I usually try avoiding W.allmart twice a month on Fridays when government issues food stamps. Not only is it that the shelves are bare (it looks a bit like a tornado warning has been issued and the whole town went grocery shopping for food that should last them a month) and the lines are loooong, but also because the concept of food stamps reminds me of that first year after the Soviet Union collapsed. With the state went the money and for the longest time the government would issue these sheets and sheets of 'money' to take to the grocery store. You literally had to have three-four sheets of these to get a loaf of bread. Also, since food was in very short supply, you could only get it in limited quantities per family. Like, two lb. of sugar at a time (an you never knew when the next time the store will have sugar is going to be) Needless to say, these are not my favorite memories.
Well a couple of weeks ago on Friday I had to go to Wa.llmart regardless of how I felt about it. We ran out of dog food (poor Lucy!) and diapers (Rachael went back to sleeping in pull-ups a few months ago, which I prefer to her waking up every two hours to go pee anyway).
So, to Wal.lmart I go, three kids in tow. It wasn't a very productive trip, because of the bare shelves and three hyper kids. I picked up the diapers and was on my way to get dog food (which is on the opposite side of the store) when I noticed this guy turning frequently and just staring at the boys. He freaked me out a bit. I am used to women commenting on the kids all the time (they ARE cute kids, if I say so myself). But it's always a quick comment, no one ever just kept turning around and staring like that before. I decided to just ignore the guy, get my dog food and get out.
I go to check out, pick the shortest (two mile long) line and park everyone there. The kids went to check out the toys by the register and needed my 'help' being nice to each other. And that is why I didn't pay attention to my surroundings. BIG mistake! Because right in front of us was that guy that stared at the boys earlier. By the time I noticed he was trying to start a conversation with me asking all sorts of questions about the boys (he was not at all interested in Rachael, which is weired in and of itself, because she is the youngest and ALWAYS insists on wearing pretty dresses and pigtails when we go out, so she is usually the one getting all the comments). Now, I usually try to be polite with people, smile at them and talk to them (M. just grunts and turns away which discourages conversation). But I had no idea what to do with the guy. He wanted to know everything from age to where they go to school, to what they like to eat. Am I the only one who thinks it's inappropriate? He was also trying to keep his voice down so I had to ask him to repeat the questions over again. I had it with him when he asked where I lived and since I was obviously avoiding answering that question (just like the rest of his questions) he started naming the streets and asking me if I lived there. SERIOUSLY???? At that point Rachael said she needed to go potty, I sighed the sigh of relief and we all went to a different register.
NEVER.GO.TO.WALLMART.ON.FOOD.STAMPS.DAY.
Please, don't think that I put every one who needs food stamps in the 'creepy' category. Many of the families using them are truly in a difficult spot and are trying their very hardest to get off of them. I know that. But then there's creepy individuals, and for some reason I tend to run into that kind of people.
Also, I NEED.TO.LEARN.TO.GRUNT.AND.TURN.AWAY.to discourage that type of conversation.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Why Do These God Moments Never Happen To Me?
I was talking to a friend of mine and a fellow flute player about something that happened to me recently and that's what she said. Let me give you the whole story, though.
I do my own flute research in addition to the lessons because, well, let's face it, I am a bit slow. Sometimes I need more than one person to explain things to me. Someone who can word it differently, and then it clicks.
So I stumbled over a teaching video for a particular piece of music that calls for a lot of articulated middle Es. If you ever played the flute, you know that middle Es tend to be flat. Just a flute thing. So this particular flutist was talking about venting her Es just a a little bit when she practices because that raises the pitch and once your ear is used to hearing that non-flat E, you tend to be more mindful of your pitch when you perform and don't vent it. Obviously, she has an open hole flute, you can't vent your Es if yours is closed holes (like mine)
I have to admit, I was listening to her and really wishing maybe for the first time, to have an open hole flute. So that if I do want to vent, I can.
