A couple evenings ago I took this picture of Rachel, Baylee, and all of Rachel's little sisters.
Friday, June 30, 2017
Friday
Today I did something for the very first time: I got a pedicure. I was invited to go with my friend Beth weeks ago, I said "yes," and then I dreaded it from that day forward. It's weird. I have no idea when I developed such an aversion to the idea of a pedicure, but I do know why. It's because 1) I was nervous that somehow my feet were way worse than average...like with thick callouses and weird nails...and I would embarrass myself. 2) I don't like my cuticles messed with. It makes me cringe. I couldn't back out of it, though, so finally today Beth and I went to a place called Happy Nails. Do you know what? It was fine! LOL I'm such a dork for being afraid all these years. My feet were fine, I think, because the woman didn't have to work especially hard on them, and now my nails are cute! I'm definitely doing that again.
A couple evenings ago I took this picture of Rachel, Baylee, and all of Rachel's little sisters.
A couple evenings ago I took this picture of Rachel, Baylee, and all of Rachel's little sisters.
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Wednesday
Last night Mike and I sat with Drew by our stereo and listened to the raw cut of Morrow's new album. It was beautiful and powerful, and I loved it. It's interesting that pretty much any of my own personal tastes go completely out the window when it comes to music my children make or are involved in. For instance, I've never liked Rush. Ever. I've actively disliked them, in fact. However, when Baylee played in that Rush show a couple weeks ago, I enjoyed every minute of every song she was on. And listening to my son's own creation last night? Well, you can just imagine.
PS: About a half an hour after we finished listening to the album, Drew came and found me. He said, "I'm so glad you and Dad like it. I was anxious."
PS: About a half an hour after we finished listening to the album, Drew came and found me. He said, "I'm so glad you and Dad like it. I was anxious."
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Tuesday
We have the most wonderful neighbor who moved into the house next door several months ago. She's a doctor and very busy, and sometimes she goes on business trips. Because of that we started cutting her front lawn if we notice it's getting long, just to be nice. It's an easy thing: Whoever is cutting our grass...Mike, Zach, or Drew...will quickly do hers, too. Anyway, as a thank you for that, she brought over a traditional Pakistani meal that she made herself. (She's from Pakistan.) It was amazing! I don't normally go for really spicy food, but that was spicy and I still loved it.
I mentioned that I got my hair cut and colored. Here's the finished product.
I mentioned that I got my hair cut and colored. Here's the finished product.
Monday, June 26, 2017
Monday
Today I cleared a handful of pictures off my phone to put on here. This first one is of my Christmas cactus, which is flowering in June. Better late than never!
Morrow posted a few pictures of their time at the studio in Olympia, and I stole this one of Drew.
Mike took two really hard, really geeky classes last quarter for his master's in business, and he aced both of them. He's got a 4.0 so far! Here's a picture I snapped of him doing homework awhile back.
Here's one of Baylee having a "I can't even" kind of day last week. She was tired and grouchy, and finally she decided to dramatically collapse on the kitchen floor. #teengirls
Finally, yesterday my friend Bethany came over and cut and colored Baylee and my hair. Not gonna lie, it was a long day (even though I love Bethany), mostly because of the length of Baylee's hair. Plus there was the problem of the self-dye job Baylee did a couple months ago, which was a cool blue color for about three days before it turned green. Bethany pretty much worked a miracle with that, although there's still a bit of green left in there.
The process...
The finished product...
Morrow posted a few pictures of their time at the studio in Olympia, and I stole this one of Drew.
Mike took two really hard, really geeky classes last quarter for his master's in business, and he aced both of them. He's got a 4.0 so far! Here's a picture I snapped of him doing homework awhile back.
Here's one of Baylee having a "I can't even" kind of day last week. She was tired and grouchy, and finally she decided to dramatically collapse on the kitchen floor. #teengirls
Finally, yesterday my friend Bethany came over and cut and colored Baylee and my hair. Not gonna lie, it was a long day (even though I love Bethany), mostly because of the length of Baylee's hair. Plus there was the problem of the self-dye job Baylee did a couple months ago, which was a cool blue color for about three days before it turned green. Bethany pretty much worked a miracle with that, although there's still a bit of green left in there.
The process...
