Whew! These past two weeks and the upcoming two weeks!!!! So much to do, so little time....
Thanksgiving week started with Steve and me in a serious push to finish our books so we could take advantage of Blurb's 50% discount offer. I was working on the second book of my mother's life history and Steve on his quote book. Every spare moment found either Steve or me at the computer putting on the finishing touches so that we could order on Saturday, the 25th. For my mother's final volume in 2024, I WILL have it completed by the summertime to avoid any more of the crazy last-minute panic we had this year.
Oh, and to add some more "fun" to the beginning of that week, the Kia had a flat tire when I went out to drive to one of my schools. Hooray for having the backup Honda Element, for USAA roadside assistance and for Bates Tire and Auto and two new front tires....
Thanksgiving in Columbia at Steven and Tamara's was so nice! I just love their home... so much space. Our "alternative Thanksgiving food" idea was delicious. I particularly loved the bacon wrapped sweet potatoes and the stuffing stuffed mushrooms. The pecan pie bars that I brought were delicious and so was the apple pie ice cream. And, I got a free used ice cream maker out of it. WIN!
Beckie drove to Columbia and back with us that day and it was fun to have four hours of visit time. Friday morning, we loaded up the car again - this time bringing Sally - and we drove eastward to Indianapolis to spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday with Julina and Alex. We took Shiloh to dinner at Golden Corral Friday night (that girl can pack it away!). Steve, Juli and I attended the temple Saturday morning and, on our way home, we visited the nearby Giving Machine and donated some items.
We enjoyed Jett's Pizza and brownies with ice cream for my birthday meal that evening. I am now sixty eight years old... On Sunday, Steve and I headed back to St. Louis right after Julina's sacrament meeting so we could attend our choir rehearsal at 4:30. Below is a cute photo of Banjo and Sally from our visit.
This past week was pretty crazy because of the Civic Orchestra. We had two rehearsals (Tuesday and Friday) and our performance last night. It was a fun concert to play - the first half was classical: Corelli's Christmas Concerto and Prokofiev's Lt. Kije Suite and Ravel's Pavane - and the last half was all Christmas pops with my favorite being the Polar Express Suite.
And, in between all the rehearsals and all my school teaching, we have been trying to decorate the house for Christmas. It is almost unheard of us not having our tree up by December 1st but this year, it is the truth. We hope to get a tree tomorrow. Most of the other inside decorations are up. None of the outside are.
Today, we will be getting a new Bishopric. Below is the old Bishopric: Steve with Tracy Rivers, the executive secretary, Matt Morgan, the moving away bishop, and Greg Farley
As if last week was not already packed to the gills with stuff to do, I had a bit of strings class drama to deal with, too. One of my students has been struggling with the whole concept of playing the cello since almost day one and had become increasingly disruptive in class as a result. Refusing to play or playing random notes very loud and out of place. So, Monday, I had to email his mother asking that he not return. Of course, that resulted in a flurry of emails involving the coordinator of the after-school strings program and bla bla bla. In case I have not already announced this on my blog, I will NOT be continuing to do this string teaching after this year. Too much time spent driving meaning too many trips to the gas pump, not enough compensation, and having to deal with difficult students and parents. Thankfully, almost all of my other 31 students are sweet and trying hard and succeeding at playing their string instrument so, in spite of the hassle, I DO enjoy the actual teaching part.
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