For the boy, not me. He will be 9 this time, and this weekend we're going to that lovely oasis in the middle of the state to celebrate with cousins. Fun fun fun! We are probably taking the Ant RV for its last excursion this year.
NEXT weekend is the Laserquest party - which is apparently the talk of the school. I was wondering if we should invite the girls (what WAS I thinking????) but they are all really into it. Probably we won't want to compare accuracy scores with my little Einstein, but maybe he has improved since last year.
Driveway is lovely, I took a picture but of course the camera is .... somewhere in the house. Huh. Anyway, we are now consulting with Sprinkler Man, hoping to get the sprinkler system back online for next year (only two years after completing the west wing)
Started burning today. J is very unhappy that I'm using HIS wood, but he gets to spend his days in the nice HEATED office! So unless he wants me to go to the nice HEATED mall to keep warm, he should be happy I'm at home burning wood. hehehe
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
driveway
For any interested parties - we finally decided to chipseal the driveway! If you have been here during the Rainy Season you will be appropriately grateful. Right at this moment the drive has been excavated about 1 foot and is partly filled with big chunks of asphalt (I think it's asphalt) and part of THAT is covered with ground up asphalt. It is pretty bumpy right now - but supposedly they will be done by the end of the week!
D is in third grade now, I have pix somewhere and I will try to get them up soon. At the moment (soon to change) he is into France and all battle related French things. Today his class to a field trip to the local car salvage company - J's favorite place - and we got to watch them crush 4 cars. Fun times.
We finally found an acceptable piece of furniture for the new living room to put the tv on, so that meant we had to go buy a big tv! The furniture was from a "goodwill" type place, but we have been looking for ages and nothing new was the right thing. This will do for now, and it has the added bonus of being cheap, AND on wheels (J loves that part). The tv is awesome, although J doesn't like the CC (too small). He loves to watch with the sound off. I hate that.
I'm playing an opera now (which you know if you read the music blog), and am trying to schedule our vacations! P is coming to visit for over a week at Thanksgiving (!!!) and C is probably coming after Christmas - can't wait. We will probably have D's party at in the middle of the state at C's new house, but that is still a bit up in the air. No actual dates have been discussed. I think we'll also have a "school buddies" party at the laser gun place.
D is in third grade now, I have pix somewhere and I will try to get them up soon. At the moment (soon to change) he is into France and all battle related French things. Today his class to a field trip to the local car salvage company - J's favorite place - and we got to watch them crush 4 cars. Fun times.
We finally found an acceptable piece of furniture for the new living room to put the tv on, so that meant we had to go buy a big tv! The furniture was from a "goodwill" type place, but we have been looking for ages and nothing new was the right thing. This will do for now, and it has the added bonus of being cheap, AND on wheels (J loves that part). The tv is awesome, although J doesn't like the CC (too small). He loves to watch with the sound off. I hate that.
I'm playing an opera now (which you know if you read the music blog), and am trying to schedule our vacations! P is coming to visit for over a week at Thanksgiving (!!!) and C is probably coming after Christmas - can't wait. We will probably have D's party at in the middle of the state at C's new house, but that is still a bit up in the air. No actual dates have been discussed. I think we'll also have a "school buddies" party at the laser gun place.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Visiting!
Crazy family visiting! So glad we got to see so many people this summer. I can't even remember everything (hopefully someone can, or what a waste of time) but in August we started out meeting the Hs in Leavenworth, at a rental house with a pool! Fun times, the kids were impervious to its icy temperature, and even the old people got in by afternoons. Good idea mom!
From there we proceeded to Onalaska for the fest of Js family, rain rain rain! D left his coat at home on the bed (don't forget to pack this!) so he was wearing my giant sweatshirt and a slicker grampa found in the camper from dear grama. The boys had a brilliant time "hunting" in the woods for...what, probably cathaginian soldiers or something. Many sticks were called into service as spears and guns. The rest of us huddled under awnings and drank lots of coffee. And visited, great visiting!