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Saturday
We had our official last day of 10th grade yesterday, as that was the day Baylee finished off her standardized test and I sent it in. Woo hoo! It feels great to be done.
Here's the first day of 10th grade vs. the last.
Mike and I ended up celebrating our 24th anniversary after all. Instead of the barbecue/bonfire thing last night, we decided to go to an Italian restaurant called Cafe Lago. It was amazing and maybe the best food I've ever eaten in my life. When I got home I googled it, because I didn't know anything about it, and apparently it's one of the top restaurants in Seattle! It doesn't give off that this-restaurant-is-way-too-fancy-for-regular-people-like-you vibe, though. It's small and neighborhood-y. Anyway, it was a lot of fun.
Yesterday afternoon Drew decided to visit a friend, but it was a last minute thing, so he had to hurry to the bus stop. In fact, he ran the last bit, which was across a highway overpass (with a sidewalk). Unfortunately, when he got to the bus stop he realized that his wallet was gone. He called home to see if maybe he had just forgotten it, but Zach, the only one home at the time, said it wasn't there. Drew still had hope that maybe Zach just didn't look hard enough, plus he had some loose change in his pocket, so he decided to push the worry aside and pay for the bus with coins. About 45 minutes later Zach called him back. A man had showed up on our doorstep with Drew's wallet! He said he found it on that highway overpass, and everything was still in it, including the cash. There are still really good people in this world.
Here's the first day of 10th grade vs. the last.
Mike and I ended up celebrating our 24th anniversary after all. Instead of the barbecue/bonfire thing last night, we decided to go to an Italian restaurant called Cafe Lago. It was amazing and maybe the best food I've ever eaten in my life. When I got home I googled it, because I didn't know anything about it, and apparently it's one of the top restaurants in Seattle! It doesn't give off that this-restaurant-is-way-too-fancy-for-regular-people-like-you vibe, though. It's small and neighborhood-y. Anyway, it was a lot of fun.
Yesterday afternoon Drew decided to visit a friend, but it was a last minute thing, so he had to hurry to the bus stop. In fact, he ran the last bit, which was across a highway overpass (with a sidewalk). Unfortunately, when he got to the bus stop he realized that his wallet was gone. He called home to see if maybe he had just forgotten it, but Zach, the only one home at the time, said it wasn't there. Drew still had hope that maybe Zach just didn't look hard enough, plus he had some loose change in his pocket, so he decided to push the worry aside and pay for the bus with coins. About 45 minutes later Zach called him back. A man had showed up on our doorstep with Drew's wallet! He said he found it on that highway overpass, and everything was still in it, including the cash. There are still really good people in this world.
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Thursday
It was our 24th anniversary yesterday. We've been so busy, though, for so many week days and weekends in a row, that we decided that all we felt like doing was saying, "Happy Anniversary" to each other and giving each other a kiss. Next year we'll have to do it up bigger.
As far as that busyness, the bad part is there's no end in sight. Tomorrow Baylee has a gig at a middle school (Apparently the school is welcoming incoming students with rock music and food) and immediately after that we're going to a barbecue/ bonfire thing. (You might be thinking, wow, that sounds fun, and I'm sure it will be, but I'd so much rather sit at home and read a book.) On Saturday Baylee has two gigs. One is in the morning at the Greenwood Car Show and the other is in the evening at an outdoor cinema that, I think, is going to show Star Wars movies. They've invited the SoR to play Star Wars music, rock-and-roll style, at some point in the evening. Then on Sunday afternoon Baylee and I are getting our hair cut and highlighted to get ready for our Midwest trip, and then Baylee's got her first rehearsal for the new show season. It's honestly too much and it's making me grouchy. I'm a homebody bordering on a hermit.
Fingers crossed, the big mess at the SoR is resolved. Plot twist, though: After hearing all the sides of the story from the various students involved and their parents, the people in charge decided to expel the girl who claimed she was bullied. Come to find out, that girl was crying wolf and trying to get others in trouble. One thing that makes this generation of kids so much different than any that came before is there's a written record of a lot of what they say to each other. All it took was several screenshots of text conversations between her and the accused to show that things were not what she was making them out to be. I guess there are two morals of the story, depending on how you look at it. 1) Understand that everything you put online is permanent, so don't be an idiot. Or 2) Save your texts.
