Random Ramblings from a Tired Choir Director

Okay, Jenny, I'm updating!!! LOL

Life lately has been very busy. Let's see.... last time I was online, I was having a bad spell... worried about Don, overwhelmed with the children's musical, overwhelmed with life. I'm better now. I'm back on Zoloft, ROFL. I just cannot go without it for the time being. I just handle things better when I'm emotionally evened out... ya know??

Thursday - worked alot on the musical. Dyan, Christian & I went to USToys to get some props and costumes for the musical. We bought 24 black canes & top hats for the jazz number that Choir 1 will perform.... and we bought alot of hats for the cast, some swords, dagger... and i cannot remember what else.

After our shopping trip, we went to lunch - Cheesecake Factory. Delicious. When we got back to Dyan's house, she trimmed my bangs for me, which I really appreciated. They were driving me crazy!

Friday - what did I do??? Hmmm, cannot remember. Oh, errands. I ran errands - i.e. pharmacy, t-shirt graphics shop, grocery store. Then home to catch up on my soaps, eat lunch and do some computer work for the musical. Yup, at this time of year, I'm working full time on the musical. My To Do List is 2 pages long.... ugh. Then Fri. night, went to Dyan's, and Meg met us there and we all 3 drove to Shawnee for a Pampered Chef party. I bought a new berry / salad spinner because the one I've had for 10 years is cracked. And I bought a copper trivet for when my kitchen gets remodeled. It sorta looks like it'd go with a "Tuscany" theme.

Today - Saturday - slept 'til 7:30. Got up, showered, went to the donut shop to bribe kids, lol, and then was at the church at 9:45. Spent 2 hours digging thru the racks of costumes, pulling out those that would be appropriate for us to use for the musical. We will need to do some more sewing, altering the existing costumes & then creating new ones too. Ugh.... big job! At noon, Meg, Caitlyn (one of my 6th graders) and I went to Mr. Goodcents and bought some lunch. We were back at church by 12:45, ready for a 1 PM rehearsal. Meg had some of her choir 1 kids there to start learning the jazz number they're doing. And my cast rehearsed scenes 7, 8 & 9. We FINALLY have the whole musical blocked out. And today, it was doubly fun, because our "Goliath" was there to rehearse!
I just love our cast. They are such neat kids.... and such fun to work with. They are very professional in their acting abilities, and in their ability to improvise. I love it... and I love them!

After rehearsal, I drove to Dyan's and picked up Christian! When I got to their house, he heard me come in the front door, and he comes running into the foyer, arms raised, and throws himself up at me! I loved that! We hugged and hugged.... and I asked him if he wanted to go to Grandma's house, and he was all excited! So, we loaded up and went! He is spending the night with us tonight. Grandpa & I took Christian to the Plaza and we ate dinner at The California Pizza Kitchen. Christian had grapes, pineapple & mac&cheese, which he loved!!! I had my BBQ Chicken Pizza - which I love, along with a glass of Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, and Don had some sort of Thai pasta dish. Fun was had by all.

After dinner, we came home and played. Christian & I played the piano. And for about 30 minutes, he played the "dive-off-the-ottoman-into-Grandma's-arms" game. Then I brought up all of the books I had kept from when the girls were little, and Christian & I read books. We read Dyan & Meg's favorite childhood book - "The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the BIG HUNGRY BEAR." He loved it... in fact, like when his mommy was a baby, we read it several times! And he pretended to eat the strawberry in the end. Adorable!

7:40 came - bedtime. And like a lightswitch, he's out. What a doll. He can come and stay with Grandma ANY TIME!!!

Tomorrow is Sunday - a day of rest! Literally. Perhaps the Donmeister & I will take in a movie! Who knows what tomorrow will bring. But, I bet it'll be interesting!

And that's my life so far....

0% Financing & New Computers!

