It has been a day of contradictions. On one hand, remembering ALL those who have fallen since and including 9/11 and a day with family. It puzzles me to no end how people can hate so easily. I don't understand it at all. I never have and I don't think I ever will. How someone can hate someone for things like different religions, races, countries, etc. I don't know. We are all human, aren't we? Doesn't that unite us in some small way? I wonder if the world will ever get rid of the hatefulness that is in it.
I went and saw the Help this afternoon. It was a good movie, pretty close to the book, surprisingly. It was very well done and I did like it a lot. There again, it is another example of looking at differences and treating people like they are less than human. In the book, one of the main characters, Hilly, wants to have a law passed that every house that employs a maid have a separate bathroom for them because they are a different color. I won't give away anymore of the plot, but this simply amazes me that people think this way. The excuse was that we all have different diseases the two different races. Wow, I know I was born around the time that the book and movie take place in, but my gosh, I don't understand this type of thinking. I remember in grad school, I was working on a project with a woman in class and she asked me how many African-American students I had. I actually had to pull out my schedule and count because I didn't know off hand. I had students of all different races. To me, they are all students. I don't separate them. I don't remember how many I had, but as one parent put it this past spring, I have a United Nations of students. I had to think about that one too. She was right. I don't think like that. I wasn't raised to think like that so I just don't understand the thinking that these people were doing. However, it was good to see it because it shows what it was like. I don't understand it and I guess I never will. I am glad we are moving closer to a color blind society, but I wish we would get there much faster.
I did enjoy my day. I saw the movie with Tillie. I had spoke to her earlier in the week and she invited me over to go see the movie since we both wanted to see it. She took me to lunch too. It was a wonderful day overall visiting. We had very nice chats and discussions. I am glad I went.
I do hope your day was good too.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Saturday 9-10
I am so glad today is Saturday. The end of a horrible week. I do hope next week is better. I would say it can't get worse, because, as bad as it is, it can get worse. I just hope it doesn't get worse.
I slept through a lesson today. Fortunately, they called (after calling the sister for my phone number) and I woke up. I accidentally set the alarm for pm instead of am. Thank goodness Becca is a patient person and waited. We had the lesson and then Rick came for his lesson today instead of tomorrow because it worked better for his schedule. I don't mind though. Whatever works for him generally works for me. Tomorrow I am going to see "the Help". I read the book and it was good so I am looking forward to the movie. I do need to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 again! I really do!!! I plan to see it when it hits the cheap theatre with my Muglia girls. All the girls and I are so excited about the Harry Potter stuff!
Not much going on tonight. I will just be relaxing and watching a bit of TV. I don't know if there is anything good on or not, but there is always HGTV if there is nothing else to watch. There is some sort of concert on NBC. Kid Rock is singing right now. He is also playing the piano. I may keep it on this station for a while. I think they said that Bon Jovi would be playing too. I love Bon Jovi a lot. They are my favorite band in the world. It is the NFL kickoff. Wow, I thought it was something for 9/11. I know there will be programs on tomorrow on the 10th anniversary of it. It is hard to believe it is 10 years now. I don't think it is something most people who have seen the images will forget them. I was sleeping when it happened. Mom and I were going to Canada for a concert that night. We were going to see Kate Smith, one of Mom's favorite singers. I was looking forward to it. When I got up, I checked the phone for messages because I did hear it ring. I listened and didn't understand what Mom meant about us not going across the border that night for the concert so I called her back. i quickly learned what had happened and turned the TV on that was in the kitchen. I couldn't believe what I saw. My student, Anne, called and wanted to come over after school. She had seen the images in school during the day. It was as if the world had ended and in some sense, the world did end, the world we knew. Everything has changed since then. So many things have changed since then, especially for the ones who lost family and friends that day.
I do hope next week much better.
I slept through a lesson today. Fortunately, they called (after calling the sister for my phone number) and I woke up. I accidentally set the alarm for pm instead of am. Thank goodness Becca is a patient person and waited. We had the lesson and then Rick came for his lesson today instead of tomorrow because it worked better for his schedule. I don't mind though. Whatever works for him generally works for me. Tomorrow I am going to see "the Help". I read the book and it was good so I am looking forward to the movie. I do need to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 again! I really do!!! I plan to see it when it hits the cheap theatre with my Muglia girls. All the girls and I are so excited about the Harry Potter stuff!
Not much going on tonight. I will just be relaxing and watching a bit of TV. I don't know if there is anything good on or not, but there is always HGTV if there is nothing else to watch. There is some sort of concert on NBC. Kid Rock is singing right now. He is also playing the piano. I may keep it on this station for a while. I think they said that Bon Jovi would be playing too. I love Bon Jovi a lot. They are my favorite band in the world. It is the NFL kickoff. Wow, I thought it was something for 9/11. I know there will be programs on tomorrow on the 10th anniversary of it. It is hard to believe it is 10 years now. I don't think it is something most people who have seen the images will forget them. I was sleeping when it happened. Mom and I were going to Canada for a concert that night. We were going to see Kate Smith, one of Mom's favorite singers. I was looking forward to it. When I got up, I checked the phone for messages because I did hear it ring. I listened and didn't understand what Mom meant about us not going across the border that night for the concert so I called her back. i quickly learned what had happened and turned the TV on that was in the kitchen. I couldn't believe what I saw. My student, Anne, called and wanted to come over after school. She had seen the images in school during the day. It was as if the world had ended and in some sense, the world did end, the world we knew. Everything has changed since then. So many things have changed since then, especially for the ones who lost family and friends that day.
I do hope next week much better.
