The weather outside is frightful.

It's quite cold here in Wisconsin, but I like it. It's a bit like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. I wonder if these tabletop-gumdrops taste as good as they look...











I really like being at my sister's house, I get to play with the kids, and the dogs, there really is
never a quiet moment.





Me, Ava, Jenny and Owen, with the kids dressed up for their Santa visit.

Side note: I can't get enough of Elf. Man that movie is good.
Anyone have big plans for new year's eve? I have no idea at this point where I will be, but it better be fun!

I suppose I'll post some pictures now, until I have some more fun stories. Really it has been so long since i've posted that I have a lot to say, but I think I'll keep it in Christmas mode for now! More pictures to come soon! Until then, I'll just be hanging around holding my precious new nephew! Yay!

Ahhhhhhhhhh

It is COLD out. Which, when it isn't windy, I don't mind. Unfortunately, it usually is windy.  I guess I'll find out for sure when I head out to teach this morning. 

Getting ready for Christmas has been fun this year. I will post pictures soon. Yay!

Book Club

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence along with these instructions in a note to your wall.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

"In October, when the town was still talking about nothing else, they were attacked by pirates."

Zorro by Isabel Allende

Oh, Wisconsin.

It was really great to see my sister last weekend. Or...I guess now it was two weeks ago. Time is flyin by. Teaching every day, almost, has been pretty good, I still like my students, and I really like most of the band directors. And apparently it makes time go by really fast. 

Anyway, back to the weekend in Milwaukee. It was absolutely beautiful with all of the trees in their fall colors!! Even as it gets colder here in Fort Worth, and the trees are changing a bit, the colors are nowhere near as extreme. If I had a picture of the view from the plane, I would post it. 

I think instead I'll put up a few pictures from the weekend. 

Where to start? How about with a beautiful

picture of Owen and sister?!

Then, Owen and Aunt Laura:

Ava Loves  books and it is adorable. 

Ava all prettied up for church. Isn't she awesome? 

Yes.

My favorite picture.

I love my sister's dogs. Callie is apparently terrifying though. 

But not really, I guess dog yawns are pretty scary, especially when they are being sat on by a two year old.

My Rhymes Are Bottomless

Ain't no party like my nana's tea party.



Expect a lovely update about my weekend in Wisconsin very soon!

Please?

It's so ugly it's beautiful. I can't decide if I want one, or want to laugh at one. Both I think. Yup. Pretty sure I need one.

Oh I forgot! # 2 of the day...

Thanks to everyone (all two of you) who participated in my "guess what we're sitting in contest."
Close, Dave. But, it was peanuts!!
yay Shannon!


So...shannon gets a poem:


there's a lovely girl
who answers
to "Noodle."

she has two cats,
but sadly,
no poodle.

while the kitties play
she works hard all day

teaching kids a song called
FunkyTown
(oodle)

(huh?)
is that age appropriate?



FIN

Stop, hey what's that sound?

This is the sound of me sitting on the couch in the living room, and writing a blog. The sound of of something I haven't done in a long time! My feet are up, and there is a cold Dr. Pepper within arms reach. Happiness. 

I've been contemplating many things lately, mainly about what I want to do professionally, and where I want my life to be heading in general. 

A few ideas that have been rollin' around up in the ol' noggin': 

I really like teaching, and have thought about getting certified to teach middle school and/or high school band. Even if I choose to go back to school to continue bassooning, this would probably be a positive, and lucrative, endeavor. 

I really like playing and teaching bassoon, and will attempt to get an adjunct position at the community college here if I see one come up again. 

I wish I had pursued the Theory Pedagogy certificate while I was at FSU,  because that would make me  more attractive for college positions, and would make me feel more qualified, but I have been looking around for an alternative to that. If I go back for my doctorate,   I will definitely try to get one! 

Yay!

Time for cleanin up, Reese is coming to town tomorrow with my cousin, so maybe I'l lhave some interesting pictures for my next post!

Oh yeah... Brad had a beard for a while. Whoop!

AVA

Ahhh I have the cutest niece ever! 

Not Much of a Contest

Whoever guesses what Brad and I are sitting in gets a "prize"! Yay!

Please don't let the fact the prize is in quotes deter you..... 

You are not welcome here. (Get outta my head.)

Sickness is not my friend!

I keep saying it's allergies, because I really thought it was...but this head thing isn't going away yet. 

I have many students to teach this week, and no teaching means no paying, so I must not be sick when I wake up tomorrow.