Baylee and I had a giggling fit on our way into Fred Meyer today. We were talking about how, when we go anywhere during school hours, but especially the grocery store, we often get asked about it by well-meaning people. In fact, they almost always say the same thing once they find out we homeschool. They ask Baylee, "Do you like it?" We were laughing because I'm always standing RIGHT THERE. What in the world is she supposed to say??? "Weeeeellll, just between you and me, I'm not that into it. I'd really rather be in public school." Sheesh.
As far as that busyness, the bad part is there's no end in sight. Tomorrow Baylee has a gig at a middle school (Apparently the school is welcoming incoming students with rock music and food) and immediately after that we're going to a barbecue/ bonfire thing. (You might be thinking, wow, that sounds fun, and I'm sure it will be, but I'd so much rather sit at home and read a book.) On Saturday Baylee has two gigs. One is in the morning at the Greenwood Car Show and the other is in the evening at an outdoor cinema that, I think, is going to show Star Wars movies. They've invited the SoR to play Star Wars music, rock-and-roll style, at some point in the evening. Then on Sunday afternoon Baylee and I are getting our hair cut and highlighted to get ready for our Midwest trip, and then Baylee's got her first rehearsal for the new show season. It's honestly too much and it's making me grouchy. I'm a homebody bordering on a hermit.
Fingers crossed, the big mess at the SoR is resolved. Plot twist, though: After hearing all the sides of the story from the various students involved and their parents, the people in charge decided to expel the girl who claimed she was bullied. Come to find out, that girl was crying wolf and trying to get others in trouble. One thing that makes this generation of kids so much different than any that came before is there's a written record of a lot of what they say to each other. All it took was several screenshots of text conversations between her and the accused to show that things were not what she was making them out to be. I guess there are two morals of the story, depending on how you look at it. 1) Understand that everything you put online is permanent, so don't be an idiot. Or 2) Save your texts.
Baylee and I had a giggling fit on our way into Fred Meyer today. We were talking about how, when we go anywhere during school hours, but especially the grocery store, we often get asked about it by well-meaning people. In fact, they almost always say the same thing once they find out we homeschool. They ask Baylee, "Do you like it?" We were laughing because I'm always standing RIGHT THERE. What in the world is she supposed to say??? "Weeeeellll, just between you and me, I'm not that into it. I'd really rather be in public school." Sheesh.
Monday, June 19, 2017
Monday
I've been up since the crack of dawn cleaning the house, because in just a few minutes Baylee is having her friend Luke over, and it's his first time here. Whenever it's someone's first time here I feel like I need to make a good first impression. Plus, his mom might come in to talk. Anyway, I'm tired.
You know that story about Mary and Martha in the Bible? I've always related way more to Martha than Mary. In fact, I feel sorry for Martha. In my opinion the only reason the story works is because it was Jesus who was visiting. If it was anybody else and Mary was sitting on her butt while Martha did all the work, it would be super annoying.
That said, as I get older I'm becoming very slightly more Mary-ish. Here's a good example: When Patty comes to visit for a weekend I clean the house really well right before she gets here, then while she's here I just enjoy her company. We talk, watch movies together, eat, and laugh. I don't try to keep everything looking good the whole time. That's progress, right?
Here's a picture I stole from Ava, another parent. It was taken at the end of the Rush show, and it's of all the kids who were in it and the two directors.
And here's Drew with a cello. It's a long story.
You know that story about Mary and Martha in the Bible? I've always related way more to Martha than Mary. In fact, I feel sorry for Martha. In my opinion the only reason the story works is because it was Jesus who was visiting. If it was anybody else and Mary was sitting on her butt while Martha did all the work, it would be super annoying.
That said, as I get older I'm becoming very slightly more Mary-ish. Here's a good example: When Patty comes to visit for a weekend I clean the house really well right before she gets here, then while she's here I just enjoy her company. We talk, watch movies together, eat, and laugh. I don't try to keep everything looking good the whole time. That's progress, right?
Here's a picture I stole from Ava, another parent. It was taken at the end of the Rush show, and it's of all the kids who were in it and the two directors.
And here's Drew with a cello. It's a long story.
