It is 2012. Wow, what will this year be like? I have no idea. I was supposed to go to the movies this afternoon with the Muglia girls, unfortunately, 4 out of 9 have the flu so no movie for us. We will go another day, perhaps next week. I want to see the new Chipmunk movie. It looks really cute. I also want to see the Muppets movie, but I probably won't be able to see that one until it is on DVD. Then again, you never know. I hope next weekend or the weekend after we can go.
What is your New Year's Resolution? I am not sure what I will be working on. I really don't know. I don't feel as if I am in survival mode like I was but I don't feel completely out of it either.
I have to work on the newsletter for our subdivision. I have one article for it already from Jerry, my neighbor. He fixes exercise equipment and since many people make their resolution to lose weight and exercise more. I will start working on the newsletter tomorrow. There isn't much happening this month in the sub, but that is okay.
Law and Order:SVU is having a marathon right now. I have watched about 2 1/2 episodes so far. I do like this because I haven't seen any of the ones that I have watched. I was going to watch Harry Potter, but this caught my eye first. All the Harry Potters are still on sale. I am debating on whether or not to get the Ultimate Editions. They have special features that aren't on other versions. It is very tempting but I do have other things to pay for at this time so they are not high on my list right now.
It has been such a lazyish day, with the exception of doing my laundry! I have clothes for the week now. I have to work on the paperwork on my table and in my box this week. Most of the stuff on the table has been accounted for, I have a few papers to mail and then put the boxes away. The house is coming along nicely and I am pleased with how it looks.
I do hope your New Year's Day has been very good, I got some laundry done so I am glad about that.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
New Year's Eve
It is hard to believe, but it is here, New Year's Eve. I will be with Calli, Acer, Heather, and Bill this evening. I am looking forward to it. It should be a lot of fun. Calli and I love to play Uno so I anticipate a few games of Uno between the 2 of us. I am not sure what else we will play, but it will be fun. That is for sure.
Well, I have to go now. More later after I come home!
I am home again! Happy New Year!!!! I had a LOT of fun at their house. Calli and I played Uno, then we all played Apples to Apples, Would You Rather, and finally the kids, Brandon, and I played another game that the name totally escapes me. It was a lot of fun. It really was. I was home by about 12:45 am. I don't like to be on the road too late on this night because of crazy drivers. There were a lot of drivers on the road when I was. I was only about 2 to 3 miles from home so this was a short drive, but I was surprised how many people were on the road at that time.
The kids are so fun to play games with. Acer and Calli both are a lot of fun to play games with. Their cousin Brandon was over (he is a college student now). He also, is fun to play games with. Right after our bubbly (sparkling juice), the kids headed right to bed. They did come down for hugs but then right back upstairs to bed. I left rather shortly after. We did miss the countdown on TV this year, but it wasn't a big deal. Acer was cute though, no, I don't want to do a countdown. (We did one anyway and he joined us). Acer is getting so big now. I was so proud of his practicing these last couple of weeks. He is learning not to scoot his fingers from key to key and to use his thumb more. I am glad he is taking that very seriously. I heard him practice with some compositions he has written. I think he has finally figured out that the more complicated songs that he learns with me, the more complicated songs he can make up. He is really doing much better and I have told him so. Some of the melodies he makes up are quite pretty. Acer very well may be a composer some day. You just never know with the young man. If he can make pretty melodies at just turned 7, what will he be able to do at 17? With Calli, she has a vocal range like an adult. As a matter of fact, she has a wider ranger than any of my singers. Can you just imagine what she will be able to sing when she is older and her voice matures? It is such a joy to see ALL my students develop and grow musically. It really is the best job. I actually think now that it is a good thing I can only teach part time. This allows me to put all my energy into the few lessons a day I have and not spread out the energy over lots of students for the day. I did not feel this way at first, let me tell you. I was disappointed that I couldn't handle as many as I used to, but now, I see the silver lining in it. I still get to teach and can manage my illnesses much better.
My goal for the next week is to get my Power of Attorney Health Advocate papers signed and copied then sent to the people who need them. I will also get my regular Power of Attorney papers in order too. I have a couple of keys to copy and then my emergency papers are all in place. With the seriousness of some of the illnesses I have had, I should have had this done a long, long, long time ago. When Mom was better and could remember things, she was a big help, but even then I should have had things in place, but I didn't. My theory is, if the papers are in order, I won't need them. I hope not anyway. I was very lucky in 2011, only 1, yes 1, ER trip and that was for the dizziness issue I was having. I think I have fixed it mostly. I was able to hold off a couple of crash and burns by resting a lot when i felt my body go into that mode. It used to be that I would end up in the hospital over it. I also was lucky that I haven't had to cancel too many lessons because of bad headaches or flares. When my legs were in the flare, I just stayed in the living room in between lessons if I had a break between them.
I am supposed to go to the movies with my lovely Muglia girls tomorrow. We shall see because a few of them are not feeling so good. I talked to their Mom earlier today. I told her to see how the girls were feeling and if they weren't feeling too well, we would just postpone it, not a problem. We will still see the Chipmunk movie, we just may not be able to see it tomorrow. Yes, I am disappointed by hey, kids (and people in general) get sick. It happens. For all I know, I could come down with something. I am feeling okay right now, but you never know. If I don't see the movie tomorrow, then I will take down the Christmas decorations and put them away in the new tote that I have. I will also leave the lights on the tree and wrap the tree in the big plastic garbage bag I have. I am planning to store it in the garage. With the big bag over it, I figure it will keep the bugs out of it. I love how my friend, Heather B-T put the lights on it. I really do. They look so beautiful. I also love my Disney ornaments. It was kind of funny that I got comments on how my friends were not surprised to see a Disney Tree. Mom taught me well.
It is weird to start a new year without the little lady Mom. It is the 2nd year since she has been gone, it is just very strange. I do feel better than I did last year about everything. I don't feel that my life is consumed by fear, yes, I still have many fears, but I don't feel consumed by it like I did before. Between the disability and the few students I have, I AM able to pay my bills now. The bankruptcy is behind me. I have payment plans for those things that need it. I also don't think I am in as much as survival mode as I was a year ago. Yes, much of the year is a blank to me, I don't remember too much stuff that went on, but that also could be partly because I have memory and concentration issues. Sometimes it takes about 3 separate times to finish a post. That is just my reality these days. I do miss my mother all the time, but the times it hurts physically aren't as often as they used to be. I think that is a good thing. I can recall some memories that make me smile, although I can still picture her perfectly in the hospital that last week. She looked so small and fragile. She was fragile at that point. I am glad that I was able to keep her without until almost the very end. I will forever be thankful to God for that. I hope I made her last few years good. I hope I did okay at the last 8 months of her life. It is hard to know but I think I did okay. I did give her my best even if my best wasn't perfect for the day. I tried to make sure I always put her first and make sure that I was doing alright health wise too. I don't expect to ever stop missing her but I do expect, eventually, it won't hurt as much. This year will be hard at times, I expect. I was so numb last year that this year some things are a bit harder. Thanksgiving was especially hard. Thankfully, I had 2 wonderful friends and their families to spend it with. The few days before Christmas were hard, although the holidays themselves was not so bad. Spending the New Year's Eve with another dear friend was also good. I can laugh a bit more now than I did a year ago.
Well, it is getting rather late (even for me!!) so I better finish this up. I do hope your New Year's Eve was a good and safe one!!!!
Well, I have to go now. More later after I come home!
I am home again! Happy New Year!!!! I had a LOT of fun at their house. Calli and I played Uno, then we all played Apples to Apples, Would You Rather, and finally the kids, Brandon, and I played another game that the name totally escapes me. It was a lot of fun. It really was. I was home by about 12:45 am. I don't like to be on the road too late on this night because of crazy drivers. There were a lot of drivers on the road when I was. I was only about 2 to 3 miles from home so this was a short drive, but I was surprised how many people were on the road at that time.
