Oh the Funny things they say...

You know how you just have to chuckle when you "little" kids say the funniest or darndest things? I've got a teenager-ism to share:

Aly is looking thru a new Delia's Catalog. It's got all the new summer clothing and swimwear. So, Aly is flipping thru the styles and continues to skim over the swim-suits. She says:

Man, I'm so glad the swim suits are SO MODEST and I have SO MANY choices to make! However will I pick one??

She was being VERY sarcastic. The issue is now in the garbage! It was very funny. On the other hand, and a bit more serious, I feel very blessed to have a beautiful daughter (make that two....well, make that four!) who chooses to be modest and knows the difference.

My Comfort Zone

I wonder, sometimes, when we are too old to get out of our "comfort zone". You know, the rut that we are very comfortable in, no matter what role we are in.....mother, sister, student, volunteer, etc. For the past few weeks, I have been WAY OUT of my comfort zone. I have been involved in the Gilbert Fine Arts Youth Production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. This is my 2nd year of teaching the music to the Ensemble. This is something I actually enjoy doing. The first year was a little rough, but they gave me a 2nd chance and I was more confident this year.

BUT

They asked me to also be a part of the Orchestra "Pit" this year. Since the pit is small, most of the string instruments are played on the keyboards along with any other reed instruments needed.

I ended up playing the 1st and 2nd string violins, the Bass Clarinet and the Bari Sax. Now, this may seem easy, right? But the Bass Clarinet and Bari Sax are played in different keys. Meaning, when you play a "c", you are actually hearing a "Bb" or an "Eb" depending on the instrument. Unfortunately for me, this has caused great undermining of my natural talent. I play a Bb on the keyboard and hear a "C" and get VERY confused. I have practiced and practiced and still make the most idiotic errors when in performance. I had no idea that musical scores for Musicals were SO FLIPPIN' difficult. I'm in a key with 6 sharps, playing in 4/4 time, then 4 measures later I'm in a key of 1 flat, playing in cut time, then swapping instruments and playing in a whole new key altogether. It has really stretched my playing level and helped me to realize that I need to practice more. I really don't want to lose the talents I know I have been blessed with, but this was one of the most difficult, humbling things I have done in a VERY long time! For the first time, I have actually considered quitting a task I committed to do. Don't worry, I said "considered".....very seriously, but I wouldn't. It's just not in my nature.

I don't think they will ask me to do this again!

AND....I will more fully appreciate the orchestra pit when I enjoy my next musical!!

PS: My family has been wonderful while I have been at rehearsals and performances. No complaining.....dishes done, dinner fended on their own for two weeks. I LOVE THEM!!

Happy Birthday Aly!!

To our beautiful baby....you are seventeen and still beautiful. Who would have thought that this little bundle of joy.........

could still light up a room, make so many feel like they are her best friends, and still be SPOILED rotten. I guess that is the perk of being the baby in the family. Here's a few pictures to tell the story of our amazing daughter:

Aly still loves to play soccer. Sure, she is a little bit, just a little bit more aggressive (RIGHT)! We love watching her play and cringing every time she is knocked down...which is ALOT!!



She loves her cousins. They do crazy things together. Since it is her birthday, I will NOT post the pictures of facials and other embarrassing photos. But, if you know Aly, you know that she is a blast to be around, and can make you laugh at almost anything she does!


Aly actually has a pet peeve. It's quite unusual...but a small one. Aly doesn't like Birthday Bags!! She is quite adamant in asking that her presents be wrapped! So, each year, she receives a festive bundle of packages!




Family is everything to Aly. Her best friend is her sister. How many people can say that? She loves her mom and dad and is always trying to do the right thing. She pulls out a comb to comb her dad's hair (one of his most favorite things in the world, I might add), she organizes and cleans for her mom when she notices that her mom is a little on the frazzled side! She makes her sister's bed, and we all know that she can text the funniest of lines or a simple "I love YOU" to make our day a little brighter.

I can't imagine our family without a bit of sunshine each day. Aly is always smiling, always looking out for the underdog..she is ONE in a million!!

LOVE YOU ALY!!

Happy 17th Birthday!!!!!!!!!

More Valentine's Activities

OK...to get the best story...start from the post, "Happy Valentine's Day and read this post LAST:

Our monthly chore of mowing MD Park, was today, on Valentine's day. Here is our trooper...doin' her thing!

Valentine Activities

Here is Brad's take on my wonderful Valentine's "surprise":

Don't we love that our Dad knows how to use the camcorder??

Wait for the next post!!

Happy Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day. I have so many people that I love! I hope they all know how much they are appreciated and loved. Yes, I'm talking about you! Well, my hubby did it again. He always comes up with something cute, and personal. Just another reason I love this man....and he's MINE!!

Presentation IS Everything!!

Jacque is in school pursuing her minor right now, which is Health and Wellness. (She is just waiting to see if she is accepted into the Nursing school at ASU, but needed so many credits to keep her scholarship) Thursday and Friday, she went to a seminar for her classes. Her last class was on Food and Stress, taught by a professional chef. She was excited to share the yummy recipes that she tried. Now, most of you know that cooking isn't one of Jacque's all time passions. She would rather...not! BUT, lately, she has been putting on the apron a little bit more and Friday night we were treated to a very delicious dinner.

She started out with a mixture of avocado and mandarin orange juice. Quite a combination, but she kept going. Blanching tomatoes, searing salmon and roasting red potatoes....it was smelling divine in no time. But sometime, ask her the difference between an organic avocado and a regular one!!
Then it was time to put it all together. Grampy, you would be SO proud. Presentation became everything as she would not let us taste or just scoop it up. Everything looked great. And it tasted even better...no actually, it was wonderful! We learned a few things, we ate well and had a great time. Boy, I love those college classes!!

January Goals....Accomplished!

Remember the post about January Goals?
http://denasday2day.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-year-new-thoughts-new-goals.html for reference

I broke down my goals into 2 spiritual goals, 1 physical, 2 family/scrap goals. My retrospection of these goals and looking at them DAILY helped me when I would lose my focus. My spiritual goals are ongoing....meaning....I still need to work on them until they become a daily part of my life. I'm not quite there yet, but a more detailed look at these goals helps me to realize that these are the most important, yet sometimes, the last to accomplish. Hopefully, this coming month I will be more on track. I guess my physical goal is also ongoing. I DID accomplish this goal, but again, need to keep on track, make a few tweaks and be positive.

My Family goals I can share in detail. One was to get my journal updated from all my notes and blog entrys from 2006 to the present.....done! The other was to complete a scrapbook of our wonderful trip to Florida this past summer. At 11:58 p.m. on Jan. 31st, I accomplished this goal. WHEW!!

In one of my college classes we are re-assessing how we learn, how we respond and how we sabatoge ourselves and the success we dream about. I thought I would share the following:

"You always have to focus in life on what you want to achieve"......Michael Jordan

"You've got to put down on paper the ten things you absolutely have to do. That's what you concentrate on. Everything else - forget it"....Lee Iacocca

"It is not enough to be busy...the question is: what are we busy about?"....Henry David Thoreau

On to February!!