Remodeling news

I must post more often here - the laundry room is done and glorious. At least nice. And someday I will move all the stuff piled in the garage back into the room. Maybe. Some of it.

But in larger news, we are adding on the West Wing! J has wanted to do this from when he moved in (15 years ago). It will be a larger living room with somewhat vaulted ceiling (not a big peak, but higher than our other ceilings). Also there will be a "bedroom" and office below the LR. Best of all the entryway will be pushed out 4 feet and a new door will open onto the fabulous new front porch! I think it will look great, always wanted a porch and bigger entry. And there will be steps up to the new deck which will be outside the LR, and connect to the rest of the wrap around deck on the back of the house. So exciting, and I think the contractor is a good guy.

american consumer

Well, I'm doing my bit to help the economy. I decided they will never have the sizes of rugs I want in Not-so-big City, so I just ordered a bunch of stuff online. Hopefully they will be close to the right color. Since it is for the laundry room I'm not that picky, but I did pay more for the rugs than anything else (except the washer). J worked on the dryer vent thing this am, it stuck into the room about a foot, and the way things hooked together it was about 3 feet away from the washer. NOW it looks perfect, is about a foot away and exactly the right amount for my wheely cart I bought for soap and stuff. AND the recycle bins fit EXACTLY into the space between the dryer and the cabinet. It is meant to be. Really excited for guests to come (M&D were first, but it is much better now)! Now I must pick up the child from school...

moving into the 21st century (slowly...)

Today I finally applied for our TV Converter Box Coupons - since we have rabbit ears or nothing on our tvs, I expect we won't be watching much after Feb anyway. But at least now we have $80 of coupons coming. Then, of course we'll have to hook up all those fun devices. And then, J tells me, none of our recording devices will work (automatically anyway). Which is a drag, because that is my favorite thing about the tv now, watching previously taped shows when I want! Oh well.

Ds eye appt

Well, I haven't posted here in forever, but I decided to separate my "work" and "family" blogs once again. They kinda merge, but there is a lot of stuff that is pretty separate. Today D had an appt with an opthomologist - his primary care physician said his eyes MIGHT not be tracking together. So the specialist - and he is perfect in every way! Yay - 20/20 vision in both eyes (how did THAT happen, everyone else in the family is blind)

When I picked him up at school today, the parking lot was so warm. This is my favorite time of year, and I think today is the last sunny day - they are predicting rain and a big temp drop tomorrow. As usual, I wish I had spent more time outside, we haven't even gone to the trail this year (for bikeriding). Sometimes I feel so isolated here.

Family visit

Well, part one of the family influx is complete - auntie A and her entourage of young men (3 - 16 year olds) have come and gone. We had a lovely time and now we have tons of leftover food. But not too much, they can pack it away! Our neighbor 15 year old boy came with us to the theme park and it was great, D had a fun time in the water park and the boys all rode the scary big coasters and slides and things. I had to leave at 4 as I had the show (of course) but that was a good day for my little guy, the big boys stayed with auntie until 10.

Anyway, the next invasion (?!) begins Wednesday with my parents and Js family - C will be coming Friday night. We are all staying at a rental on the lake about 40 m from our house, I am worried about mom and the steps to the dock. But I suppose it will all work out. With Js three little dudes (one Ds age 2 younger) we are going back to the theme park. The small kid facilites are GREAT!!! D & F take note, Devon would love this.

b-b-b-b-b-brrrum

Wow, it has been ages since I've blogged on my non-music site, when I'm doing a show seems like it consumes my life. Even though I HAVE been doing a lot of stuff, like today I did 8 loads of laundry (nearly done!).

But we do have news - FINALLY, we actually took the boat out and after a minor altercation with the Fish & Wildlife police (re: parking permits which you have to drive 20 miles to purchase) we floated and drove and all that stuff! Fun. Sort of. I was kind of terrified it would blow up at any moment, but we all survived. Seemed to behave just fine.

D loved it; cousin Ben and auntie Alex are arriving tomorrow and they may go out with J on Saturday. I am playing all afternoon and then La Cage, funny Alex wanted to go which is great, but she wanted to sit with me. I'm like, sorry I'll be in the pit, and then she said she would just watch me play! I said she wouldn't be able to see me due to the pit, which is an actual pit meaning a deep hole; and apparently she's never been to a show with a pit where you couldn't see the musicians! Weird. I've done my share of shows in shallow pits, even one we called a "corral" because they just put a fence around us, and some where we played on stage...hopefully this will broaden her horizons.