Friday, September 9, 2011
9-9 Friday
It was a lovely evening. I had Calli and Acer's lessons. Both are doing very well. At first Acer didn't want to play the song we were working on but he did do it a few minutes later. Then we started a new song. He is doing very well with it. I just need to get him a CD of the book so he can hear the song at home if he forgets part of it. I find this works very well with him. I have the level 3 CD somewhere for Calli but I can't find it right now. I hope to find it shortly. After we had our lessons, we relaxed and visited while we waited for Heather B-T's husband, Bill with our dinner. We were going to play games after dinner but Bill had to stay late for work so it got too late to play games. We will play again at a later date. Calli is doing so well with her "Ave Maria" by Schubert. She also started "In the Bleak Midwinter". I simply love that song. I really do. Her piano is coming along too. I am very pleased with her progress. We worked on the rest of "Village Dance" in her lesson book. Knowing her she will have it down pat next week. I would be surprised if she didn't. Over all, I think all the students are doing well. There are a couple who don't practice on a regular basis, but they are the exception not the rule.
I have another new student from the online company. She is an adult who wants to learn piano. She can already read music and plays the organ. I will pull different levels so we can find what will work with her. She signed up for 45 minute lessons. I have 2 lessons tomorrow. I have Rebecca at 12 noon and Rick at 1:30. He is having his lesson tomorrow instead of Sunday because it works better for him. I will head for Windsor on Sunday. I am going to a movie. I am going to see the Help. Tillie is taking me. I am actually rather excited to see this movie because I have read the book and it was good. We were going to go tomorrow but Rick needed to change his lesson so that leaves Sunday free. I will go and get some gas and head for the border.
I am tired now after an exciting evening. I am watching 20/20 and will head for bed right after it ends. It has been so nice and cool this week. It is supposed to be warmer on Sunday and through the week, but it has been a really nice change. It is also supposed to rain tomorrow and possibly on Sunday. I don't mind the rain right now because our lawn needs it and so do my flowers. Yesterday when I it rained all day, I moved my flower pot so the rain would water the flowers. I tend to forget until they are wilted and the flowers are gone. I don't remember what kind they are, but they are awfully pretty. I got them from Rachel. I really like them because they are hardy flowers. I forget to water them, then I quickly go water them, and then they perk up again.
I think I am going to bed now. I am so tired. I do hope you had a good day.
I have another new student from the online company. She is an adult who wants to learn piano. She can already read music and plays the organ. I will pull different levels so we can find what will work with her. She signed up for 45 minute lessons. I have 2 lessons tomorrow. I have Rebecca at 12 noon and Rick at 1:30. He is having his lesson tomorrow instead of Sunday because it works better for him. I will head for Windsor on Sunday. I am going to a movie. I am going to see the Help. Tillie is taking me. I am actually rather excited to see this movie because I have read the book and it was good. We were going to go tomorrow but Rick needed to change his lesson so that leaves Sunday free. I will go and get some gas and head for the border.
I am tired now after an exciting evening. I am watching 20/20 and will head for bed right after it ends. It has been so nice and cool this week. It is supposed to be warmer on Sunday and through the week, but it has been a really nice change. It is also supposed to rain tomorrow and possibly on Sunday. I don't mind the rain right now because our lawn needs it and so do my flowers. Yesterday when I it rained all day, I moved my flower pot so the rain would water the flowers. I tend to forget until they are wilted and the flowers are gone. I don't remember what kind they are, but they are awfully pretty. I got them from Rachel. I really like them because they are hardy flowers. I forget to water them, then I quickly go water them, and then they perk up again.
I think I am going to bed now. I am so tired. I do hope you had a good day.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
9-8 Thursday
Well my excitement of having 2 new singers yesterday is over. Apparently, Sarah was being forced into and so she has quit after one lesson. Her mom is hoping that in a few weeks she will want them and then resigning up for them, but if she was determined not to have them before she met me, I doubt she will be back. I am hoping for a few more students this fall. So far, with the online company I have 12 students plus about 5 weekly, 2 every other week, and 4 monthly of my own without the online company so fall is shaping up nicely.
I have one student this evening, his name is Logan and he is 16. He plays the piano and is doing pretty well. He has difficulty in note reading, so I got him some flash cards to help with that. I am going to make a note reading paper for him too to see if that will help because the cool books I had have been used. I can't remember what one of them is named so I can't have Logan buy it. It bothers me that I can't remember but with Fibro fog, what can I expect? I just looked up what notespellers I have and went to check the 3 that we possibilities and they aren't it. It must have a different name or something. That is the only thing bad about having so much music is that if you can't remember what it is called, you can't find it. I will make him one then. That will work. I made him one using Finale. It is a music notation program that is really neat. I can also make accomp. CDs with it although it takes a long time to do. A very long time to do. I don't really like to do that anymore so I try not to have to but in this case, I was only making the sheet music. I will find that book soon. I am determined to.
I am very tired today. It hasn't been the best week for me. Family strife and all. I thought it was better and I found out (the hard way of course) that it was worse so yeah, not my week. I am determined that it will not affect my teaching and so far it hasn't.
I read a facebook post from 2010 today. They randomly post what you post the year before and the year before that. I guess Mom and I weren't doing too much of anything this day in 2010. It is strange to read 2 posts about someone who is in Heaven. Reading these little facebook posts are okay though, they don't upset me at all. Some of them are rather funny. I tried to make Mom's day a bit happier and she liked to laugh a lot. She deserved to have her last days happy. I tried anyway. I will find out someday when I am in Heaven with her if I succeeded or not.
I think I am going to rest in the living room while I wait for my student. Like I said, I am so exhausted today. I think several days of tears and upsets are catching up to me. Tonight will be a calm lesson with Logan and then tomorrow is Acer and Calli who are always fun to teach.
I do hope your day is good too!