So, last Tuesday while working my normal shift at the YMCA I mentioned that this new flute exercise hurt my tongue and I was having a hard time talking (you think I was overstating? Try putting a chopstick in your mouth and curling your tongue over it and playing like that. OUCH! It hurts to even think about that. I'll give it a week and try again ;) And one of the ladies I work with says 'Do you play flute?' (and there I thought I go on and on about different aspects of flute playing whenever I get a chance. Is it possible I go to this place every week for four hours and never mention something that preoccupies my thoughts at all times?) She goes, 'I played the flute when I was young and my daughter (who I share a birthday with, by the way) played it in high school. She is in college now and I have this great open hole flute at home that no one plays. It's in great shape! Would you like to borrow it? I would love to let you use it!'
ARE YOU KIDDING? Of course, I want to borrow it! I will treat it well, keep it as my performance instrument and make sure all the pads are changed and the thing is oiled!
I am amazed at how God hears even the prayers we don't pray, and gives us things that we don't really need but would like to have. I would never be able to justify buying something like that for myself. I am just really not that good on the flute.
These God moments happen to me all the time. Actually, it's not just me. I am quite positive God doesn't have favourites. After all, He gave his Son for ALL of His chosen children, and isn't it the greatest gift anyone could receive?
I guess, I am just mindful of these other little gifts that God gives me. After all, this flute can turn out to be a piece of junk with holes in the keys, but I am still happy. I am happy because God loves me so much to even think of such a little thing as an open hole flute. That He chooses to manifest Himself to me like that. It makes my heart sing.
No, it's not just me. I am sure other people have these experiences in their life, too. We just need to see them for what they are. God at work.
I do my own flute research in addition to the lessons because, well, let's face it, I am a bit slow. Sometimes I need more than one person to explain things to me. Someone who can word it differently, and then it clicks.
So I stumbled over a teaching video for a particular piece of music that calls for a lot of articulated middle Es. If you ever played the flute, you know that middle Es tend to be flat. Just a flute thing. So this particular flutist was talking about venting her Es just a a little bit when she practices because that raises the pitch and once your ear is used to hearing that non-flat E, you tend to be more mindful of your pitch when you perform and don't vent it. Obviously, she has an open hole flute, you can't vent your Es if yours is closed holes (like mine)
I have to admit, I was listening to her and really wishing maybe for the first time, to have an open hole flute. So that if I do want to vent, I can.
So, last Tuesday while working my normal shift at the YMCA I mentioned that this new flute exercise hurt my tongue and I was having a hard time talking (you think I was overstating? Try putting a chopstick in your mouth and curling your tongue over it and playing like that. OUCH! It hurts to even think about that. I'll give it a week and try again ;) And one of the ladies I work with says 'Do you play flute?' (and there I thought I go on and on about different aspects of flute playing whenever I get a chance. Is it possible I go to this place every week for four hours and never mention something that preoccupies my thoughts at all times?) She goes, 'I played the flute when I was young and my daughter (who I share a birthday with, by the way) played it in high school. She is in college now and I have this great open hole flute at home that no one plays. It's in great shape! Would you like to borrow it? I would love to let you use it!'
ARE YOU KIDDING? Of course, I want to borrow it! I will treat it well, keep it as my performance instrument and make sure all the pads are changed and the thing is oiled!
I am amazed at how God hears even the prayers we don't pray, and gives us things that we don't really need but would like to have. I would never be able to justify buying something like that for myself. I am just really not that good on the flute.
These God moments happen to me all the time. Actually, it's not just me. I am quite positive God doesn't have favourites. After all, He gave his Son for ALL of His chosen children, and isn't it the greatest gift anyone could receive?
I guess, I am just mindful of these other little gifts that God gives me. After all, this flute can turn out to be a piece of junk with holes in the keys, but I am still happy. I am happy because God loves me so much to even think of such a little thing as an open hole flute. That He chooses to manifest Himself to me like that. It makes my heart sing.
No, it's not just me. I am sure other people have these experiences in their life, too. We just need to see them for what they are. God at work.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
It All Started With a Dress.
This one, to be exact:
It's absolutely gorgeous! This dress will make ANYONE look like a model.
So, obviously I couldn't wait to wear it and yesterday was definitely the perfect day for it. It was hot! Our first hot day in SD, and believe me, we all enjoyed it. (except for neighbors, did I ever mention that I practice with my door open to be able to watch the kids? HA-ha, poor people.)