The kids are so fun to play games with. Acer and Calli both are a lot of fun to play games with. Their cousin Brandon was over (he is a college student now). He also, is fun to play games with. Right after our bubbly (sparkling juice), the kids headed right to bed. They did come down for hugs but then right back upstairs to bed. I left rather shortly after. We did miss the countdown on TV this year, but it wasn't a big deal. Acer was cute though, no, I don't want to do a countdown. (We did one anyway and he joined us). Acer is getting so big now. I was so proud of his practicing these last couple of weeks. He is learning not to scoot his fingers from key to key and to use his thumb more. I am glad he is taking that very seriously. I heard him practice with some compositions he has written. I think he has finally figured out that the more complicated songs that he learns with me, the more complicated songs he can make up. He is really doing much better and I have told him so. Some of the melodies he makes up are quite pretty. Acer very well may be a composer some day. You just never know with the young man. If he can make pretty melodies at just turned 7, what will he be able to do at 17? With Calli, she has a vocal range like an adult. As a matter of fact, she has a wider ranger than any of my singers. Can you just imagine what she will be able to sing when she is older and her voice matures? It is such a joy to see ALL my students develop and grow musically. It really is the best job. I actually think now that it is a good thing I can only teach part time. This allows me to put all my energy into the few lessons a day I have and not spread out the energy over lots of students for the day. I did not feel this way at first, let me tell you. I was disappointed that I couldn't handle as many as I used to, but now, I see the silver lining in it. I still get to teach and can manage my illnesses much better.
My goal for the next week is to get my Power of Attorney Health Advocate papers signed and copied then sent to the people who need them. I will also get my regular Power of Attorney papers in order too. I have a couple of keys to copy and then my emergency papers are all in place. With the seriousness of some of the illnesses I have had, I should have had this done a long, long, long time ago. When Mom was better and could remember things, she was a big help, but even then I should have had things in place, but I didn't. My theory is, if the papers are in order, I won't need them. I hope not anyway. I was very lucky in 2011, only 1, yes 1, ER trip and that was for the dizziness issue I was having. I think I have fixed it mostly. I was able to hold off a couple of crash and burns by resting a lot when i felt my body go into that mode. It used to be that I would end up in the hospital over it. I also was lucky that I haven't had to cancel too many lessons because of bad headaches or flares. When my legs were in the flare, I just stayed in the living room in between lessons if I had a break between them.
I am supposed to go to the movies with my lovely Muglia girls tomorrow. We shall see because a few of them are not feeling so good. I talked to their Mom earlier today. I told her to see how the girls were feeling and if they weren't feeling too well, we would just postpone it, not a problem. We will still see the Chipmunk movie, we just may not be able to see it tomorrow. Yes, I am disappointed by hey, kids (and people in general) get sick. It happens. For all I know, I could come down with something. I am feeling okay right now, but you never know. If I don't see the movie tomorrow, then I will take down the Christmas decorations and put them away in the new tote that I have. I will also leave the lights on the tree and wrap the tree in the big plastic garbage bag I have. I am planning to store it in the garage. With the big bag over it, I figure it will keep the bugs out of it. I love how my friend, Heather B-T put the lights on it. I really do. They look so beautiful. I also love my Disney ornaments. It was kind of funny that I got comments on how my friends were not surprised to see a Disney Tree. Mom taught me well.
It is weird to start a new year without the little lady Mom. It is the 2nd year since she has been gone, it is just very strange. I do feel better than I did last year about everything. I don't feel that my life is consumed by fear, yes, I still have many fears, but I don't feel consumed by it like I did before. Between the disability and the few students I have, I AM able to pay my bills now. The bankruptcy is behind me. I have payment plans for those things that need it. I also don't think I am in as much as survival mode as I was a year ago. Yes, much of the year is a blank to me, I don't remember too much stuff that went on, but that also could be partly because I have memory and concentration issues. Sometimes it takes about 3 separate times to finish a post. That is just my reality these days. I do miss my mother all the time, but the times it hurts physically aren't as often as they used to be. I think that is a good thing. I can recall some memories that make me smile, although I can still picture her perfectly in the hospital that last week. She looked so small and fragile. She was fragile at that point. I am glad that I was able to keep her without until almost the very end. I will forever be thankful to God for that. I hope I made her last few years good. I hope I did okay at the last 8 months of her life. It is hard to know but I think I did okay. I did give her my best even if my best wasn't perfect for the day. I tried to make sure I always put her first and make sure that I was doing alright health wise too. I don't expect to ever stop missing her but I do expect, eventually, it won't hurt as much. This year will be hard at times, I expect. I was so numb last year that this year some things are a bit harder. Thanksgiving was especially hard. Thankfully, I had 2 wonderful friends and their families to spend it with. The few days before Christmas were hard, although the holidays themselves was not so bad. Spending the New Year's Eve with another dear friend was also good. I can laugh a bit more now than I did a year ago.
Well, it is getting rather late (even for me!!) so I better finish this up. I do hope your New Year's Eve was a good and safe one!!!!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Thursday before New Year's Eve! 12-29
What a day this has been! Well, I had just one lesson as my little ones didn't show up. I tried to get a hold of the parents, but no luck. I did have my Aggie's lesson! She gave me a CD of her singing Christmas Songs for Christmas. I am glad about that. It is a lovely present that I will listen to tomorrow. 1/2 of it is in English and the other half in Polish. She is fluent in Polish and French. She is planning to go to competition this year. I am not sure who else is planning to go outside of Rebecca (who I haven't heard from all month.) and Katie. I have the information for Isaac in case he would like to go. He has an awesome voice and he is such a good boy. I have known him since he was born. He is growing up very fast. He is very talented too.
I have been thinking of the new year. I am not sure what I want to work on this year. Except for last year, I usually pick one characteristic of mine that needs improving. Instead of making several resolutions, I pick one thing I need to work on. Last year, (well, this year still) I was just trying to survive the loss of my mom. It does make me sad to know that I am the only one who is still so devastated by her passing. It seems to, on an average day, be better than I am. I know Andrew goes through his days of pain, but he, overall, is doing alright he says. Richard, I don't know but he is always looking forward and never back so I really don't know. The last time I actually talked to him about this, he was doing fine. It was months ago and before he was mad at me. I know my Uncle misses her at times too. I want to take a couple of the pictures of him and mom and enlarge them. I will put them in a frame and give them to him. I have a favorite that I want for sure to use. Here it is:
I have been thinking of the new year. I am not sure what I want to work on this year. Except for last year, I usually pick one characteristic of mine that needs improving. Instead of making several resolutions, I pick one thing I need to work on. Last year, (well, this year still) I was just trying to survive the loss of my mom. It does make me sad to know that I am the only one who is still so devastated by her passing. It seems to, on an average day, be better than I am. I know Andrew goes through his days of pain, but he, overall, is doing alright he says. Richard, I don't know but he is always looking forward and never back so I really don't know. The last time I actually talked to him about this, he was doing fine. It was months ago and before he was mad at me. I know my Uncle misses her at times too. I want to take a couple of the pictures of him and mom and enlarge them. I will put them in a frame and give them to him. I have a favorite that I want for sure to use. Here it is:
I love this picture so much. they both look so young and carefree. That is the mom I remember. A smiling mom, a laughing mom. We shared many a laugh me and Mom. I wish the boys could have really spent more time with her and seen more of her laughter, lighter side but they couldn't.
What do you do for resolutions on New Year's? I haven't decided. Weight is always a thing I am working on. I don't make that my resolution because I have made many resolutions to lose weight. i want something better. Last year, a bloggy friend called the it the year of "embrace". I may choose something like that. I am just not sure right now. I may just not make any resolutions at all again this year. I am still in mourning, although I have more good days now than bad. I still miss her a lot of the time and sometimes it still hurts physically.
Tomorrow Julie is coming over. We are going to work on the Dining Room and Kitchen. Lily changed a few things around last time she was here. My canned food is in the pantry cabinets in the Utility room. I need to move the DVD shelves downstairs and the one little shelf unit in the living room for the kids' toys and pictures.
