Sunday, February 25, 2007
Comment please
As I seem to be unable to go back and allow for comments to my last posting...the place for any comments on that one is here. I did fix it si I shouldn't have that particular problem any more ;)
Frustration--I had just finished my post when I accidently hit a wrong key and poof! It was gone. Sigh.
Today I took action on an idea which had perculated in my mind for some time, thanks to Sariah and ABQ. I talked to my Relief Society Pres. and she agreed. We are going to do a pair-up of young families with older families/couples who have no other family in the area. The need for an instant babysitter arrives, but where to turn? This will make it possible to have a surrogate Grandma who knows the kids and their routines etc. It seems like the need is not great in our ward because there are so many who are related, but for those who are not...I think the need is enormous! So we are going to do it! :)
*******************
After the fire last week in our housing development, we have a concern. We were blocked in or out for several hours. We need another way in/out! And it is in place, but blocked by poles in the ground. Apparantly, rescue vehicles know they can run right through these poles,
but what about the lady who has just gone into labor and needs to get to the hospital? Or the Mom who needs to pick up her child from school or wherever? That particular corner falls under the aegis of Columbus, so we need to petition them to open it up. It seems the problem is that it is not wide enough. So let's widen it! It is as wide as the street it leads out to which is now heavily trafficked because of the light shut down. If there had been another emergency of any kind in or whole housing development that afternoon, they would have just been out of luck! I am not the first person to be concerned about this, but I will organize neighbors and fight for what we need. I think we have a much better chance here that we ever had in saving our traffic light! So I'm off to the races again!
Today I took action on an idea which had perculated in my mind for some time, thanks to Sariah and ABQ. I talked to my Relief Society Pres. and she agreed. We are going to do a pair-up of young families with older families/couples who have no other family in the area. The need for an instant babysitter arrives, but where to turn? This will make it possible to have a surrogate Grandma who knows the kids and their routines etc. It seems like the need is not great in our ward because there are so many who are related, but for those who are not...I think the need is enormous! So we are going to do it! :)
*******************
After the fire last week in our housing development, we have a concern. We were blocked in or out for several hours. We need another way in/out! And it is in place, but blocked by poles in the ground. Apparantly, rescue vehicles know they can run right through these poles,
but what about the lady who has just gone into labor and needs to get to the hospital? Or the Mom who needs to pick up her child from school or wherever? That particular corner falls under the aegis of Columbus, so we need to petition them to open it up. It seems the problem is that it is not wide enough. So let's widen it! It is as wide as the street it leads out to which is now heavily trafficked because of the light shut down. If there had been another emergency of any kind in or whole housing development that afternoon, they would have just been out of luck! I am not the first person to be concerned about this, but I will organize neighbors and fight for what we need. I think we have a much better chance here that we ever had in saving our traffic light! So I'm off to the races again!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Help!!
Help! I'm trapped! I can't seem to comment on my own blog!!! No wonder everyone's moving if this is the kind of trouble you have. I'll be outta here too : )
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
A Review of "The Madrigal"
It has been a royal pain, but I finally have gotten onto the new Blog post. If I continue to have problems, I will follow so many of you others....
I wanted to post my review of The Madrigal at the local high school. This is year 17, so they've got it down to a science!
The school is built with a rotunda. The performance began with a Madrigal group singing there to seated audience. As I've sung in several madrigal groups, I was familiar with all the songs but one, so I think I can speak with some authority in saying that they did a great job! They were musically accurate [not always easy wit close harmonies acapella] and generally their diction was quite good [based on te other members of our group who did not know the music] Even the 16 yr old boy who went with us was impressed.
Next, a group performed an English country dance, then repeated it [under instruction from the Dance Master] wih audience members pulled up to partner. I was sad that none of our large party had been asked. But I did not sit us in the front row so that Dad would not be asked.
We were then led down the hall to the cafetorium. They had a proscenium stage which overflowed its corners. OK, thrust is correct, but oveflowed was the feel. The other corners also had stage sets. On corner next to the R thrust held a musicians stage.
The format was: Act I, course1 of dinner to music [also music between scenes] They had soloists, harpsichord, [well, that's what it sounded like] small groups a recorder ensemble, and a guitar ensemble, a couple of choirs, and various combibnations of the above. Well done!
Act 2, course 2, etc. [Dinner ended after Act 4.
The show: An edited version of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Again, I was very impressed. I was impress with first, the judicious editing. You got the majority of the play in a form the teens could understand, and so, therefore, could the audience. The number of characters were cut down to the essential, and audience members were used for others [such as for delivering messages etc.] Finally, in our performance, their principal was plucked out of the audience and given a long blond wig to be a brief character--to great laughter! They got a math teacher the night before.
The casting: Was excellent. While I think that those who played middle aged characters could have used their bodies a little more to show that--it is hard, for middle aged...what does that really mean? It was a concept they struggled with. As I was doing make-up, I'd ask a kid, "How old are you?" "16." "No, your character." "I don't know." That showed. Except for the old man, who did a superb job, And I noted especially with his cane--meaning he used it correctly!! Usually kids will try to use the cane along side of the affected leg. He used it correctly--opposite. He was also exceptionally good at stepping into and out of the show, adressing the audience several times in announcing the entertaining group between scenes. I wish only that his make-up had gone with the rest of him better [I didn't do his.] Also one girl told me she was middle-aged, and she did portray herself that way, but she was fighting a loosing battle because of her petit build she was picked up quite a lot, giving her a younger aspect than she miht otherwise have achieved. This is not neccessarily a negative comment, but it wold have worked better if the other women her age" would have remembered they were "middle aged" One 'man' did an exceptional job at using his body in that way. The boys, generally speaking were better at that than the girls.
Richard: Played Sir Hugh of no discernable age, who was a well respected friend to the main characters, and an indespesible background character. When he asked me what he could have done to better his performance, I said, "Have years of experience behind you." And I stand by that. He had a passably good Scots accent, which additional practice would have helped. He was fine, except a couple of times his own accent slipped through, though I doubt anyone who didn't know him well would have picked up on that. [The kids at school are all convinced he is Canadian, even though he says not...]
The technical: Each 'fake' corner's backdrop scenery was made by using scaffolding and hanging painted muslin from the floor of the top. On the top was a spotlight used to light other areas. The spot lighting crossing and occasionally alone, worked very well. The thrust corners held the two homes escept for the forest scene. The homes were turned around and being black, essentially disappeared. Gauzy curtains with leaves dropped down, and there was some sort of tree/bush thing C stage around which the actors wove on and off stage [led by Sir Hugh/Richad] in their guise as 'fairies' as the final humiliation of Sir Falstaff. Again, it is obvious that this was not the first year the director has done such a show. Excellently well done.
All in all: A good time was had by the players [Richard is sad it is over], the audience [we parents enjoyed it, so did the four teens who were friends from church who went], and the community [very proud of this anual event].
Richard is planning to audition for the spring show--different director. And if he doesn't get into the show, he still wants to work on it :) Now this I understand.
I wanted to post my review of The Madrigal at the local high school. This is year 17, so they've got it down to a science!
The school is built with a rotunda. The performance began with a Madrigal group singing there to seated audience. As I've sung in several madrigal groups, I was familiar with all the songs but one, so I think I can speak with some authority in saying that they did a great job! They were musically accurate [not always easy wit close harmonies acapella] and generally their diction was quite good [based on te other members of our group who did not know the music] Even the 16 yr old boy who went with us was impressed.
