Wow, I've actually posted 325 times. That's impressive.
I did audition. It seemed to go well. I'll let you know what the outcome is.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Auditions
Okay, so here is my decision. I'm going to audition. I am going to play the petty child in my decision to participate. If I'm just a chorus member (yes, I know the chorus is important) I will not participate. If I have any role larger then the chorus I will accept it. This is a big time investment and a huge decision, so I feel like I need a big reason to sign on. I'm not saying I have to have a lead (that would be unrealistic) I just need something bigger then the chorus.
Now it's song decision time. My voice is not in the condition it once was, so some of my old standards are not possible. I really would love to do Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera, but I don't have the time to recondition my voice.
Current ideas:
The Lonely Goatherd (The Sound of Music)-This turns into a killer Julie Andrews impersonation
Blow, Gabriel, Blow! (Anything Goes)
Easy Street (Annie)
The National Anthem
I will accept other suggestions and if you know how I can upload songs, I can try to record something on my computer (with my lousy computer mic) and you all can vote before I audition. Auditions are Friday at 7pm, Saturday and 2pm and Saturday at 7pm, so time is short.
Your input is appreciated.
Now it's song decision time. My voice is not in the condition it once was, so some of my old standards are not possible. I really would love to do Think of Me from Phantom of the Opera, but I don't have the time to recondition my voice.
Current ideas:
The Lonely Goatherd (The Sound of Music)-This turns into a killer Julie Andrews impersonation
Blow, Gabriel, Blow! (Anything Goes)
Easy Street (Annie)
The National Anthem
I will accept other suggestions and if you know how I can upload songs, I can try to record something on my computer (with my lousy computer mic) and you all can vote before I audition. Auditions are Friday at 7pm, Saturday and 2pm and Saturday at 7pm, so time is short.
Your input is appreciated.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Spark or Sparks?
I'm not a soda drinker (too much corn syrup), but I do get my caffeine fix from other sources. I drink coffee (usually plain black) or I mix Spark with water or a juice of my choice. Today I was watching a bit of news on line about energy drinks and I found out there is one with alcohol in it called Sparks.
When I mention I drink Spark to people I wonder if they get the wrong idea. Couldn't you just see me driving down the street tipping one back with 4 kids in the car? Wow, what a bad thought. Maybe I just shouldn't mention my caffeine preference anymore. ;-P
When I mention I drink Spark to people I wonder if they get the wrong idea. Couldn't you just see me driving down the street tipping one back with 4 kids in the car? Wow, what a bad thought. Maybe I just shouldn't mention my caffeine preference anymore. ;-P
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Do you have an opinion?
I was looking through the local city calendar online to see if there was anything neat to do. Well, I found something intriguing, but I'm not sure if it's a wise option.
There are musical auditions for a centennial musical about B'ville. I haven't done a musical in 10 years. This will in entail rehearsal 5 nights a week from 6-9 (or even 10) for 4-5 weeks. Jonathan said he would make it happen. He said I needed something of my own. I understand that, but I'm not sure if the time required for this doesn't fall under the heading of "more then something of my own-ie. total insanity for my family."
Selfish or worth a shot? I'd like to hear your perspective.
There are musical auditions for a centennial musical about B'ville. I haven't done a musical in 10 years. This will in entail rehearsal 5 nights a week from 6-9 (or even 10) for 4-5 weeks. Jonathan said he would make it happen. He said I needed something of my own. I understand that, but I'm not sure if the time required for this doesn't fall under the heading of "more then something of my own-ie. total insanity for my family."
Selfish or worth a shot? I'd like to hear your perspective.
I'm conservative...
...in more ways then just politics. I've even thought I was REALLY REALLY conservative. I've come to the realization that I'm not quite as conservative as I once thought. I believe in moral absolutes, I believe in God the father and that his Son Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins, I believe in home education, and I don't wear bikinis or overly exposing clothing and I dress my children accordingly. I believe that to truly do God's will you must love him and in doing so love others.
Then I read this article and I was totally thrown off. I won't force you to read it, but I thought it was too black and white. It was about homeschooling and preparing those children for Godly marriages. This really hit me, "I believe in home schooling, I will not consider my home schooling a success until I see my daughters and sons home schooling their own children. Accordingly, I have a special concern that my daughters be prepared to teach their own children when the time comes." It lined out that our daughters are only ready to get married when they are ready to home educate their children, and be wives and mothers.
