I keep wondering whether or not to keep this blog up and running. I have been lacking motivation to sit down and write, even though I keep myself on the lookout for stories to relay. I constantly compose in my head, and occasionally I will write notes to myself to help remind me what I have come up with. But I rarely sit down and do it, and I wonder if I should just be done.
Then I have experiences like this one today, and I realize that I need this space. I need to write for my own darn good, so that I can hopefully find some clarity by spewing forth words, out of my mind and onto the screen. Hopefully I can make sense of things and approach a situation with more patience and inspiration than I would otherwise have, had those words remained jumbled inside my head.
So bear with me. This post is long. This post is for me. For clarity. Because I have been utterly schooled.
I have been teaching Gunner how to read. I use a book that was recommended by several friends called "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons", or something like that. We have been doing it off and on for about six months, but recently more often. He has picked up on the routine of it, and he's actually doing really well. I have made a goal to give him a lesson five mornings a week, and we have actually been doing it. Takes about 20 minutes or less.
Then, since he has been doing so well at his little reading lessons, I decided that it was time to start him on piano lessons. This was a harder decision for me, and something I have been debating about since the beginning of the school year. I originally thought that since I wasn't putting him in preschool, and since he has been asking to learn how to play the piano, that I would start him with a method book series for really young kids. It comes with little characters, which I knew he would love, and it progresses super super slowly.
But then I had second thoughts because he is only five. After teaching beginning piano students for years, my experience is that young students (age 3-5) love piano lessons, but they don't learn it quickly enough to make it worth it. Starting a typical child at the age of 7 or 8 is perfect. They can already read, they have more strength and coordination, and they learn quickly. In fact, a new motivated 7-yr-old student can catch up to another 7-year-old student who has been taking lessons for years, in a relatively short amount of time.
I also promised myself that I would never teach my own children how to play the piano. I think paying a professional is a worthwhile investment. I also think it is good for the child to have the experience of actually "going" to piano lessons, where they sit in someone else's studio and listen to someone else telling them what to do.
Because of all that, I didn't start him in the Fall. He has continued to ask me for piano lessons. Then this week, I ran across a set of lesson books, written specifically for 5 and 6-year-olds, that I knew he would just love! I have never gotten the chance to use them because they came out about the same time that we moved for Spiff's medical school and I stopped teaching. They're written by my favorite Piano Method authors (The Fabers of Piano Adventures), and I'm actually really excited about them. I ordered them right away, got them in the mail yesterday, and we started this morning. Gunner had his first little piano lesson, and it was great. He listened, followed instructions, asked to do fun songs again, and is looking forward to practicing with me tomorrow.
Okay, all of that to get to this whole "experience" from today. A friend invited us over to play with them in the snow this morning. As I was driving across town, I was thinking about the successful morning of lessons we had had earlier, with both reading and piano. I thought about how proud I am of his progress and his excitement to learn. I also thought something that I have doubted my whole life...the fact that I have things to offer my children. I am a piano teacher. I can teach my child how to learn this skill, at least for now. We can start making music together in our home. I also thought about how we have gotten Gunner registered for Kindergarten for this coming Fall, and that he seems to have come so far in his maturity and development in the last six months that I actually feel like he'll be ready to start school in eight months.
These thoughts rolled through my head, and I felt proud. Proud of him, proud of me, proud of us for progressing and learning things together. I felt proud of my momming skills.
So, we got to our friend's house, played in the snow a bit, then made our way inside. The kids were playing with a set of toys, and I observed my two children both having a difficult time sharing with one another. I heard a whole lot of not nice words: "Hey, I was using that!!!?" "Heyyyy, Give that Back!!!" "That's It! I give up!" Etc.
I reminded and reminded them to share and use nice words. I offered help. I invited them to sit by me and take small breaks, all without losing my cool. None of my reminders helped, and they both simply exploded at each other. I was forced to put them both on a time out. I thought if I could just get them to take a breath and a small break, we would be able to work it out and get back to playing.
Neither of them would sit down on their time out spots. Not one of them. Hobbes just jumped up and ran back to the table of toys. Gunner refused to sit down and proceeded to yell and yell at me. It progressed to the point that I had to give up and cart them both off over my shoulder to the car and take them home, to where Hobbes is now playing happily by himself and Gunner is napping in his bed.
It was the first time I have dealt with bad public behavior from both of them at the same time. It has happened before with Gunner (a long time ago) when I have had to drag him out of a friend's house kicking and screaming, and it wasn't fun then. This was a double attack of really naughty. I was so angry, and embarrassed, and sad, and at a complete loss for a good solution. Obviously they both lose privileges today (no TV, no friends, no desserts, etc.). But how come it happened in the first place? How do I even talk to them about it and resolve things? What are good consequences for that kind of behavior? What consequences will teach them what they need to know for future experiences?
Sigh.
Really, the lesson I learned here is that I should never ever ever get smug about my parenting skills. My children will always be five steps ahead of me. Sure, I have things to offer them, but it absolutely confirms to me that I have no idea what I'm doing.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Friday, January 17, 2014
My List of Hymns I'd Rather Not Ever Hear Again
We had a funny experience in sacrament meeting this last Sunday. The closing hymn was an altogether unfamiliar song (#132 God is in His Holy Temple). I hadn't heard it before. The melody is of those that sort of meanders around without a purpose so that it is difficult to pick up. I am a decent sightreader, and even I had a hard time with the melody.
Hobbes was sitting on my lap during the song. After a while, he seemingly got tired of the hymn and turned the page. Since I wasn't enjoying the song anyway, I decided to just go with it...and give up. I stopped singing and looked around the room. Every single person had their noses buried in their hymn books, brows furrowed, trying their hardest to pick out that melody. No one was really singing.
After the meeting, the chorister (who chose the hymn in the first place) approached me. She relayed the same story from the stand as I had just witnessed from my pew. Even with no one singing, the chorister and organist soldiered on, and when it was over, she sat down. Another particularly musical member of the ward happened to be sitting behind her on the stand and said, "Well, they should just take that one right out of the hymn book!"
I laughed out loud, but completely agreed. I added it to my mental list of "Hymns I'd Rather Not Ever Hear Again."
I realized that I have been compiling this list for years, but when a friend asked me what songs are on the list, I had a hard time remembering. So, here is it. The Top 10 hymns that, in my opinion, should be removed from the current LDS Hymn Book, listed in no particular order:
(With the exception of the first one, the list does not include all of the many songs that I skipped over because I just don't know them. I think all of those should be removed from the book because no one knows them.)
For good measure, let's start with our example from Sunday.
#132 God is in His Holy Temple--What?! This one makes no sense.
#134 I Believe in Christ--This is the longest hymn in the hymn book. It looks like three verses, but it is really six because of the mid-verse written repeat. It is also always Always sung too slowly. It is never "fervent" but always durge-like.
#309 As Sisters in Zion--There is really nothing appealing about this condescending melody. It makes me feel like less of a woman to sing it.
#52 The Day Dawn is Breaking--This one has the most uninteresting chord progression of all hymns, including severely repeating I, IV and V chords only. Just ask the tenors and basses.
#26 Joseph Smith's First Prayer--I know this is a beloved hymn for many people. I just don't care for the sticky sweet melody.
#307 In Our Lovely Deseret--Does any one like this song? I'm actually really curious about that. Well, I guess the chorus is okay, although I find the words at the end ("happy hearts and cheerful faces meet") to be difficult to spit out quickly enough.
#260 Who's on the Lord's Side?--This one makes me feel like I'm trying to rile up some Primary-aged soldiers with that over-enthusiastic smile on my face that is associated with the way people think they Should talk to children.
#237 Do What Is Right--Seriously, do what is right here and sing the better subject choice, "Choose the Right."
#232 Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words--I believe in the subject matter, heart and soul. The song is just so...sing-songy. Shudder.
#177 'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love--This if the version that comes second in the hymn book. The first one is lovely. The second one is not. This is the song that I'm always excited to sing when I see it in the program, and then seriously disappointed when I realized which version it is.
That's it, in a nut shell. I'm happy to report that it was easier for me to list off hymns that I love rather than those I dislike. I do have a deep love for many of the hymns in our book. Just not these ones.
What's on your list?
Hobbes was sitting on my lap during the song. After a while, he seemingly got tired of the hymn and turned the page. Since I wasn't enjoying the song anyway, I decided to just go with it...and give up. I stopped singing and looked around the room. Every single person had their noses buried in their hymn books, brows furrowed, trying their hardest to pick out that melody. No one was really singing.
After the meeting, the chorister (who chose the hymn in the first place) approached me. She relayed the same story from the stand as I had just witnessed from my pew. Even with no one singing, the chorister and organist soldiered on, and when it was over, she sat down. Another particularly musical member of the ward happened to be sitting behind her on the stand and said, "Well, they should just take that one right out of the hymn book!"
I laughed out loud, but completely agreed. I added it to my mental list of "Hymns I'd Rather Not Ever Hear Again."
I realized that I have been compiling this list for years, but when a friend asked me what songs are on the list, I had a hard time remembering. So, here is it. The Top 10 hymns that, in my opinion, should be removed from the current LDS Hymn Book, listed in no particular order:
(With the exception of the first one, the list does not include all of the many songs that I skipped over because I just don't know them. I think all of those should be removed from the book because no one knows them.)
For good measure, let's start with our example from Sunday.
#132 God is in His Holy Temple--What?! This one makes no sense.
#134 I Believe in Christ--This is the longest hymn in the hymn book. It looks like three verses, but it is really six because of the mid-verse written repeat. It is also always Always sung too slowly. It is never "fervent" but always durge-like.
#309 As Sisters in Zion--There is really nothing appealing about this condescending melody. It makes me feel like less of a woman to sing it.
#52 The Day Dawn is Breaking--This one has the most uninteresting chord progression of all hymns, including severely repeating I, IV and V chords only. Just ask the tenors and basses.
#26 Joseph Smith's First Prayer--I know this is a beloved hymn for many people. I just don't care for the sticky sweet melody.
#307 In Our Lovely Deseret--Does any one like this song? I'm actually really curious about that. Well, I guess the chorus is okay, although I find the words at the end ("happy hearts and cheerful faces meet") to be difficult to spit out quickly enough.
#260 Who's on the Lord's Side?--This one makes me feel like I'm trying to rile up some Primary-aged soldiers with that over-enthusiastic smile on my face that is associated with the way people think they Should talk to children.
#237 Do What Is Right--Seriously, do what is right here and sing the better subject choice, "Choose the Right."
