Is It Naptime Yet

My high school choir teacher is retiring at the end of this school year. They had a retirement party for her Saturday night and a lot of old students came to her final concert on Friday night.

It was fun to see old faces, but really strange to see kids I babysat or taught in Primary in the high school choir. I felt really old.

For the song O’ Sifuni Mungu Mrs. B let any past members of Varsity Choir get up and sing. Here are the words to the song, and here is a rendition of it, though it’s not  as wonderful as the choral one we sang, but it gives you an idea.

As a long side note: I hate singing any kind of solo’s. I had friends in choir that were just naturally talented singers and I hated any focus on me, since you often got criticized or made fun of behind your back in high school or worse, made fun of to your face. I was in the catch all Girls glee choir my freshman year, then Varsity for the following three years. My senior year I auditioned and joined Expressions, or the highest choir, but I’m sure I made it partially due to the fact that they needed altos. Four of us auditioned, you had to audition every year regardless if you were already in it, and all four of us made it. Fortunately solo days were few and far between and I only sang twice in front of the group. I’m really not a talented singer. I depend on others to help me find my strength as an alto, unless it’s a song I know really well.

Well, my senior year for the final concert I decided I would audition for one of the short solo’s in O’ Sifuni Mungo. Part of my reasoning behind it was my friend Alana was the only alto who sounded nice in the small group that auditioned and there were two alto solo’s so I decided that I would be the other alto and was gonna rock the solo, no matter how nervous I was.

Before I auditioned I practiced in my room all night. I recorded myself over and over again and listened to the recordings over and over again until I felt confident that I sounded nice and would get support from my friends and classmates, rather than criticism. I approached Alana and asked her how I sounded. She was so surprised that I had a voice, since I tended to sing quietly, and helped me get the timing correct. In my nervousness I rushed the beat and was off a little.
I went to the choir room and practiced and I remember Mrs. B also being surprised. I got the first solo, or
All creatures of our God and King (O sifuni mungu)
Lift up your voice and with us sing (o sifuni mungu)

I also performed Friday night, or the night that you know you’re good ’cause she saves the best for Friday.
I was so nervous, but I nailed it, and it has been my only solo.

Back to the weekend.
It was wonderful singing with the choir during a song that meant so much to me.

There’s also the tradition of having all the alumni come up and sing the song Friends, so I did that also.

Afterwards I talked with old friends and caught up a little and then headed home.

Saturday night was the retirement party. I went a little late and saw a handful of choir friends from my past.  It was so weird to see some the the sophomore guys in choir grown up and how they’ve become men. I feel as though I haven’t changed and here they were so different, and some barely recognizable.

The best part of Saturday night was having a young lady I babysat come up to me and recognize me. I hadn’t seen her since she was nine or ten and she was so grown up. When I saw her parents at the concert and found out she was in the choir I had fun guessing which young lady she was, and I did guess right.
I told her how surprised I was that she even remembered me and she told me ‘of course, you were my favorite.’ Then how recently her and her parents had ran into my mom at  JoAnn’s and the first thing she asked was how I was.

It was fun to be remembered since I often feel forgotten by those in my past.

Later I was trying to think if I remembered any of my old babysitters or young woman in the ward when I was only nine or ten, but my babysitters were my older siblings so that was no help.

It was fun to reminisce and see old friends.

Tonight I cried while watching the Country Music Awards while some singer sang a song about the high school girl wanting to grow up and her mom telling her ‘ you’re gonna miss this, you’re gonna wish it hadn’t gone so fast.’ or something to that effect. I don’t listen to the radio much so I don’t know the singer’s name or the song title. It also talked about missing  young motherhood.  I think I’m just a cry  baby tonight,  because I also cried during masterpiece on PBS tonight.

Life was hard in high school since I was so quiet, but I do miss the friends I made there and the true worry free life that I had compared to now. Though I wouldn’t trade being a mom, just trade the letting the parents worry about the house bills and all that jazz. Though I worked my junior and senior year so I could have the money I wanted without burdening my parents as much, but I heard I maxed out the gas card a couple off times. (Sorry mom and thanks for not telling Dad about it.) I was also spoiled, according to my older siblings, because I didn’t technically pay for my car insurance, which was part of the deal if you drove. My allowance, or lunch money for doing chores, just stopped and they paid my insurance. I think they even saved a couple bucks, though I spent that in gas. I was the last kid in the house and I had to do lots of the chores that I shared with siblings, so I think it was only fair.

Last night we went to bed really late. Jon was watching a film and I hate going to bed without him so I waited and watched with him.

We got settled into bed, it was after midnight, and then we hear something.

