Trying to stay sane!!

Still alive!

2010-06-01T19:48:00.004-04:00

Yes - despite a LONG absence, I'm still here and I'm going to post a few updated pictures. The last day of school is tomorrow. Eric graduated last weekend and has already begun his summer job. We got through the spring musical at East which Eric, Justine and Reagan participated in AND the spring musical at Central which Brig participated in. Both were fantastic and a lot of fun. Connie (another mother) and I were 'lucky' enough to be in charge of costumes for the 53 members of the 'Music Man' cast at East. We've had some other adventures, too. Here are just a few: Reagan lost her first tooth, Marlee is soooo close to crawling, assorted band and choir concerts, prom, and mormon prom (including Justine's first date!), and a new driver who is still learning. It's been busy to say the least and sometimes I wonder if I will ever sleep again. I will post more info on Eric's post-high school plans as things unfold, but in the mean time, here are some pictures:

One of Eric's senior pictures

Brig as 'Benny Southstreet' in 'Guy's'n'Dolls'

Eric receives his Eagle Scout award:

Marlee is growing fast!!:

Graduation:

Sad news...

2009-11-24T15:27:00.002-05:00

There is lots of news to catch up on, but that will wait. On Sunday, my little sister and her husband lost their baby. She was 37 weeks pregnant and 2 weeks away from a scheduled c-section. They still don't know why their little boy died. She wrote a very touching poem that is worth reading. I'm posting the link here (the November 24th post): http://mommyiscrazyblog.blogspot.com/

My heart just hurts.

Halloween

2009-11-02T14:50:00.003-05:00

Only 2 of my kids trick-or-treated this year. It was cold enough that I kept Marlee home and the two older kids had a party in the barn with a scary movie on the 'big screen'. We had at least 30 teenagers over. It was a nice night for a party and the other kids had a good candy haul.

I am also posting a picture of Marlee that I took for the high school. They like the faculty members with babies to take baby pictures in school colors. So, here's Marlee in East orange:

My wicked witch and ninja:

THIS IS A TEST

2009-11-01T15:56:00.005-05:00

Got to see Brig's play twice and was sad that I couldn't see it again (they only did 2 performances). The cast and crew did a great job. We did video tape it and here are some pictures:

Fall is in full swing...

2009-10-30T13:10:00.005-04:00

Brig and Elaine

Andrew, Tracy, Reagan and Talara

Brig, Andrew, Justine, Reagan and Courtney

Reagan and Caden

Reagan and Brig

Justine and Brittany

Reagan and Talara

Wow - November will be here in a few days and we haven't carved our pumpkins yet!! We will today after school. But we are ready for Halloween otherwise. We have already had 3 fall parties and a trunk or treat with much more going on this weekend. Eric and Justine have also worked on a haunted trail to raise money for their show choir.

Last night was Brig's play at Central. He plays the main character, Alan, in a play called, 'This is a Test'. It was very funny and well done. A great debut for Brig! They have one more show tonight so I will probably go again. I will have some pictures to post of the play and Halloween costumes later, but for now the pictures above are from Talara's Halloween party (where the square dancing was the big hit) and the ones below are some updated pics of the baby.

Where does the time go?

2009-10-24T15:58:00.005-04:00

Here are some new photos. Marlee is now over 3 months old and harvest is in full swing!! Things sure get busy around here this time of year. Brig landed the lead in his middle school play and Eric and Justine are preparing for their next play. Justine's choir trip to NYC/Carnegie Hall is next month! Not to mention Eric got his bagpipes - oh, and he's 18!! We've also had the flu here and I've been tuning like crazy. In other news, our neighbors of 18 years moved and we now have new ones.

Quick update

2009-09-17T19:31:00.002-04:00

Had the baby in for her 2 month check-up this week. She weighed in at 10 lbs. 9 oz. and 22.5 inches. Wow!! She's about to double her birth size!! She was really not happy about the 4!!! shots she had to have. But she's ok now and seems to be eating all the time. She is sleeping better at night, but tends to be a cat-napper through the day.

That's it for now - I hate typing one-handed!

8 weeks old!!

2009-09-09T20:02:00.001-04:00

Check out these photos! Marlee has grown so much!!

Sick girl(s)

2009-09-08T11:11:00.003-04:00

Today Reagan is home sick from school. It appears she has what Justine had this weekend - ahh, the joys of sharing a bedroom! She is quite congested, so she wanted some medicine but she hates liquid cold syrup. I told her I had pills but she would have to swallow it whole. I'll be darned if she didn't get it down first try!! I guess I wasn't expecting it because Justine hates pills and would much rather have liquid.

So I have rescheduled my tunings for the day and will instead tackle the piano 'guts' I brought home the other day.

Marlee is doing well and growing fast!! I am posting some updated pictures compliments of Natalie Potter:

Catching some smiles!

2009-08-19T12:18:00.002-04:00

Finally catching a few smiles on camera!

Baby update

2009-08-13T19:17:00.007-04:00

It's been a whole month already! Marlee is changing and growing fast. She's awake a lot more and we're even starting to get a few smiles although I have yet to catch one with the camera. The first weekend in August was the Lykins reunion, so we blessed Marlee that Sunday. Special thanks to Shauna for FedExing me the blessing dress that mom crocheted! I am posting some pictures of that and a few other updated pictures.

In other news, we took the training wheels off of Reagan's bike this summer and Justine and I helped her learn to ride without them. I am posting a picture. Also, school starts tomorrow. We just got back from the elementary school open house where we met Reagan's teacher and saw the classroom. She's all set for grade one! There's not too much excitement about another school year beginning - I think Tracy is the least excited. I am always sad to have my kids around less, but the upside this year is that I might be able to get a little more rest through the day since my nights are still pretty long thanks to the baby (things are slowly getting better).

Sunday, Aug. 2:

Reagan riding without training wheels and Marlee, Aug. 6:

More pictures and no more braces!!

2009-07-27T17:03:00.005-04:00

Here are some recent pictures of Marlee. You can see she is changing already! Also threw one in of Justine with her braces off!!

July 16:

July 21:

July 23:

July 25:

July 27:

Justine got her braces off! Here is a picture with her retainer in. We'll have to get a better one, but you get the idea:

Quick Baby Update

2009-07-27T11:37:00.003-04:00

Had Marlee in to the doctor last Friday. She left the hospital weighing 5 lbs. 11 oz. and 8 days later at the doctor she weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz.! That's 2 oz./day weight gain. Way to go Marlee!! She does like to eat! She is more alert every day and of course, very cute. She sleeps well during the day - we are working on night time. Some nights are better than others. Hopefully we get some semblance of a schedule sometime soon! I will try to get some updated pictures soon...

New Arrival!!

2009-07-16T15:44:00.004-04:00

Marlee Laura arrived at 5:10am on July 14th. She weighed 6 lbs. 2 oz. and was 20" long. Her name is a combination of my two grandma's names (Marjorie and Shirley). She caught us a little by surprise as I was scheduled to be induced on July 15th (having never gone into labor on my own in the past). And how fast she came caught us all by surprise!! I woke up around 3:30am on Tues., wondering if I might be in labor. I got up and walked around a bit to see if it would stop, but it didn't, so I got Tracy up a little after 4 and told him we should go to the hospital. We got dressed, gave instructions to Eric and threw a few things together to take to the hospital. By the time we got to the hospital it was apparent that things were going much faster than anticipated. We arrived on the maternity floor at about 4:55am and the nurses delivered the baby at 5:10am about 10 min. ahead of my doctor's arrival! But we're glad she's here and everything is ok.
We got home from the hospital this morning. The kids are all crazy about their new baby sister. It's hard to believe how tiny she is - she's our smallest one yet (she weighed 5 lbs. 11 oz. when we left the hospital), but I'm sure she will grow fast! She has had no trouble at all figuring out when it is time to eat!
Check out that full head of dark hair!! Love it!!