#232 Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words--I believe in the subject matter, heart and soul. The song is just so...sing-songy. Shudder.
#177 'Tis Sweet to Sing the Matchless Love--This if the version that comes second in the hymn book. The first one is lovely. The second one is not. This is the song that I'm always excited to sing when I see it in the program, and then seriously disappointed when I realized which version it is.
That's it, in a nut shell. I'm happy to report that it was easier for me to list off hymns that I love rather than those I dislike. I do have a deep love for many of the hymns in our book. Just not these ones.
What's on your list?
Wednesday, January 08, 2014
The Christmas Entitlement Issue
I mentioned in my previous post that our Christmas was spent alone this year. This was a new experience for me. We have spent Christmases away from family before, but we have always celebrated with friends. It didn't work out to do that this year, and I can't pretend that I wasn't bothered by it, especially since both of our families were celebrating together in their respective places.
That being said, we got really lucky with Spiff's schedule. He worked very little on Christmas Eve, had Christmas Day off, and then volunteered for a personal day on Boxing Day since they didn't have a ton going on at work. We took advantage of that day, packed up the kids and drove north to see some friends, share leftovers together, and then took everyone tubing, which was super fun!
After it was all said and done, I both liked and disliked it. I liked that our little celebration was so relaxed. I wasn't stressed about how messy my house was. We sort of did whatever we wanted. We ate when and what we wanted to. We did cheese fondue for Christmas Eve dinner, and it was a huge hit with the kids. Gunner loved it! He especially liked the part whenever he dropped food into the fondue pot and got to run around the table to give me a kiss.
I always prefer to play games late into the night on Christmas Eve, and we never seem to do that when it's just us. We put the tired kids to bed, set the rest of Christmas up for them, and then pass out. Our Christmas morning was fun, then kids enjoyed opening presents. But then, and here's the issue, the rest of the day was madness! My children were nuts! This is the very first Christmas Day that I have not had a chance to sit down for even a moment. The kids didn't have anyone else to play with, so Spiff and I spent the entire day assembling toys that the boys would then play with for five minutes before scattering pieces all over the floor and moving on to the next one. "Mom! Will you open this?! Mom, will you open that?!?!" Instead of enjoying one new toy, they had to enjoy all of their new things nownownow! All. Day. Long.
I got so tired of their 5-minute attention spans and the mess they were making that I eventually threw their snow clothes on them and kicked them out of the house! I was very grateful at that moment for the new snow that fell overnight so they would have something to play with outside. The whole day was actually very frustrating. Instead of feeling peaceful and grateful, I ended up feeling irritable and grumpy, and I felt like mine were the world's most spoiled and entitled kids!
It has since settled down. I have found places to put new toys away, and they have fallen into a routine of sorts and found games to play with all of their things. It did take a week or so until that happened. They spent an entire week fighting over new things and making gigantic messes, and I spent an entire week wishing that all the presents were wrapped back up and put back up under the tree. It was kind of horrible.
So, here's my question: How do I fix that "After-Present Effect"?
There have got to be ways of lessening the madness that entered my house on Christmas Day. Less presents given to the kids? Less of a certain kind of present? A rigidly-formulaic approach to present-giving? It's hard to control because we are so fortunate to receive so much love from aunts, grandmas and grandpas, etc. And I do want my children to have fun and feel special. I can't see how having more of a focus on giving would be helpful since they are so young. Really, I can't see a good way of fixing this problem.
But there has got to be a better way. What do you think?!
That being said, we got really lucky with Spiff's schedule. He worked very little on Christmas Eve, had Christmas Day off, and then volunteered for a personal day on Boxing Day since they didn't have a ton going on at work. We took advantage of that day, packed up the kids and drove north to see some friends, share leftovers together, and then took everyone tubing, which was super fun!
After it was all said and done, I both liked and disliked it. I liked that our little celebration was so relaxed. I wasn't stressed about how messy my house was. We sort of did whatever we wanted. We ate when and what we wanted to. We did cheese fondue for Christmas Eve dinner, and it was a huge hit with the kids. Gunner loved it! He especially liked the part whenever he dropped food into the fondue pot and got to run around the table to give me a kiss.
I always prefer to play games late into the night on Christmas Eve, and we never seem to do that when it's just us. We put the tired kids to bed, set the rest of Christmas up for them, and then pass out. Our Christmas morning was fun, then kids enjoyed opening presents. But then, and here's the issue, the rest of the day was madness! My children were nuts! This is the very first Christmas Day that I have not had a chance to sit down for even a moment. The kids didn't have anyone else to play with, so Spiff and I spent the entire day assembling toys that the boys would then play with for five minutes before scattering pieces all over the floor and moving on to the next one. "Mom! Will you open this?! Mom, will you open that?!?!" Instead of enjoying one new toy, they had to enjoy all of their new things nownownow! All. Day. Long.
I got so tired of their 5-minute attention spans and the mess they were making that I eventually threw their snow clothes on them and kicked them out of the house! I was very grateful at that moment for the new snow that fell overnight so they would have something to play with outside. The whole day was actually very frustrating. Instead of feeling peaceful and grateful, I ended up feeling irritable and grumpy, and I felt like mine were the world's most spoiled and entitled kids!
It has since settled down. I have found places to put new toys away, and they have fallen into a routine of sorts and found games to play with all of their things. It did take a week or so until that happened. They spent an entire week fighting over new things and making gigantic messes, and I spent an entire week wishing that all the presents were wrapped back up and put back up under the tree. It was kind of horrible.
So, here's my question: How do I fix that "After-Present Effect"?
There have got to be ways of lessening the madness that entered my house on Christmas Day. Less presents given to the kids? Less of a certain kind of present? A rigidly-formulaic approach to present-giving? It's hard to control because we are so fortunate to receive so much love from aunts, grandmas and grandpas, etc. And I do want my children to have fun and feel special. I can't see how having more of a focus on giving would be helpful since they are so young. Really, I can't see a good way of fixing this problem.
But there has got to be a better way. What do you think?!
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
End of 2013 Recap
It's that time again. The time when I try again to keep up on the ol' blog. I seem to let it slide at the end of each year while I'm desperately trying to get through the holidays. So, I'll recap the last couple of months. Then I'm going to bombard the blog with posts until I have exhausted my efforts.
In October, my oldest sister got married and told us she is having her first baby. They got married quickly and quietly, and I didn't make it out for the wedding.
The boys and I did, however, go visit my family for a couple of weeks in November in order to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday with her, a party that was planned much further in advance to the wedding. The family surprised her with a surprise party at her house. Surprise! Everyone in your family is now staying with you for the weekend! Doesn't that sound like the best present?! We planned out all of the food, and she did say that she was glad not to have to worry about what to feed everyone.
Our friends came to visit us for Thanksgiving. We had Thanksgiving dinner at my house, surrounded by the best of friends and delicious food.
December hit with a quick realization that there were only three weeks until Christmas!!! This year's Christmas preparations were greatly improved over last year's stress by the help of Amazon Prime Shipping. It was such a life-saver. I hope my gift recipients didn't mind it because it really was awesome for me.
Spiff and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary both by being super duper sick. I had some stomach issue, and he had a nasty cold. We postponed the fancy family dinner I planned to make for him for a couple of days. Then I tried my hand at preparing filet mignon, and it was delicious.
We spent Christmas alone this year, just our little family, which was both good and bad for me. I prefer a larger celebration, or at least sharing it with other people. But on the other hand, it certainly was casual, and we really could do whatever we wanted, which is nice.
We were invited to a friend's house for a Finnish New Year's Eve potluck dinner. I made this Finnish Pulla Bread, which was delicious. You should make it, too. It would make a great breakfast sweet bread.
Now it's January, and we are enjoying the coldest weather to hit the country since 1996. But so are you! Let's all bundle up and stay warm together somehow.
In October, my oldest sister got married and told us she is having her first baby. They got married quickly and quietly, and I didn't make it out for the wedding.
The boys and I did, however, go visit my family for a couple of weeks in November in order to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday with her, a party that was planned much further in advance to the wedding. The family surprised her with a surprise party at her house. Surprise! Everyone in your family is now staying with you for the weekend! Doesn't that sound like the best present?! We planned out all of the food, and she did say that she was glad not to have to worry about what to feed everyone.
Our friends came to visit us for Thanksgiving. We had Thanksgiving dinner at my house, surrounded by the best of friends and delicious food.
December hit with a quick realization that there were only three weeks until Christmas!!! This year's Christmas preparations were greatly improved over last year's stress by the help of Amazon Prime Shipping. It was such a life-saver. I hope my gift recipients didn't mind it because it really was awesome for me.
Spiff and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary both by being super duper sick. I had some stomach issue, and he had a nasty cold. We postponed the fancy family dinner I planned to make for him for a couple of days. Then I tried my hand at preparing filet mignon, and it was delicious.
We spent Christmas alone this year, just our little family, which was both good and bad for me. I prefer a larger celebration, or at least sharing it with other people. But on the other hand, it certainly was casual, and we really could do whatever we wanted, which is nice.
We were invited to a friend's house for a Finnish New Year's Eve potluck dinner. I made this Finnish Pulla Bread, which was delicious. You should make it, too. It would make a great breakfast sweet bread.
Now it's January, and we are enjoying the coldest weather to hit the country since 1996. But so are you! Let's all bundle up and stay warm together somehow.
Monday, January 06, 2014
The Arctic Vortex vs. My Windows
It's -25 outside today with a -45 windchill. As we hunker down indoors, my windows are losing the battle between cold outside and warmish inside.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Tips for Ordering Christmas Cards
I love getting Christmas Cards.
I love the time of the year when the contents of my mailbox holds more than bills and junk mail. I love opening letters addressed to me and my family filled with beautiful cards and pictures of beloved friends and family. I realize that Christmas cards as a tradition has sort of died out with the advent of Facebook and social media. We can keep up with friends and loved ones throughout the year and see pictures of them almost any time, so an actual card isn't really necessary. But I love them just the same. That's why I make efforts to send them out.
However, it seems like Christmas Cards do not love me. I always seem to have issues with them. One year, my order was sent to a different city, and I had to wait an extra week for them to be reshipped to the right place in order to pick them up. Last year, I hurried and snapped a picture of my kids in front of my house, which was a minor nightmare in itself with my almost-two-year-old who wouldn't sit still. None of the pictures were great, but I chose the best one and ordered cards. When I picked them up, I was appalled because the picture was blurry! How I didn't realize that before ordering them is still a mystery. But I was too embarrassed by them to send them out to anyone other than my own mother and close friends I could laugh with about them.