I would honestly hope that I can set an example that my daughter(s) (who knows we could have more) will want to follow. I'm not holding my breath, nor will I consider myself a failure if they don't. More over I want my daughters to be educated in such a way that if the unforeseen happens (death or divorce) they are capable of providing for their children. I want Godly children, who turn into an remain true, loving children of God in adulthood. I also want self sufficient children who have minds and can make decisions on their own. My mother didn't homeschool my siblings and me and my mother-in-law didn't homeschool her children. They were good parents and they did what was right for their families. No set standards work for all families, that's part of being individuals. I would hate to hold such stipulations over my children. I want to shape them, not break them.
The more I think about it, I'm glad I'm just conservative instead of ultra conservative. I know their are a fair number of homeschool families in our group that only do courtships. I'm not ruling it out, but I'm not sold on it yet. Maybe I should just set up arranged marriages now. Maybe that would make the teenage years easier. I really just want well rounded, well educated, self sufficient children who love God and are looking for that in their mate.
Then I read this article and I was totally thrown off. I won't force you to read it, but I thought it was too black and white. It was about homeschooling and preparing those children for Godly marriages. This really hit me, "I believe in home schooling, I will not consider my home schooling a success until I see my daughters and sons home schooling their own children. Accordingly, I have a special concern that my daughters be prepared to teach their own children when the time comes." It lined out that our daughters are only ready to get married when they are ready to home educate their children, and be wives and mothers.
I would honestly hope that I can set an example that my daughter(s) (who knows we could have more) will want to follow. I'm not holding my breath, nor will I consider myself a failure if they don't. More over I want my daughters to be educated in such a way that if the unforeseen happens (death or divorce) they are capable of providing for their children. I want Godly children, who turn into an remain true, loving children of God in adulthood. I also want self sufficient children who have minds and can make decisions on their own. My mother didn't homeschool my siblings and me and my mother-in-law didn't homeschool her children. They were good parents and they did what was right for their families. No set standards work for all families, that's part of being individuals. I would hate to hold such stipulations over my children. I want to shape them, not break them.
The more I think about it, I'm glad I'm just conservative instead of ultra conservative. I know their are a fair number of homeschool families in our group that only do courtships. I'm not ruling it out, but I'm not sold on it yet. Maybe I should just set up arranged marriages now. Maybe that would make the teenage years easier. I really just want well rounded, well educated, self sufficient children who love God and are looking for that in their mate.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
High Definition
I found it funny while taking the stickers off of the computer monitor. One sticker talks about our monitors high def 1680 x 1050 resolution. I ignored that part about HD when we bought it and so did Jonathan, b/c to us it was just a, "DUH!" point. Computer monitors have had this kind of resolution for a long time. The resolution of your computer monitor has been better then your TV (and may still be) for quite a while. Now this "normal" computer resolution is now required to be marked as High Def even though it has been for quite a while.
I guess adding the buzz words may make it easier to jack the price up on the same thing. It's funny how easily people are led.
I guess adding the buzz words may make it easier to jack the price up on the same thing. It's funny how easily people are led.
It's okay...laugh at me.
I was cleaning up our old computer as I moved it to V's desk (no, it sin't "her" computer, it will just rest there). This was that cleaning that only happens when it gets moved. This is where wires are wiped and dust bunnies are forced to evacuate.
I noticed how grungy the key board looked and I decided that Clorox wipes would be my best and safest option for the task of the wipe down. I located in the pantry my little yellow container full of pre-moistened wipey goodness and I took it to the office an removed one and began my wipe down. I noticed that the dusted items just didn't look as clean so I wiped everything. The surfaces were smooth, slick and shiny. I felt like I had done a great job.
I returned later to the new computer and decided that the old trackball mouse needed wiped too, but my wipe was dry. As I looked for the container to get another I realized my mistake.
Armorall wipes really make the computer and accessories clean and shiny. Wow, just wow.
I noticed how grungy the key board looked and I decided that Clorox wipes would be my best and safest option for the task of the wipe down. I located in the pantry my little yellow container full of pre-moistened wipey goodness and I took it to the office an removed one and began my wipe down. I noticed that the dusted items just didn't look as clean so I wiped everything. The surfaces were smooth, slick and shiny. I felt like I had done a great job.