My Grandma's Donut recipe

2009-07-06T17:28:00.002-04:00

Here is my Grandma Shirley's doughnut recipe:

2-4 Tbsp. margarine or butter
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. milk
4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. nutmeg

Cream butter, sugar, eggs. Sift dry ingredients. Add alternately with milk.
Roll out (like sugar cookies) on a floured surface about 1/4 inch thick. Cut into doughnuts. Deep fry (I just check the oil temp. on my candy thermometer - it has a doughnut marking on it). It doesn't take long - once the doughnut is lightly brown on one side, flip it over until the other side is also browned. Directly from fryer, dip doughnuts in 1/2 c. sugar and 2 Tbsp. cinnamon mixture. Cool. Makes 3 - 4 doz.

Enjoy!!

Update

2009-06-18T16:19:00.002-04:00

It's been awhile since I've posted. I guess my life just seems a little boring (even if it is busy), but there have been a few things going on. The baby's due date is now about a month away. In some ways, it is coming up fast, but physically it feels like it will never end. My hormones seem a little extra out-of-whack some days. I'm sure my kids can attest to that. But over all I feel pretty good, even if I'm moving a little slower.

School is out and so far the summer has been rainy. The farming is getting done in bits and pieces, but it seems like every time the ground is finally dry enough to get a tractor on, it rains again. I'm sure in another month or so when we really could use the rain it will be long gone.

Girl's camp has already come and gone. Eric is on a stake young mens 2-day bike trip down to the Louisville temple today and tomorrow. Scout camp is next week for Brig. We've been swimming a few times and Reagan gets braver every time. I just got a new camera (my digital is dying), so as soon as I get the battery charged and read the manual I will try and get some pictures at the pool. After scout camp, Youth Conference is the main thing left for Eric and Justine this summer.

The groundhogs seem to be making a come-back this summer. So far, Tracy and I have each shot one and a friend from church has also shot one. We're pretty sure there are 2 - 3 more out there, but they are proving to be a bit elusive. Also, the mosquitoes have been so horrible because of all the rain, that it's pretty miserable to be outside sometimes, even if you use insect repellent!

Our newest addition...

2009-05-21T15:46:00.003-04:00

No - it's not the baby. It's a fancy dwarf hamster named 'Rhino'.

(Yes, I know. Brig needs a haircut.)

Congratulations, Justine!! (AGAIN) and Happy Birthday, Brig!!

2009-05-21T09:25:00.002-04:00

Last night was the final choir concert of the year. It was a lot of fun. I even got to accompany the full choir for their final song. Justine got the 'Most Valuable Female Underclassman' choir award for her choir. Way to go!! Eric and a couple of his friends did the 'Soggy Bottom Boys' song 'I am a Man of Constant Sorrows'. It was absolutely hilarious and, of course, I forgot to take the video camera!! We will try to track down someone who taped it.

In other news, we now have 3 teenagers in the house. It was Brig's birthday yesterday. We celebrated on Monday. I will get some pictures uploaded soon. He got a hamster and it is very cute. I think he was surprised! He's enjoying having the other kids a bit jealous of him for a change!! I can't believe how fast he's growing up.

Oh - they did not show 'Hotel Rwanda' in his social studies class. What a relief!!

Congratulations, Justine!!

2009-05-15T15:39:00.002-04:00

We went to the Thespian awards night for drama the other night. Justine got initiated into the high school's Thespian troupe. She also got an award for 'best techie' for the play 'Our Town'. She signed up to work backstage (it was her first play) and ended up being the back stage director!! The first freshman in memory to do that job!! Way to go, Justine!! She was awesome walking around backstage with her head set on. She's a natural!

In other news, Brig brought home a permission slip for Social Studies to watch a movie. What movie would they be showing to 12 and 13 year olds?? "Hotel Rwanda"???!!! I think not! We looked up a movie synopsis online and Brig didn't read 1/3 of it when he said he didn't want to watch that movie (I think the word 'breast' was enough for him) - even if he did want to watch it, I wouldn't have given permission!! It is a graphically violent film that also contains nudity and foul language. There has to be a better way to teach the horror and depravity of genocide/holocaust without 3 class periods of disturbing, graphic violence. Anyway - I went to the school in person and spoke to the principal. He was unaware of the planned movie showing - apparently the teacher is a rookie and hadn't quite followed procedure for approving a PG-13 movie, so hopefully that little activity won't be happening. They were supposed to start the movie today, so I will find out for sure when Brig gets home. It's a crazy world...

The piano burning

2009-05-09T10:34:00.004-04:00

A quick story before I tell about the piano. Yesterday, Reagan was watching TV and a weight watchers commercial came on and they were talking to a lady who had lost 70 pounds and they were showing before and after pictures. Reagan looked at me and said, 'Mom, that's what you need!'. Hmmm - I told her I wouldn't be able to lose the stomach until AFTER the baby comes!! *Sigh*

The final drama night of the school year was a great success! Congratulations Eric, Justine and all the drama students!

Last night we hosted the final drama cast party of the year. We had an old piano that has been sitting around for years that we were going to take to the dump, but the guys decided to try burning it instead. I think it was a hit for the cast party bonfire. Tracy was surprised that the fire started so easily - but that wood has been drying out and curing for over 100 years! I was surprised at how long it burned - well over 3 hours. Also - it was a very hot fire. We moved the chairs and tables back several times!

We did have some concerned parents wondering if we were burning a piano that might still have some value. Put your minds at ease! This piano's only value was kindling - I would never burn a perfectly good piano!! It did make for some interesting photos. Here are several stages of the burn:

Grass Head Guy

2009-05-08T11:51:00.002-04:00

Reagan's kindergarten class did 'Grass Head Guys' for their science fair projects. Here is Reagan with hers:

Prom

2009-05-02T21:34:00.004-04:00

It's amazing how fast my children are growing up! Check out Eric and his prom date, Mackenzie.

And here's one with me in so you can see how pregnant I'm looking!:

Grease Pictures are finally here!!

2009-05-02T14:17:00.008-04:00

Special thanks to Devynn at DB Images for all the great pictures!!!

12 weeks to go!!

2009-04-28T11:15:00.003-04:00

By request - here's how I'm looking these days ... 12 weeks until the due date.

Owl update.

2009-04-25T11:14:00.002-04:00

The baby owls are growing fast. They can fly now. Today they are in a different tree, but still pretty close to the nest. Here are some updated pictures:

Great Horned Owls

2009-04-18T12:20:00.003-04:00

A pair of great horned owls has nested in the tree outside our back door. This is their second year. This spring they had 2 baby chicks and we finally got to see them! They are so fluffy and cute. I'm posting some pictures. They aren't the best but I did the best I could considering tree height and camera quality. Wish you were here, Dev!!

Quick update

2009-04-17T17:35:00.003-04:00

I haven't posted in awhile so I thought I'd do a quick update. Not too much exciting here. I've been tuning almost everyday since we got back from spring break, so it's been busy. We had an egg hunt at my mother-in-law's last weekend. The girls decided to get haircuts (well, after Reagan saw Justine's hair, she had to have hers cut, too). I'm also posting a picture of one of the brush piles we burned in our field. We had some trees and brush cleared this winter so that we can run our irrigation system this year, so after the logs and firewood were taken out, we had some brush to burn.

Spring Break!

2009-03-24T15:31:00.007-04:00

I know I haven't posted 'Grease' pictures yet, but I am waiting for my sister to send them to me (she photographed a rehearsal and did a cast photo for me).

