What do band students do...

...to get out of rehearsing?

2 of them decided to tell me at the start of rehearsal that they needed to leave the last 15 minutes or so for yearbook. I'm thinking they are getting ready to start sales at lunch time.

Rehearsal progresses. It's going well but I've got a migraine. The room is really warm and dry. Lots of kids have been sick lately. Now one kid has to use the bathroom urgently. She's a good kid. I trust her. Another kid asks for a drink of water. She's been ill. We were all actually told to let her go when she needs it. And she's a good kid. I trust her. Then a third. He needs water too. I'm getting cranky but we need to get on with it. My head is splitting and I just want to get through. We started the next song without those kids. It was "The Grinch" and on our run through I had to start again because the trombones missed their entrance. Apparently they forgot to count for themselves when their section leader left for yearbook. It's OK. They nailed it the second time.

We weren't more than 30 measures or so into the piece when all of those that had gone missing came pounding through the door again. It is no longer any wonder why the seniors were giggly all day. They parade in with cake and juice. Apparently the fact that we have a concert in only 2 more rehearsals doesn't matter...they've decided to throw a party. How they managed to keep it a secret is beyond me. Secrets aren't easy in little ol' Spring Grove.




How could I argue? The cake said Happy Anniversary (really? What HS kids do THAT for a teacher, they are strange...but you gotta love them!)...and we had already gotten through the songs that really needed it. What goofy kids. They were pretty bummed that Duane couldn't make it, they DID invite him but he was working at Best Buy so he couldn't stop in. Don't feel bad for him though...they sent leftovers home.

I'm sorry

I know it's been a long while, and I've really been thinking about posting...I just haven't had the time. It's been busy at school and both Duane and I are working second jobs. Life is good though and we very much enjoy the time we DO get to spend together in the evenings which is why I haven't been spending it blogging.

So let's see...this blog will be totally random, but it's all I've got right now (although I do have a list of "off the beaten path" topics I can post about when life settles down a bit.

Random thought #1: Tonight, I'm doing laundry. Exciting. I know. Duane left for a couple of hours to help a friend hook up their entertainment system. He also spent a large chunk of the day pouring concrete as the foundation for our shed. He has been a VERY hardworking man lately. We are also sitting around playing MARIO BROTHERS on our Wii...WOO HOO...WHAT FUN!!! He is currently playing without me because I played without him while he was gone. Once he has played a while we can play together...it looks like you can play up to 4 people at the same time...so it will be fun. One of these days we're going to set up a Wii night with the sisters and their beaus (and mom and her beau if they are available that night...since she now stays in LaCrosse during the week).


Random thought #2: Thanksgiving is coming. I'm excited...and not. It's a short week at school. That's good because I'm still pretty beat from the long weeks and late nights for the musical (which was AWESOME by the way). I work the 3am-1pm shift on Black Friday. Whew...I mean...I know I asked for the early shift (so I didn't have to stick around to help clean up at the end of the night)...but GEEZ... Oh well. Duane works Thanksgiving Day. He also works black Friday at both the sheriff's office and at best buy...so he's got the rougher end of the deal. Guess I'll have to rub his back when he gets home.

Random thought #3: We just celebrated our first anniversary! Yeah Us! The year-old-cake that you traditionally save...um...well...the frosting wasn't great at all...but the chocolate was good. Brandi took care of the frosting for us so it worked out.


Random thought #4: I have a new TV series I like a lot. NCIS. I started watching it because I didn't realize my dad was a movie star. But I swear...both looks and personality...the lead character dude is my dad. Then I watched it enough to actually really like the show itself too. Check out these pics and tell me I'm wrong, I dare you!



Random thought #5: I bought myself a present. If you're ever looking for gift idea...Barnes and Noble gift cards would be great. I can use them to build my library.


Random thought #6: Go PACK! We're at least as good as last year by record! Woo Hoo. Hopefully we hold together without Harris and Kampman. But you can at least all help feed the state. www.chunky.com We're still undefeated there!

Ok...laundry's ready...and all of Duane's little Mario guys died. Guess that means I'm done for tonight!