More Music Opportunities

I'm loading up my new iTouch with Musikgarten CDs so I can easily access them. Why? Well, because I'm going in to the school teach a lesson to the 1st grade class once a week. Yup! I love that the opportunity has arisen for me. I've gotta get busy teaching children again. It's been a while.

Also, I took a full-time organist job with the E.H. 1st United Methodist church. It job starts at the end of January. They may try to lure me into leading the children's choir rehearsals, too. Life sure does take an odd set of turns sometimes.

Lastly, Anika and I were cast for parts in the chorus for the musical Anything Goes. It's being produced by the Springs Community Theatre. I've not done stage acting in forever and a day... well, highschool. Same difference. No major productions anyway... any that I can remember... (haha) and there will be 6 performances at Guild Hall in March/April. Rehearsals begin next week. What is going on with my life????

Revitializing the passion for music and performance, I suppose...

We Must Have Been Really Good

Cuz Santa DEFINITELY visited our house for Christmas...
The kids opened stockings first. They were stuffed with present from each other as well as a few things from their nana & papa and mom & dad. Stocking are kind of a new tradition in our house, so it was enjoyed by all. Santa BJ read a Christmas story. Caleigh wanted to read it too, so she got to read a few lines.

I made cinnamon buns for a few friends, but when they FAILED to come over on Christmas Eve... the kids ended up breaking into the goodies. TOO BAD FOR THEM! hahaha. (Mel, I still have yours here... for one more day and then they are gone!)

Caleigh got just what she wanted... Baby Goes a Lot. There are no realistic anatomy parts, but the doll does go pee pee and poop (not for real, but it sound like it).

She also brushes her teeth and washes her hands.

Jennah is addicted to her new Nintendo DS. Candace is happy to watch her cousin play.

Cousin Aubri and Anika are goofballs with the camera. The metal mouth girls.
We veered away from our traditional Christmas turkey meal. We had only a few short weeks ag--so thank God! We had an amazing meal which I'd love to make a tradition. Filet mignon!!!! OH BABY!!! we also fixed potatoes, lasagna, salad, asparagas almondine, homemade garlic and chives bread, and bacon wrapped sea scallops. YUM! Everything was amazing.
My brother John couldn't wait. He was so excited!Just look at that meat. Tastes like buttah!

Good times were had by all.

Hey Gabe! Whatcha got there?
And Aubri made sure Noah didn't feel too left out!

After all that good food, the boyz tried to help stretch Caleigh out for better digestion.

We watched a DVD that my Ma and Pops made for each of the kids. It was clips from all the 8mm film and video they had from 1958-2008. It was a riot to watch. I loved it. What a great Christmas. I haven't even begun to tell you everything. But I've got to go watch Prince Caspian now... so, I'm not even going to edit.

Get That Ball Back! You've got to Get That Ball Back!

It was another close one. It should have been more of a blow out with our boyz pulling at least a 10 point lead--but luckily the Killer Bees didn't give it all away in the second half.

I sat on the opposite side from the BH fans for this game. I was sitting just behind the team... kind of completely by myself. The other side was pretty packed out and my comrades would make gestures and faces at me every once-in-a-while... and gang signs! But I was pretty intent on taking pictures of the players and the cheerleaders. I never really see the cheerleaders during the game because they aren't out in front of us. They are over to the side.

There was one point in the game, during a time-out, that a few of my fellow CLIQUE members started copying the motions of the cheerleaders' cheer over to me to see if I was watching... and so I--who happened to be standing on the top bleacher all by myself but didn't really notice that at the time--started to mimic the cheer back to them. Only I was exaggerating the hip sway and totally faking the arm motions! Suddenly the entire cheerleading squad who had a clear view of me (as did the entire opposing side of the gym) started calling out a cheer to me--Go Karen! GO Karen! Go Go Go Karen!

Totally embarassing! I wonder if anyone has a picture of that...

Snowy Weather...

Makes Apple Dumplings a little more enticing to whip up.You may notice that one is already missing... alright, one and a half because they were that good!Can you guess what might be happening here tomorrow?It's good to get some scrumptious dumplings made, and the kitchen cleaned up before... before...

hint #1: the box below contains a beautiful new faucet...
hint #2: all the drawers have been pulled out below the counter.
hint #3: countertops have been temporarily cleared.

Did you guess yet?

A: The green countertops are going the way of all other countertops... ones that are being replaced with granite! YEAH BABY!!! I can't wait to see how my kitchen is going to look after tomorrow! WOOHOO!!!

In other news... Friday was when the snow started.

Friday was a CRAZY day.

Elizabeth had her heritage report for Social Studies at 12 noon as the flurries heavy snow began. I was scrambling between some other projects and making potato soup that I needed to bring in for this event. Thank God for Nicki, who brought me some potatoes!!

Elizabeth did a great job!The report was on Germany. (And yes, our 5th graders use smart boards in their classrooms because Bridgehampton ROCKS!)Ok, I made enough soup to feed the students, parents and teachers, as well as having an even bigger pot remaining at home, which provided our family of 8 and a Nicki's family of 6 dinner Friday evening. It was really delish, too! I'm not just braggin'.

