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.