It wasn't two minutes after I put it on that Rachael noticed I was wearing a dress. And she (horror of horrors) was wearing pants! Oh, NO! She demanded a pretty dress for herself which was promised to her after a nap and a bath. I told her she could wear it to the nursery.
Ehhh, not good enough. She went to spare bedroom (where I keep her dresses) and picked the one she could reach. Unfortunately the reason she could reach it was because I put it on the bed as a 'too small for her winter dress that needs to be put up in the attic' one.
Did you know that it's absolutely pointless to talk some sense into a 2yo? No matter how hard I was trying to explain it to her she would not have it.
So, some tears a nap and a bath later she still remembered my promise of a pretty dress and also semi-forgot the one she picked out for herself earlier. I say 'semi-forgot' because she made me iron three different dresses and neither of them worked for her. She could remember that those were NOT the ones she picked but not what the one she did pick looked like. Half an hour later we finally settled on the dress. The fanciest summer bishop dress she has, to be exact.
Of course, the second Daniel walked in the room he noticed Rachael was all dressed up. And he wasn't. Nope, not gonna work. So, back to the ironing board I go. This time I am smart, though. I iron a fancy shirt for Jadin, as well.
Another lesson I learned? Do NOT put nice shirts on two young boys until 2 minutes before you are ready to leave. Jadin and Daniel were killing each other, uh, I mean playing in the living room and one of Jadin's old battle scars started bleeding...all over the carpet, the jeans, and, yes, that fancy shirt I just ironed.
He got changed. He screamed because I refused to turn the iron on for the third time to iron yet another fancy shirt.
I will never buy myself a new dress ever again.
But that's why my family looked like we were going to a wedding when we stopped by music store to drop something off and then went to the gym.
It's absolutely gorgeous! This dress will make ANYONE look like a model.
So, obviously I couldn't wait to wear it and yesterday was definitely the perfect day for it. It was hot! Our first hot day in SD, and believe me, we all enjoyed it. (except for neighbors, did I ever mention that I practice with my door open to be able to watch the kids? HA-ha, poor people.)
It wasn't two minutes after I put it on that Rachael noticed I was wearing a dress. And she (horror of horrors) was wearing pants! Oh, NO! She demanded a pretty dress for herself which was promised to her after a nap and a bath. I told her she could wear it to the nursery.
Ehhh, not good enough. She went to spare bedroom (where I keep her dresses) and picked the one she could reach. Unfortunately the reason she could reach it was because I put it on the bed as a 'too small for her winter dress that needs to be put up in the attic' one.
Did you know that it's absolutely pointless to talk some sense into a 2yo? No matter how hard I was trying to explain it to her she would not have it.
So, some tears a nap and a bath later she still remembered my promise of a pretty dress and also semi-forgot the one she picked out for herself earlier. I say 'semi-forgot' because she made me iron three different dresses and neither of them worked for her. She could remember that those were NOT the ones she picked but not what the one she did pick looked like. Half an hour later we finally settled on the dress. The fanciest summer bishop dress she has, to be exact.
Of course, the second Daniel walked in the room he noticed Rachael was all dressed up. And he wasn't. Nope, not gonna work. So, back to the ironing board I go. This time I am smart, though. I iron a fancy shirt for Jadin, as well.
Another lesson I learned? Do NOT put nice shirts on two young boys until 2 minutes before you are ready to leave. Jadin and Daniel were killing each other, uh, I mean playing in the living room and one of Jadin's old battle scars started bleeding...all over the carpet, the jeans, and, yes, that fancy shirt I just ironed.
He got changed. He screamed because I refused to turn the iron on for the third time to iron yet another fancy shirt.
I will never buy myself a new dress ever again.
But that's why my family looked like we were going to a wedding when we stopped by music store to drop something off and then went to the gym.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Glad To Be Back To The US of A.