Vacation!

A lot has happened since I blogged! Went to Seattle on Fathers Day, just me and D. Of course we get a flat in the middle of nowhere, but I'm proud to report that I was able to change it myself (with 4 calls to Jim's Tech Support). A kind man tightened the lug nuts as I was practically done when he stopped, but I felt safer knowing a man tightened them. Got to my folks that night, and my flight to Wyoming was the next day. My poor mom still had 2 days of school (and then endless packing as she retired), so dad took me and D to the airport. They hung around until I cleared security, and then I think they went to get new tires for my car! Yay. Something we'd been meaning to do...

FAB time in WY, C is the best hostess ever. We kayaked twice, on Jackson lake and Jenny lake. I have some pics I may share if I get around to it. We cooked (very loose use of the word "we") every night, pasta is much better with homemade stuff instead of Prego. I think we had Pasta Carbanara one night and something else I can't remember the name of. I remind her to send recipes (this is it, please send recipes).

Returned to Seattle Friday to find an insane pickup of my nephew occurring. My poor parents are the dumping ground for their grandchildren, it appears - but hopefully they don't find it too horrible. Anyway, we hung out for about 4 hours, partly with my other brother and his family waiting. It was fun to see them as I hadn't expected a visit would work out. The next day we drove back to Spokane, no excitement beyond a heart attack at the gas pump (which happens all the time).

Then the big rehearsal (see other blog if you care) and today, I started VBS!! That's vacation bible school. I was coerced. D protested mightily, but once he was there he had a great time. I also got my wires crossed with the neighbor and left her 15 year old son at our house waiting for me to pick him up! So I went home to get him, neatly missing the boring staff meeting. Yay. Actually worked out better than I had expected, not as scary this year since I've done it before.

gardening

Today there is no snow so I am planting! I decided I would rather kill them outside than in, so no more waiting. It actually is supposed to warm up later this week, and they may die of heat - J will have to be persuaded to water (since the fabulous drip system isn't QUITE in working order yet) I love drip systems, but what a huge pain they are to set up. And apparently we have to redo it every year due to dogs, mice, dirt and other stuff eating or clogging the pipes.

Another good thing; our neighbors have their annual garden party this Sat, and I can get rid of any extra plants there! I hate having guilt for not planting everything. But I must be strong and not bring home a bunch of plants from the party, thus defeating my purpose.

snow???!

Ok, so we are sitting here watching the snow pouring down...yes snow. And it was even in the paper so you know I wasn't hallucinating alone. But big white flakes are really putting a cramp in my gardening style - all my little starts I have WAITING here for the soil to get to 70 (HAHAHAHA). So now I'm just going to wait until the downpour lets up (hopefully before I leave on Sunday).

J has been out in the nasty unloading our ill-fated truck which is still full of wood. Once it is empty we can get new tires, then perhaps he can hook it to the newly finished boat trailer so we can put the boat (sans motor, at least *working* motor) on said trailer, and begin working on THAT. *sigh* It's not that he doesn't keep busy, but there are so many things he doesn't get to. Oh well, I'm glad he is handy. And handsome (thanks RedGreen).

Moms Retirement!

Yay, crazy but fun weekend is over and I'm actually posting stuff (frantically) before the next big thing. Mom is here getting "leid" - and random other pics from the day...I of course am taking photos so none of me! Our friends Ann and Randy helping set up; Aunt Mary and Uncle David with brother Jeff; various staff from YHS, and several lovely grandchildren (it was loud)....

school

I have signed up for an online beginning grant-writing class. Mostly for my own interest, I keep being in these groups that need grants and I want to understand them better. And who knows, maybe I could bring in some big money to the symphony or the library, or some other worthy cause...

So our assignment this week is to do all the paperwork one would do on background of a prospective funder. THere is a lot. And it's a holiday weekend so I feel entitled! But I'm really trying to stay "up" on the assignments even though we have a 2 week period to turn them in. It is kind of fun to be studying again.

We had a BBQ yesterday with the mica peakers (neighbors) TOO much food, but very fun. Today another BBQ with other friends and Monday another...we are party animals. Oh well. Then Friday is the big surprise party, I STILL don't know if I'm driving solo or if Jim is coming, w or w/o D, he would have to miss school, but that's not that big of a deal. Then that Sunday they are having the music picnic, I feel like I should try to go to that for political reasons - and Jim's dress rehearsal Sunday night I need to go to as I have a rehearsal during his concert on Monday! Argh. And Wed we go to the Botany lab for a field trip. Fun.

the long road home...

