Today was the first day of school for us. We live in the north eastern part of the country and begin after Labor Day. If I had my way, our district would start when the rest of the country starts school which is usually sometime in August. However, now that my older children are back in school, I may have time to blog again. Did you catch that? I may have time to blog.
The Mayor is now in third grade and was very concerned about starting school this year. Don't get me wrong, she LOVES school. She loves seeing her friends and learning. But, she really was worried last night. In fact. she was so uptight that she was still awake at 1:15 AM. Computer Kid (formerly known as Computer Boy--thanks Suzanne--I prefer your version) was not at all concerned about his first day. Since CK is on the autistic spectrum, I was thrilled he was not worried. He was excited to see his friend, Carl again. I reminded him that he'd see many of his friends from kindergarten in his new class. Both kids had good first days. One day down and 182 to go.
The same Suzanne is having a giveaway. Whoo-hoo! I love free stuff. She has a $500 gift card for Walmart. So, go visit this post and check out all the details!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Out of Practice
Before HW and I got married, I had voice lessons on a regular basis. Unfortunately, once we got busier, the lessons were the first to go. At this point in my life, I don't get to really work on new pieces very much. Sure, I practice the music that I need to sing for Sunday liturgies but something I can truly sink my teeth into usually falls by the wayside. Between the husband, children (and their activities) and housework, there is little time left in the day for me. You can imagine my excitement when I finally arranged a private voice lesson with my "former" teacher. So, the other day I had my first lesson in almost a year. Holy Cow! She made me work! Honestly, it felt good too. While a couple of the vocal exercises were tricky, I got the handle of them. However, that's not what bothers me. What concerns me is the piece of music she's given me to learn. Talk about giving me a challenge! It's a piece by Mendelssohn and it is HARD.
Do I dare say I'm up for the challenge? I don't know. It scares me a little, but I have to try it. I think finding the time to work on it and learn it will be tough. However, I think it's time to put my money where my mouth is. I always say how much I want to learn more, be challenged and grow as a musician. I don't want to rest on my laurels, become stagnant and rusty. It's time to make the time and get to work.
Do I dare say I'm up for the challenge? I don't know. It scares me a little, but I have to try it. I think finding the time to work on it and learn it will be tough. However, I think it's time to put my money where my mouth is. I always say how much I want to learn more, be challenged and grow as a musician. I don't want to rest on my laurels, become stagnant and rusty. It's time to make the time and get to work.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
What will he do next?
As you may remember, I sing at church. Well, three churches to be exact. In those churches, I work with different music directors who have varying abilities and personalities. For the most part, I enjoy doing what I do. It can be lots of fun and hard work (yes, singing is work--you use many different muscles!). Anyway, today was one of those fun days.
One of my favorite directors is RL. He is incredibly talented, has a type A personality, even-tempered and has a great sense of humor. I often wonder what he's doing in a rinky dink little church on Long Island and not in Manhattan playing at St. Patrick's Cathedral. However, the cathedral's loss is my gain. This man challenges me to become a better musician. During mass, he will modulate keys, add interludes between verses of songs (when none are written), play a different harmonization (such as English ones), go off on musical tangents all while expecting me to go along with him. Some singers might find this stressful, but I don't. He and I both feel it makes things more interesting. Playing a hymn over and over can become tedious and boring. My job is to encourage the congregation to sing along with me. If I let his creativity stress me out, the people won't feel comfortable and won't sing along. They should feel as if singing with me is like taking a walk in the park. Something that is an easy, enjoyable activity. Not to blow my own horn, but I know RL doesn't do this kind of thing to the other singers. He has told me so. It makes me feel good, really proud of the musicianship I've achieved, yet I find myself wondering what will he do next. It's good, it keeps me on my toes.
