I Am Not Alone

The title says it all.

Hello God

I'm not sure how long ago this song was actually sung by Dolly Parton, but as you will hear, it's still very relevant today, and such a beautiful song as well.

Austin's Concert

We went to Austin's Winter school concert this past Friday. I had planned to post a couple of pictures before now, but my darn computer wasn't wanting to cooperate and I couldn't get the pictures off my camera. gggrrr!

Anyhow, here they are now:

I have no idea what (or who) Austin was looking at in-between songs, but I got lucky and snapped him smiling in our direction. The tie he is wearing is his basketball tie. When the team has an away game, the coach wants them to look nice and give a good impression, so they all must wear dress pants and ties. Coaches dress the same way...including the ties. Personally, I think the ties are ugly....it looks like a barbershop pole. LOL But, Austin likes it and was determined to wear it for the concert.





There are over 120 kids in the school choir! That's pretty good when you figure our school averages maybe 60 kids per grade. There are not enough robes for everyone anymore, so that's why the girls wear the robes and guys wear ties. This small group of kids pictured here is the kids who tried out for the All-State choir recently. Austin is in the back row, 2nd from the right, and the music director had them sing 2 of their audition songs. The cool thing about this director is that two years ago, before he came to our school, the previous directors would maybe have 4 or 5 kids audition each year. Now, we have the most kids auditioning over any of the other schools. Awesome!



After the singing was over, we moved from the school auditorium to the gym where the band was set up and they played some songs, including Christmas songs that got everyone in the Christmas spirit.



It was a fun concert and I'm always amazed at the talent these kids have. It really makes me envious because I can't sing, and I have no idea how to read music.

I'm A Lucky Mom

I had to miss the Sugarland concert tonight, and my sweet sweet girls have been sending me messages all day about how much they wished I was able to come, which touched my heart so much.

Then, this evening they sent me a text message from the auditorium:

"Wish You Were Here"

They know how much I love having pictures of them since they aren't here every day anymore, and it was such a sweet surprise that they thought of me and thought to do this for me.

Then, they called me during the show. The song "All I Wanna Do" was being performed and they know that's my favorite song (it's even the ringer on my phone). They said they wanted to be sure I got to hear it.

I really am so very lucky. :)

Sugarland

I am a fan of country music and have been for a long time. Sugarland is a fairly new bad to come along in the past couple of years, and I really like them. Jennifer Nettles is the lead singer and she writes most of their songs - what a talented lady, and what I wouldn't give for her mile-long legs!!

Anyhow, Chelsea sent me a text the other day that they were going to be in Ames, which is just 30 min from us. I'm not gonna lie...I let out a squeal.

The tickets were on sale cheaper for ISU students, and since Chelsea is a student there, I told her that if she'd order tickets for herself, me & Ashley, I'd pay for them. Austin's not a fan of Sugarland (I love him anyhow :-P) and Jay will be busy in the field with harvest, so I knew they wouldn't want tickets.

Tickets for the students went on sale yesterday morning at 10:00. At 10:30, Chelsea sent me a text that said "We're going to see Sugarland!" Again, I'm not gonna lie...I let out a squeal. Only this one included a little dance with it.

She sent another text that said "How excited are you that I ordered these?" I replied back "About as excited as you are that I'm paying for them!" So, yea I think we're both equally excited.

Thankfully the concert is only a couple of weeks away, because my excitement level is going up by the minute!

Vocal Trash

This is a group that performs at the fair each year, and I never get tired of watching them. They play the drums, but their drums are old metal garbage cans, giant water jugs, pots and pans, or anything else they can recycle, and their energy level is through the roof!


Enjoy a short clip of the fun shows they put on:

First Weekend At The Fair

Saturday was a bust for me. My feet and hands were swollen and really painful. My shoulders, neck & hips also ached really bad, so Darvovet, Advil & the heating pad were my friends all day. Jay and Austin walked around together most of the day, and the girls hung out with their friends. I laid in the camper and went back and forth between reading and sleeping. It was a day I was glad to have over with that's for sure.



I was actually glad that if I had to have a day stuck in the camper, then it's ok it was on Saturday. Weekends at the fair are CRAZY as far as the crowds. The photo on the left is from a year ago on a Saturday. It is seriously wall-to-wall people. It's so bad that we actually avoid the areas like the main concourse that are the worst.





Sunday morning we went to the hog barn to get ready to watch our nephew, our cousin & the sons of some friends compete in showmanship and we saw these pigs laying next to each other. Two elderly ladies walked by and said "Oh look, they're spooning." I was like "eeewww, Grandma's aren't supposed to talk like that!" LOL




Sunday at Suppertime was awesome because I was able to enjoy my favorite meal at the fair....a chicken ceasar wrap. mmmmm! They are soooooo good! Plus, I love the building they are in. They are on the 2nd floor of the ag building, which has to be one of the oldest buildings on the grounds. The architecture is amazing!





