Just because I don't see many of you guys very often, here's some pics that I just got off my camera.
Westley and Lindsey Before their haircuts, and Lindsey in the school play.
Mommy and Daddy do Karaoke, while Westley Watches.
I couldn't believe it when I saw it had been two weeks since I last posted on the blog. I've just been so caught up in Facebook I guess. It's so fun, because I'm finding a lot of high school friends that I haven't talked to in a long time. It's great reconnecting to them.
So last night was our schools Auction. I was really hopeing to get our tax return by now, so that I could bid on the coveted BV Parking Space (Even though I'm a teacher I'm only part time, so I don't get a staff space). It only went for $600 bucks, which was a deal compared to the $2,000 it went for two years ago. Anyways, I'll just have to keep parking at the end of the lot, which I guess is good, cause I could use the excercise.
Well I better get off the computer and back to my laundry, but now you know if I haven't updated for a while, it cause I'm messing around with facebook.
Hope all is well with you and yours!
Westley came down with it last Friday. I knew I would eventually get it, but I fought as hard as I could. I couldn't be sick, I've got kids to teach! I downed tons of OJ, but I still felt it coming on. I immersed myself in work, and that seemed to hold it off. After Read Across America day, Concert procedures meeting, Teaching, and taking care of the kids, I'm finally able to relax this weekend, only to find I"m sick. It caught up with me. My head is full of pressure, and my nose is stuffed up. My throat is super sore (doesn't help that I had to sing all week), and I feel congestion in my chest. I just hope I can get over this during the weekend, cause things are really starting to come along with the songs I'm teaching the kids.
WHEN are they going to find a cure for the common cold?
So last week, the music teacher for grades 3-5 was out of town, and I subbed for her. Monday was 4th grade, and it went pretty well. Tuesday was 5th grade, and it was so hard. These kids, WOW. Wednesday was my regular 1st grade day, Thursday was 3rd grade and Friday was 2nd grade. I was so beat by the end of the week, but now I've got 10.5 hours of sub time. On the weekend, Jason's company had a "retreat" in Lake Tahoe. We didn't get there til late on Friday night, and when we found out that they assigned 4 couples to a 3 bedroom suite, we asked Jason's cousin if we could stay with her at there condo. She was excited to have us there, and it was nice to sleep in a real bed, instead of a couch. Jason's cousin (Anna) is a manager at a Bakery up at High Camp in Squaw Valley. Anyways, the company paid for all equipment rentals, so Jason and I thought we'd try Snowboarding. Well, I definatly reccomend lessons, if you are going to try something as complicated as Snowboarding. We went to the "bunny" slope, and first it took me like 20 mins to figure out how to move, so I could get on the lift. Finally we got to the top of the hill, and what do you know, I can't get myself up! Took like an hour to go down the hill, and most of that was on my butt. It was even harder on Jason, who has a bad knee. He wasn't going to go, but some people tried to convince him that snowboarding wasn't high impact. Well, it was, and it's a good thing he only went down once, cause it really hurt his knee. Well, after our one trip down the hill, we hung up our snowboards and just had fun in the snow. Jason even tried Ice Skating, although the rink was outside, and it was really windy. I had fun trying to make snow angels, and I made an awesome snowman (pictures will come later). The company had a Kareoke night, and Jason was the star. The KJ even asked Jason to sing. We did a duet, and everyone really seemed to like it, so it was really fun. We left for home on Sunday evening, and it was snowing, so there was chain requirments. Jason did fine driving in the snow, and the chains were pretty easy to put on. We had to stop and buy an Ice Scraper, and then stop and use it a few times. We didn't get home until really late Sunday/Early Monday morning. It was totally worth it tho. The snow is so much fun. We're going to try and go back with the kids before all the snow melts.
anyways, as I type this Westley is having a breakdown, so I better go.
While shopping the other day, all of a sudden I looked in my basket and saw that I had almost everything to make cookies, except the chocolate chips. I casually looked down that isle, and what do you know, they are on sale. It's a sign to make cookies! This reminded me of a Gram story, that I thought I'd share with you all.