We decided last minute to take a trip over spring break. It's been almost 2 years since we've been anywhere and since we are having a baby this summer and Eric will be graduating next summer, we decided now was the time whether we had the time and money or not!! So Dev left Tuesday afternoon to go back to Florida (Mom and Dad left Sunday to head to Toronto) and we left Friday afternoon after school. I tuned Wed, Thurs, AND Fri and had to get the house pulled together, the packing done, and plan food/get accommodations. It was crazy, but we pulled out around 3:15pm and drove to my sister-in-law's place by Omaha, Nebraska. We crashed there for the night and drove all day Saturday and arrived in Salt Lake City about midnight. We started the next morning by attending a live taping of 'Music and the Spoken Word' in the Tabernacle on Temple Square and that made all the driving worth it! We spent Sunday and Monday on Temple Square doing all the tours, visitors centers, the Joseph Smith movie in the JS Memorial building, 2 organ recitals in the Tabernacle, and the Church History Museum. The weather was great and Temple Square isn't crowded this time of year, so we got to see everything up close - even the tabernacle organ (got to sit on the bench!) We liked the Joseph Smith movie so well that we watched it twice. We also ate lunch in the historic Lyon House and took the elevator to the 26th floor of the church office building to see the view. (Poor Brig didn't care for that too much as he hates elevators).

We spent Tuesday and Wednesday in Provo. Thanks to Robbie, Scott, Whitney and Courtland for taking the time to hook up with us and show us around. It was great to see everyone! Also, thanks Robbie for pointing us to 'Maceys' for groceries - we loved the HUGE ice cream cones! The campus has changed a lot since Tracy and I were there and it was fun to look around and check out the museums and the planetarium. We also picniced up Provo Canyon one afternoon - Eric got a little sunburned!

Thursday we drove back to Jill and Craig's in Omaha and spent Friday and Saturday with their family. They are such gracious hosts!! Thanks for everything!! We went to the zoo and out to dinner on Friday and checked out Winter Quarters and just hung out on Saturday. Sunday we drove home. Whew!! Busy, but fun. It was also very nice to have that 3rd driver. Thanks Tracy and Eric for making it that much easier for the pregnant woman to travel!

I'm posting a few pictures here, but there are more on my facebook page - email me if you want to see the facebook album and you don't use facebook and I will send you a link.

Time for 'Grease'!!

2009-03-06T12:59:00.002-05:00

What a crazy month it's been! Mom, Dad, Devynn and her 2 boys are here and the pit has been rehearsing with the cast every day for the last few weeks. Finally, it's show time! It's going to be a lot of fun and we have lots of friends and family planning to attend. Eric and Justine are going to be GREAT!!

Brief update

2009-02-17T11:46:00.003-05:00

Mom and Dad made it to the MTC and it sounds like they are keeping very busy! We are looking forward to seeing them next week!

Grease is coming up FAST. I've managed to catch bits of rehearsal here and there and it's really coming along. The pit starts rehearsing with the cast next week - I need to practice more!!!

The boys' bedroom is almost done! Hope to finish it up this week and get the house pulled together before company comes! Thanks to Tracy for helping with the house work!!

Oh - Reagan finally got to feel the baby move. She's been wanting to for a long time, but isn't patient enough to. Every day she'll put her hand on my stomach for about 10 seconds, then she's tired of waiting. Yesterday, her timing was perfect and she got a good kick. She had such a surprised look on her face!

Wow!! 3 posts in one day!

2009-02-05T17:59:00.002-05:00

In other family news, my parents finally got their mission call. They will be spending 18 months in the Toronto east mission (for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). We are excited for them and we are also excited because on their way from the MTC to Toronto they will be passing right through Indiana and so will stop and spend some time with us. We are all excited, but Reagan is counting the days until they arrive. Another bonus - they will get to see the musical!! Mom has always wanted to see Eric in a play (and Justine!). Also, my sister will come up from Florida with her two little boys and spend some time as well. It will be a fun and CRAZY time! I will be in rehearsals during that time as well, so it will be a real whirlwind.

Oh - I finally got my score for 'Grease'. About 4 weeks until the show - I've never had such little time to prepare! Wish me luck - only 181 pages this year!

How we spent our snow days...

2009-02-05T17:36:00.003-05:00

Here are some pictures of some time we spent during our snow days last week (yes, those are field hockey sticks - we just used what we had). We also spent time frying our brains with video games, but those don't make very interesting pictures. And since I feel like throwing up less and less and seem to have a bit more energy, I also got a lot done in the boys' room. The ceiling is complete and I spent a good part of yesterday wallpapering, so it finally looks like progress. The painting and wallpapering isn't so bad, it's getting to the point where you can START painting and wallpapering that is a real pain!! I will try to remember to post pics when it is done!

Justine and Reagan

Tracy, Eric and Brett clearing the ice

Brig

Reagan made a great goalie

Brittany, Justine and Tracy

Justine

Justine, Eric, Brig

Justine, Tracy, Brig

Eric

All fingers and toes accounted for!!

2009-02-05T17:19:00.003-05:00

Here is a picture from the ultrasound I had on Jan. 23. (The top picture also shows the baby's heartbeat along the bottom). There was some question as to the actual due date, so they did a quick ultrasound at my appointment (thankfully, the due date is correct!):

Reagan's reaction to the pictures was funny. When I told her I had pictures of the baby, she was expecting 'pictures'! First, she wanted to know if it was a boy baby or a girl baby (we aren't finding that out until the baby is born). Then, when she saw the pictures she said, "That's a baby?". She also commented that the baby looked kind of ugly and how did they get the camera in my tummy?

But I was glad to see the baby, hear the heartbeat, and count the fingers and toes!

At this point in the pregnancy, I am starting to feel the baby move as well. Tracy is looking forward to the 'real' ultrasound at around 20 weeks when he will be present.

Just a tired, pregnant woman...

2009-01-16T14:17:00.003-05:00

I know I haven't posted in awhile, but my energy levels have been rather low. The last few days haven't been so bad - hopefully that's a good sign. The kids had a 2-hour delay from school yesterday because of the cold. I love 2-hour delays! You get to sleep in and you don't have to make up the day. However, today they canceled school because of the cold which is frustrating and a little wimpy if you ask me!

I just passed the 13 week mark with this pregnancy and all seems to be going well. I see the doctor next week and I'm looking forward to hearing the heartbeat for the first time. The ultrasound will be sometime soon after this next appointment. I bought a big box of maternity clothes off of ebay, so I'm in good shape on that front. Congrats to Melody and Kondie on the birth of their 6th baby, Porter Charles, born on Jan. 13th! I also have 3 cousins (Brittany and Holly on the Selk side, and Amber on the Whitehead side) who are due around the same time I am, so that's kind of cool.

In other news, it looks like I will be doing one more year in the pit for the spring musical before taking a few years off. It's always fun to be so involved, but I do miss seeing the whole show although I get to hear it about 3 dozen times. We will video tape it though. I will be in the audience for Eric's senior year and I'm looking forward to that as well!

I'm posting some pics from Justine's 15th birthday which we celebrated on Jan. 11. She's growing up so fast and is getting so beautiful!!

Christmas Pictures:

2008-12-25T18:27:00.003-05:00

Christmas Season Craziness!!

2008-12-25T17:57:00.004-05:00

Wow! It's Christmas day already! It's been a busy and fun December. A week ago we had Reagan's 6th birthday. It was great! 6-year-old girls are especially cute. She wore the 'crown' she got at school all day. The present she wanted most was a horse-drawn Barbie carriage - very sparkly and gaudy - but perfect for her! And the Barbie cake was a hit as well. I will post pictures. We have had it a week now and it has many miles on it already! For Christmas she got a bunch of Disney princesses, so the carriage has been extra busy today and so has the one prince we have.