I needed to get some reeds ready to sell to students, but I'm pretty sure they don't want any from me right now. I could rinse them w/ disinfectant, but I'm not sure that is good enough. Don't want to risk getting kids sick, and then they'd get me sick again when I saw them next week, creating a perpetual cycle of sickness. It could happen. 

I had a really great weekend in Oklahoma with Brad, my parents, and his brother. His brother  and sister-in-law have some really adorable kids, and it was really fun to spend time with them. 

I really need to get up to Milwaukee soon, I miss my sister! And need to see Owen!!!

Goodnight, Moon.

I'm in Oklahoma for the weekend. 

I'm no longer on Tallahassee time, apparently, for I am very tired right now. 

There is a pleasant mix of Obama/McCain supporters around me. 

Over the past few days I've started noticing the comings and goings of the trains in Fort Worth. 

Something about their double stacks of faded blue, green, and red boxcars makes me feel a bit sentimental, perhaps for a life that I had no part in. I guess I feel like they have been around for a long time, and I like them. I like them even when they make me late for a lesson I'm supposed to be teaching.  I like them the most when they are on bridges, slowly rolling by, and not interfering with traffic at all.  The contrast between this antiquated looking transportation and the hurried, shiny, and often oblivious traffic around me heightens the sentiment.

Insert something HERE about a sentimental heart. 

Is it called a trestle when talking about train only bridges, or is that only if it is going over water?

A-Ha!

So OU lost yesterday, but I still love them.

And..here is an awesome video :Remember the take on me video? Here's a new 'take' on it. har-d-har. Right here.

Weeks go by so fast now with actual working going on!! Up to about 30 students now, and really am enjoying it.

Anything new going on? Hm... I think it's time for some reader participation.

New Game

So my new favorite game is phone tag. I must laugh about it, or it might start to upset me.
Not really.
It is always fun.

That is all.

Happy Monday, Folks!

Happy Monday, Folks

haiku:


and where have i been?
sun shines even in the rain
the world is rosy



news:
1) OU is still #1
2) At Petsmart, saw a kitty fitting the requirements of Shannon, called her, and she has a new kitty now! yay Bean! I'm sure I'll post a better picture as soon as possible. Kitty not so happy at Petsmart, but is very happy at Shannon's.
3) It actually is raining today. I like it.
4) Yesterday was my mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Owen!

I know all of you are dying to see pictures of Owen, my new nephew! I haven't seen him yet, but I stole some pictures from my sister's blog, and my dad's facebook. Yay!

Fair Part Two: The Awkward Years

Concert, Fair, Still Have a New Nephew!

The concert was really great last night!! Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova, and the Frames played together, and Iron and Wine opened for them.

Glen said he really enjoyed our crowd, especially our singing, and I think responded well by playing many of the songs requested- some not even his (i.e. Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake) and pretty much all of the songs from the soundtrack to Once. Yay!!! So good!!
No picture because it was too dark... but here are some fun ones from the fair on Saturday!

On the way to the fair!!!!

Howdy Folks!!
Big Tex says hello.




I found my new car!







Got my cotton candy fix.....



















Rockin' out in the aviators. Think I'm gonna have to go back and get those.

















I got a free hat for filling out a survey about chevy. They asked if I was 18.




Tex says "See you next year!!!!!" A pretty good time was had by all!!

Welcome Owen!!!!!

http://stevensandjenny.blogspot.com/

Happy Monday! (It's Baby Day!!!)

My sister is having a baby. RIGHT NOW !!!!!
I want to be in Milwaukee....

Road Trip!!


Tonight I'm going to see Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova with Brad and Shannon!!!!! It is gonna be amazing! Not as amazing as the miracle of birth, I'm sure, but I'm pretty excited about it.

Hopefully I'll have some pictures to put up tomorrow of the concert, as well as some of the Texas State Fair adventure that we had on Saturday.


Oh yeah... I had a terrifying car experience yesterday- my car totally freaked out and the accelerator was stuck down- even while I was trying to brake. I...um....it was scary. Turn her back on , and she just revs right up. Whaat? Brad, Johnny and Sharon all came to my rescue. It was quite the caravan. Luckily I had made it off of the highway and onto an access road before I completely lost control.

I feel like Scarlet O'Honda betrayed me, I'm not sure how I'm going to feel driving her, assuming everything gets all fixed up.

Ok. So there is a lot going on. Baby, car, fair, concert. Busy busy!