One day after school, I was hanging out at Gram's house just goofing around (watching TV, playing piano, etc etc). Gram came over and said "would you like to make some cookies?" I said "that sounds fun."
she gave me her recipe, and I went to work. I measured out everything, and mixed it all together. The first batch went into the oven. while they were cooking, Gram came in and "tasted" the cookie dough.
"This is great, did you do something different?"
"no," I said, "I followed your recipe".
then the timer went off and I took the first batch out of the oven. they looked a little funny. After letting them cool for a minute or two, we scooped them up to put them on the rack. looking at the bottom you could see that cookies were almost completely hollow! How in the world did this happened. I promised Gram I followed the recipe. Well, it turned out that I had added powdered sugar, thinking it was flour. Gram and I laughed over it for a bit, then threw out the dough and started over, using FLOUR this time. To this day, I always taste my flour just to be sure.
So, although my cookies are good, the memory they invoke of Gram is even sweeter.
I Love and Miss you GRAM!
So we started watching this old war show called "Combat". It's on some weird cable chanell that we hardly ever watch, but we found this show interesting, so we started recording it. Well, it had a lot of comericals for the "Snuggie" here's a picture:
It's basically a blanket with sleeves, so that you can stay bundled up and warm, and still do stuff like hold a book, or grab something to drink. Well, we thought it was a pretty good idea, but we weren't about to call up and order one (at 19.95 with 9.95 s/h), so instead we went to Joannes
and bought fleece, and I made one. The first prototype I made didn't work as well as I'd like (the sleeves were way too small) so I came up with a different idea for a pattern, and it worked very nicely. I've actually gone ahead and made one for Jason and even Westley (with some Tigger fleece). Lindsey took the proto-type, which fits her fine.
So I just thought I'd post about it. hope everyone is well.
So the school put up some money, and the kids (3rd 4th and 5th) got to spend a week learning folk and square dancing. They had a preformance today. Lindsey was so excited. We even went out and got her new shoes and tights, so she could wear her nice dress, and I braided her hair. Here's a video I shot of her danceing
So I was just commenting on My Sister-in-law's blog about this, but I'm just so excited I have to share it with everyone. So I started reading this Historical Fiction/Romance series last summer, and I really enjoyed them. The series isn't over yet, and so I surfed the web looking for when the next book would come out. I found the authors own Web Blog, and I check it every once in a while, to read about the progress, maybe catch a spoiler or two, and just plain read her opinion on things. Well, for the Holidays she did this contest for a "Pile of Books". All you had to do was post a comment on what was your best "Book of 2008". I thought I may as well give it a shot. I wrote about "The Sugar Queen" because I really loved it, and always come back to it, when I have nothing to read. (I guess it replaced Harry Potter, when my hopes were let down with the last book) Anyways, she picked someone else for the winner. Well the person she did pick never got back to her with an address. How is she supposed to send off a pile of books without an address. She gave the person a week to contact her, and then decided to pick another name. SHE PICKED ME! When I found out I was SOOOOOOO happy.
So the books arrived and here's the list of what they are:
Dreamer of the Day: A Novel by Mary Doria Russell
Homestead by Rosina Lippi (the author I will love forever now!)
A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell
If Angels Burn by Lynn Viehl
Tied to the Tracks by Rosina Lippi
PLUS she let me pick a book. A friend recommended
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
So many books, so little time. Right now, I'm finishing up Frankenstein, which is the required reading for my English class. Note to all, it's nothing like the movie (I think Joseph tried to warn me about that)
anyways, YAH for Books!
So yesterday was my Birthday. Jason and I were going to go see Phantom of the Opera in San Francisco. Well, we didn't go. Bad timing along with various aliments kept us from the show, but we had a good birthday anyways. Our family got an X-box for Christmas, and for our birthday Jason bought the "Rock Band" game set. It's a four player game, where one person is on a guitar, one's on a Bass, one plays drums, and one sings. You just need to match up the right colored button as the song goes on, and the singer needs to match pitch, and words. It's so much fun. Anyways, since we weren't going to the city we played rock Band for a while. I like singing, and playing the Bass. Lindsey likes the drums and Singing, and of course, Jason likes it all (he's good at it all too!). After playing for a while, My wonderful Brother-in-law (Todd) and my Mother-in-law watched the kids, while Jason and I went out to Mexican food. (which is my favorite). Todd made the kids quesedillas with my new quesedilla maker (Thanks Mom. BEST PRESENT EVER!) When we got back from dinner, we played a little more x-box, and then came home to sleep. It was a really great Birthday. Thanks to all of you who called, and even if you didn't, I know you thought of me!