I returned later to the new computer and decided that the old trackball mouse needed wiped too, but my wipe was dry. As I looked for the container to get another I realized my mistake.
Armorall wipes really make the computer and accessories clean and shiny. Wow, just wow.
Hey...
...that 22" widescreen monitor is HUGE! I know it's bigger then our TV, but my goodness!
Ya, about the only thing I can really think is WOW!
I've been using it like 2 screens today side by side. It is so nice.
Ya, about the only thing I can really think is WOW!
I've been using it like 2 screens today side by side. It is so nice.
Computers (a history)
Jonathan and I had a very old computer that my mother gave us (we're talking a 486 that was later converted to Pentium) when we got married. In 1998 it was slow, but when all you need is a word processor it's no big deal. When V was almost 6 months old (fall 2000) we bought a new computer. It wasn't top of the line, but we could run some programs like MathCAD and more involved programs and we could use the net with it (at that point we were using university computers for that need).
We've used this computer for a long time and over all it has served us well (we've had to replace a few power supplies). In late 2001 or early 2002 my brother-in-law got us a deal on an old laptop from his office (it ran Windows 98) but in '02 that wasn't a big deal. Last year a friend at J's office had a computer that his hard drive fried and instead of buying a new hard drive he bought a new computer and we bought his old one cheap. This was okay (we had moved into the world of XP) until it blew 2 power supplies and sparked when we tried to fix it again. Alas we were back to the 7 year old desktop and the old laptop.
That is until last night. With our earnest money back in hand from the apartment fiasco we took the plunge. Now a better computer is more important (J can't run 3-D CAD software's without a better computer). J sees this time as the moment when God is pointing him elsewhere to pursue his own business and the computer is a necessary step. I'm moving computer today while J is helping his parents so I hope to be up and running soon.
We've used this computer for a long time and over all it has served us well (we've had to replace a few power supplies). In late 2001 or early 2002 my brother-in-law got us a deal on an old laptop from his office (it ran Windows 98) but in '02 that wasn't a big deal. Last year a friend at J's office had a computer that his hard drive fried and instead of buying a new hard drive he bought a new computer and we bought his old one cheap. This was okay (we had moved into the world of XP) until it blew 2 power supplies and sparked when we tried to fix it again. Alas we were back to the 7 year old desktop and the old laptop.
That is until last night. With our earnest money back in hand from the apartment fiasco we took the plunge. Now a better computer is more important (J can't run 3-D CAD software's without a better computer). J sees this time as the moment when God is pointing him elsewhere to pursue his own business and the computer is a necessary step. I'm moving computer today while J is helping his parents so I hope to be up and running soon.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Soccer Mom
V started soccer last night. Yes, it was at least 100 degrees at 6pm. Soccer now runs an hour and a half 2 days a week with a game every Saturday from the beginning of September to mid November.
There was a miscommunication on who was to inform the players when practice started we have 1 trainer who trains all of the 8 and under (girls) teams together even though they each have a coach. I finally called our coach from last season Wednesday to find out when practice started and found out they began Thursday. He had only contacted the newbies. V and I made a Wednesday run to get shoes since she had outgrown hers from the spring. I guess this is just the beginning. Activities will begin in full very soon. AWANA hits the first week of September and 1 day a week she will be going to a day of classes called the BCHEP (B* Christian Homeschool Enrichment Program).
Let the games begin.
There was a miscommunication on who was to inform the players when practice started we have 1 trainer who trains all of the 8 and under (girls) teams together even though they each have a coach. I finally called our coach from last season Wednesday to find out when practice started and found out they began Thursday. He had only contacted the newbies. V and I made a Wednesday run to get shoes since she had outgrown hers from the spring. I guess this is just the beginning. Activities will begin in full very soon. AWANA hits the first week of September and 1 day a week she will be going to a day of classes called the BCHEP (B* Christian Homeschool Enrichment Program).
Let the games begin.
Progress
Well, it's been a decent couple of days, regardless of insane, stifling heat.