Next, a group performed an English country dance, then repeated it [under instruction from the Dance Master] wih audience members pulled up to partner. I was sad that none of our large party had been asked. But I did not sit us in the front row so that Dad would not be asked.
We were then led down the hall to the cafetorium. They had a proscenium stage which overflowed its corners. OK, thrust is correct, but oveflowed was the feel. The other corners also had stage sets. On corner next to the R thrust held a musicians stage.
The format was: Act I, course1 of dinner to music [also music between scenes] They had soloists, harpsichord, [well, that's what it sounded like] small groups a recorder ensemble, and a guitar ensemble, a couple of choirs, and various combibnations of the above. Well done!
Act 2, course 2, etc. [Dinner ended after Act 4.
The show: An edited version of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Again, I was very impressed. I was impress with first, the judicious editing. You got the majority of the play in a form the teens could understand, and so, therefore, could the audience. The number of characters were cut down to the essential, and audience members were used for others [such as for delivering messages etc.] Finally, in our performance, their principal was plucked out of the audience and given a long blond wig to be a brief character--to great laughter! They got a math teacher the night before.
The casting: Was excellent. While I think that those who played middle aged characters could have used their bodies a little more to show that--it is hard, for middle aged...what does that really mean? It was a concept they struggled with. As I was doing make-up, I'd ask a kid, "How old are you?" "16." "No, your character." "I don't know." That showed. Except for the old man, who did a superb job, And I noted especially with his cane--meaning he used it correctly!! Usually kids will try to use the cane along side of the affected leg. He used it correctly--opposite. He was also exceptionally good at stepping into and out of the show, adressing the audience several times in announcing the entertaining group between scenes. I wish only that his make-up had gone with the rest of him better [I didn't do his.] Also one girl told me she was middle-aged, and she did portray herself that way, but she was fighting a loosing battle because of her petit build she was picked up quite a lot, giving her a younger aspect than she miht otherwise have achieved. This is not neccessarily a negative comment, but it wold have worked better if the other women her age" would have remembered they were "middle aged" One 'man' did an exceptional job at using his body in that way. The boys, generally speaking were better at that than the girls.
Richard: Played Sir Hugh of no discernable age, who was a well respected friend to the main characters, and an indespesible background character. When he asked me what he could have done to better his performance, I said, "Have years of experience behind you." And I stand by that. He had a passably good Scots accent, which additional practice would have helped. He was fine, except a couple of times his own accent slipped through, though I doubt anyone who didn't know him well would have picked up on that. [The kids at school are all convinced he is Canadian, even though he says not...]
The technical: Each 'fake' corner's backdrop scenery was made by using scaffolding and hanging painted muslin from the floor of the top. On the top was a spotlight used to light other areas. The spot lighting crossing and occasionally alone, worked very well. The thrust corners held the two homes escept for the forest scene. The homes were turned around and being black, essentially disappeared. Gauzy curtains with leaves dropped down, and there was some sort of tree/bush thing C stage around which the actors wove on and off stage [led by Sir Hugh/Richad] in their guise as 'fairies' as the final humiliation of Sir Falstaff. Again, it is obvious that this was not the first year the director has done such a show. Excellently well done.
All in all: A good time was had by the players [Richard is sad it is over], the audience [we parents enjoyed it, so did the four teens who were friends from church who went], and the community [very proud of this anual event].
Richard is planning to audition for the spring show--different director. And if he doesn't get into the show, he still wants to work on it :) Now this I understand.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Wow--two posts in one day...these thoughts hit me and I figured if I was going to write them down, then I might as well come straight to the computer as write in the notebook by my bed and post tomorrow.
My husband did a very rare thing, he rented an R-rated movie: Flags of Our Fathers. We neiher one of us had gotten around to reading the book yet, but were interested in it and correctly figured the rating was because it was a war movie. Still, at first it was a jarring word here or there, then as they got into the military life, it became more. I missed a chunk out of the beginning of the film while I was on the phone about the assignment-- topic of my previous post. I returned in time for the landing on the beach. I saw the beginning of the battle, and at one graphic point, I had to close my eyes. I left. I could not take it. Mr. Allrie said that if that first incident bothered me that much, it was good that I left. As we talked we had some thoughts and realizations. First, war. Throughout history, men have gone off to war, usually not talking much about it once home, trying to forget the horrors they saw and of which they were part. The tried to protect their women and children from having that complete a knowledge. Now we make movies to honor those same men, but show just what they tried both to forget and to protect their loved ones from having to suffer.
I'm sorry, Jesse. I'd also apologize to my Dad, my uncle, and my father-in-law, but they're not around just now.
The second thing that bothered me was the casual use of profanity. I consider myself a lady. True, I wear jeans, and did before it was popular for girls to wear bluejeans. I go barefoot or wear boots or moccasins. I was a real tomboy who climbed trees and rocks and ran with the dogs on the hills. My chores were outside mostly. I didn't learn how to clean or cook or any of that kind of stuff until I got married. But still, I was a lady, I knew it, my friends knew it, and my friends were ladies and gentlemen as well.
I had one of the shocks of my life one day as I rounded the corner of the airport hanger and came up behind my father talking in a group of men. He swore! I had never in my life heard that before. And that is how that generation mostly was. Oh there were those that used that kind of language in fron of women and children, but they were "common" and they must have had very poor vocabularies as my mother explained, or they would use other words. I know that my generation is more coarse and common that my parents'. I do not, however, think that there is any good reason for it. Whenever I hear a woman swear, I think she is no lady, and my respect level drops dramatically. When I hear people use swear words in lieu of better vocabulary, I pity them, and assume that their educational level is not very high. With the next generation, I just pity. Were they not taught? Do they just not care? Are they such sheep that they swear to be accepted? I know when I was in college [pre-LDS days] smoking was a way to assert adulthood--is that what swearing is today? It didn't work out too well for those who started smoking just as their parents were struggling to quit. I suspect the swearing will be the same. But still, I pity those who have no better vocabulary with which to express their feelings.
What will my grandchildren who are just now learning to talk have to face?
My husband did a very rare thing, he rented an R-rated movie: Flags of Our Fathers. We neiher one of us had gotten around to reading the book yet, but were interested in it and correctly figured the rating was because it was a war movie. Still, at first it was a jarring word here or there, then as they got into the military life, it became more. I missed a chunk out of the beginning of the film while I was on the phone about the assignment-- topic of my previous post. I returned in time for the landing on the beach. I saw the beginning of the battle, and at one graphic point, I had to close my eyes. I left. I could not take it. Mr. Allrie said that if that first incident bothered me that much, it was good that I left. As we talked we had some thoughts and realizations. First, war. Throughout history, men have gone off to war, usually not talking much about it once home, trying to forget the horrors they saw and of which they were part. The tried to protect their women and children from having that complete a knowledge. Now we make movies to honor those same men, but show just what they tried both to forget and to protect their loved ones from having to suffer.
I'm sorry, Jesse. I'd also apologize to my Dad, my uncle, and my father-in-law, but they're not around just now.
The second thing that bothered me was the casual use of profanity. I consider myself a lady. True, I wear jeans, and did before it was popular for girls to wear bluejeans. I go barefoot or wear boots or moccasins. I was a real tomboy who climbed trees and rocks and ran with the dogs on the hills. My chores were outside mostly. I didn't learn how to clean or cook or any of that kind of stuff until I got married. But still, I was a lady, I knew it, my friends knew it, and my friends were ladies and gentlemen as well.