First let me state that we had a great weekend at my aunt and uncle's visiting and loading the truck and trailer with wood! Everything was great and we started home (about 3 hour trip) at 2pm. At 2:30 (after getting gas) there was a loud bang and we blew a tire. Not on the trailer, like we had worried about, but on the truck. Big tires, and J was annoyed because he was sure his old bag phone would have had a signal, but our new RAZR phones didn't even have one bar. We were on a stretch of highway with a steep upward cliff on one side (to fields) and traffic whizzing by on the other (two lanes only) Fortunately we were in a place where the road was straight for a bit, so you could see us (lots of twists in that area - between D and W for those in the know).

So we did have a spare tire, but it was under the truck, and it was for the old set of tires we had (these were larger). Also, J had never pumped it up for 10 years. AND I had taken his million tools out of the truck so I could fit 5 kids in for the carpool, and he hadn't put them back before this trip. So he is trying to jack up the trailer (loaded down with probably 3000# at least, I am a terrible estimator) and the jack handle breaks, with the jack down. So we can't go even if we get the tire changed because the jack is stuck down.

My phone is out of batteries, so I take Jim's (which has none of the #s programmed) and start walking about 1/4 mile down the road to a place where I can crawl up the steep cliff and get into the field. Then I walk probably a 1/2 mile up the giant hills hoping to get a signal (this is the Palouse so the hills are big) Fortunately again, the wheat is young and soft so I am not cutting my legs to shreds. I get a signal, and try to call my aunt. No answer. I try again. No answer. I am a bit concerned, because AAA won't be able to do anything with this totally loaded down trailer, and I don't have my card (it is 3/4 mile down the hill) so I can't call, and I try one more time and she answers! Yay - J has requested a nail or some metal bar piece so he can try to work the jack (he ended up using his key ring, just call him Mcgyver) and a floor jack, which I guess he didn't end up needing after all. When I got down D was sweating in the hot pickup, there was no room for him to be outside and we trashed the interior getting out the jacks and tools - he didn't even have a seat! But we did have one Coke and some jerky. J actually got the tire on, and we limped along to W where we waited next to the shady park for aunt and uncle. They had tire pumps and water, and we killed a few hours waiting for the road to cool down (apparently the heat of the road is very bad for loaded down tires. *sigh* the things we would do over if we only knew!

Anyway, we got home a mere 9 hours after we left. GLAD to be here!

embedded videos

here is my experiment, funniest thing I've seen in ages:

Happy Mother's Day!

Kinda nasty overcast and cold day here - but my little guy gave me a lovely card he made at school. I remembered to call my own mom on the way home from church - a surreal experience as I didn't have any performance duties today. J and D stayed home and burned the trash (yay), but church had lots of praise songs, mostly at half tempo and an organ sub who tried but mainly it was everything you hate about the organ. Her postlude was good, but of course none of the organ-haters stay for that. Oh well. My soprano friend who did that Bach Cantata 21 last month did a Verdi duet with her sister from North Carolina, she was amazing (although I would bet most of the church didn't care for it).

We are going to the neighbors for grilling and hangin out time to celebrate. I actually got a few "burning bushes" at the plant sale yesterday and I should plant them...later will be ok. Also gave blood yesterday which makes me feel all virtuous. Also you lose a pound when you do that (hehehe). I'll make up for it today I'm sure.

Soccer Mom

Not really, but today Ds class went to "My Gym" and he did great! Usually he is resistant to the athletic aspects of field trips, but I think he had a good time. When we came home, Grama had sent a package for mothers day (thanks mom!) but of course there were the usual grandchild treats in there - two books and a box of animal figures. I got a lovely planter with holes all around so you can have cascading plants. If it ever gets warm enough here I will fill it up!

We have no actually plans for the weekend! Very odd for us, but I figure we need a week of chilling out. Next week we have a trip planned, to pick up wood and visit my aunt and uncle about 3 hours away. The following weekend is a big trip (6 hours) with crazy planning going on, for the secret retirement party. I am not concerned she will read this blog until she actually retires, so we are safe! Talked to brother J about plans, and he cracks me up talking about decorations and whether we should try to get a sitter for the kids, and the time etc. I'm sure we'll work it all out eventually. FUN.

May day!

Happy May Day! It isn't snowing (yet) although it did yesterday. D made May baskets (paper) at school so we stopped at the neighbors on the way home to deliver. Fun, and they offered to watch him until Jim comes home from work! Yay, a slightly less frantic trip to orchestra/lessons tonight.