So there I was, driving along in a pretty ordinary neighborhood in the suburbs of Fort Worth, when out of the corner of my eye, I spotted it. It, of course, being an almost life-size giraffe in someone's front yard. I was already half way down the street when it registered...and I had to back up and take a picture. People are so freakin' weird. It's great. Yes, You will probably need to click on the picture to get the bigger view.

I'm like that rat in Charlotte's Web that doesn't know when to stop.

I'll say this, I'm not messin' around when it comes to pizza buffets. Don't mess with me. 

hmm... sleep...

To continue my series of super short statements. 

I don't want to work today.... even though it is one of my favorite teaching days. I think I say that every day..... anyway. Let's skip work! yay! 

ok bye!

Off to work....

Hello.

Goodbye.

I heart several of my students. a lot. they practice! and giggle.

yay!

Maori

Go Listen.

PhotoHunt

So...not really a photohunt!

Suckers!

Just a photo update. 

Me and my chicken and wine. I'm a classy, classy girl.

Out of the window of the Allgood Cafe

Brad spotted the elusive djembe tree.  Might need 

to click on the pic for a closer look. 

An action shot of me talking to Ty. I don't think I sounded stupid, but her head tilt might say otherwise. She is either very interested in what I'm saying, or slightly confused by my rambling.

                           

Me Girlyman. I look like a giant next to Ty and Doris. An awkward, happy giant.

MADLIB!

It's early and I'm awake.

And I'm going to Six Flags today. (For real this time?)

Girlyman last night was amazing.

It was a much smaller crowd then when I saw them last in OKC, but they performed just as well.
Yay!

My sister is having a baby.

Very soon. Yikes!

Anyone want to fly me to Milwaukee?

I haven't been posting many pictures over the past few days, and it's because my lappy is still at the doctor, getting three of its four components replaced. If you get a Mac, I defintely recommend getting Apple care. It has paid off big time.

The cat slept by me again. And my eyes are itchy.

I had a really weird dream. I can't tell you what it's about, because even though it seems like a good idea right now, when I'm still half asleep, I think when I get up again in an hour or two I might regret telling the "world" (hello world) that I ____ in the _________ and you _______.


There. It's a madlib. Verb. Location. Verb. Fill 'er up.

OK well it's time to try to sleep some more. It might not happen, but I'll at least lie convincingly in bed for a while.


Byebyeeeeee

Go check out... "the shape i found you in" by girlyman. They played it last night, and I just really like it. Gets ya right there, ya know? Is my face leaking again? Must be allergies...

Thought(s) of the day.

Some random insights into my crazy head. (Based on actual thoughts I had today.)


Maybe I should have gotten a music ed degree. I actually like working with middle schoolers. And high schoolers. So weird.

I can actually play the bassoon. Yay!

11 year olds are funny.

Sometimes, when I see a newborn, I actually tear up. Why is my face leaking?! Am I going to want one of those some day? Scary.

I need a shower. Right now. Goodbye!

So so sad.

Hello!

My poor little Lappy McLappytop is at Doc Apple for a few days, so I'm a little behind on the updates. But, I'm still here! Had a long day of teaching today, which went pretty well.
Tonight caught up with an old friend from high school, and it was awesome. Also, I heart caramel apples. A lot. And I shouldn't try to drive home without using the GPS. Oops.


Bassoony-wise: I need to figure out how to make awesome reeds, every time.

I wish.... I lived in New York. Or Portland. But, the Dallas/Ft. Worth area is treating me alright so far.

Also:

Girlyman Friday night!!!!!!!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wedded Bliss

More on one of the best weekends ever!!!

Shannon finally got her professional wedding pictures in! Yay! I had fun helping her pare it down from 1300 to closer to 300. 

I'm stealing some for my blog! 

This one is me and Nicole, very serious about helping her into her petticoat. Being a bridesmaid was pretty much awesome. 

The photographer caught all of us girls admiring Shannon's beautiful ring. 100% natural- no posing at all. 

Love this picture.  Shannon looks like a pretty little doll in her gorgeous poofy dress. 

Go team go!! Every good bridesmaid cheers hard throughout the wedding.  yeaah!!

Gettin' down on the dance floor!

So happy!!!! The newlyweds smiling big- really it was an amazing weekend. Shannon and Jeff are awesome! 

Bassoonery

It's finally Friday!

For another hour and a half....

This week has been incredibly long!
I'm adjusting to working a bunch again, and it is nice to have some cash coming in.