I have one student this evening, his name is Logan and he is 16. He plays the piano and is doing pretty well. He has difficulty in note reading, so I got him some flash cards to help with that. I am going to make a note reading paper for him too to see if that will help because the cool books I had have been used. I can't remember what one of them is named so I can't have Logan buy it. It bothers me that I can't remember but with Fibro fog, what can I expect? I just looked up what notespellers I have and went to check the 3 that we possibilities and they aren't it. It must have a different name or something. That is the only thing bad about having so much music is that if you can't remember what it is called, you can't find it. I will make him one then. That will work. I made him one using Finale. It is a music notation program that is really neat. I can also make accomp. CDs with it although it takes a long time to do. A very long time to do. I don't really like to do that anymore so I try not to have to but in this case, I was only making the sheet music. I will find that book soon. I am determined to.
I am very tired today. It hasn't been the best week for me. Family strife and all. I thought it was better and I found out (the hard way of course) that it was worse so yeah, not my week. I am determined that it will not affect my teaching and so far it hasn't.
I read a facebook post from 2010 today. They randomly post what you post the year before and the year before that. I guess Mom and I weren't doing too much of anything this day in 2010. It is strange to read 2 posts about someone who is in Heaven. Reading these little facebook posts are okay though, they don't upset me at all. Some of them are rather funny. I tried to make Mom's day a bit happier and she liked to laugh a lot. She deserved to have her last days happy. I tried anyway. I will find out someday when I am in Heaven with her if I succeeded or not.
I think I am going to rest in the living room while I wait for my student. Like I said, I am so exhausted today. I think several days of tears and upsets are catching up to me. Tonight will be a calm lesson with Logan and then tomorrow is Acer and Calli who are always fun to teach.
I do hope your day is good too!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
9-7
I am so glad it is Wednesday. It is so nice and cool out. I have had to wear a jacket for the last couple of days when I went outside. I don't mind. I have my Tinkerbell white hoodie on here in the dining room. I actually had to turn the heat on this morning as it was about 68 degrees in the house. A bit too cold for me. I am glad it is a bit cooler. I have been able to breath better these past few days and my headaches are the normal ones not the bad ones that come with the extreme heat. I had 2 new students this afternoon. Natalie, 11, will be every other week and Sarah, 11, every week. Both are singers. I think the first lessons went well. Both girls are very excited about learning to sing. Natalie had taken singing before for about a month, but she didn't think she was learning anything. Sarah has never had lessons before. Yesterday, I had another new student. Her name is Aaiyanna. She is 7. She did very well too. I was pleased.
I am almost to the point where I cannot add another student. It is a beautiful feeling, let me tell you. I figure I can either take 2 to 3 more with the online company or 2 not from the online company. I have had several new students since June and they are all planning to continue this fall! I am so excited about that because ALL the students who started last winter, have quit, yes, every single one of them. I thought perhaps Kayla and Amanda would come back but I haven't heard anything from either one of them yet. Oh well, it would be nice if they did, but if they don't, I will have other new ones. I am excited about all the lessons, new ones and the old ones. It should be a great fall. I am working on competition music and Christmas music so that is keeping me very busy.
I talked to Kathy today. It was nice to speak with her and find out how her 4 are doing on the 2nd day of school. I spoke with her about another issue I am dealing with and between the two of us, we came up with a plan. I feel good about the decision I made. It is the only way for me to deal with this. Sometimes family can be so hard to deal with but I feel good about this decision.
Tomorrow is my blood test in the afternoon. I will have the lovely Breanna's lesson and then I will head to the doctor's for the blood test. I am trying to drink enough water to make tomorrow's test easier. Then later on I will have Logan's lesson. This is his 3rd lesson. I do need him to actually change his lesson if possible because it conflicts with choir practice, but if he can't, I just won't join the choir at this point. It is okay either way. I will join the choir later at a later date.
Overall, it has been a good day with all the lessons I have had today. I only have 2 students tomorrow (3 lessons - Breanna takes voice and piano) so I am looking forward to that. I love the temperatures out this week. I hope your day has been good to.
I am almost to the point where I cannot add another student. It is a beautiful feeling, let me tell you. I figure I can either take 2 to 3 more with the online company or 2 not from the online company. I have had several new students since June and they are all planning to continue this fall! I am so excited about that because ALL the students who started last winter, have quit, yes, every single one of them. I thought perhaps Kayla and Amanda would come back but I haven't heard anything from either one of them yet. Oh well, it would be nice if they did, but if they don't, I will have other new ones. I am excited about all the lessons, new ones and the old ones. It should be a great fall. I am working on competition music and Christmas music so that is keeping me very busy.
I talked to Kathy today. It was nice to speak with her and find out how her 4 are doing on the 2nd day of school. I spoke with her about another issue I am dealing with and between the two of us, we came up with a plan. I feel good about the decision I made. It is the only way for me to deal with this. Sometimes family can be so hard to deal with but I feel good about this decision.
Tomorrow is my blood test in the afternoon. I will have the lovely Breanna's lesson and then I will head to the doctor's for the blood test. I am trying to drink enough water to make tomorrow's test easier. Then later on I will have Logan's lesson. This is his 3rd lesson. I do need him to actually change his lesson if possible because it conflicts with choir practice, but if he can't, I just won't join the choir at this point. It is okay either way. I will join the choir later at a later date.