Okay, so yesterday ended up much better. While paying bills, I noticed that one of my credit cards (What's in Your Wallet?) showed that I was paying something like 26% interest on my balance of $10,000 (wedding & vacation). I thought, WHAT??? No way. That just irritates the heck out of me. I was paying it down by $500 each month. But then I noticed this other piece of mail, from another bank offering me a credit card with 0% interest on balance transfers clear up to May of 2009!!! So, I figured that if I could get them to give me a credit card with a high enough limit, I'd transfer the balance and voila! Interest payments would be vanished! So, I called them, and I got a big credit line, and they are sending my Capital One people a big fat check, and Woo hoo!!!!, it's done! Now, when we get our big tax refund from Uncle Sam, I'll pay off the new credit card, and basically be back to debt free. Yay! Yay me! I felt so financially saavy yesterday, so Don took me out for a steak dinner to celebrate! Steaks and Corona Light.... ahhhhhhhh.....

And then.......

We went to Best Buy where they were having a sale on laptops. We bought two of them. The company is reimbursing us for them. One of them Don will use for business at home, and the other one I will use for business & for my personal stuff. I'll finally be rid of this slow, sluggish laptop that takes 10 minutes to boot up in the morning. We bought Dell computers, laptops, with all the bells & whistles. It's light blue on the outside and silver on the inside, big screen (15.something inches) and high def. Don's working on getting everything loaded onto them. I am very excited. But, very computer illiterate. As long as I know where the "on" button is, I'm a happy camper.

Today is a better day. And I love my family. Thanks, girls, for your sweetness. Jenny, you crack me up about taking Chase with us on vacation. I love you all and am very grateful for you being a part of my life.

Life is good.

And that's my life so far...

Blah, Blah, Blah....

I dunno...... I'm feeling a little blue today, so I thought I'd "blog" and get it out of my system.

Life... I just want it to be NORMAL again! Ugh...... I'm so sick of worrying... so so so so so so sick of it. I want to stop thinking about stuff that is worrying me. I want to have a day FREE from worry. I love my husband so much that this is killin' me....... I want to turn the clock back. I want to talk to Jesus and ask him FACE TO FACE why He let this happen????????? I'm just so sick of it.

I had a pedicure today. That was so nice.

I've been working at my desk most of the rest of the day. Balanced the checkbook to the penny - YAY me! Entered bills in Quickbooks.... gonna pay some in a bit.

Blogged on another website. Got some sweet support there. That is always so nice.... it's REALLY NICE to talk to people who are going thru what Don & I are going through. Otherwise, ya just don't completely understand.

I think we'll have pizza tonight. Minsky's. Am I stress eating??? Probably. But who cares???? Maybe I'll even have a beer! :-O

Don & I are planning a vacation this summer.... and I dream about that alot. We plan on taking the RV and driving to Mt. Rushmore, then to Yellowstone, then to Boise, Idaho and see Pastor Tim & Cindy. I am still grieving over them. I miss them terribly. I wish they were still here. Then we might drive to California, go to Yosemite, San Fran., and then back again. But with the price of gas.... who knows??? We'll take Cali with us. That should be interesting. I guess I'm just thinking about anything to take my mind off of you-know-what. There I go, thinking about it again. This sucks.... and I don't usually talk that way.

Am I entitled to feel down? Yup..... I've earned it.

And that's my life so far.... Pray for me.

Easter

Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!

Easter weekend.... was a very busy one for me. Saturday mornin', had drama rehearsal from 10 - noon... followed by a quick microwaved lunch of leftovers from dinner the night before at Ciao Bella, a quaint little Italian restaurant that we went to after Good Friday services. By the way... Good Friday was good for me... I got to go to Coldwater Creek and be a "secret" shopper.... I spent $80 on clothes for Easter, and that's in ADDITION to the $50 gift card! Plus everything I bought was on 60% discount... lol. I bought a beautiful skirt, shirt & sweater, coral colored. The skirt is brown with coral accents. I looked good today! Back to Good Friday night.... my Choir 3 kids sang "A Lenten Love Song" and they were fabulous... very moving were they! In fact, after we sang, and we went to sit in the pews, Dyan was crying... and I hugged her and asked her if she was okay... and she was sobbing, thinking about losing the 6th graders! LOL I was sure glad that I wasn't thinking about that when they were singing! I'd have been a complete basketcase!

After my quick microwaved leftover lunch & a tangelo, I did the registrations for the Easter party at our church for all children in the church & community surrounding us. The party was so cool.... no egg hunts! Instead, every room that the kids visited was decked out in colors from different countries around the world, and the kids learned how other cultures celebrate Easter. It was great... and well attended! And the kids came out with lots and lots of goodies!

