A Healthy Dose of Perspective

I love this story. I have read it many times and will read it again many times. It helps to be reminded to stop and smell the roses (or listen to Bach).

Violinist in the Subway

Who is he?

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Goodbye 2008. And good riddance, I'd say.

Don't get me wrong. 2008 had its high points. But there were soooooo many low points. Even some of the high points had their drawbacks and annoyances.

Cest la vie, it's over. And a new year is here, and I'm looking forward to it. I have some big goals this year, and I can't wait to see them happen.

My Christmas trip was very, very good. It was probably the high point of the year (since my shower wasn't technically working until New Year's Day, I can't list it among my 2008 highs, although it really started the year out with a big smile).

We went to Heidi's wedding on the 20th. Very pretty, and it was awesome to just get to see her again, let alone share in such a special day. We then went to Arkansas to visit Bryan's brother and his family. It's always refreshing to visit them. Their faith is a renewal to my spirit every time I'm around them. And, of course, their children have grown like weeds since we saw them last, and they're so smart and so cute!

On our way to see my Grandma for Christmas we stopped at Graceland. I've always been an Elvis fan, but visiting what was once his home has renewed my interest in his music. I also realized that I don't think I've ever seen one of his movies. I'll be remedying that shortly.

Christmas at Grandma's was fun and relaxing. I loved seeing all my relatives and getting caught up with them. And I especially enjoyed getting to know my cousins' kids. They're around the same age as mine, and I remember growing up with my cousins and how special they still are to me. I'm hoping the new generation grasps the importance of family like my family impressed upon me, and takes advantage of the little time they have with their cousins when we do get to visit them.

I'm looking forward to 2009. I can't wait to see what is in store. I have had a glimpse and I'm very excited about it.

Alan, Everett, and Benny, you guys will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, my friends.

Happy New Year!

Bah humbug?

Why does it seem like every time I turn around there's someone that's seriously injured? I've heard of three reports just this afternoon. It puts a damper on the Christmas season when you have people you know in the hospital.

I'm trying so hard to get into the Christmas spirit. I make sure my radio is tuned to KSBJ so I can listen to Christmas music. I've gone Christmas shopping. I've been planning my Christmas trip. But I'm still not really there.

I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday. So why does it seem that the past few years I haven't been able to feel it? Is it because I don't decorate?

That's it, I'm splurging on a tree next year. I don't care, I'll save my pennies. I want a really tall one, like the 12-footers. My house can handle it. I want a light-up star and twinkling rainbow lights. I want to drag all my decorations out and wrap my staircase in holly. I want to set out all my cutesy little Christmas things. And I want to do it all while wearing an apron, singing Christmas carols, and baking cookies. Like I did a few years ago. Before the Christmas spirit started evading me.

So, Merry Christmas! I'm going to turn on some carols now and try to find my Zen center in the sparkling world of non-bah-humbuginess.

Once-A-Monther

Why is it that when a crisis happens, I have to deal with it?

Don't get me wrong, I am competent and smart. But I am not a plumber. Therefore, when the hot water pipe burst under the sink and flooded my kitchen this afternoon, it meant that I couldn't fix it right away.

Which means that I spent my afternoon with a shop vac, mopping up the lake in my kitchen and dining room. And that I had to turn off the water in the house until it's fixed. And under my sink smells musty. Yuck.

I don't have time for this.

On the good side, though, I got my errands finished early, so I was actually home when this happened. It could have been SOOO much worse. Imagine coming home to a completely flooded house... umm... yeah. No, thanks. I definitely do not have time for THAT.

So, thus begins my preparations for our Christmas trip. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Hell in a Hand Basket

I can't stand to watch the news anymore. Thank goodness I don't watch TV. Because honestly, even going into the gas station and seeing the news there makes me want to vomit.

I'm thinking the direction our country/world is going is a recipe for a horrible ulcer for me. I can't get into it, because I'm tired of my blood pressure skyrocketing.

Neglectful

Wow, my poor blog. It has gone so unattended, that the weeds are waist high now. And it's all Facebook's fault. Because it's just so darn easy to be nosy on there, and see what everyone's doing, and let everyone else know what I'm doing. Minute to minute. Status updates. You know.

I'm sorry. There's really too much to write about. Remodeling, staying at friends' for a week, sickness and more sickness, organizing and cleaning, and the death of a friend. And that's just in the past 3 weeks, I believe. I'm so busy I really shouldn't be typing this, I've got a million things I should be doing.

So come find me on Facebook, it's easier to keep up with me there!

Where have all the bands gone?