Sunday, June 18, 2017
The Weekend
On Friday Patty came over, and we all celebrated Zach's 22nd birthday with steak on the grill. Then Patty, Baylee, and I had a girls' night out by going to see Wonder Woman. It was good! The only problem was that we didn't buy our tickets in advance, so we were stuck with pretty much the worst seats in the theater. We were in the second row. The screen was so big and so close that you could only watch a piece of it at a time. *grin* Just kidding. My neck did hurt by the end, though.
(You might look at this picture and think to yourself that there are empty seats farther away, but those were already bought and reserved.)
On Saturday Mike, Baylee, Danny, Patty, and I went to Baylee's Rush show at The Crocodile in Seattle.
It was wonderful! Honestly, it was one of my favorites of all the shows I've been to so far, because it was so well done.
As usual Baylee had to be dropped off really early for sound checks, so the rest of us walked around and had lunch in Seattle.
Then we went to the show. Here are Baylee and Grandpa.
I stole this picture from the SoR Instagram page. That's B under the spotlights.
And here are videos. I usually just show highlights, because I know nobody really wants to watch long songs all the way through. This time, though, every song Baylee was in was so good that I can't bring myself to not post them in their entirety.
After the show we went to a graduation open house for Drew's friend, Ethan. Drew couldn't even be there, as he's in Olympia again this weekend, but the rest of us represented.
Now it's Sunday afternoon and we're relaxing, but I'll rouse myself long enough to say, "Happy Father's Day to a wonderful husband and dad!" I sure love him.
(You might look at this picture and think to yourself that there are empty seats farther away, but those were already bought and reserved.)
On Saturday Mike, Baylee, Danny, Patty, and I went to Baylee's Rush show at The Crocodile in Seattle.
It was wonderful! Honestly, it was one of my favorites of all the shows I've been to so far, because it was so well done.
As usual Baylee had to be dropped off really early for sound checks, so the rest of us walked around and had lunch in Seattle.
Then we went to the show. Here are Baylee and Grandpa.
I stole this picture from the SoR Instagram page. That's B under the spotlights.
And here are videos. I usually just show highlights, because I know nobody really wants to watch long songs all the way through. This time, though, every song Baylee was in was so good that I can't bring myself to not post them in their entirety.
After the show we went to a graduation open house for Drew's friend, Ethan. Drew couldn't even be there, as he's in Olympia again this weekend, but the rest of us represented.
Now it's Sunday afternoon and we're relaxing, but I'll rouse myself long enough to say, "Happy Father's Day to a wonderful husband and dad!" I sure love him.
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Saturday
The other day I heard on News in Slow French a story about Marie Curie, a French woman who, I think, discovered radiation. (If she didn't discover it, she at least made a lot of advances with it.) Anyway, fun fact for ya: When she died they ended up having to bury her in a lead-lined coffin, because her body was so radio-active.
I had this conversation with Mike in the middle of last night:
Me: [shaking him] Mike, will you turn onto your side? You're snoring.
Him: ...
Me: [shaking him some more]: Mike?
Him: Yeah?
Me: Turn onto your side. You're snoring.
Him: Okay.
Me: Turn over!
Him: I will.
Me: Mike! You're snoring! Please turn over!
Him: I did.
Me: No, you didn't.
Him: Yeah, I did.
Me: What do you think I asked you to do?
Him: You said to look over to the side. There's nothing there.
Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. Shoot me. I still love him, though. (More so during the day.)
I had this conversation with Mike in the middle of last night:
Me: [shaking him] Mike, will you turn onto your side? You're snoring.
Him: ...
Me: [shaking him some more]: Mike?
Him: Yeah?
Me: Turn onto your side. You're snoring.
Him: Okay.
Me: Turn over!
Him: I will.
Me: Mike! You're snoring! Please turn over!
Him: I did.
Me: No, you didn't.
Him: Yeah, I did.
Me: What do you think I asked you to do?
Him: You said to look over to the side. There's nothing there.
Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. Shoot me. I still love him, though. (More so during the day.)
Friday, June 16, 2017
Friday
This has been a very strange week.
We spent the first half of it not using the backyard, which isn't a big deal unless you have a dog, then it kind of is. By Thursday, though, we decided that either the crows can take care of themselves and their young or they can't, and we started letting the dog back out there. Nothing happened. Gibbs didn't bother the fledgling at all.
