Good Wednesday morning!
Ahh... Wednesday. My least favorite day of the week. I wonder why that is? It has been my least favorite for as long as I can remember. Not Monday (like most people, I believe), but poor little Wednesday. My favorite day of the week, Thursday, is a little odd, too. Most people I've asked have said their favorite day is Friday or Saturday. I know of one person who loves Monday because it is a fresh start. Actually, most people I've asked don't really have a favorite day of the week... or a favorite number... or a favorite shade of green (celery)... unless they are five. (Which by the way is my favorite age for a child... five months and five years-old.)
I know, I know. I need to get out more. I feel bad for me... again. Heavy sigh.
I'm adding a picture in the Gallery of my April flag later today. It is my Easter flag. I have two, but this one is my favorite. I think because it is shiny. (I am a very uncomplicated person.)
Have you been thinking of things you want to do before you hit 90? Me, too. I've thought of at least 12 more things, but there is no way I'm adding them to my already IMPOSSIBLE list. I may substitute, but I will NOT add.
Mailboxes
For those of you who read the "mailbox" comment yesterday from my friend, "momofboys," I used to have a little reputation of ACCIDENTALLY hitting mailboxes with my passenger-side mirror. Because I drive vans, I tend to over-compensate by driving a little close to the edge of the road (as opposed to the middle). Thus, while I am being very considerate of the drivers coming toward me, I have a problem with mailboxes that sit a little too close to the edge of the road. (I actually haven't hit a mailbox in a very long time... only once in the last four years, nine months and six days. Having said that, I will probably hit several tomorrow.) Also, mailboxes are much more durable than you would think. I have only had to stop and talk to mailbox owners two or three times out of the dozens (okay... hundreds) of boxes I have hit.
And I know what some of you are thinking. "Doesn't that count as a wreck?"
I would have to answer, "No. No, it does not. But thanks for asking."
100 Things To Do Before 90
Let's eat! First things first... I am not a big "food" person. I like trying new recipes and I like trying new restaurants, but most days I have a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast and a cheese sandwich for lunch. I'll try some new things, but usually I like what I like and that's that. I know there is probably something horribly wrong (grammar-wise) with that last sentence, but I'm not sure what it is!
Most of the reasons I want to dine at the following restaurants have more to do with atmosphere than the food itself:
1. Eat at Planet Hollywood (Roxie and I went in this restaurant to use the restroom once while we were walking around Downtown Disney, and it looked like a fun place to eat. Also, the bathrooms were very funky... the mirrors were shaped like huge red lips. That's why it's on the list. I like the bathrooms.)
2. Eat at any Emeril's (This one is listed for two reasons. Food, and I might actually see Emeril, and I could mark another famous person off my list. He's been on TV. He definitely counts.)
3. Eat at Paula Deen's restaurant in Savannah (Exact same reasons as above.)
See... That's not too bad. Now if 15 or 20 items on my list were made up of places I wanted to eat, that would probably mean there was a problem somewhere.
Now for a few more items that are going to be a little more tricky for me to accomplish:
1. Camp for a weekend with just Mikie (This one is more for him than me, I think. He has always wanted the two of us to spend a weekend in the woods without the kids sitting by the fire, taking sunset boat rides, eating supper at the Lodge, eating breakfast at Jack's, shopping in quaint little shops in town, etc., etc. So in honor of Mikie, I've put it on my list. With my luck, this is the one I'll have to do when I'm 89 years old. I can barely get off an air mattress in the morning now. We'll have to ask nearby campers to help us roll out of bed in the morning.)
2. See a real whale (This is the "marine biologist wannabe" coming out again. I desperately want to see a real whale in the ocean. However, I want to be on the shore when I see the whale. I know you can do this in certain areas of the United States at certain times of the year. I just need a powerful set of binoculars and a comfortable chair on the beach, and I would be very happy. If I saw a pod of whales I would be ecstatic!)
3. Write a second book (This one makes sense to me. If I'm trying to mark this off, it means I have already written a book that's been on the New York Times Bestsellers list. Of course, I would need to write a second one... for all my many fans. I think the number stands at 28 right now, and most of them are family!)
4. Attend a national scrapbook convention/retreat (I think this would be so much fun, and the sessions wouldn't really be like meetings because it would be something I truly love and want to hear about. Plus, I would sit near an exit and leave if it started to have that "meeting" feel after about ten minutes.)
Tomorrow, I'll share a few places I want to visit before I turn 90. If you could visit only one place before you turned 90, where would it be? Hmmm.
Dinner for Breakfast
We did this several years ago and I probably got the idea out of FamilyFun Magazine. I put the kids to bed, and then went to the kitchen and fixed a full-fledged Sunday dinner. Crock pot roast, potatoes, carrots, onions, rolls, ice tea and a homemade pie for dessert. I set the table with candles. I then went to bed, got up about 30 minutes earlier than normal and had everything on the table ready for "breakfast" when the kids woke up. Mike was thrilled, and the kids absolutely did not get it. I think they ended up mainly eating the rolls because they were the most "breakfasty" thing on the table. They tried the roast and vegetables, but it just freaked them out. It was just a fun, "see what they will do" April Fool's Day prank. We've never done it since.
Of course, for dinner that night... You guessed it. We had breakfast.
NOTE: One time, I had big bowls of ice cream on the table when they came down for breakfast. That freaked them out, too. (My guys are NOT very "go with the flow." I wonder where they get that from?)
Have a great Wednesday and a fun April Fool's Day. Tomorrow I have an Easter date for Mom and daughter. This is local, but it is something the two of you can do for years and years and years to come. It will transition well into the teenage years and adulthood.
I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Crescent Roll Tombs
Good Tuesday morning!
I hope your Monday was good. It was so pretty... which in Alabama is a prelude to thunderstorms, up and down temperatures, etc. Enjoy it while you can!
There was no Jon & Kate last night (except for reruns), so we're down to only five TV reviews on Friday. But 24 was very good. I'm pretty sure I can get half a page out of last night's episode!
Have you been thinking about things you want to do before you are 90? If so, feel free to share one, two or more. When you share them, you feel a little more obligated to try to DO them. At least, that's what I've discovered.
100 Things To Do Before 90
As promised, here are a few more things from my list. However, these things could (and will) actually be marked off before my 48th birthday in August. (And some of these things will just automatically happen. I will not have a lot of say or control over the completion of these items on my list... which is a good thing.)
1. See Austin graduate from high school (I don't have to wear a harness or anything!)
2. Get a pedicure (I'm getting one for Austin's graduation to wear with my new "mother of the graduate outfit." It's very sad. I've never had a pedicure. I feel bad for me.)
3. Learn to drive a boat (I'm more of a navigator-type person. But I think I would be a good driver. I like the fact there are no speed limit signs on the lake. I think I'll be very, very good at this. Mike thinks the opposite.)
4. Catch up Austin's scrapbook (Except for the last of his four high school scrapbooks, which I'm working on, he is caught up! And I have to be finished by May 28... I just have to be!)
5. Go on a glass bottom boat tour on the Gulf of Mexico (I think it would be so much fun. I'll probably throw up the entire time!)
See... I have five things I have no excuse for not marking off by August of this year. FIVE. Now, just for fun, I'll give you five more things that are going to be a little more difficult.
1. Write a book (Not just any old book. A really good book. A New York Times Bestseller book. "They" always say write about something you know... and I know so little. And basically everything I know I've already written on the blog. Maybe I'll just make my blog into a book. Yeah, that's the ticket. I'll just call it Belinda's Blog. That sounds like a bestseller, doesn't it? Not!)
2. Publish an article in FamilyFun Magazine (I've only sent them 20 articles. But you have to keep trying. That's how you succeed. You learn from your many failures. That's what I've always heard. Actually, I just curl up in a ball and cry for a few days in the corner of my bedroom when I'm rejected... but that's just me.)
3. Take a digital photography class (I know I should do this, but classes remind me very much of meetings. Again, if you've known me five minutes, you know I don't do well in meetings. Three minutes into a meeting, I'm pretty much ready to scream. I don't exactly know why I feel this way about classes/meetings, but it has gotten worse the older I've become. I feel like that is going to be one, two or three hours of my life I will never get back... EVER. I would prefer a written memo containing the pertinent information. That's a good meeting to me. However, I know a photography class would probably be different from a meeting. Don't you think?)
4. Meet and shake hands with a President I voted for - past or present (Actually, I may ride up to Plains, Georgia one day and try to catch Jimmy Carter out and about. He would count as another "famous" person, also. I think he's my best bet. And due to his age, he probably couldn't outrun me when I spotted him. Even though I didn't vote for him, I think I would waive that rule... just for him.)
5. Attend a Cirque du Soleil performance (You know me. I'm starting an envelope today. Five dollars every two weeks for the next six years, and I'll have enough for the Fabulous Faulkner Five to attend. I know the shows are all over the place, so once I have the money for the very expensive tickets, we'll definitely do this one.)
Tune in tomorrow when I give you a list of famous restaurants I want to dine in before I'm 90. I have a lot of those!
Crescent Roll Tombs
These are a preschool version of the tomb cookies you leave in the oven overnight the night before Easter. (I'll have that recipe next Tuesday for you and your older children to try.)
You will need:
1 can Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
8 large marshmallows (one for each roll)
1. Mix sugar and cinnamon mixture together and put in an empty and clean salt shaker. Set aside.
2. Pull the crescent rolls apart and have them on several paper plates already in their original triangle form.
3. Let your preschooler use a cooking brush and lightly brush the inside of the crescent roll with butter.
4. Place the marshmallow in the center of the roll and show the child how to roll the crescent roll around it.
5. Let your preschooler brush the outside of the crescent roll with butter.
6. Now the child can sprinkle the top of the crescent roll with the cinnamon/sugar mixture.
7. Place all of the finished rolls on a cookie sheet and cook according to the instructions on the crescent roll package.
While the crescent rolls are baking, open your Bible and tell your child the story of the Resurrection. (Read John 21:1-30 to be familiar with the story.)
Explain to your child the marshmallow they used in the recipe represents Jesus after he died on the cross and he was wrapped in the burial clothes. The crescent rolls are like the tomb where they put Jesus' body. Now, you want to wait for the rolls to finish baking.
When you remove the rolls from the oven, you can look through the crescent roll and see that it is empty except for some remnants of the white marshmallow (the burial clothes). This is just a simple visual example of the story they will hear every year for the rest of their lives. But children are very visual, and seeing something makes it much more real to them.
While you are eating your Crescent Roll Tombs, finish the story of Jesus' Resurrection. Ask the following questions:
1. Did Jesus immediately go back to heaven? (No. He went to talk to his disciples.)
2. Which disciple didn't believe it was Jesus talking to him? (Thomas)
3. What did Thomas have to do to believe it was really and truly Jesus? (He had to touch the holes where the nails had been in Jesus' hands and feet.)
4. Do you think you would have believed it was Jesus?
5. How do you think the disciples felt when they realized it really was Jesus?
As I said before, this is definitely a preschool recipe, and I'll have the older version for you next week. However, two, three, four and five year-old children are truly amazing. They will learn anything you are willing to teach them. And this is a great activity because it allows them to "cook," so they are going to be very interested in the story and the questions at the end while they eat their snack with you.
NOTE: You can also use a children's version of the Easter story to read to them instead of from the Bible. Pictures keep them interested and the books will be on their level.
Have a marvelous Tuesday. I'll be back tomorrow NOT with an Easter tradition. Sorry, folks. It will be April Fool's Day, and I have a pretty easy trick to play on the family. The bad thing about April Fool's Day is you can only play a prank one time. We did this once, and it was a lot of fun. (I promise, after Wednesday we're strictly Easter all the way for the next two weeks. Promise!)
Talk to you tomorrow.
I hope your Monday was good. It was so pretty... which in Alabama is a prelude to thunderstorms, up and down temperatures, etc. Enjoy it while you can!
There was no Jon & Kate last night (except for reruns), so we're down to only five TV reviews on Friday. But 24 was very good. I'm pretty sure I can get half a page out of last night's episode!
Have you been thinking about things you want to do before you are 90? If so, feel free to share one, two or more. When you share them, you feel a little more obligated to try to DO them. At least, that's what I've discovered.
100 Things To Do Before 90
As promised, here are a few more things from my list. However, these things could (and will) actually be marked off before my 48th birthday in August. (And some of these things will just automatically happen. I will not have a lot of say or control over the completion of these items on my list... which is a good thing.)
1. See Austin graduate from high school (I don't have to wear a harness or anything!)
2. Get a pedicure (I'm getting one for Austin's graduation to wear with my new "mother of the graduate outfit." It's very sad. I've never had a pedicure. I feel bad for me.)
3. Learn to drive a boat (I'm more of a navigator-type person. But I think I would be a good driver. I like the fact there are no speed limit signs on the lake. I think I'll be very, very good at this. Mike thinks the opposite.)
4. Catch up Austin's scrapbook (Except for the last of his four high school scrapbooks, which I'm working on, he is caught up! And I have to be finished by May 28... I just have to be!)
5. Go on a glass bottom boat tour on the Gulf of Mexico (I think it would be so much fun. I'll probably throw up the entire time!)
See... I have five things I have no excuse for not marking off by August of this year. FIVE. Now, just for fun, I'll give you five more things that are going to be a little more difficult.
1. Write a book (Not just any old book. A really good book. A New York Times Bestseller book. "They" always say write about something you know... and I know so little. And basically everything I know I've already written on the blog. Maybe I'll just make my blog into a book. Yeah, that's the ticket. I'll just call it Belinda's Blog. That sounds like a bestseller, doesn't it? Not!)
2. Publish an article in FamilyFun Magazine (I've only sent them 20 articles. But you have to keep trying. That's how you succeed. You learn from your many failures. That's what I've always heard. Actually, I just curl up in a ball and cry for a few days in the corner of my bedroom when I'm rejected... but that's just me.)
3. Take a digital photography class (I know I should do this, but classes remind me very much of meetings. Again, if you've known me five minutes, you know I don't do well in meetings. Three minutes into a meeting, I'm pretty much ready to scream. I don't exactly know why I feel this way about classes/meetings, but it has gotten worse the older I've become. I feel like that is going to be one, two or three hours of my life I will never get back... EVER. I would prefer a written memo containing the pertinent information. That's a good meeting to me. However, I know a photography class would probably be different from a meeting. Don't you think?)
4. Meet and shake hands with a President I voted for - past or present (Actually, I may ride up to Plains, Georgia one day and try to catch Jimmy Carter out and about. He would count as another "famous" person, also. I think he's my best bet. And due to his age, he probably couldn't outrun me when I spotted him. Even though I didn't vote for him, I think I would waive that rule... just for him.)
5. Attend a Cirque du Soleil performance (You know me. I'm starting an envelope today. Five dollars every two weeks for the next six years, and I'll have enough for the Fabulous Faulkner Five to attend. I know the shows are all over the place, so once I have the money for the very expensive tickets, we'll definitely do this one.)
Tune in tomorrow when I give you a list of famous restaurants I want to dine in before I'm 90. I have a lot of those!
Crescent Roll Tombs
These are a preschool version of the tomb cookies you leave in the oven overnight the night before Easter. (I'll have that recipe next Tuesday for you and your older children to try.)
You will need:
1 can Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
8 large marshmallows (one for each roll)
1. Mix sugar and cinnamon mixture together and put in an empty and clean salt shaker. Set aside.
2. Pull the crescent rolls apart and have them on several paper plates already in their original triangle form.
3. Let your preschooler use a cooking brush and lightly brush the inside of the crescent roll with butter.
4. Place the marshmallow in the center of the roll and show the child how to roll the crescent roll around it.
5. Let your preschooler brush the outside of the crescent roll with butter.
6. Now the child can sprinkle the top of the crescent roll with the cinnamon/sugar mixture.
7. Place all of the finished rolls on a cookie sheet and cook according to the instructions on the crescent roll package.
While the crescent rolls are baking, open your Bible and tell your child the story of the Resurrection. (Read John 21:1-30 to be familiar with the story.)
Explain to your child the marshmallow they used in the recipe represents Jesus after he died on the cross and he was wrapped in the burial clothes. The crescent rolls are like the tomb where they put Jesus' body. Now, you want to wait for the rolls to finish baking.
When you remove the rolls from the oven, you can look through the crescent roll and see that it is empty except for some remnants of the white marshmallow (the burial clothes). This is just a simple visual example of the story they will hear every year for the rest of their lives. But children are very visual, and seeing something makes it much more real to them.
While you are eating your Crescent Roll Tombs, finish the story of Jesus' Resurrection. Ask the following questions:
1. Did Jesus immediately go back to heaven? (No. He went to talk to his disciples.)
2. Which disciple didn't believe it was Jesus talking to him? (Thomas)
3. What did Thomas have to do to believe it was really and truly Jesus? (He had to touch the holes where the nails had been in Jesus' hands and feet.)
4. Do you think you would have believed it was Jesus?
5. How do you think the disciples felt when they realized it really was Jesus?
As I said before, this is definitely a preschool recipe, and I'll have the older version for you next week. However, two, three, four and five year-old children are truly amazing. They will learn anything you are willing to teach them. And this is a great activity because it allows them to "cook," so they are going to be very interested in the story and the questions at the end while they eat their snack with you.
NOTE: You can also use a children's version of the Easter story to read to them instead of from the Bible. Pictures keep them interested and the books will be on their level.
Have a marvelous Tuesday. I'll be back tomorrow NOT with an Easter tradition. Sorry, folks. It will be April Fool's Day, and I have a pretty easy trick to play on the family. The bad thing about April Fool's Day is you can only play a prank one time. We did this once, and it was a lot of fun. (I promise, after Wednesday we're strictly Easter all the way for the next two weeks. Promise!)
