Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Large Group Performance

The Large Group performance was today...
Miah had to skip school because Jay couldn't get the time off, and we weren't going to get back before three to be able to pick her up. I'm glad she went, because she was fun. below are random pictures from the day, all of the kids filing onto stage, Miah snapping shots of me talking while walking with the couple of other parents that were able to go, and yes, I snuck a couple of pictures of the actual performance even though we weren't supposed to. I even sat my camera down and hit record while the kids were playing so that Daddy could hear later. I might not have followed the rules, but what good wife would have in this situation? The prepared music was good, only a few small issues, but the site based portion was great. They have 6 minutes to look at a piece of music that they have never seen before, then have to play as a group this music. I was worried. The first time I had to do this it was as an individual, not as a band, and I almost lost it, but how would the entire band sound?
It turns out that they were great. They scored two superiors, and one excellent, and got a superior on the site based too. If you don't know....this is awesome! I am so proud of my baby girl! I wish that some of my old band mates had been there to cheer her on! The next generation of band geeks is alive and well!
I had volunteered to haul some of the instruments, and while it wasn't a big inconvenience, it did mean that I had to stand in the rain and stack all of the instruments in the van. At this moment I am still soaked to the bone. It poured saxophones and tubas all day. I'm going to work on the videos, fingers crossed they load!













Monday, March 8, 2010

New Jewelry



While I was feeling sick, and waiting for my monthly bead mix from Sara, Jay ran out to the bead store and picked up his own mix of beads. I wondered what in the world I was going to do...because all of the beads he picked were brown....I drew a blank....then I had an ah ha moment...and this was the result...

Winter Concert


I tried the night and day after the concert to upload the videos, and I'm trying yet again...it gave me such trouble that I just plain gave up. I'm so proud of my little girl though, and want to share her accomplishment! In just a couple of days the large band competition will happen, and hopefully I can take a short enough video that it will load!
The other day we found the music store here in town. Laurel got the music for Twilight (soon to come: video of Laurel playing Bella's Lullaby) and I got a beginners book for the Clarinet. Miah and I will be teaching ourselves how to play soon.



Well, the video won't load. I'll have to take shorter videos at the competition so that those of you who care can see Laurel play.

More soon!

Signs of Spring!


It's been wonderfully warm the past few days...Already I can feel my spirits lift! Harley has been having a great time catching the Frisbee, but unfortunately I'm the only one other than her spending much time outside. We've all passed around whatever nasty thing is going around, and while I'm just getting over it with the occasional lung wrenching coughing fit, poor Laurel is just coming down with it. Miah had it first, and now Jay is running scared. Hopefully by this next weekend we will all be able to go out and enjoy the weather.


Friday, March 5, 2010

What came first, the chicken or the egg?  The Chicken, Because it evolved from a slightly "not chicken" animal.

What is your favorite color? Green

Beach or mountain? Mountain

Left handed or right handed? Right

Why are you taking this interview? Waiting for Jay, with nothing else to do.

Who do you count on when feeling down? Jay, or Sara

Do you plan in advance?  Almost always

Aliens have landed and selected you to visit their home planet. Do you go with them? Only if the family can go too.

If you could be successful at any job in the world, what would that job be? Paleo-anthropology

What makes you cry? I guess it depends.

If you won the lottery, how would you spend your millions? I'd buy Jay's way out of the Army.

If you could travel back in time, what mistake(s) would you want to correct? Not a thing.

Do you believe that the cup is half empty or half full? I'm never quite sure.

Are you an outdoor or an indoor person Depends on the weather, if it's warm, I'm OUT!

Do you own any pets, and if so what do you have? Two, a Weimaraner, and a Chihuahua

Would you rather be hot or cold? Hot

Why did the chicken cross the road? Because someone made up a dumb joke.

Favorite fruit?  All of them

Are you a cat or a dog person? Dog, for sure.