Brig had an adventure this week. A friend from school invited him to go to the sold-out Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert in Indianapolis on Monday night. What a treat for him! His siblings were very jealous and he said the concert was awesome. But Eric gets to go and see the stage production of 'Lion King' in Indy tomorrow night with a friend, so there's plenty of good stuff going on - I know I'm jealous! Justine says she doesn't get to do anything fun. We have the family skating party coming up and hope to spend new year's with family as well.

We all had a good Christmas. The kids didn't get us up too early - it was about 7:30am when we went downstairs. Our usual early riser (Brig) didn't wake up too early because he was so excited that it took him a long time to fall asleep, so he was extra tired.

I will post the Christmas pictures separately.

If you've heard rumors of our family growing again, they are true. We will be adding number 5 at the end of July (the 22nd is the due date, but historically that doesn't mean much for me - it will most likely be sometime after the 22nd, probably at least a week). 10 weeks down, at least 30 more to go!! Yes, I feel nauseous all the time.

2008-12-12T17:51:00.002-05:00

On Dec. 6, Brig's middle school band marched in the 'Festival of Lights' parade. We went to watch. It was fun, but VERY cold! At about 22 degrees F and breezy, the parade was too long for how cold it was. An hour and twenty minutes is too long to be standing out in the cold - you would think that parade planners would take this into account when planning a WINTER parade. Many people started leaving after about an hour. We lasted a little longer than that. But Brig's band sounded great and we had a fun time!

Ponytails and poodle skirts...

2008-12-12T17:02:00.003-05:00

Auditions are finally done and the cast list for the spring musical ('Grease') was posted this afternoon. Eric got the role of 'Danny' and Justine made the ensemble. I'm excited for them both! 40 girls auditioned this year, so Justine was happy to get into the show as a freshman. Eric said her auditions were great, but it was pretty stiff competition this year. There were not enough female parts to go around, so there were some very disappointed girls. She will know more about what she will be doing as rehearsals get under way. A girl named Marby got the part of 'Sandy'. I'm excited for her. I've been watching her the last couple of years waiting for her to break out - she is very talented.

When your piano is being tuned, please resist the urge to vacuum!

2008-12-09T16:34:00.003-05:00

Vacuuming is probably the most avoidable background noise I have to contend with (besides loud TV's) when I am tuning pianos. This seems really obvious to me, but perhaps it isn't: the less noise, the better the tuning!!! Should I really have to ask for quiet? Just something to keep in mind...

Prop 8

2008-11-25T12:10:00.001-05:00

As you know, the LDS church was actively involved in supporting
proposition 8 in the last election in California. This proposition
passed and as a result, gay marriage will be constitutionally banned
in the state of California. Many churches and organizations were
involved in the effort to pass this proposition, but the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only church being actively
persecuted by those who are disappointed in the election results. The
church is now also being 'investigated' by California officials (see:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,457086,00.html).

One of the great things about America is that we are free to express
and hold beliefs. Just as those opposed to prop. 8 had the right to
actively promote their beliefs, so did those who were in favor of it.
The actions being taken by gay rights activists post election are
deplorable.

Take a minute to visit this link and add your name to the petition.
From the abovethehate.com website: "Please sign the petition below to
join us as we stand together to say "Enough!" to the campaign of hate
and intimidation being waged against the LDS Church and other
supporters of California's Proposition 8.
Now is the time to stand together to protect the rights of minority
religious communities to participate in the political process without
fear of violence, intimidation, or vandalism. :"

http://abovethehate.com/

Sneaky...

2008-11-20T13:38:00.002-05:00

Just came from feeding the cast of 'Our Town' between their 2 performances today. What a great group. I'm looking forward to attending the play tomorrow night.

The other day, Reagan came home from school and one of her first comments to me was, "Don't look in my backpack tomorrow." What?? So I asked her why I shouldn't look in her backpack. I check her backpack everyday. I thought maybe she was in trouble at school or something. She wouldn't say why, she only said I didn't need to look. Her insistence was a red flag, but I kind of forgot about it after that. The next morning when I handed her the backpack as she was leaving it weighed a lot more than it usually does and I quickly remembered our conversation from the day before. Upon further examination, I found that her backpack contained her Barbies. I'm not sure what she was cooking up, but she didn't get to take the toys to school. I guess she thought she was being sneaky...

Break a leg, Eric!

2008-11-19T07:57:00.007-05:00

Here is the newspaper clipping from the Columbus Republic on Monday, Nov. 17. The top photo was along the top of the front page, then the article from inside the paper. Why is she in costume and he isn't? I don't know. Also - I know he needs a haircut, but he's supposed to grow it out a bit for the spring musical. He will be combing and styling it for the play - I've seen it and it looks good, just too bad it wasn't done for the newspaper picture!

The play has 2 performances tomorrow and then one performance each on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Eric plays Dr. Frank Gibbs and Justine is the assistant backstage director - she's excited because she gets to be the backstage director for the Thursday performances. Not bad for a freshman! Ms. Runge says she's very good and James, (a senior and a good friend of Eric's) the lighting/sound director says he doesn't remember a freshman ever being backstage director before. So good luck, Eric and Justine!

2008-11-04T11:46:00.002-05:00

See the post right before this one and then check out these photos from "Kiss Me Kate":

Musicals

2008-11-04T11:15:00.008-05:00

I finally got a hold of some photos of the last 2 musicals that Eric has been in. It is kind of fun to see the difference between the two. In spring 2007 (as a freshman) he played Nicely Nicely Johnson in "Guys 'n Dolls" and in spring 2008 (sophomore) he played Fred/Petruchio in "Kiss Me Kate". It will be fun to compare these to next spring's musical which will be "Grease". Auditions are at the beginning of December, so we will know soon what role he will have and we might even be watching Justine as well! These first 3 pictures are from "Guys 'n Dolls". I wish I had more - but I was glad to get these:

A Fun Halloween!

2008-11-03T13:43:00.002-05:00

We did the usual trick-or-treating with Justine, Brig and Reagan and it was fun, as always. Reagan really knows how to inhale her candy!

Something new we did this year was set up our barn with a makeshift screen and a projector TV and Eric invited a bunch of friends and we did a scary movie in the barn and a bonfire/roasted hot dogs, etc. It was a great time. At one point, I counted 20 teenagers, but that number might be a little low - they don't hold still very long. The weather was perfect - we even had some pretty spectacular shooting stars. The old barn had the perfect 'Halloween' ambience.

Updated photos...

2008-10-15T16:58:00.004-04:00

Here are some recent pictures of Justine on the freshman volleyball team plus a few extras just for fun:

Election 2008 - A celebration of mediocrity.

2008-10-08T11:43:00.002-04:00

I hate to even talk about politics, but it has definitely been a disheartening year. Neither candidate seems qualified to me, but one of the candidates is very scary. This year my vote will be more of a vote AGAINST Barack Obama than a vote FOR John McCain. It cracks me up that each candidate points out that the other is out of touch. That is one point they are both right on!! Out of touch is an understatement!

If I have to hear the word 'fair' too many more times I might puke. 'Fair' is the word of choice for the Obama campaign but he must have a strange definition of the word. Nothing he is proposing sounds fair to me. He says he will raise taxes on the rich and on corporations. Corporations are already paying 40+% in taxes to the government. It seems UNfair to me that any entity or person should have to give almost half of what they use their industry to produce to the government. He is quoted as saying we need to get rid of the Bush tax cuts - that sounds like raising taxes to me! Those tax cuts have really helped out the small business owners (of which I am one). Also, his 'tax cut' to the middle class is a one time $1000 dollar payment. PLEASE!! That wouldn't pay our expenses for a month! What about after that?? Hang on to your wallets people - before you know it we will all be classified as 'rich'.