Now lets start on those resolutions!
Happy New Year ALL!
In case you haven't read Lindsey's Blog. She and some of her friends went Roller Skating with there teacher, Mr. Whitman. They had a lot of fun, and the skating rink is so close. I can't wait to go back and skate for myself.
Here's a video of Lindsey Skating.
I went out tonight to do Kareoke, and I sang Santa Baby. Everyone really liked it.
That's it for now. it's late, and I gotta get the kids in bed.
I'm taking an English class at the local JC. We are doing a research paper, and we were supposed to have our first rough draft at class last night. I spent all week working hard on that paper, finding books on the subject, and putting it all together. I was pretty proud of my paper, ready to have it critiqued by the other students. I went to class last night, and as always there was a warm-up question to write about. It happened to believe about the Declaration of Independence. I put my name on my paper, and asked the person sitting next to me if they knew the date. "It's December 4th". OMG it's my brother's Birthday, and I totally didn't find out if I could call him or anything. I'm such a horrible sister. I thought maybe Jared would understand, seeing as his wife is also taking classes, so he would kinda know how it is when you're focusing on a paper. I refocused on class, even mentioning "my brother in Iraq" in my writing, when talking about "the people have the right to ...abolish [the government]"
After the warm up writing, the professor gave us our next essay assignment, and sent us on our way. No peer review. GAH! how am I going to know if my paper is any good? So not only am I a horrible sister for forgetting my [older] brothers birthday, but now I have to stress out even more about my paper, because I have no feed back. In the words of one Charlie Brown "GOOD GRIEF!"
So Anyways, I hope you read this Jared, because I do wish you a happy (belated) birthday. We love and miss you, and know you are doing good over there, and you are protected.
And maybe you'll forgive me one day for being a horrible sister.
So, our choir is having it's performance this weekend. Last night was the first time we rehearsed with the orchestra. There are two tiny parts where I get up and sing. (ones a solo, and one's a duet with someone else) When I practiced my solo last night, the first time, I was literally shaking. I really was nervous. I almost couldn't believe it, me, one of the biggest hams of the Bree family, was nervous? Well, they had professional soloists there and the dean of the music department sings in the choir too. So yeah, a little nervous, but I got over it, and everyone said I sounded great. I was a lot more comfortable with the duet. I think the concert is going to be great. The Professional soloists are awesome. The soprano goes all the way up to a high c# (A really high note for you none musical folk) and she's not shrill at all.
Anyways, I think I'm ready for the concert and I'm really excited. Mom and Dad are going to come, and my Mother-in-law and Brother-in-law are also going to come. It's going to be great!
Dad called me on Friday afternoon, and asked what I was up to. I told him, and upon thinking about it, I thought "Why would he want to know?" My first thought was that Mom and him had come down to surprise us or something. "Are you guys down here?" I asked. Dad said something along the lines of "I wish", and then bad possibilities came into my head. He wanted me to call him back later, after Halloween. I said I wanted to know whatever it was. I think I actually said "Is something wrong with Grandma?" and he told me the news. Grandma Beverly passed away on October 31. I was glad he told me, but it was hard to keep it from the kids until after Halloween. Lindsey was pretty sad about it, but she is glad we get to go down and visit Aunt Terrie and the cousins.
So with that as my starting point, I then had to work this week. And what song were the kids supposed to learn this week? "Over the river and through the wood". The original words read like this:
"Over the river and through the woods to Grandfathers house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh thru' the white and drifted snow. Over the river and through the wood, oh how the wind does blow. It stings the toes and bites the nose, as over the ground we go.
Over the river and through the wood, trot fast my dapple gray. Spring over the ground like a hunting hound, for this is Thanksgiving day. Over the river and through the wood, now Grandmothers face I spy. Hurrah for the fun, is the pudding done? Hurrah for the Pumpkin Pie."
