music

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Memories

Today Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett passed away. It whisked me away to my youth watching Charlie's Angels; pretending with friends that we were one of the angels. Everyone would fight over being Farrah. My brother, Rich, was totally in love with her.
The music of Michael Jackson is memorable to me because I spent hours dancing to his music. I have fond memories of my brother, Rich, singing Michael Jackson songs. I like to think that they'll have a chance to meet now.
I am saddened more by MJ's passing because he was such a tragic figure these past few years. The accusations and allegations he faced as well as the financial detriment/situation he got himself into...it makes me sad for him and the loneliness in his life. Farrah Fawcett was surrounded by good friends and her lover, Ryan O'Neil when she passed.
Anyhow...I've been doing laundry trying to make preparations to leave on vacation to Utah, New Jersey, and Maine. It's all coming so quickly. I hardly feel ready.
I'm off to eat Subway with Smith. It's quiet around here with Jordan at work and Rachel at camp. I'll hopefully get to blog when I'm on vacation.
Til then...

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Tales from Tuesday

Today I took my life into my own hands and let Jordan drive home from his dermatology appointment in Newport Beach. He only got honked at once and I only swore once (am I really admitting that?) I read in the parent manual when I got home that we're to remain patient and calm. I will work on my instructor skills or lack thereof. He is really learning quickly and is braving the California roads like a champ. I just can't believe he's driving...I feel old.

Rachel left today for girls' camp. She was excited. She did all her own packing and I didn't even check up on her to see if she remembered everything. I hope she did...she's such an independent girl. It would have been an insult to her, I'm sure, if I had checked in on her packing. I took her and Sara to Walgreen's to load up on their candy/snack supply before they embarked. It's a vegetarian camp. No meat for four days can do wacky things to these girls.
I finished my book today; Rilla of Ingleside. It was a good book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as Wallace Stegner's Crossing to Safety. I am hoping I can retain them a little for our discussions in Maine. I am looking forward to spending time with my mother and father-in-law and sisters-in-law there.
I am especially excited to see my dear friend, Kristin, in New Jersey before I go to Maine. It's been such a long time since I've seen her. She's my "bosom friend" as Anne Shirley would say.
I am also excited to spend time with my family in Utah and Nauvoo. I've been missing my sister, Sara. I love to be with her and her contageous laugh. It's medicine to my soul.
Well, as usual, I'm blogging at night when my brain begins to shut down and render me senseless.
I'll write again sooner than later.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I came out of denial yesterday and realized I am one of those people who could easily walk around with toilet paper on her shoe or hanging out of her pants, oblivious to the world. I was half way through my work out before I realized I had a dryer sheet stuck up in my pants. Once I realized it was there, I couldn't pull it out without looking rediculous and I didn't want to stop my walk on the treadmill and go all the way downstairs to the restroom to extracate it. I suffered through the itch and scratch of it until I got in the car.
I had a hard mommy day yesterday upon finding that Rachel didn't make the dance team at the high school. She was trying so hard to see the positive side of it when she first found out, but last night it was too much and the tears and sadness came. It's so hard to see your kids struggle and hurt and feel such disappointment. How do you help them keep their self-esteem in tact when they feel rejected and not good enough? Telling her it's probably a blessing in disguise doesn't help. I just tried to hold her and listen. Today she is trying out for Concert Choir and Troubadors. Her confidence has been shaken and now she's worried about a similar outcome. She could be put in a "lesser" choir. I hope she will feel good about her audition and that Mr. Tison will hear her potential.
Today is a crazy day. It started with sewing at the church for Joyful Blankets. I went to Rachel's doctor to drop off a health form to be signed for her Catalina trip. Then, to the post office to send a Joyful Blanket off to Annette who is starting her chemo. treatments tomorrow. I then went to the T-shirt store to buy costume pieces for Jordan for his choir concert. Rachel and I will be getting her ready for Catalina this afternoon/evening. She gets to go for two days with her fellow 8th graders.

So, I'm off to pick her up and take her to her audition...I'm putting on my mommy gear again and hoping I can help her through whatever happens. TTFN.....

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Saturday Snippets

Today started with a primary activity at the church where I got to play the piano while the kids learned, "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission". I ran to the store after to get some birthday cake decorations for Rachel's cake and some juice for her ballet class. She's teaching 6-7 young girls ballet and jazz at our house. We have the front room turned into a dance studio.
upon returning home, I finished sewing our back porch swing that Buddy the dog tore apart. I then dead-headed some flowers and watered. My native California flower box is doing real well. All are alive and producing blooms so far. I can't believe how hardy geraniums can be. All of them are coming back after being mostly dead.
I had lunch and have been checking e-mails and such. We are going to go finish buying Rachel's birthday. She's getting more than she expects. We're hoping to find her a bike and we are getting her an i-pod dock/Radio Alarm Clock for her room. She's also getting some Vans shoes and some I-Pod accessories from Jordan.
I am feeling overwhelmed by the craziness of the next two weeks or so. The kids have choir rehearsal almost every night this week along with banquets and wedding showers and a wedding...
I'll hopefully find some moments to blog and read this week.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Thursday Thoughts

Today I forced myself to exercise, even if the attempt was meager. I did a quick jaunt around the neighborhood and did squats and lunges in the garage followed by sit-ups in the bedroom (carpet)...I've never in my life had to think about losing weight until recently. It seems daunting especially given how much I love food. I'm just trying to eat less of it and move more (thanks to advice I heard from Dr. Laura the other day).

I did the usual Mom stuff today, finished up laundry, cleaned up a little, and drove kids here and there. Tonight was a VMPA (Vocal Music Parent Association) meeting. I am the Parliamentarian still trying to learn about meetings and how they are to be conducted. I am going to become more intimately acquainted with Roberts Rules of Order this summer and the VMPA By-laws.

Tomorrow I'm on a mission to get birthday stuff in order for Rachel's 14th birthday. She paid for 1/2 of a new cell phone and we'll see what other things we come up with for her in a hurry. So prepared... I'm off to the land of slumber...Bon Soir!