Then we went directly to the beach - Cs have a cabin in Long Beach and grampa and L came out the 2nd day. Lovely time, but rain again. J remembers that being "beach weather" anyway, so it was good. We bought lots of books at the new used bookstore, hopefully it will still be around next time we go.
After the beach we met mom and dad in Morton and dropped off D for a few days of GramaTime. Never enough (so she says), but I think they made the most of it - and on the weekend they drove over to our place where the other H reletives were gathering! We had a lovely time with P&G, over from HA and M&D who we see more often but never enough (sense a theme here?) A caravan trip to Greenbluff (local farm community) was one of the highlights, eating out on our awesome new deck with the snazzy gazebo (which hasn't blown over yet, although I'm holding my breath!) and trips to the park. M was kind enough to actually take photos, these are in Manito Park. I don't think my camera made it out of the bag - but in another life I'll get to all that!
Catching fish
Not quite Hawaii
From there we proceeded to Onalaska for the fest of Js family, rain rain rain! D left his coat at home on the bed (don't forget to pack this!) so he was wearing my giant sweatshirt and a slicker grampa found in the camper from dear grama. The boys had a brilliant time "hunting" in the woods for...what, probably cathaginian soldiers or something. Many sticks were called into service as spears and guns. The rest of us huddled under awnings and drank lots of coffee. And visited, great visiting!
Then we went directly to the beach - Cs have a cabin in Long Beach and grampa and L came out the 2nd day. Lovely time, but rain again. J remembers that being "beach weather" anyway, so it was good. We bought lots of books at the new used bookstore, hopefully it will still be around next time we go.
After the beach we met mom and dad in Morton and dropped off D for a few days of GramaTime. Never enough (so she says), but I think they made the most of it - and on the weekend they drove over to our place where the other H reletives were gathering! We had a lovely time with P&G, over from HA and M&D who we see more often but never enough (sense a theme here?) A caravan trip to Greenbluff (local farm community) was one of the highlights, eating out on our awesome new deck with the snazzy gazebo (which hasn't blown over yet, although I'm holding my breath!) and trips to the park. M was kind enough to actually take photos, these are in Manito Park. I don't think my camera made it out of the bag - but in another life I'll get to all that!
Catching fish
Not quite Hawaii
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Dusting off my blog
I can't believe it has been 6 MONTHS since I posted here... this (for anyone who doesn't remember) is the non-musical family happenings blog. And lots of things have happened in our family - but skipping all that for now!
Today is actually my darlin's big b-day - he is NOT happy about this marker of time. AND he has a cold threatening. Poor baby. Because I love him I will not post the lovely photo I took this morning. We had a wee celebration last weekend, just a bbq with the neighbors, but there was ice cream cake! Tonight I have rehearsal which is too bad, but I'm sure the celebrations will continue as we approach the family gatherings in August...
Tomorrow we are headed off on a family trip (ok it is totally for me so I can play with in Helena, I guess I'm an emergency sub) - they are putting us up at the college there in a suite. Should be fun, D wants to go to the sapphire mine where apparently they let you look for gems. They have a great city pool with all that "stuff" kids like - slides and dumping buckets and sprayers. I believe you can also swim there.
The kayaks are still on top of the camper, so maybe we are taking them - there are several lakes in the area that look promising. D had his first solo kayak experience in the Tetons last month, he did great (til his wee arms got tired). And our plan is to go up through Glacier on our way home Sunday (and maybe Monday).
On the homefront - we got a pavilion tent thingy for our new deck! It is quite large, and I love it - we dithered about buying one, or building some sort of pergola, or doing nothing at all... J put it up all by himself (crazy man) and of course the day after we got the biggest windstorm we've had for ages - I was so worried it would just rip itself apart! But it survived and it looks great, and the shade in the afternoon is great but there are still sunny places if you like sun...yay!
