Star Struck

Last year Cooper started down the road of musicality.  He started taking violin and joined Young People's Choir.  He also took the brave step of trying out for the school play and loved it.

This year he added piano to the mix and tried out for a full fledged Young Actor's Guild play, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  Keep in mind he had to sing a solo during tryouts and had to read lines.  He was cast as Walter, a school boy.  He had a few lines and sang in the school scene and thoroughly enjoyed himself.  I loved the play and watching Cooper, but the process was a bit much.

Practices were long and intense and the very young directory was quite rigid.  In the end, it was a great experience for Cooper.  I'm so proud of him for trying something new and following through with it.  Although he won't be trying out for the next Screen Actors play (too much Sunday involvement), we'll be keeping our eyes out for more performance possibilities.  

Man Child in the Making

I'm too young.  I shouldn't be at that stage where I reminisce about his sweet newborn disposition or full blown temper outbursts.  I shouldn't be hoping he'll make the right decisions while never knowing what he's thinking.  I shouldn't have random emotional fallouts because I miss his face and his easily expressed laugh.  I shouldn't be wondering if he is eating and doing his laundry and getting enough sleep. I shouldn't be thinking of all the worldly influences and dangerous situations that destroy the invincibily so fully embraced by teen adults. 

Yet I am experiencing all of this.  Hunter left.  Just like that.  He moved back to Boise and is currently looking for employment and hoping to take some classes next semester.  He's meeting new people and learning what it's like to be responsible for almost all parts of one's life.  I'm sure he is bringing joy to those around him.  I'm glad for them.  I'm sad for me.  I'm hopeful for him.  I love him.  I miss him.   

Germ Junction

Sick season full power throttled through our family. It hit me hard with all sorts of nasty symptoms and, almost 2 weeks later, I'm still dealing with the cough and cold portion. Kurt embraced the bug next and ended up missing a little work over it. Cooper has a few symptoms but seems to pull through...until today.

He has been up for about 20 minutes when he approached me with a fever, rolling tummy, and runny nose. So he stayed home and, after working the majority of the day, I returned to medicate and take care of him. Maybe I decided to blog a bit as well.

I hope the beginning of this school year is not foreshadowing for the year to come, but nothing makes you appreciate your health like a large dose of the flu.

Tweet Tweet

Sometimes it takes me a couple of tries to fully embrace something new. For example, I created a Facebook profile a couple of years ago and within a week shut it down because it seemed so overwhelming. About 8 months later, I was ready to open myself to the Facebook experience again and give it a month before making a drastic decisions. Now, I love Facebook (minus the games, virtual gifts, and people who are constantly trying to get you to buy things). I even embrace the inappropriate (not to be confused with profane and vulgar) status updates...so entertaining.

About 8 months ago I created a Twitter homepage. About a week later, I pretended it no longer existed. I didn't get it (still don't completely). What was all the hubbub (real word) about anyway? Today, in the laziness of a hot and windy summer afternoon, I decided to revisit Twitter. My favorite poster is the channel 3 news here in Great Falls. I love feeling like I know what is going on in my community. It might get old eventually, but for now it's so intriguing. I like that I can have some tweets come to my phone and some I can just read when I go to my Twitter home page. I love that I could care less that I only have 1 follower because I'm too busy following lots of other people, businesses, and services groups. The jury is out for a month, but so far...so good. Remember when I said Tweet? Kind of makes me giggle with a nerdy nose crunch!

Motel reviews

The first night we were on our trip we stayed at a Super 8 motel near Sandpoint, Idaho. It lived up to your average Super 8. There was no pool, but there was a hot tub. The room was small but great for us with 2 queen beds and a small t.v. The bathroom was nothing fancy, but served it's purpose. They did have a continental breakfast with the always popular self serve waffle machine. I didn't take any pics, but if you have stayed in a Super 8, that is pretty much what ours looked like.

The other 2 hotels booked for this trip were reserved by bidding on Priceline (I'm a risk taker like that). The way that works is your pick the location and the star rating (the highest I could go was 3 stars...so I did). You enter the price you are willing to pay, give your credit/debit card info, and bravely click the "book my room now" button. Priceline picks the hotel...you heard me right.