I bought a new tote tonight. It was on sale for $5 and I needed a new one so I was rather glad about that. I also bought a Disney Movie that was on sale. I can't think of which one I bought off the top of my head. Walmart has several on sale for Family Night. There are several others I want to that are only about $10 or $15. The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, the Lion King, The Fox and the Hound, and several more. I need a new Valentine's Day table cloth. They aren't out yet and it is too early to put it out. I have a regular one I will put on the table in the meantime. I will take down the Christmas stuff in the next couple of weeks. I have a nice bag big enough for my little tree so I can put it away in the garage for next year. I won't have to leave it up all year long. I have the Easter stuff put away too now. Yeah, I hadn't put that away either. Now it is in the box ready to go to the furnace room for storage. I will wrap my Christmas ones too and put them away too. The furnace room is pretty well organized unlike my office. I have about 5 stacks of music that needs to be put away. I am going to see what I need in the stacks and put the rest away. Now that Christmas is over and the music will be coming back in for the next week or two. I have to get the regular music back out again. I do hope that this year, I will be putting the music away instead of leaving it on the piano bench for a year. Right now there is only a couple of books on the piano bench right now. I will also be getting the CDs in order too. right now they are on a table in the living room. They so need to be put away. I will be working on that project first. I have about 5 or 6 stacks of them, not to mention the 2 stacks in my room of the originals. I want to change out some of the cases to sleeves so that they don't take up too much room. They really don't fit in the one box anymore so I need to do something about that. Then I need to compare the originals to the copies to see what needs copying. I don't give out originals very often. Katie has a couple of them right now, but she is going to copy them for herself. I will then make copies for the next person who uses that book.
I am watching "Sweet Home Alabama". It is a good movie and I have seen it before. I am heading to bed shortly. I am very tired again. I hope I am not so exhausted by the end of the weekend. I do hope you are having a good evening too.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Midweek, 12-28
It is Wednesday already. I accidentally slept through my blood test. Apparently, I was exhausted. I went to bed at 9 pm last night and slept until about 2 pm this afternoon. Yeah, that is a lot. I did wake up about 5 times to get up and walk because of pain in my hips and legs but I walked to the bedroom door and back then went back to bed. I am still a bit extra tired tonight. I will head for bed soon.
I am watching this new show called "Extreme Cheapskates". It is insane, completely insane. One man found $7.50 in the couch and went to the Butcher's Shop. He bought Goat Heads for dinner that night! Yes, Goat Heads! It was gross to watch him eat it so I had to change the channel. It was too much for me as I was eating Cream of Mushroom Soup. I love my soup! That was my dinner with some vegetables tonight. Now Toddlers and Tiaras is on. It entertains me. I remember Dance Competitions and these are similar in some ways. I also like Dance Moms. It is nice to know that many dance studios are filled with crazy parents like ours was. Of course, the moms on Dance Moms are way more obnoxious than the ones in the studio I was in, but still there are some similarities. Like our Dance Teacher, this one has favorites too. I never liked that about the dance studio, but since I wasn't in charge, except for my classes that I taught, there wasn't anything I could do about it.
I had a few lessons today. Natalie Z's mom forgot about her lesson. We rescheduled for next week. Katie had her lesson. We have narrowed down her Inspirational Category for competition. We know what she is doing for Classical and for Broadway. She has a sassy, jazzy piece called "Adelaide's Lament" from Guys and Dolls. She loves the piece and does a really nice job. I really like it for her. It so fits her sassy, jazzy side. Katie is doing a German piece for Classical. She has chosen not to do a pop piece. That works just fine for me so it is okay.
I am having a difficult time finding judges for competition. I seem to have enough for vocal, but not enough for piano. That is the problem. I have a judge who wants to do classical so I let Julie know that we need to have Classical on Saturday or Sunday as she is not available on Friday. Julie said she would let me know if that is possible when the entries come in. Well, that could lead to a big problem if she puts classical on Friday. I was not a happy camper at all. Diane is sure it will all work out but I am not so sure. I am going to be calling the people who judged in 2008 when we were in Kalamazoo last time. I know that Georgette and Diane want new people judging, but I think we have exhausted our contacts and I will have to call those we have used before. I will start this work again next week as I am on the count down now. I never want to this job again, ever. I don't think it is fun and it is very stressful. I would rather do something else instead. I just would.
I do hope your day went well. Mostly mine was good (what little there was of a day).
I am watching this new show called "Extreme Cheapskates". It is insane, completely insane. One man found $7.50 in the couch and went to the Butcher's Shop. He bought Goat Heads for dinner that night! Yes, Goat Heads! It was gross to watch him eat it so I had to change the channel. It was too much for me as I was eating Cream of Mushroom Soup. I love my soup! That was my dinner with some vegetables tonight. Now Toddlers and Tiaras is on. It entertains me. I remember Dance Competitions and these are similar in some ways. I also like Dance Moms. It is nice to know that many dance studios are filled with crazy parents like ours was. Of course, the moms on Dance Moms are way more obnoxious than the ones in the studio I was in, but still there are some similarities. Like our Dance Teacher, this one has favorites too. I never liked that about the dance studio, but since I wasn't in charge, except for my classes that I taught, there wasn't anything I could do about it.
I had a few lessons today. Natalie Z's mom forgot about her lesson. We rescheduled for next week. Katie had her lesson. We have narrowed down her Inspirational Category for competition. We know what she is doing for Classical and for Broadway. She has a sassy, jazzy piece called "Adelaide's Lament" from Guys and Dolls. She loves the piece and does a really nice job. I really like it for her. It so fits her sassy, jazzy side. Katie is doing a German piece for Classical. She has chosen not to do a pop piece. That works just fine for me so it is okay.
I am having a difficult time finding judges for competition. I seem to have enough for vocal, but not enough for piano. That is the problem. I have a judge who wants to do classical so I let Julie know that we need to have Classical on Saturday or Sunday as she is not available on Friday. Julie said she would let me know if that is possible when the entries come in. Well, that could lead to a big problem if she puts classical on Friday. I was not a happy camper at all. Diane is sure it will all work out but I am not so sure. I am going to be calling the people who judged in 2008 when we were in Kalamazoo last time. I know that Georgette and Diane want new people judging, but I think we have exhausted our contacts and I will have to call those we have used before. I will start this work again next week as I am on the count down now. I never want to this job again, ever. I don't think it is fun and it is very stressful. I would rather do something else instead. I just would.
I do hope your day went well. Mostly mine was good (what little there was of a day).
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Tuesday 12-27
It was a good day today! I met with Kimberly and she had a lovely surprise for me! She brought her Mom with her! It was so lovely to see them both. Kimberly brought me some of the cookies she made. They were very, very yummy! Yeah, they are already gone. I tried to wait, but I couldn't. My tummy called their name and they jumped inside my tummy. What can I say? It happens!
After coming home from meeting up with Kimberly and her mother, the Emerton family came over with gifts for me! I had sent home Emily's and Lily's presents last week. I LOVE what I got. I got this beautiful Angel plaque that is the Guardian Angel of the Home and Family from IRELAND!!! Yes! They got this for me when they went to Ireland this past summer. I also got a gift card for movies! That will so come in handy on Sunday when I go out with my girls! And....I got the Anne of Green Gables Treasury book! I gave up hope of ever getting one of these, but I did! I will get the Christmas Treasury one later this week, then I will have them both! I am so excited about that! I love this book. Anne of Green Gables is my absolute FAVORITE series and books EVER! Yes, I am crazy about Harry Potter books, but these are my top of the list favorites! Right now, Calli is reading the 2nd book to the series. She got it for Christmas. I am so glad she loves these books. I gave Mom's Anne of Green Gables doll to Calli and she had the doll next to her while she read the book. I thought that was so cute! I know how much Calli likes the Anne of Green Gables books. They are simply wonderful books. I even had to go to Prince Edward Island because of those books.
Charlie had is lesson tonight and it was for an hour because we needed to make up last weeks missed lesson. I really like how he likes to make up lessons instead he of just skipping the lesson. I really appreciate that about the young man. I don't have anymore lessons tonight. It is NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles tonight! Tomorrow I have to get up early tomorrow for my blood test. I have new students tomorrow. I am excited about that! I also have Allison and Natalie. I have to pull some books for them tomorrow! Wow, we are back to regular music again. Christmas is now over so no more Christmas music. That makes me sad, but until next fall, we are finished with it. Time to dig out the Italian Songs and the Broadway pieces. Bob has a lesson tomorrow too. He was arriving home from a cruise on Christmas Day so he changed his lesson 2 weeks ago. It was good foresight as I wasn't home after all, I was at my Uncle's. Tomorrow is a few lessons of which an hour of it is new students. I have 2 new 4 year olds and 1 6 year old. They are going to share an hour. I simply don't have an 1 1/2 hours available at this time. The Mom thought that the hour would be better as the 4 years are rather young. They are good readers though so that is good. I am going to put them in the young beginner books. If they don't work, then we will switch to the Little Mozarts for the really young children. Since they read, I think the regular young beginners will be good. I just realized though that I bought 1 theory book, 1 notespeller book instead of 2 of each. The twins can't share their theory and notespeller books. What was I thinking? Obviously, I must not have been. Silly me!!! I did get a call that the Snell books I need for Brianne and Brooke are in. That is a good thing. Next week I will go and get the rest and pick up the rest of the twins books.
