Last week of April

This week marks the one year anniversary of my blog. I actually kept it going for a whole year, that's cool! I plan to keep it going forever I suppose, no matter how boring life ever gets.

I am, however, late posting this weekend. But that's OK I guess. It's been an uneventful, restful weekend though. Last weekend was Riverfest. We took Tanner and Drew down to the daytime activities on Washington Street. There didn't seem to be a whole lot of kid stuff this year, Tanner was a bit disappointed. He did get to do the bungee swing thing, but they did not have the rock climbing that he likes so much. We spent about an hour figuring out what food we wanted and getting it, then about an hour waiting in line for the bungee swing, then we were ready to go. Saturday night we went to the block party to see Deadly7th and some other friends of ours that were in town. We had a good time, but it all made for a weekend with no rest.

The week at school was the usual I guess. Tuesday evening we had the band photo shoot at the warehouse. We had a lot of fun dressing up, that's for sure. I took Tanner with us because there was no WAY we could have a "costume party" without him joining in - he loves to dress up funny. A good friend of ours who is a photographer did the photos, and they turned out terrific. We're getting to order some for incredible prices also. (Rusty gives him free guitar lessons.) Anyway, these are some of our pics! We're supposed to look like 80's rockers and I think we pulled it off pretty darn good lol.

Rusty took a few days off this week to regain some sanity I think lol. I worked on through. I took Tyler to the Dr. on Friday to get his physical for football. I just did NOT want to go to the free one at 8 am Saturday morning and wait in line 2 hours again. Thursday Ken and Connor came over for a visit and Ken got Tyler's computer going again.

We keep our dog on a really long runner out back. We have a big pole in the back of the yard, and a line running from it to the house with him attached to it. About once a year the line will break or something. But this week he snapped the entire POLE in half. Now we have to somehow get another pole up. The dog is STRONG, I tell ya.

Friday when I got home from work, Rusty had gone by himself and bought steaks and had them laid out for grilling, and he had bought Tanner this Spiderman toy he's been wanting. A few days off does him good, I say! Friday night we just hung around at home. Saturday we went to Jackson to get some guitar cables and we looked around Northpark a bit. Thought we were having band practice, but ended up not. We threw the diet out the window and ate some pizza, then later that night we went on a binge and ate MORE pizza and some chocolate doughnuts and cinnamon rolls lol. Then Sunday morning, I had LOST 2 pounds. Go figure.

Tyler had a good week in football. He's not liking being the "freshman" though. The older guys are doing a lot of that "you little freshman punk" stuff. They crack on him, telling him if he works hard enough he might make 3rd string! It TOTALLY irritates him because he intends to be a starter! So it's been kind of a roller coaster week for him in spring training. One day, he hates it all and everybody sucks! Then the next day he's happy because he got to show his skills and the coaches noticed him and he got to get some hits in on some of those big mouth older guys. There was a coach from USM at school one day, checking out a couple of the guys that will be seniors. The guy was going around and talking to teachers throughout the day about these guys. I was glad Tyler saw that - that the coaches want input from the TEACHERS. Then that afternoon at spring training, the coach was there also and Tyler said he was giving it his ALL hoping the coach would notice HIM too lol.

Tanner got tested for the Gifted and Talented program at school (GATES). He was so happy! We won't know for a couple of weeks if he actually made it or not. I hope so, but I'm not building it up real big. He's extremely smart and I know he's smart enough to get in. But, he's always been so YOUNG in comparison to the other kids his age, so I just don't know if his maturity level let him score quite high enough. But just the fact that he has done well enough this year to get to take the test is satisfying enough to me.

The latest thing on myspace is trading recipes amongst each other lol. We're still having fun with that.

We ended up no having band practice this weekend after all. So that means we'll be practicing Monday and Tuesday evenings this week. But it's been nice not having anything to do this weekend. State testing is this week at school, which means a lot of standing and walking around for me. But it's "quiet" standing and walking around, so it might be a nice little break of sorts.

Mid-April

Because of the way I posted last week, my post didn't go out in email. So I reposted it. So if you get 2 emails from my blog this week, that's why. Just wanted to make sure everyone sees my pictures from last week!

Last Saturday night we went to see Steve's other band play at the Loft. They did really good, we had a good time as well. Saturday evening I felt a bit of a sore throat. And by Sunday morning I KNEW. So I got Rusty to take me to the emergency room and sure enough, I had strep. I went to the ER because there was no way in heck I was going to sit in pain til Monday morning. I got a nice shot and something for the pain and swelling. By Monday I was well enough to go to work, and by Wednesday I was all better. Sunday evening Mom said Blake's throat hurt and it just looked to me like he had the same thing, so he went to the ER that night as well and got his shot lol. I wonder if we got it from each other on Easter or something lol. And I found out today a lady I work with is in ICU with strep throat! Geez! She's only in her 40's I think. But how bad does strep throat get that you go into ICU????