Overall, it has been a good day with all the lessons I have had today. I only have 2 students tomorrow (3 lessons - Breanna takes voice and piano) so I am looking forward to that. I love the temperatures out this week. I hope your day has been good to.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Labor Day
Tomorrow is the first day of school for the rest of the students. Fall is officially on its way. Today is about 70 degrees today and it is now about 61 degrees. What a change from Friday and Saturday that almost 100 degrees. Yeah, Michigan has strange weather but hey, I will take the 60s to 70s over near 100s any day. I have nice comfy pants on with my lovely Tinkerbell fleece hoodie. I love hoodie weather! I was supposed to have 4 lessons today but only ended up with one. I am kind of bummed about that but Camille did reschedule to tomorrow. I don't know what happen to Benjy and Joiene. I don't know if their Mom understood she needed to call me if they weren't coming. They are new to lessons and English is not their parents first language. I will find out next week when I speak with her. I also don't know if she had my phone number, that could be a problem too. They are through the online company so i called and we decided to just reschedule the lesson to the end of the month so they won't be paying for it right now. Of course, if it happens again, that is a different story. I really do think this time the mom just didn't understand to call me or doesn't have my phone number.
It was an interesting afternoon. I went to get a few things at the store and on the way home I was almost broadsided. Yeah, I was driving down the street and the cross street had a stop sign. How the car missed a bright RED car, I do not know, but they almost drove into me. Fortunately, there was no one coming my direction so I could swerve and miss them. I was not a happy camper but I am happy that me and the little red car are still intact and in one piece without anything wrong with it. No bumps or bruises for either one of us.
I am looking forward to two new students tomorrow and Wednesday. Both are singers. One is 7 and the other is 11. It shall be fun. I also have another new student who needs to pick their time because they were signed up at the same time as one of my new students. Overall, so far fall is shaping up nicely.
Fall is my favorite season of all. It looks so pretty when the leaves change color. Okay, I must admit, I do not like raking leaves. Well, I can't do it myself, so I have the young man who mows my lawn do it for me. I don't have many trees in my yard, wow, come to think of it, I don't have any except the Japanese Maple that is in the front yard, but across the street is a huge, and I mean huge, Poplar tree that sends my lawn lots and lots of leaves. The tree is so big that if it came down in a storm towards my house, it would take out my whole house. Fortunately, that has never happened and I hope it doesn't.
I am re-reading the O'Malley series from Dee Henderson. She is a Christian Contemporary Writer. I love these books. I had thought I donated them 3 years ago when I donated 17 boxes of books to a church rummage sale. I have regretted it ever since. At the time I thought Momma and I would be moving closer to the store. This was way before I realized how expensive the Rochester Area was and before we lost the store. I am glad we ended up not moving. With losing the store, we needed to stay in the house and this was right before the housing bubble burst. I am thankful we stayed here. However, there is no way to get all those boxes of books back. I don't miss the Star Wars books. They were getting boring and they were killing off the best characters. Since there are multiple authors, each book was not in sync all the time with other books. There were some good authors, but others weren't so good. When I emptied the dresser drawer that had the books in it, I found 5 of the 7 O'Malley series. I am glad I only have to purchase 2 of them. I have already read 1 of them. I found several books that I am excited about finding. I also found some in the boxes in my room too so my room has been a treasure trove these last few weeks. My dining room table that was so nicely empty, is now covered with books! I am sure this is not a surprise since I have been bringing books downstairs from my room. I haven't had to go to the use bookstore to get new books. I did find several books that I plan to take to the use bookstore and turn them in for credit for more books. I also need to go to my friend, Lisa's used bookstore near by. She opened her own bookstore when the Border's books and music went out of business near my house. Lisa is doing pretty well with it. I am pleased with that for her. She went to high school with me.
It has been a good day despite my sleeping in rather late and the almost car accident. I am looking forward to the cooler weather this week. Thank goodness for that! I do hope your day is good too!
It was an interesting afternoon. I went to get a few things at the store and on the way home I was almost broadsided. Yeah, I was driving down the street and the cross street had a stop sign. How the car missed a bright RED car, I do not know, but they almost drove into me. Fortunately, there was no one coming my direction so I could swerve and miss them. I was not a happy camper but I am happy that me and the little red car are still intact and in one piece without anything wrong with it. No bumps or bruises for either one of us.
I am looking forward to two new students tomorrow and Wednesday. Both are singers. One is 7 and the other is 11. It shall be fun. I also have another new student who needs to pick their time because they were signed up at the same time as one of my new students. Overall, so far fall is shaping up nicely.
Fall is my favorite season of all. It looks so pretty when the leaves change color. Okay, I must admit, I do not like raking leaves. Well, I can't do it myself, so I have the young man who mows my lawn do it for me. I don't have many trees in my yard, wow, come to think of it, I don't have any except the Japanese Maple that is in the front yard, but across the street is a huge, and I mean huge, Poplar tree that sends my lawn lots and lots of leaves. The tree is so big that if it came down in a storm towards my house, it would take out my whole house. Fortunately, that has never happened and I hope it doesn't.
I am re-reading the O'Malley series from Dee Henderson. She is a Christian Contemporary Writer. I love these books. I had thought I donated them 3 years ago when I donated 17 boxes of books to a church rummage sale. I have regretted it ever since. At the time I thought Momma and I would be moving closer to the store. This was way before I realized how expensive the Rochester Area was and before we lost the store. I am glad we ended up not moving. With losing the store, we needed to stay in the house and this was right before the housing bubble burst. I am thankful we stayed here. However, there is no way to get all those boxes of books back. I don't miss the Star Wars books. They were getting boring and they were killing off the best characters. Since there are multiple authors, each book was not in sync all the time with other books. There were some good authors, but others weren't so good. When I emptied the dresser drawer that had the books in it, I found 5 of the 7 O'Malley series. I am glad I only have to purchase 2 of them. I have already read 1 of them. I found several books that I am excited about finding. I also found some in the boxes in my room too so my room has been a treasure trove these last few weeks. My dining room table that was so nicely empty, is now covered with books! I am sure this is not a surprise since I have been bringing books downstairs from my room. I haven't had to go to the use bookstore to get new books. I did find several books that I plan to take to the use bookstore and turn them in for credit for more books. I also need to go to my friend, Lisa's used bookstore near by. She opened her own bookstore when the Border's books and music went out of business near my house. Lisa is doing pretty well with it. I am pleased with that for her. She went to high school with me.