This is actually my student's last lesson (since orchestra is over), and I am thrilled to have a bit of a break. In two weeks we are going south (a little) to visit my auntie and uncle and take all the wood God left them neatly piled in their yard after a huge windstorm this winter. It will also be lovely to see them, and the cute little town they live in where my family is from.

Also trying to plan a trip to my friend's cabin near Yellowstone, difficult to organize with Jim's schedule, and Ds school, and should they go or not, blah blah blah. In July my family is coming here, but August (when I'm doing a million shows of Les Mis) Jim's family is having their get-together, so I can't go but the boyz probably will. So much for summer fun! We need to plan a real vacation next year, but maybe for winter so we can leave when it gets really depressing. Suggestions?

Beading

I had my first "commission" as a beader yesterday! I had made my neighbor a barrette, and she called yesterday morning and wanted a barrette for her 16 year old daughter to wear to the "prom" (actually a dinner thing, I guess that is what they do at Christian schools) that night! It needed to match her outfit, so they came by (my messy house). But it was lovely to see them, we had coffee and chatted for a bit while H (daughter) picked out beads she liked from my small horde.

After they left I got right on it - took me about 2 hours to finish (just in time!) I don't think they realize that it takes me that long, but she did offer to babysit for us! Good trade, and it was fun. I hope she liked it - I do the "jumble of random beads" look, with one biggish one in the middle. I thought it came out quite nice, totally forgot to take a picture.

In other news it is sunny!!! J is welding and de-rusting the boat trailer. Apparently this will take at least a month, before the boat can go anywhere. Odd that it went to the detail shop last year just fine. Whatever. J has definate ideas about the boat. I don't care as long as it is going by Memorial Day! I believe it will be close.

Our baby plants (for garden) get to go outside today, but just for the day. Still freezing at night. K is in the big city for the chorale performance (last night) but they decided to stay in the fancy hotel an extra night. So we are meeting this afternoon for pedis then dinner in the Safari Room - boys will join us for that. Supposed to be amazing.

(s)no(w) news here

I'm disgusted with this weather! The forecast for the rest of the week is terrible - they say we could even break the record for the most snow here ever. I guess we were 3 inches short last week, I was happy with #2!

D has his portfolio workshop today - I go in the afternoon and we put together these huge scrapbook pages for the past section (this one was Folk and Fantasy). They spend 6 weeks on each section, and they use the theme for all subjects just to tie it together. Right now they are doing Africa. Cool. Ds favorite country is the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has been drawing maps of it, complete with lists of all the products produced and so on.

Js cold seems to be over, but I am sick now. Thanks J! Of course he denies all responsibility for my illness, but I know.

snow...

Yes indeed it did snow. Not much, but everything is white for the moment. My friend in Wyoming says there is 2 feet of snow in her front yard though, this does make me feel better (oddly).

Last weekend D and I planted some seeds (inside) - they are mostly all sprouting now! Very fun for him to check out, his favs are the watermelons. I doubt they will actually produce watermelons, but he wanted them and why not try? We have TERRIBLE soil here, good for pine trees mostly. Having such bad luck with the veggies has made me turn to flowers, at least they are pretty - we are attempting delphiniums, candytuft, carnations, hollyhocks, and various others (mostly perinnials)

Hopefully Grampa is coming in a week or so, would be nice if the snow was gone by then! Grama used to help plant all the pots around the house, and a million other projects besides - just another time we will miss her. But a friend of the family found these quilting squares Grama had made, and she finished the edges to make squares (like a hanging). Ours is grapes, and they match the kitchen perfectly - will post a pic when we get it hung. It is just beautiful, and so nice to have it up in our home instead of mouldering in a pile of material in their basement!

spring?

Today my first daffodil bloomed! And tomorrow the forcast is snow.

I suppose it is a tribute to something that we woke up to nasty snow on the deck...a fitting icy morning for the last minute tax return filers (including us). Jim has just now presented me with his stack of papers, seeming quite pleased that we have HOURS to spare on this task - I just can't be real enthusiastic about that. But hopefully it will get out (with lots of our money) before the day is over. *sigh*

On a brighter note, the snow does seem to be melting! Hopefully I will get to some reeds today and maybe even practice (since now we know I am a profitable oboe playing businesswoman).

Cruel joke...

Finally we get through Spring break (next year we are SO going somewhere else!) - and today it is snowing again!!! Argh. I am getting annoyed with this weather. Really in need of some spring-ness.