Today is actually my darlin's big b-day - he is NOT happy about this marker of time. AND he has a cold threatening. Poor baby. Because I love him I will not post the lovely photo I took this morning. We had a wee celebration last weekend, just a bbq with the neighbors, but there was ice cream cake! Tonight I have rehearsal which is too bad, but I'm sure the celebrations will continue as we approach the family gatherings in August...
Tomorrow we are headed off on a family trip (ok it is totally for me so I can play with in Helena, I guess I'm an emergency sub) - they are putting us up at the college there in a suite. Should be fun, D wants to go to the sapphire mine where apparently they let you look for gems. They have a great city pool with all that "stuff" kids like - slides and dumping buckets and sprayers. I believe you can also swim there.
The kayaks are still on top of the camper, so maybe we are taking them - there are several lakes in the area that look promising. D had his first solo kayak experience in the Tetons last month, he did great (til his wee arms got tired). And our plan is to go up through Glacier on our way home Sunday (and maybe Monday).
On the homefront - we got a pavilion tent thingy for our new deck! It is quite large, and I love it - we dithered about buying one, or building some sort of pergola, or doing nothing at all... J put it up all by himself (crazy man) and of course the day after we got the biggest windstorm we've had for ages - I was so worried it would just rip itself apart! But it survived and it looks great, and the shade in the afternoon is great but there are still sunny places if you like sun...yay!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
home stuff
Not much has been happening on the home front - so most of my writing has been to the music blog. But I thought I'd plop a few items out here just for fun. Yesterday was Ds best friend's birthday party - a Star wars theme. Gak! Funny that a couple of the kids invited had NEVER seen Star Wars, which rather handicapped them in the trivia games - but I think they all had fun. We ended up staying and ordering pizza, having lovely adult conversation (not x-rated, just talking with other grownups!), and terrible armenian wine (followed by some really excellent california wine).
I still have the Christmas decorations up, really MUST take down the tree but I don't want to (whine whine whine). If I get the tree down, I will have room for my new recliner (which is not purchased or even chosen yet, but I want one). So that is kinda fun to consider. Other thrilling items I can't believe we still haven't bought: new bed! Our bed has a broken boxspring and it makes this groaning sound every time J gets in (hahaha). As the world's worst shopper I am completely unable to buy us a new bed. I would just buy the one at Costco but it has been deemed "too pillowy" and he won't even try it. I think he should sleep on the floor (not pillowy) and I'll just get what I want (whatever that is).
Also, my phone is dead and I am actually borrowing one from the ATT store. So nice of them, but I am feeling guilty now it has been 3 months. But of course it is more than just buying a phone, we really need to look at our plan, which J NEVER uses, but we are paying a ton for having 2 phones. He wants to keep his razor phone so he won't go on a pay as you go plan, but it seems silly to spend $500/year for him to keep his stupid phone he never uses. So we go round and round and have never actually gone to the phone store to resolve anything. *sigh*
I still have the Christmas decorations up, really MUST take down the tree but I don't want to (whine whine whine). If I get the tree down, I will have room for my new recliner (which is not purchased or even chosen yet, but I want one). So that is kinda fun to consider. Other thrilling items I can't believe we still haven't bought: new bed! Our bed has a broken boxspring and it makes this groaning sound every time J gets in (hahaha). As the world's worst shopper I am completely unable to buy us a new bed. I would just buy the one at Costco but it has been deemed "too pillowy" and he won't even try it. I think he should sleep on the floor (not pillowy) and I'll just get what I want (whatever that is).
Also, my phone is dead and I am actually borrowing one from the ATT store. So nice of them, but I am feeling guilty now it has been 3 months. But of course it is more than just buying a phone, we really need to look at our plan, which J NEVER uses, but we are paying a ton for having 2 phones. He wants to keep his razor phone so he won't go on a pay as you go plan, but it seems silly to spend $500/year for him to keep his stupid phone he never uses. So we go round and round and have never actually gone to the phone store to resolve anything. *sigh*
Monday, December 21, 2009
Christmas meme
It has been forever since I've posted to my "home" blog, so here is something fun. I plan to put our yearly letter (christmas letter implies it would be done before Christmas...) up soon, but not too soon! Stay tuned.