It has been a good day despite my sleeping in rather late and the almost car accident. I am looking forward to the cooler weather this week. Thank goodness for that! I do hope your day is good too!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Jessie's Wedding Day
Jessie was a beautiful bride! She looked simply beautiful. Her dress was a sweetheart neckline with sparkles all over it. Her sister, Katie was a bridesmaid and also look so beautiful! I would love to tell you that I took a lot of pictures and can post them, but I can't. I was so caught up in the service that I forgot I had a camera. Yeah, wasn't that smart? No, not really, but considering I have memory problems with Fibro Fog and doing more than one thing at a time is not something I am good at, I am not surprised. Robin came with as Mike was ill. She took some pictures with her phone so hopefully she will post them. It was a lovely reception too. We stayed until about 9:30 when Robin started getting a bit tired. I was ready to go to because the dancing was starting and I usually leave about that time. I was getting a bit of a bad headache at that point too so it was a good time to leave. I saw Jessie and Katie's brother, Martin, as we left and told him to let her know it was a wonderful wedding and she and Katie looked beautiful. I did get to talk to Katie so that was good. I know Jessie knew I was there because she saw me at the church. She had both her mom and dad walk her down the aisle. That was really neat. It was simply a great day all around. It just was. I even broke down and put some makeup on, foundation, eye shadow, and all. Well as I was putting my eye shadow on, my brush broke. Yeah, that was not fun but I got what I needed on. Martin's girlfriend, Chelsea made all the cupcakes for the dessert table. Boy, the one I had was amazing! It was so good. She is an incredible baker. Martin is going to school to be a social worker, I had thought he was going for being a youth pastor, but I guess he changed his mind. I think he will make a great social worker. He plans to get his master's degree too. He said with social work it is a necessity. I am so proud of all three of them. Katie is working on her Nurses Administration degree, Martin is for social work, and Jessie is getting a masters in English. They all have grown up so well. They are such good people too.
I ran into a couple of former students' Moms there too. I actually expected that I would because I know they are friends of Jessie's parents. It was nice catching up with them. I knew a bit about the one mom because her daughter, Kelly Lynn is the teacher I loaned books to so she can look and figure out what she wants to do. She took a big pile home with her and I told her she could borrow them for about a month. Kelly was like, oh, I will only need them for about a week. I knew a bit better on that and I knew it would take a bit for her to go through them all. She is a brand new teacher who I also hope will take her students to Michigan Music Association Competition this winter. We shall see!
I am very tired now and my legs and feet hurt as I don't have a good pair of dress shoes. They hurt my feet but I didn't want to wear sneakers. Maybe I should get a pair of black sneakers so no one will know I am wearing sneakers instead of dress shoes. I also thought that maybe a pair of ballet slippers would work too. I don't know. I hope that by Christmas I will lose some weight and then maybe I can fit into an old pair of dress shoes. My feet need to lose weight too. I can only try.
I am going to get a book to read now while I relax before I head for bed. It was such a wonderful day. I had such a nice time at the wedding and the reception. It was simply beautiful.
I do hope your day was as beautiful as mine!
I ran into a couple of former students' Moms there too. I actually expected that I would because I know they are friends of Jessie's parents. It was nice catching up with them. I knew a bit about the one mom because her daughter, Kelly Lynn is the teacher I loaned books to so she can look and figure out what she wants to do. She took a big pile home with her and I told her she could borrow them for about a month. Kelly was like, oh, I will only need them for about a week. I knew a bit better on that and I knew it would take a bit for her to go through them all. She is a brand new teacher who I also hope will take her students to Michigan Music Association Competition this winter. We shall see!
I am very tired now and my legs and feet hurt as I don't have a good pair of dress shoes. They hurt my feet but I didn't want to wear sneakers. Maybe I should get a pair of black sneakers so no one will know I am wearing sneakers instead of dress shoes. I also thought that maybe a pair of ballet slippers would work too. I don't know. I hope that by Christmas I will lose some weight and then maybe I can fit into an old pair of dress shoes. My feet need to lose weight too. I can only try.
I am going to get a book to read now while I relax before I head for bed. It was such a wonderful day. I had such a nice time at the wedding and the reception. It was simply beautiful.
I do hope your day was as beautiful as mine!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Saturday 9-3
I ran some errands this afternoon. Boy, was it hot. I am glad that tomorrow is projected to be much cooler. It would be good for the wedding although the wedding is inside. I am sure there will be some outdoor pictures and that would be really hot for a guy in a tux and the bride in the gown. I am very excited about this wedding. I just love Jessie. I first met her when she was about 9 years old. I had started a homeschool choir at one of my students church. Jessie, her sister Katie, and her brother Martin joined. We had the choir for one year and then I was called to teach them private music lessons. All three play piano simply beautiful. Martin is gifted to be able to play anything he pretty much hears. It is amazing. Katie and Jessie are also very gifted pianists. I have had the lucky privilege to watch them grow up. When each of the girls graduated high school, I encouraged them to start teaching themselves. Then I bought the music store I taught at. I immediately hired both girls. They are wonderful with children and very good teachers. I just love them all. Jessie is the first to be married and I just know she will be an absolutely beautiful bride. I will probably have tears watching her through another milestone of her life. I was also lucky enough to be invited to her and Katie's graduation from high school. Jessie is now going to Graduate School for English. She wishes to be an English professor. Katie is now a Paramedic and I believe she is heading for nursing school. Martin is going to be a Youth Pastor. I think they all will be super successful in their chosen careers. I haven't seen them in a while so it will be nice to see their parents as well as them at the wedding. Weddings are such beautiful things. I simply adore them. I have been lucky enough to have been in attendance at several of my former students weddings. It is a nice thing.