It was on Jon’s side of the bed and I wasn’t sure what the noise was or who was making it since our room is nearly pitch black at nighttime.

Jon rolls over and I call his name.

“Jon.”

I still hear the weird noise

“Jon?”

“Jon!?!”

I jump up and go to turn on the light but our ceiling fan is on, so the switch was no help to me. I’m a little freaked out at this point and he finally responds.

“It’s a cat.”

“A cat?”

I turn the hallway light on and sure enough he has a cat in his hands.
The noise we heard was the cat clawing at the bed sheets to get up on the bed, but for all I knew my husband was playing a cruel joke on me or someone was attacking him since he wasn’t answering me.

Here’s the amusing part, if you don’t think finding a strange cat in your bedroom, in the middle of the night, is funny enough.

Jon leaves the back door open to let cool air in. Our master bedroom is how you get to our backyard.
Just the other week I told him that he needs to shut the door at night when not in there because a cat might come into the house.

(He wanted to keep it open all night, with a bar in the door so the door couldn’t be opened more than six inches and no adult could fit through, but it’s still freaky to think someone might try, especially on nights when you hear the search helicopter going around your neighborhood. Have I said how we live in a ghetto area of town?)

So my reason of closing the door in case a cat came in sounded far fetched, so I also gave the reason of bugs coming in which he respected a little more.

Last night was one of the few times I’ve ever said ‘I told you so’ to Jon. (We try not to rub things into each others faces unless it’s something crazy like last night.)
Back to last night.

We then discuss what to do with it. We decided to just put it outside since the cat cage was in the shed.

The cat hung out on our porch.

We decided we should get the cage to catch it, since it was hanging out and had already come into the house once.

He approached me as I stood at the door and tried to come in again, but he left once he saw the cage.

We set the cage and this morning we had caught a cat.

It was a different cat.

I looked outside and we had a black cat in the cage and there on the porch was the one who had come into the house.

Jon says it’s stalking us. I tell him some might say it’s adopted us.
It’s a tame cat and when the girls went to check out the cat in the cage through the sliding glass door the invader cat came up to the door and was wanting in.

They were cute telling me how much the cat liked them and how nice it probably was, though Lilah still said how we never pet an animal we don’t know ’cause it might bite.
So the cage it set once more and the door is not to be left open unless someone is outside or in the room.

It was a really strange night.

Last week one of the counselors in the bishopric started talking to me in the hallway. I expected him to ask me to meet with him, since he had mentioned giving me a calling to Jon but Jon told him to just talk to me, instead he asked if I would be a teacher for the Sunday School and teach Gospel Essentials. I was caught off guard for a couple of reasons. One, it was in the hallway. Two, a sister in our ward was just called to be the Gospel Essentials teacher that day.
Our conversation went similar to this:

me: Gospel Essentials? Are you sure sister Burns was just called to that today?
him: Well, we’re thinking of having you team teach.
Subconsciously I respond with a slight frown because you don’t meet many people in Gospel Essentials and I really wanted a calling that would help me meet more people.
Him: Would you rather teach something else?
me: Well, I enjoy teaching Gospel Doctrine, but I can teach Essentials.
Another man in the ward: You know Sis. Koch could use some relief as Gospel Doctrine teacher.

It was just strange. He left knowing I would prefer teaching Gospel Doctrine and as I sat in class I felt really bad.

I had negotiated my calling.

I couldn’t find that counselor after class, but I found the other counselor and told him what happened. I let him know that I hadn’t meant to negotiate my calling, I was just a little confused at first, and that I’d be willing to teach Gospel Essentials.

Today I was called as Gospel Essentials teacher and another brethren was called as Gospel Doctrine teacher.

Right after Jon came home the phone rang. The caller id said United States Government, which I was gonna let ring, but it intrigued him enough that he answered it.

It was for me.

The man introduced himself, I think, and said he was with the Army. He asked if I had graduated college within the last year, I said yes, even though it’s been over a year, but I am graduated so within the year doesn’t matter because college is a big reason why people join the military.

He asked what I did. I said I stayed home and took care of my children.

He asked if I wanted to work and said that the Army could offer me great opportunities. I said I didn’t need to work because my husband supported me.

He asked once more so I then said I didn’t want to join and hung up.

Firstly it was just funny to me that he asked if I wanted to work after I stated I stayed home.

Uh, no!

I refrained myself from telling him what a jerk he would be to ask a mother to join the Army at a time of war and how I oppose women being put into hostile territory, especially mothers. (Not that fathers are any less important, but I am slightly sexist when it comes to war. Though I think women in the military is fine.)