I am freezing tonight and it is supposed to be very cold tonight. Oh my! That is not good news, but it is expected as living in Michigan, you get cold weather. I have a sweatshirt on and my Tinkerbell Fleece. I am so glad I bought them as I find myself wearing them quite a bit in the winter.
I do have to go and get some garbage bags this week along with some pop and bread. My milk is good until the 2nd but after that I will need to get more. I plan to do that on Sunday. I think the garbage bags shall wait until Sunday. I also am going to see a movie with my lovely Muglia girls on Sunday. It will be a perfect day to spend New Year's Day with my girls.
I do hope you are having a good day!
After coming home from meeting up with Kimberly and her mother, the Emerton family came over with gifts for me! I had sent home Emily's and Lily's presents last week. I LOVE what I got. I got this beautiful Angel plaque that is the Guardian Angel of the Home and Family from IRELAND!!! Yes! They got this for me when they went to Ireland this past summer. I also got a gift card for movies! That will so come in handy on Sunday when I go out with my girls! And....I got the Anne of Green Gables Treasury book! I gave up hope of ever getting one of these, but I did! I will get the Christmas Treasury one later this week, then I will have them both! I am so excited about that! I love this book. Anne of Green Gables is my absolute FAVORITE series and books EVER! Yes, I am crazy about Harry Potter books, but these are my top of the list favorites! Right now, Calli is reading the 2nd book to the series. She got it for Christmas. I am so glad she loves these books. I gave Mom's Anne of Green Gables doll to Calli and she had the doll next to her while she read the book. I thought that was so cute! I know how much Calli likes the Anne of Green Gables books. They are simply wonderful books. I even had to go to Prince Edward Island because of those books.
Charlie had is lesson tonight and it was for an hour because we needed to make up last weeks missed lesson. I really like how he likes to make up lessons instead he of just skipping the lesson. I really appreciate that about the young man. I don't have anymore lessons tonight. It is NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles tonight! Tomorrow I have to get up early tomorrow for my blood test. I have new students tomorrow. I am excited about that! I also have Allison and Natalie. I have to pull some books for them tomorrow! Wow, we are back to regular music again. Christmas is now over so no more Christmas music. That makes me sad, but until next fall, we are finished with it. Time to dig out the Italian Songs and the Broadway pieces. Bob has a lesson tomorrow too. He was arriving home from a cruise on Christmas Day so he changed his lesson 2 weeks ago. It was good foresight as I wasn't home after all, I was at my Uncle's. Tomorrow is a few lessons of which an hour of it is new students. I have 2 new 4 year olds and 1 6 year old. They are going to share an hour. I simply don't have an 1 1/2 hours available at this time. The Mom thought that the hour would be better as the 4 years are rather young. They are good readers though so that is good. I am going to put them in the young beginner books. If they don't work, then we will switch to the Little Mozarts for the really young children. Since they read, I think the regular young beginners will be good. I just realized though that I bought 1 theory book, 1 notespeller book instead of 2 of each. The twins can't share their theory and notespeller books. What was I thinking? Obviously, I must not have been. Silly me!!! I did get a call that the Snell books I need for Brianne and Brooke are in. That is a good thing. Next week I will go and get the rest and pick up the rest of the twins books.
I am freezing tonight and it is supposed to be very cold tonight. Oh my! That is not good news, but it is expected as living in Michigan, you get cold weather. I have a sweatshirt on and my Tinkerbell Fleece. I am so glad I bought them as I find myself wearing them quite a bit in the winter.
I do have to go and get some garbage bags this week along with some pop and bread. My milk is good until the 2nd but after that I will need to get more. I plan to do that on Sunday. I think the garbage bags shall wait until Sunday. I also am going to see a movie with my lovely Muglia girls on Sunday. It will be a perfect day to spend New Year's Day with my girls.
I do hope you are having a good day!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Boxing Day
In Canada, it is Boxing Day. In Ireland it is St. Stephen's Day. For me here? It is just the day I went and visited my aunt and uncle along with my brother. It was an interesting day. As soon as I got there, I gave Jayson his gifts and also the gifts for Michelle and Uncle John. I had the special gift for Andrew, I thought he would be a bit sad over it because Mom is not here, but he chuckled and said he wasn't too surprised. Mom often hid Christmas presents and then forgot about them. He is right, but she was here to give them to him and now she isn't. I am glad he wasn't too sad and that he liked it. I am not sure if I could have held myself together if he was sad about it. Andrew was later than we thought because he had stopped by Mom's grave to look at the headstone. He took some pictures of it to show us. He has a new iPhone now along with a new number. I guess because of the work he does, he has to change the number a lot. It makes it very confusing for me, but if it keeps him safe, then, I will deal with the fact I don't always have his number. He is an outreach worker. Right now he is working in a homeless shelter. I am not sure what all he does, but he works there 2 nights a week and then 3 days/nights at the restaurant he has been working at. He and Angi (his girlfriend) are about to move again to a safer neighborhood. That would be a good thing. I have never been to his apartment since he moved to London. Maybe this one I will see. Andrew and Angi brought their dog, Jagger, with them today. It was quite funny because Jagger is a pug and Uncle John has a Newfoundland dog named Raven. She is huge, almost like a tiny horse. Jagger would go up to Raven and bark and then Raven would back away. To see this small dog chase the big dog was funny. It really was funny to see. Jagger also likes people food and was trying to beg from Angi and Andrew. I don't give dogs people food because I have no idea what they can and cannot eat. I don't want to accidentally poison Jagger or any other dogs.
I got a nice Tim Horton's gift card from my Uncle and Michelle. Now I have 2 of them. I am happy about that! I got a beautiful picture frame and sweater from Andrew. The were really nice. I wanted one of those type picture frames because I want to put some family pictures in it. I want the family room to have the family pictures from 1989 and other family pictures, especially one with Mom in it. I will take pictures when I have them all in order. That won't be for a while though since I am working on other stuff. The pictures in the house are the last to be worked on. I have other more pressing issues to deal with first.
I am really tired tonight. I think I will actually go to bed shortly because I am so tired. I am getting up early tomorrow to go and see Kimberly. I am excited about that. Have a wonderful night!
I got a nice Tim Horton's gift card from my Uncle and Michelle. Now I have 2 of them. I am happy about that! I got a beautiful picture frame and sweater from Andrew. The were really nice. I wanted one of those type picture frames because I want to put some family pictures in it. I want the family room to have the family pictures from 1989 and other family pictures, especially one with Mom in it. I will take pictures when I have them all in order. That won't be for a while though since I am working on other stuff. The pictures in the house are the last to be worked on. I have other more pressing issues to deal with first.
I am really tired tonight. I think I will actually go to bed shortly because I am so tired. I am getting up early tomorrow to go and see Kimberly. I am excited about that. Have a wonderful night!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
It's Here! Christmas!!
Merry Christmas!!!!! It is here! Christmas Day!!!
I spent last night and all day today at Kathy's Parents' house. It was such a good time. We went to church last night and then we all went back to the Knight's house for the unwrapping of presents. The kids were so excited! Alicia and Samantha did really well during church. It was an unusual church service because there was no sermon. Yup, no sermon. Anyways, they broke up the Christmas Story with lots of music. It was very nice. Matthew and Jacob did well too although at 13 and 10, they are able to sit through the service unlike the little ones who are only 5. After opening presents, the kids started playing with some of the toys while the rest of us chatted and had a good time. I like being with Kathy's family. Because Kathy and I have been friends since we were 3 (that would be 40 years now!), I have known her parents that long too. They are very nice and it is really nice to be with them. I got some nice presents too. I got a Barnes and Noble gift card, some tea, a new mug (I love mugs!!!), a new bookmark (Harry Potter - you can never have enough), new slippers, and a few other goodies in my stocking. I really like what I got.