2 days ago I went on a copy binge. I made almost every copy I will need for the next school year. The only major issue was that the copy machine kept reading low toner and I had just bought a new cartridge. It turns out the motor to turn the toner cartridge is shot. No big deal I now have one on back order with a company and I periodically rotate the cartridge to get better copies.
Yesterday V and I took on her file cabinet (no files in it, it is used to store craft stuff and activities) and her desk. After that I sent her on her merry way to play and I organized her school stuff for this year. Last year we had 1 file box and a 4"binder. This year we have 2 file boxes, a 4" and a 1" binder and a small Rubbermaid of books. One file box is curriculum, the other is supplies (easy to continue school at any location of my choice this way). I can just grab it all and we can head to Grandma's, the porch, upstairs. It matters not. The classroom is wherever we make it. We had it set up in that fashion at the end of last year and it made it very nice.
We are going to ease into school. J is taking vacation the first week of September and since I don't know where we are going or what we are doing (I vote we stay close to home) I don't want to be doing too much until the 2nd week in September. Today we will begin cursive review (yes, she learned cursive in the first grade) and a little math (we've done a little all summer) and naturally I'll have her read to me some. We'll kick into history, Bible, geography, language arts and more reading in a few weeks.
Maybe by that time I will have my desk and file cabinet straightened out by then and all of the out grown and unworn clothing boxed up and removed from the house. Let's not hold our breath, but a girl can dream.
2 days ago I went on a copy binge. I made almost every copy I will need for the next school year. The only major issue was that the copy machine kept reading low toner and I had just bought a new cartridge. It turns out the motor to turn the toner cartridge is shot. No big deal I now have one on back order with a company and I periodically rotate the cartridge to get better copies.
Yesterday V and I took on her file cabinet (no files in it, it is used to store craft stuff and activities) and her desk. After that I sent her on her merry way to play and I organized her school stuff for this year. Last year we had 1 file box and a 4"binder. This year we have 2 file boxes, a 4" and a 1" binder and a small Rubbermaid of books. One file box is curriculum, the other is supplies (easy to continue school at any location of my choice this way). I can just grab it all and we can head to Grandma's, the porch, upstairs. It matters not. The classroom is wherever we make it. We had it set up in that fashion at the end of last year and it made it very nice.
We are going to ease into school. J is taking vacation the first week of September and since I don't know where we are going or what we are doing (I vote we stay close to home) I don't want to be doing too much until the 2nd week in September. Today we will begin cursive review (yes, she learned cursive in the first grade) and a little math (we've done a little all summer) and naturally I'll have her read to me some. We'll kick into history, Bible, geography, language arts and more reading in a few weeks.
Maybe by that time I will have my desk and file cabinet straightened out by then and all of the out grown and unworn clothing boxed up and removed from the house. Let's not hold our breath, but a girl can dream.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
I'm a bad blogger.
When I switched over to the new blogger I had tons of issues (I had subscriptions there were so many). It wasn't user error, it was simply glitches and incompatibility with my SBC browser. In that I got frustrated dealing with work arounds and began blogging very rarely and almost always about nothing in particular. It's been a while since this problem arose and has even been fixed.
I started using Myspace. I still don't like it, but I tend to throw a bulletin up without thinking and then I don't post a blog. The major problem is that the bulletins go away after a while and those records of happenings disappear. It's sad.
I need to get back on the blogger band wagon. I promise to those of you who still check in I am reading and lurking on your pages. I cheer for you and feel sorry for your loses.
-In current news I had a first yesterday. Jackson threw up in Hobby Lobby. I've never had a child throw up in a business before. Wow. Fortunately the milk in his stomach was still very fresh so it wasn't as gross as it could have been. I felt bad and yet relieved at the same time that someone else was cleaning it up.
-We tried to buy a 12 unit apartment complex and were were very close to finalizing the financing when we finished reviewing the owners tax records. The proforma he gave us was a fairy tale and the income after all expenses and mortgage payments changed so dramatically that we cancelled the contract. It's been disappointing, but we were praying really hard and we asked God for a definite sign. He really gave it to us in numbers and we hated to let it go, but after running the numbers we would be losing money if we had 2 vacancies. That was a risk we couldn't take. We are going to look at some others, maybe we'll try a small house or 2 first. We'll keep you posted as our entrepreneurial spirit takes us on adventures.
