Before the storm...

I was struggling trying to come up with a title for this post until I realized the title (or at least part of the title) to the movie on t.v. encompassed everything I had to say today.

Originally, I was thinking along the lines of titling it "thankful"...as in thankful for my bands for reminding me why I LOVE to teach. The elementary and the middle school have been a source of personal pride this season as most (if not all) the students came back from summer performing better than I expected. Not only that, but even though they didn't practice as much as I would have liked (yet more than I expected), they seem to be falling back into their positive habits. 6th and 7th graders are already asking for more practice time at recesses and lunch and more horns went home this weekend without being asked than have gone home since I started in SG (unless required over breaks).

Then of course you have the Senior Band. We are dealing with reduced class time this year and it has taken a toll on our marching performance but so far not our music. The marching tune is harder this year than it has been in the past and they are playing it well. Although I'm sure very few of them touched their horns at all this summer (it showed) they have also spent time in class "getting their chops back" while rehearsing pep tunes. The control is quickly returning and their balance is actually quite good. I am excited to start concert band next week. The icing on the cake was their performance at pep band Friday night. Outside performances aren't are strongest suit especially when large numbers of the band are on the field and unable to play for us. Despite not being perfect, they were far better than the opening shows in years past...and their attitude was amazing. They were bopping around, horn swinging, singing melodies while counting rests, requesting tunes, cheering LOUDLY, challenging the cheer squad (in a good way!), and all around just making me smile. Yes, I remember why I love to teach...and I am thankful. Keep it up band, the busiest pep week of the year is brewing on the horizon.

I am also thankful for this weekend...in a way which almost made me go with a "just bummin'", "chillin" or just plain "being lazy" title. This weekend is one of few that Duane and I will have just the two of us to do what we need to do for quite some time. On the horizon---we both work next weekend and it's Applefest here in LaCrescent, then it's scuba diving for him and Cranfest parades for me, another weekend of work, a weekend with a bridal shower and honors concert, the Educate MN conference (which means two days off school!), Potential playoff games for pep band...and then it's November. Yeah, like November will slow down! ;-)

So what are we actually doing? Hey, I told you this blog might be about the mundane. If the weather clears, I'll finish staining the last part of the deck. The house is picked up and will be dusted and vacuumed tomorrow. Laundry will be done. Sheets on the bed will be changed. The dog will be walked until she's out of energy. I'm reading a book and watching the Brewers on a bad streak. Duane is working on his computer game. We're watching a couple movies. We're (Brandi and I...not sure about Duane!) watching the Packer game (with some vikes on the side to be fair). I bought some grocery's. Made dinner. Planned dinner for the next couple of days. Made cookies. Basically, just enjoying the time and the lack of deadlines this weekend...before the storm.

So, there you have it. Another blog. You should start one too...to give us more reading material and blogs of family to link to on our page. It really is quite simple. And by the way...don't hesitate to leave a comment. They're fun to read.