It was a funny call, despite my negative feelings at the end.

I swept and mopped my floors on Monday so they would be nice as I do a ton of things this week.

Well, it’s Thursday and they’re dirty!

I don’t understand why things can’t just stay clean for like a week before getting dirty again.

So, before I start making the center mixture for the 350 truffles I’m making, it sounds like a lot to everyone except my friend Amber who catered and made the cake for her sisters wedding recently, I have to do dishes, though I’ve done them at least three times this week, wipe off counters and sweep, though I think it was Monday that I last swept.

Then tonight I think we’re going to plant some plants in our front dirt spot. (You’ll understand why I call it a spot when I post pictures later.) We bought the plants Monday for FHE and I was so grumpy. Little girls running around playing in water fountains is not my idea of fun when in a public store. Plus I was tired and hadn’t had a nap.

I’m gonna try to be more laid back as they plant and get dirty tonight.

For now I’m gonna go clean, again, and cause myself some trouble as I begin my truffle making experiment on a large scale.

Well, we’ve been a little busy here at the Blake house.

Friday we dyed eggs with my mother. Then we went to an Easter party/ egg hunt at Carolyn’s work, then we went to Kohl’s.

Saturday Lilah had a stake primary activity from 10-11. Then we went to Rawlin’s house to finish dry walling the hall closet. Jon did all the work and I sat around taking short naps and keeping the girls happy.

Sunday was Easter. Easter Sunday is always so busy.

Monday…um…I don’t remember Monday at this moment, but I’m pretty sure I was gone for the morning doing something.

Tuesday we had a park activity to plan the next few months for Lilah’s preschool class. I went to the temple to pick up garments, then to the park, then to Target to spend too much money, then  to Payless.  ( Two stores and I still couldn’t find shoes I liked for Eden in her size, or at a reasonable price in her size.) Then I had an enrichment that evening, in which I was on the committee and had to be there early.

Today. Ick, I want a nap.

I had my oil changed in my car this morning, then to my moms where I vacuumed the car out and let the girls play, but mostly to pick up ingredients so I can make 350 truffles for my cousin’s wedding which is coming up.
Then we picked up birth control at my doctor’s office.

Lilah asked why I don’t want to have a baby. I told her they’re too expensive. (Especially after my day of shopping yesterday.)

Now I’m home and I’m just so tired.

I have some cute pictures from Easter, but I’ve just been to busy to get them ready to post.

So there you go Shauntae. I’ll try to get some pictures up tomorrow afternoon. I have to go take a nap, then dishes, laundry, dinner, more dishes…. The chores are never done.

Yesterday was President’s Day so Jon was at home with us.

He made pancakes for breakfast and after doing the dishes he reached under the sink for the detergent and realized we had a leak.

I called my dad for some advice. I also e-mailed him this picture.

In the end we changed the on/ off valve but it is still leaking, just at a slower pace. It appears to be part of the pipe, or that back bolt which is very rusted.

For now we have a bucket catching the falling drops of water until we figure out what plumber we want to call.

Plumbers are so expensive, so I’m not really wanting to call. But I hope it is something that can easily be fix, and not something like the pipe needing to be ripped out of the wall and redone.

Ugh.

So after Jon fixed the pipe the girls were hanging out outside.
I went to check on them and realized a glass jar that Lilah had filled weeks ago with water and dirt had been broken.

We cleaned up the glass and since our sidewalk on the side of the house was horrendous I trimmed the bushes picked up the shingles, trash, and pine needles that had blown into that area and swept it so it’s now easily passable.

I then needed a shower but since I needed to clean the tub I did and then took my shower.
Jon was taking care of the girls, folding clothes and reading. I think he also may have unloaded the dishwasher.

In taking care of the girls I mean:
– Putting Eden down for a nap in only a diaper. (Her clothes were dirty so he took them off, he just didn’t replace them with anything. He did change her diaper though. )
– Letting Eden get up from her non-existent nap even though she’d been awake since 6:30 am. To his credit she was laying down for about 45 minutes. ( He is such a softy when it comes to letting the girls stay awake.)
– Letting the girls watch Mulan, which is why Eden came out from her nap. And yes, Eden was still naked when I finished cleaning and taking my shower.

Later in the evening I made a delicious dinner of salmon burgers, garlic potatoes, and fresh steamed green beans that were cooked to perfection according to Jon. (I also made the dinner because we had cereal for dinner two nights in a row. Partially because we didn’t have something easy like pizza to bake and he let me take late naps until it was dinner time and Jon really just makes breakfast and bread.)

And after dinner Jon did the dishes once more.