Yesterday my friend Ms husband called and wanted to go out - they live about an hour away (other side of town). They were offering to come over here and drop off their daughter to babysit even, but we were tired and D was kinda coughy still, so I said just come over here! So we had curry chicken (thanks C!) and watched Blades of Glory on the big screen. J says this movie is better with wine. Was a fun time, glad we didn't just lay around and veg on Friday night.

Today we are planning to "help the neighbors" with their car (J sold them a mercedes for $100), J will do that and I will assist with lunch and visit. Fun fun fun. They are going to an indoor football thingy this afternoon latish so we won't be there all day. I guess it is good to have this football arena thing, otherwise we wouldn't have "pro" football here, are they pro? Semi pro? Whatever. I think the "pro-ness" of things (sports, music etc) can be highly over-rated, we have some great performances here! (not that I would turn down an opportunity to go hear the Cleveland Orchestra)

humpday!

I'm better! Funny how you can get really down, but then without anything changing (besides time) things look up. We renegotiated Ds spring break chores, he did clean his room and has been helping around the house; so we went to the library Monday. Yesterday we went to the music store (only game in town, sad little place about an hour away) to get a "Wicked" piano book for our neighbor who is turning 15, then we stopped at Costco (the wonder store:as in "I wonder why I spend so much here")

Big news is I bought a treadmill! Mine died right at Christmastime, and we've been looking for months now for a used one. Almost everything on Craigslist has been nasty cheap ones, and the asking prices are more than paying for new ones! Do people not check this out? Anyway, "they" say in the summer you find lots of treadmills but we are looking at the wrong time of year. Too bad. I got tired of waiting! So I will quit the gym (which is too far away and I haven't been going anyway) and Weight Watchers (since I feel like I'm all alone doing it) and that will pay for it in a few months.

I was mightily tempted by the kayaks. They have kayaks at Costco right now for $375, including car mounts and paddle. They are Pelican brand which I have never heard of. What we really want are Pongos, but those seem to be expensive (which is why we like them). Also been looking for those on Craigslist for months, and nothing has come up - and the few that do are very expensive. My friend C has kayaks at her cabin near Yellowstone, and we usually go every year. D fits into the cargo hold (hopefully for one more year). The first year we tried a double, and it was terrible (for us). But we might consider that with Daniel.

This is Ds spring break. I'm not really into the whole thing anymore...we were going to Walla Walla for a visit/wood pick up but my poor uncle had emergency appendectomy, which had complications resulting in another surgery, needless to say not a good time to go.

Also it snowed so much here we can't get out of the driveway (very well, actually it is possible). But I am REALLY unmotivated! Our taxes from 06 are STILL not done, we are discussing whether to use my "business" expenses or not. I guess last year when Js CPA auntie bailed us out, she did use my mileage and some expenses. But this year J refuses to call her (or anyone else) to assist us. He thinks his time is best spent learning to become a CPA himself, I guess. So he now is making me insane with endless questions about taxes. You'd think he would figure out that having SOMEONE ELSE be the focus of my wrath would be good for him...but no.

Anyway, I suppose we will eventually figure it all out (we're down from a $20000 bill to $200) and then we can *start* on the 07 taxes! Yay. I can't believe we don't just pay someone to deal with all this. What a nightmare.

And now D has refused to help with his chores, so I told him he couldn't do any of the fun stuff we planned for the week. (IMAX, library, museum) Of course this is a WAY worse punishment for me than him! But I can't just let him sit around while I do all the work. I suppose there was a good way to handle this, but I didn't figure it out. Must find rock to crawl under - hope to survive week of bored child at home and grumpy husband doing taxes.

church humor

This was hilarious - probably won't be as funny written down but I have to try!

Today we got to church (only about 10 minutes late) and D went up for the Children's sermon. The pastor asked "Has anyone here ever been late for anything?"
D raised his little hand and called out "I am late for school almost every day!"
The congregation chortled.
Pastor commented "I see your mom is all red over there", and my darling child said "No, no - my DAD takes me to school!"
Louder laughing.
Pastor says "Well, we shouldn't throw them under the bus like that" (I am in tears laughing so hard)
D pipes up "I don't take the bus."

This is way funnier if you know all parties involved. Needless to say, lateness is a topic of relevance at our house. hehehe

Snow!!!

Ok, maybe if you live some places big snow in late March is no big deal - but here it is unusual; especially since we had NO snow on the ground yesterday! It has been pretty balmy all of March. I guess all the people getting a head start on getting their snow tires off are sorry now. (like us!) So this is our back deck, the cats are very annoyed. Also I had just put out the hummingbird feeder (which is currently frozen solid, with tiny drifts of snow on it). J finds this hilarious and insisted on several pics. I guess he wants to see them with their tiny little bird snowshovels...