Came home, got Don, went to Meg's for dinner. She made BBQ chili, cornbread, salad & pie. It was DELICIOUS. But, I was so tired after dinner, Don & I came home and vegged out in front of a movie... "Maverick" Love that old movie! Mel Gibson??? Sheesh........

Got up early this morning, was at church by 8 for breakfast. Then taught the toddler class at 9, and attended service at 10:30. Afterwards, we went to Dyan's for Easter Dinner. I bought a honeybaked ham, and she made potato salad, deviled eggs, rolls, Meg made a green bean casserole, and good eating and fun was had by all.

Christian was adorable today.... he had on a darling sweater vest, green, with a giraffe on the front of it.... and khaki's. He is always adorable.

We're home now.... and Don's working on taxes and I"m chilling out in front of the tv, watching Extreme Home Makeover.

I love Easter. Praise the Lord that he was victorious over death, and I have assurance of eternal life with Him!!! It makes everyday life here on earth more bearable....

Happy Easter everyone~!

A Lenten Love Song

Now Jesus went into the garden,
The garden of Gethsemane.
He went there sad and very weary
To be alone to pray.

"Dear God, I am so sorrowful,
is there no other way?
Dear God, if it is possible,
let this cup pass away."

Now Jesus went into the garden,
The garden of Gethsemane.
The olive tree bent over Him.
And heard Him sadly pray.

"Dear God, your Son is sorrowful,
but knows your way is best.
Let love take hold of me!
Help me to be bold and free
to do your will,
to do your will,
to do your will
and rest.

Ubi caritas et amor,
Ubi caritas
Deus ibi est.

Ubi caritas et amor,
Ubi caritas
Deus ibi est.
(Latin translation)
Where charity and love are found,
God is there. (based on I John 4:16)

American Idol

So...... they put Carly in the bottom 3.... what is America thinking? Guess I ought to start voting... I had her tabbed to be a possible winner! Sheesh.... just because of a song about a blackbird? Come on........

Kristy Lee Cook... yeah, she belongs in the bottom 3.

Top 10? Yay for David Cook, David A, Jason Castro, and Brooke.... don't care much about Ramiele (sp?)

I'm watching AI right now, so will add more commentary as warranted...

Ohhhhhh a caller from Kansas City!!! LOL Great question for Simon...I don't think Simon looks terrible... I think he's very handsome. A million dollar car???? YOu gotta be kidding me!!!!

Simon & Paula doing a kissing scene??? LOLOL

Michael Johns is easy on the eyes....

Kellie Pickler! Love her! She worked at Sonic??? I love sonic! They have a great diet cherry limeade! Yum.... OmGosh! Love the Red High Heels song!!! She's such a doll....

Okay, bottom 3 - Carly, Kristy & Amanda... Who should go? Kristy or Amanda.... Surely not Carly.... okay, commercial break. Ugh! The suspense is killing me!

Back to my card game.... lol

Okay, we're back.... who's it gonna be? Whew! Carly is safe! awww, she's crying.. Who's going home??? Amanda!!!!! They got rid of the rocker chick???

Okay, these top 10, I'd go see them on tour. Maybe.... Good job, America! She was different, interesting.... So sad, Amanda.... C'est la vie!

I Stole Some Pictures!!!

Okay, thank you Jenny.... for posting some great pics of my grandson! Had to steal them.... lolol.

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Christian, playing with his balls at Auntie Jenny's house. He loves his balls... can't get enough of them! "BALL!! BALL!!! BALL!!!!!!"

Playing with Cousin Chase's singing alphabet letters!

Woo hoo.... hope he danced too!!!

Christian loves to dance!

Awwwwwww, I gotta keep this one as my wallpaper. That Mr. Moose is what I brought home for Christian when I had visited my friends in Alaska.
He loves his Mr. Moose....
The end.

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Post #2 today: Palm Sunday Pictures of the Kaleidoscope Children's Choir. Palm Sunday is my favorite, simply because of the Palm Processional, among other things. Love Holy Week.... Here are a few pics of "my kids"...