Seems Chris and the boys have moved in with Mom this week. I'm looking very forward to seeing a lot more of them. I'm already making plans in my head lol. We miss them all the time. I'm going to drag my brother around with the band and make him carry my keyboards lol. When he's off work, at least. Hey, he could be the body guard too, then we'd look like we're hot stuff or something lol.

I can't say that too much has gone on this week. Band practice was excellent Sunday, even though I was hurting and doped up feeling. Tanner got in trouble twice this week at school and Rusty has come down on him big time. He can't keep his mouth shut in class - imagine that. Tyler has been working hard trying to impress the coaches and I think he is succeeding. The coaches were carrying on about how hard they're going to work everybody - trying to make the weak ones quit now before Spring Training hits. Tyler told them he would not quit unless HELL FREEZES OVER lol. They got a kick out of that. Now everyday they pass by him and ask him if hell has gotten any colder yet? He says NO!!!! Can't wait til the Fall.

We're still doing the myspace thing off and on, catching up with people. Except I think I'm gonna have to make mine private lol. One of our 6th graders told me the other day he had seen my myspace. And then on some questionnaire last week it asked "what irritates you" and I said "90%of the people I work with". A girl I work with is on my friends list and she asked me MOnday who irritates me lol. So I guess I better not mention work on there anymore. And should probably make it private so the goofy little pre-teens won't be snooping through my life lol.

We've done hardly anything but work on music all week. We have shows set for May 18, May 26, June 10ish, and July20-21 I think. I'm really having fun, but it is totally consuming my time right now. Sitting down to write the blog, I've realized just how MUCH time I've spent on it this week - and nothing else. I'll be glad when we know everything we have to know and just have to run through it a time or two each week. By the end of May, the "new" band (us) should be on the web site so I'll post the web site then.

This weekend is Riverfest. We're going to go to the Saturday night part and see Rusty's old band play and meet up with some friends that we haven't seen in a long time. I'm going to take Tanner to the day time stuff on Saturday. Then Sunday - back to the grind at band practice. It's going to be a busy weekend. But perhaps I'll take some pictures.

2nd week of April - lots of pics!

I got out the calendar this week to do my yearly final countdown. We have exactly 6 more weeks of school. Soon I can start counting the DAYS.



Last weekend band practice went well again, but was kinda short compared to usual. We are accomplishing SO much more and SO much faster than we had been in that other arrangement. It's kinda fast-paced, but I'm actually enjoying it that way better. It's quite possible our first time to play will be May 12, so things are about to get MUCH faster I believe. And I heard word today that the class of '87 has requested us to play for their 20 year reunion this summer.

Saturday night Terri and Donnie and the kids came for a visit, and some other friends of all of ours - James, Norma, and daughter ended up visiting also for Rusty to set up their daughter's guitar. I had gone out and bought a bunch of hair products to see if it is possible for me to achieve "BIG HAIR" like I used to could. So we ALL ended up having a "BIG HAIR" night, like a bunch of crazy folks lol. Our friends' 18 year old daughter had a blast trying to 80's up my hair, she did pretty good too. We had a lot of fun, even got Donnie and Tyler to be good sports! Rusty didn't much like what I did to his, but I thought it was awesome lol. Here are some pics of our "artwork":



















































Boy oh boy!


So........the next day was Easter. The Easter bunny came. And Tanner hid eggs around the house for US to find. He got a kick out of that. They got lots of candy, but Tyler got mostly low carb candy and beef jerky and stuff. He's been doing darn good on his diet, he's lost 10 pounds in the last couple of weeks. He has more willpower than I do for sure. He opted out of our Pizza Hut night and he also resisted our cookie binge we all had a couple of Thursdays ago. He's determined to tone his whole body up. We went to Rusty's Dad's house for a short Easter egg hunt. Tanner didn't want to hunt eggs there, all he wanted to do was play with a little puppy someone had brought. So he just wagged the puppy around for a couple of hours. Then we went to my mom's house for Easter there. Chris and his kids were there, was so great to see them and hang out with them! We miss seeing them. Seems like we used to see them every other weekend at least. The big boys had fun hiding the eggs for Brooke and Tanner to find.

















































Thursday our family portraits that we had made at Ernest's church were in. I intended to get just a few. I didn't buy them ALL, but bought more than I expected I would. They turned out pretty decent, in spite of all that trouble I had making everybody go up there and do it. And here they are:












































Today (Friday) was Field Day at my school. The good thing was I had no classes. BUT - I had to spend the whole day outside helping the coach run everything which was fun but tiring. Tanner was afraid his teacher was not going to let him participate because he's been talking too much in class. But she had pity on him and let him participate. He was SO happy. They all LOVE the tug-of-war part the most, it's the highlight event. So once the 4th grade tug-of-war began, Tanner's teacher couldnt' stand it - she had to jump in there herself and help lol. The other class yelled cheating! So they went again, and she STILL jumped in, so the teacher in the other class jumped in with her class. Then the nurse jumped in on the side of Tanner's class. Then some big parent jumped in for the other class. So, well, then I just jumped in on Tanner's class too, what the heck. Tanner's class ended up winning the 4th grade tug-of-war, but the other class is still hollering "cheaters!" They did have a good time though, most of all. Tonight Tanner is spending the night with his cousin Connor so he should have a good time.



