I left when it was time to give the girls a bath, I came home. Unfortunately, my lovely angels (Samantha and Alicia) had very upset tummies last night. It started with Samantha about midnight and apparently, poor Alicia joined in soon. They were okay during the day today, but Kathy had to limit what they could eat. This did bring some tears from the girls as they are too young to totally understand why Mommy wouldn't let them eat cookies and cheese and everything else they wanted. We did get them some medicine but they wouldn't take it, so I have no idea if it would work for them. I sure hope they do well tonight. It is so nice with the little ones now, because they aren't shy with me at ALL anymore! They remember me each time they see me. I get lots of high fives and hugs. They are so cute. All of Kathy's children are cute and really neat kids. Matthew is 13 now and he is about 5'6" so he likes that he is finally taller than me. I am the first measuring stick for them. Jacob is catching up, let me tell you! It won't be too long until he is taller too. They are such good kids. They all were very happy with their presents, there wasn't any, I wanted this and didn't get it type comments. I like that they liked what they got. I took a lot of pictures (okay - 28) that I will upload a few of them tonight here, and the rest of facebook. I even got one of Kathy's Mom, but i didn't get one of her Dad this year. Maybe next year or when I see them next. Kathy's mom even sent me home with some yummy food. She is a VERY good cook. We had meatloaf and ribs that were so heavenly, as well as the usual mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and salad. We had 2 types of salad, regular lettuce salad and coleslaw. I had some coleslaw. I also took home some yummy biscuits. I have food for the next few days.
Tomorrow I am going to my Uncle John's for the afternoon and evening. I have a few small gifts for them and one for Andrew plus the ornament from Momma. I have new wrapping paper for the presents. I am watching "Legally Blonde" again. I do own it somewhere in the DVD shelves. I have the sequel too. Mom loved this movie. We would watch it about once a year when we would have our comedy movies marathon. "RV" was another goodie. That was another one that would totally get us laughing. I do miss watching TV and movies with her. I can watch some movies now that I couldn't before because it would remind me too much that she is gone.
I really had a nice day. I missed mom but it wasn't painful missing like it was a couple of days ago. Next up is New Year's Eve where I will be with Miss Calli and family. That should be fun too.
Kathy and I had to stop here at home while we were out getting tummy medicine for the little ones. I had 2 big and I mean big, boxes of games for the kids. A couple of them weren't even open. Kathy, Samantha, Alicia, and I played Disney trivial pursuit, the old version, and I won. The girls came and went during the game, which is totally expected with 5 year olds. Alicia and Kathy's Mom played the disney Sorry game I brought over too. I saved me the regular Sorry game for when I have company and want to play. We started to play the Magic Kingdom game but Samantha got bored of it while we were playing. The trivial pursuit questions weren't all Disney, like the other one I have. It had a mixture of lots of types of things from music, science, sports, geography, and some Disney questions. I am glad I kept the one I did because most of the questions are about Disney and the movies. I love Disney. I told Kathy that the next time she goes to Disney, I have to go with her. We also decided we need to go to Disneyland. Kathy was mentioning today that when she was working in California, that she passed Disneyland all the time but wasn't interested in going there because it is a smaller version of Disney World. She now regrets that decision. I would regret that too. I still remember Momma telling me she left me and my 10 day younger cousin at his house with a babysitter while Mom and my older brother along with my Dad, uncle, and aunt, all went to Disneyland. Now really, just because I was 4 months old doesn't mean a thing! Just kidding! I would have definitely left my 4 month old with a trusted sitter instead of Disneyland too. How else would Mom be able to enjoy herself? She wouldn't, she would be tied with me. I have no idea when we will be able to get there, but one never knows. Sometime in the future I suppose. Kathy goes home Tuesday early in the afternoon since I believe she has to work in the evening on that day. I have lessons starting on Tuesday this week. I am rather glad about that.
Well, this is getting long, so I better end it now. I hope you had a great Merry Christmas!
I spent last night and all day today at Kathy's Parents' house. It was such a good time. We went to church last night and then we all went back to the Knight's house for the unwrapping of presents. The kids were so excited! Alicia and Samantha did really well during church. It was an unusual church service because there was no sermon. Yup, no sermon. Anyways, they broke up the Christmas Story with lots of music. It was very nice. Matthew and Jacob did well too although at 13 and 10, they are able to sit through the service unlike the little ones who are only 5. After opening presents, the kids started playing with some of the toys while the rest of us chatted and had a good time. I like being with Kathy's family. Because Kathy and I have been friends since we were 3 (that would be 40 years now!), I have known her parents that long too. They are very nice and it is really nice to be with them. I got some nice presents too. I got a Barnes and Noble gift card, some tea, a new mug (I love mugs!!!), a new bookmark (Harry Potter - you can never have enough), new slippers, and a few other goodies in my stocking. I really like what I got.
I left when it was time to give the girls a bath, I came home. Unfortunately, my lovely angels (Samantha and Alicia) had very upset tummies last night. It started with Samantha about midnight and apparently, poor Alicia joined in soon. They were okay during the day today, but Kathy had to limit what they could eat. This did bring some tears from the girls as they are too young to totally understand why Mommy wouldn't let them eat cookies and cheese and everything else they wanted. We did get them some medicine but they wouldn't take it, so I have no idea if it would work for them. I sure hope they do well tonight. It is so nice with the little ones now, because they aren't shy with me at ALL anymore! They remember me each time they see me. I get lots of high fives and hugs. They are so cute. All of Kathy's children are cute and really neat kids. Matthew is 13 now and he is about 5'6" so he likes that he is finally taller than me. I am the first measuring stick for them. Jacob is catching up, let me tell you! It won't be too long until he is taller too. They are such good kids. They all were very happy with their presents, there wasn't any, I wanted this and didn't get it type comments. I like that they liked what they got. I took a lot of pictures (okay - 28) that I will upload a few of them tonight here, and the rest of facebook. I even got one of Kathy's Mom, but i didn't get one of her Dad this year. Maybe next year or when I see them next. Kathy's mom even sent me home with some yummy food. She is a VERY good cook. We had meatloaf and ribs that were so heavenly, as well as the usual mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and salad. We had 2 types of salad, regular lettuce salad and coleslaw. I had some coleslaw. I also took home some yummy biscuits. I have food for the next few days.
Tomorrow I am going to my Uncle John's for the afternoon and evening. I have a few small gifts for them and one for Andrew plus the ornament from Momma. I have new wrapping paper for the presents. I am watching "Legally Blonde" again. I do own it somewhere in the DVD shelves. I have the sequel too. Mom loved this movie. We would watch it about once a year when we would have our comedy movies marathon. "RV" was another goodie. That was another one that would totally get us laughing. I do miss watching TV and movies with her. I can watch some movies now that I couldn't before because it would remind me too much that she is gone.
I really had a nice day. I missed mom but it wasn't painful missing like it was a couple of days ago. Next up is New Year's Eve where I will be with Miss Calli and family. That should be fun too.
Kathy and I had to stop here at home while we were out getting tummy medicine for the little ones. I had 2 big and I mean big, boxes of games for the kids. A couple of them weren't even open. Kathy, Samantha, Alicia, and I played Disney trivial pursuit, the old version, and I won. The girls came and went during the game, which is totally expected with 5 year olds. Alicia and Kathy's Mom played the disney Sorry game I brought over too. I saved me the regular Sorry game for when I have company and want to play. We started to play the Magic Kingdom game but Samantha got bored of it while we were playing. The trivial pursuit questions weren't all Disney, like the other one I have. It had a mixture of lots of types of things from music, science, sports, geography, and some Disney questions. I am glad I kept the one I did because most of the questions are about Disney and the movies. I love Disney. I told Kathy that the next time she goes to Disney, I have to go with her. We also decided we need to go to Disneyland. Kathy was mentioning today that when she was working in California, that she passed Disneyland all the time but wasn't interested in going there because it is a smaller version of Disney World. She now regrets that decision. I would regret that too. I still remember Momma telling me she left me and my 10 day younger cousin at his house with a babysitter while Mom and my older brother along with my Dad, uncle, and aunt, all went to Disneyland. Now really, just because I was 4 months old doesn't mean a thing! Just kidding! I would have definitely left my 4 month old with a trusted sitter instead of Disneyland too. How else would Mom be able to enjoy herself? She wouldn't, she would be tied with me. I have no idea when we will be able to get there, but one never knows. Sometime in the future I suppose. Kathy goes home Tuesday early in the afternoon since I believe she has to work in the evening on that day. I have lessons starting on Tuesday this week. I am rather glad about that.