He says he wants jobs to stay in America - his plan will drive them out quicker than they are currently leaving. Why pay 40%+ in taxes when you can pay so much less in other countries? He's not Robin Hood but he uses the phrase 'take from the rich and give to the poor' and how we need to be more 'equal'. (Not to mention his patronzing, condescending tone). I don't know where most Americans get their education, but in Canada, we learned the difference between capitalism and communism and 'fair' and 'equal' are communist talking points and we know how that little theory has played out on the world stage. Fair to me means that if I earn the money, I get to keep most of it and make my own decision on how best to use it! Isn't it a little scary to be talking about people 'making too much money'??

He also openly admits that raising taxes won't increase revenue for the government, but lower it. He says it's not about revenue, it's about what's 'fair'. WRONG!! Collecting taxes is all about raising revenue for the government. If he is going to lower government revenue, how is he going to pay for all these 'wonderful' programs he says we need? When he spoke at the high school here a few months ago, he said that increased government efficiency would pay for these programs (specifically healthcare). What a crock!! When was the last time the government did anything efficiently?? Please give me one example because I haven't come up with one yet!!

Don't even get me started on socialized medicine!! Suffice it to say that I grew up in a socialized medical system and I am SO glad that I am raising my children here where they can get care when they need it! Yes - there are problems with the system, but letting the government take over is not the solution.

One other thing that really gets me is that Americans seem so anxious to vote for the candidate that the terrorists are hoping will win. Why do the terrorists want Obama to win?? Do they want America to live or die?? Honestly - who needs another reason not to vote for him than our enemies support him? And while we're on the subject - where did much of the HALF BILLION dollars Obama raised for his campaign come from? He won't say - does that sound fishy to you? I would love to find out how much of that money came from enemies!

Don't get me wrong - John McCain isn't a great choice either. He has often acted like a Democrat in disguise as a senator. The one thing he has going for him to me is that he does not have a history of overspending. He doesn't do porkbarrel projects and, honestly, we could use a lot less of that! He also has no qualms about standing up to our enemies. Ok, so that's two things going for him.

It seems like Republicans and Democrats alike have forgotten what our forefathers knew - that real power comes when the people are free from oppression - including the burden of supporting a bloated and, in some ways, corrupt government. They are like the monkey with his hand in the cookie jar. They won't let go of the power they have even though there is greater power to be had by doing so.

Perhaps there needs to be a change in how the candidates are selected. Both sides complained of too much influence from outside their own parties and I think that both parties ended up with less-than-ideal candidates. I was listening to the Republican senator from Oklahoma (Tom Coburn) speak the other day and found myself wondering where he was when the party was choosing their candidate. But then I realized that he's not been the most popular senator on Capitol Hill - guess why? - he has ideas for real change would reign in the federal governments far-reaching grasp. Hmmm - for all the talk we hear about 'change' the less anything seems to. For Obama especially, it seems like 'change' is something we talk about but don't actually engage in (the best example of that being his selection for vice-pres).

I thought that John McCain might have learned from his selection for vice-president. Republicans got excited about Sarah Palin because she stood for something and wasn't afraid to say it. For all the talk of 'change' we've been hearing about, her selection was the only real 'change' we saw! She's more manly than her running mate and the men she's running against! John McCain would do well to find his backbone and use it.

As a naturalized American citizen, I would love to see America remain a thriving, prosperous nation, but it looks like it may be an uphill battle. Historically, Americans haven't been content to take the easy way out and that's one reason it's such a great place to be. Why should the government solve my problems when I am capable of solving them myself?

Was I born yesterday???

2008-09-29T11:28:00.002-04:00

My son, Eric, speaks in code. He thinks I don't understand the code. For example - every time his affections switch to a new girl, he finds a way to make it sound noble breaking up with the old one. This last week it was that she lived too far away and it just wasn't working out. Duh - code for, "I found someone else!" He also says how he hates riding to early morning seminary with the girl down the road because she is always late. Like last year when they were being driven by parents he EVER cared if he was late - I waited on him EVERY morning! This morning he was driving and picking her up and he left record late, I think! What he really means is, "I just want to drive because I'm a guy and I want to look cool to my friends."

In other news, there is only 2 weeks of volleyball left for Justine. We will be going to 2 games this week. Eric got the part he wanted in the upcoming play (sometime in November). It seems like the month of October is always so busy - harvest is moving along as well.

Stripping ... Wallpaper, that is!!

2008-09-25T09:04:00.002-04:00

I have been stripping wallpaper again. There is never a shortage of projects in this money-pit of a house. Some days I think I would trade 'character' for less house related headaches!! But it's moving along - slowly. I have two rooms close to done. Then it's plaster patching time, then paint the ceilings, then size the walls, then wallpaper. All in all, I get to go over every square inch of the room at least 4 times (more if there are multiple layers of wallpaper to strip). These old houses have a lot of surface area! The upstairs ceilings are closer to 11 feet high, so that just adds to the fun.

Ready to blog!!

2008-09-20T15:21:00.003-04:00

I think I am ready to blog again. I really need to vent. School has begun and all four kids are now in school - 2 in high school, 1 in middle school and 1 in kindergarten. Whew!! But we've been doing 3 different schools for awhile now, so that part isn't too bad.
I had to go to the high school this week to take care of a problem. My freshman daughter was being 'stalked' by another student!! She started working in the school library and spoke to another student working there. He decided that he was pretty much infatuated with her and wouldn't leave her alone. He started sending very creepy emails - there were 15 emails in 3 days - all rather unnerving. Thankfully she just started deleting them and not reading them. I printed a sampling off and took them to the Dean. This student even got her personal info from the library computer and texted my work cell phone. Hopefully the problem is taken care of now, but how do you get through 10 years of school and have zero social skills or academic skills?? I mean - the guy couldn't even construct a complete sentence! 'Stalker' is the word my daughter used. If he isn't one now, he might be one someday...
On a happier note, my middle schooler thanked me the other day for sending him to the new tech school instead of the regular school. He was not thrilled about the change at first, but I knew he would love it if he gave it a chance, and he does! So many times these decisions are of the 'they'll thank me later' type, but I didn't have to wait long for the thanks this time!!
My kindergartener is LOVING school. I went in and read to them on 'Put your nose in a book' Day a few weeks ago. I read them one of my favorite (and one of the most under-rated) children's books ever - "Whitefish Will Rides Again". One of the funnest children's book EVER. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it.
In other news, I now have 'high speed' internet. By 'high speed', I mean faster than dial-up, but not as fast as broadband. You see, we live in what I refer to as a cyber black hole. Even though I am less than 10 miles from a large town both north and south (we live in the country, but I don't consider myself rural - if you want rural, go to southern Alberta), I do not have access to high speed internet through the phone and cable won't come down my road. My nephew spent a couple of years in Mongolia a few years back and the joke was he had quicker, easier access to high speed than we did. So I have literally been waiting for years for reasonably priced, reliable, high speed internet. My neighbors got satellite internet and said it was working well for them so I decided to give it a try. So far, so good. It could be faster though for how much it costs - not to mention the installation/start-up cost! I don't even get their advertised lowest price. They call it a 'high volume' area which is really just code for 'we know you don't have any other options, so we're charging you more'. But I have to say that listing on eBay is much quicker. Hopefully I can increase my listings enough to offset the increase in internet cost.
My oldest son's electronic drum set died. I was so happy!! But then he got a used acoustic set from a friend. It is much, much louder than the electronic drums. *SIGH* I keep telling myself that he is a junior and he will be gone soon and I will miss him, so I try not to complain too much about the noise pollution. Maybe it's a good thing we live in the country...