Easter pics

Here is D in his suit (no tie, but one must pick one's battles!) for Easter - I thought he looked great! This is last year's suit, still too big so maybe it will fit again next year. His favorite thing in the basket was the Tube-o-rats...I just don't understand.

Biggest Loser

Ok, I am hooked on this show! I really like some aspects of it - how even the people who everyone has given up on can make a positive change in themselves. But I HATE the "game" part, where they vote people off, and have "alliences" and stupid gameplay.

This week I was so happy because the 4 guys finally got broken up - the two girls both did great!!! I would love to see a female win the big prize. Even though I liked Dan, the guy who got voted off, I think it will be good for breaking up that "us vs them" mentality.

Sick sick sick

Well, D went back to school today after being sick for 5 days. Coughing etc. Seems great now. Yay!

All my friends are sick! C fell in Paris (what a place to fall), and 10 days later got an xray to discover she broke her foot. K has been wheezy and feeling awful for weeks, to find she has walking pneumonia. And my sweet Uncle D had an emergency appendectomy that apparently got infected, hopefully not too badly. I hope the karma around me isn't gearing up for some big event. Best of luck to you all in recovery!!!

sick sick sick

Well, the fake pinkeye episode turned into the creeping crud - don't know what it is but it's bad! Been up for two nights with wheezy boy, nothing is worse than when he is just exhausted from breathing, and nothing seems to help. Hopefully they worst is over.

So D stayed home from school again today, we did a bunch of online shark quizzes. Fun. I know far more about sharks than the average joe. Yesterday was Easter - poor D came into our room and pointed out the bunny had not come...I said that since we live in the country the bunny doesn't come until after church (nice one mom)! I hadn't even gotten a basket or anything, so I stopped at Freddy's for 10 minutes on the way to church (barely making it in time for rehearsal). I got home first and hid the eggs like a crazed person and threw all the purchases into an old basket - my mom is much better at the whole gifty thing! But since D's favorite thing was the $1 Tube-o-rats (yes, plastic rats) I guess I'm not going to fret too much about the basket.

colored eggs

D and I colored eggs yesterday - he was home from school on a fake pinkeye problem (by the time I realized it wasn't actually pinkeye, I figured we'd just stay home). J's new work takes Good Friday off, so he was home too! D was really into green, teal, turquoise, blue etc. We did get one yellow and one reddish egg. I wish it had worked out to do our group egg dying with friends, but schedules were too complicated.

After the pinkeye problem, the nurse had suggested he might have been sick, or allergies. So I didn't really pay much attention to his lowering voice towards bedtime, but during the night we had croup-y coughing. Terrifying - really nothing worse than lying there wondering if your child can breathe. Last time he had croup we spent two days in the hospital, but we survived the night and I think things are looking better.

The other weird thing is that we had a blizzard yesterday! It snowed about 5 inches - and we had NOTHING before, people were taking off their snowtires and planting things in the garden - I had just put out the hummingbird feeder (which looks really hilarious with drifts of snow on it). Then it (mostly) all melted. We now have our own personal mud pit/driveway, I spun about 125 degrees trying to get out (and covering the car with mud. Cool.

Concert and aunties

In addition to all my musical junk (see wildreeds), J had a concert tonight in the band. It was hot (weirdly so, something must have been broken) and they had a lovely tribute to Mark Williams, our friend and former bassoonist who was murdered last January. He wrote lots of music, mostly for jr hi band, and I guess his method books are widely used all over the US. But they played three of his pieces, which sound pretty impressive but are easy to put together and cleverly arranged. Anyway, to me it was the high point of the concert. They also played an arrangement of Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man (apparently in a somewhat lower key than the original, but it sounded pretty good!) a medley of horror tunes and Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries (both conducted by students), and other band-y stuff. The oboe player did a fine job, I guess he is a junior in HS! This is my first concert I haven't played since we got married. Wow.

Even more fun is that Auntie C (really J's cousin's wife) was here on a business trip, and we went over to her hotel to go swimming. Sadly, the hot tub was out of commission, but we played in the pool until D was getting blue (just slightly) and then he had a hot bath. Then we went across the street for Mexican food - yay! J joined us in his tux for a bit, he even had a beer before he had to get to the concert, but we stayed and while D drew a giant lobster, C and I had a great conversation. Fun fun fun. Wish our families lived closer!!!

so much stuff

Well, the ball was a huge success, I actually hope we do it again next year! I would like to get tix and at least eat (who knew there would be a 5-course meal from the ritzy CDA Resort???) with Jim; and make our neighbors (and maybe even some reletives?) come too. Fun fun fun.