Or cowboys, whatever...

Is it just me, or have marching bands taken an artistic twist? It's cool that they're playing classics and more contemporary genres, but really...

I'm used to marching bands ENTERTAINING. Most were very... well...

You'd have to be a musician to appreciate what they were playing.

I am, thankfully, but I couldn't help but feel for the people in the football audiences who aren't. I mean, Lizst is something they make before grocery shopping for a tailgate party, not a composer. But maybe I just came from a totally awesome marching band. In high school, our shows were things like the Beatles, Santana, things people would recognize from the stands.

Although band directors are still, very predictably, making the guard run cross-field on a whim. That's a comfort to know that some things never change.

That aside, I really enjoyed all the performances tonight, and I'm endlessly proud of my students. Such good form! Yay!

So this is what it means to be a soccer mom

Mom told me my life would change when Izzy was in school. Boy, did it!

I no longer have my precious angel around during the day. Instead, I have a to-do list about a mile and a half long, and obligations almost every night of the week. Yikes!

On top of everything else, our remodel is taking up a lot of time. Who knew I would spend a week looking at bathroom lighting fixtures? I feel like the stereotypical housewife spending months trying to pick out the perfect drapes. It's not that far off of a comparison, you know.

I'm also starting a Girl Scout troop with my fabulous leader Jenn (yeah, that's going to be interesting). Jenn... Jen... (two heads turn) What? And who knew how much work THAT would involve as well?!

I'm also training to be a "Money Map Coach", or one-on-one budget counselor, for Crown Ministries. It takes up more time than I thought it would on studying and research. It has also prompted me to reevaluate my financial situation, take new stock of our assets, and make some changes hopefully for the better. But this also involves time!

So my week consists of Fort Bend ISD Band Night, teaching, Girl Scout leader meeting, Girl Scout Parent Meeting, iScrap (if I can get it together before then), Izzy's birthday, and Izzy's birthday party, which are not on the same day. And somewhere in there I have to make room for maintenance like laundry and straightening, and I'd like to get our master bedroom cleaned out. Oh, yeah, and I'm making our costumes for the Harvest Party. Because I'm picky. And I honestly thought I would have time to make them myself.

Ha.

I need a drink. Tommy, anyone?

Let there be light!

And... *sigh of relief* we have power.

We escaped for the weekend to my Mom's, because the heat in Houston doesn't mix well with tempers because of a week with no power and no A/C. And no hot baths. And no cooked food. I, for one, blame the sodium levels in all the canned food. That stuff's just not healthy.

It was an interesting ride. I'm glad it's over.

But I'm still praying that those in Houston who still don't have power get it soon, because frankly all of Houston has lost its friggin' mind. I'm tired of people with short tempers, venom spilling from normally reasonable mouths (or keyboards), and drivers with a death wish.

But Izzy's back in school and things can return to semi-normalness. Which means busy. The two weeks of lessons I had to miss because of the hurricane I now have to schedule makeup lessons for, they rescheduled everything I had planned to take place within the next 2 weeks. Oh, joy.

So, here's some pictures to tide you over until normalcy resumes:

Izzy and Eli got all dolled up for the hurricane party


The boys boarded up the houses for us


I don't think that tree is SUPPOSED to lean like that...


Typical minimal damage in our neighborhood


Hurricane-style transportation


Our chef firing up our meal at Kobe while we were escaping Houston electricity-less heat

Still no power

It's going to be a while, too.

But we're fine! All our friends in the immediate vicinity have offered us all they have. We're staying in our house at night for the most part, it's nice outside and hopefully will stay that way (note to self - while online check the weather).

One thing that really awes me is the generosity of friends and family within our church. We have not lacked for hot showers, clean laundry, or a hot meal since our power went out. That along with people we love to lead us through powerlessness makes it bearable.

But we've become so reliant on TV, movies, etc, that sometimes I'm thankful for the break. While my daughter would normally be playing the Wii or watching a movie, instead we're cuddling and reading books together. The house is immensely more quiet and peaceful.

And thanks to my girlfriends, CLEAN.

We've had countless offers of houses with power to stay in, but there's a comfort in being home in our own bed that can't be beat, even if we have to rely on candles to make it across the house. :)

So we'll be fine, regardless of how long it takes to get the power back. It's stretching our creative muscles a bit, and that's okay with me.