I had one of the shocks of my life one day as I rounded the corner of the airport hanger and came up behind my father talking in a group of men. He swore! I had never in my life heard that before. And that is how that generation mostly was. Oh there were those that used that kind of language in fron of women and children, but they were "common" and they must have had very poor vocabularies as my mother explained, or they would use other words. I know that my generation is more coarse and common that my parents'. I do not, however, think that there is any good reason for it. Whenever I hear a woman swear, I think she is no lady, and my respect level drops dramatically. When I hear people use swear words in lieu of better vocabulary, I pity them, and assume that their educational level is not very high. With the next generation, I just pity. Were they not taught? Do they just not care? Are they such sheep that they swear to be accepted? I know when I was in college [pre-LDS days] smoking was a way to assert adulthood--is that what swearing is today? It didn't work out too well for those who started smoking just as their parents were struggling to quit. I suspect the swearing will be the same. But still, I pity those who have no better vocabulary with which to express their feelings.
What will my grandchildren who are just now learning to talk have to face?
HELP!!
No, I'm not referring to the ongoing family feud. Nor am I talking about our messy, messy weather. I need help. [Hush my daughters--no wise-cracks, I'm being quite serious here.] I have been asked to help with a program and my part is to work with a group of teens performing "She'll Be Comin' Around the Mountain" with class. I know, we're in big trouble here.
Anyway, I remember learning [I think from my mother] that "she" referred to the train. I found info on that in Wikipedia, but conflicting info elsewhere. So, Music People, can you help me out here? I want to find the origins and meaning of this American Folksong. My research isn't getting me very far. Of course I am limited to the computer and our old Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia as we are snowed and iced in just now.
Of course there is no rush [the program is for Memorial Day] but I'd like to pin down what we are doing long before any execution.
Anyway, I remember learning [I think from my mother] that "she" referred to the train. I found info on that in Wikipedia, but conflicting info elsewhere. So, Music People, can you help me out here? I want to find the origins and meaning of this American Folksong. My research isn't getting me very far. Of course I am limited to the computer and our old Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia as we are snowed and iced in just now.
Of course there is no rush [the program is for Memorial Day] but I'd like to pin down what we are doing long before any execution.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Waiting For the Shoe To Drop
You know that feeling of just waiting...waiting for the other shoe to drop? Well, after last weeks 2 "cold days", 1 "snow day" and 2 2-hr delay days due to the cold [with the neighboring district taking out the whole week [their wacky over-crowded hs schedule does not allow for 2 hr delays.] And with a horrible or at least horribly messy storm due to come in tonight, everyone is holding their collective breath--cancel? 2 hr delay? but then what...it is supposed to get worse as the day goes on. In VA we had early dismissal days when it snowed a lot during the day, so who knows what to expect?
The phone rang about 10:30. The call was for Allied Weather. It was a young middle schooler asking for what the forecast was for Canal Winchester at 5:00am! I explained that forecasting was our business, and that a forecast cost money, but since we were in the same town, I said he'd just have to do what we will do. Get up in the morning and check the school closings, but there is a really good chance of a closing for tomorrow. He thanked me very nicely. It was so cute! My first "official" call! And I didn't even need to wake Dad! So now am I a forecaster, too? :)
I also have to mention that it has warmed up--at 25degrees it felt positively balmy out yesterday! Enough so that I got out on my bike. 1/2 a mile was enough. I was perfectly comfortable--except my face and head. Oh, I wore a ski mask, but that's only one layer. The rest of me had at least three--not even counting fat! The house is cooling down rapidly now [we turn the heat way down when we go upstairs, so it's been off awhile now.] Time to turn in--after I check once more for closings!
The phone rang about 10:30. The call was for Allied Weather. It was a young middle schooler asking for what the forecast was for Canal Winchester at 5:00am! I explained that forecasting was our business, and that a forecast cost money, but since we were in the same town, I said he'd just have to do what we will do. Get up in the morning and check the school closings, but there is a really good chance of a closing for tomorrow. He thanked me very nicely. It was so cute! My first "official" call! And I didn't even need to wake Dad! So now am I a forecaster, too? :)
I also have to mention that it has warmed up--at 25degrees it felt positively balmy out yesterday! Enough so that I got out on my bike. 1/2 a mile was enough. I was perfectly comfortable--except my face and head. Oh, I wore a ski mask, but that's only one layer. The rest of me had at least three--not even counting fat! The house is cooling down rapidly now [we turn the heat way down when we go upstairs, so it's been off awhile now.] Time to turn in--after I check once more for closings!
Friday, February 09, 2007
Ramblin' Updates
For those following the weather/school debates in the midwest: M-W no school--2 cold days, 1 snow day, Th & F 2 hr delayed openings. No Seminary all week. Poor Richard didn't get the no Seminary message for Thurs, but did get the message to pick up a couple other kids from someone elses house rather than their own--which is on the way. So R left extra early [cause where they were wasn't on the way]. Fortunately, Ruthie was up to tell him--in case he hadn't gotten a call. The call came after he'd left! So he's now at the top of the call list! We expect the same sub-zero temps all next week, so we will probably have delayed openings again. And then there's the mid-week snow expected... Then the following week looks like a warm-up--hooray!
****
There is a little girl [2nd grade] in our town who is #1 on the organ transplant list. She needs 5. Yes that was FIVE. Her stomach and something else have already failed, and 3 more organs are in process. We are having a huge community fundraiser on the 17th for medical/travel etc. expenses for the family. A silent auction is part of it. Allied Weather [our company] is putting together a package for it. My heart just aches for the whole family. Please remember them in your prayers.
****
Do you know how many film companies there are? And they come and go like...butterflies! Keeping trtack is a full-time job at the moment!
****
I belong to our town's "Mainstreet" program, and got to go to a training meeting last Wed. It was really interesting as I learned first hand what it takes to have a vibrant downtown in cities large and small. As we talked on the "twice as long as it should have been" [due to snow] drive home, I was filled in more about what has happened in our village and what is going to happen. Even though we lost on the traffic light issue, I feel better about life again. First of all, I still cross at that corner--it is perfectly legal to walk across a highway, so I do, patiently and carefully. It is currently the safest route to town. We will get our overpass--I just hope I get to see it! Secondly--there are two sore spots in town--and both will soon be changed!
Of all the stuff the trainer's taught us needed to be done, I realized that our village is way ahead of the curve [no womder awards have been accorded]. I am excited to be part of this program, and to be able to share the information at the next Downtown meeting! [I feel very similar to the first time I was sent as my school's representative to a science workshop. It was hard to follow at times, but I have a new excitement which I am eager to share!] On our drive home I stated again that we need picture postcards of our town! My suggestion was applauded and accepted. Not to get the pictures taken--I had tried to get Jeremy [a photographer in town] to do it, but he closed up shop--he is now in Bentonville, AR, as head of the photography dept for Wal-Mart. So we need a volunteer. Not I! I inherited my mother's photography skills. Sad.
***
Well that's my ramblings from a busy week. Oh, and I've got Erica's Been There, Done That book up through Maine. I'm toolin' along [and Sariah setting aside pics etc. for you as well].
****
There is a little girl [2nd grade] in our town who is #1 on the organ transplant list. She needs 5. Yes that was FIVE. Her stomach and something else have already failed, and 3 more organs are in process. We are having a huge community fundraiser on the 17th for medical/travel etc. expenses for the family. A silent auction is part of it. Allied Weather [our company] is putting together a package for it. My heart just aches for the whole family. Please remember them in your prayers.
****
Do you know how many film companies there are? And they come and go like...butterflies! Keeping trtack is a full-time job at the moment!