This year, however, I have stumbled across a special secret which I am convinced is the key to achieving Christmas Card Glory. I'm not one to post deals and advice, but I can't keep this one a secret. It's too good. Here...
Here is how to have a Christmas Card experience you can be proud of:
First, spend about three hours on the Christmas card website trying over and over again to design and order your card. After realizing that the site is not working, use the online chat button and chat with one or two or three different agents while you try to troubleshoot the issue. Click a bunch of buttons, close windows, and hope you saved any projects you were working on in the process. Then after hours of frustration, figure out that the site is magically working (without any real help from said agents), and finish up ordering the cards in about two minutes.
Second, patiently wait your appropriate 5-7 days to pick up your cards, knowing that they're going to be good this year.
Third, pick up your cards. Haul the kids out to the car in 3 degree (-20 windchill) weather, then realize that the envelopes that came with your cards have someone else's name and addressed printed as the return address. Make the kids get back out into the cold to go talk to the people, only getting a phone number to call about the mix-up.
Fourth, call the number. Spend 45 minutes on hold, listening to eight bars of horrible repeating canned telephone music that will eventually get stuck in your head. Finally talk to an agent who says that they will email their vendor about the mix-up, and that you will receive an email about it within 24 hours.
Fifth, wait impatiently for 24 hours, hearing nothing.
Sixth, call the number again. Spend another 45 minutes on hold, getting more and more irritated by the awful music. Speak with another agent who says that they haven't heard anything from the vendor, and that at this point, you might get your envelopes in another week, which is less than a week before Christmas.
At this point, fly off the handle a little, wondering why in the world they aren't fixing this silly issue! Printing new envelopes would take them approximately two minutes. They could and should be at your door within two days. Not an extra week. Make it perfectly clear that you expect the issue to be resolved within two days, and if it's not, you will be asking for a refund. You are informed that another email has been sent, and that you will receive communication within 24 hours.
Seventh, wait impatiently for another 24 hours, hearing nothing. Wait another couple of days to see if envelopes will appear in the mail. They do not.
Eight, call the number again. Spend another 45 minutes on hold. Grit your teeth and will yourself not to crawl through the phone to rip the canned music out of it. Finally speak to another agent, thoroughly express your position and your displeasure. Wait another ten minutes while she investigates the issue. Then listen incredulously as she tells you that nothing has been done about the issue, they they are doing everything they can, but that you aren't going to receive envelopes for more than a week.
This your moment. Firmly explain that their inability to fix their mistake is unacceptable. Calmly state that you expect a full refund for your inconvenience. For the first time, they will say what you want to hear, "Oh, of course. We'll get that credited back to you within 3-5 business days." But that you need to call back if you don't get a confirming email within 24 hours.
And there you have it. You, too, can score Free Christmas Cards to delight your friends and family! It will probably cost you your sanity and give you a major headache. If you're extra lucky, you may even have dreams filled with eight bars of repeating canned music, like me.
I love the time of the year when the contents of my mailbox holds more than bills and junk mail. I love opening letters addressed to me and my family filled with beautiful cards and pictures of beloved friends and family. I realize that Christmas cards as a tradition has sort of died out with the advent of Facebook and social media. We can keep up with friends and loved ones throughout the year and see pictures of them almost any time, so an actual card isn't really necessary. But I love them just the same. That's why I make efforts to send them out.
However, it seems like Christmas Cards do not love me. I always seem to have issues with them. One year, my order was sent to a different city, and I had to wait an extra week for them to be reshipped to the right place in order to pick them up. Last year, I hurried and snapped a picture of my kids in front of my house, which was a minor nightmare in itself with my almost-two-year-old who wouldn't sit still. None of the pictures were great, but I chose the best one and ordered cards. When I picked them up, I was appalled because the picture was blurry! How I didn't realize that before ordering them is still a mystery. But I was too embarrassed by them to send them out to anyone other than my own mother and close friends I could laugh with about them.
This year, however, I have stumbled across a special secret which I am convinced is the key to achieving Christmas Card Glory. I'm not one to post deals and advice, but I can't keep this one a secret. It's too good. Here...
Here is how to have a Christmas Card experience you can be proud of:
First, spend about three hours on the Christmas card website trying over and over again to design and order your card. After realizing that the site is not working, use the online chat button and chat with one or two or three different agents while you try to troubleshoot the issue. Click a bunch of buttons, close windows, and hope you saved any projects you were working on in the process. Then after hours of frustration, figure out that the site is magically working (without any real help from said agents), and finish up ordering the cards in about two minutes.
Second, patiently wait your appropriate 5-7 days to pick up your cards, knowing that they're going to be good this year.
Third, pick up your cards. Haul the kids out to the car in 3 degree (-20 windchill) weather, then realize that the envelopes that came with your cards have someone else's name and addressed printed as the return address. Make the kids get back out into the cold to go talk to the people, only getting a phone number to call about the mix-up.
Fourth, call the number. Spend 45 minutes on hold, listening to eight bars of horrible repeating canned telephone music that will eventually get stuck in your head. Finally talk to an agent who says that they will email their vendor about the mix-up, and that you will receive an email about it within 24 hours.
Fifth, wait impatiently for 24 hours, hearing nothing.
Sixth, call the number again. Spend another 45 minutes on hold, getting more and more irritated by the awful music. Speak with another agent who says that they haven't heard anything from the vendor, and that at this point, you might get your envelopes in another week, which is less than a week before Christmas.
At this point, fly off the handle a little, wondering why in the world they aren't fixing this silly issue! Printing new envelopes would take them approximately two minutes. They could and should be at your door within two days. Not an extra week. Make it perfectly clear that you expect the issue to be resolved within two days, and if it's not, you will be asking for a refund. You are informed that another email has been sent, and that you will receive communication within 24 hours.
Seventh, wait impatiently for another 24 hours, hearing nothing. Wait another couple of days to see if envelopes will appear in the mail. They do not.
Eight, call the number again. Spend another 45 minutes on hold. Grit your teeth and will yourself not to crawl through the phone to rip the canned music out of it. Finally speak to another agent, thoroughly express your position and your displeasure. Wait another ten minutes while she investigates the issue. Then listen incredulously as she tells you that nothing has been done about the issue, they they are doing everything they can, but that you aren't going to receive envelopes for more than a week.
This your moment. Firmly explain that their inability to fix their mistake is unacceptable. Calmly state that you expect a full refund for your inconvenience. For the first time, they will say what you want to hear, "Oh, of course. We'll get that credited back to you within 3-5 business days." But that you need to call back if you don't get a confirming email within 24 hours.
And there you have it. You, too, can score Free Christmas Cards to delight your friends and family! It will probably cost you your sanity and give you a major headache. If you're extra lucky, you may even have dreams filled with eight bars of repeating canned music, like me.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Busy Bee
Which is busier? A Bee, a beaver, or Accomplishment Girl?
Here is a story for starters. I have decided that my Ward Choir needs some extra help to learn the music I have chosen for our upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas performances. We just had a two-week hiatus for General and Stake Conferences, and I'm going to be out of town for two weeks in November. Between that and the fact that we only get 30 minutes each week to rehearse, I'm feeling a huge time crunch to get things done.
So, I decided to make rehearsal videos for the choir and post them to youtube. It was Spiff's idea, and I think it's brilliant! However, making the videos is time-consuming, even though they are completely un-edited and very poor quality. It was hard to find time to make them when the kids weren't around. I felt like I was trying to squeeze in video-making moments for an entire week. I finally finished them last night and emailed them out to the choir today. Feels good to check that off the list.
The other side of that coin is that the choir needs music to practice with if they're going to practice at home. We don't have enough copies of the music for everyone to have one, nor do I trust everyone in the choir to be able to bring all the original copies of the music back to church. So, I need to make copies, which I will destroy after we're done using them (I do know about the whole copyright thing). I tried using the church library copier at the church on Sunday, and the kid who is in charge of making the copies refused to help me because it's a job that "just takes so much time." He then went back to staring at his phone. I agree that it takes time, but I was so mad! I may or may not have stormed out of the library, as I said (as politely as I could, in a signature high-pitched Mindy mad voice), "It's okay. It's okay!!!" But I was really mad. I am trying to magnify my calling, and he was making it difficult for me to do my job. Now I have to find some more time to get away from my kids and get the copies done during the week. Not impossible, but difficult and frustrating.
I came home from church on Sunday feeling completely overwhelmed by all of this, and by my huge to-do list filled with large projects, not small tasks. Projects are difficult for me because of the kids. It's hard to start anything because I never know when or if I'll be able to finish it. I'm proud to report that I have pulled-out my Accomplishment Girl Underoos, and I have been the Master of Projects this week! (If I worked at a large corporation, they were give me an award for that.) Just to prove to myself that I can get things done with my kids around, here is a short list of my accomplishments and the coincidentally super-awesome dinners we have had this week:
Sunday Evening--I picked out background music/playlists for my sister's wedding (three lists including Classical piano music, Jazz, and other easy listening songs).
Plus I made Crockpot Pork Carnitas w/ Southwest Blackbean Salad and Cilantro Lime Rice for dinner. So good!
Monday--Took the kids to the library. Took the time to get the kids and me to the store to buy a thumb drive, load my sister's music files onto the drive, and go back to the store to send it to her. I also went through my bins of kids' clothes and toys, pulled out Winter clothes for the boys, put things in give-away piles. I love getting rid of things! It feels so good!
Dinner: Chicken Noodles.
Tuesday--Took the kids to a playdate with friends. Then cleaned out the garage and put away Summer toys/tools so that Spiff can park in the garage over the Winter...you know, since it's snowing here now. Made Choir rehearsal videos.
Dinner: Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew (one of my all-time favorite recipes that I have had forever and can't find on the web)
Wednesday (today)--I did laundry, and I did the other side of the Winter Clothing job, which was to put away all of the Summer clothes and shoes and get out Winter Gear. I changed out any too-small clothes in the kids' drawers to store for later. I went through two of my own drawers and got a whole garbage bag full of things to take to Goodwill. Also got a haircut while the kids played with friends. And I finished up the choir video/emailing-links project.
Dinner: Pork Carnitas Enchiladas
Other thoughts:
1. Good food always makes me feel better about pretty much everything. I'm so glad to have the chance to eat some of my favorite foods this week.