Talk to you tomorrow.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Amazing Race - Easter Style!
Good Monday morning!
I hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours went pretty much according to plan... so we had a good bit of family time, as well as some down time. This may be our last "non-busy" weekend for a while. With Austin's Band Banquet, Prom, band trip to Virginia Beach and graduation looming in the near future, we have a lot of things to do and places to go. Add to that Easter, a little Family City Adventure to Nashville, Roxie's dance recital, Josh's guitar concert and the obligatory Botanical Gardens visit to take pictures, and we have ourselves a lot of busy weekends coming up! Yes, this was definitely our last "non-busy" weekend... and yes, we definitely enjoyed it very much. (And we'll enjoy the busy ones, too. I can't even imagine how many pictures will need to be taken in the next eight weeks... and if you've known me five minutes you know I am REALLY, REALLY excited about that aspect of April and May!)
My Showcase Pic this week is my nephew Brad when he was a little guy. As is evident by the pictures of my kids and Bev's kids, her children are all brunette with dark complexions. Mine have auburn hair with fair complexions. Just like me and Beverly... total opposites.
The Gallery Pics this week are from my nephew's birthday. Brad is officially 17... and loving it! He is a handsome, sweet guy, and he has been a wonderful nephew. (I'm having trouble getting him to call me "Belinda, the Great." It must be something you have to start when they are very young... like my great-nephew, Matthew!) Also, since I am talking about 100 Things To Do Before 90 (see below), I'm going to put a picture of a couple of the things I've accomplished thus far. (Today... Me and Mikie celebrating our 20th anniversary in Charleston, South Carolina. That's right, folks. My favorite thing... a two-fer!)
100 Things To Do Before 90
Mike says this is my "Bucket List," but I disagree. One, I didn't see the movie (starring Jack Nicholson) about two friends dying and doing a bunch of different things before they "kicked the bucket." Two, since the women in my family live well into their 100s, I do not consider it a "Bucket List" at all. It's just another "To Do" list as far as I'm concerned.
I know a lot of people have lists of things they want to do, see or accomplish before certain ages. I'm working on a scrapbook of 100 things I want to do, see or accomplish before the age of 90. I started when I was 45 (which would have given me 45 years to complete the list). I was a little amazed at how fast the last 2.5 years flew by... and how little I marked off my list. Amazed and very nervous. I'm going to have to pick it up a little. (Also, I should have started this list when I was 20!)
So far, I've marked off the following:
1. Celebrate 20th anniversary
2. Visit Charleston, South Carolina
3. Become a tubing expert (And I am an expert, too. Just because I don't like going 100 mph doesn't mean I CAN'T go 100 mph. It's just a personal preference!)
4. Visit Amelia Island
5. Start a Blog (And an excellent blog it is!)
6. Meet ten famous people (You have seen my list beginning with the March 11, 2009 post. I'm a little short!)
See... That is pitiful. If I only do five or six things every two and a half years, it doesn't take a genius to figure out I'm not going to make it! Well, you don't have to be a genius, but you do have to have a calculator. (I'll only have 90 things marked off by the time I'm 90... and I'm thinking between 90 and 100, I'm going to mainly be concentrating on breathing and not marking off the last ten things on my list!)
So, just for fun, I'm going to share a few things every day this week from my list. There may be someone out there who could actually help me obtain some of my goals. I'm not too proud to ask for HELP!
Today I'm going to list seven things I consider "active" things I want to accomplish. Translation -- I need to do these as soon as physically possible.
1. Snow ski in Colorado or Utah
2. Go snow tubing
3. Ride horses on the beach
4. Swim with dolphins
5. Ice skate at Rockefeller Center under the Christmas tree
6. Parasail
7. Zip line
Now before you say anything, I have snow skied in West Virginia and it was a fiasco (see previous posts beginning February 2, 2009). However, I hear the snow is different in Colorado and Utah. I want to see for myself. AND if skiing is still not my thing, I will snow tube there. (I assume since I am an expert water tuber, I will also be quite adept at snow tubing. For anyone who has snow tubed before, you can let me know if that assumption is correct or not.)
I have also ridden horses on occasion, but always on mountain trails. I just think it would be so romantic and pretty to ride them on the beach at sunset. (Someone will need to be there to take flattering pictures of me as I ride toward them. And I will need to have much longer hair... and it will need to be blonde. Anyway, that's the way I imagine it.)
When I was younger, I wanted to be a marine biologist. Then I saw JAWS. But I still dream of swimming with dolphins. And I mean swim... none of that "pet their nose" stuff. I want to hold their fin and go all over the place.
I have also ice skated. While I prefer roller skating (it doesn't hurt as much when you fall), I want to experience the whole skating under the giant Christmas tree with snowflakes gently falling on me thing. (Again, someone will need to be there to take flattering pictures of me before I fall and blood is involved.)
Parasailing and zip lining need to be done sooner than later for obvious reasons. Anything that entails putting a harness around your rear end in front of other people doesn't need to wait. Especially when (in theory) that particular part of your body gets bigger every year from 45 on! (No one needs to be around photographing those events. I'll just have to remember them by myself!) I also want to parasail and zip line fairly "low," if you know what I mean. I think I can enjoy the experience just as well ten feet off the ground or ocean as 100 feet off the ground or ocean.
I'll share a few more tomorrow and the next day. Like I said earlier, if you have a zip line in your backyard or know of local dolphins I could swim with... just let me know!
Amazing Race - Easter Style!
This falls under "transition traditions" for teenagers who used to hunt Easter eggs in your family. If your family set aside a day for traditional egg hunts, this is something new and fun to try with the now older kids in your family.
Since I have this planned for the Friday before Easter, I will give you my outline and the Monday after Easter I will tell you if it was successful... or not.
1. We are going to the Galleria after school on Friday. (My three children - ages 18, 15 and 12 and my sister's three children - ages 17, 15 and 11.)
2. The three oldest (Austin, Brad and Josh) will be on a team by themselves. Katie, Roxie and Zac will be on a team with their Aunt Bev.
3. The clues will be on a piece of paper I will have in a large manila envelope. There are two places in the Race where they will receive envelopes from other people in the mall.
The following is a copy of the instructions, clues and envelopes:
Each team will have the following when the race begins... 1 manila envelope; 1 instruction sheet; 1 pen; 1 digital camera. When the race ends, each team should have all of the above, but also two envelopes (one from Auntie Annie's Pretzels and one from their Grandmother), and a signed Easter card for their Grandmother.
Each team will start together in the same place. I will hand a large manila envelope to each team. Of the eight clues I am about to show you, Team One will be racing in order (1 - 7), and Team Two will be racing backward (7 - 1). They will not know the difference. They have the same clues, just in a different order so they won't arrive at the same destinations at the same time. This is what the sheet of paper will say when they open their manila envelope.
WELCOME TO THE AMAZING RACE - EASTER STYLE!
YOU MUST COMPLETE EACH TASK IN ORDER. NO RUNNING IS ALLOWED. THE FIRST TEAM TO REACH THE PIT STOP OF THE RACE WILL BE DECLARED THE WINNER... HOWEVER, YOU MUST HAVE ALL THE ENVELOPES YOU HAVE COLLECTED WITH YOU WHEN YOU CHECK IN OR YOU WILL SUFFER A FIVE MINUTE TIME PENALTY.
YOU WILL HAVE $15 FOR THIS LEG OF THE RACE. COUNT YOUR MONEY, AND BEGIN!
1. Find the elevators in the middle of the Food Court. Ride up to the 2nd floor and back down again a total of three times. You should exit on the 1st floor. NOTE: YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE SECOND FLOOR THREE TIMES BEFORE YOU GET OFF THE ELEVATOR ON THE 1ST FLOOR.
2. Now make your way to the Book Store in the mall. Find an Easter book. Take one member's picture with the book.
3. Go to where children are having their picture made with the Easter Bunny. Take one member's picture with the Easter Bunny behind them. NOTE: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE AND HAVE YOUR PICTURE MADE WITH THE EASTER BUNNY. HE JUST HAS TO BE IN THE BACKGROUND OF YOUR PICTURE.
4. Go to Auntie Annie's Pretzel stand. Order one order of cinnamon pretzel sticks with one cup of icing and one large Coke. Don't forget napkins and three straws. Ask the clerk for your next clue after you place your order. (THE PERSON BEHIND THE COUNTER WILL HAND THEM AN ENVELOPE WHEN THEY ASK. THE ENVELOPE HAS TO BE OPENED, AND IT WILL TELL THEM TO GO TO THE FOOD COURT AND FIND THEIR GRANDMOTHER WHO IS SITTING AT ONE OF THE TABLES. THEY ARE TO SIT DOWN AND EAT THEIR PRETZEL STICKS, DRINK THEIR COKE, AND THEIR GRANDMOTHER WILL HAND THEM THEIR NEXT ENVELOPE WHEN THEY FINISH.)
THE ENVELOPE HANDED TO THEM BY THEIR GRANDMOTHER WILL TELL THEM TO GO TO THE CAROUSEL. ONE PERSON HAS TO RIDE THE CAROUSEL... OR THEY CAN DO THE ROADBLOCK.
ROADBLOCK - IF ONE PERSON IS NOT WILLING TO RIDE THE CAROUSEL, THEN THE GROUP HAS TO STAND BESIDE THE ENTRANCE TO THE CAROUSEL AND WAIT UNTIL IT MAKES TWO COMPLETE RIDES. (NOW THEY LOOK BACK AT THEIR SHEET OF PAPER.)
5. Find the Gourmet Bubble Gum machines in the mall. Each person on the team must find and buy their favorite flavor. Before you move on to the next clue, EACH person must blow a bubble with their bubble gum.
6. Go to BumperNets. EACH person must play one game before moving to the next clue. It can be air hockey, pinball, pool, etc. You do not have a lot of time. REMEMBER... PLAY ONLY ONE GAME PER PERSON. (It is acceptable for air hockey to count for two members of the team. The third member of the team would need to play another game. The games can all be played at the same time.)
7. Go to the Hallmark Store and pick out an Easter card for Grandmother. Watch your money. (BE CHEAP!!!) Purchase the card. ALL three team members must sign the card with the pen in the manila envelope. Seal the card and put it in the manila envelope to give to Grandmother at the end of the race.
8. Make your way to the entrance of J. C. Penney's and look for Grandmother. This is the Pit Stop of this leg of the race. Remember, the last team to arrive may be eliminated.
Now remember, this is Team One's list. Team Two's list will begin as follows and go from 7 to 1.
1. Go to the Hallmark store and pick out an Easter card for Grandmother. Etc., etc., etc.
Each Team's number 8 on the list will be the same.
I will arrive at the Galleria early to talk to the clerk at Auntie Annie's Pretzels, and leave the envelopes.
I hope I've made it clear. If you have any questions, just contact me in the comment section or e-mail me, and I'll try to clear up any confusion.
I think it's going to be a lot of fun, and I think even the teenage boys are going to get a kick out of it. Again, if I'm wrong, I will admit it and we'll move on to something else. (I have been wrong before, you know... I put that in there for Mikie's benefit!)
Have a fantastic Monday. Tune in tomorrow for an Easter recipe (that is also a tradition). Great (and easy) for families with young children. I will also have a few more things from my 100 Things To Do Before 90 list. I know you don't want to miss that!
Talk to you tomorrow!
I hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours went pretty much according to plan... so we had a good bit of family time, as well as some down time. This may be our last "non-busy" weekend for a while. With Austin's Band Banquet, Prom, band trip to Virginia Beach and graduation looming in the near future, we have a lot of things to do and places to go. Add to that Easter, a little Family City Adventure to Nashville, Roxie's dance recital, Josh's guitar concert and the obligatory Botanical Gardens visit to take pictures, and we have ourselves a lot of busy weekends coming up! Yes, this was definitely our last "non-busy" weekend... and yes, we definitely enjoyed it very much. (And we'll enjoy the busy ones, too. I can't even imagine how many pictures will need to be taken in the next eight weeks... and if you've known me five minutes you know I am REALLY, REALLY excited about that aspect of April and May!)
My Showcase Pic this week is my nephew Brad when he was a little guy. As is evident by the pictures of my kids and Bev's kids, her children are all brunette with dark complexions. Mine have auburn hair with fair complexions. Just like me and Beverly... total opposites.
The Gallery Pics this week are from my nephew's birthday. Brad is officially 17... and loving it! He is a handsome, sweet guy, and he has been a wonderful nephew. (I'm having trouble getting him to call me "Belinda, the Great." It must be something you have to start when they are very young... like my great-nephew, Matthew!) Also, since I am talking about 100 Things To Do Before 90 (see below), I'm going to put a picture of a couple of the things I've accomplished thus far. (Today... Me and Mikie celebrating our 20th anniversary in Charleston, South Carolina. That's right, folks. My favorite thing... a two-fer!)
100 Things To Do Before 90
Mike says this is my "Bucket List," but I disagree. One, I didn't see the movie (starring Jack Nicholson) about two friends dying and doing a bunch of different things before they "kicked the bucket." Two, since the women in my family live well into their 100s, I do not consider it a "Bucket List" at all. It's just another "To Do" list as far as I'm concerned.
I know a lot of people have lists of things they want to do, see or accomplish before certain ages. I'm working on a scrapbook of 100 things I want to do, see or accomplish before the age of 90. I started when I was 45 (which would have given me 45 years to complete the list). I was a little amazed at how fast the last 2.5 years flew by... and how little I marked off my list. Amazed and very nervous. I'm going to have to pick it up a little. (Also, I should have started this list when I was 20!)
So far, I've marked off the following:
1. Celebrate 20th anniversary
2. Visit Charleston, South Carolina
3. Become a tubing expert (And I am an expert, too. Just because I don't like going 100 mph doesn't mean I CAN'T go 100 mph. It's just a personal preference!)
4. Visit Amelia Island
5. Start a Blog (And an excellent blog it is!)
6. Meet ten famous people (You have seen my list beginning with the March 11, 2009 post. I'm a little short!)
See... That is pitiful. If I only do five or six things every two and a half years, it doesn't take a genius to figure out I'm not going to make it! Well, you don't have to be a genius, but you do have to have a calculator. (I'll only have 90 things marked off by the time I'm 90... and I'm thinking between 90 and 100, I'm going to mainly be concentrating on breathing and not marking off the last ten things on my list!)
So, just for fun, I'm going to share a few things every day this week from my list. There may be someone out there who could actually help me obtain some of my goals. I'm not too proud to ask for HELP!
Today I'm going to list seven things I consider "active" things I want to accomplish. Translation -- I need to do these as soon as physically possible.
1. Snow ski in Colorado or Utah
2. Go snow tubing
3. Ride horses on the beach
4. Swim with dolphins
5. Ice skate at Rockefeller Center under the Christmas tree
6. Parasail
7. Zip line
Now before you say anything, I have snow skied in West Virginia and it was a fiasco (see previous posts beginning February 2, 2009). However, I hear the snow is different in Colorado and Utah. I want to see for myself. AND if skiing is still not my thing, I will snow tube there. (I assume since I am an expert water tuber, I will also be quite adept at snow tubing. For anyone who has snow tubed before, you can let me know if that assumption is correct or not.)
I have also ridden horses on occasion, but always on mountain trails. I just think it would be so romantic and pretty to ride them on the beach at sunset. (Someone will need to be there to take flattering pictures of me as I ride toward them. And I will need to have much longer hair... and it will need to be blonde. Anyway, that's the way I imagine it.)
When I was younger, I wanted to be a marine biologist. Then I saw JAWS. But I still dream of swimming with dolphins. And I mean swim... none of that "pet their nose" stuff. I want to hold their fin and go all over the place.
I have also ice skated. While I prefer roller skating (it doesn't hurt as much when you fall), I want to experience the whole skating under the giant Christmas tree with snowflakes gently falling on me thing. (Again, someone will need to be there to take flattering pictures of me before I fall and blood is involved.)
Parasailing and zip lining need to be done sooner than later for obvious reasons. Anything that entails putting a harness around your rear end in front of other people doesn't need to wait. Especially when (in theory) that particular part of your body gets bigger every year from 45 on! (No one needs to be around photographing those events. I'll just have to remember them by myself!) I also want to parasail and zip line fairly "low," if you know what I mean. I think I can enjoy the experience just as well ten feet off the ground or ocean as 100 feet off the ground or ocean.
I'll share a few more tomorrow and the next day. Like I said earlier, if you have a zip line in your backyard or know of local dolphins I could swim with... just let me know!
Amazing Race - Easter Style!
This falls under "transition traditions" for teenagers who used to hunt Easter eggs in your family. If your family set aside a day for traditional egg hunts, this is something new and fun to try with the now older kids in your family.
Since I have this planned for the Friday before Easter, I will give you my outline and the Monday after Easter I will tell you if it was successful... or not.
1. We are going to the Galleria after school on Friday. (My three children - ages 18, 15 and 12 and my sister's three children - ages 17, 15 and 11.)
2. The three oldest (Austin, Brad and Josh) will be on a team by themselves. Katie, Roxie and Zac will be on a team with their Aunt Bev.
3. The clues will be on a piece of paper I will have in a large manila envelope. There are two places in the Race where they will receive envelopes from other people in the mall.
The following is a copy of the instructions, clues and envelopes:
Each team will have the following when the race begins... 1 manila envelope; 1 instruction sheet; 1 pen; 1 digital camera. When the race ends, each team should have all of the above, but also two envelopes (one from Auntie Annie's Pretzels and one from their Grandmother), and a signed Easter card for their Grandmother.