Time flies...

2006-09-14T13:12:00.000-04:00

Am I having fun? I guess whether I am or not, a lot of time has passed since my last post. LOL - I even had to enter my password a couple of times to get the right one!

We are back in the school groove, I guess and so far so good. The main change this year is that now my 3 school age children are spread out in 3 different schools. Our new high school experience has so far been positive. I was so happy to see that my son was NOT one of the shirtless-chest-painted-fans-in-very-small-running-shorts at the football game. He may be a freshman, but he's smart enough to know where to draw the line!!

Other than that, my plate is fuller than ever. We decided to do an early morning seminary group for church here at the house this school year. Guess who gets to teach?? So the spare time that I didn't have before is now really taken up! I also have a room torn down almost ready to redo. I have a little ceiling paper left to strip, then I can start priming/sizing. The walls are patched and I have the wallpaper in hand. To say that house projects move slowly around here is an understatement. It seems like the odds of time and money occurring at the same time around here are just slightly better than getting struck by lightning. However, I do need to have the room done by Christmas or we can hang up the idea of putting up a tree.

I have to say that I have been enjoying the one-on-one time I have with my 3 year old. She is so much fun and we have a great time togther. 20+ rounds per day of the game 'Candyland' is probably not an activity I would choose for myself, but her excitement is contagious and it's very cute how she takes each round so seriously. I'm off for some deep reading! 'Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!' anyone?

I Love My Teenager...

2006-06-15T18:29:00.000-04:00

I have to keep telling myself that!! My 14 year old couldn't understand why I wouldn't let him ride his aunt's scooter to the church last night (about 20 miles away, mostly highway driving). It's not even that he couldn't do it, it's mostly that I don't trust other drivers, but even if I was inclined to let him do it I still wouldn't because he is kind of hit-and-miss when it comes to responsibility so he doesn't deserve that privilege right now. I was trying to explain that everything in his life overlaps and connects but he just wasn't getting it. Finally I told him that I could explain it a million times and it wouldn't matter because I know nothing and he knows everything (a hint of sarcasm there). He thought about it for a second, then informed me that I do know some things - I can play the piano better than he can. *sigh*

It's been awhile, I know!

2006-05-24T11:34:00.000-04:00

It's been so long since I posted that I actually had to log in today! I'm amazed that I remembered my password. While I might feel like I've fallen off the end of the earth, I actually haven't, but there's been a lot going on!

First, the rear-ending incident with the semi has turned into something more than I hoped it would! My back started hurting a couple days after the accident and the pain just kept getting worse, so I finally went to the doctor. The x-rays came back normal, so that means muscle damage (it should get better and go away). The doctor says avoid heavy lifting. How do you quit using your back? I have a toddler that sometimes I just have to pick up. I haven't tuned without pain since the wreck, not to mention it has slowed me down a bit. Also, there is this piano moving business we have where we actually lift pianos and move them!!! So while my normal routine hasn't changed much (I am trying to not help with the piano moves when possible), it is now my normal-routine-with-pain. I am not too bummed about not being able to do yard work, though.

Also, mom and dad came for a visit. They mostly came out because my brother was graduating from dental school, but we got them for about a week. Even though the kids were still in school, we had a great time. We also got to attend the graduation, which was really nice. Since dad is a dentist, he got to 'hood' Pat as he came across the stage, so that was especially neat.

In other news, the strawberries are on and school is winding down. Last day is tomorrow! The strawberries will be on for awhile yet, though. I have been picking strawberries (I know, my back!) and making jam so I am about to the point where I've seen enough strawberries - but, as always - they are super good and homemade jam is awesome. The kids aren't too excited about joining the strawberry work crew, but it's good for them and they can earn some money for our trip to see grandma and grandpa this summer!

Well - I think I've tied the phone line up long enough - so that's all for now!!

A rural infestation...

2006-04-25T21:03:00.000-04:00

I was just reading my city-slicker sister's blog. She and her husband are new home owners in a big city. She just had her first adventure with a mouse in the house. I was laughing because with living in a farm house we have had a mouse or two over the years. But the last couple of years we have had a different sort of infestation (luckily an outdoor one) - groundhogs or woodchucks or whatever you want to call them. From far away they are kind of cute and furry - but don't be fooled! They can be very destructive. They were digging out under our barn foundations and also throwing up dirt piles around the property. We have a farm house on about 4 acres with four large out-buildings. Last spring we were pretty sure we had 5 or 6 groundhogs and they were tearing the place apart. A kind friend loaned us a gun and taught us how to use it. We started eliminating the destructive intruders and when all was said and done, we had 16 groundhogs!!! We got 15 of them, but number 16 went into hibernation before we got him.

I don't know if there is a sign somewhere pointing groundhogs to our place, but this year it seems like we are starting over again! Hopefully not on as large of a scale, but last night I got number one for this season.

I have to admit that learning to use a gun was not really high on my list of experiences to seek out. I'm sure my family thinks I have completely crossed over to redneck-hood, but I have to say that while killing groundhogs is an unpleasant necessity, target practice on inanimate objects is kind of theraputic. Plus - my average is pretty good - I haven't missed a shot yet (even if my targets hold nice and still for me).

My husband assures me that I would have to kill the groundhog AND cook it up for dinner to be a true redneck. WHEW! I was getting worried!

A little too much excitement...

2006-04-18T14:01:00.000-04:00

Friday morning I picked my van up from the shop - the service engine light had come on, so we had it checked out, and on my way home from that I was stopped on the highway for the lady in front of me who was turning left. There was a semi behind me and he didn't get stopped in time and so I got rear-ended! As I could see him approaching in my rear-view mirror, it was a strange feeling - I knew what was coming and there wasn't anything I could do and it all happened so fast. Fortunately, the woman in front of me got turned before I got hit, so all the damage is to the rear of the van and I didn't have to have an air bag go off in my face. Also, I was alone - glad I didn't have the kids with me! We are hoping the van will be fixable (I drove it home from the accident) because even though it is a 1998 van, it only has 48,000 miles on it, so it will be hard to replace. The insurance adjuster should be out tomorrow or Tuesday, so hopefully we can get the repair process in motion soon. The driver of the semi was more shaken up than I was (he said he had never hit anyone before), but mostly I was glad to be walking around and lucid instead of unconscious waiting for the jaws of life to arrive. It has been 2 1/2 days and I still feel ok - I was a little stiff and sore Friday night and Saturday, but, other than that, feeling good.

It was extra good not to be injured because we had plans Friday night! Pat and Jessie came up and we ate dinner at our place and then my kids babysat their kids and we went up to the Pacers game - the only change of plans being that we had to take Pat's car instead of ours. But we had a really good time, even if we were sitting in the nose-bleed section. Of course Reagan and Hadley had a blast playing here and Rawley absolutely LOVES our kitties. It is cute to watch him get excited when he sees them.

Done at last!

2006-04-13T20:01:00.000-04:00

Filed my taxes this morning - what a relief! Going to celebrate by having a French Silk Pie Blizzard - the best Blizzard flavour ever!! It's been a busy week - Easter tuning rush. Only one more day to go though! I have still managed to plug away at my odds'n'ends house projects. Did some painting and finishing this evening. The mirror I took to have framed is ready, so things are moving along even if it is painfully slow.
I was tuning about 30 miles north yesterday and my van started acting wierd, then my 'service engine soon' light came on. I was worried, but I made it home and then to the repair shop. It turns out it was just a spark plug. What a racket! I thought it was a big deal if the service engine light came on, but next time I am going to have Tracy check the little stuff first before we take it to the dealer! $75 to have one spark plug replaced!!
The weather has really warmed up. I hoped that I would have a few weeks between turning my furnace off and turning my air conditioner on, but it only turned out to be a few days! The upstairs air conditioner came on today - and would have come on yesterday if it had been turned on. That's Indiana for you.