The rest of the night will be spent relaxing and hopefully getting a lot of sleep. I have to be up a bit early tomorrow to get ready for the wedding and to have Rick's lesson. He is coming a bit early so that I can make it to the wedding on time. I didn't want to cancel the lesson as that wouldn't be necessary. I just asked him to come about 15 minutes earlier than usual. Since he is usually a bit early, this timing will work out wonderfully. I am re-reading several books that I had forgotten I had. They were stored in one of the bottom drawers in my dresser. I have since pulled them out. I was so excited that I had these books. I know I have read them all, but I can't remember them so it is like reading them for the first time! How cool is that? I have already read 5 of the books. They will go on the bookshelf downstairs. I am lucky that I can read books over and over and still enjoy them. I have a student who can only read a book once and that is it. She remembers them enough that she can't enjoy them the second time. One nice thing about Fibro, is the memory thing when it comes to reading books and seeing movies, other than that the memory problem sucks. However, when it comes to remembering books or movies, it does come in handy that I have memory issues because then I can read the same book over and over or see the same movie again and again. I am currently reading the Stonewycke Legacy by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella. It is a Christian book that is actually 3 books in one volume. There are 3 books to the Legacy and they published them all in one book so it is kind of cool. I finished the first Stonewycke books last night. I expect by tomorrow I will finish the others.
I do hope it has been a good day for you. I am just excited that fall will be here soon!
The rest of the night will be spent relaxing and hopefully getting a lot of sleep. I have to be up a bit early tomorrow to get ready for the wedding and to have Rick's lesson. He is coming a bit early so that I can make it to the wedding on time. I didn't want to cancel the lesson as that wouldn't be necessary. I just asked him to come about 15 minutes earlier than usual. Since he is usually a bit early, this timing will work out wonderfully. I am re-reading several books that I had forgotten I had. They were stored in one of the bottom drawers in my dresser. I have since pulled them out. I was so excited that I had these books. I know I have read them all, but I can't remember them so it is like reading them for the first time! How cool is that? I have already read 5 of the books. They will go on the bookshelf downstairs. I am lucky that I can read books over and over and still enjoy them. I have a student who can only read a book once and that is it. She remembers them enough that she can't enjoy them the second time. One nice thing about Fibro, is the memory thing when it comes to reading books and seeing movies, other than that the memory problem sucks. However, when it comes to remembering books or movies, it does come in handy that I have memory issues because then I can read the same book over and over or see the same movie again and again. I am currently reading the Stonewycke Legacy by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella. It is a Christian book that is actually 3 books in one volume. There are 3 books to the Legacy and they published them all in one book so it is kind of cool. I finished the first Stonewycke books last night. I expect by tomorrow I will finish the others.
I do hope it has been a good day for you. I am just excited that fall will be here soon!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Super Hot day
It feels like it is over 100 degrees today. I am not happy about that but I hope it is the last of the really hot days. I didn't go very far today but that is okay. Tomorrow I have to pick up Jessie's Wedding gift and Wedding card along with some music books. I was planning to go grocery shopping but since my lovely Calli wishes to go with me I will postpone it to next weekend. She won't be home for the weekend. It will work out just fine because I don't need to shop this weekend. There is enough food for another week. I just need some milk for the week.
I had Calli's and Acer's piano and voice lessons this afternoon. Calli is learning Ave Maria for Christmas. She is doing very well with it. We just did the first 1/4 of the song. Acer, I think, is also learning it a bit too. He likes to sing every song that his sister learns. I don't mind because it totally expands his musical education. Acer learned a new piano song today too. Sometimes he likes to only do 1/2 but with a song that is only 3 lines long, he learned the whole thing. I think he was pleased with himself with the song. He is now in the 2nd book in the piano series we use. We used Alfred's basic piano series. My younger students use the Alfred piano series for the younger student. We had started Acer in that but he quickly out grew it. We had a brief chat on what we would be doing this year. He seemed happy with what direction we are heading too. Calli and I talked about what happens when she finishes the lesson book she is in. She was very happy about that. Calli is very excited about moving out of the lessons books and into just regular songs for the piano. The reason I don't use the lesson books after level 3 is because they will have excerpts of songs but not the whole thing. For example, they will have the main theme of Fur Elise and I want her to learn the entire song. She totally understood what I meant and is anxious to get to that point in piano. Both kids do very well. They have to have their lessons memorized when they leave my house and usually they do. I do expect a bit more from Acer and Calli because they are so talented. With the love of music that they have and the talent they have I will say, I do expect a bit more from them. Acer and I did talk about what happens when I give him too much just like when that happened to Calli. Both children know that occasionally I do give too much of an assignment. I don't mean too, but it does happen. They both now know that if that happens, they just let me know and play part of their lessons. Calli had that happen to her this summer and we hadn't talked about what to do when that happens. Now she knows. I am very happy with their progress.
I don't have too many plans for the weekend. I am going to go and get the music books I need for Monday and that is about it. I have Rick's lesson and Jessie's wedding on Sunday. Monday has lessons despite the fact it is a holiday. I told the parents I was available if they wanted lessons. Apparently, some of them do! So that is awesome!
Next week is the first week of school for the rest of the kids. It will be an exhausting week for some of them. I always expect some absences the first week although this year it doesn't seem to have any. I usually don't give such big assignments during the first few weeks. With homework, the students have to find that balance of practicing and homework. I am looking forward to another school year.
It has been a good day with the wonderful students and their Mom. I am looking forward to a low key weekend with a few errands and lessons. I do hope your day has been good.