Each team will start together in the same place. I will hand a large manila envelope to each team. Of the eight clues I am about to show you, Team One will be racing in order (1 - 7), and Team Two will be racing backward (7 - 1). They will not know the difference. They have the same clues, just in a different order so they won't arrive at the same destinations at the same time. This is what the sheet of paper will say when they open their manila envelope.
WELCOME TO THE AMAZING RACE - EASTER STYLE!
YOU MUST COMPLETE EACH TASK IN ORDER. NO RUNNING IS ALLOWED. THE FIRST TEAM TO REACH THE PIT STOP OF THE RACE WILL BE DECLARED THE WINNER... HOWEVER, YOU MUST HAVE ALL THE ENVELOPES YOU HAVE COLLECTED WITH YOU WHEN YOU CHECK IN OR YOU WILL SUFFER A FIVE MINUTE TIME PENALTY.
YOU WILL HAVE $15 FOR THIS LEG OF THE RACE. COUNT YOUR MONEY, AND BEGIN!
1. Find the elevators in the middle of the Food Court. Ride up to the 2nd floor and back down again a total of three times. You should exit on the 1st floor. NOTE: YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE SECOND FLOOR THREE TIMES BEFORE YOU GET OFF THE ELEVATOR ON THE 1ST FLOOR.
2. Now make your way to the Book Store in the mall. Find an Easter book. Take one member's picture with the book.
3. Go to where children are having their picture made with the Easter Bunny. Take one member's picture with the Easter Bunny behind them. NOTE: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE AND HAVE YOUR PICTURE MADE WITH THE EASTER BUNNY. HE JUST HAS TO BE IN THE BACKGROUND OF YOUR PICTURE.
4. Go to Auntie Annie's Pretzel stand. Order one order of cinnamon pretzel sticks with one cup of icing and one large Coke. Don't forget napkins and three straws. Ask the clerk for your next clue after you place your order. (THE PERSON BEHIND THE COUNTER WILL HAND THEM AN ENVELOPE WHEN THEY ASK. THE ENVELOPE HAS TO BE OPENED, AND IT WILL TELL THEM TO GO TO THE FOOD COURT AND FIND THEIR GRANDMOTHER WHO IS SITTING AT ONE OF THE TABLES. THEY ARE TO SIT DOWN AND EAT THEIR PRETZEL STICKS, DRINK THEIR COKE, AND THEIR GRANDMOTHER WILL HAND THEM THEIR NEXT ENVELOPE WHEN THEY FINISH.)
THE ENVELOPE HANDED TO THEM BY THEIR GRANDMOTHER WILL TELL THEM TO GO TO THE CAROUSEL. ONE PERSON HAS TO RIDE THE CAROUSEL... OR THEY CAN DO THE ROADBLOCK.
ROADBLOCK - IF ONE PERSON IS NOT WILLING TO RIDE THE CAROUSEL, THEN THE GROUP HAS TO STAND BESIDE THE ENTRANCE TO THE CAROUSEL AND WAIT UNTIL IT MAKES TWO COMPLETE RIDES. (NOW THEY LOOK BACK AT THEIR SHEET OF PAPER.)
5. Find the Gourmet Bubble Gum machines in the mall. Each person on the team must find and buy their favorite flavor. Before you move on to the next clue, EACH person must blow a bubble with their bubble gum.
6. Go to BumperNets. EACH person must play one game before moving to the next clue. It can be air hockey, pinball, pool, etc. You do not have a lot of time. REMEMBER... PLAY ONLY ONE GAME PER PERSON. (It is acceptable for air hockey to count for two members of the team. The third member of the team would need to play another game. The games can all be played at the same time.)
7. Go to the Hallmark Store and pick out an Easter card for Grandmother. Watch your money. (BE CHEAP!!!) Purchase the card. ALL three team members must sign the card with the pen in the manila envelope. Seal the card and put it in the manila envelope to give to Grandmother at the end of the race.
8. Make your way to the entrance of J. C. Penney's and look for Grandmother. This is the Pit Stop of this leg of the race. Remember, the last team to arrive may be eliminated.
Now remember, this is Team One's list. Team Two's list will begin as follows and go from 7 to 1.
1. Go to the Hallmark store and pick out an Easter card for Grandmother. Etc., etc., etc.
Each Team's number 8 on the list will be the same.
I will arrive at the Galleria early to talk to the clerk at Auntie Annie's Pretzels, and leave the envelopes.
I hope I've made it clear. If you have any questions, just contact me in the comment section or e-mail me, and I'll try to clear up any confusion.
I think it's going to be a lot of fun, and I think even the teenage boys are going to get a kick out of it. Again, if I'm wrong, I will admit it and we'll move on to something else. (I have been wrong before, you know... I put that in there for Mikie's benefit!)
Have a fantastic Monday. Tune in tomorrow for an Easter recipe (that is also a tradition). Great (and easy) for families with young children. I will also have a few more things from my 100 Things To Do Before 90 list. I know you don't want to miss that!
Talk to you tomorrow!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
First, I'd like to start by saying Wednesday night at 10:00 p.m., every phone in the house started ringing. (No exaggeration!) The house phone, Mike's cell, Josh's cell, Austin's cell and my cell all started ringing within seconds of each other. If you want to talk about something that will scare you to death... Five phones ringing at the same time do not usually bring good news. But this time was different. There had a been a mercury spill at the high school in one of the rooms. No one had been hurt, but the clean up wasn't finished so Josh and Austin did NOT have school on Thursday. They were thrilled. Roxie was furious. (When they have their make-up day, Roxie and I are going shopping. It's a date.) I thoroughly enjoyed their day off. We went out to lunch together after they slept in, shopped a little, and Josh and his friend, Clint, played guitar for a couple of hours. It was a good day.
I also want to give my nephew, Jared, a shout-out. He was in a very serious car accident this week, and literally walked away unharmed (except for being sore and stiff). It was a miracle, and I don't mean that in a flippant, "that's just what you say" sort of way. It truly was. We are all thankful he is okay.
I was wondering if Friday was going to arrive this week or not! But it is here, and we have some wonderful things planned for the weekend. Tonight, Josh and friends are going to a movie. I'm not sure about the rest of the Faulkner Five, but "hanging out" sounds good, too. Saturday we're all going to Top of the River in Gadsden for Brad's family birthday party. (Can you say fried dill pickles? Yum. Don't knock them if you haven't tried them. It is just about the only fried food I eat anymore... and I have them an average of once every two or three years. Oh... and fried crab claws. I have those once a year when we go to the beach.) Sunday is church and whatever else might pop up!
Check out tara whitney photography under my Blog List... again. I want my family's picture taken at the Santa Monica pier. This weekend. Heavy sigh. (I love the pictures of the "toothy" kids. Just beautiful.)
April is coming up fast and furious, and we'll be doing at least two weeks' worth of Easter parties, events, traditions, books, recipes, etc. I also have a special post for April Fool's Day, and the story of our own personal F1 tornado that hit our home three years ago on April 8. There will be a lot going on around here next week, so be sure to check in!
TV Review
Amazing Race - There isn't going to be a villain. This is the most civil bunch of people I have ever seen on a reality TV show. They are more civil than the people in my Sunday School class! (Just kidding.) Very, very disappointing. The fact there are no villains doesn't give you any one to root for. Any one of the teams could win, and I'd be satisfied. I do think the challenges are a little harder this time around... and different. They haven't had their "gross food" challenge yet. I have to watch that one with one eye closed. It truly is interesting what people in other countries eat, isn't it? (Of course, they would probably close their eyes if they saw me eating a fried dill pickle, wouldn't they?)
Celebrity Apprentice - Well, the women finally lost, and Claudia was fired. (I think she is a model on Deal or No Deal.) She didn't stand a chance. She put herself up against Melissa Rivers. Melissa Rivers is tough. And her mom was sitting there defending her, and Joan Rivers is tough. It was a no-win situation. Those two women are a force to be reckoned with. I personally think Donald Trump is afraid of them, too. I'm most impressed with Annie, the female poker player. She started off the first three shows being so obnoxious, and she has totally changed how she relates to people. She watches what she says and how she says it. I think she is very smart, and I like someone who is willing and able to change for the better (fake or not). It will be interesting to see how far she goes in the competition now that she has her new and much-improved personality. I feel Melissa or Joan Rivers will ultimately win the Celebrity Apprentice... You know, because of Donald Trump being so scared of them and all.
Jon & Kate - The teaser for the show made me think Jon and Kate's marriage was in trouble... and listening to a few other people who watch the show, I think they were of the same mind. As it turned out, the big cliffhanger was if they would be back for a fifth season. Kate said they would definitely be back, but Jon said he was unhappy and he didn't know. Three guesses who will win that one! I do want to watch them for another year. Those are the cutest kids... but after they start kindergarten, I don't know how much they'll be able to film. Having kids at school all day long and then having homework in the afternoons... I only have three and I know I wouldn't have time for a film crew to come in every day and film our every move (unless they were able to help with homework, dinner, baths, etc.). But that's just me.
24 - Austin and I both agreed this one wasn't one of the biggest cliffhangers they've ever made, but it was good nonetheless. I knew Jack would do the right thing and save the stupid, stupid, stupid security guard's life. I knew Tony wouldn't want him to. And now I have to worry about Tony again, being tied up in the back of the terrorist's car. And I was worried about Jack being exposed to the biochemical weapon until I heard on the news the next day that he had signed up for Season 8. I think he's going to make it! (I am very interested in Jack and the President's daughter getting in a room together so he can take care of her and her very, very bad attitude. Oh, yeah. It will happen. It's just a matter of time!)
Lost - I've gone from being frustrated because I understood nothing to being depressed because now I understand too much. (But even I... a lowly housewife, know you cannot do things when you are in the past that will change the future. Sayid made a big, big mistake getting rid of Ben.) And if they have to start this show all over again because of all the changes that come from Sayid taking Ben out... well, I just can't even wrap my head around that one! Just one more thing... Hoarce needs a haircut!
Survivor - This was just one of the deleted scenes shows. It was pretty good and it gave you a better idea of the personalities involved. Some things never change though... Coach is still nuts; J. T. is still the go-to-guy; Taj still needs to wear more clothes; Tyson needs to act a little more modestly; etc., etc. The biggest surprise... I loved the pretty model starting a fire in ten seconds flat. You go, girl!
Wedding Story - Part 5 - Miscellaneous
None of the following mishaps warrant a whole story. They are just bits and pieces of things that can (and did) go wrong somewhere along the way...
Fainting - I actually played for two different weddings where people fainted. One was the bride, and I was instructed to play softly while they worked on reviving her (which they successfully did). The other was a groomsman who took out the bride, and while the groom got her back on her feet, the groomsman was unceremoniously drug out the side door... no music necessary. Everything was taken care of in a matter of seconds.
Play Something Now - I was playing for a friend's wedding and had the obligatory 22 minutes of prelude music ready to go. For some reason, dozens of people showed up very early for her wedding. She panicked and told me to start playing my 22 minutes of prelude music 20 minutes before it was time. I panicked and told her I would just play through the 22 minutes of music twice. She did NOT want to do that because the people who had come 42 minutes early to the wedding would be listening to the same music over and over again... well, actually just twice. (In the end, we did it my way and it turned out fine. Pulling 20 minutes of new material out of a hat is not what I do best, as you may or may not have guessed!)
Torn Music - I was playing for a soloist, and the music was six or more pages long, so instead of copying it, she said she would sing beside me and turn pages. That's usually fine in a wedding because of all the candles and flowers hiding the piano and soloist. As it turned out, halfway through the song she reached over to turn the page and totally ripped the page out of the book. Startled, she let go and it floated to the ground and underneath the piano. She dove under the piano to look for the missing music, and I played the ending of the song with the music which was left showing. It was the shortest solo EVER!
My Own Wedding Music - After playing every wedding song known to man in the 80s and 90s, I knew exactly what I wanted played for my own wedding when the time came. I just hoped the groom would be agreeable. (He was.) For my prelude music, I wanted old hymns (Amazing Grace, Sweet Hour of Prayer, I Come to the Garden, etc.). Mike even added his favorite old hymns to the batch. For the solos it was again an easy choice... Surely the Presence and Holy Ground. We even had Holy Ground performed at Austin's baby dedication a few years later sung by Mike's best friend (who also sang at our wedding). Of course, I stuck with the traditional Processional and Recessional... and I made sure I made it to the altar at the exact moment the Processional ended. My pianist did not have to worry about "fast walkers." I savored every single step.
Book
The Book for today is a wonderful book for families. It is called Affordable Family Fun by Susan L. Lingo. The back of the book explains it pretty well... "You'll find easy ideas for family field trips. For do-it-yourself family festivals. And for good, old-fashioned, homespun fun around the house and neighborhood! Each activity includes a Bible concept you want your family to understand... and each activity costs $5 or less, from start to finish!" This book is geared for families with children in the age range of 4 to 12. I'm going to give you one of the shorter activities to let you see how it works.
Catch a Wondrous Web
Families will discover the importance of trusting in God's strength to make them strong.
Bible Concept: Our trust in God is strongest when we love him most.
Scripture Basis: Job 8:13-15
Supplies: You'll need one can of hair spray and black or dark blue construction paper.
Preparation: Choose a place outdoors where you've observed spider's webs. Webs can generally be found along low bushes and shrubs, tall grass and weeds, or trailing from houses and other buildings.
This unusual family activity works best on a dewy summer morning.
Hand each family member several sheets of black or dark blue construction paper. Explain that you'll be going on a "spider's web safari" to collect webs on your papers. Take a walk around the area you've chosen to explore. When someone spots a spider's web, carefully hold the construction paper against the back of the web. Then spray the entire spider's web with hair spray. The stick mist should transfer the web to the paper. Use a new sheet of paper each time you discover a new spider's web.
When you've collected all the webs you can find, examine the fine threads of the web. Then have family members discuss the following questions. Ask:
1. What does the spider's web remind you of?
2. Does the web seem strong or fragile? Explain.
3. What do you think happens to a spider's web in a strong wind or when something brushes against it?
4. The Bible tells us that people who don't love God are fragile. Why do you think this is true?
5. How do you think we can develop a stronger trust in God?
Say: Because a spider's web is thin and fragile, it breaks apart very easily. We need more than the strength of a spider's web, so it is important to trust God in all we do. Trust is made strong by love, so when we love and follow God, our trust in him grows even stronger. Let's hang our spider web "pictures" on the wall so we can remember that only love for God can make our trust in him strong and unbreakable.
Terrific Tip: Older children might enjoy re-spraying their webs with hair spray or other spray adhesive, then carefully sprinkling the webs with shimmery glitter. Hang the wondrous webs in a place for everyone to enjoy.
There are 42 inexpensive ways for your family to have fun and learn about God in the process. This book is available on Amazon.com and is very "affordable." Even if you didn't do everything in the book exactly as it says, you would still be able to get some great ideas for things to do as a family.
Have a fun weekend with your family. Plan a date or an outing or a family movie night... the possibilities are limitless!
I'll talk to you on Monday.
First, I'd like to start by saying Wednesday night at 10:00 p.m., every phone in the house started ringing. (No exaggeration!) The house phone, Mike's cell, Josh's cell, Austin's cell and my cell all started ringing within seconds of each other. If you want to talk about something that will scare you to death... Five phones ringing at the same time do not usually bring good news. But this time was different. There had a been a mercury spill at the high school in one of the rooms. No one had been hurt, but the clean up wasn't finished so Josh and Austin did NOT have school on Thursday. They were thrilled. Roxie was furious. (When they have their make-up day, Roxie and I are going shopping. It's a date.) I thoroughly enjoyed their day off. We went out to lunch together after they slept in, shopped a little, and Josh and his friend, Clint, played guitar for a couple of hours. It was a good day.
I also want to give my nephew, Jared, a shout-out. He was in a very serious car accident this week, and literally walked away unharmed (except for being sore and stiff). It was a miracle, and I don't mean that in a flippant, "that's just what you say" sort of way. It truly was. We are all thankful he is okay.
I was wondering if Friday was going to arrive this week or not! But it is here, and we have some wonderful things planned for the weekend. Tonight, Josh and friends are going to a movie. I'm not sure about the rest of the Faulkner Five, but "hanging out" sounds good, too. Saturday we're all going to Top of the River in Gadsden for Brad's family birthday party. (Can you say fried dill pickles? Yum. Don't knock them if you haven't tried them. It is just about the only fried food I eat anymore... and I have them an average of once every two or three years. Oh... and fried crab claws. I have those once a year when we go to the beach.) Sunday is church and whatever else might pop up!
Check out tara whitney photography under my Blog List... again. I want my family's picture taken at the Santa Monica pier. This weekend. Heavy sigh. (I love the pictures of the "toothy" kids. Just beautiful.)
April is coming up fast and furious, and we'll be doing at least two weeks' worth of Easter parties, events, traditions, books, recipes, etc. I also have a special post for April Fool's Day, and the story of our own personal F1 tornado that hit our home three years ago on April 8. There will be a lot going on around here next week, so be sure to check in!
TV Review
Amazing Race - There isn't going to be a villain. This is the most civil bunch of people I have ever seen on a reality TV show. They are more civil than the people in my Sunday School class! (Just kidding.) Very, very disappointing. The fact there are no villains doesn't give you any one to root for. Any one of the teams could win, and I'd be satisfied. I do think the challenges are a little harder this time around... and different. They haven't had their "gross food" challenge yet. I have to watch that one with one eye closed. It truly is interesting what people in other countries eat, isn't it? (Of course, they would probably close their eyes if they saw me eating a fried dill pickle, wouldn't they?)
