What's the difference?

My friend Steph and I went out to dinner this weekend at Chilis. I decided to order the "Chicken Crisper Tacos." And our waiter asked if I wanted to get two, or three tacos. I asked what the difference was (referring to any upgraded price). Our waiter responded, "Well, you can either get two tacos or three tacos." We just laughed, and he realized that's not what I meant. Steph and I will be joking about that for a while. Ha Ha

The final pictures

Here are the last of the pictures I had professionally framed. I love that my house is full of Europe pictures that remind me of special experiences and places I have been throughout the world. I feel so blessed. Life is awesome!!

On the market again!

Well, sad news. I have worked as a music teacher for three years, and have seriously LOVED my job! Sure, every job has fabulous days, and pros and cons. But I really enjoy what I do. Getting a grant and so many new instruments was such a blessing. And I can tell you first hand that this music program set up by the district three years ago is really taking off. I had 400 students sign up this year for Band. Amazing!! And, I enjoy working with Andy, and the various schools and faculty. Well, with the recent UT Legislature budget cuts, our music program is really being looked at with a high possibility of being cut. It just doesn't seem right after setting up the new program this way, and seeing so much success in the lives of our students, and sooo many teachers commenting on how much they appreciate this program, and think we are doing such a great job. Andy and I have worked sooo hard to build up the music program, and to find as many instruments as we possibly could. I received that grant for brand new instruments, which was so awesome, and it would be such a waste for all those new instruments to just sit in a closet and collect dust!! And then for the same people who pushed it into action to take it away altogether. I just want the people to realize that music is not jsut about dollars and cents. Music is so valuable in educating the whole child, and serving them throughout their lives in teaching them teamwork and listening skills, self discipline, how to express themselves, and work hard. Anyway, change is what life is all about, and I know it's one reason why we are here. And we just have to move forward in faith when we encounter these times of uncertainty. But I am now in the process of searching for a new job, and I know of some that are available. We'll see what happens :) I have to move forward since I have no idea what the board will decide until June.

Andy and I wanted to send out notes to parents, informing them of the possibility of us being cut, so they would know, and be able to voice their comments on the value of this program, but apparantly the district won't allow us to send notes home, or even announce it to parents at our concerts. I think that is also very interesting (and frustrating). So, we are talking to parents one on one at our concerts, and sending emails to the superintendent and the school board.

Today was my first concert for the Spring, and it went really well. My students are so cute. Most of them have worked really hard on the pieces we played, and they dressed up so nicely, and I was so impressed at how well they followed my instructions, and my conducting. It's these kind of moments that make me love what I do. Each time we have class there is the opportunity to work together, and create something wonderful. My students really played with a big sound. Guess what! The grandma who subbed for Andy last week came up to me after the concert today, and handed me some money. At first I thought it was a tip, but it was $1.10 for the bus ride back to her home last week. Ha ha!!

Spring break

What a fabulous Easter weekend!!! These pictures are backwards, but I think that it will take too much time to rearrange them. I spent my Easter Break with my fabulous family!! Jenny, Abby, my Mom and I went to San Diego together. It was so beautiful in CA, and we kept thinking that it would rain, but it never did. It was a girl's trip, and we went to Seaworld, and the Wild Animal Park before we drove up to see Gma Lee and the Miles for Easter. It was fun to dye Easter eggs. And Irene cooked an amazing Easter dinner. Randi Sue showed me how to tie dye Easter eggs. I've never decorated an egg that way before. It was really cool.
Jen, Abby and I rode the Carousel at the Wild Animal Park. We had a great time!! Although, Abby liked the up and down motion for the first 30 seconds of the ride, and then decided she didn't want to participate that way any longer, but Mom was there to save the day, and hold her :)

What a cutie!!
The scenery was just beautiful!
I especially liked the gorillas. What a relaxing day, just kicking back for a nap!
I loved Seaworld!! The shows we saw were fabulous!
I forgot to bring a hat, so did Mom. But we each found a cute cowboy hat to wear under the CA sun!
What a cute family I have!!
Lots of flamingos. I have never seen one so close before. They came right up to the bridge where we were standing.
Shamu was awesome!