Well, this is getting long, so I better end it now. I hope you had a great Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Christmas Eve
It is Christmas Eve! Yup, it has FINALLY arrived!!!!! I am going to the 7 pm service at my old church (the one I grew up in) and then we head back to Kathy's parents house for the opening of presents. Santa comes while we are at church! I have my gift for Kathy's parents ready and waiting to go.
So far it has been a good day. Kathy called to let me know what time things were happening and then Jose, Mom's friend called. He is very sad. His wife (and she was a witch) died a few months ago and he is very, very bitter about it. He also misses my mom a lot too. I do feel bad for him as this is the first Christmas without her. I asked if he was going to church this evening because I know he and Dorothy used to go all the time. He said no. He is at the stage where he is angry with God. I totally understand. We didn't talk to much after that but that is okay. Sometimes, I think he is transferring how he felt about my mother to me and it creeps me out. That is partly why I don't talk to him very often. I did talk to Donna. I think she is a bit lonely since she won't be spending the holidays with her daughter's family. I don't know. I know she is homebound a lot now that she doesn't have a car. She was in a bad accident last winter and has been without a car ever since. I try to take her out every so often, but with my schedule and her schedule, it doesn't happen a lot. I did see her last weekend after church on Sunday and it was pretty good.
I am anxious to see what Kathy's kids get for Christmas. I love watching how excited they are about the presents. The twins are 5 now and Jacob is 9 or 10 with Matthew at 13. I love watching children open presents on Christmas Eve or Day. I used to take a lot of pictures of Abby and William when they were small but I haven't seen them in 3 1/2 years. I don't anticipate seeing them any time soon. I don't know if Andrew has spoken to Richard lately or not, I haven't asked. I do hope Andrew texts him Merry Christmas. I don't also think Richard will call on Christmas to speak to me. I actually don't expect him to ever speak to me again. He is very angry with me and knowing him, he will hold a grudge for a very long time. Today, I am okay with this, some days I am not, but today is okay.
I was thinking about Mom a lot these past few days. It is days like this that I miss her the most especially the woman she became with Alzheimer's. Mom was always excited about Christmas and Christmas Eve, but even more so when she became ill because she could remember Christmas from when she was a little girl. Fortunately, she never really lost what Christmas was before she passed away. I do think she would have had she lived last year to see the Christmas. I really wish she had because I really wanted a last good Christmas for her but God decided she needed to go home before that. You just can't really argue with God, I have tried and it doesn't work. Anyways, she was still enough of herself at the last Christmas she had, in 2009. We spent it in Windsor. It was the first year in my life that I can remember we didn't go to church. Even when we were with Richard or with someone else, Mom would find a church for us to attend. She firmly believed that if you can't celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, then you can't celebrate the other side to it. Jesus' birthday was first and foremost in her mind and I agree. I only missed 2 in my whole life. 1 when I had my surgery and Mom and I had a little bit of home church after she came home from the service, and the other in 2009 when we were at Tillie's. The reason I didn't take her to church that night is because she really couldn't handle sitting there. She was just too sick. I was glad thought that she didn't remember we didn't go to church so she wouldn't be upset. It upset her when we missed church. Mom always felt a week starts off right when you go to church on Sunday. She (I do agree with her, my weeks are better when I start them off with church) just believed it set your week up well to go. Mom really didn't like missing church at all. So anyways, we spent the night at Tillie's. We watched Star Wars on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day we opened presents and then Andrew came to spend the day with us. I am glad he did. It had been years since we spent a Christmas with him and it was important to Mom that she see her baby. (Andrew is the youngest and is proud to be the "baby" of the family) She spoke to Richard and the kids on the phone, which made her smile and she was with Andrew. Now Andrew was shocked at Mom's shape. I tried to tell him, but unless you actually see her in motion, you don't get it. It was the start of the downhill turn in the little lady's life. I am glad he got to spend some time with her that day, and the days at my Uncle's house. He really needed too.
I will see the little brother on Monday. I am very excited about it. I will also see my cousin, Jayson, and my Aunt and Uncle.
I do hope you are having a great Christmas!!! Merry Christmas!!!!
So far it has been a good day. Kathy called to let me know what time things were happening and then Jose, Mom's friend called. He is very sad. His wife (and she was a witch) died a few months ago and he is very, very bitter about it. He also misses my mom a lot too. I do feel bad for him as this is the first Christmas without her. I asked if he was going to church this evening because I know he and Dorothy used to go all the time. He said no. He is at the stage where he is angry with God. I totally understand. We didn't talk to much after that but that is okay. Sometimes, I think he is transferring how he felt about my mother to me and it creeps me out. That is partly why I don't talk to him very often. I did talk to Donna. I think she is a bit lonely since she won't be spending the holidays with her daughter's family. I don't know. I know she is homebound a lot now that she doesn't have a car. She was in a bad accident last winter and has been without a car ever since. I try to take her out every so often, but with my schedule and her schedule, it doesn't happen a lot. I did see her last weekend after church on Sunday and it was pretty good.
I am anxious to see what Kathy's kids get for Christmas. I love watching how excited they are about the presents. The twins are 5 now and Jacob is 9 or 10 with Matthew at 13. I love watching children open presents on Christmas Eve or Day. I used to take a lot of pictures of Abby and William when they were small but I haven't seen them in 3 1/2 years. I don't anticipate seeing them any time soon. I don't know if Andrew has spoken to Richard lately or not, I haven't asked. I do hope Andrew texts him Merry Christmas. I don't also think Richard will call on Christmas to speak to me. I actually don't expect him to ever speak to me again. He is very angry with me and knowing him, he will hold a grudge for a very long time. Today, I am okay with this, some days I am not, but today is okay.
I was thinking about Mom a lot these past few days. It is days like this that I miss her the most especially the woman she became with Alzheimer's. Mom was always excited about Christmas and Christmas Eve, but even more so when she became ill because she could remember Christmas from when she was a little girl. Fortunately, she never really lost what Christmas was before she passed away. I do think she would have had she lived last year to see the Christmas. I really wish she had because I really wanted a last good Christmas for her but God decided she needed to go home before that. You just can't really argue with God, I have tried and it doesn't work. Anyways, she was still enough of herself at the last Christmas she had, in 2009. We spent it in Windsor. It was the first year in my life that I can remember we didn't go to church. Even when we were with Richard or with someone else, Mom would find a church for us to attend. She firmly believed that if you can't celebrate the real meaning of Christmas, then you can't celebrate the other side to it. Jesus' birthday was first and foremost in her mind and I agree. I only missed 2 in my whole life. 1 when I had my surgery and Mom and I had a little bit of home church after she came home from the service, and the other in 2009 when we were at Tillie's. The reason I didn't take her to church that night is because she really couldn't handle sitting there. She was just too sick. I was glad thought that she didn't remember we didn't go to church so she wouldn't be upset. It upset her when we missed church. Mom always felt a week starts off right when you go to church on Sunday. She (I do agree with her, my weeks are better when I start them off with church) just believed it set your week up well to go. Mom really didn't like missing church at all. So anyways, we spent the night at Tillie's. We watched Star Wars on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day we opened presents and then Andrew came to spend the day with us. I am glad he did. It had been years since we spent a Christmas with him and it was important to Mom that she see her baby. (Andrew is the youngest and is proud to be the "baby" of the family) She spoke to Richard and the kids on the phone, which made her smile and she was with Andrew. Now Andrew was shocked at Mom's shape. I tried to tell him, but unless you actually see her in motion, you don't get it. It was the start of the downhill turn in the little lady's life. I am glad he got to spend some time with her that day, and the days at my Uncle's house. He really needed too.