My day started exactly as the one before. They all kind of do. After I made muffins for breakfast I jumped in the shower before opening the door and letting my kids play outside while I get my practice time (I hope our neighbors like the flute, because the only time I get to practice is when the kids are outside and I can't leave them unattended, so I keep the door open.) So, once I am done with the shower I hear the phone buzz and the irritated voice of my husband asks me why I am not picking up the phone (note to self: do NOT put phone on vibrate only while taking a shower if you want to stay married). Apparently, he forgot an important piece of equipment in their work shed and wanted me to bring it to him. In Custer. Yes, you heard that right. Custer. An 1.5 hours drive out of town.
Sigh. There goes my practice time. I guess that solo will not be ready by tomorrow. I hate going to my lesson unprepared.
So I load the kids into the car and go find his place of work. It takes me three tries, I end up going half to Sturgis twice. No sense of direction here. But I do find it, eventually, put the thing in the car and take it to Custer. Without turning off to Mt. Rushmore, mind you. (huge accomplishment! LOL)
I find hubby, give him his thingy, feed the kids lunch and head back home. About twenty or so minutes into our trip back I notice that the road doesn't look familiar. It's kind of woody. And HW 16 is not supposed to go through the woods...as far as I remember. Could be wrong.
After arriving at some lake I have never heard of before I call M. and ask if this lake is on the way home. Silence on the other end for a loooong 10 sec. and then 'Lake WHAT???? Never heard of it before! (M. knows this area inside and out...or so be both thought) Are you in Custer State Park? How did you get in? You don't have a permit. Did you stop at the booth and pay the fee?' Booth? What booth? What fee? Am I going to get arrested? What do you mean, you have never heard of that lake??? I WANNA GO HOME!!!!
Ok, so now I am really freaking out. I am going through the park, calling M every 10 minutes to get my bearings, turning around and going the opposite way a couple of times praying I will not get stopped by a park ranger for being there without a permit and still hoping to get to a place I actually recognize.
I spare you the rest. When we finally got to Rapid, Daniel sighed deeply and said 'I am sooo happy we are back to the United States of America!'
So am I, son, so am I.
PS And after all that I went to the YMCA to volunteer for 4 hours. Both the kids and I are so tired we put our socks in the fridge (me) instead of the wash machine and look for Rachael's sippy that is right there in front of our very noses (first Rachael and then myself) for 15 minutes, end up getting a clean one out, filling it up with milk and THEN finding the other one (still full of milk).
Tomorrow is a new day. The furthest I am planning on going is YMCA 12 blocks away. Do you think I will make it without getting lost?
Sigh. There goes my practice time. I guess that solo will not be ready by tomorrow. I hate going to my lesson unprepared.
So I load the kids into the car and go find his place of work. It takes me three tries, I end up going half to Sturgis twice. No sense of direction here. But I do find it, eventually, put the thing in the car and take it to Custer. Without turning off to Mt. Rushmore, mind you. (huge accomplishment! LOL)
I find hubby, give him his thingy, feed the kids lunch and head back home. About twenty or so minutes into our trip back I notice that the road doesn't look familiar. It's kind of woody. And HW 16 is not supposed to go through the woods...as far as I remember. Could be wrong.
After arriving at some lake I have never heard of before I call M. and ask if this lake is on the way home. Silence on the other end for a loooong 10 sec. and then 'Lake WHAT???? Never heard of it before! (M. knows this area inside and out...or so be both thought) Are you in Custer State Park? How did you get in? You don't have a permit. Did you stop at the booth and pay the fee?' Booth? What booth? What fee? Am I going to get arrested? What do you mean, you have never heard of that lake??? I WANNA GO HOME!!!!
Ok, so now I am really freaking out. I am going through the park, calling M every 10 minutes to get my bearings, turning around and going the opposite way a couple of times praying I will not get stopped by a park ranger for being there without a permit and still hoping to get to a place I actually recognize.
I spare you the rest. When we finally got to Rapid, Daniel sighed deeply and said 'I am sooo happy we are back to the United States of America!'
So am I, son, so am I.
PS And after all that I went to the YMCA to volunteer for 4 hours. Both the kids and I are so tired we put our socks in the fridge (me) instead of the wash machine and look for Rachael's sippy that is right there in front of our very noses (first Rachael and then myself) for 15 minutes, end up getting a clean one out, filling it up with milk and THEN finding the other one (still full of milk).