****
I belong to our town's "Mainstreet" program, and got to go to a training meeting last Wed. It was really interesting as I learned first hand what it takes to have a vibrant downtown in cities large and small. As we talked on the "twice as long as it should have been" [due to snow] drive home, I was filled in more about what has happened in our village and what is going to happen. Even though we lost on the traffic light issue, I feel better about life again. First of all, I still cross at that corner--it is perfectly legal to walk across a highway, so I do, patiently and carefully. It is currently the safest route to town. We will get our overpass--I just hope I get to see it! Secondly--there are two sore spots in town--and both will soon be changed!
Of all the stuff the trainer's taught us needed to be done, I realized that our village is way ahead of the curve [no womder awards have been accorded]. I am excited to be part of this program, and to be able to share the information at the next Downtown meeting! [I feel very similar to the first time I was sent as my school's representative to a science workshop. It was hard to follow at times, but I have a new excitement which I am eager to share!] On our drive home I stated again that we need picture postcards of our town! My suggestion was applauded and accepted. Not to get the pictures taken--I had tried to get Jeremy [a photographer in town] to do it, but he closed up shop--he is now in Bentonville, AR, as head of the photography dept for Wal-Mart. So we need a volunteer. Not I! I inherited my mother's photography skills. Sad.
***
Well that's my ramblings from a busy week. Oh, and I've got Erica's Been There, Done That book up through Maine. I'm toolin' along [and Sariah setting aside pics etc. for you as well].
Sunday, February 04, 2007
School closings
Aaah, the variety of it all. In our family we've had snow days, heat days, hurricane days, ice days, sniper days, and now add cold days to our school closings. Of course Richard's "hop-brothers" must be having fire days...am interested what arrangements their school is making...but, still...
Aparantly, the temps will be so uncommonly low that all the schools around have cancelled so that no kids are outside waiting for, or walking to or from the buses or schools. Forgive my being old, but I don't get it.
Are we that delicate a society? I'll bet Erica's friend's Siberian Dad would find it rather curious. I recall being sent to school walking one morning in blizzard conditions because my Dad couldn't get either car out. I was in second grade in northern Indiana.
I'll bet I see kids outside tomorrow. If not playing [which I fully expect] then at least going places--so why couldn't they have gone to school?
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I've never had a child tell me it was too cold to play outside, only it was too hot. Cold? Put on another layer. And wear your ski mask.
Aparantly, the temps will be so uncommonly low that all the schools around have cancelled so that no kids are outside waiting for, or walking to or from the buses or schools. Forgive my being old, but I don't get it.
Are we that delicate a society? I'll bet Erica's friend's Siberian Dad would find it rather curious. I recall being sent to school walking one morning in blizzard conditions because my Dad couldn't get either car out. I was in second grade in northern Indiana.
I'll bet I see kids outside tomorrow. If not playing [which I fully expect] then at least going places--so why couldn't they have gone to school?
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I've never had a child tell me it was too cold to play outside, only it was too hot. Cold? Put on another layer. And wear your ski mask.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Life's Twists and Turns
When Keith lost his job several months ago, I was unhappy, but not upset. In past times of joblessness, I have been upset, distraught, and furious. This time I was just calm. Oh, I was angry over the situation--he should not have lost his job for what amounts to... he essentially did not chat up the people in the other offices, but stayed in his own office and did his job! Amazing, huh? Anyway, the path we were to take was not real clear at first. I was so immersed in the Nativity project, I just knew that I would be here.
When releases came, two of the main peo0ple were released. Two of us were not. Interestingly the same two of us had been called for an indefinite amount of time. So I still believe we are not going anywhere.
For some time, we had wanted to have our own business. As we are both bibliophiles, we thought a bookstore was the answer. We looked into it, we studied it, we had it all planned out. We found more than one store to purchase. Nothing felt quite right.
Previously, Keith had a weather forcasting company, but his last employer felt that it was a conflict of interests. To watch the weather and report it vs forecasting??? Really! In any case, we decided to get Allied Weather back on track. Keith used to forecast for companies like MGM, Warner, Disney, etc. for movie and TV shoots as well as agricultural forecasting (several in Mexico) and also Special Events like weddings and Garden Parties. So we're back up and doing business as Allied Weather Consultants again.
Oh, and forensic weather--that is, researching the weather conditions from when a crime was committed or an accident happenedd, and testifying in court. You know...one of those expert witnesses you see on the TV shows.
I figure we've got 'til the end of March to build up to the point where the unemployment amount is equaled, and that is far lower that what Keith used to make just doing Allied part time. I would never in a million gazillion years have thought about the weather as a business in which I would be involved, but, surprise!
Life does take amazing twists and turns does it not?
When releases came, two of the main peo0ple were released. Two of us were not. Interestingly the same two of us had been called for an indefinite amount of time. So I still believe we are not going anywhere.
For some time, we had wanted to have our own business. As we are both bibliophiles, we thought a bookstore was the answer. We looked into it, we studied it, we had it all planned out. We found more than one store to purchase. Nothing felt quite right.
Previously, Keith had a weather forcasting company, but his last employer felt that it was a conflict of interests. To watch the weather and report it vs forecasting??? Really! In any case, we decided to get Allied Weather back on track. Keith used to forecast for companies like MGM, Warner, Disney, etc. for movie and TV shoots as well as agricultural forecasting (several in Mexico) and also Special Events like weddings and Garden Parties. So we're back up and doing business as Allied Weather Consultants again.
Oh, and forensic weather--that is, researching the weather conditions from when a crime was committed or an accident happenedd, and testifying in court. You know...one of those expert witnesses you see on the TV shows.
I figure we've got 'til the end of March to build up to the point where the unemployment amount is equaled, and that is far lower that what Keith used to make just doing Allied part time. I would never in a million gazillion years have thought about the weather as a business in which I would be involved, but, surprise!
Life does take amazing twists and turns does it not?
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Ya Gotta Pay
I am diabetic. I know I have to watch what I eat, exercise and check my blood sugar. Well today I did great on the last, technically did the first [as it went from plate to fork and up...] and as for exercise...well we had a very active ward activity tonight. It was lots of fun. I only took a taste of things...but there were so very many things! Next time, I vow to fill up my plate with a big green salad first--and then take only as much more as will fit on the plate. Perhaps that will help. But the real damage was done at the dessert table. If it were warm out I'd go ride my bike for five miles. But the weather [always so co-operative!] has turned far too cold for midnight bike riding! so here I sit. Repentant, but with a blood sugar level that is way too high.
Now let me explain...I do take care not to get more than 170 EVER! So my waay too high is not in the danger zone. I'm not that stupid. But still, you do the crime, you do the time. I'm dizzy from climbing the stairs up, turn around and down. turn around, repeat.
Epilepsy is so much easier for me to control--and when I have a problem, I rest. Can you see how the two run counter each other? So I'm exercising off the sugars [food]I ate but staying up so late that I will have seizures by tomorrow. At which point, I will be exhausted tomorrow afternoon, and just want to sleep--and the inactivity will cause me to have to watch my sugars more closely.
My Grandma was right. If you do something that is wrong, "ya gotta pay for it." I think she was quoting her grandmother...and she probably hers' etc.