Ike Update

Hello to all! Yes, we're alive and doing well. Ike hit us early this morning. Apparently we rode the west rim of the eye. We lost power about midnight, and Bry says the storm hit early this morning, although the kids and I slept through most of it hunkered down in our bedroom. Thanks to God, we have very little damage. We lost a few tree limbs that thankfully did not hit our house or anyone else's. There is a massive amount of debris in the yard and broken, hanging limbs from all the trees. We even ended up with a few shingles from our neighbor's roof in our yard! A leak in our chimney meant we woke up to a small lake in the livingroom, but we quickly got it cleaned up. Our neighbors lost trees, fences, and siding. 45 is impassable because of high waters, and they don't know when our power will be back on. We are currently taking a break from no power at our friend's house across Hwy 6 that got their power back already. And it gives us all a break from cabin fever. Right now cell phones are not reliable (and they don't want us using them unless it's an emergency anyway). I have been receiving voice messages but have been unable to check them. I have been receiving texts and cannot reply to them. I can't make a phone call at all. Bryan's work cell has been faring better, and he can text and receive some calls. I'll again when our power is back! Until then, thanks for you (very effective!) prayers, they were answered!

Prepped

I'm listening to power tools again. This time, it's the sound of all my neighbors boarding up their windows. My husband along with my two best girlfriends' husbands are going around helping because they have an air compressor and a nail gun, which cuts the time down by three-quarters. Bry managed to get the last of the plywood before they shut down Home Depot, and we're keeping the 2 sheets we need and passing the rest out to others that need it.

It's surreal driving through the neighborhood and seeing all the boarded-up houses. Even though it's supposed to get bad here, it seems everyone's prepared, and we were not in an evacuation zone. In fact, they urged us to stay here so the Coast residents wouldn't be hindered in their flight.

We've got ample supply of water, nonperishable food, and the like. The laundry is completed, and all but a small few of the dishes are done. Our mp3 players have radios on them, we've got candles and flashlights, both cars have full gas tanks, and we've got an emergency plan. We're well prepared, so please don't worry about us.

But, keep us and all others in the storm's affecting range in your prayers. It can't hurt. And I know a few people who are a little too calm and a little too nonchalant about it, and I pray for their safety and the safety of their families. I don't intend to run because I think we can weather it out, but we're playing it safe and erring on the side of caution.

As far as I know, no one in our area has left. In fact, traffic was heavier than normal, and Home Depot's parking lot was insane. Our Kroger is ahead of the game and has a constant supply of batteries, toilet paper, canned goods, and ice.

We both have cell phones, and Bry's laptop has wireless. I hopefully will be able to update you after the storm passes if his battery lasts. I'll post here as soon as I can. I know not worrying is a tall order for the Moms, but really, we'll be okay. It will be an experience.

Take care of yourselves, and if you're in the Houston area and reading this, please stay safe this weekend.

Love you all!

Stand Fast! Secure the Riggin'!

You know, I can't think of hurricanes without thinking of the hurricane scene in The Little Mermaid. Which just proves what a Disney girl I was/am.

I can't bring myself to get too worked up about this storm. I feel kinda silly, but maybe it's because of all the false alarms I've been through. I mean, even Rita, which until the last minute looked like it was heading straight for us, only caused a slight drizzle, and I evacuated for that. And felt like a total dummy. But at least I got to see my folks.

And, of course, it WOULD come right after we're finishing the exterior work on the house. My poor insurance company must be sick of hearing from me today.

First Day

Here's some pics from the first day of school!

Izzy was so excited. I knew she would be. It was the typical response... "Mom, why are you still here?" She doesn't need me... sniff, sniff...

So I've got a lot of things to keep me busy, and I'm just waiting for 3:00 so I can see how her first day went!


With Lilly


Walking to school


With Daddy outside of class


With Mommy outside of class


Mrs. Mayland helping Izzy find her seat


Have a great first day, Izzy!

Soccer Mom

I'm enjoying the last few hours I will have with no kids in school.

In one way, I'm so excited. I know I'll get a lot done with one child in the house. I know the Iz will make tons of friends and be so excited about school. I know she's ready and she's a big girl.

In another way, I'm sad. My little girl is no longer a baby. She reads and writes. She won't be around me all the time anymore. I'm going to miss her so, so much.

But that will make the evenings and weekends so special.

And I've fallen through, guys. Oh, yes. The black hole that is the Soccer Mom. I've signed up for the PTA. And the Voluteer group at the school. They were so excited to hear that I teach music so they can have someone to play piano at the school musicals.

I also packed Iz's lunch tonight, wrapped everything up tight, made sure she had healthy choices and plenty to eat. And put a note in her lunch box, telling her to have a good first day of school and that I love her.

Am I so June Cleaver or what?