2. The week is only halfway through. Maybe I'll be able to tackle some of my other projects.
3. Or maybe I'm tired now and need to take a break. I should do something fun with the kids.
Here is a story for starters. I have decided that my Ward Choir needs some extra help to learn the music I have chosen for our upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas performances. We just had a two-week hiatus for General and Stake Conferences, and I'm going to be out of town for two weeks in November. Between that and the fact that we only get 30 minutes each week to rehearse, I'm feeling a huge time crunch to get things done.
So, I decided to make rehearsal videos for the choir and post them to youtube. It was Spiff's idea, and I think it's brilliant! However, making the videos is time-consuming, even though they are completely un-edited and very poor quality. It was hard to find time to make them when the kids weren't around. I felt like I was trying to squeeze in video-making moments for an entire week. I finally finished them last night and emailed them out to the choir today. Feels good to check that off the list.
The other side of that coin is that the choir needs music to practice with if they're going to practice at home. We don't have enough copies of the music for everyone to have one, nor do I trust everyone in the choir to be able to bring all the original copies of the music back to church. So, I need to make copies, which I will destroy after we're done using them (I do know about the whole copyright thing). I tried using the church library copier at the church on Sunday, and the kid who is in charge of making the copies refused to help me because it's a job that "just takes so much time." He then went back to staring at his phone. I agree that it takes time, but I was so mad! I may or may not have stormed out of the library, as I said (as politely as I could, in a signature high-pitched Mindy mad voice), "It's okay. It's okay!!!" But I was really mad. I am trying to magnify my calling, and he was making it difficult for me to do my job. Now I have to find some more time to get away from my kids and get the copies done during the week. Not impossible, but difficult and frustrating.
I came home from church on Sunday feeling completely overwhelmed by all of this, and by my huge to-do list filled with large projects, not small tasks. Projects are difficult for me because of the kids. It's hard to start anything because I never know when or if I'll be able to finish it. I'm proud to report that I have pulled-out my Accomplishment Girl Underoos, and I have been the Master of Projects this week! (If I worked at a large corporation, they were give me an award for that.) Just to prove to myself that I can get things done with my kids around, here is a short list of my accomplishments and the coincidentally super-awesome dinners we have had this week:
Sunday Evening--I picked out background music/playlists for my sister's wedding (three lists including Classical piano music, Jazz, and other easy listening songs).
Plus I made Crockpot Pork Carnitas w/ Southwest Blackbean Salad and Cilantro Lime Rice for dinner. So good!
Monday--Took the kids to the library. Took the time to get the kids and me to the store to buy a thumb drive, load my sister's music files onto the drive, and go back to the store to send it to her. I also went through my bins of kids' clothes and toys, pulled out Winter clothes for the boys, put things in give-away piles. I love getting rid of things! It feels so good!
Dinner: Chicken Noodles.
Tuesday--Took the kids to a playdate with friends. Then cleaned out the garage and put away Summer toys/tools so that Spiff can park in the garage over the Winter...you know, since it's snowing here now. Made Choir rehearsal videos.
Dinner: Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew (one of my all-time favorite recipes that I have had forever and can't find on the web)
Wednesday (today)--I did laundry, and I did the other side of the Winter Clothing job, which was to put away all of the Summer clothes and shoes and get out Winter Gear. I changed out any too-small clothes in the kids' drawers to store for later. I went through two of my own drawers and got a whole garbage bag full of things to take to Goodwill. Also got a haircut while the kids played with friends. And I finished up the choir video/emailing-links project.
Dinner: Pork Carnitas Enchiladas
Other thoughts:
1. Good food always makes me feel better about pretty much everything. I'm so glad to have the chance to eat some of my favorite foods this week.
2. The week is only halfway through. Maybe I'll be able to tackle some of my other projects.
3. Or maybe I'm tired now and need to take a break. I should do something fun with the kids.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Gunner's Fifth Birthday
My Gunner turned five last week. I can't believe how fast time is flying, and just how big he is getting. I was telling him about how I went to lunch with some good friends on my due date with him, since I wasn't in labor. I told him how those good friends' now-six-year-olds were just babies. I told him about how the next day, I was in labor all day long, and how our friend, Maggie, and her then-baby Charlotte came over to hang out with us. And about how we walked and walked and walked all over our neighborhood that day. I told him about how I called Spiff out of his evening class when I thought we needed to rush to the hospital, and about how he came right home and ate a hurried dinner before we zoomed to the hospital, only to wait and wait and wait all night long for Gunner's arrival.
How has it been five years?! It feels like only yesterday.
But G is so excited to be five. He feels like a big kid, and he feels so important. Spiff and I reveled in celebrating his birthday at this perfect stage of his life, when birthdays hold some sort of magical childhood quality. G asked for balloons on his birthday, so we got him balloons. He asked if we could decorate, so I bought him a birthday banner. He woke up to a festive house, and he exclaimed, "Oh, it's just what I wanted!" I love how such small things can bring such great joy.
We had birthday cinnamon rolls in the morning with Maggie and her kids (who are still helping us celebrate G's birthdays), followed by a trip to the local zoo, a park, and a stop at the drive-through for lunch. His friend spent the afternoon playing with him. I made him his requested birthday dinner of pork chops and vegetables (I love that he chose that over pizza). He opened presents, and we had friends over for cake and ice cream.
Such a perfect little birthday.
For me, the rest of last week was spent in birthday preparations, admittedly made more difficult than it had to be by yours truly. I did cake. And it took way too long, as it usually does because I really don't know what I'm doing. But it was mostly fun (bonus!), and Gunner truly appreciated my effort. He loved his Tintin Cake, and he even told me that it was better than the Thomas the Train cake at the grocery store bakery. So, I think that's a win.
One funny cake story:
At the very end of making this cake, I was applying the pictures to the side of the cake. I put the Yellow Plane up, and one of the little grey wing supports fell off. Those supports were grey fondant wrapped around a toothpick. When I looked at the plane, I couldn't see either of the two supports. I looked and looked for the second support, but I never found it. Eventually, I figured that it had fallen off and I had thrown it away with some other garbage, so I cut out two little grey strips to replace the other, heavier supports, and called it good.
I finished the cake, took pictures, showed it off to Gunner, posted pictures on FB, and served the cake to friends. Then late in the evening of G's birthday, after the kids were in bed, I was in the kitchen cleaning up and taking care of cake leftovers. I looked at the undisturbed picture of the yellow plane...and found my missing support sitting on top of the pontoons!!!
It's all I can see when I look at the picture now. I can't believe I couldn't find it until after everything was over. So silly!
How has it been five years?! It feels like only yesterday.
But G is so excited to be five. He feels like a big kid, and he feels so important. Spiff and I reveled in celebrating his birthday at this perfect stage of his life, when birthdays hold some sort of magical childhood quality. G asked for balloons on his birthday, so we got him balloons. He asked if we could decorate, so I bought him a birthday banner. He woke up to a festive house, and he exclaimed, "Oh, it's just what I wanted!" I love how such small things can bring such great joy.
We had birthday cinnamon rolls in the morning with Maggie and her kids (who are still helping us celebrate G's birthdays), followed by a trip to the local zoo, a park, and a stop at the drive-through for lunch. His friend spent the afternoon playing with him. I made him his requested birthday dinner of pork chops and vegetables (I love that he chose that over pizza). He opened presents, and we had friends over for cake and ice cream.
Such a perfect little birthday.
For me, the rest of last week was spent in birthday preparations, admittedly made more difficult than it had to be by yours truly. I did cake. And it took way too long, as it usually does because I really don't know what I'm doing. But it was mostly fun (bonus!), and Gunner truly appreciated my effort. He loved his Tintin Cake, and he even told me that it was better than the Thomas the Train cake at the grocery store bakery. So, I think that's a win.
One funny cake story:
At the very end of making this cake, I was applying the pictures to the side of the cake. I put the Yellow Plane up, and one of the little grey wing supports fell off. Those supports were grey fondant wrapped around a toothpick. When I looked at the plane, I couldn't see either of the two supports. I looked and looked for the second support, but I never found it. Eventually, I figured that it had fallen off and I had thrown it away with some other garbage, so I cut out two little grey strips to replace the other, heavier supports, and called it good.
I finished the cake, took pictures, showed it off to Gunner, posted pictures on FB, and served the cake to friends. Then late in the evening of G's birthday, after the kids were in bed, I was in the kitchen cleaning up and taking care of cake leftovers. I looked at the undisturbed picture of the yellow plane...and found my missing support sitting on top of the pontoons!!!
Can you see?
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Determination
Late in the afternoon the other day, Spiff declared that he needed to take Gunner out for some Daddy/Gunner time. They decided to go on a bike ride together around our mile & a half long trail that loops our neighborhood, a loop that's a little long for Hobbes to do with them.
As they got ready and headed out the door on their bikes, Hobbes was so sad to be left behind. So, I took him on a Mommy/Hobbes ride, just to appease him and avoid a Big Cry. He got ready as fast as he could, and we followed the boys out the door, Hobbes on his little Strider.
He could see them up ahead of us, and he wanted to follow. I let him lead the way. We went down our sidewalk and across the street, just like Daddy & Gunner. We went up the big hill, with our eyes on them until they hit the downhill. Hobbes followed, climbing the hill and carefully coasting the downhill until we got to the edge of our neighborhood. I asked him if he wanted to turn around and go home or keep going.
He looked out on the bike trail, looking for Gunner and Daddy, and said, "I want to keep going."
So we did. We rode the little trail, and he did such a great job. He listened to me, slowed down when I asked, watched for traffic, and rode carefully. And fast. I had to run to keep up with him.
We got about 2/3 of the way and rounded a big corner. He was so proud to get there. But when he got around the corner, looked ahead of him, and did not see Gunner and Daddy, his face fell. It was like watching a mud slide. He had honestly thought that he would catch up to them, and he was so very disappointed when he realized that he couldn't, even with his greatest effort.
I got down and told him how proud I was of him, and that he was doing a great job. And we could tell them how hard he worked when we made it home.
It perked him up okay, and we made it home, where we told Dad & Gunner all about his big accomplishment. I have never seen such an honest display of pure determination.
As they got ready and headed out the door on their bikes, Hobbes was so sad to be left behind. So, I took him on a Mommy/Hobbes ride, just to appease him and avoid a Big Cry. He got ready as fast as he could, and we followed the boys out the door, Hobbes on his little Strider.
He could see them up ahead of us, and he wanted to follow. I let him lead the way. We went down our sidewalk and across the street, just like Daddy & Gunner. We went up the big hill, with our eyes on them until they hit the downhill. Hobbes followed, climbing the hill and carefully coasting the downhill until we got to the edge of our neighborhood. I asked him if he wanted to turn around and go home or keep going.