Tax-time woes...

2006-03-30T13:39:00.000-05:00

It is tax time again and every year I promise to get it done and overwith early, but I am always unsuccessful. It's not even that I know that we probably will owe a little money - it's the major hassle of it all. This is the time of year when being self-employed really stinks! Not only do you have to keep track of endless receipts and fill out many extra forms, but they really stick it to you on the social security taxes. I am definitely all for the fair-tax plan that probably won't ever happen because politicians are too power hungry to give any up, even if it would help the economy and ease the tax burden! Wish me luck!

Life back to normal...

2006-03-18T14:39:00.000-05:00

Well, the show is over, so life is getting back to normal - whatever that means!! But the shows went great and it was a lot of fun! I am a little behind on my housework, but that's nothing new - just a little further behind than normal, so I am catching up. Also got my tunings done this week and managed to get back on my elliptical trainer. (First, it broke, then I was practicing the piano all the time). It felt good to be back on and thankfully the breakdown was covered under warranty. I've been on it for about a month now (not including the 2 1/2 week break) and my knee isn't bothering me at all. That is a good sign - everything else I've tried has hurt my knee too much.

Spring break is this coming week. Hoping to get caught up on some house projects. Tracy is taking down some old buildings on our property - it looks nice with the junky buildings out of the way! I need him to do a few things in the house as well! We will also be going down to Louisville to see my brother and his family before they move back to Canada. Then I will be all alone again in the USA! I know - it's my own fault!

Tracy was supposed to be going to Virginia to pick up a piano, but the transmission on the truck went out, so that will have to wait. An expensive repair, but we got plenty of life out of the transmission and it has been a fairly low-maintenance vehicle - this is our first major repair. It just hurts to write a check that big for car repairs! The truck should be back in commission by the middle of next week. Tracy had gone to pick a piano up in Indy on Wednesday, so we are glad that he didn't have any trouble that day! He picked up and we delivered a brand new Storey and Clark baby grand with a CD player system in it on Wednesday. It was a sweet set up! So cute - and the people got such a good deal on it! I would love to have on of those, but I can't complain - I already have a grand and a baby grand in my house... . But it was the first time we had uncrated and set up a brand new piano, usually we just move used pianos, so it was an adventure.

Tracy is in man-heaven with March Madness starting this weekend. We all filled out our brackets - we even got Reagan to make her picks. Her picks are very random (ie. pointing at the page that she cannot read - 'do you want this one or this one?') so it's been funny to see that she only missed one less game than Tracy and I in the first round!

I hate dial up...

2006-03-01T13:09:00.000-05:00

I really hate dial up internet. Unfortunately, there's not much I can do about it at this point. I live in the cyber boonies. Actually, I am within 10 miles of 2 fair-sized cities, but still can't get DSL and the cable company won't come down my road, so broadband is out as well. I long for the day that technology finally makes its way out here.

The reason I mention it is because the only reason I actually have time to write today is because I am waiting for a large sized email to download. I really hate when people forward me those 'cute' emails that download into their computers in just seconds, but tie up my email for hours. Still waiting to find out who the culprit is this time...

My life is all of a sudden very busy. It's my own fault - I took on yet another project. This time it is helping out with the high school musical, 'Fiddler on the Roof'. They got stuck with no pianist so I offered to help at the last minute. The only problem is that I'm not sure that I am much help. I am really enjoying the rehearsals, etc., but the music is very challenging. I have only had the score for about 4 weeks. 184 pages of very challenging music. I am trying to internalize all the music, but the sheer scope of it coupled with the fact that I already have a fairly busy life is making it difficult. So, hopefully, come showtime, I will actually be useful.

In other news, my husband turned 40 yesterday. Who knew it would come so fast!! But he's taking it in stride. We put 40 candles in the shape of a '40' on his cake. It was an inferno!! The kids thought it was great. It took me 6 or 7 matches to get them all lit.

Wrestling season wraps up this week. I am so glad! Eric has learned a lot, but I am glad to take of the taxi driver hat for awhile.

Well - this email is going to have to download without me! I am off for now, I'll come back and check later...

Never tuned in a sauna before...

2006-01-26T13:09:00.000-05:00

A busy week! I was at a school prepping their pianos for a big event this weekend and next weekend. They were having heating/cooling issues and the music department was a sweltering 78 degrees! The practice rooms were even hotter. Thankfully, of the 8 pianos I worked on, only 3 were in practice rooms. The rooms are about 6 feet by 6 feet and with the door closed it was positively stiffling!! I tried tuning with the door closed and couldn't do it, so the people in the halls just had to put up with my noise! I hope they get their temperature figured out before the pianos get any permanent damage from the heat.

Not much other news. I can finally watch the wrestling meets without having to peek through my fingers. I still think it looks painful! Also been managing to get a few loose ends around the house tied up. But it seems like everytime I get a few done, something else comes up! Oh well!

This three-year-old!!

2006-01-13T09:22:00.000-05:00

My three-year-old is officially driving me crazy! I have to say that we (for the most part) skipped the 'terrible' part of the terrible twos, but she has just been on a roll the last few days. She is NEVER still and it seems like she has to be right where I am - squirming the whole time! Someday I'll miss it, right? Still wouldn't trade her for anything!

Post-holiday update

2006-01-04T14:02:00.000-05:00

Been awhile, I know - but we are finally through the holidays!! I had a super Christmas and the holiday season was nice. The tuning got kind of crazy right before Christmas, but that is to be expected. I actually got a call just 2 days before Christmas to see if I could work someone in! It never ceases to amaze me at the lack of planning. Especially some churches I tune for - you'd think that you might schedule ahead since you tune every year at Christmas?? Some people sound pretty put out if I can't come right away during the holidays. I managed to work almost everyone in - I think I only had to turn away one woman who lived way out in the sticks.

But the kids had a fun break and a great Christmas. I couldn't believe all the wrapping paper! We had some fun family time, including a jaunt to Cincinnati and a visit from my brother and his family.

Yesterday Reagan colored herself pink with a highlighter pen right before we were to leave to get her 3 year pictures taken. At least it wasn't nail polish this time! She even colored her eyelids - an amazing feat considering she didn't have a mirror. Just because she is quiet doesn't mean she is sleeping!

Ignorance is Bliss??

2005-12-07T17:36:00.000-05:00

I officially know nothing. Yes - my teenager informed me of that the other day. Also, I have no clue what he is going through in his life. Oh - and here's the kicker - if he doesn't butt in and do a little parenting to the younger kids, then it won't get done because I certainly have no clue how to do it correctly. And by the way - could I wash his gym clothes!? All those years of experience and all I can manage is a load of laundry. Hope I do it right!!

Sick on my birthday...

2005-11-30T16:11:00.000-05:00

A large gap between postings - I know! But things have been a little crazy lately. This is the busy tuning time with churches preparing for Christmas and people with family coming in for the holidays. Also, I am trying to do a few homemade things for Christmas as well as the family calendar for my husband's side of the family, not to mention trying to get the church choir together for the Christmas Sunday. I haven't even started dipping chocolates yet - I did get my chocolate though. I used to get a small discount for buying bulk, but I guess those days are over. sigh At least most of my Christmas shopping is done.