Celebrity Apprentice - Well, the women finally lost, and Claudia was fired. (I think she is a model on Deal or No Deal.) She didn't stand a chance. She put herself up against Melissa Rivers. Melissa Rivers is tough. And her mom was sitting there defending her, and Joan Rivers is tough. It was a no-win situation. Those two women are a force to be reckoned with. I personally think Donald Trump is afraid of them, too. I'm most impressed with Annie, the female poker player. She started off the first three shows being so obnoxious, and she has totally changed how she relates to people. She watches what she says and how she says it. I think she is very smart, and I like someone who is willing and able to change for the better (fake or not). It will be interesting to see how far she goes in the competition now that she has her new and much-improved personality. I feel Melissa or Joan Rivers will ultimately win the Celebrity Apprentice... You know, because of Donald Trump being so scared of them and all.
Jon & Kate - The teaser for the show made me think Jon and Kate's marriage was in trouble... and listening to a few other people who watch the show, I think they were of the same mind. As it turned out, the big cliffhanger was if they would be back for a fifth season. Kate said they would definitely be back, but Jon said he was unhappy and he didn't know. Three guesses who will win that one! I do want to watch them for another year. Those are the cutest kids... but after they start kindergarten, I don't know how much they'll be able to film. Having kids at school all day long and then having homework in the afternoons... I only have three and I know I wouldn't have time for a film crew to come in every day and film our every move (unless they were able to help with homework, dinner, baths, etc.). But that's just me.
24 - Austin and I both agreed this one wasn't one of the biggest cliffhangers they've ever made, but it was good nonetheless. I knew Jack would do the right thing and save the stupid, stupid, stupid security guard's life. I knew Tony wouldn't want him to. And now I have to worry about Tony again, being tied up in the back of the terrorist's car. And I was worried about Jack being exposed to the biochemical weapon until I heard on the news the next day that he had signed up for Season 8. I think he's going to make it! (I am very interested in Jack and the President's daughter getting in a room together so he can take care of her and her very, very bad attitude. Oh, yeah. It will happen. It's just a matter of time!)
Lost - I've gone from being frustrated because I understood nothing to being depressed because now I understand too much. (But even I... a lowly housewife, know you cannot do things when you are in the past that will change the future. Sayid made a big, big mistake getting rid of Ben.) And if they have to start this show all over again because of all the changes that come from Sayid taking Ben out... well, I just can't even wrap my head around that one! Just one more thing... Hoarce needs a haircut!
Survivor - This was just one of the deleted scenes shows. It was pretty good and it gave you a better idea of the personalities involved. Some things never change though... Coach is still nuts; J. T. is still the go-to-guy; Taj still needs to wear more clothes; Tyson needs to act a little more modestly; etc., etc. The biggest surprise... I loved the pretty model starting a fire in ten seconds flat. You go, girl!
Wedding Story - Part 5 - Miscellaneous
None of the following mishaps warrant a whole story. They are just bits and pieces of things that can (and did) go wrong somewhere along the way...
Fainting - I actually played for two different weddings where people fainted. One was the bride, and I was instructed to play softly while they worked on reviving her (which they successfully did). The other was a groomsman who took out the bride, and while the groom got her back on her feet, the groomsman was unceremoniously drug out the side door... no music necessary. Everything was taken care of in a matter of seconds.
Play Something Now - I was playing for a friend's wedding and had the obligatory 22 minutes of prelude music ready to go. For some reason, dozens of people showed up very early for her wedding. She panicked and told me to start playing my 22 minutes of prelude music 20 minutes before it was time. I panicked and told her I would just play through the 22 minutes of music twice. She did NOT want to do that because the people who had come 42 minutes early to the wedding would be listening to the same music over and over again... well, actually just twice. (In the end, we did it my way and it turned out fine. Pulling 20 minutes of new material out of a hat is not what I do best, as you may or may not have guessed!)
Torn Music - I was playing for a soloist, and the music was six or more pages long, so instead of copying it, she said she would sing beside me and turn pages. That's usually fine in a wedding because of all the candles and flowers hiding the piano and soloist. As it turned out, halfway through the song she reached over to turn the page and totally ripped the page out of the book. Startled, she let go and it floated to the ground and underneath the piano. She dove under the piano to look for the missing music, and I played the ending of the song with the music which was left showing. It was the shortest solo EVER!
My Own Wedding Music - After playing every wedding song known to man in the 80s and 90s, I knew exactly what I wanted played for my own wedding when the time came. I just hoped the groom would be agreeable. (He was.) For my prelude music, I wanted old hymns (Amazing Grace, Sweet Hour of Prayer, I Come to the Garden, etc.). Mike even added his favorite old hymns to the batch. For the solos it was again an easy choice... Surely the Presence and Holy Ground. We even had Holy Ground performed at Austin's baby dedication a few years later sung by Mike's best friend (who also sang at our wedding). Of course, I stuck with the traditional Processional and Recessional... and I made sure I made it to the altar at the exact moment the Processional ended. My pianist did not have to worry about "fast walkers." I savored every single step.
Book
The Book for today is a wonderful book for families. It is called Affordable Family Fun by Susan L. Lingo. The back of the book explains it pretty well... "You'll find easy ideas for family field trips. For do-it-yourself family festivals. And for good, old-fashioned, homespun fun around the house and neighborhood! Each activity includes a Bible concept you want your family to understand... and each activity costs $5 or less, from start to finish!" This book is geared for families with children in the age range of 4 to 12. I'm going to give you one of the shorter activities to let you see how it works.
Catch a Wondrous Web
Families will discover the importance of trusting in God's strength to make them strong.
Bible Concept: Our trust in God is strongest when we love him most.
Scripture Basis: Job 8:13-15
Supplies: You'll need one can of hair spray and black or dark blue construction paper.
Preparation: Choose a place outdoors where you've observed spider's webs. Webs can generally be found along low bushes and shrubs, tall grass and weeds, or trailing from houses and other buildings.
This unusual family activity works best on a dewy summer morning.
Hand each family member several sheets of black or dark blue construction paper. Explain that you'll be going on a "spider's web safari" to collect webs on your papers. Take a walk around the area you've chosen to explore. When someone spots a spider's web, carefully hold the construction paper against the back of the web. Then spray the entire spider's web with hair spray. The stick mist should transfer the web to the paper. Use a new sheet of paper each time you discover a new spider's web.
When you've collected all the webs you can find, examine the fine threads of the web. Then have family members discuss the following questions. Ask:
1. What does the spider's web remind you of?
2. Does the web seem strong or fragile? Explain.
3. What do you think happens to a spider's web in a strong wind or when something brushes against it?
4. The Bible tells us that people who don't love God are fragile. Why do you think this is true?
5. How do you think we can develop a stronger trust in God?
Say: Because a spider's web is thin and fragile, it breaks apart very easily. We need more than the strength of a spider's web, so it is important to trust God in all we do. Trust is made strong by love, so when we love and follow God, our trust in him grows even stronger. Let's hang our spider web "pictures" on the wall so we can remember that only love for God can make our trust in him strong and unbreakable.
Terrific Tip: Older children might enjoy re-spraying their webs with hair spray or other spray adhesive, then carefully sprinkling the webs with shimmery glitter. Hang the wondrous webs in a place for everyone to enjoy.
There are 42 inexpensive ways for your family to have fun and learn about God in the process. This book is available on Amazon.com and is very "affordable." Even if you didn't do everything in the book exactly as it says, you would still be able to get some great ideas for things to do as a family.
Have a fun weekend with your family. Plan a date or an outing or a family movie night... the possibilities are limitless!
I'll talk to you on Monday.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Coupon Date
Good Thursday morning!
Rain, rain go away! They weren't kidding. Four days of the wet stuff. However, I don't think we're going to have anything worse than some thunderstorms... but in Alabama, you keep the TV on and watch for any sudden changes. I know Sunday is supposed to be beautiful. And even though we have all the drippy rain, I love the colors of the dogwoods and the azaleas and the yellow bushes and white peach trees and the purple trees (what are those???) against the dark gray skies. So pretty. I may have to get my camera out!
Tomorrow I'll have a complete TV Review. Jon & Kate had their season finale this week, so I'll be down to five reviews beginning next week... and then they will all taper off as the seasons all end. And then there will be nine months of NOTHING!
If you get a chance, click on Nitty Gritty under my Blog List, and read Jody's post for today. It will make you think, and perhaps put things in perspective. It helped me. Also, keep checking out the Sweet Celebrations website. She's been adding something almost everyday, and the cakes and cookies look amazing.
Wedding Story - Part 4 - Home Wedding
Of the 32 weddings I was honored to play for, two of them were home weddings. And they could not have been more different. However, I'll be sharing only one of those with you this week.
The first home wedding was a high school friend. It was a small affair in her family's living room, and when I arrived for the rehearsal the night before, everything was decorated beautifully. It was going to be a very pretty wedding. However, to make room for seating upstairs, they had moved the piano downstairs... and around the corner... toward the other side of the house. Hmmm. Interesting.
I'm not really a loud pianist. My main goal as a wedding musician had always been "Do not hit a clunker." My second goal had always been "If you do hit a clunker, don't hit it playing as loudly as you can." Thus, I was kind of a "tinkly" soft piano player. You never had to worry about me drowning out a soloist... EVER! But because of the position of the piano in the house, I was going to have to change some things.
During rehearsal, an aunt stood mid-way down the first set of steps. She could still hear and see the wedding. On the second set of steps stood a cousin who relayed what the aunt told her. She couldn't see or hear anything, but was going to step up a few steps to watch the ceremony after giving me my final cue on the wedding day. Because we were treading uncharted waters, the rehearsal went something like this... "LOUDER!" yelled the aunt... "LOUDER!" yelled the cousin. I played louder. "LOUDER!" yelled the aunt again... "LOUDER!" yelled the cousin again. Flop sweat at the rehearsal. I never had flop sweat at the rehearsal. This did not bode well.
My other problem (other than being yelled at) was apparent because I would not be able to see when the bride arrived at the altar. I knew it was a very short walk from the back bedroom to the living room, but I couldn't judge if she was going to be a "fast walker" or not. Once we got the volume where everyone was pleased, I asked them to let my friend walk down to the aisle while I played the Processional and let me know when she arrived at the final destination. "SHE'S READY!" yelled the aunt... "SHE'S READY!" yelled the cousin. I began banging out the Processional. "STOP! STOP!" yelled the aunt... "STOP! STOP!" yelled the cousin. I wasn't even one-third of the way finished.
"SHE'S JUST GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I GET TO A STOPPING POINT!" I yelled at the cousin, who in turn yelled at the aunt.
"OKAY!" yelled the bride... "OKAY!" yelled the aunt... "OKAY!" yelled the cousin.
I guess I didn't think everything through, because on the day of the wedding, it didn't really occur to me that the aunt and cousin wouldn't be comfortable yelling directions down the stairs. As it turned out, when the 30 or so wedding guests congregated in the upstairs living room, and the cousin stuck her head around the corner and told me I could begin, I still had not thought through the STOP and GO process.
So, as I was banging out the prelude music, I squealed and nearly jumped off the piano bench when the cousin put her hand on my shoulder to tell me I could STOP since all the guests had arrived. Okay. That was different. She went back around the corner only to appear again two seconds later to tell me to start the Processional. I banged that one out, too. When I finished, I sat quietly, alone and isolated, wondering what was happening upstairs. Lost in my own thoughts, I again squealed and jumped as the cousin touched my shoulder and told me to start playing the solo piece so the couple could light the candles. "You're going to have to stop sneaking up on me," I said as nicely as I could.
"And you're going to have stop squealing," she retorted. I was beginning not to care for the cousin.
Solo over, I sat in silence again waiting for my final cue. In the quiet, I came up with the idea of getting up and standing with my back against the wall so when the cousin popped around the corner I could jump out at her... but I WAS a professional. However, the thought made me start chuckling, and I was engrossed in seeing her jump when once more... you guessed it! Shoulder grab, squeal and jump. Yep, I definitely did not like that cousin.
I played the last song as loudly as I had played all the rest, and it was over. Not really knowing anyone but the bride (and not having gotten along very well with the yelling aunt and the sneaky cousin), I didn't want to go upstairs for the reception. My friend came to my rescue by coming downstairs, giving me an envelope and a quick hug, and I was left to slip out the garage door. I really didn't even have to put on pantyhose that day. I could have showed up in shorts and a halter top and no one would have ever known. (I actually never wore halter tops. I was just using a word picture to portray how isolated I was in the basement... Oh, never mind!)
Coupon Date
This date can be between a husband and a spouse OR a dad/mom and a child. Every year, our school sells a Coupons for Classrooms book for $15. We always buy one (sometimes two). The book is full of local restaurant coupons, as well as coupons for bowling, Alabama Adventure (local theme park), Atlanta Braves tickets, McWane Science Center (hands-on children's museum), golf courses, etc.
Mike and I have done this several times. We get in the car with the book, and we begin searching the restaurant section. We usually go to a restaurant with a "free entree with the purchase of an entree of greater or equal value" coupon. We eat there and then look at more restaurant coupons for free desserts. After that, we pick our "activity" (which would usually be bowling). On the way home, we would stop at Krispy Kreme and use a "dozen free doughnuts" coupon for breakfast the next morning (for the kids, of course).
It's a fun date, and we never really knew where we were going to end up. One night, we went to the Summit, ate at Johnny Rockets for a ridiculously low price, had a totally free dessert at Mrs. Field's cookies, and then spent an hour or so browsing at Barnes & Noble and drinking coffee. There was no coupon for coffee at Barnes & Noble. It's just one of our favorite places to go on a date.
If you live in an area that doesn't sell these coupon books, start collecting coupons from the Internet or newspaper of places you and your family enjoy eating and playing. When you have enough for a "selection," plan an evening or Saturday afternoon and have fun going to two or three or four different places (for hardly any cost at all).
I still haven't been able to nail down my final Irish date, but I'm not finished looking YET! Give me one more week. But until then, totally enjoy a coupon date this weekend. I promise... you'll love it!
Have a wonderful Thursday. I'll be back tomorrow with Weekend Happenings, the TV Review, Book of the Week and the final installment of the Wedding Stories.
Talk to you then!
Rain, rain go away! They weren't kidding. Four days of the wet stuff. However, I don't think we're going to have anything worse than some thunderstorms... but in Alabama, you keep the TV on and watch for any sudden changes. I know Sunday is supposed to be beautiful. And even though we have all the drippy rain, I love the colors of the dogwoods and the azaleas and the yellow bushes and white peach trees and the purple trees (what are those???) against the dark gray skies. So pretty. I may have to get my camera out!
Tomorrow I'll have a complete TV Review. Jon & Kate had their season finale this week, so I'll be down to five reviews beginning next week... and then they will all taper off as the seasons all end. And then there will be nine months of NOTHING!
If you get a chance, click on Nitty Gritty under my Blog List, and read Jody's post for today. It will make you think, and perhaps put things in perspective. It helped me. Also, keep checking out the Sweet Celebrations website. She's been adding something almost everyday, and the cakes and cookies look amazing.
Wedding Story - Part 4 - Home Wedding
Of the 32 weddings I was honored to play for, two of them were home weddings. And they could not have been more different. However, I'll be sharing only one of those with you this week.
The first home wedding was a high school friend. It was a small affair in her family's living room, and when I arrived for the rehearsal the night before, everything was decorated beautifully. It was going to be a very pretty wedding. However, to make room for seating upstairs, they had moved the piano downstairs... and around the corner... toward the other side of the house. Hmmm. Interesting.
I'm not really a loud pianist. My main goal as a wedding musician had always been "Do not hit a clunker." My second goal had always been "If you do hit a clunker, don't hit it playing as loudly as you can." Thus, I was kind of a "tinkly" soft piano player. You never had to worry about me drowning out a soloist... EVER! But because of the position of the piano in the house, I was going to have to change some things.
During rehearsal, an aunt stood mid-way down the first set of steps. She could still hear and see the wedding. On the second set of steps stood a cousin who relayed what the aunt told her. She couldn't see or hear anything, but was going to step up a few steps to watch the ceremony after giving me my final cue on the wedding day. Because we were treading uncharted waters, the rehearsal went something like this... "LOUDER!" yelled the aunt... "LOUDER!" yelled the cousin. I played louder. "LOUDER!" yelled the aunt again... "LOUDER!" yelled the cousin again. Flop sweat at the rehearsal. I never had flop sweat at the rehearsal. This did not bode well.
My other problem (other than being yelled at) was apparent because I would not be able to see when the bride arrived at the altar. I knew it was a very short walk from the back bedroom to the living room, but I couldn't judge if she was going to be a "fast walker" or not. Once we got the volume where everyone was pleased, I asked them to let my friend walk down to the aisle while I played the Processional and let me know when she arrived at the final destination. "SHE'S READY!" yelled the aunt... "SHE'S READY!" yelled the cousin. I began banging out the Processional. "STOP! STOP!" yelled the aunt... "STOP! STOP!" yelled the cousin. I wasn't even one-third of the way finished.
"SHE'S JUST GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I GET TO A STOPPING POINT!" I yelled at the cousin, who in turn yelled at the aunt.
"OKAY!" yelled the bride... "OKAY!" yelled the aunt... "OKAY!" yelled the cousin.
I guess I didn't think everything through, because on the day of the wedding, it didn't really occur to me that the aunt and cousin wouldn't be comfortable yelling directions down the stairs. As it turned out, when the 30 or so wedding guests congregated in the upstairs living room, and the cousin stuck her head around the corner and told me I could begin, I still had not thought through the STOP and GO process.