-The babies are "walking", but only up to 5 steps at a time (Alex more then Owen). They have also finally hit the 20lb mark and have new car seats that have been turned around. They are 13 1/2 months old.
-Jackson busted his head open on the swing set we bought V back in June. We sat in the emergency room with a bleeding 3 year old for more then 2 1/2 hours. We told them at the desk we were leaving and I went and got butterflies at Wal-Mart since we had stopped the bleeding while waiting. It was after 11 pm before we got home (of course the injury happened 5 minutes before they would have been called in to get ready for bed) I took him to the pediatrician the next morning and he didn't give him stitches and he said we did the right thing, by taking him home and letting him sleep. I was growing his hair out, but now he looks like a military school child.
-The dinning room renovation moves on and that is where we do V's school. J asked when I was going to start school and I told him I had planned on the first week of September, but since he was taking vacation that week the second week would have to do. He doesn't like the idea, but I asked him if he trusts me to school her to please trust me to set and fulfill my schedule and legal requirements. Public school starts here today, so she has more of a break. Homeschool activities will be kicking into high gear again soon and so will soccer.
-I turned 29 on the 9th. I thought I was turning 30. Ya, the mind is going with age. ;P Some schools started August 9th. That's too early. We always started the last week of August. We always started 1-2 weeks after the universities, now public schools are starting before. Is this a way to sneak into year round school or is this panic b/c of snow days last winter? It's nothing against year round school, we slow down in the summer, but we keep V's brain going so when we start full bore she doesn't say, "I don't remember this at all." I would just like to know their reasoning.
I started using Myspace. I still don't like it, but I tend to throw a bulletin up without thinking and then I don't post a blog. The major problem is that the bulletins go away after a while and those records of happenings disappear. It's sad.
I need to get back on the blogger band wagon. I promise to those of you who still check in I am reading and lurking on your pages. I cheer for you and feel sorry for your loses.
-In current news I had a first yesterday. Jackson threw up in Hobby Lobby. I've never had a child throw up in a business before. Wow. Fortunately the milk in his stomach was still very fresh so it wasn't as gross as it could have been. I felt bad and yet relieved at the same time that someone else was cleaning it up.
-We tried to buy a 12 unit apartment complex and were were very close to finalizing the financing when we finished reviewing the owners tax records. The proforma he gave us was a fairy tale and the income after all expenses and mortgage payments changed so dramatically that we cancelled the contract. It's been disappointing, but we were praying really hard and we asked God for a definite sign. He really gave it to us in numbers and we hated to let it go, but after running the numbers we would be losing money if we had 2 vacancies. That was a risk we couldn't take. We are going to look at some others, maybe we'll try a small house or 2 first. We'll keep you posted as our entrepreneurial spirit takes us on adventures.
-The babies are "walking", but only up to 5 steps at a time (Alex more then Owen). They have also finally hit the 20lb mark and have new car seats that have been turned around. They are 13 1/2 months old.
-Jackson busted his head open on the swing set we bought V back in June. We sat in the emergency room with a bleeding 3 year old for more then 2 1/2 hours. We told them at the desk we were leaving and I went and got butterflies at Wal-Mart since we had stopped the bleeding while waiting. It was after 11 pm before we got home (of course the injury happened 5 minutes before they would have been called in to get ready for bed) I took him to the pediatrician the next morning and he didn't give him stitches and he said we did the right thing, by taking him home and letting him sleep. I was growing his hair out, but now he looks like a military school child.
-The dinning room renovation moves on and that is where we do V's school. J asked when I was going to start school and I told him I had planned on the first week of September, but since he was taking vacation that week the second week would have to do. He doesn't like the idea, but I asked him if he trusts me to school her to please trust me to set and fulfill my schedule and legal requirements. Public school starts here today, so she has more of a break. Homeschool activities will be kicking into high gear again soon and so will soccer.
-I turned 29 on the 9th. I thought I was turning 30. Ya, the mind is going with age. ;P Some schools started August 9th. That's too early. We always started the last week of August. We always started 1-2 weeks after the universities, now public schools are starting before. Is this a way to sneak into year round school or is this panic b/c of snow days last winter? It's nothing against year round school, we slow down in the summer, but we keep V's brain going so when we start full bore she doesn't say, "I don't remember this at all." I would just like to know their reasoning.
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