The off to BOise, WAY too early. I was tired all weekend, but it was really fun to see old friends and meet some great new people too. My original trio guys were so familiar but just more themselves than 15 years ago, and the other players were both very good musicians. I played ok, not fab, but at least I don't think I sucked! Wish we had been able to do some more interesting music, but this "pick up" stuff was fun. The kind of thing for "any combination of instruments in any key". I guess I'll just have to go back!

My MRI report was interesting, the cartlidge is scraped and bunched up right where it hurts, so there ya go. But there is also a benign cyst inside the bone, which they said I must go to the foot specialist to discuss. So I am off to them next week. Whatever.

Jim is playing with my bells on Palm Sunday (Mar 16) and he came to rehearsal last night, it was just great! I was very proud. This Sunday a touring bell choir is coming from Boise area (wacky)to play at my church - of course I have another gig that afternoon to complicate matters, but I am excited they are coming. Trying to plan the (vegetarian!) dinner and a trip to the LaserQuest for them while I'm at Whitworth. AND since I can be at bell rehearsal next week, I'm trying to get E to conduct, throw him a bone at least since his life sucks right now, but he keeps missing rehearsal! Argh. It will all work out.

Tonight is Whitworth at St. Georges (read:FAR) then being hopefully not too late for Orchetra in CDA. Taking D and dropping him with daddy somewhere in between! Should be interesting...

Going to the ball!

Wahoo - tonight is the first Black and White ball, I guess I am hopeful that it will be a big success (even though some of the arrangements are just awful!) If people are really dancing, the arrangements won't be so big of a deal. I understand we have sold enough tickets to break even, which is great for our first year. In case I didn't mention it, this is a benefit for the Coeur d'Alene Symphony.

Tomorrow I fly to Boise, leaving at (to me anyway) the crack of dawn 6am. Actually dawn won't have cracked by then here. I am so excited to see my friends from 15 (eeek!!!) years ago, I will be playing with Darkwood, a group that I was an original member of. Looks like we are just doing some pre-packaged arrangments of classical dances, but I guess they have dancers too. This group is unusual, the core members are a bass clarinet and a viola, but they add to the group as they like - I think it will be flute and oboe and possibly bassoon with the core this weekend. Anyway, if you're in Boise, come see us on Sunday at 2!

MRI

So much stuff going on! Hard to believe I am leaving for Boise Saturday. Tomorrow I have an MRI scheduled for my ankle, which has been really bothering me for more than a year. With all the ice and stuff I think I strained it, and although it was getting better it is now bugging me a lot again. Now that we have insurance I thought I would have it looked at; last week they took an xray and it showed nothing so they said this was the next step. Would be GREAT to get this taken care of, since it is really affecting my activity (and God knows I don't need any more excuses!)

Also signed us up for garbage service! This is a big thing because we have never had it - and my beloved ASSURED me he would take care of all garbage and he never needed it as a single guy - how different could it be for a family? HAHAHAHA. So we do burn paper things (we are out in the country), and we recycle lots of stuff, but there are some things that just need to go to the dump. And J has made exactly zero trips to the dump since we have been married. So. Anyway, this service will only be once a month, so it shouldn't be too much of a pain (although it is 1/4 mile we have to haul the can to where they pick it up on the road!)

D still big into fish and the ocean, he is quite the lecturer and will bore anyone who holds still long enough. He wouldn't even go to the movies last week with K (who was babysitting) because there were no science movies. What a little nerd! But it's pretty cute.

Haircut

D was getting a bit shaggy, so I tried to give him a haircut. But he resisted (mightily) so I told him he could cut it himself! Enjoy.

snowy day

Finally I am putting up the pics I got during the big snow...we still have a lot but it is melting now, so at least the roads are clear. Here is Jim trying to dig out the truck...






And Daniel with the snowman we built...











And some artsy shots -
This is the woodshed and the "back 40"











Jim on the deck (shot from the woodshed)











And my little windmill struggling to keep spinning...it is 4 feet high!

church musicians

It is interesting how the service comes together every week, always seems completely chaotic and then it goes without a hitch (mostly, that people notice). Of course, it is a struggle to not get blase about playing, and have a mediocre performance, when it really should be the best we can give (since it is technically an "offering to God" I suppose...)