********************************
At least it was a really great Ward activity! As mentioned, it was a potluck, and our part of the alphabet had dessert. Dad made his famous cherry-chocolate chocolate chip cake. [If only I'd not had a piece of it...] Anyway, since our ward boundaries were recently changed, we are trying really hard to get to know everyone and meld into one ward. We were such a tight-knit ward before, that the sudden change is quite noticable. Yet, a very welcoming ward, so we're trying to become unified quickly. After eating we played a form of Bingo, requiring everyone to get around as fast as they could and get signatures on the required blanks. There were only three of us who could claim having lived in more than 5 states, only two born in other countries onlly two who can yodel, and poor Anna, with her bright red hair gave up trying to fill hers and just signed...Then we all got together in the middle of the gym and held hands forming a human knot. I found that quite interesting, having never done that before. Then we actually followed someone's called out suggestion to "Do the Hokey Pokey!" So we did! By then it was time to clean up and set up for church tomorrow. A fun time was had by one and all. [Yes, Dad came. He ate, was introduced to a couple of new people, and left before the games began. He considered it a success as well.]
*********************************
Vin called tonight. They expect to be in Indianapolis for the summer! Only 3 hours away! Yay!
He said he was playing Peek-a-Boo with Chloe and when he asked her where the ball had gone she answered,"France." What a brilliant child!
***********************************
I have Richard's Been here, Done That Book up to date. Including a copy of his driver's license he got this week. Including the report card that just came home Fri. [Excellent, I might add.]
Look out, Erica, I'm on a roll!
*************************************
Time's up--another blood sugar check, and hopefully, bed!
Now let me explain...I do take care not to get more than 170 EVER! So my waay too high is not in the danger zone. I'm not that stupid. But still, you do the crime, you do the time. I'm dizzy from climbing the stairs up, turn around and down. turn around, repeat.
Epilepsy is so much easier for me to control--and when I have a problem, I rest. Can you see how the two run counter each other? So I'm exercising off the sugars [food]I ate but staying up so late that I will have seizures by tomorrow. At which point, I will be exhausted tomorrow afternoon, and just want to sleep--and the inactivity will cause me to have to watch my sugars more closely.
My Grandma was right. If you do something that is wrong, "ya gotta pay for it." I think she was quoting her grandmother...and she probably hers' etc.
********************************
At least it was a really great Ward activity! As mentioned, it was a potluck, and our part of the alphabet had dessert. Dad made his famous cherry-chocolate chocolate chip cake. [If only I'd not had a piece of it...] Anyway, since our ward boundaries were recently changed, we are trying really hard to get to know everyone and meld into one ward. We were such a tight-knit ward before, that the sudden change is quite noticable. Yet, a very welcoming ward, so we're trying to become unified quickly. After eating we played a form of Bingo, requiring everyone to get around as fast as they could and get signatures on the required blanks. There were only three of us who could claim having lived in more than 5 states, only two born in other countries onlly two who can yodel, and poor Anna, with her bright red hair gave up trying to fill hers and just signed...Then we all got together in the middle of the gym and held hands forming a human knot. I found that quite interesting, having never done that before. Then we actually followed someone's called out suggestion to "Do the Hokey Pokey!" So we did! By then it was time to clean up and set up for church tomorrow. A fun time was had by one and all. [Yes, Dad came. He ate, was introduced to a couple of new people, and left before the games began. He considered it a success as well.]
*********************************
Vin called tonight. They expect to be in Indianapolis for the summer! Only 3 hours away! Yay!
He said he was playing Peek-a-Boo with Chloe and when he asked her where the ball had gone she answered,"France." What a brilliant child!
***********************************
I have Richard's Been here, Done That Book up to date. Including a copy of his driver's license he got this week. Including the report card that just came home Fri. [Excellent, I might add.]
Look out, Erica, I'm on a roll!
*************************************
Time's up--another blood sugar check, and hopefully, bed!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Normalcy
I'm not quite sure what "normalcy" is. I suspect it is different for each and everyone. But I am quite sure that normalcy means some semblence of a routine.
We haven't had that for quite awhile in our house--unless you count Mom going to churvch at early morning Seminary time [6:30] and from that point on working on the Nativity until around 10:pm day after day after grueling day. It was worth it--we had a great success, and it is over.
Usually once a show has gone through strike [tearing down the set etc. and putting away everything] it is over for me, and out of mind--like a toddler whose toy "disappears from sight" it is gone. Not this time. It is rather thre gorilla in the room no one[ OK, few] talk about. I can't quite purge it from my mind.
Maybe filling the time with routine life will help. I'm begining to get back somewhat of an exercise regime, of course, now it is raining, which cramps my bicycling style, but I'm walking or riding in the neighborhood at least between showers. This alone is making me feel more human. Getting the Christmas tree down helped as well--now for the outside lights! [see rain above!] Getting back on schedule for my every other weekly stint in the FHC [Family History Center] helps, and this week I'll be getting back to my Thurs am scripture class. Richard has been back in school for a week, and Erica [and her friend, Jenia, who was a delightful houseguest--she brought me chocolate!!]left this morning as well.
We're getting the forecasting business back up and running. [commercial--if you need a weather forecast for a special event--wedding, party etc.--call 1-877-4U4-CAST] the office is getting set up, flyers are being mailed [Lura, you remember that rolodex!] and I am learning to use my new cell phone that will be on my person at all times so that I can answer no matter where or when.
Just doing laundry and vacuuming is remarkably soothing. Scripture reading, journaling, scrapbooking, genealogy, and of course blogging is helping as well. I am so ready for this new routine with the feeling of returning to normalcy--even though there is a lot of new mixed in!
We haven't had that for quite awhile in our house--unless you count Mom going to churvch at early morning Seminary time [6:30] and from that point on working on the Nativity until around 10:pm day after day after grueling day. It was worth it--we had a great success, and it is over.
Usually once a show has gone through strike [tearing down the set etc. and putting away everything] it is over for me, and out of mind--like a toddler whose toy "disappears from sight" it is gone. Not this time. It is rather thre gorilla in the room no one[ OK, few] talk about. I can't quite purge it from my mind.
Maybe filling the time with routine life will help. I'm begining to get back somewhat of an exercise regime, of course, now it is raining, which cramps my bicycling style, but I'm walking or riding in the neighborhood at least between showers. This alone is making me feel more human. Getting the Christmas tree down helped as well--now for the outside lights! [see rain above!] Getting back on schedule for my every other weekly stint in the FHC [Family History Center] helps, and this week I'll be getting back to my Thurs am scripture class. Richard has been back in school for a week, and Erica [and her friend, Jenia, who was a delightful houseguest--she brought me chocolate!!]left this morning as well.
We're getting the forecasting business back up and running. [commercial--if you need a weather forecast for a special event--wedding, party etc.--call 1-877-4U4-CAST] the office is getting set up, flyers are being mailed [Lura, you remember that rolodex!] and I am learning to use my new cell phone that will be on my person at all times so that I can answer no matter where or when.
Just doing laundry and vacuuming is remarkably soothing. Scripture reading, journaling, scrapbooking, genealogy, and of course blogging is helping as well. I am so ready for this new routine with the feeling of returning to normalcy--even though there is a lot of new mixed in!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Epiphany
I mean the feast day--not the generic word. For those who may not know, let me explain. Epiphany is celebrated on 6 Jan in many parts of the world. It is a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics [to be treated just as Sunday]. For many cultures it is the day of the gift-giving of the Season. It celebrates the three Wise Men's arrival to the Christ Child. Epiphany, or showing.
Sicilian and many Southern Italian children [and their descendants] celebrate the day by receiving gifts and baked goods from La Befana [or the old witch]. Tomie De Paola did a beautiful rendition of the story which I highly recommend called Old Befana.
In our family we keep the tradition--mostly because when my big kids were little and it was their Dad's turn to have them for Christmas, I wanted to have the holiday with them anyway. Part of the tradition is also to give out gifts to those who serve you [like the mailman etc. during te year as well].