One of my favorite directors is RL. He is incredibly talented, has a type A personality, even-tempered and has a great sense of humor. I often wonder what he's doing in a rinky dink little church on Long Island and not in Manhattan playing at St. Patrick's Cathedral. However, the cathedral's loss is my gain. This man challenges me to become a better musician. During mass, he will modulate keys, add interludes between verses of songs (when none are written), play a different harmonization (such as English ones), go off on musical tangents all while expecting me to go along with him. Some singers might find this stressful, but I don't. He and I both feel it makes things more interesting. Playing a hymn over and over can become tedious and boring. My job is to encourage the congregation to sing along with me. If I let his creativity stress me out, the people won't feel comfortable and won't sing along. They should feel as if singing with me is like taking a walk in the park. Something that is an easy, enjoyable activity. Not to blow my own horn, but I know RL doesn't do this kind of thing to the other singers. He has told me so. It makes me feel good, really proud of the musicianship I've achieved, yet I find myself wondering what will he do next. It's good, it keeps me on my toes.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Open Road
There's one thing I don't like about driving. I'm sure you already guessed it, the traffic. I'm from Long Island, New York. We're not exactly an island, more of an isthmus, however, we are still land locked. So, when something goes awry, the roads are the first affected. For example, when 911 occurred, our roads were backed up for hours and hours and hours. Last Friday, when a spark ignited a huge fire on some scaffolding on the Throgs Neck Bridge. It disrupted EVERYTHING for the entire day. In fact, we are still recovering from the event. Seriously, I was due at a dinner party and ended up being over an hour late.
Long Islanders have a problem being patient drivers. If there is an opening in traffic, sure enough, someone will cut in front of you and take it, if only to advance them 10 feet. When lanes merge, drivers here never zipper. In other words, cars take turns advancing into the (slow) flow of traffic. Recently, I was told that only drivers in the mid-west zipper. Then there are some drivers who weave in and out of traffic too. I don't think I need to tell you that I stay away from them. When there is a car accident and drivers are pulled over to the side of the road, all of the other drivers whose cars are fully operational--must slow down and look at the people on the shoulder.
Give me the open road any day. Ahhhh
Okay, enough of my rant. Thanks for listening.
Long Islanders have a problem being patient drivers. If there is an opening in traffic, sure enough, someone will cut in front of you and take it, if only to advance them 10 feet. When lanes merge, drivers here never zipper. In other words, cars take turns advancing into the (slow) flow of traffic. Recently, I was told that only drivers in the mid-west zipper. Then there are some drivers who weave in and out of traffic too. I don't think I need to tell you that I stay away from them. When there is a car accident and drivers are pulled over to the side of the road, all of the other drivers whose cars are fully operational--must slow down and look at the people on the shoulder.
Give me the open road any day. Ahhhh
Okay, enough of my rant. Thanks for listening.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Vacation is all I ever wanted
Vacation's having to get away...
One of the things I insist upon is taking a family vacation once a year. Between the children's escapades, Mr. HW's (Hard Worker) work schedule (sometimes up to 7 days a week) and when you add my work schedule into the mix doesn't give us much quality family time together. So, it's important to me (as well as my rule) that we take time off and get away. Going away enables us to do that, no distractions, just us.
Because I insist on the vacation, many years ago Mr. HW and I bought into the Disney time share. It allows us the flexibility to "get away" and our vacation is already paid for. We only have to pay for travel and food. It works for us. Since it is a flexible plan, we can go to Disney World or go somewhere else. This year we have reservations on property, however we are not going into the parks. Instead we will visit friends and possibly go to Sea World. Why aren't we planning to go into Disney parks? Between August, 2007 and August, 2008, we "did" the parks 3 times. Yes, three times. So, one could say both my husband and I are "Disneyed out". We could only accomplish this because we have the time share. However, it's been an entire year since we've had a family vacation, so it's time. Both my husband and I decided we wanted to see our friends, so we're driving to Florida.
Whoo-hoo! I can hardly wait.
One of the things I insist upon is taking a family vacation once a year. Between the children's escapades, Mr. HW's (Hard Worker) work schedule (sometimes up to 7 days a week) and when you add my work schedule into the mix doesn't give us much quality family time together. So, it's important to me (as well as my rule) that we take time off and get away. Going away enables us to do that, no distractions, just us.
Because I insist on the vacation, many years ago Mr. HW and I bought into the Disney time share. It allows us the flexibility to "get away" and our vacation is already paid for. We only have to pay for travel and food. It works for us. Since it is a flexible plan, we can go to Disney World or go somewhere else. This year we have reservations on property, however we are not going into the parks. Instead we will visit friends and possibly go to Sea World. Why aren't we planning to go into Disney parks? Between August, 2007 and August, 2008, we "did" the parks 3 times. Yes, three times. So, one could say both my husband and I are "Disneyed out". We could only accomplish this because we have the time share. However, it's been an entire year since we've had a family vacation, so it's time. Both my husband and I decided we wanted to see our friends, so we're driving to Florida.