Ah, it's all downhill from here. Just kick me when I get the band stickers with my kids' names on them put on the back of my MINIVAN, okay?

Homework Sucks

It's the perfect weather for hot tea and a book.

I'm a rebel, though, so I'm more in the mood for coffee and a magazine. So ha.

Too much or too little to do, either way it turns my head to mush and all I can think about it what happens to Rand in book five. Which is at my husband's work. Not like I haven't read it before. I know he won't die, 'cause he's still there in book eleven. But still...

Just holding on until the news comes. I hope it's good, I hope it's fast. That's the best way to get... money.

What did you think I was going to say???

Reading Urban Dictionary is actually pretty funny.

Blog: A meandering, blatantly uninteresting online diary that gives the author the illusion that people are interested in their stupid, pathetic life. Consists of such riveting entries as "homework sucks" and "I slept until noon today."

I hope I don't cause you that much pain.

Oui We Wii

So long with no post... there must be an explanation!

Oui, there is.

Wii.

And for anyone who owns one, you completely understand the mind-sucking void that comes on while engaged with this awesome device. Such that I spend weeks without posting.

Anywho, I get a break from it because *gasp* the kids are playing right now. My big game is Wii Fit. Because it's so freakin' awesome. Theirs is Mario Kart. No big shock there. Bryan's is Super Mario Galaxy.

But tonight is girl's night. Me and my best two girlies watching What Not to Wear, or something similarly feminine, while drinking girly drinks and eating strawberries with chocolate. And crafting. Oh, yes. Because it wouldn't be a night at Steph's without crafting.

And I DO have recent pictures, including my recent foray into purple glasses, and my obsession with making everyone try them on:








And, of course, Izzy loves her new mp3 player. So much that she walks around the house dancing.

By the way, did you notice I got a new camera? No more fuzzy pictures! Yay!!!

And pretty soon the inside of my house will look normal... thank you Jesus!!! I'll post before and afters after the work is done!

Hermmm... Procrastinate?

So there's iScrap tomorrow. I went into my loft tonight to locate my album and my small file with pictures ready to go. And it wasn't there.

I searched for about an hour. I'm pretty certain it's fallen into the void with the left socks.

So I looked for another one. Nope. My organization skills had extended only to that one little file. Oops.

Now I'm realizing that to organize all these pictures I'm going to need a very large accordion file and about three days. Seriously.

I should've started sometime before the night prior, methinks.

Some Pictures for You

Here's some recent photos from the 4th and Eli's birthday. Enjoy!


Eating the pizzas our little chefs made


Kiss the cook! (And the craft the kids made)


At the 4th of July golf cart parade


At the carnival the same day


The kids doing some climbing at the carnival


Happy Birthday Eli!


As for updates...

Izzy will be tested for Credit By Exam for Kindergarten next week. Pray for us... when did they start requiring so much of kindergarteners? I mean, did YOU know the difference between an author, illustrator, and publisher when YOU were in kindergarten???

Eli just turned 4. We started styling his hair a little differently:

It fits his personality a little too well.

Both the kids just finished VBS. First time for Eli, second for Izzy. I was a crew leader. We all loved it!

Need some home repairs and major prayer about them. Lots going on in the home department, and it's starting to wear on us. Some major decisions and paperwork ahead!

Sorry I'm so boring today, when I have a little more time I'll think of something cute to say. :)

Walking out of the home improvement store, I was hit with a sudden rush of warm wind. The sky was a murky color that it hadn't been a few minutes before when I entered the store.

I managed to make it home and get the kids and the dogs inside before the sky opened up, making me glad I'd run my errands straight from the gym, and that in those errands I'd forgotten to return the kids' movies. It's turning out to be a popcorn kind of day. I wish I had time to relax and enjoy it, but I'm caught in the mile-long to-do list that accompanies a last-minute decision to leave town for the weekend.

And if I ever get the hair-brained idea to have a birthday party at my house again, slap me. I'm tired of cleaning.

I'm hyphenating an awful lot today, which probably means I need a nap.

But the little monkey turns four on Saturday, and we will celebrate (again) in the midst of jet skis, fireworks, a big lake, and hopefully sunny skies. Because it's nice when everyone else is celebrating, too, even if it's not for the same reason. It means the hubby gets Friday off, and we get to see family. Maybe relax a little bit.

Haha.

Have a great Fourth!

(PS - I will have pictures up soon of the party, my camera is not so good so I'm waiting on the hubby to send me the ones he took with his Blackberry, which sadly are 100 times better than the ones our camera took.)