Tomorrow is a new day. The furthest I am planning on going is YMCA 12 blocks away. Do you think I will make it without getting lost?
Friday, April 8, 2011
7 Quick Takes
1. I decided to do 7 quick takes again and it's actually Friday! I really like writing this way, though there's not much going on so I am not sure I will end up actually having 7.
2. Jadin finally brought home one of those dreaded christian character awards. I really wanted to take it back and talk to the teacher about the whole thing. M. wasn't on board with it. I also got to ask our Pastor about it (again!) only because I was at church for a meeting, and he said to just keep it. Sigh. Still think it's not right.
3.The weather is finally improving here. It's hard to believe we made it through another winter. It was in the 70s yesterday! Even wind couldn't spoil it for me. It is going to be cooler the next few days but we are still talking 40s.
4.I overdid it on the flute yesterday and my mouth HURTS! I was told to keep it at about 30 min. every day, but, seriously, it takes me 45 min just to warm up. Anyways, 3.5 hours is probably too much even for me but the kids were playing happily and I am enjoying myself too much, it's hard to put it down.
5. When I was a little girl and refused to practice piano, my mom always told me how grandma used to punish her for being bad by locking her piano and not letting her practice (my piano has a little lock with a key, though I don't remember seing that key). I have to confess I wished more than once that my mom punish ME that way, too. All I got was more time practicing :) Now I feel the same way about the flute. I giuess, piano was simply not the right instrument for me :)
6.I noticed that Rachael is much happier when Daniel is at home. He only goes to school three days a week now and they play so well together. We will be getting a higher water bill this month (they like splashing in the sink together) but it's totally worth it to me.
7. Rachael likes to run around the house naked. I often come to the living room and find that she took all her clothes off (again). She is soooo cute, but though we keep our house warm, it's still not THAT warm. She can put on her panties and pants by herself but I still have to help her with the shirt (on the way on, she seems to have nooooo problem getting rid of it.)
Happy Friday, friends!
2. Jadin finally brought home one of those dreaded christian character awards. I really wanted to take it back and talk to the teacher about the whole thing. M. wasn't on board with it. I also got to ask our Pastor about it (again!) only because I was at church for a meeting, and he said to just keep it. Sigh. Still think it's not right.
3.The weather is finally improving here. It's hard to believe we made it through another winter. It was in the 70s yesterday! Even wind couldn't spoil it for me. It is going to be cooler the next few days but we are still talking 40s.
4.I overdid it on the flute yesterday and my mouth HURTS! I was told to keep it at about 30 min. every day, but, seriously, it takes me 45 min just to warm up. Anyways, 3.5 hours is probably too much even for me but the kids were playing happily and I am enjoying myself too much, it's hard to put it down.
5. When I was a little girl and refused to practice piano, my mom always told me how grandma used to punish her for being bad by locking her piano and not letting her practice (my piano has a little lock with a key, though I don't remember seing that key). I have to confess I wished more than once that my mom punish ME that way, too. All I got was more time practicing :) Now I feel the same way about the flute. I giuess, piano was simply not the right instrument for me :)
6.I noticed that Rachael is much happier when Daniel is at home. He only goes to school three days a week now and they play so well together. We will be getting a higher water bill this month (they like splashing in the sink together) but it's totally worth it to me.
7. Rachael likes to run around the house naked. I often come to the living room and find that she took all her clothes off (again). She is soooo cute, but though we keep our house warm, it's still not THAT warm. She can put on her panties and pants by herself but I still have to help her with the shirt (on the way on, she seems to have nooooo problem getting rid of it.)
Happy Friday, friends!
Friday, April 1, 2011
God Moments
**Special thanks to Brooke for encouraging me to update this blog. If you need the encouragement, I am sure she will be happy to provide it for a small fee. She has a magic touch)**
Ok, not major ones. If you were not a believer in God you would probably just call them coincidences. Fine by me (I am not the one going to hell).