I will see the little brother on Monday. I am very excited about it. I will also see my cousin, Jayson, and my Aunt and Uncle.
I do hope you are having a great Christmas!!! Merry Christmas!!!!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Christmas Eve Eve
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. It is hard to believe that is so close. It seemed like weeks and weeks away and suddenly, it has arrived! Oh my! I am somewhat ready. I have gifts to wrap tomorrow but I am done shopping, not that I had much in the first place after my students! I have received some really nice gifts from my students, some gift cards, a snow flake (one of those really big, homemade ones - made by Calli), an angel, and some ornaments. I haven't used the gift cards yet, but I know I will!
A couple of friends of mine are in town for the Holiday, Kimberly and Anne. I will see Kimberly on Tuesday for lunch at Olga's and I am not sure when I will get to see Anne. I certainly hope so. I can't wait to her all about life in the Big City, NYC. She is doing rather well there. She works for a publisher. Kimberly lives in Florida and is a teacher. She really likes it. Kimberly has wanted to be a teacher since I met her. I knew she would be a good one. I just wish she lived closer but I know she really likes Florida. Winter is not Kimberly's favorite season here in Michigan.
I get to see Kathy tomorrow and her family! I can't wait! It should be a good couple of days. I also will see my uncle and aunt on Monday! That will be great too. Andrew will be there too. I have a gift for him that is actually from mom. It is rather strange to give someone a gift from a person who has passed away. It is very strange. I apparently told Andrew about it already so I can't surprise him. I have one just like it only it has my name on it. It is because our names were on them that I knew who they were for. It is just like Mom to purchase them without me seeing them. She had to have done it in 2006 or 2007 because she wouldn't have been able to purchase it in 2008 because she didn't have any money on her, I carried it all.
I keep looking at the Anne of Green Gable Christmas Treasury book on eBay. I can't really afford it right now, but if it is still available in January, I will get it. I had one, but it, as with so much other stuff, has gone. I don't know exactly when, but it is gone. I got when I went to Prince Edward Island many years ago. I think we went the summer of 2000, yes that sounds about right. I was working on my master's degree at that point. Mom and I had a great time. We went all over the 800 kilometer wide island from one end to the other. We started in Summerside and went up north on the west side of the island before heading to the section they call Anne's Land. This is where the story of Anne of Green Gables take place and where Lucy Maud Montgomery was born and lived. It was fascinating. We were in one house that became a museum. It was run by Lucy Maud's grand nephew. We were there for about 6 hours speaking with the man! He gave us a tour and then we just started chatting and the stories he told about his great aunt was wonderful! He was an elderly gentlemen. We bought several books from him. Mom bought them for me for Christmas that year as by the time we got to Anne's Land, I was flat broke. I had spent all my money. I am not really sure where all my money went, but went it did. I love the books of Lucy Maud Montgomery especially the Anne of Green Gables books. I like the book, The Blue Castle next and then the Emily books. Mom liked Anne of Green Gables books too. We have seen some of the movies, mostly the first one because the 2nd and 3rd are not like the books at all. That is a drag but still, Megan Fellows is the best Anne Shirley I have ever seen including the one who was in the musical we saw in Charlottetown, PEI. It was a wonderful show, let me tell you. We had great seats. We also went the next day to see the musical "Emily". I hope to go back there some time.
Brooke and Brianne will not be having their lessons next week. It is kind of a bummer, but, hey these things happen during kids' vacation. I have 2 lessons on Tuesday, 3 on Wednesday, 2 maybe 3 on Thursday, 3 on Friday and 1 on Saturday. It isn't a bad schedule for a week that the kids are off school. No lessons, of course, on Saturday or Sunday and none on Monday. I hope Isaac reschedules his Monday lessons. I am not sure though, but if not, I will see him a week from Monday.
I am getting rather tired now. I got up a bit early for the girls lessons so I will go to bed a little bit early. Oh, I think I managed to kill my plant from Tillie. I am not very good with plants or keeping plants alive. I did water it again today, but it isn't looking too well. oops. I am just not good at this. I either water too little or too much, I just don't get it right.
I hope you are having a good day too.
A couple of friends of mine are in town for the Holiday, Kimberly and Anne. I will see Kimberly on Tuesday for lunch at Olga's and I am not sure when I will get to see Anne. I certainly hope so. I can't wait to her all about life in the Big City, NYC. She is doing rather well there. She works for a publisher. Kimberly lives in Florida and is a teacher. She really likes it. Kimberly has wanted to be a teacher since I met her. I knew she would be a good one. I just wish she lived closer but I know she really likes Florida. Winter is not Kimberly's favorite season here in Michigan.
I get to see Kathy tomorrow and her family! I can't wait! It should be a good couple of days. I also will see my uncle and aunt on Monday! That will be great too. Andrew will be there too. I have a gift for him that is actually from mom. It is rather strange to give someone a gift from a person who has passed away. It is very strange. I apparently told Andrew about it already so I can't surprise him. I have one just like it only it has my name on it. It is because our names were on them that I knew who they were for. It is just like Mom to purchase them without me seeing them. She had to have done it in 2006 or 2007 because she wouldn't have been able to purchase it in 2008 because she didn't have any money on her, I carried it all.
I keep looking at the Anne of Green Gable Christmas Treasury book on eBay. I can't really afford it right now, but if it is still available in January, I will get it. I had one, but it, as with so much other stuff, has gone. I don't know exactly when, but it is gone. I got when I went to Prince Edward Island many years ago. I think we went the summer of 2000, yes that sounds about right. I was working on my master's degree at that point. Mom and I had a great time. We went all over the 800 kilometer wide island from one end to the other. We started in Summerside and went up north on the west side of the island before heading to the section they call Anne's Land. This is where the story of Anne of Green Gables take place and where Lucy Maud Montgomery was born and lived. It was fascinating. We were in one house that became a museum. It was run by Lucy Maud's grand nephew. We were there for about 6 hours speaking with the man! He gave us a tour and then we just started chatting and the stories he told about his great aunt was wonderful! He was an elderly gentlemen. We bought several books from him. Mom bought them for me for Christmas that year as by the time we got to Anne's Land, I was flat broke. I had spent all my money. I am not really sure where all my money went, but went it did. I love the books of Lucy Maud Montgomery especially the Anne of Green Gables books. I like the book, The Blue Castle next and then the Emily books. Mom liked Anne of Green Gables books too. We have seen some of the movies, mostly the first one because the 2nd and 3rd are not like the books at all. That is a drag but still, Megan Fellows is the best Anne Shirley I have ever seen including the one who was in the musical we saw in Charlottetown, PEI. It was a wonderful show, let me tell you. We had great seats. We also went the next day to see the musical "Emily". I hope to go back there some time.
Brooke and Brianne will not be having their lessons next week. It is kind of a bummer, but, hey these things happen during kids' vacation. I have 2 lessons on Tuesday, 3 on Wednesday, 2 maybe 3 on Thursday, 3 on Friday and 1 on Saturday. It isn't a bad schedule for a week that the kids are off school. No lessons, of course, on Saturday or Sunday and none on Monday. I hope Isaac reschedules his Monday lessons. I am not sure though, but if not, I will see him a week from Monday.
I am getting rather tired now. I got up a bit early for the girls lessons so I will go to bed a little bit early. Oh, I think I managed to kill my plant from Tillie. I am not very good with plants or keeping plants alive. I did water it again today, but it isn't looking too well. oops. I am just not good at this. I either water too little or too much, I just don't get it right.
I hope you are having a good day too.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
It's getting closer! 12-22
Christmas is almost here! I can't wait! It looks like I will be going to my Uncle John's house on Monday. Andrew will be there too. I have a gift from Mom for him. It is an ornament. Mom and I had gone to Disney in 2006 and bought him an ornament with his name on it. I know he will like it. I have one too. I found them in my room after Mom passed away. We both forgot about them when we came home and Christmas arrived. That was the last Christmas Mom and I spent at Richard's with his family. We also went to Disney's Vero Beach that Christmas for New Year's Eve. It was a good trip. I only saw Richard a couple of times since then and his children just one time.