He looked out on the bike trail, looking for Gunner and Daddy, and said, "I want to keep going."
So we did. We rode the little trail, and he did such a great job. He listened to me, slowed down when I asked, watched for traffic, and rode carefully. And fast. I had to run to keep up with him.
We got about 2/3 of the way and rounded a big corner. He was so proud to get there. But when he got around the corner, looked ahead of him, and did not see Gunner and Daddy, his face fell. It was like watching a mud slide. He had honestly thought that he would catch up to them, and he was so very disappointed when he realized that he couldn't, even with his greatest effort.
I got down and told him how proud I was of him, and that he was doing a great job. And we could tell them how hard he worked when we made it home.
It perked him up okay, and we made it home, where we told Dad & Gunner all about his big accomplishment. I have never seen such an honest display of pure determination.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Gunner Funnies
Some funny things my almost-5-year-old Gunner said recently:
Spiff told Gunner that he would be On Call tomorrow. This shows how well G knows the routine...
Gunner: So, you will work all night. Then you will come home and sleep until lunch.
While looking at a picture of the Tetons (keep in mind that Spiff took G skiing in Utah, not at the Tetons, of course):
G (said in a matter of fact tone): When dad took me skiing in the mountains, he made me go down a Teton. I went beeeeeewwwww, down so fast, and then I landed on my head in the snow.
During a discussion about money:
G: I have more money than you. I have 17 pennies and 1 dime. Um...how much is a dime? Because I have one of those.
While listening to the HMS Pinafore in the car:
G: Mom, is there a Pina-three and a Pina-two and a Pina-five?
While playing Legos one day, Gunner dive bombed us with a Lego bullet from his Star Wars Plane:
Hobbes: Stop that, Gunner!
Gunner: I can't stop. I don't really know what this thing is doing!
Last, but not least, this little story:
Gunner wrapped some green yarn around and around an area of the banister and declared that it was a spiderweb he made for Halloween. I expressed my greatest mommy pleasure at his creation.
He got all sad and said: I thought it would scare you. I made so that it would be spooky.
And later: Why didn't my spiderweb scare you?!
And later...we hung out in the kitchen for a while, ate some dinner, and then I sent him downstairs to get his jammies on. He turned around and started down the stairs.
And he said, in all seriousness: Ahh! I forgot my spiderweb was there, and it scared me!
Spiff told Gunner that he would be On Call tomorrow. This shows how well G knows the routine...
Gunner: So, you will work all night. Then you will come home and sleep until lunch.
While looking at a picture of the Tetons (keep in mind that Spiff took G skiing in Utah, not at the Tetons, of course):
G (said in a matter of fact tone): When dad took me skiing in the mountains, he made me go down a Teton. I went beeeeeewwwww, down so fast, and then I landed on my head in the snow.
During a discussion about money:
G: I have more money than you. I have 17 pennies and 1 dime. Um...how much is a dime? Because I have one of those.
While listening to the HMS Pinafore in the car:
G: Mom, is there a Pina-three and a Pina-two and a Pina-five?
While playing Legos one day, Gunner dive bombed us with a Lego bullet from his Star Wars Plane:
Hobbes: Stop that, Gunner!
Gunner: I can't stop. I don't really know what this thing is doing!
Last, but not least, this little story:
Gunner wrapped some green yarn around and around an area of the banister and declared that it was a spiderweb he made for Halloween. I expressed my greatest mommy pleasure at his creation.
He got all sad and said: I thought it would scare you. I made so that it would be spooky.
And later: Why didn't my spiderweb scare you?!
And later...we hung out in the kitchen for a while, ate some dinner, and then I sent him downstairs to get his jammies on. He turned around and started down the stairs.
And he said, in all seriousness: Ahh! I forgot my spiderweb was there, and it scared me!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Hobbes Funnies
Here are some funny things my little 2 1/2 year old Hobbsie has been saying lately:
Hobbes loves motorcycles and said this after finding the new motorcycle-themed library books I brought home for him:
I dreamed this motorcycle!
While wrestling with Hobbes one day:
Me: Look at this tiny bummie you have!
H: I had a tiny bummie? You had a big bummie, Mama.
On one of Spiff's Call Days:
Hobbes: Where's Daddy, Mama?
Me: He's at work.
H: No, he's not. He's at home. He's sleeping.
Once while encouraging Hobbes at the potty:
Me: Good job, Hobbsie!
H: You're Welcome.
Hobbes says to me while getting ready to go out to play:
H: Please help me my shoes, Sweetie.
Sleeptalking:
H: Tank you gidding me a bandang, Mom. (Thanks for giving me a bandaid.)
While playing with Lego guys:
H: Can you make a dork, Mom? Can you make a big dork?
Playing with Lego guys on a Lego plane:
H: They're flying outing their hats on!
Famous Phrases:
Don't go outing me!!! (Don't go without me!)
He hadding the tiny yellow doom doom. (He has the small gray axe.)
Hobbes loves motorcycles and said this after finding the new motorcycle-themed library books I brought home for him:
I dreamed this motorcycle!
While wrestling with Hobbes one day:
Me: Look at this tiny bummie you have!
H: I had a tiny bummie? You had a big bummie, Mama.
On one of Spiff's Call Days:
Hobbes: Where's Daddy, Mama?
Me: He's at work.
H: No, he's not. He's at home. He's sleeping.
Once while encouraging Hobbes at the potty:
Me: Good job, Hobbsie!
H: You're Welcome.
Hobbes says to me while getting ready to go out to play:
H: Please help me my shoes, Sweetie.
Sleeptalking:
H: Tank you gidding me a bandang, Mom. (Thanks for giving me a bandaid.)
While playing with Lego guys:
H: Can you make a dork, Mom? Can you make a big dork?
Playing with Lego guys on a Lego plane:
H: They're flying outing their hats on!
Famous Phrases:
Don't go outing me!!! (Don't go without me!)
He hadding the tiny yellow doom doom. (He has the small gray axe.)
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
Visitors
The week after we met Spiff's family in St. Louis, they came to us at home. After the funeral, we drove straight home so Spiff could go back to work. His mom and sister toured around for a few days and eventually made their way to our house. Hobbes did an actual leap for joy when he saw them in the driveway. They spent the next few days making my kids very happy. They read to them, talked to them, played with them, told jokes with them, walked with them...everything that makes them happy. I'm sure it was quite exhausting for both CFG and Mhana because my kids didn't give them a moment's rest. But Grandmas and Aunties are the best.
While they were here, we went to the apple orchard and then baked pies. We ate delicious food together, although we didn't eat out. (Eating out is only fun occasionally, and I had had enough eating out during our previous weekend in the Lou to last me a lifetime. Or at least a month or so.) We drove to the SPAM Museum and learned all about processed meat. It was okay fun, and I loved that the SPAM Museum doesn't take itself too seriously. We stayed up late talking and enjoying being around each other. It was so so nice to have them around. So nice to be together.
Then they had to leave, and we were all sad. Gunner cried and cried, and I had to quickly think of a game plan to distract him. We invited his favorite friend over to play. Good thing he was available because that was one sad sad kid.
I love having visitors, but it's really crappy when they have to go home. It's even worse when we don't have a definite plan for when we'll see them again.
We miss them. We are grateful that they came and grateful for some wonderful memories. Sooner or later, we'll either live close enough that we can see them sometimes, or someone will finally invent that Transporter Beam and distance won't be an issue any longer.
While they were here, we went to the apple orchard and then baked pies. We ate delicious food together, although we didn't eat out. (Eating out is only fun occasionally, and I had had enough eating out during our previous weekend in the Lou to last me a lifetime. Or at least a month or so.) We drove to the SPAM Museum and learned all about processed meat. It was okay fun, and I loved that the SPAM Museum doesn't take itself too seriously. We stayed up late talking and enjoying being around each other. It was so so nice to have them around. So nice to be together.
Then they had to leave, and we were all sad. Gunner cried and cried, and I had to quickly think of a game plan to distract him. We invited his favorite friend over to play. Good thing he was available because that was one sad sad kid.
I love having visitors, but it's really crappy when they have to go home. It's even worse when we don't have a definite plan for when we'll see them again.
We miss them. We are grateful that they came and grateful for some wonderful memories. Sooner or later, we'll either live close enough that we can see them sometimes, or someone will finally invent that Transporter Beam and distance won't be an issue any longer.
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Meet Me in St. Louis
I have a confession. I have never seen that movie, even though I lived there for four years. There are tons of things to do in that city that I never did, including riding the tram up to the top of the Arch, going to Grant's Farm and the transportation museum, walking up to the top of Tower Grove Water Tower, running on Grant's Trail, or personally picking up food from Pappy's BBQ (yum!). These are all fairly classic things to do in that city, and we never made the time for any of them. Not that we didn't keep ourselves busy. We had a list of favorite places to visit/play/run, and we used them frequently.
I had a chance to rectify some (not all) of my former mistakes a week ago when my fam and I met up with Spiff's family in STL for a weekend. We met his mom, sister, and his uncle's family from CA for his Grammy's memorial service. We had such a great weekend. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm 70s. My kids were angels. We packed so much fun into three days that we were all completely exhausted every night. We did visit our old favorites, including the (World's BEST) Zoo, Pappy's lunch eaten at Tower Grove Park, Grant's Farm, Dinner at the King & I, swimming at the hotel pool, the Botanical Garden, and the Arch (still didn't ride that tram...no regrets). We saw hot air balloons in the air during the Forest Park Balloon Race (although we sadly missed the Balloon Glow because we were traveling). We drove through our old neighborhood and past our old house. I even met a friend for a my first run on Grant's trail. We met our friends for dinner one night, and my kids had the time of their lives. Gunner declared after we left that he loves their daughter and "feels like marrying her."
Man, I love that city. I admit that there are things about it that I don't miss. It's a pretty run down urban area with a whole lot of racial segregation. It's also filled with a lot of grumpy people. I also admit that it has been nice living in a different region of the country known for its nice people. I like nice people.
But all the other stuff that I mentioned before...all that stuff...I have a deep love for it all. It is all beautiful and fun, but mostly it reminds me of good times during Spiff's medical school, before we had kids, the years we had our babies, the years I had to get to know Grammy, the years we met so many wonderful friends...the ones who became family away from family, while we all struggled through that time together. We lived there as a couple longer than any other city. It became home, and part of me still feels that it is home.
Most of all, spending time with Spiff family was glorious. They live in Oregon, and we rarely see them. I miss them and so badly wish that my kids could have a close relationship with them. It is great to see how Gunner interacts with them now that he's a little older. He loved them both so very much this time. Hobbes, too.