So, a couple of weeks ago I was looking at my flute warm-ups thinking to myself 'Boy, I wish I had a wider variety of these exercises so that I can spend more time on improving my tone.' Lo and behold, the first words out of my teacher's mouth at the next lesson were 'I want you to buy this book' (yes, it's the one I mentioned in my previous post light years ago). And today it came.
Be careful what you wish for, God does listen. From today on I will be spending about half an hour every day playing the same 12 notes between 1st B and 2nd B over and over again at a paaaaainfully slow tempo. Yes, for about half an hour (or longer if I am more diligent).
On the bright side, the book says I should improve. Eventually...(aren't you glad you are not my neighbor?) LOL.
Another 'God moment' started at church. I played flute during worship service for the first time in a couple of months. This little fifth grader comes running up to me afterwards, her face lit with absolute delight and excitement. I know the little girl quite well, we are a small church and she happens to absolutely adore small children of which I had three in the past few years (Rachael is still in that adorable age of grabbing A's attention whenever they see each other. She loves the attention, A loves giving it to her and I love the free time I get to talk to ADULTS. It's a win-win-win :). So we bonded over that. But I have never seen her THAT exited and though our pastor is a great preacher I doubted she was old enough to get that much from his sermon.
Turns out, since she will be starting 6th grade next year and they are required to take band, she will be learning to play the clarinet (I am not sure what it has to do with the flute, but in her mind it is obviously connected). I am sure that particular instrument was chosen because her dad used to play it in middle school and kept it after he was (allowed to be) done. It does require repair, but they already have it. She told me she can't wait to start to which I said 'great! we can practice together!' She was so, so excited! I even found a couple of teachers for her and gave their names to her mom.
So, like I just said, my flute book came in the mail today. Guess what else I found in that package? Yes, three books for B flat clarinet! The note said 'Thank you! Bonus books inside' The seller mush have decided to clear her/his music and sent these three books to me. Providentially, all three are for the clarinet and now she has some books to start learning. And we can practice together :) (that should make those long tones a little less boring)
Ok, not major ones. If you were not a believer in God you would probably just call them coincidences. Fine by me (I am not the one going to hell).
So, a couple of weeks ago I was looking at my flute warm-ups thinking to myself 'Boy, I wish I had a wider variety of these exercises so that I can spend more time on improving my tone.' Lo and behold, the first words out of my teacher's mouth at the next lesson were 'I want you to buy this book' (yes, it's the one I mentioned in my previous post light years ago). And today it came.
Be careful what you wish for, God does listen. From today on I will be spending about half an hour every day playing the same 12 notes between 1st B and 2nd B over and over again at a paaaaainfully slow tempo. Yes, for about half an hour (or longer if I am more diligent).
On the bright side, the book says I should improve. Eventually...(aren't you glad you are not my neighbor?) LOL.
Another 'God moment' started at church. I played flute during worship service for the first time in a couple of months. This little fifth grader comes running up to me afterwards, her face lit with absolute delight and excitement. I know the little girl quite well, we are a small church and she happens to absolutely adore small children of which I had three in the past few years (Rachael is still in that adorable age of grabbing A's attention whenever they see each other. She loves the attention, A loves giving it to her and I love the free time I get to talk to ADULTS. It's a win-win-win :). So we bonded over that. But I have never seen her THAT exited and though our pastor is a great preacher I doubted she was old enough to get that much from his sermon.
Turns out, since she will be starting 6th grade next year and they are required to take band, she will be learning to play the clarinet (I am not sure what it has to do with the flute, but in her mind it is obviously connected). I am sure that particular instrument was chosen because her dad used to play it in middle school and kept it after he was (allowed to be) done. It does require repair, but they already have it. She told me she can't wait to start to which I said 'great! we can practice together!' She was so, so excited! I even found a couple of teachers for her and gave their names to her mom.
So, like I just said, my flute book came in the mail today. Guess what else I found in that package? Yes, three books for B flat clarinet! The note said 'Thank you! Bonus books inside' The seller mush have decided to clear her/his music and sent these three books to me. Providentially, all three are for the clarinet and now she has some books to start learning. And we can practice together :) (that should make those long tones a little less boring)
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