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.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
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!
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!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, May 9, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
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?
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?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)