And Grammy's funeral was lovely and perfect. She was in the Navy as a young woman, teaching soldiers to work machine guns. So, she was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. They gave her full Naval Military Honors. My kids were completely silent and mesmerized throughout the service; they could tell how special it was. It was impossible not to cry when the soldier knelt down in front of Spiff's Mom to present her with the folded flag.
We held an informal memorial at the grave cite where we all participated through prayers, readings, words, etc. It was so special. I sort of love funerals, as long as they are not over tragic circumstances. I love how it gives me closure. I love how they give family and friends a chance to gather together in order to celebrate the life of a loved one. I love how I have always left a funeral feeling uplifted and peaceful after communally remembering our loved one.
That wrapped up our quick weekend in STL. I wish we had had time to visit some other friends who still live there. I wish for a reunion with our friends who have moved on. But I'm filled with gratitude for a visit with family and a great reminder of a beautiful time in our little lives.
I had a chance to rectify some (not all) of my former mistakes a week ago when my fam and I met up with Spiff's family in STL for a weekend. We met his mom, sister, and his uncle's family from CA for his Grammy's memorial service. We had such a great weekend. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm 70s. My kids were angels. We packed so much fun into three days that we were all completely exhausted every night. We did visit our old favorites, including the (World's BEST) Zoo, Pappy's lunch eaten at Tower Grove Park, Grant's Farm, Dinner at the King & I, swimming at the hotel pool, the Botanical Garden, and the Arch (still didn't ride that tram...no regrets). We saw hot air balloons in the air during the Forest Park Balloon Race (although we sadly missed the Balloon Glow because we were traveling). We drove through our old neighborhood and past our old house. I even met a friend for a my first run on Grant's trail. We met our friends for dinner one night, and my kids had the time of their lives. Gunner declared after we left that he loves their daughter and "feels like marrying her."
Man, I love that city. I admit that there are things about it that I don't miss. It's a pretty run down urban area with a whole lot of racial segregation. It's also filled with a lot of grumpy people. I also admit that it has been nice living in a different region of the country known for its nice people. I like nice people.
But all the other stuff that I mentioned before...all that stuff...I have a deep love for it all. It is all beautiful and fun, but mostly it reminds me of good times during Spiff's medical school, before we had kids, the years we had our babies, the years I had to get to know Grammy, the years we met so many wonderful friends...the ones who became family away from family, while we all struggled through that time together. We lived there as a couple longer than any other city. It became home, and part of me still feels that it is home.
Most of all, spending time with Spiff family was glorious. They live in Oregon, and we rarely see them. I miss them and so badly wish that my kids could have a close relationship with them. It is great to see how Gunner interacts with them now that he's a little older. He loved them both so very much this time. Hobbes, too.
And Grammy's funeral was lovely and perfect. She was in the Navy as a young woman, teaching soldiers to work machine guns. So, she was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. They gave her full Naval Military Honors. My kids were completely silent and mesmerized throughout the service; they could tell how special it was. It was impossible not to cry when the soldier knelt down in front of Spiff's Mom to present her with the folded flag.
We held an informal memorial at the grave cite where we all participated through prayers, readings, words, etc. It was so special. I sort of love funerals, as long as they are not over tragic circumstances. I love how it gives me closure. I love how they give family and friends a chance to gather together in order to celebrate the life of a loved one. I love how I have always left a funeral feeling uplifted and peaceful after communally remembering our loved one.
That wrapped up our quick weekend in STL. I wish we had had time to visit some other friends who still live there. I wish for a reunion with our friends who have moved on. But I'm filled with gratitude for a visit with family and a great reminder of a beautiful time in our little lives.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Northshore (Half) Marathon Recap
Just a quick recap of our event on Saturday. We dropped the kids off at our friend's place on the way to Duluth. They were thrilled to see their buddies. I was grateful to my friend for playing Auntie for an entire day. Hobbes wasn't too happy to let Julie help him with things, including night-time visits when he woke up crying, or in the morning. He wanted Mom, not Julie, to get him out of bed. He also didn't want to pee in her toilet. What a weird thing. He had an accident and locked himself in her bathroom because he was so upset about it. He told her, "I will pee in my mom's potty." She told him he needed to pee in her toilet or he needed to wear a diaper, which was the perfect threat to get him to relax enough to pee in someone else's toilet with someone else helping him. So weird.
Besides that, Spiff and I had a great time. We drove to Duluth, picked up our race packets, and checked out the inline skating expo. Spiff was thrilled to be in a building where there were actual speed skating vendors. It's such an obscure sport that we only know of one actual store with a business space and store hours (happens to be in SLC) where they sell inline skating supplies. Otherwise, purchases need to be made online. Pretty neat to be where the birds of his feathers could flock.
We also happened upon a fantastic Neopolitan Pizza Place where we ate dinner. That pizza was heavenly.
My half marathon was okay. Not my best. Not my favorite, either. This event was an inline skating event, and they happened to tack on a running 10K and half marathon. There were only about 100 people running the half, which is the smallest event I have participated in. It was difficult for me to not be competitive in such a small group. I wanted to be able to run faster than I was able, and I started out too fast. My first 6 miles were great (8:30 miles), and then I ran out of energy and dragged myself through the last 7 miles (9:30-10:00 miles). It was supported like a skating event. Water stops were fewer and further between. The course was beautiful, running right down the shoreline of Lake Superior into downtown Duluth, but it was a straight, almost flat run, and not the most interesting one I have ever done.
So, even though I had a good time of 1:58, it is hard for me to feel good about it because I didn't finish strong. Next time, I will train differently. I apparently care a whole lot more about speed and strength than I thought I did.
The best part of my race was being able to recover all by myself afterwards. I walked back to the hotel, got myself a vanilla steamer, took an ice bath and shower, cleaned up and checked out without having to worry about the kids or anyone else's schedule. Heaven.
Spiff had a GREAT time doing his first inline marathon. He skated a great race, all 26 miles. He felt good and finished strong, despite the strong headwind. He finished in 1:47 (faster than I have ever run a half marathon, by the way), which was 7th place in the open division. He had a lot of fun, and he wants to do it again next year.
I loved watching the speed skaters come in at the finish line, which was right in the harbor. It was beautiful (I saw a huge ore ship come in under the draw bridge, and there was also a sailing regata going on the harbor), and a ton of fun.
Besides that, Spiff and I had a great time. We drove to Duluth, picked up our race packets, and checked out the inline skating expo. Spiff was thrilled to be in a building where there were actual speed skating vendors. It's such an obscure sport that we only know of one actual store with a business space and store hours (happens to be in SLC) where they sell inline skating supplies. Otherwise, purchases need to be made online. Pretty neat to be where the birds of his feathers could flock.
We also happened upon a fantastic Neopolitan Pizza Place where we ate dinner. That pizza was heavenly.
My half marathon was okay. Not my best. Not my favorite, either. This event was an inline skating event, and they happened to tack on a running 10K and half marathon. There were only about 100 people running the half, which is the smallest event I have participated in. It was difficult for me to not be competitive in such a small group. I wanted to be able to run faster than I was able, and I started out too fast. My first 6 miles were great (8:30 miles), and then I ran out of energy and dragged myself through the last 7 miles (9:30-10:00 miles). It was supported like a skating event. Water stops were fewer and further between. The course was beautiful, running right down the shoreline of Lake Superior into downtown Duluth, but it was a straight, almost flat run, and not the most interesting one I have ever done.
So, even though I had a good time of 1:58, it is hard for me to feel good about it because I didn't finish strong. Next time, I will train differently. I apparently care a whole lot more about speed and strength than I thought I did.
The best part of my race was being able to recover all by myself afterwards. I walked back to the hotel, got myself a vanilla steamer, took an ice bath and shower, cleaned up and checked out without having to worry about the kids or anyone else's schedule. Heaven.
Spiff had a GREAT time doing his first inline marathon. He skated a great race, all 26 miles. He felt good and finished strong, despite the strong headwind. He finished in 1:47 (faster than I have ever run a half marathon, by the way), which was 7th place in the open division. He had a lot of fun, and he wants to do it again next year.
I loved watching the speed skaters come in at the finish line, which was right in the harbor. It was beautiful (I saw a huge ore ship come in under the draw bridge, and there was also a sailing regata going on the harbor), and a ton of fun.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Like a Weed
Before Gunner's Tonsillectomy, the nurse at the hospital told me that I needed to take him home that day and measure him. She warned me that after he healed, he would start sleeping better, and then he would grow. Well, I didn't measure him, but I have noticed that he is growing. It's insane! I swear that I can almost see it happening, that he is bigger today than he was yesterday. He is growing out of his clothes like crazy. He's growing, and he's getting more mature. I'm sure that the Tonsils haven't helped with the second one, but it's neat to see him hit milestones as he inches towards the big Five.
Here are some examples:
Since we didn't have tons of toys to play with today, I got out some other forms of entertainment for the kids, including some puzzles and games we haven't played with in quite a while. I was seriously impressed at Gunner's ability to do puzzles that he couldn't do all by himself six months ago.
Also, Gunner and I sat and played an entire game of Lightening McQueen Bingo. And it was fun. Actually fun! He all the sudden understands about taking turns and working towards little goals. He never got upset, and he didn't end the game by throwing a little tantrum and storming away in a huff like he often has. He even said, "I'm really enjoying myself." I'm thrilled! I love playing games, and I'm seeing a whole world of entertainment possibilities open up to me as my boy grows up a little.
---
Now a couple of funny stories:
I took the boys to Storytime at the library, and Gunner was hilarious to watch while the librarian read book. He was so into it. He loved the stories. He was one of those kids to loudly answer all of her questions. I sat there happy that he was enjoying it.
At one point, we were reading a story about a naughty little dog who makes bad choices, like deciding to eat all of the cake, or chasing the cat. After getting caught and getting into trouble, the little dog was faced with another difficult choice. The librarian asked, "What will George do?!"
Gunner yelled out, "He will change his attitude!!!"
---
After library storytime, I took the kids to a local toy store to play with their free train tables. That toy store was having their own storytime, and it was packed with people when we walked in the door.
Gunner took one look at all the kids and parents and exclaimed, "Holy Mackerel!!!"
Also, I sort of love it when my kids make other people giggle.
Here are some examples:
Since we didn't have tons of toys to play with today, I got out some other forms of entertainment for the kids, including some puzzles and games we haven't played with in quite a while. I was seriously impressed at Gunner's ability to do puzzles that he couldn't do all by himself six months ago.