Everyone brought in their favorite ethnic foods to share for heritage day. I love this day. I love ethnic foods--but my tummy was not very happy with the challenges I provided it... coupled with the major amount of stress I felt all Friday long! Reilly made some appetizer below that was REA-HEE-HEE-LLY GOOD!And if you were curious, my kids have German, British, Swiss, American Indian, and who knows what else in their mixed heritage... my forefathers and Terry's have been here for a long, long time.

At home I fly the American flag... because I'm a great American. ;-) Don't be a hater!This pics shown below are what the kids came home to on Friday when they were released early at 2 pm. The sloppy, wet snow meant that the basketball game was cancelled as well as the Christmas play at Church! They will both be rescheduled for Monday.

Sooo... that just means I get to experience that same stress I had on Friday all over again on Monday! Oh JOY!!! But maybe this time there will be some satisfaction at the end of the day.Anyhoo--Caleigh and Noah headed right out to play on Friday. Well... as soon as I went into the attic, retrieved all the snow paraphenilia and equipment, and dressed the girl up in her boots and snow digs. What a frikkin nusance!!!
But she loved her new coat and snowpants, given to her by India. (Me too!)

Eating snow is ok... as long as it's not yellow!

But it will make your face and hair wet and cold! And you'll want to come in...And the floors will become wet from all the kids traipsing in and out and in and out! AYI!!!

SIDE NOTE: The Clique had a stroke of spontaneity and went bowling on Saturday night. What a HOOT! I don't have any pictures--just a report that Terry bowled a 181! and yours truly bowled a 125. Our two best scores so far. YAY! (But I also bowled a 70--pathetic).

FINALLY--A Kool Daze Contest!!

The time has come... and it's been a while since I've hosted one. And there will be a prize! for real! I swear!!! I'm going to have a friend help me create a lovely glass shard ornament as a prize! (But if you live overseas, please think of someone in the US you wish to donate your prize to, if you happen to win--because I'm cheap... and I just got my VISA bill!!!! YIKES!)

Anyway, the contest is easy... come up with the most brilliant 2009 slogan. No cheating by stealing the slogan from your church's intercessory prayer group. You need to think of this all on your own. I'll give you a week to think about it, but don't give away your brilliance on this post. Just be thinking...

I will post a request for submissions in a a few daze. This is just a teaser. Are you teased?

Just think... your slogan could be the one to make it BIG TIME!!! CUZ I KNOW PEOPLE!!!

First Game of the Season

Let me tell you... it was quite the match! Luke and Nate were not one of the starting five, which was fine. Luke said he just wasn't "on" for the game, so he didn't mind riding the bench this time around. Nate came late to season practices, so he shouldn't have started on the team's first game. (They look nervous, don't they?)

It was Anika's first game as a Killer Bee (or Lady Bee) cheerleader. GO ANIKA!!

She was thrilled!

Most of the first half was spent on the bench, but then Nate got in there... the boy who wasn't even going to play this season. He played purty darn good. He has some vicious defensive moves, stripping his opponent and taking some rip-roaring breakaways and layups--he did that like three times.The score was neck-n-neck from beginning to end--when Nate pulled out a final two-pointer one second from the buzzer! YESSSS!!! OVERTIME!! But wait...
There was a "slight" discrepancy at the buzzer. One ref blew his whistle, indicating that the ball went out of bounds--thus commencing 5 minutes of overtime. The other ref blew his whistle indicating a foul, which meant that the opposing team could win it all on free throws. We thought there could be an all-out brawl as the arguing escalated. (Yah that's coach getting the the refs face). haha.

But lucky for the Pierson fans, Joe missed his two free throws... the guy who made all his free throws the entire game!

Anyway, sad to say the Killer Bees gave it up in overtime. It was soooo close. Awesome game. I was happy for them even though they lost. They all played well.

Next game is tomorrow... and then we have to high-tail it over to church for the Christmas play. YIKES! Lots going on.

Bothered and Annoyed

I need to complain! This feeling will pass. It always does, BUT... I may as well enjoy making fun of as much as I can while I'm annoyed so that I can piss people off in the process. Oh wait! Pictures! Pictures always help...
These are the left over pans from this morning, when I made my second son a breakfast sandwich, deli style. (You may need to be from NY to understand what that really is). Usually he wastes his money each morning and buys one at the deli. So last night he asked if I would be up early enough to make him one. Nate, kind of has me a little "wrapped"... it's sick, but it's one of the few children I've borne that has this effect which causes me to go out of my way to do things for them EVEN WHEN THEY DON'T DESERVE IT!!!

At least I admit it. So anyway... I got up and made him a breakfast sandwich of bacon, egg and cheese--double egg, crispy bacon--on a hard roll... and what does he do? He gets up too late to make the bus and I have to take him to school!!!