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Duh! I actually bought eggnog as a special treat for J, and he informed me he hated eggnog (as do I). D said he would try it, took one sip and announced "well, it's family tradition! We all hate eggnog!"
2. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Gift bags, recycled cuz I'm cheap.
3. Real tree or artificial?
Real. Fake trees aren't trees. And preferrably the real tree from our property that we cut ourselves (even if it looks pretty Charlie-brown-y)
4. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Both! Tastefully arranged of course.
5. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Lights first, then garlands, then ornaments. Then more lights (cuz it looks thin) and a few more garlands (to fill out here and there) and more ornaments. Usually at this point our poor little tree is sagging all over.
6. Do you hang mistletoe?
No.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Several. We like to insert action figures also. This year one of the kings is playing the Hallmark player piano ornament.
8. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Would love to mail, but my cheapness factor is making me balk. Of course, we haven't actually WRITTEN the card/letter thing yet, but I figure by the end of January is fine. And this year the plan is for electronic distribution.
9. What is your favorite holiday dish?
I love most food - don't really have a favorite. Do like J's deep fried turkey (was awesome this year).
10. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Huh. I guess a standout it the new bike year (6?) and just going to grama's in general most years. Also the Christmas in Hawaii.
11. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Don't really remember - but I do recall blowing that myth for a family friend and the mother having a cow! I was so embarrassed (probably 9-10 yo)
12. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Sometimes, but we're usually too busy.
13. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love snow, hate driving in Bad Snow/Ice. Like last year when we got 4 feet. FEET. Inches are fine, but feet not so good. It was beautiful though.
14. Have you ever recycled a gift?
Frequently! J says I'm his recycled gift.
15. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Here's one where you have the "good" answer and the "real" answer! I love playing Christmas gigs, and it isn't Christmas without at least one Messiah. I love the last gig being over and the sense of relief I get before I realize I've put off all the gift buying and now I have 2 days to do it all. I love getting the perfect present for someone - even better than getting the perfect present. I love the quiet moments when we can all relax and do puzzles or other mindless activities we never do the rest of the year.
16. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Something chocolate. Maybe SIL's homemade English toffee. TO DIE FOR.
17. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Decorating. Visiting. Eating. Music. I love it all.
18. What tops your tree?
Star.
19. Favorite Christmas Show?
Love Actually. Or Christmas Story. Or Scrooged
20. Saddest Christmas Song?
In the Bleak Midwinter
21. What is your favorite Christmas Holiday Song?
I love great (not cheesy) arrangements of many old hymns - am missing that aspect of being a church musician this year. The funnest thing I did with the bells was Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Wizards of Winter. Loved playing all the Mannheim Steamroller stuff this year - on their actual Christmas concert (with them!); Amahl and the Night Visitors has a great oboe part, and the Russian Christmas Music is fantastic. Even love the Nutcracker although it is overplayed.
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Duh! I actually bought eggnog as a special treat for J, and he informed me he hated eggnog (as do I). D said he would try it, took one sip and announced "well, it's family tradition! We all hate eggnog!"
2. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Gift bags, recycled cuz I'm cheap.
3. Real tree or artificial?
Real. Fake trees aren't trees. And preferrably the real tree from our property that we cut ourselves (even if it looks pretty Charlie-brown-y)
4. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Both! Tastefully arranged of course.
5. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Lights first, then garlands, then ornaments. Then more lights (cuz it looks thin) and a few more garlands (to fill out here and there) and more ornaments. Usually at this point our poor little tree is sagging all over.
6. Do you hang mistletoe?
No.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Several. We like to insert action figures also. This year one of the kings is playing the Hallmark player piano ornament.
8. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Would love to mail, but my cheapness factor is making me balk. Of course, we haven't actually WRITTEN the card/letter thing yet, but I figure by the end of January is fine. And this year the plan is for electronic distribution.
9. What is your favorite holiday dish?
I love most food - don't really have a favorite. Do like J's deep fried turkey (was awesome this year).
10. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
Huh. I guess a standout it the new bike year (6?) and just going to grama's in general most years. Also the Christmas in Hawaii.
11. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Don't really remember - but I do recall blowing that myth for a family friend and the mother having a cow! I was so embarrassed (probably 9-10 yo)
12. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Sometimes, but we're usually too busy.
13. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love snow, hate driving in Bad Snow/Ice. Like last year when we got 4 feet. FEET. Inches are fine, but feet not so good. It was beautiful though.
14. Have you ever recycled a gift?
Frequently! J says I'm his recycled gift.
15. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Here's one where you have the "good" answer and the "real" answer! I love playing Christmas gigs, and it isn't Christmas without at least one Messiah. I love the last gig being over and the sense of relief I get before I realize I've put off all the gift buying and now I have 2 days to do it all. I love getting the perfect present for someone - even better than getting the perfect present. I love the quiet moments when we can all relax and do puzzles or other mindless activities we never do the rest of the year.
16. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Something chocolate. Maybe SIL's homemade English toffee. TO DIE FOR.
17. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Decorating. Visiting. Eating. Music. I love it all.
18. What tops your tree?
Star.
19. Favorite Christmas Show?
Love Actually. Or Christmas Story. Or Scrooged
20. Saddest Christmas Song?
In the Bleak Midwinter
21. What is your favorite Christmas Holiday Song?
I love great (not cheesy) arrangements of many old hymns - am missing that aspect of being a church musician this year. The funnest thing I did with the bells was Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Wizards of Winter. Loved playing all the Mannheim Steamroller stuff this year - on their actual Christmas concert (with them!); Amahl and the Night Visitors has a great oboe part, and the Russian Christmas Music is fantastic. Even love the Nutcracker although it is overplayed.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Greenacres Next Top Model
Be amazed - I am now a PAID model! Ok, paid with coffee and lunch, but still...
My neighbor is teaching a drawing class, and she wanted a "movement" model (fully clothed of course). So I walked around the classroom while the students tried to sketch movement. It was quite interesting, and it was fun hanging out with my artsy neighbor!
Other than that, Mr. D is now EIGHT! Hard to believe how time has flown, his school pictures are today so I will post those when we get them. Right now he is into bugs, and he will not hesitate to tell you he is an expert. Jim is sure he will never have a girlfriend at this rate! I remind him that HE managed to land one (myself), and he continues to be a total nerd. Awwww.
J and V came with their 3 for a weekend earlier this month, and mom and dad are coming with C and his family in two weeks. This weekend is Halloween (D wants to be a bug/native American with African influences/bat winged creature) and after the festivities we are swooping over to Lake Chelan for an overnight with Grampa G and L. Should be fun, hope we avoid the snow!
My neighbor is teaching a drawing class, and she wanted a "movement" model (fully clothed of course). So I walked around the classroom while the students tried to sketch movement. It was quite interesting, and it was fun hanging out with my artsy neighbor!
Other than that, Mr. D is now EIGHT! Hard to believe how time has flown, his school pictures are today so I will post those when we get them. Right now he is into bugs, and he will not hesitate to tell you he is an expert. Jim is sure he will never have a girlfriend at this rate! I remind him that HE managed to land one (myself), and he continues to be a total nerd. Awwww.
J and V came with their 3 for a weekend earlier this month, and mom and dad are coming with C and his family in two weeks. This weekend is Halloween (D wants to be a bug/native American with African influences/bat winged creature) and after the festivities we are swooping over to Lake Chelan for an overnight with Grampa G and L. Should be fun, hope we avoid the snow!
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