He’s such a sweetheart.

Cuddle and play with Lilah and Eden for a little bit.
Call animal control for the cat we caught last night. (This one was skinny and more temperamental. I think it was a true stray cat.)
Get dressed- which was good because animal control was at my house at 8 am. (They’re only a few streets down from my house.)
Get the girls and myself breakfast.
Get the girls dressed and to the library to return the video that was due Saturday.
Go to the grocery store for a few items. (We’re having a yummy turkey meatloaf tonight!)
Get gas in the car.
Come home.
Call Quest Diagnostic on the $220 bill they sent us that was not billed to our insurance.
IM with Jon. ( Dinner was suppose to be a surprise, but he’ll read this and know we’re for sure we’re not having moose. )
Return call to dentist to confirm appointment for tomorrow.
Call Campbell’s about our watery clam chowder. Reimbursement coming in 7-10 days. Yay!

And all this was done before 11:15 am.

Now I’m so hungry because I ate at 8am instead of 9.

Things I still need to do today in no particular order:

Make hearts with the girls to hang on our window
Fold mountain of clothes.
Put flannel sheets on my bed that I washed last Monday.
Wash our clothes. (halfway done)
Wash our sheets from our bed.
Do dishes in the sink.
Change water for the class fish.
Make lunch.
Get stuff ready for making truffles with the Jewitt’s tomorrow.
Plan lesson for this Thursday. (I won’t have time Tuesday or Wednesday.)

Things we’re doing special for valentines:
Hearts for our house.
Muddy Buddies party mix to give with valentines on Thursday. (Thanks for making me crave them Mary.)
Truffles with the Jewitt’s on Tuesday.
Heart chocolates for the class on Thursday, we might make them as part of the lesson though.
Red velvet cake for Valentine’s day.

It’s only Monday and I’m tired already, but that might be from getting up at a normal time.

So not too long ago I did a post about AAA coming to our rescue on a date.  (OK 18 days ago.)
Today I was a bit air heady and needed them once again.

I was loading my Costco kill of $120, yuck, into my trunk. ( I bought flannel sheets just for you honey.)
One box was heavy and with the keys in my hand and a hurt finger I was having trouble lifting it. Besides the fact I’m short and had to stand on my tip toes to get leverage to pick the box up. (Apparently I’m also weak.)
I dropped my keys into the trunk because the jeans I’m wearing are tight in the pocket area and it was easier to just drop them in the trunk.
I finished loading and I shut the trunk.

Oh my gosh I just shut the trunk and my keys are in there!

I called Jon at work. He was in a meeting and didn’t answer his phone.

I called my sister Kristi. I didn’t know what to do. She was home, but her car was at work from earlier that day when she almost fainted and needed Howard to pick her up because she wasn’t up to driving.

Darn it.

My mom was to be there later but we didn’t know when.
She mentioned how she has AAA and  they could open the car for me, which gives me access to the trunk release.

Wait I have AAA. They open locked cars?!?

So of course I call AAA.

Luckily I had bought a berry smoothie at Costco and the girls were occupied in sharing fighting over it while we waited. The AAA dispatcher found it funny when I was reprimanding them and telling them to share.
While we waited Lilah also said we were having a hard day. I tried to convince her it wasn’t that bad and waiting wasn’t a big deal.

I was thankful because we didn’t have to wait long and I was sitting in my car starting it 15 minutes after making the call and that includes buckling in two girls.

I <3 AAA.

On a side note. I have a pair of jeans that appears to be destined for wearing dairy products.
Last time I wore them I dropped a bagel and caught it between by hips and the counter top, cream cheese facing me. ( Yes I still ate it. My jeans were clean and why go through the trouble of trying to catch it if I’m not gonna eat it. )
Today as I ate my yogurt too much was apparently on my spoon, but it was not apparent to me until it dropped into my lap.
Now I smell like cherries.

So Lilah is sick today.
She has a fever.
Go figure.
I could have gone to church, but for whatever reason I felt I should be home today. (I guess it was the fact that Lilah wanted to stay and cuddle in bed with me rather than watch TV and I wanted to stay and cuddle with her rather than get up.)
I’m letting Jon visit the Unitarian Church today.
It just seems easier to have it happen on a day where I don’t have to explain why my husband isn’t at church with me and my two daughters, though I wouldn’t of had either of my daughters with me today and he if he likes the church I’ll probably have to say it eventually since he’ll be going at least once a month.
Eden is not sick, but she still has a horrible sounding cough and since Lilah is sick and it just happened last night, I felt that she’d be likely to spread her sisters germs.

How many Sundays till you’re considered inactive?