This year I am falling back into old habits of not getting packages or even cards mailed out in a timely manner. So, it is for Epiphany, not Christmas. So it is not late. So there. Oh, except for Sariah's birthday present. [but you'll really like it!]
Surely I'm not the only one who needs to celebrate Epiphany...am I?
Sicilian and many Southern Italian children [and their descendants] celebrate the day by receiving gifts and baked goods from La Befana [or the old witch]. Tomie De Paola did a beautiful rendition of the story which I highly recommend called Old Befana.
In our family we keep the tradition--mostly because when my big kids were little and it was their Dad's turn to have them for Christmas, I wanted to have the holiday with them anyway. Part of the tradition is also to give out gifts to those who serve you [like the mailman etc. during te year as well].
This year I am falling back into old habits of not getting packages or even cards mailed out in a timely manner. So, it is for Epiphany, not Christmas. So it is not late. So there. Oh, except for Sariah's birthday present. [but you'll really like it!]
Surely I'm not the only one who needs to celebrate Epiphany...am I?
Monday, December 18, 2006
Christmas--post Nativity
The Nativity Enactment has been two years in the creating, and has completed its first run. We did 8 performances in 2 nights, plus 2 run throughs as a final dress reh with audience from our familes. We had tickets out for 50 people per perf, but averaged over 60 per perf. It is the talk of the town. As a missionary effort, it has already paid off. As a community event, it has already been requested a repeat next year [fully intended.] And our new stake president is much more supportive, so perhaps we'll get some stake monies to help out next year. This year, we squeezed every auxilary budget as much as possible and then some!
We are looking forward to having other activities again--once the final clean-up is done. We had a ward FHE tonight, unfortunately not enough attended to get it all done, but we're getting there. I'm glad I won't see the garbage men's faces when they go to unload our dumpsters this week--over full for tomorrow, and then we'll fill them right up again for the Thurs pick-up!
Stage sets are stored in Bishop Hay's barn, costumes upstairs in our chapel, props divided between the two, and life continues.
Now to get ready for our family Christmas...I haven't even begun---Domani! Richard has just the one final, so he can take me shopping. and Erica gets home Wed! I did my Christamas cards over Thanksgiving, but am unable to find them...does this mean I start over? yipes!
And I AM going to make farfalette dolci for Epiphany this year--but haven't even started Christmas baking yet. Better get busy, eh?
We are looking forward to having other activities again--once the final clean-up is done. We had a ward FHE tonight, unfortunately not enough attended to get it all done, but we're getting there. I'm glad I won't see the garbage men's faces when they go to unload our dumpsters this week--over full for tomorrow, and then we'll fill them right up again for the Thurs pick-up!
Stage sets are stored in Bishop Hay's barn, costumes upstairs in our chapel, props divided between the two, and life continues.
Now to get ready for our family Christmas...I haven't even begun---Domani! Richard has just the one final, so he can take me shopping. and Erica gets home Wed! I did my Christamas cards over Thanksgiving, but am unable to find them...does this mean I start over? yipes!
And I AM going to make farfalette dolci for Epiphany this year--but haven't even started Christmas baking yet. Better get busy, eh?
Thursday, December 14, 2006
We Did It!
We really did it! Tonight was final dress rehearsal for the Canal Wincester Ward's Presentation of A Nativity Enactment. It really came off quite well, and the audience response was quite good. Ticket are free and so popular that we "sold out" over a week ago. So we voted to add an additional performance on Sat starting earlier--so instead of three overlapping performances we'll have four. Then that sold out within two days. When the Mission President called for tickets, there were none! So a deal was struck. If we could keep the missionaries who are participating out late, we could add a fourth perf to Fri night. He agreed, and last I heard, that's sold out, too! So members in participating wards were encouraged to come tonight for one of two run-throughs. I followed along so as to see the whole show and evaluate technical stuff like lighting that had not been done {It rained the night of our scheduled tech reh. and I had come home and collapsed, and decided as we couldn't do what needed to be done, I'd just stay where I was. Good decision. } So I know what has to be done for tomorrow and my lighting guy is fixing it just how I want, my sound guy is reducing the almost 3 1/2 minute Hallelujah Chorus to one minute [we just don't have enough angels outside for the full thing, there's simply not enough to look at for that long.] We decided not to do a big backdrop for the Road to Bethlahem scene--just a few trees against the brick wall, Mary on a donkey with Joseph leading is quite enough. The courtyard of the Inn looks great except that the door opens the wrong way. [It was built for a different set-up, but we changed it due to weather constraints, and the director decided she liked that the audience cannot see into the Inn at all. Looks stupid, but, hey, it's just one of the little things, and Miranda Steed as the Innkeeper's daughter [part written for her] is great. I have a few things to tweak tomorrow, but am mostly ready. Mostly because we eliminated a few other details that were just too much this year. Less is more.
But our gym that looked like "Betzy's sweat shop" for months, now is a Judean Marketplace. The Roman guards try to flirt with the nice Jewish girls, but are constantly rebuffed. The guards hassell us in the old crones quarter...but can only go so far. When I sat in as apothecary, I had lots of fun coming up with remedies for ailments of all sorts. The little children thought my bird skull most scary! [Thank you owl pellet disecting in science teacher's workshop!] The dried herbs hanging overhead are a bit creepy as well, so the young mostly stayed away from my area--the wood and toy shop certainly dreww them, as did the silk and rug sellers. Our butcher [Bishop Keller] was having way too much fun with his meat cleaver and his [pre-cut] meats and cheeses--his meatcleaver was made last night of cardboard and tin foil. [I spent the morning melting down donated candles to make cheese wheels] All the soldier boys have beautiful swords--or at least hilts, made by Bishop Agler. But there were also several real swords --used by responsible adults. Tho. our new bishop, Jon Hay[our Viking] wanted a two headed battleaxe, but was talked out of being a blood-thirsty Viking as he is in the angel choir!
So, we've gone from a bishop who wears Willie Nelson braids [halloween] to one with Viking horns! And he says he's going to keep them on his desk when the show is over. Most of us are really glad it's about to be over, but it has and is a worthwhile thing to do. Our goal was to help educate the community that we really are Christian. We wanted to do a little missionary work. Already we are having people involved with the missionaries who have not been receptive before--new members getting involved, members getting reactivated, non-member family joining in, etc. So I think we have a success on our hand. And soon it will be over. Thank goodness. Bishop Hay has declared next Mom as a Ward FHE night to deep clean the chapel before the official deep cleaning on the 22nd the the church custodial people are coming in for. A few of us are excused--like me. We're supposed to take the evening off and rest. :)
Pictures will be forthcoming--including, as Lura put it "Dad in a play? This we've got to see!"
But our gym that looked like "Betzy's sweat shop" for months, now is a Judean Marketplace. The Roman guards try to flirt with the nice Jewish girls, but are constantly rebuffed. The guards hassell us in the old crones quarter...but can only go so far. When I sat in as apothecary, I had lots of fun coming up with remedies for ailments of all sorts. The little children thought my bird skull most scary! [Thank you owl pellet disecting in science teacher's workshop!] The dried herbs hanging overhead are a bit creepy as well, so the young mostly stayed away from my area--the wood and toy shop certainly dreww them, as did the silk and rug sellers. Our butcher [Bishop Keller] was having way too much fun with his meat cleaver and his [pre-cut] meats and cheeses--his meatcleaver was made last night of cardboard and tin foil. [I spent the morning melting down donated candles to make cheese wheels] All the soldier boys have beautiful swords--or at least hilts, made by Bishop Agler. But there were also several real swords --used by responsible adults. Tho. our new bishop, Jon Hay[our Viking] wanted a two headed battleaxe, but was talked out of being a blood-thirsty Viking as he is in the angel choir!
