Household Happenings February 2020

I've been waiting forever to do this blog post. Because February is seriously the longest month of the year. 

I don't know how it's possible. 

Giselle  has been bemoaning the fact that she and Maddie are no longer the stars of this blog, so I have lots of pictures. I told them I only post what's been taken on my phone so they were happy to either steal my phone, or send me lots of pics. 

It just cracks me up that she sleeps with a eye mask on. 

Amelia has terrible rotten teeth. We knew they were a problem, but she woke up with a swollen cheek (of course over a weekend) she looked like a different person. She wasn't in much pain, but she sure looked bad. 

 And then the next day was her birthday celebration. We had the traditional oreo ice cream cake by request and a little family party on Sunday because I was gone ALL DAY on her actual birthday. 

 My dad made her this adorable high chair. She loves to feed her babies and there's always someone in it, or something. 

Then monday February 10, MCO recorded 5 songs for an upcoming Christmas album. I had never been to one of the recording sessions and this one was in the Meyerson Symphony Center and it was an amazing, fascinating experience. The sound in that hall just goes on forever. I just loved the whole experience and trying to get each section perfect and locking in with your neighbor. It was neat to see all these musicians gather on a Monday  morning just to make music. 

Maddie made this cute chart:

 Wyatt and his picture of the future, or something like that. 

Also the valentines he passed out...

The bumper I got for my birthday! It's what I asked for since I really enjoy taking care of my old van and I really scratched it up. I got new windshield wipers and hydraulic lifts for the hatch too! Thanks Tyler!

Where Amelia's tooth was pulled out. Just comes out so easily. She's doing fine now. 

Mandie and I attended TMEA (Texas Music Educators) convention in San Antonio. It was fun to go even though a lot didn't pertain to private piano teachers (it's more for school teachers and band, orchestra, choir) but it was still a good experience. We attended 8 choir concerts in 2 days and ate lots of salads. 

 We were gone for my birthday, which was just fine. But here's Giselle's tribute so I can remember it always. 

 Tyler sent me this. I've seen that face on Amelia and it's so funny and sad. 

These are the Valentines I'm passing out next year.

 Tyler attended class parties while I was gone. That was a gift right there. I hate going to class parties. It's for the class, not the parents. Why do we all need to be there standing around?

Will had another band concert and this was the best I could do. I don't even think you can see him. 

And more pics of the older girls. 

Tyler's been in charge of dinner and he felt this meal needed to be documented. I believe it's called "flexing"

And on Saturday, Amelia wanted to ride a bike without training wheels so I talked Will with doing that and the next thing I know she's just out there riding like it's nothing. Crazy big girl.

And on weekends we let the littles sleep in our room and Amelia's got lots of things settled just right and tucked in. 

Musically this has been on of the most involved months ever. I played for a local Jr High solo and ensemble at the beginning of the month. That was 33 students. None of the pieces were super difficult or long, but I still had to practice and know them. And I'd never played with instrumentalists before (ones that can't play or count either) so that was new. It was fun, and low-key and good money. Then I got a gig as sub for another jr choir for their pre-uil concert and that went fine. It was 6 pieces. And then they need me for their actual contest this next week. Then I got a job with 4 more students for S&E at a school downtown. Their songs are much more involved, but I was amazed at how much faster I learned them. I had 2 days to learn the music before the first rehearsal and I did fine! This is in addition to a massive rep list for our PCC concert in 2 weeks. I've been studying Bach and Brahms and German like crazy. And there's always MCO which seems like a breeze after all that. But I LOVE doing this. It fulfills me like nothing else and there's nothing else I'd rather spend my time doing. The fact that I get PAID to practice and play the piano is just amazing to me. 

Also, I just found out blogger removed the spell check feature. Why in the heck would you do that?! And I'm soooo lazy when I blog. WHY BLOGGER? WHY?!

NYC Day 6 Monday July 15

Let's wrap up this trip.

Monday

July 15, 2019

NYC

Today was my day to get up early and just wander. I got up early and headed to Battery Park. I wanted to see the Statue of Liberty, but not actually do the whole thing. I'm saving some stuff for next time--with Tyler. The park is pretty, and was pretty empty and the weather was just gorgeous. 

 There you go. Lady Liberty.

 This is part of the state park that's in there and it's a fort of some sort. I actually didn't really pay a whole lot of attention. It was moved here, so not original location anyway. 

 I did love seeing the tall ship. Love me some tall ships. You can take this one for a ride. I wondered how much it would cost for one person to go. They didn't seem too busy. 

But what I loved most there was these flowers! I love the purple coneflower because it's a perennial Midwest favorite that reminds me of there. And here it is, thriving in the city with such a great backdrop. 

 I like every little detail, even these swirls in the benches. 

 I was going to make a collage of all the NYC sign pics I took, but I haven't yet so this will have to do. 

 What a gorgeous day. 

 Then I just decided to walk. Anywhere. 

 Brooklyn bridge. I'll do that next time too. 

 I thought this narrow busy street was iconic. 

 Then I migrated to the financial district. 

 I took a pic of this just so I could google the rent here. You should look it up. 

The buildings are so tall they block the sun and the streets are dark and cool. It's like Gotham City. 

 Eating my street vendor bagel. Which was probably the best thing I had in NY. 

 Then I wandered over to Trinity Church. The main building was closed for renovations. But the grounds are amazing and I just love old cemeteries. 

 They had this little chapel open. So ornate! Can't wait for my European tour. 

Just more cool architecture. 

 Then I wandered over to St Paul's Chapel. It's good to know that if I moved to NY I could still sing in a choir. 

And then I wandered some more. Streets, pretty parks, amazing buildings.

 I even loved this little subway station thing. 

 I don't even know what church this is. 

 New York city office buildings including:

 The jail. I thought it was cool. Nice view, I'm sure. 

I worked my way to China Town where I wanted to eat lunch.

 I was pretty fascinated by this revolving parking lot. 

 The waiter gave me silverware right off the bat. But food was delicious!!!

After this I rode subway and trains home (NJ) so I could get my luggage and then I rode the trains and subway back up north so I could Uber to the airport for a little cheaper. 

Everything was going great until I lost my phone in the airport. It literally disappeared. I had it one second and then it was gone. Huge pain. Made for a boring flight and feeling pretty isolated. I actually had to use a payphone in Dallas. Shocked they even had working ones. But being back home with my family was great. 

However, New York changed me. I LOVED it there. I left a piece of me there (literally) and I can't wait to go back.