Benjy and Joiene had their lessons this evening. Benjy is doing really well. He really is. I just wish they would practice. I don't think they do at all. Joiene is doing okay, considering the lack of practice, but Benjy is doing really well. He knows where all his piano keys are and he learned the difference between a line note and a space note today. that is sometimes a tough thing for students at first. He is only just turned 7 and in 1st grade! Can you imagine if he practiced what he would sound like? It is mind boggling. He is also excited about getting the computer game CD so he can play it on the computer. It is a neat game.
Since I am not singing in church on Sunday, I am not going to church choir practice. We had to be there at 7 pm tonight along with the orchestra. I won't be singing with choir until the 8th of January. I won't be at choir practice next week either but I will be there the one after that. New Year's Eve I will be at my friend, Heather's B-T's house again for game night. It shall be a lot of fun. Calli and I have such a good giggle when we are together. She is such a good kid and so is her brother, Acer. Calli and I love to play Uno. I love that game. I really do.
When Lily was here yesterday, we played Disney's Trivial Pursuit and Sorry. We had a good time playing too. Lily won by a shade in the game Sorry and she had the most pie pieces of Trivial Pursuit so I declared her the winner. I think she was surprised by how many answers she actually knew and didn't guess. Her older sister, Emily, used to make her watch all the Disney movies when Lily was small. Lily did say she was thankful for Emily for that since she was doing so well with the game.
I have to go and get a few gift certificates that I need for Monday. I think I should do that tonight, so I will have to go soon. I hope you are having a good day. I did. I am tired, but that is normal for me at this time of the night.
Benjy and Joiene had their lessons this evening. Benjy is doing really well. He really is. I just wish they would practice. I don't think they do at all. Joiene is doing okay, considering the lack of practice, but Benjy is doing really well. He knows where all his piano keys are and he learned the difference between a line note and a space note today. that is sometimes a tough thing for students at first. He is only just turned 7 and in 1st grade! Can you imagine if he practiced what he would sound like? It is mind boggling. He is also excited about getting the computer game CD so he can play it on the computer. It is a neat game.
Since I am not singing in church on Sunday, I am not going to church choir practice. We had to be there at 7 pm tonight along with the orchestra. I won't be singing with choir until the 8th of January. I won't be at choir practice next week either but I will be there the one after that. New Year's Eve I will be at my friend, Heather's B-T's house again for game night. It shall be a lot of fun. Calli and I have such a good giggle when we are together. She is such a good kid and so is her brother, Acer. Calli and I love to play Uno. I love that game. I really do.
When Lily was here yesterday, we played Disney's Trivial Pursuit and Sorry. We had a good time playing too. Lily won by a shade in the game Sorry and she had the most pie pieces of Trivial Pursuit so I declared her the winner. I think she was surprised by how many answers she actually knew and didn't guess. Her older sister, Emily, used to make her watch all the Disney movies when Lily was small. Lily did say she was thankful for Emily for that since she was doing so well with the game.
I have to go and get a few gift certificates that I need for Monday. I think I should do that tonight, so I will have to go soon. I hope you are having a good day. I did. I am tired, but that is normal for me at this time of the night.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
massive work in progress!!! The family room
My Library/TV room is finished. The other side is still a work in progress but will be taken care of in the future. I am so pleased with how everything looks. The living room furniture is a bit crammed in the side of the family room, but that is okay for now. Eventually, I will have the right amount of furniture in it but for now it will work. I just need to get the cushions re-stuffed as they are super hard as a rock! I do hope that by summer or fall I will be able to get some other furniture. Right now the goal is to just maybe get them re-stuffed to last until I can get some other stuff. It doesn't even have to be brand new, I don't need super brand new. I will look at the resale shop that is up the street from me as well as the clearance center at Art Van. We shall see how it goes. Julie and Ross did a really good job with the family room. The bar stools are gone as well as some of the other stuff that I wanted to donate. Most of the stuff to be donated is now taken care of. I will post pictures tomorrow.
I had 2 lessons tonight and a sort of try it out lesson with a 4 year old. He actually sat pretty well. I was surprised and happy about that surprise. His brother already takes lessons but they are having issues trying to practice because the 4 year old wants to play too. Maybe this way, they both will be able to practice, that is my hope anyway.
I only have 2 lessons tomorrow as opposed to my usual 6. I have a bunch of new music to get though. I need 3 different levels of Alfred piano books plus level 4 and 5 Snell books for Brooke and Brianne. They will have their lessons on Friday as well as the usual 3, Acer, Calli, and Emily. I also want to do some grocery shopping next week. I wonder if Calli will be available. The fridge and the cupboards were cleaned out today by Lily and well, let's just say that there was a lot that was past the expiration date. Yeah, that is just not too good.
I need to gather the books that I either have duplicates for or I don't want to take to the used bookstore tomorrow also. I want to get a few books for myself for the next few weeks. I have several that I can take to them. I think I owe about 16 books to them as I keep forgetting to bring more. They have been giving me the discounted price, which is awfully nice of them. I should take care of that right now while I am thinking about it. Be right back. There, I have a bag full to take there. So tomorrow's errands are in order. I have the list of music I have to take as well as the books to the bookstore before teaching. I have a couple more gifts to get and then I will be finished with Christmas. Kathy's parents are left and that is it. I am getting them a gift certificate. I am done with everything else and it feels awfully nice. I will also stop at the Rochester of the Chipotle tomorrow for dinner. I usually try to pick it up a bit early and then re-heat if I need to.
I also need to get the new Harry Potter movie tomorrow too! I have to pay a couple of doctor bills, which I will take care of tonight so they will be ready to mail tomorrow. Oh, right, i need to get some stamps too! Ugh! I used all the rest of them for the Christmas Cards last night.
I got my new blankets yesterday in the mail. I will put them on the bed this weekend, probably Saturday. I have new sheets too. I hope they are soft. The ones I have now are so I want to keep soft ones. The new blankets are so pretty too. The color of chocolate. They will go well with the decor of my room. My furniture will look nice with new blankets and sheets. I just got plain white sheets for my bed. My old blankets are totally falling apart so the timing was perfect for the new ones to arrive.
I do hope you had a good day!!!
I had 2 lessons tonight and a sort of try it out lesson with a 4 year old. He actually sat pretty well. I was surprised and happy about that surprise. His brother already takes lessons but they are having issues trying to practice because the 4 year old wants to play too. Maybe this way, they both will be able to practice, that is my hope anyway.
I only have 2 lessons tomorrow as opposed to my usual 6. I have a bunch of new music to get though. I need 3 different levels of Alfred piano books plus level 4 and 5 Snell books for Brooke and Brianne. They will have their lessons on Friday as well as the usual 3, Acer, Calli, and Emily. I also want to do some grocery shopping next week. I wonder if Calli will be available. The fridge and the cupboards were cleaned out today by Lily and well, let's just say that there was a lot that was past the expiration date. Yeah, that is just not too good.
I need to gather the books that I either have duplicates for or I don't want to take to the used bookstore tomorrow also. I want to get a few books for myself for the next few weeks. I have several that I can take to them. I think I owe about 16 books to them as I keep forgetting to bring more. They have been giving me the discounted price, which is awfully nice of them. I should take care of that right now while I am thinking about it. Be right back. There, I have a bag full to take there. So tomorrow's errands are in order. I have the list of music I have to take as well as the books to the bookstore before teaching. I have a couple more gifts to get and then I will be finished with Christmas. Kathy's parents are left and that is it. I am getting them a gift certificate. I am done with everything else and it feels awfully nice. I will also stop at the Rochester of the Chipotle tomorrow for dinner. I usually try to pick it up a bit early and then re-heat if I need to.
I also need to get the new Harry Potter movie tomorrow too! I have to pay a couple of doctor bills, which I will take care of tonight so they will be ready to mail tomorrow. Oh, right, i need to get some stamps too! Ugh! I used all the rest of them for the Christmas Cards last night.
I got my new blankets yesterday in the mail. I will put them on the bed this weekend, probably Saturday. I have new sheets too. I hope they are soft. The ones I have now are so I want to keep soft ones. The new blankets are so pretty too. The color of chocolate. They will go well with the decor of my room. My furniture will look nice with new blankets and sheets. I just got plain white sheets for my bed. My old blankets are totally falling apart so the timing was perfect for the new ones to arrive.
I do hope you had a good day!!!
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