After supper we walked around a bit, and we saw "Father Goose". This man was walking around the fairgrounds with his group (gaggle?) of geese, who just followed him everywhere he went. He had them dressed and he talked to them as if they could understand him - and maybe they could, because when he'd ask them a question, one of them would honk back at him.




One thing the fair is known for is it's free concerts. They have awesome concerts every night. Here, Jay was getting us and a friend of ours refreshments for the concert we were waiting to see.







Tonight's concert was Heidi Newfield. If you know anything about country music, Heidi used to be part of a country group called "Trick Pony", but she is now a budding solo artist. This picture was taken by Ashley, who was with a group of friends, right by the stage. We were about half-way back and my phone camera didn't zoom nearly enough to get a decent picture, so I had her get one for me.






Now, it's 11pm and I'm wide awake, waiting for my sleep aid to kick in. Austin's wanting to get on the computer because he's going through facebook withdrawls, so I'll end my fair highlights for now. Tomorrow we will be watching the 4-Hers show their pigs, and hopefully I can get to the craft tables and flea markets.

What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate

As I go along as CEO of indoor operations in our home, things are busy, things get hectic, things get craaaaaaaazy. But, I am very careful to be sure that everything is uploaded, downloaded, and cross-referenced at Command Central (aka: the calendar on the front of the kitchen fridge). I also double check throughout the week to make sure I have the same information on our portable Command base (aka: my blackberry). ~~~Must keep them synced or chaos will run amok!

Amok! Amok! Amok! Amok! Amok!

(which is a favorite saying of Chelsea and I and it comes from the ditzy blonde witch played by Sarah Jessica Parker in Disney's "Hocus Pocus", which is a very funny movie by the way. It also starts Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy. Oh my goodness - Funny stuff.) Of course you can't just say it, you have to dance around in a circle flipping your hair at the same time to get the proper effect.


OK - FOCUS! Where were we?

So while I fail miserably at keeping my home Martha Stewart organized, I do keep our daily/weekly/monthly schedules organized. If it's happening to someone in our family, I know about it and it's documented. I have survived many years of dance lessons, band and vocal concerts, horse shows, 4-H meetings, church choir practices, etc and not missed any (well, hardly any). My system has always worked great. Papers come home from school - pertinent info is retrieved from said papers and transferred to both command central and portable command. Done.

PANIC: Sound the alarms!!!

A flaw has been discovered in my system. This flaw is technically known as:


Offspring #3, or as I refer to him:

Teenage Son who never tells his mother squat.

*sigh*

Don't be deceived by his innocent smile. He's devious and delights in withholding information that is crucial for Command Central database records.

Every Sunday night I go over the upcoming week, just to be sure we're on top of things for the week. This past Sunday night I double check the school calendar and it says that this next Saturday is the state solo & ensemble competition for both band and vocal. Since Austin has never mentioned anything about this, or brought home any information about it, I assume he's not participating.

It's times like this when I remember what my grandma always said about why we don't "assume".

"Austin? You're not participating in the band and vocal competitions this next weekend is that right?"

He answers very nonchalantly as if I'm asking if he'd like Spaghetti for supper "Yea I'm in it."

"You are? For band?"


"Well, yea band, but vocal too."

Yes, Grandma I know.....never assume.

"Oh OK, great. What exactly are you singing? Octet? Quartet?"

"Um, I'm doing a quartet and 2 solos".



WHATTTT?????

He's doing not one, but 2 solos? He's singing? Out loud? Alone? In front of judges? In front of people? My son? MINE? No way!

I looked at him and said "I am so proud of you, but I do have one question: Who ARE you and what have you done with my Austin?"

Actually, all teasing aside, I am super excited to learn of this and am looking forward to going on Saturday. I have no doubt that he'll do awesome, and I'm proud that he is going to try something new and outside of his comfort zone.

And yes, it is now documented in pen at command central. Now I need to find a fool-proof way of foiling any future flaws. Any suggestions?

Amazing!

This blew me away!

Project 365 - Week 9

Week 9! The last week of February - Bring On Spring!

2-22

Jays cousin has a daughter who was playing in a volleyball tournament at our high school, so we went up and watched her play. Her team ended up getting 2nd place overall!

2-23

Exciting night! DH's girls basketball team that he helps coach won their regional championship game, so they will play in the state tournaments next week!