I had Calli's and Acer's piano and voice lessons this afternoon. Calli is learning Ave Maria for Christmas. She is doing very well with it. We just did the first 1/4 of the song. Acer, I think, is also learning it a bit too. He likes to sing every song that his sister learns. I don't mind because it totally expands his musical education. Acer learned a new piano song today too. Sometimes he likes to only do 1/2 but with a song that is only 3 lines long, he learned the whole thing. I think he was pleased with himself with the song. He is now in the 2nd book in the piano series we use. We used Alfred's basic piano series. My younger students use the Alfred piano series for the younger student. We had started Acer in that but he quickly out grew it. We had a brief chat on what we would be doing this year. He seemed happy with what direction we are heading too. Calli and I talked about what happens when she finishes the lesson book she is in. She was very happy about that. Calli is very excited about moving out of the lessons books and into just regular songs for the piano. The reason I don't use the lesson books after level 3 is because they will have excerpts of songs but not the whole thing. For example, they will have the main theme of Fur Elise and I want her to learn the entire song. She totally understood what I meant and is anxious to get to that point in piano. Both kids do very well. They have to have their lessons memorized when they leave my house and usually they do. I do expect a bit more from Acer and Calli because they are so talented. With the love of music that they have and the talent they have I will say, I do expect a bit more from them. Acer and I did talk about what happens when I give him too much just like when that happened to Calli. Both children know that occasionally I do give too much of an assignment. I don't mean too, but it does happen. They both now know that if that happens, they just let me know and play part of their lessons. Calli had that happen to her this summer and we hadn't talked about what to do when that happens. Now she knows. I am very happy with their progress.
I don't have too many plans for the weekend. I am going to go and get the music books I need for Monday and that is about it. I have Rick's lesson and Jessie's wedding on Sunday. Monday has lessons despite the fact it is a holiday. I told the parents I was available if they wanted lessons. Apparently, some of them do! So that is awesome!
Next week is the first week of school for the rest of the kids. It will be an exhausting week for some of them. I always expect some absences the first week although this year it doesn't seem to have any. I usually don't give such big assignments during the first few weeks. With homework, the students have to find that balance of practicing and homework. I am looking forward to another school year.
It has been a good day with the wonderful students and their Mom. I am looking forward to a low key weekend with a few errands and lessons. I do hope your day has been good.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thursday 9-1
Yeah! It is September and cooler weather. Okay, so not cooler weather today, tomorrow, or the next day, but after that cooler weather. It is going to go from over 90 to 70 overnight. Okay, 70 is not my favorite temp but that is okay, I can survive it. I have the most adorable fleece hoodies to wear and I am anxious to wear them again. I am not looking forward to winter, but I do love fall best of all. The colors of the changing leaves is simply beautiful. Last fall when the leaves were changing I took Mom on a couple of drives. Nothing too long, just short little jaunts. Mom and I really enjoyed the drive and the company. She didn't speak to much to other people but she spoke a lot to me. It was cute when she would become a chatterbox to other people.
I have one lesson tonight. Logan is a new student. He has only had one lesson with me so far so tonight is number 2. He lives right near me so that is nice for the family. He could even walk here from school and then walk home. That is how close he lives to me. When I talked to his Mom, she was very familiar with my street. That was the first time that has happened except for when my neighbor's grandchild took lessons. He quit this summer. I was bummed by what can I say? It happens. Logan is working really hard on reading notes. I have to get some note reading material for him this week when I go to the music store. I am planning to go tomorrow to the music store. I need to get some books for Emily and Sarah. That should do it for all the students who need books at this time. Oh wait, McKenzie will need them next month. We have about 1 lesson left with this book and then she will need the books. I usually pick up the books because then I know they got the right ones. Most of the time the parents pay me back right away. Only a few times have the parents not paid me. The parents I have know have even given me the money for the books ahead of time! That is so cool when that happens.
I am very tired today. I received a call from my Breanna saying she wasn't feeling very well so no lesson for my girl today. I just received a call from Rebecca. She will be starting lessons next Saturday at noon. Yeah! I haven't seen her since last year after competition. Her mom is planning for her to be every other week, which works nicely for the little one. She is 10 now. Wow, I remember when they brought her home from Russia 9 1/2 years ago. She is still rather tiny. I do have a bit of a bad headache again today. I have been waking up with them for a few weeks now. They often go down by the end of the day to the regular headache, but it is getting frustrating to have them every day. i hope it ends soon.
I do hope you are having a good day.
I have one lesson tonight. Logan is a new student. He has only had one lesson with me so far so tonight is number 2. He lives right near me so that is nice for the family. He could even walk here from school and then walk home. That is how close he lives to me. When I talked to his Mom, she was very familiar with my street. That was the first time that has happened except for when my neighbor's grandchild took lessons. He quit this summer. I was bummed by what can I say? It happens. Logan is working really hard on reading notes. I have to get some note reading material for him this week when I go to the music store. I am planning to go tomorrow to the music store. I need to get some books for Emily and Sarah. That should do it for all the students who need books at this time. Oh wait, McKenzie will need them next month. We have about 1 lesson left with this book and then she will need the books. I usually pick up the books because then I know they got the right ones. Most of the time the parents pay me back right away. Only a few times have the parents not paid me. The parents I have know have even given me the money for the books ahead of time! That is so cool when that happens.
I am very tired today. I received a call from my Breanna saying she wasn't feeling very well so no lesson for my girl today. I just received a call from Rebecca. She will be starting lessons next Saturday at noon. Yeah! I haven't seen her since last year after competition. Her mom is planning for her to be every other week, which works nicely for the little one. She is 10 now. Wow, I remember when they brought her home from Russia 9 1/2 years ago. She is still rather tiny. I do have a bit of a bad headache again today. I have been waking up with them for a few weeks now. They often go down by the end of the day to the regular headache, but it is getting frustrating to have them every day. i hope it ends soon.