So, we've gone from a bishop who wears Willie Nelson braids [halloween] to one with Viking horns! And he says he's going to keep them on his desk when the show is over. Most of us are really glad it's about to be over, but it has and is a worthwhile thing to do. Our goal was to help educate the community that we really are Christian. We wanted to do a little missionary work. Already we are having people involved with the missionaries who have not been receptive before--new members getting involved, members getting reactivated, non-member family joining in, etc. So I think we have a success on our hand. And soon it will be over. Thank goodness. Bishop Hay has declared next Mom as a Ward FHE night to deep clean the chapel before the official deep cleaning on the 22nd the the church custodial people are coming in for. A few of us are excused--like me. We're supposed to take the evening off and rest. :)
Pictures will be forthcoming--including, as Lura put it "Dad in a play? This we've got to see!"
Thursday, November 30, 2006
I'm still alive!
Yes, I'm still alive--well at least theoretically. It's hard to prove by my family. Even the kids who don't live here know that if they want to talk to me they have to call the hallway phone at the church! After an obnoxious fall yesterday, I didn't go in today 'til about 1:00 and meant to leave around 4:00, but everything planned took a real nose dive about that time instead. So I got home about 10:30 and have to be back there before Seminary lets out [and have to take care of a friend's animals before that!--she's unexpectedly in the hospital!] Anyway, I miss talking to everyone and hope to be back blogging soon. OK, after the performance on Dec 15th & 16th. Assuming, of course, I make it through the next couple of weks alive!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Band & Genealogy
I just got home from State Marching Band Competition. No, I did npt get to see Richard's school, but I did get to see Groveport-Madison. One of my Sunday School students was in the pit, and I promised I would go to hear them play sometime during the season. This was my only real opportunity. I went with his family and had a ball!
Oh, the memories...
Some of the bands we saw were HUGE, others just large. G-M got a 1 overall, but Mary (my friend and mother to my student) was a little surprised. She'd expected only a 2 in comparison to how they'd played other times. She has a daughter who is a flute--and had a solo!--and also directs part of the time. The flute section started out as go-go dancers--rather cute--then changed behind the screen into their regular uniforms. They also had both a trumpet and a sax solo.
None of the drum breaks were as pronounced as I remember from Arkansas days...
One band really stood out. First, they were huge, second they were GOOD, third, they had a dance team as well as flags--one section of which also used rifles at one point. All their flags were the same--just different in color. Their main flags looked kinda like an American flag--fewer stripes and no staars, but it was obvious, and went with their show. Basically, it was an Americana show--piccolos and drums--very Revolutionary, a change in flags[so subtle a difference, I'm not sure why the change here] to the Civil War then to yellow flags and the girls dancing a jig...you get the idea.
Aaah the memories...lots of fun, but I no longer feel like I should be out there helping. I went through my band withdrawal and that's that.
Although I keep trying to claim I don't sew--I am getting really good at cutting out without a pattern, and writing instructions for what is to be sewn. Painting was the most comfortable thing I've done though.
Guess I'm just a Fine Arts person, no mater what!
Had a good time as a guest speaker in Richard's sociology class today. The topic? Genealogy/Family History. Richard asked that I not embarrass him, and had to admit that I really didn't, but that 'everyone is afraid of him now' because of the family Mafia stories. He'd told them before--but no one had believed him...
I get to go back on Mon. We're almost done with the 'show and tell' portion, then I'm going to give out pedigree sheets and family group sheets and the idea is to do 4 generations--they've already been gathering info. So we'll see how it goes. I guess the true test will be if I get invited back the next time the teacher teaches this unit!
Oh, the memories...
Some of the bands we saw were HUGE, others just large. G-M got a 1 overall, but Mary (my friend and mother to my student) was a little surprised. She'd expected only a 2 in comparison to how they'd played other times. She has a daughter who is a flute--and had a solo!--and also directs part of the time. The flute section started out as go-go dancers--rather cute--then changed behind the screen into their regular uniforms. They also had both a trumpet and a sax solo.
None of the drum breaks were as pronounced as I remember from Arkansas days...
One band really stood out. First, they were huge, second they were GOOD, third, they had a dance team as well as flags--one section of which also used rifles at one point. All their flags were the same--just different in color. Their main flags looked kinda like an American flag--fewer stripes and no staars, but it was obvious, and went with their show. Basically, it was an Americana show--piccolos and drums--very Revolutionary, a change in flags[so subtle a difference, I'm not sure why the change here] to the Civil War then to yellow flags and the girls dancing a jig...you get the idea.
Aaah the memories...lots of fun, but I no longer feel like I should be out there helping. I went through my band withdrawal and that's that.
Although I keep trying to claim I don't sew--I am getting really good at cutting out without a pattern, and writing instructions for what is to be sewn. Painting was the most comfortable thing I've done though.
Guess I'm just a Fine Arts person, no mater what!
Had a good time as a guest speaker in Richard's sociology class today. The topic? Genealogy/Family History. Richard asked that I not embarrass him, and had to admit that I really didn't, but that 'everyone is afraid of him now' because of the family Mafia stories. He'd told them before--but no one had believed him...
I get to go back on Mon. We're almost done with the 'show and tell' portion, then I'm going to give out pedigree sheets and family group sheets and the idea is to do 4 generations--they've already been gathering info. So we'll see how it goes. I guess the true test will be if I get invited back the next time the teacher teaches this unit!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
And a Happy Halloween to All
Our ward is like so many. We hold "Trunk or Treat" This is usually on the Fri or Sat before Halloween so all the kids [and adults] get a chance to dress up and go trick or treating, socialize etc. Various wards have their own variations. "Trunk" becaus it is held in the parking lot and the kids make the rounds of the decorated car trunks.
In the past we have gone from our first years of almost no decoration to becoming noted for our fantastick [adide: this is not a spelling error, but the way the musical is spelled. I do it on purpose.] themed vehicle usually icluding music. For example there was the year we turned the van into a pirate's ship [including flying a jolly Roger!] and played the soundtrack of Pirates of the Carribean. The kids dresed as pirates [Erica was a great Jack Sparrow-like Captain.] We took pride in our themed get-ups.
Last year, without Erica's help, and with a different vehicle [CRV "Soctates"{aside:guess what movie we had just seen...pronounce it with a long a} rather than the van] we did Star Wars--decor not quite as good except that Richard built such a great R2D2 out of the round-topped bathroom garbage can, that we had to get a new trash recepticle, for R2D2 remains with us.
Last year the new twist we saw here in CW was that after the candy was all passed out, everyone retired to the cultural hall [gym inside our church building] and the adults visited while the kids had a massave candy swap--you know the kind you'd have at home with your siblings trying to get as much as whatever your favorites were while trading away the kinds you didn't really like. On a ward level it was really funny to watch--and the kids seemed to have just as much fun doing that as they did doing the 'trunk or treating'
This year...Nativity. We have costume and set construction going on in two thirds of the cultural hall, so going inside was not viable. ...Weather. It has been cold and wet and really a mess. Every fall the Hays hold a chili cook-off and hayride at their farm. It was decided to combine the two events and Sat was the appointed day. It was way too cold, and there could be no hayride as the tractor and wagon would have bogged down in the mud in the first 10 feet! So Our bishop [one of the best--and quirkiest--by his own admission--in he world] decided to cancel Sat night.