2-24

My son had a concert at his high school. Both the choir and the band did awesome, but when their all male choir sang "Goodnight Sweetheart" I could have listened to it all night!

2-25

This morning I told Austin that I was going to get groceries, so I wanted him to make a list of anything he knew I needed to get at the store....here's what his list consisted of:

In case you can't read that clearly (he writes so neatly when he takes his time *sigh*), it says: Hot dogs, Ho-Hos, pickles, Ch. (chocolate) milk, buns, and French toast sticks. Does that sound like a true bachelor in the making or what? LOL

2-26

We had a rainy day mixed with freezing rain. Perfect day to relax in the hot tub.

2-27

I decided to straighten my hair today. The older I get, the more natural curl I get. I love it during the winter because I have many options on how to wear my hair, although as thick & curly as my hair is, it takes a long time to straighten it. Once the humidity gets above 50%, I don't even bother, because it won't stay straight.

2-28

Tonight we went up to a small lounge in town where Jay's Uncle was playing with his former high school band. They are so amazingly talented and they play all the good old songs you don't hear anymore like Mustang Sally and Johnny B Goode! Jay's Aunt even joined them by singing along for a few songs.

Be sure to click on the link in the side bar to head on over to Sara's where she is hosting this project. You can also check out other 365 pictures while you're there!

My Valentine

I have to say that in my opinion Jay deserves a medal for putting up with me this many years. Seriously. I'm the first to admit that I'm not always easy to live with, but he does it and never complains.

So my dearest Jay....How do I love thee? Let me count the ways:

When I screw up the cooking (which is very often) you do your best to try to swallow it without gagging.

You know I love to laugh, and to this day you can still make me laugh harder than anyone else can. Sometimes I even piddle a little, spit out my beverage, or snort. Sometimes I do all 3.

You have learned how to squelch the look of terror when you see me first thing in the morning. I know it's not a pretty sight, but time has helped you get used to it.

You know when I am stressed, it's best just to smile, hand me a diet coke and bravely ask what's wrong. You never complain when I go on and on and ooooooon about whatever it is.

You are my best friend, and I can count on you to bail me out if I ever do something totally stupid. We still need to work on you keeping quiet instead of quickly sending texts to let everyone know what I just did.

You take out the trash. You know that's a big deal to me, because trash is icky.

You willingly turn ESPN way down when I have a migraine.

You protect me from critters and bugs great and small. This includes spiders, crickets, snakes, skunks and big pigs that have gotten loose.

You worked hard to allow me to stay home with our children as they were growing up. And more importantly, you had faith that I wouldn't screw them up too badly.

Whenever you ask if I want to learn to drive a tractor, you allow me to repeat over and over that there is no fine print in our marriage vows that states I must love, honor, and operate implements. And you let me get away with that.

You are a great dad. You pick on me constantly, but remind your son to save his teasing for his own wife someday, because it's not cool to dis' your mama.

You allow me to inflict great physical pain, such as nearly breaking your hand when I was in labor, or squeezing your arm so tight I'm sure you lost feeling in it when we were on our last airplane flight, or giving you a fat lip when I accidentally kicked you (but in my defense you were tickling my feet).

You leave me silly little notes that are more of a pick-me-up than you probably realize.

Family is important to you. You even go out of your way to be nice to that one crazy relative we each have. (hehehe...let the fun begin as they all try to figure out who that is).

You are a man of God and while that is a relationship that you keep private in your heart, I know it's there, and I know how important that relationship is to you.

And most importantly, you let me be me. You know all my quirks, fears, and other positive and negative qualities and you have never asked me to change. You put up with my longer than anyone else ever has! Why? I'm not sure, but I' so glad you have.

For all this and more, I love you. Please be my valentine.

Valentine by Martina McBride

Rising To The Challenge

This past Saturday my son and his high school show choir headed to the state competition. While they were excited to compete, they were also extra nervous, more than they normally would have been. The reason is that they were missing 6 of their members. Why? Because those kids chose to make a poor choice in their behavior and it cost them. Just the day before the competition, they were told they were not allowed to participate in any school activities for 2 full weeks as their punishment.



Between the 6 of them, this affected the state show choir team, the state speech team, the dance team, & the varsity basketball team. While I felt so bad for the remaining kids having to step up to the challenge of not having these kids, I was beyond thrilled that the school followed through with it's disciplinary action to show these kids there are consequences for your actions.

As my dad always said "If you're gonna play with fire, be prepared to get burned".


The best part to me is that these kids received verbal beatings from the other kids about how they screwed up, and how could they do something so stupid, and how could they be so selfish and not think of their peers and teammates.