So, as I was banging out the prelude music, I squealed and nearly jumped off the piano bench when the cousin put her hand on my shoulder to tell me I could STOP since all the guests had arrived. Okay. That was different. She went back around the corner only to appear again two seconds later to tell me to start the Processional. I banged that one out, too. When I finished, I sat quietly, alone and isolated, wondering what was happening upstairs. Lost in my own thoughts, I again squealed and jumped as the cousin touched my shoulder and told me to start playing the solo piece so the couple could light the candles. "You're going to have to stop sneaking up on me," I said as nicely as I could.
"And you're going to have stop squealing," she retorted. I was beginning not to care for the cousin.
Solo over, I sat in silence again waiting for my final cue. In the quiet, I came up with the idea of getting up and standing with my back against the wall so when the cousin popped around the corner I could jump out at her... but I WAS a professional. However, the thought made me start chuckling, and I was engrossed in seeing her jump when once more... you guessed it! Shoulder grab, squeal and jump. Yep, I definitely did not like that cousin.
I played the last song as loudly as I had played all the rest, and it was over. Not really knowing anyone but the bride (and not having gotten along very well with the yelling aunt and the sneaky cousin), I didn't want to go upstairs for the reception. My friend came to my rescue by coming downstairs, giving me an envelope and a quick hug, and I was left to slip out the garage door. I really didn't even have to put on pantyhose that day. I could have showed up in shorts and a halter top and no one would have ever known. (I actually never wore halter tops. I was just using a word picture to portray how isolated I was in the basement... Oh, never mind!)
Coupon Date
This date can be between a husband and a spouse OR a dad/mom and a child. Every year, our school sells a Coupons for Classrooms book for $15. We always buy one (sometimes two). The book is full of local restaurant coupons, as well as coupons for bowling, Alabama Adventure (local theme park), Atlanta Braves tickets, McWane Science Center (hands-on children's museum), golf courses, etc.
Mike and I have done this several times. We get in the car with the book, and we begin searching the restaurant section. We usually go to a restaurant with a "free entree with the purchase of an entree of greater or equal value" coupon. We eat there and then look at more restaurant coupons for free desserts. After that, we pick our "activity" (which would usually be bowling). On the way home, we would stop at Krispy Kreme and use a "dozen free doughnuts" coupon for breakfast the next morning (for the kids, of course).
It's a fun date, and we never really knew where we were going to end up. One night, we went to the Summit, ate at Johnny Rockets for a ridiculously low price, had a totally free dessert at Mrs. Field's cookies, and then spent an hour or so browsing at Barnes & Noble and drinking coffee. There was no coupon for coffee at Barnes & Noble. It's just one of our favorite places to go on a date.
If you live in an area that doesn't sell these coupon books, start collecting coupons from the Internet or newspaper of places you and your family enjoy eating and playing. When you have enough for a "selection," plan an evening or Saturday afternoon and have fun going to two or three or four different places (for hardly any cost at all).
I still haven't been able to nail down my final Irish date, but I'm not finished looking YET! Give me one more week. But until then, totally enjoy a coupon date this weekend. I promise... you'll love it!
Have a wonderful Thursday. I'll be back tomorrow with Weekend Happenings, the TV Review, Book of the Week and the final installment of the Wedding Stories.
Talk to you then!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Noccalula Falls
Good Wednesday morning!
My nephew, Brad, is 17 today, so I want to wish him a Happy Birthday (in print). His family party will be this weekend, and I'll have some pictures of that next week.
Brad and Austin are going to two different proms this year... Austin's is on a Friday night and Brad's prom is the next night. Bev and I found out this past weekend they are wearing the same tux, vest and tie. It's really funny because there must be 1,000 different vests and ties to choose from in the year 2009. Anything from hunter's orange to camouflage. (I had to fight Austin about that one since his date is wearing navy blue. Now if she had been wearing olive green or brown, I'm pretty sure I couldn't have talked him out of it.)
Another milestone for these two guys. One thing I've learned... milestones really don't ever stop, do they? We get so excited when the kids smile at three weeks, roll over, crawl, walk, etc., etc., etc. But the BIG EVENTS just keep on coming... first grade, driver's permit, driver's LICENSE, prom, graduation, college, marriage, etc., etc., etc. I have to admit, unless being the mother of a graduate is a milestone (which technically it isn't), I don't think I've had a milestone in quite some time... unless you count my wreck, needing bifocals and officially becoming pre-menopausal as milestones. And if those are milestones... Well, let's just say I'm looking forward to having grandchildren in the next ten or so years. Something we'll call "fun milestones."
Wedding Story - Part 3 - Lights Out!
I was asked to play the organ for a friend of a friend across town. Another friend was going to be playing the piano. I was to play the prelude music, Processional and Recessional on the organ, and the pianist was going to play the two solo pieces. All very "normal," but this was not going to be a "normal" wedding in any way, shape or form.
Since I was getting together with my friend after the wedding and I had a ride home, my parents were going to drive me to the church before they went to dinner. We left in plenty of time, although the church was 30 minutes away. About halfway to our destination, we came upon a set of railroad tracks. Now, railroad tracks by themselves... no big deal. However, these railroad tracks had the lights and bells going off and the arm was down blocking our crossing. We looked left and we looked right. No train. We waited a few more minutes (a/k/a seconds). No train.
I was getting a little impatient, but we were still okay time-wise. A train did need to make an appearance pretty soon though. Ahh. There in the distance (about 100 miles down the track) was a train. It was going all of two miles per hour. Maddening. Once it finally did reach us, it slowed down (if that was even possible) and came to a complete stop. WHAT!!! Having lived near a railroad track all my life, I knew it had stopped to let a faster train on the other track pass by. So now we were all looking to the left watching for yet another train. NOTHING!
Think. Think. Think. Was there another way to get to this church? Probably, but I wasn't from that area, and I had no idea which back roads to take to get there. Think. Think. Think. I needed to call someone to let them know what was happening so they could let my friend know he was going to have to play the piano without me. Oh, yeah. NO CELL PHONES. This was 1,000 years ago! Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. There was absolutely nothing I could do... but wait.
And wait we did. When the train finally passed, and the original train got out of the way, it was five minutes until show time and we were 15 minutes away from the church. Don't ask questions, but my dad got us there in four minutes! I jumped out of the car, ran up the steps to the church, apologizing and explaining and apologizing some more. This is where we stood... Friend - Unhappy; Bride - Very Unhappy; Groom - Totally Oblivious; Me - Flop Sweat Galore!
I set up my music, turned on the organ, took a deep breath, tried to stop shaking and started to play the first piece of the prelude music. BOOM! CRACK! (That was thunder and lightening in case you didn't know.) Light's out! In my mind, I simply prayed, "Thank you," knowing anything I played that evening was not going to be worth listening to in the state I was in.
But we were in a quandary (good word). The candlelight lit the sanctuary perfectly for the wedding, and I could see my friend at the piano shaking his head. I tiptoed through the choir loft over to him (with my music) and said, "It looks like it's all yours." He was a much, much better musician than I was, so the thrusting of this new situation upon him didn't throw him for a loop.
"That would be fine except I can't see," he hissed. That was true. The candlelight did nothing to help us in the "reading music" department.
"I'll be right back," I said and I slid down the wall and opened the door to the back of the church where the minister and groom were standing. Hoping the minister was from the church, I asked him for a flashlight. Thankfully, he was not a visiting minister and in a few minutes I had not one, but two flashlights... just in case.
I made my way back to the piano, feeling very happy with the turn of events and told my friend, "Play." And he did. And he did a marvelous job. Beautiful, actually. It was really one of the prettiest weddings I had ever attended. Since there were plenty of candles, everyone looked wonderful in the glow. I turned pages, held the flashlight and offered encouragement. I was a saint, I tell you.
I was a little worried about the pictures which were supposed to be taken after the ceremony. (That's me. Always thinking.) But as it turned out, right before the Recessional was to be played, the lights came back on. (No embellishment here. They really came back on at that time.) Everyone clapped and cheered, and my friend whispered, "Go play the Recessional."
I flicked off my flashlight and whispered back cheerfully, "Nope. No time to get to the organ. Take it home, friend!" And he did.
And I can honestly say, that was the first and only wedding where I didn't suffer from flop sweat the ENTIRE service. It was actually very, very relaxing! Looking back, I think I was a much better page turner/flashlight holder/encourager than a musician. (But the pay for that job wasn't nearly as good.)
Noccalula Falls
Noccalula Falls is a city-run park in Gadsden, Alabama. It costs $6 for adults; $3 for children ages 4 - 12; and children 3 and under are FREE. You can do all of the following for the entrance fee:
1. Hiking trail under the falls
2. Botanical gardens
3. Pioneer village
4. Petting zoo
5. Train rides (unlimited)
6. Playground
7. Picnic tables
8. Feed the ducks ($.25 for duck food)
They also have a mini-golf course, but it is an additional charge of $5 for adults and $4 for all children.
It is a great place to visit in the spring. The gardens are beautiful. There are plenty of things for kids of all ages to enjoy, even if it is just for an hour or two. Roxie and Monica were there for three hours and enjoyed every minute of it. (They didn't even play mini-golf.) There are pavilions to rent, but there are picnic tables here and there in the park available on a first-come/first-serve basis, so it doesn't have to be a very expensive day trip at all.
As a Seasonal Tradition, I'm not saying you should go to Noccalula Falls every year, but try to plan a Spring Day Trip every year. I'll have several more suggestions in April for inexpensive, but fun places to go for a day with the kids.
Have a wonderful Wednesday wherever you are! I'll be back tomorrow with the aforementioned fabulously fun date(s).
Talk to you on Thursday!
My nephew, Brad, is 17 today, so I want to wish him a Happy Birthday (in print). His family party will be this weekend, and I'll have some pictures of that next week.
Brad and Austin are going to two different proms this year... Austin's is on a Friday night and Brad's prom is the next night. Bev and I found out this past weekend they are wearing the same tux, vest and tie. It's really funny because there must be 1,000 different vests and ties to choose from in the year 2009. Anything from hunter's orange to camouflage. (I had to fight Austin about that one since his date is wearing navy blue. Now if she had been wearing olive green or brown, I'm pretty sure I couldn't have talked him out of it.)
Another milestone for these two guys. One thing I've learned... milestones really don't ever stop, do they? We get so excited when the kids smile at three weeks, roll over, crawl, walk, etc., etc., etc. But the BIG EVENTS just keep on coming... first grade, driver's permit, driver's LICENSE, prom, graduation, college, marriage, etc., etc., etc. I have to admit, unless being the mother of a graduate is a milestone (which technically it isn't), I don't think I've had a milestone in quite some time... unless you count my wreck, needing bifocals and officially becoming pre-menopausal as milestones. And if those are milestones... Well, let's just say I'm looking forward to having grandchildren in the next ten or so years. Something we'll call "fun milestones."
Wedding Story - Part 3 - Lights Out!
I was asked to play the organ for a friend of a friend across town. Another friend was going to be playing the piano. I was to play the prelude music, Processional and Recessional on the organ, and the pianist was going to play the two solo pieces. All very "normal," but this was not going to be a "normal" wedding in any way, shape or form.
Since I was getting together with my friend after the wedding and I had a ride home, my parents were going to drive me to the church before they went to dinner. We left in plenty of time, although the church was 30 minutes away. About halfway to our destination, we came upon a set of railroad tracks. Now, railroad tracks by themselves... no big deal. However, these railroad tracks had the lights and bells going off and the arm was down blocking our crossing. We looked left and we looked right. No train. We waited a few more minutes (a/k/a seconds). No train.
I was getting a little impatient, but we were still okay time-wise. A train did need to make an appearance pretty soon though. Ahh. There in the distance (about 100 miles down the track) was a train. It was going all of two miles per hour. Maddening. Once it finally did reach us, it slowed down (if that was even possible) and came to a complete stop. WHAT!!! Having lived near a railroad track all my life, I knew it had stopped to let a faster train on the other track pass by. So now we were all looking to the left watching for yet another train. NOTHING!
Think. Think. Think. Was there another way to get to this church? Probably, but I wasn't from that area, and I had no idea which back roads to take to get there. Think. Think. Think. I needed to call someone to let them know what was happening so they could let my friend know he was going to have to play the piano without me. Oh, yeah. NO CELL PHONES. This was 1,000 years ago! Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. There was absolutely nothing I could do... but wait.
And wait we did. When the train finally passed, and the original train got out of the way, it was five minutes until show time and we were 15 minutes away from the church. Don't ask questions, but my dad got us there in four minutes! I jumped out of the car, ran up the steps to the church, apologizing and explaining and apologizing some more. This is where we stood... Friend - Unhappy; Bride - Very Unhappy; Groom - Totally Oblivious; Me - Flop Sweat Galore!
I set up my music, turned on the organ, took a deep breath, tried to stop shaking and started to play the first piece of the prelude music. BOOM! CRACK! (That was thunder and lightening in case you didn't know.) Light's out! In my mind, I simply prayed, "Thank you," knowing anything I played that evening was not going to be worth listening to in the state I was in.
But we were in a quandary (good word). The candlelight lit the sanctuary perfectly for the wedding, and I could see my friend at the piano shaking his head. I tiptoed through the choir loft over to him (with my music) and said, "It looks like it's all yours." He was a much, much better musician than I was, so the thrusting of this new situation upon him didn't throw him for a loop.
"That would be fine except I can't see," he hissed. That was true. The candlelight did nothing to help us in the "reading music" department.
"I'll be right back," I said and I slid down the wall and opened the door to the back of the church where the minister and groom were standing. Hoping the minister was from the church, I asked him for a flashlight. Thankfully, he was not a visiting minister and in a few minutes I had not one, but two flashlights... just in case.
I made my way back to the piano, feeling very happy with the turn of events and told my friend, "Play." And he did. And he did a marvelous job. Beautiful, actually. It was really one of the prettiest weddings I had ever attended. Since there were plenty of candles, everyone looked wonderful in the glow. I turned pages, held the flashlight and offered encouragement. I was a saint, I tell you.
I was a little worried about the pictures which were supposed to be taken after the ceremony. (That's me. Always thinking.) But as it turned out, right before the Recessional was to be played, the lights came back on. (No embellishment here. They really came back on at that time.) Everyone clapped and cheered, and my friend whispered, "Go play the Recessional."
I flicked off my flashlight and whispered back cheerfully, "Nope. No time to get to the organ. Take it home, friend!" And he did.
And I can honestly say, that was the first and only wedding where I didn't suffer from flop sweat the ENTIRE service. It was actually very, very relaxing! Looking back, I think I was a much better page turner/flashlight holder/encourager than a musician. (But the pay for that job wasn't nearly as good.)
Noccalula Falls
Noccalula Falls is a city-run park in Gadsden, Alabama. It costs $6 for adults; $3 for children ages 4 - 12; and children 3 and under are FREE. You can do all of the following for the entrance fee:
1. Hiking trail under the falls
2. Botanical gardens
3. Pioneer village
4. Petting zoo
5. Train rides (unlimited)
6. Playground
7. Picnic tables
8. Feed the ducks ($.25 for duck food)
They also have a mini-golf course, but it is an additional charge of $5 for adults and $4 for all children.
It is a great place to visit in the spring. The gardens are beautiful. There are plenty of things for kids of all ages to enjoy, even if it is just for an hour or two. Roxie and Monica were there for three hours and enjoyed every minute of it. (They didn't even play mini-golf.) There are pavilions to rent, but there are picnic tables here and there in the park available on a first-come/first-serve basis, so it doesn't have to be a very expensive day trip at all.
As a Seasonal Tradition, I'm not saying you should go to Noccalula Falls every year, but try to plan a Spring Day Trip every year. I'll have several more suggestions in April for inexpensive, but fun places to go for a day with the kids.
Have a wonderful Wednesday wherever you are! I'll be back tomorrow with the aforementioned fabulously fun date(s).
Talk to you on Thursday!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Crock Pot Hot Fudge Cake
Good Tuesday morning!
Monday was a beautiful spring day in Alabama, but they are telling us Wednesday through Saturday is probably going to be a wash. As always, in Alabama we'll take what we can get! It was hard to get up and get going yesterday morning after a whole week off... but we did it! Today was a little easier, but I have to say we are suffering from Severe Spring Fever. It's going to be a long nine weeks.
I'm still keeping an eye out for the parsnip, but I have a feeling most people will enjoy today's chocolate dessert more than the roasted carrots and parsnips. I know in my pre-diabetic days, I would have taken chocolate over anything. And I mean ANYTHING!
Wedding Week - Part 2 - Dino
This story is similar to yesterday's story in that I have to remind you once again I am a sheet music musician. That's not a bad thing. It's just not a "go-with-the-flow" thing.
I had been asked to play for a wedding of an acquaintance. It was going to be a small affair and she asked me to play the Processional and the Recessional. The soloist had tapes he liked to use, and the bride had a favorite tape she wanted to use for the prelude music. That was fine with me. I was going to receive $25 for playing two songs, a free meal at the rehearsal dinner and two kinds of cake (with slushy punch... my favorite kind) at the reception. For me, that came under the category of "great weekend." (I know. I think we've already established my social life was a little on the pathetic side in my earlier "pre-Mikie" years.)
The rehearsal went very well. The aisle was the perfect length for one entire play of the Processional. (Depending on the aisle length and the speed of the bride and her father, this can sometimes be a tricky thing. You don't want to be one-third of the way through the second playing of the Processional when the bride and father arrive. The final two-thirds of the song takes forever and the wait is awkward. Very awkward. You also don't want to just stop it there. There are only one or two places where it is "acceptable" to end the Processional before the natural end. That's more than you would normally need to know, but I want you to understand the intricacies of being a wedding musician. It ain't always easy.)
