Pedal to the metal

Today I've got to get going on Thanksgiving. Last night I printed out a menu, a schedule and a shopping list. In a minute, as soon as this coffee is finished, I shop, also stopping by Bed Bath and Beyond for a table pad. I've decided to put all the leaves in my dining table this time and put everyone at one big table.

Then I get my hair cut. Then when I get back I do some preliminary food prep (pie crust, the sugar-free, crust-free pumpkin pie for me, brining ingredients for the turkey, etc), and some cleaning. Tomorrow, pick up my mom from the airport, take her to lunch, then come home and assemble some casseroles and bake the pies.

I'm tired just thinking about it!

Bubsy

If I haven't gotten the idea yet, every day he reminds me that he'll be doing this thing in his own way and his own time. Last night he was so weak and droopy he could hardly walk, and I went to bed thinking, "Tomorrow will probably be the day I'll have to take him on his last ride."

This morning, he has spent the morning under my feet in the kitchen, asking for food.

He'll do it when he wants, and not a minute sooner.

If you've never really thought through the full impact of having a pierced nose (and a head cold...)

hallie: Want to know a fun gross little fact

verbqueen: er....I GUESS so....

hallie: If I blow my nose really hard stuff will come out of my nose ring hole

hallie: And get on my cheek

verbqueen: omg

hallie: I just discovered that bc I couldn't figure why I was getting snot all over my face

verbqueen: that is just...creepy

Go for the burn, girl!

Here's my own little Jane Fonda in her "Workout Girl" Halloween costume.

She's almost too cute to stand, isn't she?

35 Pounds!

Took long enough, didn't it? Sheesh.

Beauty Tubes

I have totally fallen for the most ridiculous mascara ever. It's Cover Girl's (I think) Beauty Tubes.

The tube has two ends. At one end is some sort of white foundation substance, and at the other end, regular mascara-colored mascara. You apply the white stuff first, then immediately put the black stuff over it. It made my lashes so long I look like I have on false eyelashes. FUN!

(For those who have little patience/time for make-up, you won't like this two step process. For those who, like me, can spend hours playing with cosmetics, get some! It's way cool!)

I'm weary tonight

I'm pooped and going to bed early tonight--I had a stressful choir day yesterday and didn't sleep well. I've just begun my ninth year of directing the children's/youth music ministries (and growing the programs significantly, too), and I've never had a parent attempt to interfere in my musical decisions about the groups (as in "my child wants to do blahblahblah, and I insist she be given this part/solo/whatever"). Until yesterday. I lay awake and stewed about it all night. My objectives are that the children learn to love music, enjoy liturgical worship and have a fun time. I try to give the ones who are musically gifted the opportunity to use their talent when the occasion arises, but I also try to make sure that before the year is over, every child has a chance to shine in some special way. I don't quite know how to manage this development. My initial instinct is to remove the "special" part that this child/mother are angling for and just do the anthem as a unison anthem, thus eliminating the problem.

But the kids enjoy the challenge of more complicated anthems, so should they all have to miss out so I can avoid this problem? I am NOT putting this particular child on this particular part. It's too difficult for her. She is easily distracted and pays little attention during rehearsal. Yesterday she spent the entire rehearsal playing with a scarf she'd brought with her, which is why I was shocked when I received the call from her mother. I've given her other opportunities in the past, when I felt the part was right for her voice and focus level, so it's not like she's never gotten the chance to do a "special thing."

I just don't know...