This all came to head on Friday morning...with the state competition the very next morning. ACK! The instructor had some good friends of his (who are also choreographers and judges) come in to the school, and the administration allowed the remaining show choir kids to get out of class for basically an emergency practice session. They had to rearrange their lines, positions, moves, everything. I can only imagine how stressful it had to have been for the instructor!

The kids rose to the challenge though. When we watched them during their performance we all were so impressed with them. They had more life, fire, and enthusiasm than they had in previous performances. They left it all out there on the risers. When they were done, we noticed how many of them were covered in sweat, that's how hard they worked. Even my son, was sweaty and his face was all red, but I could tell he felt good about how they had done.

I was so proud of all those kids! We all were. We all cheered as if they were superstars!


The rating system was a roman numeral 1-5 scale, with "I" being the best you could receive. We honestly didn't care what they received. We were just so proud of them. They ended up receiving a "II" and were thrilled! There were a few errors during their performance as kids struggled to remember where their new position was, and I think they were worried they'd get a "V".

Hopefully those other kids will learn from this mistake, and they will gain a maturity to realize that life is not all just about you. What you do DOES have an effect on others.

Project 365 - Week 5

Project 365 - Week 5

Another week over. I can't believe how fast they seem to be going...although, this means were that much closer to Spring, which is definitely a good thing. :)

1-25

We went to my sons jazz band & show choir concert at his high school. After the show, the instructor tortured the kids by making them stick around so parents could get pictures. Most of us moms were thrilled. It's not every day we get to see the kids so clean and dressed up. :)

1-26

I noticed during the previous night's concert that my son's trumpet looked "different". Turns out his broke during the dress rehearsal they had before the show, so he had to use a loaner from the school. Today I took his to be repaired. Notice the one valve that's stuck?

1-27

Our daughter wanted a lamp for her nighstand in her apartment, but couldn't find one she liked. Her bedding is pastel polka dots (with a solid comforter) and she also has polka dots on her drapes. So I bought this little lamp for $5.00 and painted the polka dots on it. It was fun to surprise her with it, and I'm glad she liked it..not sure what I'd have done with it otherwise. LOL

1-28

Chelsea came home to have her dad help her with some questions regarding her tax return, and while she was home I had her clip the dogs toenails for me. It's a job that I just find gross and hate to do. Thankfully she worked for several months in a vet office and doesn't mind doing it. As you can tell, Gabby is not amused. "Find your happy place. Find your happy place."

1-29

We went to another one of our sons high school basketball games. This picture is actually from his game this past Monday night, but my Monday picture of the day was already taken. :) This is a shot of my son making one of the 6 free throws he made in this game. He gets his mad skills from his mama *snicker, yea right*

1-30

I got out the few Valentines decorations that I have, including this little candle that filled the house with a yummy spiced apple scent.

1-31

Our son and his schools show choir was in the State Show Choir competition and we made the hour long drive down to watch him compete. They did great!

Well, that was our week. :)

Be sure to click on the Project 365 button in the side bar to go to Sara's and check out all the other great 365 pictures! While you're there, why not join in the fun!

Austin's Concert

Sunday night Austin was in the Show Choir & Jazz Band concert at his high school. We had a bit of a panic on Sunday morning, which I talked about here, but all worked out well and he was able to go and I am so glad.

He plays the trumpet in band and it's no surprise to me that he enjoys jazz band. He does a great job and loves playing his horn. Since I am one who can't read a single note of music, I love watching the kids' fingers as they flit around playing the instruments. It's amazing to me.

Regarding Show Choir though....

Austin's a shy quiet kid. The total opposite of his sisters. He quit the childrens choir at our church several years ago because his Grandma led the choir, and he was mad because "Gramma makes us dance". It became a battle with him crying each time we tried to take him to choir practice, so we stopped making him go.

So when Austin told us a couple of months ago that his music teacher at school encouraged him to do show choir, I wanted to tell the teacher to give it up, because if this kid wouldn't dance for "Gramma", he sure wasn't going to dance for the teacher.

I was wrong...and I couldn't be happier about it.

The jazz band part of the show was what I expected. It was full of fun, toe tapping songs and some small solo parts. We have a very small jazz band, but they are talented kids who really enjoy playing together.

When the first song for the show choir started, I was blown away. Sure the kids looked great and they all did a great job singing, but what got me most was there was my son...the one who doesn't dance, the shy introverted boy...up on stage, singing and dancing and I could tell he was enjoying it! It actually brought tears to my eyes seeing my son coming out of his shell.

Seeing him mature and blossom in this way has me so excited for the rest of his high school years. It should be a very fun time for him....and for us to enjoy as well.