Ok... I'm also a bit grumpy based on having my sound sleep interrupted. YEAH! The big crash at 3:00 am? It was the Christmas tree. It fell over. Now a'daze... one can only wonder what a crashing sound may actually be [you'll understand this comment shortly]. Only one ornament broke, but water was everywhere and the piano got scratched!!! The tree stand is a piece of junk! It's PATHETIC. It probably only cost $5 anyway... way back when I bought it 10 years ago, so I need to go purchase a decent one today. I'm just a little annoyed that Terry propped the tree back up in the stand this morning, but didn't have the time to tie it to anything. How does he suppose it's going to stay put??? It's bound to fall over again before the day is through. AGH!! Maybe we should have a contest to see how many times it can topple before Christmas arrives!

I thought now would be a good time to show you the lovely Guatemalan quilt we have displayed in our family room. It's a nice back drop for some AMAZINGLY THRIVING house plants.

What's that spackle bucket doing there, you ask?

Well, we like to keep it around as... decoration! Shattered glass can be quite pretty and sparklely... and the metal criss cross patterns with shattered glass attached that came from our beautiful Marvin sliding door that was crashed in... well they kind of look like snow or something. We keep those behind the TV for safety reasons, but we can still see them and admire them as we watch TV. When we put on Christmas music, it just completes the holiday cheer.

Oh... this year we decided to add to the Christmas decor. Along with the Guatemalan patchwork quilt, we've painting patchwork on the walls!! Isn't it GREAT?

It's very unique and inviting, don't you think?

Can anyone guess what this is? It took place last week. ANOTHER CRASH! At least it didn't fall on our heads or happen in the middle of the night--giving us a heart attack. Also, it remains exactly where it fell. It's another piece of loveliness to add to holiday cheer!

I don't have a photo of the tags all over the kitchen ceiling where I went after the 15+ moths that came in from the outside last night. This happens every year. They somehow have some kind of hatching and look for the light and warmth on the ceiling and walls, but there's no way to get them down with out leaving a gray mark where've they landed. I use a broom.

Anyway--please feel free to mock my situtation in good cheer.

Merry Christmas!

The Big Decision

Sleeping in...

or making some really good money...

Well, I think I just made the decision a short moment ago. I hope it was the right one. AYI! I decided on making some bucks--Sunday Mornings, playing the organ for a local Methodist church at 9 am.

You see... it's not that I don't get up and go to church on Sunday mornings (oh sure, I do resist it at times) but I can get out of bed as late as 9:30 and still make it to the 10:00 am.

Last year around this time, I was entering into that decision of joining the music team at my own church. Remember? I had finally come to realize that I needed to involve myself again. God was wooing me. So I did. I jumped right into the deep end, but it wasn't a big deal--cuz I know how to swim in those waters. I didn't enjoy it all that much though. LOOOONNNNNGGG story!

I did enjoy some things. My favorite parts were working with the youth and singing together with them. Now those were great times! But summer came, and everything changed. I slowly but surely backed out of my involvement, and finally, just this month I asked not to be put on the December schedule at all. Yay.

So now... I'm coincidentally being pursued by another church family. People actually want to PAY ME to play the organ for their services every week. And, I can still make it in time for my own church service after I play for the hour. Terry says I should do it and allow that music degree to start paying back (not that I needed a degree to get this job--haha).

I've been stepping out in a lot of ways lately. I still volunteer my gifts, of course. I'll never stop doing that. But getting paid for my services, feels kind of important too.

Anika and I auditioned for the musical ANYTHING GOES last Thursday. We're waiting to hear if they want us or not. If either of us do get a call back--sh*t!! [The * is in place of the letter "u"]My life is going to be WAY OUT OF CONTROL!!! Seriously. Play rehearsals, practicing, learning dance steps or memorizing lines and all that goes with that world...??? I'm not as young as I used to be, BUT... I am more mature and together now!!! Meanwhile, I'll still have basketball and volleyball games to attend, PTO stuff to plan, kids to feed and drive around, Luke's college daze to prepare for, rooms to renovate i.e. painting the family room, ski trips to go on, youth retreats to help man, one January and two February birthdays, bills to keep up with, regular house cleaning and laundry to squeak out, my part-time job to perform, oil to change, tires to rotate (well, I won't literally be doing those things--but I PROBABLY COULD), etc., etc.

YIKES!

The blog will most likely suffer... and then again... I'll have some great fodder!

It is Finished!

The tree is up and decorated. The house is decorated (as much as it will be anyway). I am no Martha Stewart. I don't care to be. I didn't get all testy today or yell at anyone while we decorated... but I was a "little" frustrated with how everyone scattered several times before anything was accomplished. Bj could be found watching football. Jennah was sauntering off to play on the computer. Elizabeth was trying to get to the computer before Jennah. The boys were playing video games upstairs. Caleigh was trying to help, but getting distracted by her need to practice for the Christmas play. She was searching and searching for the lyrics to Away in a Manger (they ended up in the garbage somehow). Anika (Crazy Girl) was the only one who stuck around and helped all the way through to the end... except for when she tried to escape the clean up.
Anyway, as we were decorating the tree, we all noted once again, that our favorite ornaments are the kid-made ones from preK, and kindergarten and sunday school, etc. The pictures are always so fun to see again. Nope! No Martha Stewart here... just give me down home, random odds and ends and call it a day! It is a little embarrassing to have people over for Christmas, and I know that it's not very impressive for some... but I'm already over it!