What is your favorite TV show? I have so many!

Kill the spider or let it out? Let it out.

Where do you want to travel next? Alaska

What is your favorite food?  Chinese

Do you read harry potter books? Yes, I have a tween.

If you could have one super human power what would you choose? To be able to snap my fingers and have the house clean.

Have you had a beer in the last week? I can't even remember when I last had a beer.  It's nasty, nasty stuff.

Flip flops or tennis shoes? Both





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It could always be worse.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Thursday's Thoughts

Today's thought:
Everybody pities the weak; jealousy you have to earn. - Arnold Schwarzenegger
It's a sad fact that the better you are the more people will try to tear you down. It is far easier to ruin someone than it is to try to make yourself as good as they are. This is part of the reason for humanity's obsession with every flaw in the rich and famous. I joke that I am peerless, but to truly be the best must be a hard thing indeed. It would seem that people were only worried about bringing the giant down. It has been said that imitation is the most sincere flattery, and perhaps GOV S. has hinted at why.

Friday, February 26, 2010


Don't confuse kindness for weakness

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Thursday's Thoughts

Today's Thought
Equal work for equal pay!!!!

I've twisted the cry of women workers during the liberation movement. But never a truer cry has been called out. I just want to take a moment to ask all those soldiers out there calling themselves leaders and just collecting a check to either step up or step out. How can I teach a soldier what is right when you are walking past the formation I am yelling at with your hands in your pocket? How are you going to scream at a soldier for not being in formation when you can't show up to work on time? How are you going to teach values when the only thing you value is yourself. If you aren't going to do the job, please stop taking the money for it. I have no use for you and neither do these soldiers. All I'm really asking is that you let me (and the few others here that care) give these privates a good first impression of the army. And while we are at it if you are going to stand there talking to your friends while I do your job for you, slide me a portion of you check at the end of the month.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Weight Watchers

Just a quick update, I lost .4 this week, Jay lost bunches more...
One question I'd like all of you to answer, When you do your grocery shopping, how do you do it?
I make a two week menu, then a list (in the order in which the items are stocked in the store, so it's easier) then I hit the store. Every meal is planned, and I never have to wonder what is in the kitchen. Now, at the meeting this week, we were discussing how to be prepared, and not have foods that would sabotage your weight loss goal. When I told everyone my method, I was met with incredulous gasps, which surprised me. One person said I was too regimented and if you know me, I think you are laughing right now. Too organized? Me? I wish! I can't figure out how anyone else shops. Leave me a comment, and let me know!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

A Day in the Snow


























Harley apparently loves snow, snowballs, catching them, and eating them. It actually snowed here the other day, but only lasted a full 24 hours, before melting all over us.
Poor Miah was sick all break long, and is still out of it, so she missed all the fun. I let her go out for a minute to walk through the snow, and just wait till you see how her Daddy let her leave the house. (You can't see it in the pic, but she's wearing a floor length pink nightgown under the sweatshirt, and her Daddy's tennis shoes)
I forgot to post about WW last week, so as of today I've lost 5.5 lbs! Slow going, but I have no complaints.
The rest of the post is just going to be pictures...enjoy!

Friday, February 12, 2010


Agricultural Revolution Ended Human Evolution

Friday, February 5, 2010



Fall Asleep Each Night Unashamed

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Thursday's Thoughts

Today's thought
No combat ready unit has ever passed inspection - PVT Murphy's Laws

We are getting inspected here in the next few days. We've known about this for a few months, and therefore the flourish of activity to prepare ourselves has been amazing. Polishing, shining, deep cleaning, book updating, the works. It makes me wonder who we are fooling. Anyone with sufficient rank to do an inspection knows than an announced inspection has been prepared for. What could this man possibly learn about the efficiency and effectiveness of our day to day operations from this? From my limited vantage point it would appear that the only worthwhile inspection is a surprise one.
Also, does this happen in the civilian sector as well?