Today I played 6 different things, 1 of which I knew about before I got there this morning. Actually it all went fine, but I have learned to write down if I'm playing the intro or not, and if I'm supposed to play certain verses, because I will forget! But the offering (big music moment) was going to be me playing an arrangement of the slow movement of the Bizet Symphony, very pretty. All went ok til the last note, didn't quite have enough gas to hold it more than a few beats (should have been 8) Oh well, I *wish* it had been better, but I doubt anyone but me and 2 other people had any idea it wasn't as it should have been.
I just need more inspiration to practice! If I was playing more I know that last note would have been there. I did get out my Laubin (teacher's old oboe) and thought about playing it today -

Snowtown USA

Snow is getting old! We have big piles in the middle of all the streets, and parking is impossible, and it is just cold and nasty. I want to go to some beach in the sun.

But instead I'm going with Ds class to the Jumping Gym for a field trip. And tonight Jims work is having a Valentine drinks on the town sort of thing, I guess they feel (correctly!) that none of the engineers will think of Valentines Day on their own, so this will make all the spouses feel remembered? Oh well, I'm not going to complain! We also got free tix to the big symphony this weekend is the fabulous new theater, it was so amazing last time. So the sitters' fees are piling up, but D loves it. Boring old us all the time is not nearly so fun.

We got the power!

Yay! After almost 3 days we have power again! We also have going on 2 feet of snow (lots for here) and it is still coming down. We do have 2 4wd trucks, but one is buried and down a steep hill - jim says he doesn't think it is worth digging out. Of course, that is because he is driving in to work each day in the "new" truck. But I think he is coming to get me this afternoon to go do errands while he works. It is really beautiful with all the snow here, and fortunately we have wood heat anyway, so we haven't even been cold.

Pics

Here is D "testing" the vehicle - this is the night before the big party and Uncle J and Grampa J (in-law) are slaving away!

birthday party

Another birthday, this time my nephew A turned 4...we drove about 600 miles (round trip) to see my brother and his family - fun times! The biggest gift was an electric car which all the kids (4) piled into, really funny to watch them. It was great to see everyone, and I think we have finally decided on our vacation gathering place (close to us this year) after arduous discussion. But we have yet to hear from the homeowner - this is one of those homes you rent for a week. Looks great though, right on the lake, with a dock and sleeps 15. NOT in town, which is also good. Really hope it works out.

Gave blood on Monday, felt very virtuous. It is my one unselfish thing I do (except I do get a guilt free cookie after). But then Tuesday I was really wiped; don't know if it was the blood letting or something else. I went to the gym and did the big workout (60 min cardio and 30 abs), she nearly killed me. I think today I will just do my weights at home. I am sad the old treadmill has finally died, but I think it was at least 25 years old. Looking for a newer one, hate to pay full price for something like that so I'm scouring CraigsList. Now is not the best time as everyone is trying to keep resolutions, but I'm sure something will come up soon.

It is really cold here (3F now) but it should be warming up soon. That will be great - hate when it is this cold. Finally took down the Christmas tree, but our lights are still up. Suppose we should get those down by the weekend if possible. Seems like such a waste to put them all up, and now rip them down. I guess that is my mom in me - she is a big "light" fan - even has light sweatshirts! But I also hate when people leave them up forever, so down they come.

Super Size

Tonight we watched Super Size Me after D went to bed - freaky show! It was kind of amazing how fast the guy's health went downhill, and how slowly he got back to "normal" after.

We got a subscription to Netflix and so far it is great. I suppose we are using it more than we will later because it is new - but I love some of the choices available, things I would never buy. Next we are getting a bunch of ocean documentaries for D, he actually watched NOVA tonight (absolute zero) and paid attention for the whole thing. I usually like NOVA, but this one was pretty hard to follow.

sick-oh

So I am getting better, but I still wake up not able to swallow. I did go to the gym last week for an easier workout, and I lost 1.6 lbs this week (to slightly make up for the 3 lbs gained the week before).

D is really into the ocean right now, he keeps drawing scenes with barracudas and jellyfish in kelp forests - and little tiny crabs. So cute.

sick forever!~

I am still sick! Argh. Soooo frustrating, and it is really starting to cramp my style. We did go to a movie (in the theater!) with our neighbors, National Treasure 2. It was fun. But I had a relapse after that brief outing...thank god no one else seems to be getting this disease.



Also, we finally got our dresser! This is what it looks like although this is not in our house. It is actually much huger than I thought, but it will be great.