Summer 2012

Well one week from today I'll be sitting in our annual back to school meeting.  This summer I learned some things about myself.

1.  I don't do well AT ALL without a schedule.  I can waste hours of time doing absolutely nothing at all if I don't have something to get ready for, do, etc.
2.  By "don't do well" I also mean I don't like how I feel without a schedule.  Anxiety is the best word I can come up with at this time.
3.  I don't have a lot of people who want to spend time with me and vice versa.  This includes my family.

So now that I have one week left, how am I going to spend my time? 
1.  floating in my pool
2.  reading books
3.  finishing Ethan's second sock
4.  cleaning computer desk
5.  steaming carpets
6.  cleaning my bedroom
7.  staying up late and sleeping in!!

Being private about certain areas of my life. But want to acknowledge here that I started my journey on June 23rd. I am determined and excited to see what happens along the way. This summer I'm learning that I need a schedule or I don't get anything accomplished. Too much free time leads to anxiety. Too much screen time leads to feelings of sadness and loathing.

Long and Winding Road

What a long school year it has been...

Some VERY intense students.  Lost my dog.  Sean in school.  23 students in district choir.  1 all-state alternate.  Concert Choir and Chamber Choir receiving I superior ratings at state!!  8 solos and 2 ensembles made state contest.  Ethan going to state on tuba solo and brass quartet.  Ethan playing both soccer and tennis.  Ethan lettering in tennis!!  Alex finishing at MACC.  Alex moving back home.  Aidan graduating from 8th grade!  (what the hell!!!)  VERY intense students ready to graduate.  Lots of great kids next year!

This summer I plan to:  walk, read LOTS of great books, learn some new music, organize house and yard, train Barkley, watch Ethan and Aidan play tennis, spend time with my family, maybe see a concert or two, re-charge my battery...

Carpe diem!

Lots of Changes

2011 brought about lots of changes.
Finished my first year in my new and totally fabulous position!
Got I ratings at state with chamber & concert choir!
Alex moved into his own place
Mori got sick
After 6 months, Mori passed on.
Ethan made district band
Aidan made district band
Sean started an MBA program
Sean loves his MBA program
We met and fell in love with Barkley!

Roman

IMAG0077, a photo by murphymomx3 on Flickr.

I think he loves it!

Anything Goes!

IMAG0074, a photo by murphymomx3 on Flickr.

Ethan

IMAG0068, a photo by murphymomx3 on Flickr.

Letter jacket!

Barkley

IMAG0065, a photo by murphymomx3 on Flickr.

Barkley

So Very

On Friday, October 21st, our family welcomed a new puppy to our home. To say that Barkley has healed our hearts is an understatement.





Ethan got his much wanted letterman's jacket. He made all-district choir and all-district band this fall! He is auditioning for all-state band next week. Ü





I had a student selected for all-state choir as an alternate! Very happy and hope it's the first of many to come. I had 23 students make all-district choir which is the most we've ever taken!





Sean is working on his MBA and loves studying & learning although I don't think he'd admit that to just anyone.





Aidan is loving life at the moment. What a change from 7th grade. He's an ambassador and just found out he made the district band for middle school!!





Alex is still loving living on his own. He seems happy and is going back to school this spring. I can't wait to see what he decides to study...





I directed another play with Denise. The kids did a fantastic job and fun was had by all.

I miss my dog.

Mori

Mori was the best of the best. A gift in every way. Rest my loved friend. I already miss you.

Good to Be Back

Just finished the first week back to school. Very tiring but verrrry satisfying! I can't believe I get to do what I do all day long!!

Just Finished

I just finished 3 great books! I have been reading reading reading for the last few days and Oh how I love a good book!!

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

Shanghai Girls

Peony in Love

Today, I am starting Homeland.

Getting There

I'm getting ready. Getting ready. Ready to get out of town for a week. Ready to get back to a schedule. Ready to start the new school year. Ready to enjoy the last bit of summer!!

Blues

For me, Facebook has become a place where I go and feel unhappy with my life. I used to love reading about what my friends were doing. Now, I just feel unhappy with what I'm not doing. Everyone's life sounds so exciting compared to mine. Vacations, business trips, hanging out with friends, dinner dates, etc etc etc.

Part of the issue is I am spending WAY too much time reading about all the fabulous plans everyone has. WAY too much time. When I look back at this summer, I'm afraid I will remember it as the summer of indecision and unhappiness. Not how I want to be living my life.

I have plenty of things to do in my own fabulous life. Plenty. The problem is, none of them sound or look glamorous or exciting when compared to trips abroad, trips to the coast, and just trips to the nearest city.

I don't post everything I do on facebook. I don't want to live my life so publicly. I don't post every single picture I take or every single thing I do throughout the day. Way too public for me.

Instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing, I need to get busy living my life.

Consider

I guess I have to consider it a job well done that my oldest is moving into his own place this weekend. I guess we (sean & i) did our best with him and that he is able to move into his own place.

This parenting thing is ... not sure what the right word is. I can't believe how much energy time passion love emotions sweat worry grief joy pride and regret I have put into this relationship only to have him move out.

But I guess, it's really the goal from the start! My head keeps telling me that but my heart is screaming something different.

While I'm excited for him and happy for him and happy that his younger brothers will no longer have to share a room (YIPPPPEEEE) I can't help but be a wee bit sad for me.

So, I keep reminding myself to consider the job I've done and sigh a big sigh when I remember it's only 3 more years until the next one will be ready to leave.

just

be nice.

Winding Down

Whew! This semester has been a whirlwind of contests, concerts and rehearsals! I had NO idea how busy I was going to be!

And, I could not be happier. Ü

One!

Ones for both choirs! Woot!

Thank You

Today, one of my students told me thank you. He looked me in the eye and told me thank you. It was one of the nicest things I have ever had said to me.