Also, Gunner and I sat and played an entire game of Lightening McQueen Bingo. And it was fun. Actually fun! He all the sudden understands about taking turns and working towards little goals. He never got upset, and he didn't end the game by throwing a little tantrum and storming away in a huff like he often has. He even said, "I'm really enjoying myself." I'm thrilled! I love playing games, and I'm seeing a whole world of entertainment possibilities open up to me as my boy grows up a little.
---
Now a couple of funny stories:
I took the boys to Storytime at the library, and Gunner was hilarious to watch while the librarian read book. He was so into it. He loved the stories. He was one of those kids to loudly answer all of her questions. I sat there happy that he was enjoying it.
At one point, we were reading a story about a naughty little dog who makes bad choices, like deciding to eat all of the cake, or chasing the cat. After getting caught and getting into trouble, the little dog was faced with another difficult choice. The librarian asked, "What will George do?!"
Gunner yelled out, "He will change his attitude!!!"
---
After library storytime, I took the kids to a local toy store to play with their free train tables. That toy store was having their own storytime, and it was packed with people when we walked in the door.
Gunner took one look at all the kids and parents and exclaimed, "Holy Mackerel!!!"
Also, I sort of love it when my kids make other people giggle.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
The Two Sides of the Bed
My children confuse me. Some days are so awesome. There are days when they are such joys to be around. They have finally reached ages that they can play together, and those good days are so much fun. They follow each other around making the other one giggle. They can't be more than two feet away from each other. They still fight, but sometimes not so much on good days.
And then there are horrible days. Days when they are whiny, rude, obstinate, bored, discontent with everything we do, and they fight all day long. On those days, nothing I do seems to help, and I eventually lose all will to live...or at least all motivation to continue trying to help them. I have no idea why some days are so good, and others so so so bad. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason.
Yesterday was one of those bad days. They argued with random kids at the park. They complained about being at the grocery store. They misbehaved in the bath and then laughed at me when I got upset at them. I sent them to their room to re-shelf a pile of books while I straightened up their toy room. They briefly decided to happily work together on a project which entailed piling up ALL of their belongings onto the built-in desktop in the playroom. Every toy, dress-up, blanket, stuffed animal...all things in one giant pile of stuff.
Then the obvious next step was the destruction of that pile, which led to toys flying everywhere. Everywhere!!!
I stood there looking at that mess...at the toys that I had just barely put away in their away spots. And I could not bring myself to put any of it back where it belonged. I gathered it all up and took it all away.
I took all of their toys away.
The new rule is that they can have their toys, one bin at a time, and they must clean them up before getting anything else out. They seem completely fine with it. For this one first day, I have loved it, and my house is relatively clean. I don't know how long I'll do this, but for now, I'm happy not to have piles and piles of little toys dumped all over my house.
Today was also a Good day. Today, they were pleasant, played well together, played well with other kids (mostly), shared toys, and were content to be at home and play with the one bin of cars and planes they asked for.
I wish I could figure out what triggers a good one and what triggers a bad one. Maybe I need to be checking what side of the bed they get out of each day.
And then there are horrible days. Days when they are whiny, rude, obstinate, bored, discontent with everything we do, and they fight all day long. On those days, nothing I do seems to help, and I eventually lose all will to live...or at least all motivation to continue trying to help them. I have no idea why some days are so good, and others so so so bad. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason.
Yesterday was one of those bad days. They argued with random kids at the park. They complained about being at the grocery store. They misbehaved in the bath and then laughed at me when I got upset at them. I sent them to their room to re-shelf a pile of books while I straightened up their toy room. They briefly decided to happily work together on a project which entailed piling up ALL of their belongings onto the built-in desktop in the playroom. Every toy, dress-up, blanket, stuffed animal...all things in one giant pile of stuff.
Then the obvious next step was the destruction of that pile, which led to toys flying everywhere. Everywhere!!!
I stood there looking at that mess...at the toys that I had just barely put away in their away spots. And I could not bring myself to put any of it back where it belonged. I gathered it all up and took it all away.
I took all of their toys away.
The new rule is that they can have their toys, one bin at a time, and they must clean them up before getting anything else out. They seem completely fine with it. For this one first day, I have loved it, and my house is relatively clean. I don't know how long I'll do this, but for now, I'm happy not to have piles and piles of little toys dumped all over my house.
Today was also a Good day. Today, they were pleasant, played well together, played well with other kids (mostly), shared toys, and were content to be at home and play with the one bin of cars and planes they asked for.
I wish I could figure out what triggers a good one and what triggers a bad one. Maybe I need to be checking what side of the bed they get out of each day.
Monday, September 09, 2013
Little Update
Running:
I ran the Rochester Half Marathon a couple weeks ago, and it was very fun. It was a small event, only about 300 people, but well-run with plenty of support. The weather was beautiful, and I ran with my friend, who finished her first half. It's such a great achievement! Her husband and kids met her at the finish line, and I was so happy to see them absolutely beaming at her! It wasn't a PR or anything remotely fast, but it is always a good confirmation to me to know that I can run the distance. I'm looking forward to The Northshore Half on Saturday!
Choir:
So, it turn out that I do have some resources available to me. I took a choral conducting class while in grad school. The class was for complete beginners, and I didn't learn much, but I did get some helpful little books on choral conducting which I pulled out to remind myself about the things a good choral conductor does. I have been skipping over warm-ups because we don't have enough time to learn our songs. But warm-ups are vital to so many aspects of choral singing, and I have vowed to do them, even though it always ends up taking up at least 10 minutes.
I met with my choir yesterday and did a few warm-ups, during which I discovered that there are few choir members who are quite tone deaf. Not matching pitch at. all. It's hard for me to remember that people don't know how to do that. Probably like how people who speak French (Spiff & Mhana) don't understand how a person like me doesn't naturally internalize it when it is being spoken. I'm not quite sure what to do with that, other than to continue doing warm-ups and to continue teaching.
The whole thing is very tricky with our limited time, very diverse age differences, and varying levels of talent and musical ability. But I did decide that I need to get back to the drawing board as far as the Christmas program is concerned. I need easier songs. Like I have mentioned, easy/pretty/enjoyable arrangements are not easy to come by.
Speaking of arrangements, what are you favorite composers/arrangers who offer free online sheet music for ward choirs? And what do we all think of Sister DeFord?
I ran the Rochester Half Marathon a couple weeks ago, and it was very fun. It was a small event, only about 300 people, but well-run with plenty of support. The weather was beautiful, and I ran with my friend, who finished her first half. It's such a great achievement! Her husband and kids met her at the finish line, and I was so happy to see them absolutely beaming at her! It wasn't a PR or anything remotely fast, but it is always a good confirmation to me to know that I can run the distance. I'm looking forward to The Northshore Half on Saturday!
Choir:
So, it turn out that I do have some resources available to me. I took a choral conducting class while in grad school. The class was for complete beginners, and I didn't learn much, but I did get some helpful little books on choral conducting which I pulled out to remind myself about the things a good choral conductor does. I have been skipping over warm-ups because we don't have enough time to learn our songs. But warm-ups are vital to so many aspects of choral singing, and I have vowed to do them, even though it always ends up taking up at least 10 minutes.
I met with my choir yesterday and did a few warm-ups, during which I discovered that there are few choir members who are quite tone deaf. Not matching pitch at. all. It's hard for me to remember that people don't know how to do that. Probably like how people who speak French (Spiff & Mhana) don't understand how a person like me doesn't naturally internalize it when it is being spoken. I'm not quite sure what to do with that, other than to continue doing warm-ups and to continue teaching.
The whole thing is very tricky with our limited time, very diverse age differences, and varying levels of talent and musical ability. But I did decide that I need to get back to the drawing board as far as the Christmas program is concerned. I need easier songs. Like I have mentioned, easy/pretty/enjoyable arrangements are not easy to come by.
Speaking of arrangements, what are you favorite composers/arrangers who offer free online sheet music for ward choirs? And what do we all think of Sister DeFord?
Friday, September 06, 2013
Paste One On
I had a conversation the other day with a very nice woman at church. She told me about how she raised three musical children. Music was very important to her, and it sounded like she was extremely disciplined while her kids were young and taking music lessons. They had a strict schedule, starting at 6:30 in the morning, where they did a 30-minute rotation on three separate instruments, rotating at the end of each 30-min interval. I was very impressed and my inner piano teacher was doing a standing ovation at the thought of three serious students whose mother so thoroughly supported their lessons.
She told me that the most important thing to her was that they loved their lessons. She said that the interviewed countless piano teachers, and eventually went with the one who said to her, "If I can't make your kids love the piano within a month, I won't teach them." (That's not a promise I have ever heard any music teacher make to any student.)
She continued to describe the lessons with this woman who would teach the kids strictly by showing them how to play something. The watched what she did, and followed along, learning by rote. She didn't put paper in front of them until after they had learned something by heart to show them that what they were playing looked like "this". In this way, her children were playing things that were very advance for their level because she had simply shown them how to do it, rather than making them learn the notes.
At this point, my inner piano teacher's insides were beginning to squirm.
She continued again saying that the teacher told them, "If there is anything you don't like about the music you're playing, feel free to change it at will."
That's when I pulled out my very best Smile-and-Nod. My inner piano teacher was silently screaming and running away!
I sat there smiling, but I wanted to say, "You and your kids were getting Hosed!!! That isn't teaching! That is permissive. It's something that more closely resembles giving a grade of Crocodiles for Spelling. Of course those kids loved their piano lessons. They could do anything they wanted and get off Scott free! What a waste of time and money!"
I wanted to ask her how in the world she was okay with that, but I didn't. Apparently, my outer smile-and-nodder is much nicer than my inner piano teacher.
She told me that the most important thing to her was that they loved their lessons. She said that the interviewed countless piano teachers, and eventually went with the one who said to her, "If I can't make your kids love the piano within a month, I won't teach them." (That's not a promise I have ever heard any music teacher make to any student.)
She continued to describe the lessons with this woman who would teach the kids strictly by showing them how to play something. The watched what she did, and followed along, learning by rote. She didn't put paper in front of them until after they had learned something by heart to show them that what they were playing looked like "this". In this way, her children were playing things that were very advance for their level because she had simply shown them how to do it, rather than making them learn the notes.
At this point, my inner piano teacher's insides were beginning to squirm.
She continued again saying that the teacher told them, "If there is anything you don't like about the music you're playing, feel free to change it at will."
That's when I pulled out my very best Smile-and-Nod. My inner piano teacher was silently screaming and running away!