Whoo-hoo! I can hardly wait.
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Last Day
Today was our last day of school. Somehow we (well, specifically Computer Boy) made it! He and the Mayor brought flowers and homemade cards to their teachers today. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of the cards but they were sweet and typical of my children. The Mayor made hearts and told her teacher, Mrs. W, "I will tremendously miss you". She had a good year. Except for 2 B+'s, she got all A's. (One of the B's was for physical education.) CB's card had a picture of his teacher and him. The Kindergarten report card is not based on the typical A-D system. Rather it is based on Satisfactory, Progressing Satisfactorily and Not Progressing. He received mostly S's and a few PS's. I'm happy with how well they both did.
In our district, the children receive their assignments for September on the last day of school. So, suffice it to say, the phone was ringing off the hook today. Everyone was calling to who was in which class. I'm so happy to say that CB's BFF is in his class next year. That information made my day. It may just help him transition into first grade a bit easier in September.
So, now our summer officially begins. Let's hope the weather catches up with us. It has been raining for what seems like an eternity. Plus, it's darn cold. I want the sun and warmer weather. Mother Nature, did you hear me?
In our district, the children receive their assignments for September on the last day of school. So, suffice it to say, the phone was ringing off the hook today. Everyone was calling to who was in which class. I'm so happy to say that CB's BFF is in his class next year. That information made my day. It may just help him transition into first grade a bit easier in September.
So, now our summer officially begins. Let's hope the weather catches up with us. It has been raining for what seems like an eternity. Plus, it's darn cold. I want the sun and warmer weather. Mother Nature, did you hear me?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Where does the time go?
OMG! It's June already!
What happened to the year? I'm specifically referring to the school year, but I could say the same for the calendar year. In another 25 days half of the year will be over. Around here, school ends on June 26th.
My little boy, CB, has grown up so much this year. Come the end of the month, he's no longer a kindergartner, but a first grader. Learning more responsibility as well as the typical reading, writing and arithmetic. *Sniff Sniff* When did this happen? The worst part is that it happened right in front of my eyes.
Then, of course, there's the Mayor. She successfully navigated her way through second grade and all that goes with it. It's not unusual for relationships to change during the second and third grade years. So, I'm a little nervous f.or her, but hopeful that most of the girls in her grade won't "change" too much. Since they were together from Pre-K, many of these girls have always been polite, accepting of others and cheered one another on. But, third grade is different and only time will tell.
Monkey Girl grows everyday. Make it stop! Oh, it's not that CB and Mayor aren't growing, they are. It's just that MG is our last baby and I'm sad to see her grow up. It's bad enough that she's in a big girl bed and not in her crib anymore. Btw, that was not my idea, but hers. As an aside, my husband and I bought the girls bunk beds and MG decided she should sleep in her new bed (the bottom bunk). Naturally, she wanted the top bed, but we said absolutely not to that one. But, I digress, I anticipate that this summer, I will start potty training her. It's the last milestone for a baby.
Please someone find the pause button and tell me where it is.
What happened to the year? I'm specifically referring to the school year, but I could say the same for the calendar year. In another 25 days half of the year will be over. Around here, school ends on June 26th.
My little boy, CB, has grown up so much this year. Come the end of the month, he's no longer a kindergartner, but a first grader. Learning more responsibility as well as the typical reading, writing and arithmetic. *Sniff Sniff* When did this happen? The worst part is that it happened right in front of my eyes.
Then, of course, there's the Mayor. She successfully navigated her way through second grade and all that goes with it. It's not unusual for relationships to change during the second and third grade years. So, I'm a little nervous f.or her, but hopeful that most of the girls in her grade won't "change" too much. Since they were together from Pre-K, many of these girls have always been polite, accepting of others and cheered one another on. But, third grade is different and only time will tell.
Monkey Girl grows everyday. Make it stop! Oh, it's not that CB and Mayor aren't growing, they are. It's just that MG is our last baby and I'm sad to see her grow up. It's bad enough that she's in a big girl bed and not in her crib anymore. Btw, that was not my idea, but hers. As an aside, my husband and I bought the girls bunk beds and MG decided she should sleep in her new bed (the bottom bunk). Naturally, she wanted the top bed, but we said absolutely not to that one. But, I digress, I anticipate that this summer, I will start potty training her. It's the last milestone for a baby.
Please someone find the pause button and tell me where it is.
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