Usually holidays are meant to be enjoyable, fun, relaxing, etc. Well, Labor Day 2010 was almost all of the above, except for the stuffy head/nasal passages ordeal that tormented me throughout the weekend. But anyway, we managed to kick back a little at the homestead between running a few errands, spraying nasal decongestant up my nose every few hours (but only as directed so as not to become addicted to nasal spray, as warned by my ever-loving sister via Facebook), and listening to our fabulous Cellist Peep play during Mass at church.
Good times.
So back to working on that whole Long Lost Journal of My Trip to Europe blog entry, where my journal now has me headed to Paris from London. Wowee, people! You don't want to miss this one, let me tell you. Anyway, the text is ready to post, but not without actual photos of the events. digging... digging... oh yes! Found them. This is going to be amazing - stay tuned.
Strange, but it's like déjà vu all over again as I blog on a Tuesday with a feverish child in the family room staying home from school, this time the oldest Peep. Here's what I think happened: Too much Yo Yo Ma. That's right. Last week, Girlie and I spent 2 evenings at the concert hall experiencing world famous cellist, Yo Yo Ma, first as he taught a Master Class then as he performed on stage with pianist, Kathryn Stott. All that mind-blowing music was too much for a middle schooler to handle, hence the feverish down-time.
So in honor of Peep Girlie's recovery time, here's a little blog quiz from Blogthings.com called 'The Scribble Circle Test'. My result (and yes, it mostly fits):
You Are Trustworthy
Of all the types, you are the most responsible and loyal. You take your duties seriously.
You thrive when you are able to do something practical and productive. You hate to waste your time.
Some people say that you are a bit neurotic or cautious, but you believe it's better to be safe than sorry.
You do your best to live a engaging and important life. You want what you do to matter.
Now that our weekly rehearsal time with the orchestra is on hiatus, I need to find a new time devoted to this here blog. Sunday afternoon was perfect for that while practice was going on, but that particular window is now filled with private cello lessons and miscellaneous non-conducive-to-blogging type activities. So here I am on a Tuesday. *waves* This might actually work.
Meanwhile get comfortable, here's what's happening in Peepville:
Back on the orchestra topic, for next season our sweet Cellist Girlie has her sights set way up high and is looking to audition for the Grand Poobah of youth orchestras called the Philharmonic. And if that doesn't pan out, she's more than happy to return to the same group she's been with over the past year, Youth Conservatory. Total win-win situation either way. As long as she's happy and I get my Orchestra Mom chair back while Hubs and Younger Brother hang out at the homestead watching whatever sport happens to be in season, it's all good for everyone involved.
CCD class. Can you believe we are left with only 6 actual days of class and 1 final prayer service? I sure can't. While at times I did feel like the weeks were crawling along at a snail-like pace, reminiscent of slow running/Spyware laden computers I recall cleaning up back at the Mercy Sisters Assisted Living Center, the final days are zipping along all speedy on me. 7th grade has not been an easy one for any of us, but having a fierce co-catechist as a side-kick to keep the chatty types in line has been a serious blessing in disguise. In fact, we worked so well together that we're teaching yet another class next year, only next time 8th grade instead of 7th. Confirmation here we come!
So what else is new? Here's what: Yo Yo Ma. With the oldest turning another year older in a few days, what better way to celebrate than by taking her to see the Cello Master in real life. That's right, Girlie and I will be witnessing Yo Yo Ma as he teaches a Master Class at the music hall (not open to the general public) and then listen as he plays in concert the very next evening. Two days in a row of mind-blowing Yo Yo Ma - I know! Anyway, we'll also have a cake/presents celebration at home, because concerts are great and all but a birthday wouldn't be right without some sort of party involving frosting and wrapping paper.
Hold up... this means we're about to have a TEENAGER in the house. Holy *expletive here*.
On that note, this one's for you Teenage-Girlie-To-Be: Yo Yo Ma; Diana Krall, "You Couldn't be Cuter"
No escape from the Heartland of America this week, but that's not to say I'm no longer considering a permanent visit to San Diego, Portland and/or Cocoa Beach. Instead, celebrating our youngest peep's birthday ensued, complete with eating out at Famous Dave's (saucey amazingness!) and partying it up at home with friends (pizza, cake, ice cream, Wii games, Nerf darts & tackle football). Even I must admit that this year's birthday was most definitely a birthday to remember, at least until we outdo ourselves next year. Or try, anyway. Let's be optimistic here.
Behind the scenes of all this celebration madness, our oldest peep, the cellist, found herself in search of a full size cello to replace the ¾ cello she has outgrown, something that seems so odd when I can vividly remember when the ½ size one was taller than HER. Anyway, to do this, she recruited Mom (yes, me) to make a litany of phone calls in search of said replacement and to schedule actual cello viewings with her private cello teacher at local music stores. Who would've thought we'd be running all over tarnation in search of a simple cello replacement? Yeah well, unfortunately our search came up short, so that particular item remains on the 'To Do' list for yet another week, month, *insert random time frame here*.
Calendar check time - hey, cool! Another school day off for the peeps so that they might take some quality time to properly celebrate Martin Luther King Day by playing video games in their pajamas and building snow creatures outside for me to photograph from the window, mostly because I don't own long underwear or snow pants and would much rather stay inside where it's not FREEZING COLD. Makes total sense to me, but there I go digressing again.
Uh oh... wait, here's the not-so-cool thing on our calendar for the week: CCD Retreats. Will be getting back to you on that one. Lordy.
Finally I sit down to post a blog about the splendiferously magical Thanksgiving the family and I enjoyed together, all to the sounds of the oldest playing her heart out on the cello next to the Family Christmas Tree. And what comes to mind most as I reflect back over our holiday is the I'm most thankful for prayers we shared, and it just makes me smile all over again at how hubs and I are raising such well-grounded, gracious people.
Not an easy feat, that's for sure.
As icing on the cake, Cello Playing Peep presented us with a letter that would make even the grizzliest Scrooge of all time shed an actual tear. She even allowed me to post an excerpt on this blog for all the blogosphere to see, even though she's the humble type and would never have the audacity to brag so openly like her shameless mother:
Dear Mom and Dad, I am thankful for all you do... Mostly, I am thankful that you decided to give birth to me in the first place... I am thankful that you bought me instruments... and that you always take very good care of us, that you buy us food and cook for us, that you clean the house... have jobs to make money for our family and pay the bills. I am mostly thankful that I am here on this earth and that it is all your doing. Thank you, Thank you, Thank YOU!!! P.S. I didn't even mention all the things you do for us. :)
Feel the love. *sniff* (New piece is still a tad rusty, but I thought the giggles were cute.)
Today was all suck-it-up-and-forget-about-the-stinkin'-illness because YOUTH ORCHESTRA TIME IS HERE! That's right. Remember the area-wide strings orchestra Girlie Peep performed in last year? Well, she auditioned for another more advanced group last spring and was selected, sending us off and running to more rehearsals again this year.
Total ear candy all over again - gotta love that!
Ok, so giddiness took over just then. *cough* That's what happens to a person blessed with musicians in the family - you just go completely silly about it. Or maybe the nasal spray is just messing with my head? Nah. This is serious talent, nasal spray or otherwise.
listening to our fabulous Cellist Peep play during Mass at church.