If the School of Rock was a church, I'd say it was on the brink of a church split right now. In a nutshell, one family decided that their daughter has been bullied by a couple other students, and, instead of handling it privately with the people in charge at the school, they started what basically amounts to a public witch hunt. They've been writing inflammatory things on the website the school uses to share information between directors, students, and parents. They've been calling other parents. They even showed up on someone's doorstep early in the morning to rant at them and threaten them. It's been absolutely insane. The school has been doing everything it can to fix this, but it's been hard.
On the very bright side, I called the school in order to make our monthly payment yesterday, and the Music Director happened to pick up. (Usually it's the secretary.) He asked me how we were doing with all this, and I said something like, "We're okay, but Baylee's not really involved in it...I don't think." He said that, no, she's not, and then he went on to tell me how proud he is of her, because she's a good kid and she tries to be kind to everyone. That was nice to hear.
Drew came home really upset from his piano final yesterday. He wouldn't talk about it for hours, but finally I got him to tell me what went wrong. Apparently he badly messed up the scales part of the test, and his teacher, a woman he absolutely adores and respects, got after him in a big way in front of everybody. Actually, he said she "tore him a new one." She also told him that she had high hopes for him because he's extremely talented, and that he had disappointed her. Drew said he felt like there was no way to ever come back from it. (He's 19. 19's don't have a lot of perspective.) I told him that everything would be okay, and that the next time he sees her he should apologize and say how terrible he feels for letting her down. I pointed out that she's human, after all, and she'll probably appreciate it. After that, I said, he needs to put tons of effort in next quarter. I think he felt a little better. He ate supper, anyway.
(All that said, I didn't tell him this, but the protective mom part of me is a little annoyed, because Drew is so far advanced that the teacher was giving him much, much harder work than normal. Also, his last piece...the piece he chose to play for his final...was part of the 3rd movement of Moonlight Sonata. I mean! It doesn't seem quite fair that the kids who played little ditties from their beginner piano books were fine, but she was so upset with Drew. *shrug*)
In totally other news, here's a picture of the cat.
Here's one I took at a gig on Wednesday. Jack, a member of house band, has a POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS guitar strap, but I noticed and pointed out to him that the way it's put on his guitar makes it look like it says CELINE DION, but without the 2nd I. Of course, after that a sharpie had to be found to put that I in there. lol (Jack's a good sport.)
And here's one I took of Baylee at that same gig.
We spent the first half of it not using the backyard, which isn't a big deal unless you have a dog, then it kind of is. By Thursday, though, we decided that either the crows can take care of themselves and their young or they can't, and we started letting the dog back out there. Nothing happened. Gibbs didn't bother the fledgling at all.
If the School of Rock was a church, I'd say it was on the brink of a church split right now. In a nutshell, one family decided that their daughter has been bullied by a couple other students, and, instead of handling it privately with the people in charge at the school, they started what basically amounts to a public witch hunt. They've been writing inflammatory things on the website the school uses to share information between directors, students, and parents. They've been calling other parents. They even showed up on someone's doorstep early in the morning to rant at them and threaten them. It's been absolutely insane. The school has been doing everything it can to fix this, but it's been hard.
On the very bright side, I called the school in order to make our monthly payment yesterday, and the Music Director happened to pick up. (Usually it's the secretary.) He asked me how we were doing with all this, and I said something like, "We're okay, but Baylee's not really involved in it...I don't think." He said that, no, she's not, and then he went on to tell me how proud he is of her, because she's a good kid and she tries to be kind to everyone. That was nice to hear.
Drew came home really upset from his piano final yesterday. He wouldn't talk about it for hours, but finally I got him to tell me what went wrong. Apparently he badly messed up the scales part of the test, and his teacher, a woman he absolutely adores and respects, got after him in a big way in front of everybody. Actually, he said she "tore him a new one." She also told him that she had high hopes for him because he's extremely talented, and that he had disappointed her. Drew said he felt like there was no way to ever come back from it. (He's 19. 19's don't have a lot of perspective.) I told him that everything would be okay, and that the next time he sees her he should apologize and say how terrible he feels for letting her down. I pointed out that she's human, after all, and she'll probably appreciate it. After that, I said, he needs to put tons of effort in next quarter. I think he felt a little better. He ate supper, anyway.