It's been well over a year since my master's recital, and I listened to it when it came up on my ipod in the car today. I'm happy that I'm still proud of it! I know there are things that weren't perfect, but overall, i think I can play bassoon. I wish I could perform more. I should!

Who wants to come to my recital?And play piano for me!

Me and Yukari Playing Sicilienne et Allegro Giocoso by Grovlez:

Here, Llama, Lama.

With all of this political discussion going on lately, I've realized that I dont know exactly where my beliefs put me on the political spectrum. So, I did the obvious thing and I took an online quiz.

And the results!




Of course I realize that the internet doesn't know everything, but it is interesting to know that I'm politically aligned with the Dalai Lama. Whoop!

fork.

So many note-worthy things happened today. 

The day started off a bit rough when I dropped a fork into the trash can- and thus ended up with my arm in a trash can, digging around. Gross!! And hilarious. 

Then... I taught 9 students, and enjoyed it! Got a little practice in, and ate breakfast at a nice little ma and pop type breakfast place. 

Towards the end of my last lesson, around 6 pm, it was pretty much just me, my student, and the cleaning crew in the middle school. This horrible buzzing started, and my student said, "um.. thats the fire alarm!"  Great. My first thought is, I'm not leaving my bassoon.  Then I realized that I was an adult.. (yeaaah)..and somewhat responsible for this young person, so we went to check it out. It was going off for quite a while, and about 7 other people were out trying to see what was going on. I told lovely student to wait outside (just in case). After turning off the alarm (and not checking for fire, I might add) the cleaning crew let us  back into our room, and we finished up the lesson and headed out of the school, where about 5 or 6 dashing young firemen were waiting to be let into the building. Haha. I wondered if they would come. And they did. Awesome. And no one was there to let them in.  It was a false alarm, but if it hadn't been, I had a plan. Shove kid outside, run back to room, put bassoon up, run away. Probably not the smartest thought  I've ever had, but bassoons are expensive!

I guess that story isn't really that exciting. But I thought it was pretty entertaining. 

Since fire is funny...?

Finished up the evening hanging out with Shannon, instead of on the couch watching TV. Even got to fold some clothes!  yay!

You asked for it!

No one actually asked for this. But, I guess I almost promised that I would put up a picture of the water fountain in downtown Fort Worth. So here it is! 

Okay. Here it is really. 

I was a little scared walking down the magical floating squares, but I think my fear of heights/falling has calmed itself over the past few years and I made it down and up without serious incident. Yay!

More new students tomorrow! I'm actually using my degrees! Miracle!

yearbookyourself.com

A few weeks ago, Melynda sent me to this site, which is rather useful in procrastination, and also rather entertaining. Yesterday John Mackey posted some pictures of himself yearbooked, and it seemed like a good idea, so I thought I'd go ahead and post my favorite too. It was a really awkward year for me.

Spoiler Alert

JK 

Judging on the fact that there were only nine people in the entire theater this afternoon, there's probably not much of a chance that any of you were planning on seeing House Bunny.

... but... yeah. 

My favorite line was:

I want you to be my boyfriend more than an electron wants a proton. 

Hahah!!! Yay!!! Nerds!

I'll admit that I did laugh out loud quite often, but definitely wasn't a good movie. So, yeah. Unless you have a big crush on Tom Hanks kid, who is kind of cute, then don't make any big plans around it. 

that is all.

I have tomorrow off. no make-up lessons because most kids haven't started taking them yet. So someone call me and lets play!!!

I want a kitty, too!

The story of Christian the Lion. I know it is 35 years old, but... if this doesn't get you, don't call me. :)

For Zach

Dear Zach,

Don't stay away! Please come and rescue us!!! We NEED you. We want to support and encourage you in your quest for new "reeds" for that pretty thing you call a "bassoon." Let us come home with you!!

Love,

The Cutest (Homeless) Boxers at your local Boxer Rescue Website.

Halloween! I mean... September 5th!

Dear Friends,
If you recently moved to Portland, and your name is Christy, I miss you.
Also, I went to downtown Fort Worth today, the coolest parts were a huge empty room at the convention center, and the fountain with the crazy steps in the fountain park. Maybe you'll get to see pictures if I can get my hands on them. Whoop!
And, It is almost Halloween!
Ok...so it isn't even almost October, but they did put the Halloween candy out at Wal-Mart, so we must be getting close.

Lets have fun!!! Yay!!!! Halloween!!