Both of the venues I bid on with Priceline were accepted, one in Pasco Washington and one in Spokane Washington for the way back. Both ended up costing about the same as the Super 8. Last night we were booked at the Red Lion in Pasco. When we arrived at the hotel, we were surprised at the enormous size of it. The lobby was grand, very upscale. Looked like we won with Priceline...at 1st. Priceline also decides the beds and we were set for a room with king, but the clerk saw there were 2 of us and graciously gave us 2 Queens. Great service for sure.

After walking aimlessly for awhile, we bumped into our room. The 1st problem was getting in the room. It looks like they took refurbished electronic door openers and glued them to the door. Needless to say, it takes about 7 attempts before I can get into our room...every single time. Once in the room, it looks fabulous. It was spacious and decorated nicely. Then I realized we were in an adjoining room. That made me a little uncomfortable. Who wants a door between you and the unknown serial killer next door? Not me.

Then I noticed the sliding glass door which took up one whole wall that led to the ... Parking lot. The best part, the door wasn't locked and anyone could have been in the room. Time to check every nook and cranney for the local crazy guy. The entertainment center with fridge and microwave was great. The bathroom area is beautiful....almost. There are chunks out of the door (even in our main room door) and the worst part...a little mold in the corners of the shower. SICK!

So, I like the room, but I didn't feel safe and the mold threw me over the edge. Plus, there's no continental breakfast (what's with cheap hotels having them and pricey hotels making you pay?). Make your own decision as to whether you would stay here...I already have.

Road Trip

It has been far too long. Almost a year when I think about it. The last time I jumped in the car and headed off to roam the countryside was last August and I think that' s a shame, but it was a crazy year and surviving was number 1 on my agenda. Now, I'm making up for lost time. Currently I'm in the town of Sandpoint Idaho which is encased by waterways and mountains.

Cooper will be singing for the Great Falls Young Peoples Choir tomorrow. Unfortunately, I thought it was today and signed up to play and sing at Silverwood...a huge amusement park. Then, after committing, I found out that day is tomorrow...Sunday. I'm going to do the best we can in the situation we are in to remember the importance of the day and enjoy our time together. Guilt will be a part of the equation though.

I can't help but absorb the majesty of God's creations while in this divine venue. Did I mention my brother and his family have arrived to add to the population of Great Falls, MT? In 2011, they will add one more. Wendy is here as well. Just to make it homey.

Guilt

I feel guilty when I don't get in any blog posts for awhile. It's not because I have a huge fan following or because some magazine is calling to ask if I'll guest write for them. It's because my blog is my journal. I know it's public and any ole' who can read it, but for me it's a way to document my life. I think I'll just remember that I blog a lot better than I journal and continue to try and be more consistent.

Too much has happened to try and play catch up in one post, like a big black birthday party and a green and gold graduation. Plus, I like to have photos with my posts, so this time I'll just talk about these photos.

Right before Father's Day, I had a grand game night. Remember my fabulous free party gig I have going with myhouseparty.com? They came through again, providing me with 3 games and tons of treats. So, I invited a bunch of people I think know how to have a good time and we put our IQ's to the test. Luckily, if you couldn't answer a question correctly, you could bid on answers and purchase Trivial Pursuit pie pieces. This is the strategy that keep the ladies in the lead pretty much the whole game, until the end. Enough said about that. For your benefit, you might see a little Violet enjoying the night as well.

Then came Father's Day and this was one of the best because I was able to be with my husband and my Dad on Father's Day. I'm not necessarily promoting the move-back-in-with-your-parents strategy to make this happen though. My dad is an incredible person. Although he isn't perfect, he is witty, smart, driven, hard working, and service oriented. He's a super grandpa too! My husband is also service oriented, compassionate, playful, hard working, and kind. I've noticed the older he gets, the better father has has become.

Since it's been so long, here' s a few random updates:

• As a teacher, I'm supposed to have summer off, but I gladly have gone in almost every day to stay on top of a few things. It's nice to go in when I want and leave when I want, but also get tasks taken care of.
• I was a college teacher for a day and it was great!
• I got a sunburn and I'm irritated at myself for it.
• Coop & I are going to Silverwood and Randy's this week
• Kevin is moving here...he is bringing his family too!
• Heidi is pregnant.
• Mike is dealing with a crazy woman and I want to toilet paper her house...I'm mature like that.
• Hunter volunteered for day camp this week while working full time night shifts. I see a headache in his future.
• Calie came to visit and I didn't take a single pic...ugh!
• I hate long lists of bulleted items. The end.