I've actually been pretty numb since finding out about grandma, and yesterday teaching this song to the kids didn't seem to bother me, but today I broke down. It was the last class and they weren't being very good. I was trying all the usual things to get them to quiet down, and nothing was working. So I broke down and cried, and told a whole class of first graders how I just lost my grandmother. Well, they were pretty good after that, but class was pretty close to done too. And they all wasted no time in telling every adult at the school that I cried because my grandmother was gone. Sweet and Embarrassing all at the same time.
and now I'm just waiting for time to pass, until I can be with other Family and Friends who feel the loss.
Lindsey was in another drama club this year, and they put on "Little Red Riding Hood" Lindsey was a squirrel. I helped make the tails, and the masks. Anywho, here's the video of her singing. This is taken from my phone. when I get the higher quality DVD I'll post that.
And of course I have to share with you this little video of Westley in a jump house.
So to update you on things, Jason and I had our 8th anniversary. He took me to a really fancy resterant, and the food was really good. Dad came down and took the kids and me to the Northern California Ren Faire. The kids had a great time, espeiaclly Westley, who was dressed as a pirate with a monkey on his back (which was the kid leash) There was so much to see and do, that we didn't watch too many shows, but we had a great time. Then Dad bought Lindsey her halloween costume. She wanted to be a werewolf and found a costume with a mask and gloves. She's really excited about it, and she loves Grandpa so much for buying it for her before they ran out of her size. This Past weekend was the Ham Radio Convention that our radio club puts on. Jason's the president of the radio club, so he needed to be there most of the time, so we got a room at the Marriott there and stayed two nights. The heated pool was cold. Lindsey didn't seem to mind it, but when Westley started shivering we went back to the room. Which turned out to be ok, because there was a bathtub, which Westley called the little pool. He had so much fun in the tub that he snuck back in when Lindsey was having a turn and jumped in with all his clothes on. Then Jason's Dad came over and had Pizza with us in our room. Saturday was the school Carnival. The music teacher for the older grades, and her husband have a band and they played. Here's some video, but it's wobblly because Westley kept jumping in my lap as I was recording, and then in cut off a little early. Still I love this Band!
We had a great time at Carnival, and all my students were happy to see me, even though I didn't dress up in my costume (I told them I had to save it for Halloween because it's THAT cool) Lindsey won the raffle for her to go roller skating with her teacher (plus two friends). Westley won enough tickets to get a mini basket ball hoop and balls. He loves dropping the balls in. He also got a blow up microphone, which he has been having a blast with.
School has been going great. The Kinders are going to preform for the PTA meeting in December, so we've been working on songs for that, along with a halloween song, with the cutest actions I've ever seen. I'll try to post a video of one of the classes preforming soon.I taught them "Once there was a Snowman" this week, and they love it. Of course I have to play it faster and faster each time, so I gotta really work on the piano part so I can it "super fast". We also started "May peace be always with you." which is really slow, and they don't really like, but I told them there parents will love it, so they are trying there best. We are going to start "Over the river and through the woods" later, and that will be our whole concert.
The First and Second Graders are working on a "hello" song and we've already learned it in English, Spainsh and French.I am so proud of them! The Second graders even started a song called "did you ever want to be the president".
So everything here is fine. here's a couple pics. Westley with his Chef Boy Ardie, and Lindsey doing a flip on the swings.
Everything here is going Fine. School is really going great. All I'm taking is choir and an english class (where amazingly enough I'm one of the few who know how to speak it) but I'm doing well in my classes. My last essay I got an A, and I have high hopes for my next one.
Teaching is going so well. I love all my kids, and they are really starting to come along. I taught each grade a pirate song for Internation talk like a pirate day, and on that day I dressed up like a pirate. Now we are starting to learn Halloween songs, and it's great. I went to a music colaboration meeting with all the other music teachers in the disrict. One guy keot complaining how he doesn't get paid enough. All I could think was "I'd do this for free if that's what it would take." of course, with Jason's super cool job, We haven't had to worry about money for a little while, so I guess I'd feel the same if this job was my only paycheck.
well, that's it for now. I'll post more next week.