On top of it all I have been sick since Sunday. I have been doing my scheduled tunings despite the fact that I feel horrible. I only rescheduled one and it will be tomorrow. I am feeling a bit better today, so hopefully that means I am getting well! I was hoping for a 24 hour flu, but its more like a 96 hour flu I guess.

So I guess that's my exciting birthday - at least I haven't thrown up yet!

Chopin's music is wishy-washy??!!

2005-11-09T18:49:00.000-05:00

I was tuning for a woman today who is kind of a piano big-wig around here. We were discussing some of our favorites and I mentioned that I really love Chopin. She said his music was wishy-washy!! Oh well - I like Brahms and Rachmanninoff as well as the next pianist - but I think Chopin can definitely hold his own. It was a nice change so chat with someone with some serious music background, though.

I am just unwinding from a full day of tuning with a little Josh Groban and Pink Floyd. Interesting combination, I know, but still both are soothing in different ways. Itunes is a great invention!

An old flame rekindled

2005-11-08T13:58:00.000-05:00

I was kind of bored the other day - not that I didn't have anything to do - so I started listing things on ebay. It's been a long time since I've taken the time to do any selling and it's been very refreshing! I am listing a few items for friends and a few things of my own, and the auctions are going great.

Now for something completely different. What is it with teenagers? I don't remember doing too much sneaking around my parents backs, but my 14 year old has been a stinker lately. I try to monitor his online time for obvious reasons - but that little beggar found out the password and has been getting on without permission. From the history, it looks clean, but that's not the point. The point is that the rule is you get online when you have permission! ARGGHHHH!!

Feeling Bad

2005-11-02T13:28:00.000-05:00

Today as I drove into our garage I accidentally ran over one of our kittens. I feel so horrible - like I want to throw up. It was Brig's favorite kitten. They called it 'puss' and she was the most affectionate of the bunch. I am so sad. The kids will be very disapppointed. *sigh*

My life is really boring

2005-10-31T16:16:00.000-05:00

I really don't have much new to say today. It's just Halloween so we will be trick or treating. The kids are excited about it and the weather is good so it should be a great time.

My choir director no-showed on me yesterday so I am still up in the air on how that will work out. I called her today, but had to leave a message.

I can't wait until the harvest is in! My tuning schedule is getting kind of crazy and I really need Tracy to watch Reagan!! But it is moving along...

Pearls before swine

2005-10-25T14:23:00.000-05:00

I am trying to train a new choir director at church. It has not been going well, but we are doing our best to accomodate everyone's circumstances. She hasn't been very open to my offers to help her learn to lead correctly, but I know it is partly because she has a very busy schedule and her health isn't always the greatest.
Now all of a sudden she wants to have input into the music selections. This is a good and a bad thing. I had been hoping she would take an interest in helping to select the music, but she could have spoken up three months ago when I chose the Christmas music for this year!! She also informed me that songs with multiple parts running at the same time (ie. 2 or more melody/lyric lines) just sound like a big jumble of garbage. Gasp! I didn't even know how to reply to that one - some of the most powerful music I have heard is in this format!! And, since she doesn't even always make it to practice, we have been working on just such a song.
Fortunately, I think I can work around this problem. Most of the music we sing is just regular four-part choir. But at the same time, I try to be open to suggestions and we are doing songs I don't like because I know that other people do like them. Why do people have to be so difficult??!

2005-10-22T14:25:00.002-05:00

Another great Halloween party!

2005-10-22T14:25:00.000-05:00

Talara had her annual 'cousins' halloween party last night and it was a great success! We had 23 kids in attendance. The only real disappointment was the lack of a headless horseman in the haunted forest. I haven't had a chance to ask Talara what happened to him - she seemed as surprized as everyone else last night when he was a no-show.

The haunted house was spooky and we even got Brig to go through (with the lights on, but hey! that's progress!)
Eric and I carved some elaborate jack-o-lanterns. My wolf turned out great. I love to carve the intricate pumpkins and everyone seems to enjoy them.

Well, I still haven't managed to finish Justine's costume, so it's back to the sewing machine for me!

Have patience, Dev

2005-10-19T21:21:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed your comment, Dev, but you are writing it in the wrong place. Tracy doesn't even know about this blog!! LOL - don't be too offended, he's just geared differently than us in this regard. He's not one to sit in front of a monitor unless there is sports on it.

Fall break is upon us and, as always, the weather is going to be miserable. Nothing like a couple of days off from school to bring on the bad weather. Now I will be trapped in the house with four children with cabin fever! But we are looking forward to our annual Halloween Party - hosted by Talara. Eric has been working like a rented donkey on the haunted house - it's a great diversion for him and the haunted house always lives up to the hype. In fact, I'm not completely sure that Eric ever got all the way through any of the haunted houses he hasn't worked on... . Oh well. I suppose someday Eric will find bravery.

I know I hate haunted houses, but I have a good reason. When I was a very small child, my sister and I decided to go through the walk-through haunted house at the fair. Part way through and in a pitch dark hallway, Shauna let go of me and I just froze with fear. I'm not sure how long I was rooted to that spot before one of the workers finally found me and brought me out. Nothing like a good childhood trauma to sear the fear into your brain - but hey! it's been almost 30 years. I can get through Talara's haunted house anyway!!

A Secret Blog?

2005-10-18T13:11:00.000-05:00

My husband mentioned last night that he thought blogs were stupid and people who wrote them must just have too much time on their hands. Hmmm - I guess I haven't mentioned to him that I have a blog!! I would not say that I have more time than I know what to do with, it's just a good outlet - of course, he is a hunt-and-peck typist, so a blog would take him longer than some I guess... . Not much excitement here - just coming into a busy tuning time, so I'm trying to figure out how to get everything done!!

A spare minute!

2005-10-17T16:12:00.000-05:00

I can't believe I have a spare minute. I tuned a very difficult piano this morning (in the middle of nowhere) and also had to tie a broken string back in. I hate putting strings in, but I am getting better at it - only 2 cuts today! LOL. So now I am finally home. The little one is sleeping, so I got some lunch and now here I am. The older kids don't have to be picked up for another hour and a half, so I can catch up on a few things - mostly needing to get the halloween costumes finished up.

So I'm not really sure what to talk about. I don't know that anyone will actually read this, but at the same time I feel kind of exposed. My sister's blog is interesting - but she has a great writing style and, well, she's blonde, so I get a kick out of some of the stuff she writes. She's also very opinionated and doesn't mind sharing.

I would have to say that my life is rather ordinary. I am married with 4 kids and I live in a victorian farm house that is a bit of a money pit and always under construction. When my 3rd child was one I took up piano tuning and repair - kind of crazy, I know - but almost 9 years later I am still at it. It has been the source of funding for our house projects and has worked out quite well as it is part time and I can set my own hours and the money is decent.

My oldest son is 14, so we are having some teenage antics, but my youngest daughter is 2, so we are also having adventures in toilet-training. At the moment we also have a litter of 4 kittens in our garage. Never a dull moment, and thankfully most of them are happy. My main question right now would have to be 'How do you get through to a teenager?'. He doesn't seem to believe that I really have been-there-done-that. I anxiously await the day when he has his own teenager to try and get through to. He's a great kid, though.

Well, I guess I'm off to the sewing machine. My son is going to be the Phantom of the Opera and my daughter is going to be Christine and Christine HAS to have a dress! The younger two are going to be Sulley and Boo from Monster's Inc, so it is shaping up to be a fun Halloween!

A first for me

2005-10-15T15:52:00.000-05:00

I can't believe my little sister has influenced me to start my own blog. It feels weird, but I will give it a try. Thanks, Dev!!