(All that said, I didn't tell him this, but the protective mom part of me is a little annoyed, because Drew is so far advanced that the teacher was giving him much, much harder work than normal. Also, his last piece...the piece he chose to play for his final...was part of the 3rd movement of Moonlight Sonata. I mean! It doesn't seem quite fair that the kids who played little ditties from their beginner piano books were fine, but she was so upset with Drew. *shrug*)
In totally other news, here's a picture of the cat.
Here's one I took at a gig on Wednesday. Jack, a member of house band, has a POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS guitar strap, but I noticed and pointed out to him that the way it's put on his guitar makes it look like it says CELINE DION, but without the 2nd I. Of course, after that a sharpie had to be found to put that I in there. lol (Jack's a good sport.)
And here's one I took of Baylee at that same gig.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Wednesday
Not only are the crows still in the backyard, but now there are two fledglings! Here are a couple new videos showing you the sitch.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Tuesday
There was a really great professional photographer named Danny Ngan at
the last gig Baylee played with the house band. He specializes in event
photography, and he was there at the Rat's Nest to take pictures of the
roller derby. He got some shots of the SoR kids as well, though, and
we ended up buying this one.
We've had Hitchcock's The Birds happening in our backyard for the last couple days. At first we didn't know what was going on. We just knew that there were two crows making it almost impossible to go back there by screeching and dive bombing anybody who dared try. Honestly, it was kind of scary. Finally Mike called Animal Control, just to see if they could shed some light on it, and they told him that the two crows are parents, and that their fledgling must be in the yard somewhere. (It is.) The mom and dad kicked it out of the nest, and now they're protecting it until it learns to fly better and take care of itself, which could take a few days. Great.
Here's a video. The squawking is so loud that you can hardly hear me, but I'm showing you the fledgling first...it's hopping around on the ground...then the parents.
And here's a little video of Gibbs finding out the hard way that he needs to do his business in the front yard instead of the back for awhile. (This was taken before we understood what was really happening.)
We've had Hitchcock's The Birds happening in our backyard for the last couple days. At first we didn't know what was going on. We just knew that there were two crows making it almost impossible to go back there by screeching and dive bombing anybody who dared try. Honestly, it was kind of scary. Finally Mike called Animal Control, just to see if they could shed some light on it, and they told him that the two crows are parents, and that their fledgling must be in the yard somewhere. (It is.) The mom and dad kicked it out of the nest, and now they're protecting it until it learns to fly better and take care of itself, which could take a few days. Great.
Here's a video. The squawking is so loud that you can hardly hear me, but I'm showing you the fledgling first...it's hopping around on the ground...then the parents.
And here's a little video of Gibbs finding out the hard way that he needs to do his business in the front yard instead of the back for awhile. (This was taken before we understood what was really happening.)
Sunday, June 11, 2017
A Rant
I'm going to write a second blog post today, because I've got something on my mind. It's a rant, actually, but hopefully it's a somewhat thought-out, reined-in rant. Before I get to it, though, I need to explain what happened last night. Patty and I were deeply into the movie La La Land, totally enjoying it, when I got a text from a friend of mine from church. She was polite and all, but she said that it was "brought to her attention" by someone that Baylee said something questionable/possibly inappropriate on Facebook.
Okay, fine. If my kid is acting like an idiot, then I for sure want to know about it. I talked to Baylee, found out that she meant it to be funny, we had a little discussion about discretion, and she erased what she said. Done deal.
Here's my issue, and it's not with my kid:
1. Who the heck is this person who had a problem with my kid, but didn't come to me about it directly? I mean! That is the dumbest thing ever, and I have no respect for it at all. You know what happens when someone does that? In the mind of the confronted person (me in this case) it stops being about the issue and becomes completely about wondering who the nameless/ faceless person behind the scenes is.
2. Why is my friend willing to be a messenger of bad news? Why didn't she tell that person, "If you have something to say, I suggest you say it to Sue yourself." That anonymous person is obviously on Facebook, so he or she could've private messaged me. It would've been simple, and I would've listened.
It's just annoying.
Okay, fine. If my kid is acting like an idiot, then I for sure want to know about it. I talked to Baylee, found out that she meant it to be funny, we had a little discussion about discretion, and she erased what she said. Done deal.