Being a little over cautious, I checked the soloist's tapes myself. They were new and in good shape. GOOD. He was also going to leave them at the church locked up with the sound equipment, so I didn't have to worry about him forgetting his tapes and having to play for him to sing at the last minute. VERY GOOD. Did the sound guy have the prelude music tape supposedly delivered by the bride before the rehearsal? Yes, he did. EXCELLENT. I was ready. I was prepared. Things were good. Until...
I arrived at the church 45 minutes early. I set up my music and sat in a chair in the choir loft behind the piano. Exactly 20 minutes before the wedding was to start, the sound guy popped in the prelude music tape. People were still talking. Uh-oh. I knew that tape. People started getting quieter and quieter. Oh, no! How could I have not thought to ask about the prelude music? ROOKIE MISTAKE! ROOKIE MISTAKE! And you all know how I feel about those!
The following is a strange phenomenon. Half of all weddings treat the prelude music as a time to whisper, but still visit and socialize waiting for the actual ceremony to begin. I love those weddings. There is an air of excitement and anticipation for the BIG EVENT that will be happening exactly 22 minutes from the the time the prelude music begins.
However, the other half of all weddings fall deadly silent as soon as the music begins. Almost as if the mothers of the bride and groom are standing in the front of the church hissing, "Be quiet. We're paying good money for you to hear the prelude music."
As stated before, this wedding fell in the latter category. Deadly silence. And I can really understand why. The bride's favorite tape which she had wanted played as the prelude music for her very special day was none other than DINO! DINO... one of the greatest pianists of our time. The man sounds like he's playing with 19 fingers. His music is so rich and full and beautiful and perfect. And, as was my custom in those days, flop sweat began appearing... in all the obvious places.
How could I play after DINO? I know it was just a tape, but that didn't matter. As soon as I got to the piano to play the Processional, no matter how well I played, it was going to sound like Chopsticks in comparison. Think. Think. Think. Got it!
I quickly stood up from the chair in the choir loft and slid onto the piano bench. The piano was set up on a platform AND it was also enclosed so people in the audience couldn't see my hands. Perfect. Thankfully, a large flower arrangement had been placed strategically in front of the piano, too. I wasn't totally covered, but there was some camouflage... which I was going to need.
I sat there for a moment trying to decide if my idea was a deception or just a remedy to a problem that had to be solved (and solved quickly). I went with the "remedy" theory. I then started to slightly sway back and forth with the music, giving the illusion of playing. Now, I did NOT put my hands on the keyboard and lift them every now and again. I decided that would fall under the "deception" category, and we were in church after all.
All in all, I think it worked. I didn't know many of the people in the sanctuary since it was an "acquaintance" wedding, so no one approached me after the ceremony regarding the music. The simplicity in which the Processional and Recessional were played could have fallen under the category of "keeping it simple to keep the focus on the bride and groom." Good.
I was a little upset (more flop sweat) when I noticed the bride and her father were definitely "fast walkers," but... well, since I had done so well on the prelude music, ending a little abruptly on the Processional was forgivable, wasn't it?
I decided to skip the two kinds of wedding cake waiting at the reception and just head home. I had pulled it off as best I could, and sometimes that's all you can ask. (That, and "What KIND of tape are you using for the prelude music?" I may have made that mistake once, but never twice!)
Crock Pot Hot Fudge Cake
You will need:
1 3/4 cups brown sugar, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons, plus 1/4 cup, unsweetened cocoa, divided
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups boiling water
1. In a mixing bowl, mix together 1 cup brown sugar, flour, 3 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt.
2. Stir in milk, butter and vanilla.
3. Pour into crock pot sprayed with cooking spray.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa. Sprinkle over batter in the crock pot. DO NOT STIR.
5. Pour boiling water over mixture. DO NOT STIR.
6. Cover. Cook on high 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean.
Serve with ice cream. YUM! It serves 8 or a few more if you add ice cream with the dish.
I hope you have the best Tuesday ever. Come back tomorrow for our Seasonal Tradition of taking a day trip to Noccalula Falls. And don't forget, Thursday's date(s) will be very fun, too.
I'll talk to you tomorrow!
Monday was a beautiful spring day in Alabama, but they are telling us Wednesday through Saturday is probably going to be a wash. As always, in Alabama we'll take what we can get! It was hard to get up and get going yesterday morning after a whole week off... but we did it! Today was a little easier, but I have to say we are suffering from Severe Spring Fever. It's going to be a long nine weeks.
I'm still keeping an eye out for the parsnip, but I have a feeling most people will enjoy today's chocolate dessert more than the roasted carrots and parsnips. I know in my pre-diabetic days, I would have taken chocolate over anything. And I mean ANYTHING!
Wedding Week - Part 2 - Dino
This story is similar to yesterday's story in that I have to remind you once again I am a sheet music musician. That's not a bad thing. It's just not a "go-with-the-flow" thing.
I had been asked to play for a wedding of an acquaintance. It was going to be a small affair and she asked me to play the Processional and the Recessional. The soloist had tapes he liked to use, and the bride had a favorite tape she wanted to use for the prelude music. That was fine with me. I was going to receive $25 for playing two songs, a free meal at the rehearsal dinner and two kinds of cake (with slushy punch... my favorite kind) at the reception. For me, that came under the category of "great weekend." (I know. I think we've already established my social life was a little on the pathetic side in my earlier "pre-Mikie" years.)
The rehearsal went very well. The aisle was the perfect length for one entire play of the Processional. (Depending on the aisle length and the speed of the bride and her father, this can sometimes be a tricky thing. You don't want to be one-third of the way through the second playing of the Processional when the bride and father arrive. The final two-thirds of the song takes forever and the wait is awkward. Very awkward. You also don't want to just stop it there. There are only one or two places where it is "acceptable" to end the Processional before the natural end. That's more than you would normally need to know, but I want you to understand the intricacies of being a wedding musician. It ain't always easy.)
Being a little over cautious, I checked the soloist's tapes myself. They were new and in good shape. GOOD. He was also going to leave them at the church locked up with the sound equipment, so I didn't have to worry about him forgetting his tapes and having to play for him to sing at the last minute. VERY GOOD. Did the sound guy have the prelude music tape supposedly delivered by the bride before the rehearsal? Yes, he did. EXCELLENT. I was ready. I was prepared. Things were good. Until...
I arrived at the church 45 minutes early. I set up my music and sat in a chair in the choir loft behind the piano. Exactly 20 minutes before the wedding was to start, the sound guy popped in the prelude music tape. People were still talking. Uh-oh. I knew that tape. People started getting quieter and quieter. Oh, no! How could I have not thought to ask about the prelude music? ROOKIE MISTAKE! ROOKIE MISTAKE! And you all know how I feel about those!
The following is a strange phenomenon. Half of all weddings treat the prelude music as a time to whisper, but still visit and socialize waiting for the actual ceremony to begin. I love those weddings. There is an air of excitement and anticipation for the BIG EVENT that will be happening exactly 22 minutes from the the time the prelude music begins.
However, the other half of all weddings fall deadly silent as soon as the music begins. Almost as if the mothers of the bride and groom are standing in the front of the church hissing, "Be quiet. We're paying good money for you to hear the prelude music."
As stated before, this wedding fell in the latter category. Deadly silence. And I can really understand why. The bride's favorite tape which she had wanted played as the prelude music for her very special day was none other than DINO! DINO... one of the greatest pianists of our time. The man sounds like he's playing with 19 fingers. His music is so rich and full and beautiful and perfect. And, as was my custom in those days, flop sweat began appearing... in all the obvious places.
How could I play after DINO? I know it was just a tape, but that didn't matter. As soon as I got to the piano to play the Processional, no matter how well I played, it was going to sound like Chopsticks in comparison. Think. Think. Think. Got it!
I quickly stood up from the chair in the choir loft and slid onto the piano bench. The piano was set up on a platform AND it was also enclosed so people in the audience couldn't see my hands. Perfect. Thankfully, a large flower arrangement had been placed strategically in front of the piano, too. I wasn't totally covered, but there was some camouflage... which I was going to need.
I sat there for a moment trying to decide if my idea was a deception or just a remedy to a problem that had to be solved (and solved quickly). I went with the "remedy" theory. I then started to slightly sway back and forth with the music, giving the illusion of playing. Now, I did NOT put my hands on the keyboard and lift them every now and again. I decided that would fall under the "deception" category, and we were in church after all.
All in all, I think it worked. I didn't know many of the people in the sanctuary since it was an "acquaintance" wedding, so no one approached me after the ceremony regarding the music. The simplicity in which the Processional and Recessional were played could have fallen under the category of "keeping it simple to keep the focus on the bride and groom." Good.
I was a little upset (more flop sweat) when I noticed the bride and her father were definitely "fast walkers," but... well, since I had done so well on the prelude music, ending a little abruptly on the Processional was forgivable, wasn't it?
I decided to skip the two kinds of wedding cake waiting at the reception and just head home. I had pulled it off as best I could, and sometimes that's all you can ask. (That, and "What KIND of tape are you using for the prelude music?" I may have made that mistake once, but never twice!)
Crock Pot Hot Fudge Cake
You will need:
1 3/4 cups brown sugar, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons, plus 1/4 cup, unsweetened cocoa, divided
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups boiling water
1. In a mixing bowl, mix together 1 cup brown sugar, flour, 3 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt.
2. Stir in milk, butter and vanilla.
3. Pour into crock pot sprayed with cooking spray.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa. Sprinkle over batter in the crock pot. DO NOT STIR.
5. Pour boiling water over mixture. DO NOT STIR.
6. Cover. Cook on high 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean.
Serve with ice cream. YUM! It serves 8 or a few more if you add ice cream with the dish.
I hope you have the best Tuesday ever. Come back tomorrow for our Seasonal Tradition of taking a day trip to Noccalula Falls. And don't forget, Thursday's date(s) will be very fun, too.
I'll talk to you tomorrow!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Graduation Scrapbooks
Good Monday morning!
If you get a chance today, go to my Blog List and click on tara whitney photography (at the bottom). She is a photographer in California. I love her beach picture. Isn't it beautiful? Also, I like the unique way she photographs families (look directly under her beach photo). I know, I know. I tell you to look at the great cakes on the Sweet Celebrations' website, and now I tell you to look at the wonderful pictures from a photographer who lives in California. It's torture. But, if I ever go to California again, I know who I am going to call! (Did I ever tell you about my trip to California before Mikie and I got engaged? I didn't think so. Maybe next week I'll tell a couple of stories about my travels around the globe. I'll tell a couple of stories because that's pretty much how many there have been... total.)
The Showcase Pic this week comes from my guest photographer, Roxie. She had the best time at Noccalula Falls last week and she took many, many pictures... most of them pictures of the 90' falls. (Thus, the Showcase Picture is of the mighty Noccalula Waterfall.) Because this is such a fun trip, Wednesday's post will have all the information regarding a day trip and picnic to Gadsden to visit the Falls. They have added so many things since my family last went there. I'll have prices, activities, and all the other details you will need for a fun spring day trip, so check in!
The Gallery Pics have more pictures of the Falls, and a glimpse of some of the fun you can have with your family.
There will be no challenges this week. I imagine if you are like me, you will need all your brain matter to focus on the job at hand... getting ready to go back to school!
The weekend plans finally went from "hanging" to "specific," which made me very, very happy. Roxie, Josh and Mike went fishing late Saturday afternoon (Austin had to work). Sunday we went to church, saw our movie (Escape to Witch Mountain starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson who was AMAZING... such a good actor), and made it back to watch Amazing Race. (We didn't have the kids' Bible Studies Sunday night because of Spring Break. I didn't want you to think we had totally skipped church. Nope. Nope. Nope. It was a great weekend.)
Since I didn't offer a challenge for the week, I will supply you with mindless stories of my "Wedding Organist and Pianist" days. As mentioned in a previous post, I have 19 mishap stories out of 32 weddings. For all you "math brains" out there... that's more than half! Some were tiny. A couple were huge. But this week, I will give you just a sampling of some of the more memorable incidents.
Wedding Week - Part 1 - Ebony and Ivory
I grew up in a small church in Alabama. It was my home for 22 years. And now, 25 years later I can walk into that church and I am greeted by so many familiar, sweet faces. It was a wonderful place to grow up. I was organist and pianist at that church from the time I was 15 or 16 until I left at age 22.
I played for most of the 32 weddings on my resume' at my home church, but surprisingly, I also played for weddings at Shades Mountain Baptist and Gardendale First Baptist, among other places. I was a member at Shades Mountain for five years. I met and married Mike at Shades and made lifelong friends and wonderful memories at that church. I've been a member of Gardendale First Baptist for 15 years now. (It doesn't have anything to do with the story. I just thought it was interesting I became a member of two of the churches where I was an instrumentalist at one or more weddings. Don't you think that's odd?)
This story takes place at Shades. I was playing the piano for some friends from the Singles Department. I was to play the prelude music (20 - 25 minutes), the Processional (Here Comes the Bride) and the Recessional (There Goes the Bride). I also had to play The Lord's Prayer for the hired soloist. As was customary, I set up a meeting with him a week or so before the wedding to go over the music. I had played The Lord's Prayer 1,000,000 times before, and he told me he had sang The Lord's Prayer 1,000,000 times before, so I was expecting it to be a ten minute practice... TOPS!
This particular singer turned out to be a very talented vocalist who had sang with a "group." He was now beginning his solo career. (He wasn't famous yet, but I had heard of him, and what I had heard was very impressive.) For the purpose of this story, we'll call him Ted. Ted was a very warm, sweet, funny young man, and he and I hit it off immediately. Any other time, what I'm about to tell you would not matter one bit, but in this story it is key. Ted was African American, and I am a White American (if you haven't met me yet).
Ted was an exceptionally talented singer. His voice was rich and deep, and to top it off, he really loved the Lord and he loved singing songs about the Lord and he especially loved to sing The Lord's Prayer. That should give you an idea of Ted's God-given talent.
I, on the other hand, was a sheet music musician. I had taken piano and organ for NINE years. I knew theory, and I could play pieces of music when I practiced and practiced and practiced some more. As stated earlier, I had played The Lord's Prayer 1,000,000 times. It should not have been a problem.
Ted asked me to give him the beginning note softly. He would begin the song, "Our Father... (I would play a soft chord here), Who art in Heaven (another soft chord here), Hallowed be Thine name..." I would then begin playing the song in full following his lead. It would have (should have) been beautiful.
Ted stopped me after a few seconds and said, "Belinda, just go with the song. Just let the Spirit lead you. Just follow me."
Well, that idea was good in theory. What Ted didn't realize was even when things were going very, very well for me, letting the Spirit lead didn't usually work (musically speaking, of course). We started one more time.
Ted stopped me. "Belinda, would you mind if I showed you what I'm trying tell you?"
Not at all," I replied. Flop sweat had started appearing in the obvious places. Ted sat down at the piano, and not only had the Lord blessed him with an unbelievable voice, but the boy could play the piano, too. "Why am I even here?" I thought to myself as I watched his fingers fly up and down the keyboard, eyes closed. (His... not mine.)
"Ted. I'll try, but I've got to tell you, I play by music alone. I have absolutely no ear for music."
"Oh, I don't believe that!" Ted reassured me. What he didn't realize... I was not being modest. I was being incredibly honest. Big difference.
We started yet again. And after a few seconds, we stopped and looked at each other. Ted's face broke into a wide grin. "Belinda, I think the biggest problem here is I sing like a black man."
Relief flooded over me as I stated the obvious. "And I play the piano like a very uptight white girl."
Problem stated. Now for the solution. He was too kind and didn't want to hurt my feelings, so I helped him out. "I think you should sing this a capella or accompany yourself for this to go well."
"I do NOT want to take your job, Belinda," Ted hurried to say.
"I'll still play everything else. Just not The Lord's Prayer," I reassured him. We were in total agreement. A quick call to the bride to ask her permission for the change, and we were good to go.
The day of the wedding came. I played the prelude music and the Processional (Here Comes the Bride). And then I slid off the piano bench and sat in the chair that had been occupied by Ted in the choir loft behind the piano. A hush fell over the sanctuary as Ted's fingers flew up and down the keyboard, and he lifted that glorious voice to the heavens as he sang The Lord's Prayer. When he finished, there wasn't a sound in that huge sanctuary. How blessed was the marriage couple to be serenaded by such a special man who believed in letting the Spirit lead him... whether he was practicing a song he had performed 1,000,000 times before, or singing it for their special day. (I like that in a person.)
The groom kissed the bride, and the minister introduced them as husband and wife. I played the Recessional (There Goes the Bride), and it was over. I stood up, gathered my music and started to walk down the three steps from the piano to the main floor of the sanctuary... and there stood Ted. A huge grin on his face, he bear hugged me and said, "I hope you'll be my accompanist again someday."
"I'd love to," I replied. "I'll sit in the chair behind the piano for you anytime." And although our paths never crossed again, I would certainly have been honored to do so.
Graduation Scrapbooks
This is a gift idea for a special Senior in your future. If you have elementary or middle school children (and you love scrapbooking), this would be something you could have ready on Graduation Day.
The summer before Austin started high school, I bought three Creative Memories black albums. I later bought the Creative Memories black album with the picture frame on the front. I began collecting anything and everything Austin did that summer and every day of his high school career. Every trip we took (or he took with someone else), every tiny piece of memorabilia, every band competition program, etc., etc., etc. But I also added some special items. I began the first book with a list Austin made his Freshman year of his Top Ten Goals for High School. Some of them are pretty funny now, but I think he has accomplished most, if not all of his goals. He'll be proud to open the book and see that list. Also, on the first page is a letter from me to him which I wrote and gave to him his first day of high school.