After consulting with the ward weatherman--my husband of course, he announced at church Sun that we would have a ward Family Home Evening this week--at the Hays farm. Be prepared for the activities: trunk or treating, hay rides and marshmallow roasting. hot dogs would be served as everyone had already eated their chili.
I. of course, was working on Nativity stuff all day--in this case, painting flats. I got home in time o take a shower, dress and go. We had not prepared a theme. Richard and I hardly have said more than Good-night for the past week. So what to do? He was a very cool "Man in Black" for a youth activity while I was gone, so we were going to go with that, but never had he time to turn the back of Socrates into the inside of the locker village...what to do? I grabbed Erica's bridesmaids dress out of her closet tinking I could be a princess. But then I thought...hay ride? I don't think so. Meanwhil, Richard thought about his suit--hayride? He didn't think so.
So in the end after going through about 4 ideas and rejcting them, I borrowed Richard's Calgary Flames jersey and his red [OK they are BU scarlet--but who here would catch it? No one.] Wore them over my grey long john pants which Richard taped for me with red hockey tape,instant hockey socks! and wore my work boots in liu of skates. I used a hockey stick instead of my cane to walk around--handle end down, of course. I got tons of complements on my costume! And I was surprised how comfortable hockey pants really are! Richard threw on his Cubs shirt with "LEE" in the back [unfortunately we had nothing to serve as baseball pants at that point] wih his jeans and Cubs hat. We decorated the back of the car [Socrates] with hockey and baseball gear and Flames and Cubs memorabelia. Again compliments on our ten minute set up! All we were missing was music. Add candy and we were ready.
Incidently, our bishop, who lst year, was Willie Nelson, braids and all, was Elvis this year--with a wig and sunglasses! [And he was out there working on the set all day, too!]
A good time was had by one and all. the weather turned warm, the ground dried up, and even tho. he din't attend [also working on the set all day] my husband was the hero of the day! Great forecasting! Tues turned wet again, hence our ward's FHE.
Hope everyone had a great Halloween--and I expect to see lots of cute pics posted!
In the past we have gone from our first years of almost no decoration to becoming noted for our fantastick [adide: this is not a spelling error, but the way the musical is spelled. I do it on purpose.] themed vehicle usually icluding music. For example there was the year we turned the van into a pirate's ship [including flying a jolly Roger!] and played the soundtrack of Pirates of the Carribean. The kids dresed as pirates [Erica was a great Jack Sparrow-like Captain.] We took pride in our themed get-ups.
Last year, without Erica's help, and with a different vehicle [CRV "Soctates"{aside:guess what movie we had just seen...pronounce it with a long a} rather than the van] we did Star Wars--decor not quite as good except that Richard built such a great R2D2 out of the round-topped bathroom garbage can, that we had to get a new trash recepticle, for R2D2 remains with us.
Last year the new twist we saw here in CW was that after the candy was all passed out, everyone retired to the cultural hall [gym inside our church building] and the adults visited while the kids had a massave candy swap--you know the kind you'd have at home with your siblings trying to get as much as whatever your favorites were while trading away the kinds you didn't really like. On a ward level it was really funny to watch--and the kids seemed to have just as much fun doing that as they did doing the 'trunk or treating'
This year...Nativity. We have costume and set construction going on in two thirds of the cultural hall, so going inside was not viable. ...Weather. It has been cold and wet and really a mess. Every fall the Hays hold a chili cook-off and hayride at their farm. It was decided to combine the two events and Sat was the appointed day. It was way too cold, and there could be no hayride as the tractor and wagon would have bogged down in the mud in the first 10 feet! So Our bishop [one of the best--and quirkiest--by his own admission--in he world] decided to cancel Sat night.
After consulting with the ward weatherman--my husband of course, he announced at church Sun that we would have a ward Family Home Evening this week--at the Hays farm. Be prepared for the activities: trunk or treating, hay rides and marshmallow roasting. hot dogs would be served as everyone had already eated their chili.
I. of course, was working on Nativity stuff all day--in this case, painting flats. I got home in time o take a shower, dress and go. We had not prepared a theme. Richard and I hardly have said more than Good-night for the past week. So what to do? He was a very cool "Man in Black" for a youth activity while I was gone, so we were going to go with that, but never had he time to turn the back of Socrates into the inside of the locker village...what to do? I grabbed Erica's bridesmaids dress out of her closet tinking I could be a princess. But then I thought...hay ride? I don't think so. Meanwhil, Richard thought about his suit--hayride? He didn't think so.
So in the end after going through about 4 ideas and rejcting them, I borrowed Richard's Calgary Flames jersey and his red [OK they are BU scarlet--but who here would catch it? No one.] Wore them over my grey long john pants which Richard taped for me with red hockey tape,instant hockey socks! and wore my work boots in liu of skates. I used a hockey stick instead of my cane to walk around--handle end down, of course. I got tons of complements on my costume! And I was surprised how comfortable hockey pants really are! Richard threw on his Cubs shirt with "LEE" in the back [unfortunately we had nothing to serve as baseball pants at that point] wih his jeans and Cubs hat. We decorated the back of the car [Socrates] with hockey and baseball gear and Flames and Cubs memorabelia. Again compliments on our ten minute set up! All we were missing was music. Add candy and we were ready.
Incidently, our bishop, who lst year, was Willie Nelson, braids and all, was Elvis this year--with a wig and sunglasses! [And he was out there working on the set all day, too!]
A good time was had by one and all. the weather turned warm, the ground dried up, and even tho. he din't attend [also working on the set all day] my husband was the hero of the day! Great forecasting! Tues turned wet again, hence our ward's FHE.
Hope everyone had a great Halloween--and I expect to see lots of cute pics posted!
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Help!
I don't have much to say other than I wish my girls were here to help! I'm putting in long and constant days costuming. But there is light at the end of the cloth tunnel. Then I can work on my first love [and what I signed on to do!] props. But Mon afternoon my favorite forecaster tells me will be a good time to paint. So paint we will. Wish you were here, Lura, for this part!
I offer house room to anyone who wants to visit Ohio [and incidently sew, paint etc.!]
I offer house room to anyone who wants to visit Ohio [and incidently sew, paint etc.!]
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Rhe Word SEW Is Not In My Vocabulary
It's not! It's not! The word "sew" is not in my vocabulary! Ask my kids--I've always told them that. Ask my sister. Where was I when she was doing costumes? Not sewing! Ask my costuming teachers. How did I make it through costuming rquirements? By running and fetching, By cutting or pinning. By acting as a dressmaker's dummy. But NOT by sewing!
I have a mending tip for all you young Moms. It really works, too. Ask my kids! The garment needing mending is put into the mening basket. Procrastinate a few months--and voila! The child has outgrown the garment. Therefore you never have to--sew!
So why does all my time seem to be taken of late with costuming? I'm still not sewing! We need more people who will run & fetch, pin & cut iron & sort. Even be a dressmaker's dummy.
Maybe I'm just a dummy? Albeit one with waaay too much costuming knowledge.
I have a mending tip for all you young Moms. It really works, too. Ask my kids! The garment needing mending is put into the mening basket. Procrastinate a few months--and voila! The child has outgrown the garment. Therefore you never have to--sew!
So why does all my time seem to be taken of late with costuming? I'm still not sewing! We need more people who will run & fetch, pin & cut iron & sort. Even be a dressmaker's dummy.
Maybe I'm just a dummy? Albeit one with waaay too much costuming knowledge.
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