I had such a busy but fun week, I had my first step of cheer assessments for team placements, a big rugby game, work and a birthday celebration for one of my best friends. It was a great week.
He said
There were a couple of big events this week that we were looking forward to—the both of which really signify that we have made it out of winter! With the first of May falling Thursday this week and that meaning that Auburn Riverside Retreat was officially opened for the season, we could get the trailer opened up for the season. A couple of months ago, we booked vacation days at work on Thursday and Friday so that we could get up there to get a head start on the ‘summer home‘. Initially the hope was we could spend some nights up there too. But with me in a bike race on Saturday, the weather no necessarily outside-happy weather, and a planned power outage in the area on Sunday, we decided to make it either an overnight Thursday or just a up & back trip on either Thursday or Friday.
When we got closer to the day, and the forecast seemed pretty set (rain, high winds and a possible heavy storm), we decided that we’d just go up on Thursday during the day. (There was also the Leafs playoff game Thursday that we didn’t want to miss). We were up in the early afternoon and very quickly we were met with just how much easier opening the trailer was with having it stay at the park over the winter. Gone was having to go get the trailer out of storage here, tow it up to the park and then spending the couple of hours getting it landed, levelled and just right on the site. Basically in just over an hour, we had it connected to water, power and the trailer cleaned out and ready for camping. I did some work outside cleaning up but we’ve left the bulk of that for when it isn’t raining off and on. By 4:30pm we were headed back to London with a trailer ready for the season.
The other thing on our radar was the second gravel race event of my season on Saturday. This one is the first of the three-part Substance Project Gravel Series, The Scrappy Badger. Danielle volunteers to help with the event and because I have done a few of the races, and the entire Gravel Series last summer, we’ve made quite a few friends that we get to see at these events. This first race though is in Baltimore, ON which is about a three hour trek for us to the other side of the Toronto near Oshawa/Peterborough area. It means for an extra early wakeup time for is Saturday morning but it helps that the event is fun and there’s friends there. Thankfully this year the volunteer arrival time for Danielle was an hour later so we got an extra hour of sleep.
The weather for it was not as good as last week’s Paris To Ancaster race but at least the forecasted light rain was scheduled to stop (and did) right as my race got underway. While a little cooler than I would like, with the more than three times the amount of elevation to climb on this route (868 m / 2,847 ft) compared to P2A, it did not take long to warm up. As for the race itself I crossed off a huge milestone for me: I didn’t step foot off the bike a single time in this race! I have never done that. I often say there is no shame in walking if you need to. This year I have been working on my fitness and being better chosen when it comes to gears going into climbs and that work paid off. But, not only that, I managed to better my time on this race from last year by almost 10 minutes and placed 37th overall (our of 122 riders) and 11th in my age category (Male 50+).
But the best part was I wrapped up in enough time and had the truck, so I could go spend the time volunteering with Danielle who was at the last aid station before the finish line. Last year, she had taken the truck so I was stuck waiting for her to wrap up. We got to hang out and see some hitters and some fun-havers in the 80km distance. All the riders were super thankful to her and it’s the part of cycling I love so much: the community. Once the last rider was through and the sweeper came by we packed up got back to the start/finish said our goodbyes and headed back home. It was a long day for the both of us, but it was also a fun one too!
I realize this blog about our life with Emelia, doesn’t have a lot of her in it this week. But, that’s not because she wasn’t busy at all. There of course was more Cheer assessments this week, she had work, she had rugby, and she had her social life too. She didn’t want us to go to her rugby game this week as it was against the juggernaut of Lauier who is filled with players who play year-round for London St George’s Rugby Club. The game went as expected, but the good news is with that, their first loss this season, Lucas is still in second place. There are more games coming up this week and that didn’t make her busy enough Softball season starts with practices!
She said
What a week, it was busy from start to finish and for Emelia it is still going. I will start with a bit about what is going on with me specifically first. I had hinted last week that I might have some news to share this week and now that it is official I can post it here. I am officially leaving Western to take a role at King University College, yes the same school Emelia is going into the fall. And no I am not THAT mom, I asked Emelia before applying for the role if it would bother her that her mom worked at the same university she is attending. She said she didn’t mind at all and liked the added bonus if she needed anything I was right on campus. There are big benefits for Emelia specifically with me working at Kings, she will great a break on her tuition as a dependant of a full time staff so that certainly helped her concerns about me working there.
I will start on May 20th in the Vice President and Academic Dean’s office. This role allows me to be much more involved with the students, do a lot more planning and project work which is what I love and miss in my current role at Western. Everything about moving to Kings is better for our family, the pay is better, the life balance is better, the commute is better, community and distance from home all better. We are very excited for this change in our lives and cannot wait to start my next career chapter.
Enough about work, the rest of my week was balancing everything for Emelia to be honest. She had a packed week. She had her regular cheer assessments on Tuesday and tonight she is putting herself out there and trying out for the travel team at cheer. She isn’t too optimistic she will make that team as it is multiple levels up from where she is now but was so excited to have the experience of a worlds team tryouts. Added into the never ending cheer season we are deep into rugby season, Emelia has had lots of practices and this week had a big game against the best team in the region. They knew they would likely loose and they did. Emelia came home soaked from the cold rain with her body beat and bruised. She was a trooper and has some bruising to show for the battle they had. But the girls all had a great attitude about the loss and are looking forward to next weeks tournament.
After a long week Emelia was thrilled that she and her close group of friends could hang out and celebrate Carter’s 18th birthday with him. This group has gotten so close over the last year, Emelia has never really had close guy friends and she and Carter are so close. I know the friendship means so much to him as well, they are all great together and Emelia and Carter are so close that they have decided to go to prom together. Listening to the two of them discuss plans for prom has been pure entertainment, I think Carter is realizing quickly he is the accessory for Emelia and her dress. He is a trooper and they are going to have the best time. The last few weeks have been all talk about the big end of high school events, I think they have all been absorbed in the fun of it that none of them have really let it sink in that they are almost done high school and seeing each other every single day and sometimes night is going to be coming to an end. Thankfully for this group they are all staying in London and the summer bucket list is growing fast.
Summer is just around the corner, we are now in trailer season, biking season and summer plans for Emelia and her friends. They are living their best life and are really hoping that this summer is the best summers of their lives.