On cloud nine
Brace yourself. I can check my mousetrap with my ipod now! I upgraded to a new ipod, and I'm so thrilled with it! I also added an iHome, so I can listen to my music in the kitchen. I made myself clean the kitchen, before I got to set up the iHome. I have wireless at work even! Life is pretty swell right now.
I try very hard to not rely on material possessions for happiness. But, I sure do love gadgets.
I am working on getting all of Jared's music onto my old ipod. It is significantly bigger than his mp3 player, yet it was just too big for me. It is an upgrade for both of us.
Jared and I realize, that we are quite good for each other. I brought home a lot of negative energy this past week, and he was upbeat and supportive the entire time. I calmed down significantly for the weekend, and now Jared's a bit moody. We seem to do this a lot. We give all of our positive energy to each other, until it's gone. But, then the other person will support us. One of my co-workers said that there is a country song out there, where they sing about they wish they had the love like June and Johnny Cash. It's times like this, I feel we're already there.
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Glad to be home
Work has been rough this week. I've finally just asked to be placed in a new area. It breaks my heart to leave the students I'm working with, but it has just reached its breaking point. I am quite ready for a three day weekend. On Tuesday, I'll go see if there is progress on finding me a new position. I was assured, that they did not want to lose me, and would find me something. Jared and I each made cookies and divided them in half to take to work.. two kinds of homemade cookies, that's hard to argue with. I told my co-workers, it was a thank you for supporting me. Although, as the day moved on, I told them, it was a reward for saying I was right.
But, I cannot discuss it much further in this forum. So, that is it. It will get better quickly.
Edited the next day to add: I forgot the one silver lining in my bad days at work. For many years now, when Caleb sees me at school, I barely get acknowledged. He was quite worried last year, when I took the job, I assured him, I would not let ANYONE know I was his mom. I always got a very tiny smile, as we passed in the hallway, a small, barely seen wave, and that was it. His friends always talked much more to me, which was comical to me. Well, he knows the story, he knows work is not going well for me. The past two days, I've gotten full hand waves, big smiles, and verbal hellos, from my eldest son!
Our music night was another fun filled night. Jonas played kazoo, Alex on mandolin, Caleb doesn't really like to follow, and be rhythm, we're trying to to push him too hard. So, his job today, was to write down our song titles, and the key they were in. So, we're ready for group play.
After the boys went to bed, Jared and I recorded a song, Chicken Reel. Upon listening to it, we agree, it needs to be faster.
I hope to put together a cd, and send it to my grandparents, although, I have no idea if they own a cd player. So, here's a sneak preview, of our debut album. (The "slow" version)
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Work Shoes
Work has been a bit more stressful for me this year, than last. The students are wonderful, and I must remind myself that I am there for them, and not for anyone else. I started off the school year, filled with negative energy, coming home, and venting to Jared, which in turn filled him with my negative energy.
I talked it over with a co-worker, and she told me, that she does not go home and complain, because she truly enjoys the job, and if she vents, she will feel like she no longer enjoys it. I thought this was a wonderful thing. I tried it this weekend, and it really did work! I do like the job. That is not the problem.
One of Jared's co-workers, suggested to him, that I take off something tangible, such as shoes, as soon as I get home, and state that these are my work shoes, and then put on my "fun at the house" shoes. I'm willing to give it a shot!
Unfortunately the job is filled with confidentiality agreements, so I can't share my wonderful experiences with people, but I assure you, they are there. I must not lose sight of that.
We've also been playing more music lately, on a daily basis. That is a good energy release as well.
Here is a mp3 of Jared and I playing "The Band Goes On". I did mess up on the first time through.. I think we play it three times, in this quick 1.5 minute rendition. You can't hear Jared's guitar part very well.. I need to work on my recording abilities. If this doesn't work for people, let me know. I just spent about 2 hours figuring out how to get an audio file to work, I want it to work for everyone!
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Serious stuff
The past few days, on our walk to school, Caleb has been giving me advice on the family fantasy football draft. He told me there's a guy with the last name of Frye, which is like french fries. He wasn't recommending me get him, because he's not *that* good, but he thought I would like to know.
Today's the big day. Caleb, Jonas and Jared are at the K-state libraries, because apparently it's important to draft LIVE. One of the first things Jared told me this morning, is he hopes Kevin has success getting on live this year, because he had problems last year. It is quite the serious thing in this house.
Alex and I are ready, eating our lunch at our individual computers, waiting for the rest of the family to log on. Wish me luck.
*If Jamie reads this in time.. she should probably long on too.. It's VERY important, I'm told.
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A history lesson
The above photo is of Ethel Bowers and Robbie Diddle, my great grandma and great great grandma. The story I was told, was they came to K-State to visit my grandpa, he took them on a tour of the greenhouse. (Now the current butterfly garden.) They enjoyed some of the plants so much, that they took a few cuttings, to take home and plant. This photo is catching them in the act.
I made a goal to learn at least one new song a week on the mandolin. This week I have mastered Five Foot Two, and The Band Played On (although that one isn't memorized yet). I'm pretty close in learning The Entertainer. I played Fiddler on the Roof through a couple times, but it is almost like a half of a song.. hard to lead, it's just so short. I found the music to The Missouri Waltz, and have been listening to it repeatedly, that may be the next one. I have my grandparents' list of songs that they play, and I'm working my way through it. So, I'm ready for tomorrow nights music night.
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Tired
*a timeless photo of my mom
So, I'm tired. Work is wearing me out. It is a mental exhaustion. Summer break ended way to soon.
I'm hopeful, that once I become adapted to working and thinking for 7.5 hours a day, that it will be easier. But, for now, my countdown has started. Only 180 days left.
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What would my dad do?
I set out this morning to mow. I had waited too long of course, and the grass was mighty tall, but it needed to be done. I only got about 1/3 of the front yard done, when the handle snapped in half.
So, what would my dad do?
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Our summer, set to music
summer 2008 from Heather on Vimeo.
Everyone should set their summer to happy music!
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First day of school
The first day of school went well for all involved out of our household. (Sorry, Jared, I didn't photograph you on your first day back to work, and didn't even mention it in passing.) Caleb and Alex both reported that their classmates were great, and thought they would enjoy their classes. Jonas declared he liked lunch and recess. I also, had a good first day.
I put together a set on flickr, of first days of school, but it's only in the years in which I had a flickr account. See it here.
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