Here's my issue, and it's not with my kid:
1. Who the heck is this person who had a problem with my kid, but didn't come to me about it directly? I mean! That is the dumbest thing ever, and I have no respect for it at all. You know what happens when someone does that? In the mind of the confronted person (me in this case) it stops being about the issue and becomes completely about wondering who the nameless/ faceless person behind the scenes is.
2. Why is my friend willing to be a messenger of bad news? Why didn't she tell that person, "If you have something to say, I suggest you say it to Sue yourself." That anonymous person is obviously on Facebook, so he or she could've private messaged me. It would've been simple, and I would've listened.
It's just annoying.
Sunday
We've had a bit of a busy weekend so far.
- A few days ago Patty's dog, Sammi, died of old age after a long and happy life. Patty was feeling pretty sad about it, because Sammi has been her little companion for a long time, so we invited Patty to spend the weekend with us.
- Whenever Patty comes over she and I almost always watch a movie together, and last night we watched La La Land. I know I'm totally late to the party on this one, but wow! That was great! (Even though I hated the ending.)
- Drew is spending this whole weekend and next in Olympia, recording an album with Morrow! They've been writing, rehearsing, and performing for the last year, and they finally felt ready, so they bought 40 hours of studio time at a place that's known for doing well with heavy metal sounds.
- Baylee had a gig at the Rat City Roller Derby yesterday. She did an especially good job on this song:
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Wednesday
Man, I'm like a whirlwind today when it comes to school! I've:
The dog ate Drew's retainer. Well, he tried to anyway. He chewed it up and totally broke it. I'm not at all happy with either Drew or the dog. Honestly, the orthodontist's office makes a special point to tell people not to let dogs near their retainers, because of this very thing.
- gotten the OK from the academic advisor for Baylee's classes next year.
- made a down payment for next year.
- gotten all of this year's stuff put in a portfolio and stored away. (Worst job ever.)
The dog ate Drew's retainer. Well, he tried to anyway. He chewed it up and totally broke it. I'm not at all happy with either Drew or the dog. Honestly, the orthodontist's office makes a special point to tell people not to let dogs near their retainers, because of this very thing.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Tuesday
I did all the paperwork for the school year yesterday, Baylee took her last test this morning, and I got everything to the post office before noon. That means that we're done...mostly. Baylee still has to take a standardized test. The test should arrive in the mail sometime in the next few days and won't take her too long to complete, and then she'll be finished with 10th grade for real!
Monday, June 5, 2017
Tsk.
One of the things that bugs me about the SoR is that at the beginning of every new show and house band season the parents have to attend the first half hour of the first rehearsal for an information meeting. That's fine when you're a newbie, but when you've had two kids go through the program, and they've each done multiple shows and several seasons of house band, there's no new information. Nada. Zilch. Zero. That's why for the last year or so Mike and I just sort of casually stopped going. And do you know what? We've completely flown under the radar until today. Today Baylee ruined everything. (I feel like old Mr. Weatherbee from the haunted amusement park on Scooby Doo. I'm shaking my fist and yelling, "I would've gotten away with it if it wasn't for you pesky kids!") She informed us that there's a parent meeting tonight for the new summer season of house band, then she said, "I asked Matt [the director] if you guys could skip it, since you've been to so many of them, and he said no."
[face palm] It's obvious we've missed a very important life lesson somewhere along the way with her: When it comes to ditching meetings it's better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.
[face palm] It's obvious we've missed a very important life lesson somewhere along the way with her: When it comes to ditching meetings it's better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.
The Piano Gets a New Home
Yesterday I was out running errands for only a half an hour, and in that short amount of time Drew decided that the piano should go in his bedroom. He was literally in the process of moving it when I walked back in the door. I mean, who does that?! Moving the family piano is not normal behavior, am I right?! I threw a fit, let me tell you.
He started talking fast about how his room is the best place for it, because it won't be in the middle of the house anymore. It'll be quieter for everyone and more private for him. (He doesn't like feeling like he has an audience all the time when he's practicing.) Mind you, all during this little speech of his he continued to move it.
I still wasn't on board at all, so finally he asked if he could have it in his room just until his piano final is over, so that he can practice with it in relative peace. I reluctantly agreed, but with the understanding that he would absolutely be putting it back into the dining room in two weeks.