I sat there smiling, but I wanted to say, "You and your kids were getting Hosed!!! That isn't teaching! That is permissive. It's something that more closely resembles giving a grade of Crocodiles for Spelling. Of course those kids loved their piano lessons. They could do anything they wanted and get off Scott free! What a waste of time and money!"
I wanted to ask her how in the world she was okay with that, but I didn't. Apparently, my outer smile-and-nodder is much nicer than my inner piano teacher.
Thursday, September 05, 2013
More Choir
So, here's another choir subject: Christmas Choir Music
I am working on putting together the Christmas Sacrament Meeting Program. I really need to get the choir working on the songs, but I'm having some issues choosing music. I loved the program I put together last year. I didn't have my choir last December, so I put together four separate musical numbers to be performed during sacrament, interspersed with three short testimonies/talks. I thought it was a lovely program, filled with great music and speakers. The only downside for me was that it required a whole lot of outside rehearsal time for me. Not entirely un-doable, but tricky and time-consuming.
Since I have the choir this year, I'd like to use them. Personally, I love the Christmas hymns and most carols, and so I try to stick with that when I'm choosing music for my choir. I want everyone to have the Christmas Carol Singing experience. I have been in choirs that have done very non-traditional and unknown Christmas music, and I have left feeling unsatisfied. Granted, that was a secular college choir, not church. But I would also like to stay far away from Joe Blow's Sappy Original Christmas Compositions that are so prevalent while I look through the music filed away in the stake choir library. Those tend to leave me with the same kind of unsatisfied feelings, only worse because I don't like the songs. That's another discussion topic for another day.
I have sort of decided that I would like my choir to do two songs on the Christmas program this year. At the moment, it feels like it will be too much to ask of them, considering the things we discussed in my last post. But also, I am having an extremely difficult time finding good/beautiful arrangements that are easy enough to be accessible for them! Preferably, I'd like SAB arrangements, and there are very few of those. I feel like my current options are either a) bad songs/arrangements, or b) nice arrangements, but too hard so it won't end up sounding good. It's very frustrating.
My questions:
If you are to sing in a church choir, and you are to participate in the Christmas Sacrament Meeting program, what do you prefer to sing?
What types Christmas Programs have you enjoyed in past years? (This is keeping in mind that I'm not going to do a whole big program with narration of the Christmas story. Not my style.)
I am working on putting together the Christmas Sacrament Meeting Program. I really need to get the choir working on the songs, but I'm having some issues choosing music. I loved the program I put together last year. I didn't have my choir last December, so I put together four separate musical numbers to be performed during sacrament, interspersed with three short testimonies/talks. I thought it was a lovely program, filled with great music and speakers. The only downside for me was that it required a whole lot of outside rehearsal time for me. Not entirely un-doable, but tricky and time-consuming.
Since I have the choir this year, I'd like to use them. Personally, I love the Christmas hymns and most carols, and so I try to stick with that when I'm choosing music for my choir. I want everyone to have the Christmas Carol Singing experience. I have been in choirs that have done very non-traditional and unknown Christmas music, and I have left feeling unsatisfied. Granted, that was a secular college choir, not church. But I would also like to stay far away from Joe Blow's Sappy Original Christmas Compositions that are so prevalent while I look through the music filed away in the stake choir library. Those tend to leave me with the same kind of unsatisfied feelings, only worse because I don't like the songs. That's another discussion topic for another day.
I have sort of decided that I would like my choir to do two songs on the Christmas program this year. At the moment, it feels like it will be too much to ask of them, considering the things we discussed in my last post. But also, I am having an extremely difficult time finding good/beautiful arrangements that are easy enough to be accessible for them! Preferably, I'd like SAB arrangements, and there are very few of those. I feel like my current options are either a) bad songs/arrangements, or b) nice arrangements, but too hard so it won't end up sounding good. It's very frustrating.
My questions:
If you are to sing in a church choir, and you are to participate in the Christmas Sacrament Meeting program, what do you prefer to sing?
What types Christmas Programs have you enjoyed in past years? (This is keeping in mind that I'm not going to do a whole big program with narration of the Christmas story. Not my style.)
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
Choir
I am serving as the Music Chair and Choir Director in our ward. I was called to be the Music Chair just after moving into the ward a year ago, and had a really hard time diving in and scheduling musical numbers for sacrament meeting when I didn't know anyone, much less their musical talents and abilities. I have since become more acquainted with people, and I have a bit of a system with scheduling, and I have been able to iron out some of the initial kinks I found when just starting in the calling.
I volunteered for the Choir Director position because it seemed easier than finding someone else to fill the job. After doing both for a while now, I have realized that the two jobs are quite complementary, and I like being able to control the musical number schedule and change it at will. I like the behind-the-scenes aspect of the music chair, and being in charge of choir has been good for me. It's nice to have a creative outlet.
The down sides of the choir job are the normal obvious ones. I am working with amateur musicians. I don't have enough time to rehearse them in our short sessions. There is not a whole lot of great hymn arrangements that are beautiful and accessible to a choir of limited experience. My accompanist has very little experience accompanying a choir, and she doesn't sightread.
With all of that, the very hardest thing for me is dragging my kids along to choir rehearsal while Spiff is at work. It's super stressful having them running amok while I am leading 25 people in a rehearsal. The choir members say they don't mind, and I am grateful for that, but it is stressful for me nonetheless.
I am very aware of how lucky I am in my choir. I have ward members who support the choir. I have people who come!!! Anyone who has been in a ward choir before can relate to how important and amazing this small fact is. I have not done any huge recruiting. I haven't held any lasagna dinners. I haven't baked cookies. I haven't called everyone on the ward list. But I have 20-30 people who come to choir on a regular basis. I am so blessed.
On the other hand, most of these people have little to no musical experience. I am slowly learning the truth of this statement. I have a tendency to give them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to musical knowledge, and it is difficult for me to take the ten steps back that I need to take and give them actual musical instruction. I have two people just this last Sunday who requested that I do more teaching. A quote from one guy, "Somewhere along the way, someone taught you the tricks to make you sound good when you sing. I'd like you to teach us those tricks."
It's very true. I had excellent choir directors in high school and college. Some of the best in the business. My college choir director was amazing. He could take a bunch of kids with limited talent and turn them into a fabulous instrument. He always taught singing tricks, starting with a daily warm-up that would directly relate to the technique of a section of a piece he wanted to work on that day. He was constantly tweaking the sound and shaping it to the exact sound he was looking for. He was so very talented at teaching choir.
My problem is that I don't know how to do what he did. I am a choral singer, not a choir director. I am a piano teacher and accompanist. I have observed my teachers, I have learned some things from them, but I never took an effective choral conducting class, and my choral directing experience and vocal teaching experiences are very limited. It has been over ten years since I have been in a great choir. It is so hard for me to remember the things he taught me, much less be able to pass them on to the people I am responsible for now.
I know that I musical knowledge far surpasses anyone in the room. I know I have things to contribute. I have previously felt like I am making a pleasant experience for people. I feel like they can tell they are learning and improving, and that they can hear when they sound good. I feel like they must be enjoying something about my style because they keep coming back.
But now I feel inadequate. How do I step back and start with technical basics for those who honestly don't know anything about music in our very limited time frame, while giving the rest of the choir an interesting experience they will enjoy? Do I just assume that no one there knows anything about singing and music?! Do I continue to give them the benefit of the doubt? How do I channel my inner choral director (my inner Scott Anderson) when I have done nothing but be with my babies for the past five years?
I volunteered for the Choir Director position because it seemed easier than finding someone else to fill the job. After doing both for a while now, I have realized that the two jobs are quite complementary, and I like being able to control the musical number schedule and change it at will. I like the behind-the-scenes aspect of the music chair, and being in charge of choir has been good for me. It's nice to have a creative outlet.
The down sides of the choir job are the normal obvious ones. I am working with amateur musicians. I don't have enough time to rehearse them in our short sessions. There is not a whole lot of great hymn arrangements that are beautiful and accessible to a choir of limited experience. My accompanist has very little experience accompanying a choir, and she doesn't sightread.
With all of that, the very hardest thing for me is dragging my kids along to choir rehearsal while Spiff is at work. It's super stressful having them running amok while I am leading 25 people in a rehearsal. The choir members say they don't mind, and I am grateful for that, but it is stressful for me nonetheless.
I am very aware of how lucky I am in my choir. I have ward members who support the choir. I have people who come!!! Anyone who has been in a ward choir before can relate to how important and amazing this small fact is. I have not done any huge recruiting. I haven't held any lasagna dinners. I haven't baked cookies. I haven't called everyone on the ward list. But I have 20-30 people who come to choir on a regular basis. I am so blessed.
On the other hand, most of these people have little to no musical experience. I am slowly learning the truth of this statement. I have a tendency to give them the benefit of the doubt when it comes to musical knowledge, and it is difficult for me to take the ten steps back that I need to take and give them actual musical instruction. I have two people just this last Sunday who requested that I do more teaching. A quote from one guy, "Somewhere along the way, someone taught you the tricks to make you sound good when you sing. I'd like you to teach us those tricks."
It's very true. I had excellent choir directors in high school and college. Some of the best in the business. My college choir director was amazing. He could take a bunch of kids with limited talent and turn them into a fabulous instrument. He always taught singing tricks, starting with a daily warm-up that would directly relate to the technique of a section of a piece he wanted to work on that day. He was constantly tweaking the sound and shaping it to the exact sound he was looking for. He was so very talented at teaching choir.
My problem is that I don't know how to do what he did. I am a choral singer, not a choir director. I am a piano teacher and accompanist. I have observed my teachers, I have learned some things from them, but I never took an effective choral conducting class, and my choral directing experience and vocal teaching experiences are very limited. It has been over ten years since I have been in a great choir. It is so hard for me to remember the things he taught me, much less be able to pass them on to the people I am responsible for now.
I know that I musical knowledge far surpasses anyone in the room. I know I have things to contribute. I have previously felt like I am making a pleasant experience for people. I feel like they can tell they are learning and improving, and that they can hear when they sound good. I feel like they must be enjoying something about my style because they keep coming back.
But now I feel inadequate. How do I step back and start with technical basics for those who honestly don't know anything about music in our very limited time frame, while giving the rest of the choir an interesting experience they will enjoy? Do I just assume that no one there knows anything about singing and music?! Do I continue to give them the benefit of the doubt? How do I channel my inner choral director (my inner Scott Anderson) when I have done nothing but be with my babies for the past five years?
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