I do hope you are having a good day.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Wednesday 8-31
I can't believe it is the end of August already. I am glad that it is going to be fall though as I will have a few more students than I do now. I have a new one starting next week. I also received another phone call this afternoon about a new student too. I hope that student's mom calls back soon. I also have a new student with the Takelessons, unfortunately, it is at the very same time with my other new student. Yup, I called when they had it marked as a possible new student so they are fixing this issue. I called again this evening that is how I found out they are taking care of it. Thank goodness for that. I do hope these students last longer than the ones I had last winter. As a matter of fact, I do not have ONE student from that time at all. Many were adults that quit, a couple were temporary students, and the other s quit for the summer so I have no idea if they are coming back or not. I shall find out as they call the online company. I do hope that Amanda comes back for the school year. She is a lovely girl who is starting 8th grade. She was a good student to have. I am friends with her on facebook. I don't know if Kayla will come back or not. So far all of my summer students are planning to stay so that is awesome. I am pleased with that.
I went to get my hair done but they were closed. I don't know why because it was the middle of the week and the middle of the day. I will try again tomorrow and if I can't get it done there I will go to another place near by. I also need to take a package to the UPS store for my Uncle's girlfriend. She needs to exchange one of the packages she ordered. They were a pair of shoes that were a bit too bag.
It has been a decent day except for my dear friend, Julie, has been very ill. She is home from the hospital now, but it was a scary moment for the family. She had a bad reaction from her migraine medicine. It was apparently very close call. I am so glad that she is doing better. That is really a good thing but it will take a bit for her to totally recover. I had no idea except for I had called Lily to ask her when she and her Mom were coming over to help with the family room. I got a call from Ross this morning and he gave me the scoop. Yeah, obviously, they did not come over. Julie needs to totally recover from this issue, then we will deal with the family room.
Tomorrow I have Breanna's and Logan's lessons. Logan has had one lesson so far. He is a piano player. I wonder if Breanna is going to join the band that wanted her too. I will have to ask tomorrow.
Friday is just the Bowman-Tomlinson kids' lessons right now. Elizabeth may be switching to Friday soon. I just don't know. She is very sporadic for her lessons and I don't particularly like that. I prefer regularly scheduled lessons.
I don't have any plans for the holiday on Monday except for any students who want their lessons. I have to purchase Emily her books on Friday. I will probably grocery shop on Saturday. I have to get Jessie's wedding gift and card then too. I am excited about her wedding. I bet she will be a gorgeous bride. I just can't wait for her wedding. I will have Rick's lesson at about 1:15 pm so I will be on time for the wedding.
I have had a bad headache most of the day. It isn't as bad as it was earlier today, but it is still extra sore. I don't particularly know why. I have had many more bad headaches this summer than usual. I thought last week that I would have to go to the hospital for it, but it went down a bit so I was glad.
Beth had her lesson today. She is doing so well. She knows what play the theatre she belongs to is doing this winter. They are doing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I have some of the music for that musical. I don't know where it is right off hand, but I do have about 3 of the pieces, 2 for women and 1 for men. I love the music from that musical. i think she will like it a lot too.
It hasn't been too bad a day despite the headache. I was able to sleep some of it off this afternoon, but I still have a bit of a bad one right now. I do hope yours was a good day too.
I went to get my hair done but they were closed. I don't know why because it was the middle of the week and the middle of the day. I will try again tomorrow and if I can't get it done there I will go to another place near by. I also need to take a package to the UPS store for my Uncle's girlfriend. She needs to exchange one of the packages she ordered. They were a pair of shoes that were a bit too bag.
It has been a decent day except for my dear friend, Julie, has been very ill. She is home from the hospital now, but it was a scary moment for the family. She had a bad reaction from her migraine medicine. It was apparently very close call. I am so glad that she is doing better. That is really a good thing but it will take a bit for her to totally recover. I had no idea except for I had called Lily to ask her when she and her Mom were coming over to help with the family room. I got a call from Ross this morning and he gave me the scoop. Yeah, obviously, they did not come over. Julie needs to totally recover from this issue, then we will deal with the family room.
Tomorrow I have Breanna's and Logan's lessons. Logan has had one lesson so far. He is a piano player. I wonder if Breanna is going to join the band that wanted her too. I will have to ask tomorrow.
Friday is just the Bowman-Tomlinson kids' lessons right now. Elizabeth may be switching to Friday soon. I just don't know. She is very sporadic for her lessons and I don't particularly like that. I prefer regularly scheduled lessons.
I don't have any plans for the holiday on Monday except for any students who want their lessons. I have to purchase Emily her books on Friday. I will probably grocery shop on Saturday. I have to get Jessie's wedding gift and card then too. I am excited about her wedding. I bet she will be a gorgeous bride. I just can't wait for her wedding. I will have Rick's lesson at about 1:15 pm so I will be on time for the wedding.
I have had a bad headache most of the day. It isn't as bad as it was earlier today, but it is still extra sore. I don't particularly know why. I have had many more bad headaches this summer than usual. I thought last week that I would have to go to the hospital for it, but it went down a bit so I was glad.
Beth had her lesson today. She is doing so well. She knows what play the theatre she belongs to is doing this winter. They are doing Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I have some of the music for that musical. I don't know where it is right off hand, but I do have about 3 of the pieces, 2 for women and 1 for men. I love the music from that musical. i think she will like it a lot too.
It hasn't been too bad a day despite the headache. I was able to sleep some of it off this afternoon, but I still have a bit of a bad one right now. I do hope yours was a good day too.
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