Thanks to the girls and the Miles and Gma Lee for such a fun, fabulous weekend!! You are so sweet and wonderful and fun to be with. It was so hard to decide on what pics to use, there are so many more I'd like to post!!

Hitch Hiking with Peanut Butter

As a preface, this might be long, but it's hilarious! I seem to have random, weird, and funny experiences to share more often than a lot of people I know.

Today I would like to share the true story of the hitch hiking, peanut butter lovin' substitute for my co-worker Andy's Orchestra classes today. When he called to tell me he wouldn't be in and called in sick, I didn't worry. We were just going to cancel his classes, because no one EVER shows up, or signs up for the job on Subfinder. I know this because he has called in sick several times lately. Today I started my first class by running through a song, and I noticed that there was an older lady standing off to the side. After the song was over I asked if I could help her. She said she was a sub. Assuming she was a classroom sub for the fifth grade wanting to come hear, I said "a sub for who?" She said "the orchestra." I was amazed someone had signed up for Andy's job. Well, Andy always faxes over his sub plans, which has been pointless in the past, since no one shows up. Well the one day a sub did come, he hadn't faxed over the plans. But she was able to get them before we finished up at this school.

Before I left to my second school, this woman, probably in her late 60's, said she signed up for the job at 8:10, and ran over to school from her house to make it on time. (I'm not sure why she didn't just drive over). She asked if I could give her a ride to all the schools today. I said that wouldn't work... how would she get home? (I thought it was strange she signed up for a job, and expected a ride). She said she could take the bus home. I was trying to say no in a nice way. I also said, "Did you know that you get paid for the mileage to all the schools today? You just keep track of it for the day." She said, "yes, I know, but I would really like to ride with you, and get to know you, and then we can talk about the sub plans." Well, this woman is the grandma of one of my good trumpet players at that school, and looking back, I would not have done this, but I gave her a ride. I think it's hilarious that a sub finally shows up, and then asks for a ride. I am too nice sometimes. She did some really funny things.

On the way to my next school, I told her I would have to run some errands on the way, and stop at the music store. She made me laugh when she said, "that's even better!" I thought it was funny she was so excited to go to the music store. She was telling me she was excited to sub for music today, and she grabbed some of her instruments from her house, including a train whistle, and sure enough, I could hear her play it for the kids. Funny! I also stopped for gas on the way. She said, "Since we are stopped, I guess I'll make my lunch now." Being in a hurry in the morning, she didn't make a sandwich, but instead brought bread and a jar of peanut butter. When I got back in my car, she was making her sandwich in my car. It really made me laugh. So, now my car smelled like peanut butter (Luckily it does not now). She said my car smelled brand new, and asked if it was new. I said no, it was not new.

She followed me around at the next school, even when I cooked my lean cuisine meal in the microwave. She said, "You're not used to having a shadow, huh?" I said no, I was not used to that. As I went to throw away my empty box, she asked if she could read it, and seemed to find it fascinating reading material (he, he). Finally, at our last school, she realized she lost her wallet, so I called the previous school to see if someone turned it in, which they had. I was glad. At the end of the day she was supposed to decide which class was the best of the day. This class would earn treats from Andy when he came back. She was taking this decision way too seriously, trying to give numbers to each class from 10-20 points. I just reminded her it was not a big deal, and she could just tell me which class behaved the best. The best part is that, since this woman left her wallet at the other school, she had no money, so at the end of the day I had to give her $1.10 to take the bus home. I called up Andy to report on the sub, and I said, "Please come back tomorrow!" We laughed, and he said "You never want me to just call in for a sub again, huh?" Definitely :)