I guess that's about it for this week. Next week I hope to get some rest. lol.

April Fools Week

Another week like the last one.

Big Hair Affair rehearsed again last weekend, still going great! It looks like the new line up (Rusty's folks) will step in as the actual band starting in mid-May or late May. However, it is looking as if the actual band is going to include me as the keyboard player cuz the other guy kinda wants to get out cuz he doesn't have time for it. So hmmmmmmm. Not sure how I feel on that yet. I don't like being on stage and being nervous and everybody looking at me and what if something screws up........and on and on. It's much easier to be the audience dancing and watching lol. But we will see what happens. We are scheduled to take band photos in about a week and a half and we all have to be dressed up 80's style. I have no idea what I'll put on. I know yall can't wait to see those pics lol.

We didn't end up doing a real restaurant night this time, but we did get some Pizza Hut last weekend. We've had some medical and dental expenses this week that were kinda costly, so we opted to make the Pizza Hut our restaurant night due to circumstances lol. I got my filling replaced and got the dog to the vet. The vet was nearly $200 alone! Rusty had a tooth pulled on Thursday as well. And as if that weren't enough.........

About 3 weeks ago this thing appeared on my nose. Just a round red spot. It stayed there, never got better, never got worse, didn't hurt, didn't itch, didn't nothing. Well I got worried about it and couldn't stop. I got our friend Lisa to come over and see what she thought (since her daughter had skin cancer last year) and she said it did NOT look like her daughter's, but that they all look different. So finally on Wednesday I went to the dermatologist. He didn't seem worried about it at all. Said it did not look like skin cancer. He said it was a ......asdl;fkawoipagh....??? Some fancy name that I did not catch. But basically it's a blood vessel that has come up to the skin surface and it's harmless, only a cosmetic problem. It's a random thing that people get, and it does not go away unless you get laser surgery to have it removed. So he referred me to the oral surgeon - because he is the only person in town who has this special laser remover thing. So I guess next week I'm supposed to schedule a consultation with the oral surgeon to see what it would cost me to have it removed. Incidentally, the oral surgeon is a guy I dated in high school. lol. Should be interesting.

Brooke came to town! Woohoo! She went to Mom's on Tuesday to stay til I think Saturday. Tanner has been there with her ever since. I let him miss school on Wednesday and Thursday to spend time with her and Papaw so I'm sure he's been in heaven. I have not seen him in several days, missing him!

Tuesday evening was my honor choir concert, it went well. Then me and Terri and Micheal rode to bonko together, getting there a bit late. All was fun, but was a tiring evening. Wednesday me, Rusty, and Tyler were just kinda sitting looking at each other - the place sure is quiet without Tanner there. Gosh, I don't know WHAT we'll do when these kids grow up and leave us. It's going to SUCK.

Rusty and I continued to work on songs every night. I haven't watched TV in a couple of weeks. Been working on music. I guess that's not such a bad thing. This week at work was INSANITY. I'm sure no one wants to hear it. I only truly worked 2 days. Stayed home Monday for dentist appt. Tuesday I was gone on the honor choir field trip. So Wednesday and Thursday were it, and I assure you it was ENOUGH. Teachers have had enough of kids. Kids have had enough of each other. Teachers have had enough of each other. Everyone in a pissy mood all week as spring, Easter, and the full moon have all collided into one week lol.

Thursday evening Terri came over with the kids, even though Tanner wasn't here Tyler was begging for them to come over lol. Terri and I topped off the crappy week with a couple o' Diet Coke and Rums and lots of conversation. Rusty was taking medication for tooth pain, and we had a really fun time messing with him. It's like seeing him in slow motion.

Today is Friday and me and the kids are off work. Tanner is still at Mom's. Tyler and I have been working on the yard since early this morning. My neighbor is already mowing his yard for the 2ND time this spring and we've just gotten around to our 1ST. But what can we say, we're busy folks I guess. Here is a picture of a guy who TRULY enjoys his work:
Here is my high dollar puppy dog - cost me a ton this week!

Also, I found this picture on my camera from a couple of weekends ago. Rusty and Donnie behaving like mature grown men lol. The kids got a real kick out of it. I think Donnie would win with the shotgun over the light saber, hands down:

This weekend is Easter. Big Hair Affair rehearses on Saturday, then Terri & co. are supposed to come hang out Saturday night. Sunday we go to Rusty's Dad's and then on to Mom's house for Easter there. We are out of school on Monday as well, and I'll probably rest and catch up on housework!!!! Then we begin that final stretch - from Easter til the last day of school. Woohoo!!!