangers on this trip, I had two of them in my Guide unit. However, they change so much from 12 to 17 that they are hard to recognize as those girls. The one girl helps in our unit is very responsible and together. This girl has plans and nothing is going to stop her. I so admire her determination and resourcefulness. She is the leader of the girls and totally pulled this camp together with help from the others. Her younger sister is the other girl I had in my unit. She will be the first to tell you that she has become a beautiful young woman...and she would be right, inside and out. She is full of fun and mischeviousness and can make me laugh till Shirley Temples come out my nose. We made a great team playing Buzz Word and Scrabble...cause we are so SMRT!! The last girl was one that I had met occassionally at different Guiding events. She is a little quieter than the other two, but so very friendly and warm that it doesn't take long to feel comfortable in her company. We spent a quiet hour as she studied for her final exams, and I read my book in the sun. It felt effortless to move into board games and laughter from this quiet time without any awkwardness or shyness involved.

These four young women are wonderful examples of our youth today. Each of these girls have goals, values, and a sense of fun that I want my own children to emulate. I only hope that when I grow up that I can be like them too.

how did I get myself into this??

Have you ever wondered how you ended up doing too much? I always seem to be asking myself "How did I get involved in this?"
The answer for me is I have a problem saying NO. Is this because I don't want people mad at me? Do I need to be involved so I know what is going on? Do I do it for my kids? Is it to meet new people? Am I insane??? I think, to some extent, it is all of the above.
I got involved in the school PAC to help in a small way and to get to know the school and teachers. Somehow I ended up on the executive as Secretary...all because a new friend asked for help. I became a Guide leader because my daughter wanted to be a Guide and there wasn't anyone to take on the unit. At the parent meeting, I made it clear that I would help, but would not be the Guider in Charge. Also, I DON'T DO CRAFTS!! I am now doing all the paperwork for our unit. Thank goodness for the other ladies that I work with in this unit...we have a great team! (and I only have to help with crafts sometimes!)
I went to a parent meeting for the trip that the Parallel Players are taking to Mainstage in Kamloops this July...I only went to get some information...now I have somehow found myself on the fundraising committee.
There is really one thing in common with all these things that I have gotten involved in....My girls. I want them to have every opportunity to do the things that make them happy and if I have to give my time and energy to these committees, groups, and events then that is what I will do.
Besides, I have met some wonderful people this way!

a new venture

So, this is the first time! I am not sure what I am doing here, or even if this is a good idea. I have not really followed any blogs in the past and am not sure how to go about finding one that I am interested in reading besides the ones my friends have.

I love my cousin's blog...she give us a quick glimpse into her life with short little stories and wonderful pictures. My friend that has moved away started a blog to keep everyone updated on what is going on with her life and I so enjoy peeking in and knowing that she is doing well. Another friend is an editor, and her blog explaining the punctuation errors we all come across in everyday life is so funny! I hope she never sees this blog....

What do I want to achieve with my blog? I don't think I have decided that yet...it is a work in progress, just like me.