Throughout the scrapbooks are letters from other people, too. Family members, friends, teachers... people he has loved and respected during these past four years have all contributed letters. The last page of his fourth scrapbook will be a letter from his Dad written between now and graduation night.
I have made scrapbooks for Austin from the time we knew he was coming until the end of his 8th grade year. Those are all caught up. Every scrapbooker is different. I never included memorabilia, vacations or Christmas in any of their childhood scrapbooks. (I have a Family Scrapbook for vacations with lots of journaling, and a Christmas Scrapbook which records our Christmases as a family.) I think because I have always love children's literature, I didn't want to put the memorabilia in their albums... I wanted them to have a "picture book" look. There is labeling in their albums as well as dates for everything. (Their birthday parties are also in their regular albums.)
When I started the Graduation Scrapbooks, I incorporated all of the above... every vacation, every holiday, every bit of memorabilia... and I journaled.
When Austin comes home Graduation night, on his bed will be four black bound scrapbooks tied together with a huge maroon ribbon (his school colors). I will not give them to him in front of anyone. The albums will be there for him to look back at his memories and read his letters in private.
I got this idea from a wonderful lady named Karen many, many years ago when I was teaching scrapbook classes. She did this for her first daughter who graduated. It was a huge surprise and and an even bigger hit at her graduation party. Austin was in elementary school when she was working on these albums, and I told her then I was going to borrow her idea... and I did. It may be something you would want to do for your graduate one day. And the great thing about scrapbooking is you can do it any way you want. There isn't a wrong way to make this gift!
Have a great Monday. Check in tomorrow for a crock pot chocolate dessert that will literally melt in your mouth. (Or as we like to say in the South, "It's so good, it will make you want to slap your mama." I don't know why we say that. Southerners are usually such a polite bunch.) Anyway, it is a perfect company dish!
Talk to you tomorrow!
If you get a chance today, go to my Blog List and click on tara whitney photography (at the bottom). She is a photographer in California. I love her beach picture. Isn't it beautiful? Also, I like the unique way she photographs families (look directly under her beach photo). I know, I know. I tell you to look at the great cakes on the Sweet Celebrations' website, and now I tell you to look at the wonderful pictures from a photographer who lives in California. It's torture. But, if I ever go to California again, I know who I am going to call! (Did I ever tell you about my trip to California before Mikie and I got engaged? I didn't think so. Maybe next week I'll tell a couple of stories about my travels around the globe. I'll tell a couple of stories because that's pretty much how many there have been... total.)
The Showcase Pic this week comes from my guest photographer, Roxie. She had the best time at Noccalula Falls last week and she took many, many pictures... most of them pictures of the 90' falls. (Thus, the Showcase Picture is of the mighty Noccalula Waterfall.) Because this is such a fun trip, Wednesday's post will have all the information regarding a day trip and picnic to Gadsden to visit the Falls. They have added so many things since my family last went there. I'll have prices, activities, and all the other details you will need for a fun spring day trip, so check in!
The Gallery Pics have more pictures of the Falls, and a glimpse of some of the fun you can have with your family.
There will be no challenges this week. I imagine if you are like me, you will need all your brain matter to focus on the job at hand... getting ready to go back to school!
The weekend plans finally went from "hanging" to "specific," which made me very, very happy. Roxie, Josh and Mike went fishing late Saturday afternoon (Austin had to work). Sunday we went to church, saw our movie (Escape to Witch Mountain starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson who was AMAZING... such a good actor), and made it back to watch Amazing Race. (We didn't have the kids' Bible Studies Sunday night because of Spring Break. I didn't want you to think we had totally skipped church. Nope. Nope. Nope. It was a great weekend.)
Since I didn't offer a challenge for the week, I will supply you with mindless stories of my "Wedding Organist and Pianist" days. As mentioned in a previous post, I have 19 mishap stories out of 32 weddings. For all you "math brains" out there... that's more than half! Some were tiny. A couple were huge. But this week, I will give you just a sampling of some of the more memorable incidents.
Wedding Week - Part 1 - Ebony and Ivory
I grew up in a small church in Alabama. It was my home for 22 years. And now, 25 years later I can walk into that church and I am greeted by so many familiar, sweet faces. It was a wonderful place to grow up. I was organist and pianist at that church from the time I was 15 or 16 until I left at age 22.
I played for most of the 32 weddings on my resume' at my home church, but surprisingly, I also played for weddings at Shades Mountain Baptist and Gardendale First Baptist, among other places. I was a member at Shades Mountain for five years. I met and married Mike at Shades and made lifelong friends and wonderful memories at that church. I've been a member of Gardendale First Baptist for 15 years now. (It doesn't have anything to do with the story. I just thought it was interesting I became a member of two of the churches where I was an instrumentalist at one or more weddings. Don't you think that's odd?)
This story takes place at Shades. I was playing the piano for some friends from the Singles Department. I was to play the prelude music (20 - 25 minutes), the Processional (Here Comes the Bride) and the Recessional (There Goes the Bride). I also had to play The Lord's Prayer for the hired soloist. As was customary, I set up a meeting with him a week or so before the wedding to go over the music. I had played The Lord's Prayer 1,000,000 times before, and he told me he had sang The Lord's Prayer 1,000,000 times before, so I was expecting it to be a ten minute practice... TOPS!
This particular singer turned out to be a very talented vocalist who had sang with a "group." He was now beginning his solo career. (He wasn't famous yet, but I had heard of him, and what I had heard was very impressive.) For the purpose of this story, we'll call him Ted. Ted was a very warm, sweet, funny young man, and he and I hit it off immediately. Any other time, what I'm about to tell you would not matter one bit, but in this story it is key. Ted was African American, and I am a White American (if you haven't met me yet).
Ted was an exceptionally talented singer. His voice was rich and deep, and to top it off, he really loved the Lord and he loved singing songs about the Lord and he especially loved to sing The Lord's Prayer. That should give you an idea of Ted's God-given talent.
I, on the other hand, was a sheet music musician. I had taken piano and organ for NINE years. I knew theory, and I could play pieces of music when I practiced and practiced and practiced some more. As stated earlier, I had played The Lord's Prayer 1,000,000 times. It should not have been a problem.
Ted asked me to give him the beginning note softly. He would begin the song, "Our Father... (I would play a soft chord here), Who art in Heaven (another soft chord here), Hallowed be Thine name..." I would then begin playing the song in full following his lead. It would have (should have) been beautiful.
Ted stopped me after a few seconds and said, "Belinda, just go with the song. Just let the Spirit lead you. Just follow me."
Well, that idea was good in theory. What Ted didn't realize was even when things were going very, very well for me, letting the Spirit lead didn't usually work (musically speaking, of course). We started one more time.
Ted stopped me. "Belinda, would you mind if I showed you what I'm trying tell you?"
Not at all," I replied. Flop sweat had started appearing in the obvious places. Ted sat down at the piano, and not only had the Lord blessed him with an unbelievable voice, but the boy could play the piano, too. "Why am I even here?" I thought to myself as I watched his fingers fly up and down the keyboard, eyes closed. (His... not mine.)
"Ted. I'll try, but I've got to tell you, I play by music alone. I have absolutely no ear for music."
"Oh, I don't believe that!" Ted reassured me. What he didn't realize... I was not being modest. I was being incredibly honest. Big difference.
We started yet again. And after a few seconds, we stopped and looked at each other. Ted's face broke into a wide grin. "Belinda, I think the biggest problem here is I sing like a black man."
Relief flooded over me as I stated the obvious. "And I play the piano like a very uptight white girl."
Problem stated. Now for the solution. He was too kind and didn't want to hurt my feelings, so I helped him out. "I think you should sing this a capella or accompany yourself for this to go well."
"I do NOT want to take your job, Belinda," Ted hurried to say.
"I'll still play everything else. Just not The Lord's Prayer," I reassured him. We were in total agreement. A quick call to the bride to ask her permission for the change, and we were good to go.
The day of the wedding came. I played the prelude music and the Processional (Here Comes the Bride). And then I slid off the piano bench and sat in the chair that had been occupied by Ted in the choir loft behind the piano. A hush fell over the sanctuary as Ted's fingers flew up and down the keyboard, and he lifted that glorious voice to the heavens as he sang The Lord's Prayer. When he finished, there wasn't a sound in that huge sanctuary. How blessed was the marriage couple to be serenaded by such a special man who believed in letting the Spirit lead him... whether he was practicing a song he had performed 1,000,000 times before, or singing it for their special day. (I like that in a person.)
The groom kissed the bride, and the minister introduced them as husband and wife. I played the Recessional (There Goes the Bride), and it was over. I stood up, gathered my music and started to walk down the three steps from the piano to the main floor of the sanctuary... and there stood Ted. A huge grin on his face, he bear hugged me and said, "I hope you'll be my accompanist again someday."
"I'd love to," I replied. "I'll sit in the chair behind the piano for you anytime." And although our paths never crossed again, I would certainly have been honored to do so.
Graduation Scrapbooks
This is a gift idea for a special Senior in your future. If you have elementary or middle school children (and you love scrapbooking), this would be something you could have ready on Graduation Day.
The summer before Austin started high school, I bought three Creative Memories black albums. I later bought the Creative Memories black album with the picture frame on the front. I began collecting anything and everything Austin did that summer and every day of his high school career. Every trip we took (or he took with someone else), every tiny piece of memorabilia, every band competition program, etc., etc., etc. But I also added some special items. I began the first book with a list Austin made his Freshman year of his Top Ten Goals for High School. Some of them are pretty funny now, but I think he has accomplished most, if not all of his goals. He'll be proud to open the book and see that list. Also, on the first page is a letter from me to him which I wrote and gave to him his first day of high school.
Throughout the scrapbooks are letters from other people, too. Family members, friends, teachers... people he has loved and respected during these past four years have all contributed letters. The last page of his fourth scrapbook will be a letter from his Dad written between now and graduation night.
I have made scrapbooks for Austin from the time we knew he was coming until the end of his 8th grade year. Those are all caught up. Every scrapbooker is different. I never included memorabilia, vacations or Christmas in any of their childhood scrapbooks. (I have a Family Scrapbook for vacations with lots of journaling, and a Christmas Scrapbook which records our Christmases as a family.) I think because I have always love children's literature, I didn't want to put the memorabilia in their albums... I wanted them to have a "picture book" look. There is labeling in their albums as well as dates for everything. (Their birthday parties are also in their regular albums.)
When I started the Graduation Scrapbooks, I incorporated all of the above... every vacation, every holiday, every bit of memorabilia... and I journaled.
When Austin comes home Graduation night, on his bed will be four black bound scrapbooks tied together with a huge maroon ribbon (his school colors). I will not give them to him in front of anyone. The albums will be there for him to look back at his memories and read his letters in private.
I got this idea from a wonderful lady named Karen many, many years ago when I was teaching scrapbook classes. She did this for her first daughter who graduated. It was a huge surprise and and an even bigger hit at her graduation party. Austin was in elementary school when she was working on these albums, and I told her then I was going to borrow her idea... and I did. It may be something you would want to do for your graduate one day. And the great thing about scrapbooking is you can do it any way you want. There isn't a wrong way to make this gift!
Have a great Monday. Check in tomorrow for a crock pot chocolate dessert that will literally melt in your mouth. (Or as we like to say in the South, "It's so good, it will make you want to slap your mama." I don't know why we say that. Southerners are usually such a polite bunch.) Anyway, it is a perfect company dish!
Talk to you tomorrow!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
Just a little head's up! Since spring is in the air, I have declared next week "Wedding Week" on the blog. I was the organist for my church from the time I was 16 until I was 22. I played for a total of 32 weddings over that period of time... and boy, do I have some stories to share. Nothing bad about the bride or groom. These are stories about a few little mishaps that happened along the way... 19 to be exact. Don't worry. As always, I'm going to pick the five best (or worst) stories to share and leave the rest to the imagination. Or June. I could have another "Wedding Week" in June. We'll just have to see, won't we?
I want to thank Jennifer. Now I have someone helping me in my search for the parsnip. Also, Jennifer reminded me of a really fun date in a comment she left last week regarding coupons. Even if everything comes together for my Irish date, I'll add that date next Thursday, too.
Also, if you get a chance, click on Sweet Celebrations under my Blog List. She has some of the cutest cakes I have ever seen. I especially love the Paintball and Camouflage Cakes. You may be someone who could copy her designs. I, on the other hand, have to look and wish I lived closer so I could pay her to design cakes for every occasion under the sun.
What Makes My House a Home
Of course, the three guys who started living with me and Mike a few years after we got married truly Make My House a Home. We added one at a time, each three years apart, and now we can't imagine a time when they weren't with us. (And, quite frankly, I don't want to imagine such a time.)
There are other things I would add if it wasn't time to move on to something new...
1. The deck where we have candlelight dinners under the stars.
2. The living room couch which is perfect for naps and reading (and where all three of our children knelt and prayed to receive Christ as their personal Savior).
3. The den where everyone gathers several times a week in their specific "spot" to watch a movie or one of our family shows together.
4. The pantry in my kitchen where everyone (meaning any kid who has ever come to visit) knows I keep a huge stash of snacks, and is opened not once, not twice, but a hundred times a day (especially on the weekends and during the summer).
5. My monthly flags.
6. My three hanging baskets I get every year in April to "decorate" the front of the house.
I know you have dozens of things that make your house a home, too. However, when I started thinking about them, it made me much more thankful where we live is not just a brick dwelling... it is a home in every sense of the word.
Weekend Happenings
PARSNIP. As the weekend progresses, that's what I will be searching for. Jennifer has given me several places to start.
As I stated yesterday, this weekend is all over the place. We'll spend a lot of time with friends and family. Roxie went to Noccalula Falls in Gadsden with Monica yesterday. Although we have gone several times in the past, Roxie was too little to remember the last time we visited the Falls. I'm going to put her comments and pictures on the blog Monday. She highly recommends it! Other than the unknown Friday and Saturday (which is driving me crazy, by the way), the plan is to end Spring Break Sunday afternoon with a movie, and then meet in the den after church to watch Amazing Race.
JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK NOTES: After our rainy (but fun) camping trip, Roxie has changed her mind about wanting to be a contestant on Survivor one day. (I already knew I wasn't going to let her leave for 39 days, but it will be easier since she now agrees with me.) Also, Roxie met a potbelly pig named "Pork Chop," whose owner offered her a piglet if that ever happens. Thanks, Stephanie. I cannot even begin to imagine having one husband, three kids, two beagles... and a potbelly pig. No matter how cute the pig might be! (However, if we ever do get a potbelly pig, I will have to name him "Bacon." That's almost as funny as "Pork Chop.")
TV Review (Sparse as it may be...)
LOST - That's it! Five minutes after Jack arrives on the island, Sawyer gets that little wrinkle in the middle of his forehead. Jack cannot stand NOT to be in charge. And could someone please wink at Sayid and give him a little hope? The guy has been through yet another plane "thing" and his "friends" are treating him very poorly. Would it kill someone to give him a "sign" that they're on his side? That last little grimace Sawyer gave him as he left his cell could mean a number of things... most of them pretty bad.
I thoroughly enjoyed Sawyer and Hurley's reunion. I like sincere male bonding. I love Captain Frank, and I appreciate the way he watched over Sun while she was with Ben. (I also loved the way Sun whacked Ben from behind. Sun can pretty much take care of herself, I think.)
All in all, I understood THIS ONE episode. I don't want to think about the year being 1977 and all those complications. I don't understand much before this episode, and I'm almost 100% sure I will not understand much after this episode... but I got this one! I had to ask Josh only one question, and at the end when he said, "That was great," I was able to agree with him.
I now know why Sawyer is my favorite LOST character. It's because he reads. That's why Belle is my favorite Disney princess. She loves to read. I, too, grew up loving to read. This has nothing to do with the incredibly complicated plot on LOST. It's just something that came to me. (And technically, I'm probably too old to have a favorite Disney princess... but I do.)
I guess it's a good thing I didn't have six shows to review this week. I've used most of my space on LOST. Go figure!
24 - It started out a little slow this week. There was a lot of recapping, a lot of figuring out why terrorists were trying to kill the President, a lot of talking... and then BAM! Right out of the blue ACTION, ACTION, ACTION. I was starting to think I was going to be disappointed, but Jack pulled it off again. And they brought Tony back into the mix at the very end. When Jack told him to meet him at a "special" location and Tony said, "Wait a minute, Jack," I figured this would be the twist for next week. Of course, Jack didn't have time to listen to what Tony had to say. Big mistake, Jack. Big mistake.
Books
Our book series this week is by the renowned Irish author, Eoin Colfer. He has written a series of six books, all with a character by the name of Artemis Fowl. Artemis is a 12 year-old, brilliant criminal mastermind who is quickly immersed in the world of fairies (good and bad) when he kidnaps Holly Short (a very feisty fairy).
The books are extremely well-written and although book reviews say they are for 6th to 8th grade children, Austin and I both still enjoy the books very much (and as I have said many times before, Austin is 18 and I am 47). The characters are very well-developed, some likable and some not. The stories would definitely be considered high adventure. After a certain point in each book, it is difficult to put them down. These books are best read in order. If you read one, I guarantee your child will be hooked.
Next week, I have a special graduation gift to take the place of the Party we usually have on Monday. Tuesday's recipe is a crock pot dessert. (It doesn't look very pretty, but it tastes WONDERFUL and it serves a large number of people!) Wednesday's Seasonal Tradition is one more fun spring fling. Thursday's date will hopefully be the Irish Date I worked on this week (along with the Coupon Date I spoke of earlier). Friday's book is a surprise... but still very, very good. It's going to be a busy week!