He got it situated and started playing with his door shut. Umm...wow. It was so quiet! LOL After a little while I swallowed my pride, went in there to him, and said, "Okay, you're right. This is a great idea. You can keep it in here."
And so now the piano has a new home.
He started talking fast about how his room is the best place for it, because it won't be in the middle of the house anymore. It'll be quieter for everyone and more private for him. (He doesn't like feeling like he has an audience all the time when he's practicing.) Mind you, all during this little speech of his he continued to move it.
I still wasn't on board at all, so finally he asked if he could have it in his room just until his piano final is over, so that he can practice with it in relative peace. I reluctantly agreed, but with the understanding that he would absolutely be putting it back into the dining room in two weeks.
He got it situated and started playing with his door shut. Umm...wow. It was so quiet! LOL After a little while I swallowed my pride, went in there to him, and said, "Okay, you're right. This is a great idea. You can keep it in here."
And so now the piano has a new home.
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Saturday
Another NSV (non-scale victory) today! Remember I told you (or did I? I know I mentioned it on FB once) about the Global Fat Scale? Well, as of this morning I've moved 57 countries away from the United States, which finally makes it so that the USA scrolls right off the screen. In other words, I can't see it from where I am anymore. The USA is one of the fattest nations in the world, so it's very near the top of that list. In this one way it's nice to put some distance between me and it.
We've got a full house right now. Baylee is having a couple friends, Rachel and Molly, over for a sleepover. (She just came in here and told me she's exhausted, because they didn't sleep until 4:30 in the morning. That's unfortunate, because she had to get up early this morning to go to a HB gig.) Also, we have Mike's cousin spending the night, because he's in town on business. The poor guy is on the couch in the living room, which isn't exactly quiet or private. Oh well. It's free.
And here's a picture from last weekend's gig that I never got around to posting.
We've got a full house right now. Baylee is having a couple friends, Rachel and Molly, over for a sleepover. (She just came in here and told me she's exhausted, because they didn't sleep until 4:30 in the morning. That's unfortunate, because she had to get up early this morning to go to a HB gig.) Also, we have Mike's cousin spending the night, because he's in town on business. The poor guy is on the couch in the living room, which isn't exactly quiet or private. Oh well. It's free.
And here's a picture from last weekend's gig that I never got around to posting.
Friday, June 2, 2017
Friday
You guys are going to get so sick of hearing about my weight loss, but...well...too bad! I've got a non-scale victory to announce today:
Mike has a thing about buying me jackets. Over the last year or so he's gotten me a cute, heavier one for fall and winter, and a light raincoat for spring. I couldn't comfortably wear either of them, but yesterday I tried them on and they both fit!
Also, as of this morning I'm 25% of the way to my goal.
Baylee's got a Rush show coming up this month. She's only got two rehearsals left, so she's been putting in extra time lately on her songs, making sure she's got them down pat. Here's a little video her practicing a 7-minute song called "2112." (I only have the last minute and a half of it here.)
When she was finished Drew came into the room and said, "That was good." You might not think that's a big deal, but it's high praise from him to her. I'll put it this way: When it comes to her playing he has no problem offering unsolicited advice. It drives her crazy. (And she lets him know it!)
Mike has a thing about buying me jackets. Over the last year or so he's gotten me a cute, heavier one for fall and winter, and a light raincoat for spring. I couldn't comfortably wear either of them, but yesterday I tried them on and they both fit!
Also, as of this morning I'm 25% of the way to my goal.
Baylee's got a Rush show coming up this month. She's only got two rehearsals left, so she's been putting in extra time lately on her songs, making sure she's got them down pat. Here's a little video her practicing a 7-minute song called "2112." (I only have the last minute and a half of it here.)
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Thursday
Onward to June! My goal is to lose another 10 pounds this month. Man, if I lose 10 in June, 10 in July, and 10 in August, I'll be down 45 pounds altogether. That'll put me within striking distance of my final goal! It'll also make me the same weight I was in this picture...
I should print that photo out and hang it where I can see it. I'll call it "End of Summer Goal".
PS: You wouldn't believe the amount of time I just spent trying to decide if that period went inside or outside the quotation marks. Normally it's inside, but I think in this case it might be outside. Whatever. I make all kinds of grammar and punctuation mistakes in this blog, which I usually don't discover until after the post has been up for several hours...or days. One more error won't hurt anything.
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