Have a wonderful weekend. If it is the end of your Spring Break, I feel your pain... but summer is just around the corner. Not that I'm going to waste the days in between. No, sir. I'm going to enjoy each and every one of them!
Talk to you again on Monday.
Just a little head's up! Since spring is in the air, I have declared next week "Wedding Week" on the blog. I was the organist for my church from the time I was 16 until I was 22. I played for a total of 32 weddings over that period of time... and boy, do I have some stories to share. Nothing bad about the bride or groom. These are stories about a few little mishaps that happened along the way... 19 to be exact. Don't worry. As always, I'm going to pick the five best (or worst) stories to share and leave the rest to the imagination. Or June. I could have another "Wedding Week" in June. We'll just have to see, won't we?
I want to thank Jennifer. Now I have someone helping me in my search for the parsnip. Also, Jennifer reminded me of a really fun date in a comment she left last week regarding coupons. Even if everything comes together for my Irish date, I'll add that date next Thursday, too.
Also, if you get a chance, click on Sweet Celebrations under my Blog List. She has some of the cutest cakes I have ever seen. I especially love the Paintball and Camouflage Cakes. You may be someone who could copy her designs. I, on the other hand, have to look and wish I lived closer so I could pay her to design cakes for every occasion under the sun.
What Makes My House a Home
Of course, the three guys who started living with me and Mike a few years after we got married truly Make My House a Home. We added one at a time, each three years apart, and now we can't imagine a time when they weren't with us. (And, quite frankly, I don't want to imagine such a time.)
There are other things I would add if it wasn't time to move on to something new...
1. The deck where we have candlelight dinners under the stars.
2. The living room couch which is perfect for naps and reading (and where all three of our children knelt and prayed to receive Christ as their personal Savior).
3. The den where everyone gathers several times a week in their specific "spot" to watch a movie or one of our family shows together.
4. The pantry in my kitchen where everyone (meaning any kid who has ever come to visit) knows I keep a huge stash of snacks, and is opened not once, not twice, but a hundred times a day (especially on the weekends and during the summer).
5. My monthly flags.
6. My three hanging baskets I get every year in April to "decorate" the front of the house.
I know you have dozens of things that make your house a home, too. However, when I started thinking about them, it made me much more thankful where we live is not just a brick dwelling... it is a home in every sense of the word.
Weekend Happenings
PARSNIP. As the weekend progresses, that's what I will be searching for. Jennifer has given me several places to start.
As I stated yesterday, this weekend is all over the place. We'll spend a lot of time with friends and family. Roxie went to Noccalula Falls in Gadsden with Monica yesterday. Although we have gone several times in the past, Roxie was too little to remember the last time we visited the Falls. I'm going to put her comments and pictures on the blog Monday. She highly recommends it! Other than the unknown Friday and Saturday (which is driving me crazy, by the way), the plan is to end Spring Break Sunday afternoon with a movie, and then meet in the den after church to watch Amazing Race.
JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK NOTES: After our rainy (but fun) camping trip, Roxie has changed her mind about wanting to be a contestant on Survivor one day. (I already knew I wasn't going to let her leave for 39 days, but it will be easier since she now agrees with me.) Also, Roxie met a potbelly pig named "Pork Chop," whose owner offered her a piglet if that ever happens. Thanks, Stephanie. I cannot even begin to imagine having one husband, three kids, two beagles... and a potbelly pig. No matter how cute the pig might be! (However, if we ever do get a potbelly pig, I will have to name him "Bacon." That's almost as funny as "Pork Chop.")
TV Review (Sparse as it may be...)
LOST - That's it! Five minutes after Jack arrives on the island, Sawyer gets that little wrinkle in the middle of his forehead. Jack cannot stand NOT to be in charge. And could someone please wink at Sayid and give him a little hope? The guy has been through yet another plane "thing" and his "friends" are treating him very poorly. Would it kill someone to give him a "sign" that they're on his side? That last little grimace Sawyer gave him as he left his cell could mean a number of things... most of them pretty bad.
I thoroughly enjoyed Sawyer and Hurley's reunion. I like sincere male bonding. I love Captain Frank, and I appreciate the way he watched over Sun while she was with Ben. (I also loved the way Sun whacked Ben from behind. Sun can pretty much take care of herself, I think.)
All in all, I understood THIS ONE episode. I don't want to think about the year being 1977 and all those complications. I don't understand much before this episode, and I'm almost 100% sure I will not understand much after this episode... but I got this one! I had to ask Josh only one question, and at the end when he said, "That was great," I was able to agree with him.
I now know why Sawyer is my favorite LOST character. It's because he reads. That's why Belle is my favorite Disney princess. She loves to read. I, too, grew up loving to read. This has nothing to do with the incredibly complicated plot on LOST. It's just something that came to me. (And technically, I'm probably too old to have a favorite Disney princess... but I do.)
I guess it's a good thing I didn't have six shows to review this week. I've used most of my space on LOST. Go figure!
24 - It started out a little slow this week. There was a lot of recapping, a lot of figuring out why terrorists were trying to kill the President, a lot of talking... and then BAM! Right out of the blue ACTION, ACTION, ACTION. I was starting to think I was going to be disappointed, but Jack pulled it off again. And they brought Tony back into the mix at the very end. When Jack told him to meet him at a "special" location and Tony said, "Wait a minute, Jack," I figured this would be the twist for next week. Of course, Jack didn't have time to listen to what Tony had to say. Big mistake, Jack. Big mistake.
Books
Our book series this week is by the renowned Irish author, Eoin Colfer. He has written a series of six books, all with a character by the name of Artemis Fowl. Artemis is a 12 year-old, brilliant criminal mastermind who is quickly immersed in the world of fairies (good and bad) when he kidnaps Holly Short (a very feisty fairy).
The books are extremely well-written and although book reviews say they are for 6th to 8th grade children, Austin and I both still enjoy the books very much (and as I have said many times before, Austin is 18 and I am 47). The characters are very well-developed, some likable and some not. The stories would definitely be considered high adventure. After a certain point in each book, it is difficult to put them down. These books are best read in order. If you read one, I guarantee your child will be hooked.
Next week, I have a special graduation gift to take the place of the Party we usually have on Monday. Tuesday's recipe is a crock pot dessert. (It doesn't look very pretty, but it tastes WONDERFUL and it serves a large number of people!) Wednesday's Seasonal Tradition is one more fun spring fling. Thursday's date will hopefully be the Irish Date I worked on this week (along with the Coupon Date I spoke of earlier). Friday's book is a surprise... but still very, very good. It's going to be a busy week!
Have a wonderful weekend. If it is the end of your Spring Break, I feel your pain... but summer is just around the corner. Not that I'm going to waste the days in between. No, sir. I'm going to enjoy each and every one of them!
Talk to you again on Monday.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
St. Patrick's Day Parade and Shamrockin' Street Festival
Good Thursday morning!
Ahh! An excellent night's sleep! It is a wonderful thing to wake up in a DRY bed three steps from your very own BATHROOM. Whoever invented the HOUSE is a genius, I tell you!
The rest of the week is going to be what I call "fun all over the place." Monica and Roxie spent the day together yesterday shopping and cooking before Roxie went back with Monica to spend the night. Josh went to a friend's house for the day. Austin worked at his Grandmother's, and then headed over to Melia's for dinner and a movie. Today and tomorrow will be more of the same. Saturday includes some fishing, and we'll top off the week with a movie Sunday afternoon (Escape to Witch Mountain). I cannot wait. Little known fact... I love The Rock (a/k/a Dwayne Johnson). I loved him when he was wrestler, and I now love him as the Oscar-worthy actor he is becoming!
I've also added another picture to the Gallery of What Makes My House a Home... Mikie. Hands down... no doubt about it. It wouldn't be home without my Mikie. (Three guesses what tomorrow's picture is going to be!)
The TV review is going to be a little slim tomorrow. We don't have TiVo so we missed Amazing Race and Celebrity Apprentice (which we will see on the Saturday night replay... too late for the Friday review) and Jon & Kate (which we will also see some time Saturday since they rerun all the shows over the weekend). Since we could only tape one, we chose 24. There was a blip or a surge or something and it didn't tape. Can you say "total despair"? Austin and I are watching it on the computer tonight. Also, Josh and I will be watching LOST. Other than that, those will be the only two reviews this week. Survivor took the week off. (I may have to do a TV review on Monday for Celebrity Apprentice, Jon & Kate and Amazing Race. I hate to get off my schedule. I'll see if I'm physically able to make myself do it. I kind of doubt it!)
My search for parsnips did not go well today. I stopped and talked to a farmer (who has a beautiful produce stand) and asked about the parsnip crop in Alabama. He told me he had not seen a parsnip this year. "Does that mean you've seen them in years past?" I asked.
"Yes. I don't grow them, but I have seen parsnips."
"In Alabama?" I continued questioning.
"Not very many... but yes, there have been parsnips in Alabama."
Well, you know what that sounds like to me. A challenge! I'm going to find a parsnip somewhere in the State of Alabama. (I'm almost positive I'm not going to like it, but I'm going to find it, cook it and eat it just the same!) I'll keep you abreast of my search.
Irish Superstitions
Keep in mind, these are just for fun. I don't believe in superstitions or leprechauns, etc. I also don't believe it's bad luck to walk under a ladder (not smart, maybe... but not bad luck) or have a black cat cross my path. It's just very interesting. You can put some of these in a jar on the dinner table when you have your Irish Day (just for fun).
1. If a rooster comes to your threshold and crows, you may expect visitors.
2. Whoever kills a robin redbreast will never have good luck. Even if they live to be 1,000 years old.
3. It is very lucky for a hen and her chicks to stray into your house.
4. It is a sign of bad luck to meet a magpie or a cat on a trip. If you meet a rooster at your door and it crows, your trip should be postponed.
5. To cure a fever, place the person on the shore when the tide is coming in. When the tide begins to go back out, the retreating waves will carry away the fever (and hopefully not the sick person).
6. To make your skin beautiful, wash your face with May dew on May morning (May Day) at sunrise.
7. If you want a person to win at cards, put a crooked pin in his coat.
8. If the palm of your hand itches you will be coming into money.
9. If your elbow itches, you will be changing beds.
10. If your ear itches and it is red and hot, someone is speaking bad of you. (Or you may have just been on your cell phone too long... I added that one!)
Taken from www.the-irish-path.com/irish-superstitions.
St. Patrick's Day Parade and Shamrockin' Street Festival
Yesterday, I said the date was something I was going to try very soon. I have called and called and checked website after website to no avail. I don't want to give up yet. I have left two messages for two people who are "in the know," and hopefully, they will get back with me before next Thursday's date installment. If they don't, I'll tell you what I "thought" I had found that was going to be so incredibly FUN.
However, the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Shamrockin' Street Festival are definitely Irish activities to enjoy during the month of March. The Parade and Festival are held on the same day, with the Festival immediately following the Parade. Irish dancers, Irish musicians, the John Carroll Marching Band, etc., etc. join in the Parade. The Festival is full of booths, activities and is supposed to be very family-friendly. (Although St. Patrick's Day is on March 17, the Parade was held March 14 this year. You'll need to check with ME next year, and I'll be sure to have the exact date and time. I'll even meet you downtown, and we'll experience it together!)
It would be a fun date. Kids do love parades, and this one is bright and colorful and not too long. I saw it years ago when I worked downtown. Just keep it in mind for next year. As I said above, I will be trying to get the info for next Thursday concerning the other Irish date I had planned.
Have a wonderful Thursday. Is it my imagination, or does Spring Break Week fly by faster than any other week of the year? Check in tomorrow for a great pre-teen and teenage appropriate book series written by a wonderful Irish author. Austin and I have read them all, and they are fantastic!
See you tomorrow.
Ahh! An excellent night's sleep! It is a wonderful thing to wake up in a DRY bed three steps from your very own BATHROOM. Whoever invented the HOUSE is a genius, I tell you!
The rest of the week is going to be what I call "fun all over the place." Monica and Roxie spent the day together yesterday shopping and cooking before Roxie went back with Monica to spend the night. Josh went to a friend's house for the day. Austin worked at his Grandmother's, and then headed over to Melia's for dinner and a movie. Today and tomorrow will be more of the same. Saturday includes some fishing, and we'll top off the week with a movie Sunday afternoon (Escape to Witch Mountain). I cannot wait. Little known fact... I love The Rock (a/k/a Dwayne Johnson). I loved him when he was wrestler, and I now love him as the Oscar-worthy actor he is becoming!
I've also added another picture to the Gallery of What Makes My House a Home... Mikie. Hands down... no doubt about it. It wouldn't be home without my Mikie. (Three guesses what tomorrow's picture is going to be!)
The TV review is going to be a little slim tomorrow. We don't have TiVo so we missed Amazing Race and Celebrity Apprentice (which we will see on the Saturday night replay... too late for the Friday review) and Jon & Kate (which we will also see some time Saturday since they rerun all the shows over the weekend). Since we could only tape one, we chose 24. There was a blip or a surge or something and it didn't tape. Can you say "total despair"? Austin and I are watching it on the computer tonight. Also, Josh and I will be watching LOST. Other than that, those will be the only two reviews this week. Survivor took the week off. (I may have to do a TV review on Monday for Celebrity Apprentice, Jon & Kate and Amazing Race. I hate to get off my schedule. I'll see if I'm physically able to make myself do it. I kind of doubt it!)
My search for parsnips did not go well today. I stopped and talked to a farmer (who has a beautiful produce stand) and asked about the parsnip crop in Alabama. He told me he had not seen a parsnip this year. "Does that mean you've seen them in years past?" I asked.
"Yes. I don't grow them, but I have seen parsnips."
"In Alabama?" I continued questioning.
"Not very many... but yes, there have been parsnips in Alabama."
Well, you know what that sounds like to me. A challenge! I'm going to find a parsnip somewhere in the State of Alabama. (I'm almost positive I'm not going to like it, but I'm going to find it, cook it and eat it just the same!) I'll keep you abreast of my search.
Irish Superstitions
Keep in mind, these are just for fun. I don't believe in superstitions or leprechauns, etc. I also don't believe it's bad luck to walk under a ladder (not smart, maybe... but not bad luck) or have a black cat cross my path. It's just very interesting. You can put some of these in a jar on the dinner table when you have your Irish Day (just for fun).
1. If a rooster comes to your threshold and crows, you may expect visitors.
2. Whoever kills a robin redbreast will never have good luck. Even if they live to be 1,000 years old.
3. It is very lucky for a hen and her chicks to stray into your house.
4. It is a sign of bad luck to meet a magpie or a cat on a trip. If you meet a rooster at your door and it crows, your trip should be postponed.
5. To cure a fever, place the person on the shore when the tide is coming in. When the tide begins to go back out, the retreating waves will carry away the fever (and hopefully not the sick person).
6. To make your skin beautiful, wash your face with May dew on May morning (May Day) at sunrise.
7. If you want a person to win at cards, put a crooked pin in his coat.
8. If the palm of your hand itches you will be coming into money.
9. If your elbow itches, you will be changing beds.
10. If your ear itches and it is red and hot, someone is speaking bad of you. (Or you may have just been on your cell phone too long... I added that one!)
Taken from www.the-irish-path.com/irish-superstitions.
St. Patrick's Day Parade and Shamrockin' Street Festival
Yesterday, I said the date was something I was going to try very soon. I have called and called and checked website after website to no avail. I don't want to give up yet. I have left two messages for two people who are "in the know," and hopefully, they will get back with me before next Thursday's date installment. If they don't, I'll tell you what I "thought" I had found that was going to be so incredibly FUN.
However, the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Shamrockin' Street Festival are definitely Irish activities to enjoy during the month of March. The Parade and Festival are held on the same day, with the Festival immediately following the Parade. Irish dancers, Irish musicians, the John Carroll Marching Band, etc., etc. join in the Parade. The Festival is full of booths, activities and is supposed to be very family-friendly. (Although St. Patrick's Day is on March 17, the Parade was held March 14 this year. You'll need to check with ME next year, and I'll be sure to have the exact date and time. I'll even meet you downtown, and we'll experience it together!)
It would be a fun date. Kids do love parades, and this one is bright and colorful and not too long. I saw it years ago when I worked downtown. Just keep it in mind for next year. As I said above, I will be trying to get the info for next Thursday concerning the other Irish date I had planned.
Have a wonderful Thursday. Is it my imagination, or does Spring Break Week fly by faster than any other week of the year? Check in tomorrow for a great pre-teen and teenage appropriate book series written by a wonderful Irish author. Austin and I have read them all, and they are fantastic!
See you tomorrow.
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Friday...
Finally, some new basketball action shots.
The JV team had two 40-minute games Friday, so I thought I would just go ahead and start filming now!
And here's the obligatory Bryant Tuggle pic. He's a HUGE supporter of our baskeball team. Always has been... always will be. Well, until he gets his own driver's license!
Saturday...
We spent the day with the cousins Saturday. Monica, Amy, Roxie and I shopped at Brookwood, ate at Yolo's and went to the movies (Pirates 4). It was a great day, but the best part was our celebrity sighting...
That's right! Will Ferrell! (Please feel free to use your imagination. I know we did!)
Sunday...
Mikie's 50th Family Birthday Celebration! Everyone knows 50 year-old men LOVE the Green Lantern...and their wives really like Ryan Reynolds! (How cool would it be to have your picture on a birthday party plate package? Another goal, perhaps?)
What do you give a 50 year-old guys for his birthday? Cards... filled with money, Ricky Skaggs' concert tickets, a True Grit DVD and a Red Devil's Food Cake with Divinity Icing (from his Mom). It was a very good day!
Lovely Melia gave him the True Grit DVD. (I LOVE that movie!)
And it wouldn't be a birthday without a hug from Roxie!