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Thursday, November 26th, 2009
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10:02 pm - So it's been a while....
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Since then, I have changed jobs! I moved across the street, from the middle school to my feeder high school. It was a very abrupt change, but it's been a good one. I've alrady taught most of those kids, and am getting to make more advanced music with them. We're prepping for our first concert next week, so a lot of my attenion is focused on that.
David also turned 2, and his growth continues to amaze me. Physically, he is as tall as a 3 or 4 year old girl, rockin' the 99th percentile on his growth charts. He's speaking in complete sentences, can do colors, count pretty well, and is rockin certain letters of the alphabet song. He is musical in general, and can carry a pretty good tune! He loves to sing Twinkle, Two Blind Mice (not sure what happened to the third one), and more. I wish I could think of more specific things he's doing, I need to start writing them down.
Keeping busy at church too, working on the Preschool board, putting together a church-wide retreat for the spring, and on personnel committee, it's been kind of a rough year. I went on a women's retreat at the beginning of the month, and it was a nice time away, and I'm trying to put some of the material into pratice, about taking quiet time, no matter what's going on.
I've also enjoyed the last couple days, having zero expectations, and planning way to much time for things, has actually made me on time and helped me get a lot done and enjoy time with my little firefighter!
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| Monday, September 7th, 2009
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9:14 pm - what a wonderful weekend
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Ahh, so nice. Got up with the little boy Saturday and we rode his first MARTA train down to Decatur, to visit the Decatur Book Festival. We arrived in time to join the Tractor Parade, which was pretty sweet, but could not sit still through reading of actual tractor book. Walked around for another hour or so, and enjoyed another train ride home. Stopped by the post office, library, and park on the way, and Honeybaked Ham. Took a nice 2 hr nap while the boy took his 3 hour one, and just enjoyed a quiet afternoon/evening around the house, coloring, playing ball, etc.
Sunday Corey went to church early, David and I skipped Sunday School to go play at Stone Mountain, and their excellent playground. We made it in time for a good worship service, then met Corey at Wendy's for lunch. Jill came over and we went and got pedicures, and once David woke up, to the Dekalb Farmers Market. We met the Duncans for dinner and got to hear about their skydiving trip. After the boy went down, I went out for fondue with two church friends, excellent girl time.
Today Corey let me sleep in, and once I did get up, we headed to Briscoe Park, for a walk and some playground time. We met up with my parents, and walked around the rest of the pond and had a picnic lunch. We threw the frisbee around, and fed the ducks/geese our leftover bread. Spend the afternoon tidying up, because we had company tonight - our small group came over for a dinner, and we of course had WAY too much food. But,, nice time and conversation had by all. Can we institute this 3 day weekend thing every week?
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| Monday, July 27th, 2009
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9:52 pm - ACK - one week left!
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Wow this summer has flown by - I have enjoyed stay-at-home time with my little boy more than I can describe. I have gotten to spend time with friends and family, and get a few things checked off the to-do list. Have fallen away from the Spanish lessons, and not read many more books on my list. However, have almost all cello bags sewn, curtains on the living room windows, and have dropped about 8 lbs - although my knee is worse than it was a month ago, so I'm going to the doctor for that.
Our newest project is the idea of selling our house and moving into a bigger one - maybe Corey's parents', maybe not. However, the first step either way is to get this one on the market, so Corey and I have been boxing up clutter and trying to get this house presentable - including the outside. This weekend, both sets of parents came over for a yardwork party, and attacked the side yard we had neglected for the 4 years we've been here - it looks SO much better.
Anyway, if you know of anyone who is looking for a nice 3 bed/2 bath ranch in the Parkview district, big back yard, recently remodeled kitchen nook, give me a holler!
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| Monday, July 13th, 2009
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12:46 am - What a nice weekend!
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Saturday - spent with my small group! After I walked the 3 miles to Weight Watchers (but did not loose that 1 lb I wanted to, boo!), we met up at IHOP for brunch, then back to my friend Hope's new house. We got the grand tour and actually had time for a Bible study (g-daddy had the boy), then off to cheer our friend Chris on in a soccer game. Evening was a going-away party for a friend from church.
Today - taught elementary sunday school, then played electric violin for worship service. Got some cleaning done while the boy was down, then Jill came over, and watched the dude splash in his baby pool. We went to a new (to us) Thai place for dinner, very tasty, then met SIL and another friend up for The Proposal, very funny, cute, chick flick. And now I am up way too late!
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| Sunday, June 28th, 2009
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11:22 pm - Self Improvement
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On the books to read list, I have finished all but Greatest Generation, plus a few others, including Graveyard Book - Newbery winner, I would highly recommend to anyone. Next on the list we have:
Time Traveler's Wife (has been on the list before, never made it through),
Cutting for Stone (mom recommended)
Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers (even though I'm not on session anymore, one of my favorite pastors wrote it)
Teaching stuff I have gathered the past few months/years - I need to consolidate, compile, and actually process articles I've read and workshops I've attended, and decide what's important to use this coming school year Regarding other habits/resolutions, I've made an Excel spreadsheet (yes, I'm a dork), and made categories for things I am trying to get in the habit of doing to take care of/improve myself:
vitamins,
activity,
Spanish lessons,
Bible reading, etc,
and the next 21 days - supposedly how long it takes to make something a habit. I tried this 3 weeks ago, and didn't get very far (failed miserably on day 2, but also the day I was violently ill, but never got back on track), SO, we'll try again. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
current mood:  thoughtful
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11:05 pm - Summer's halfway done
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Well, 4 weeks down, 5 to go. Just got back from a fantastic vacation to Hilton Head, my first time, with both sets of parents, and a sister-in-law for a few days. We had a nice rental home a 2 minute walk from the beach, and a private pool for Mr. Doesn't like the Ocean (Corey D.). Saw Transformers - it was okay, rented a bike and rode it around the island a lot, played some Rummikub, good times had by all. Pictures to follow soon. Other June activities included our annual trip to the Zoo with both grandmothers, and this year to the Yellow River Game Ranch as well.
The other fun thing I did this month was volunteer at a big Presbyterian Conference called the Big Tent Event - a first time collection of conferences held in the Hyatt downtown. I didn't really want to register for it, so I, and some ladies from church, offered to show some good southern hospitality; greeting people at the Peachtree Center Marta Station, giving directions inside the Hyatt, etc.
This is where going to DragonCon for 8 years came in handy - I knew where all the conference rooms were! Quite a different population though, smaller, older, and, not surprisingly, treated much better by the hotel staff! I did get out on Saturday and volunteer with the Young Adult group, and that was fun. My friend Hope and I also attended the Saturday night Celebration at Centennial Park, complete with bagpipes, John Calvin, and Presbyterian birthday cake.
Activities planned for July include a trip to the Aquarium, thanks to a friend who hooked me up with tickets, using my Stone Mountain sticker, perhaps another trip to Centennial or Piedmont Park, and other things that can generally be done for free or cheap with a toddler - might as well get away with it while I still can!
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| Monday, June 1st, 2009
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8:16 pm - Resolved...
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Looking back, I realized I never posted New Year's Resolutions this year! How unlike me! So...here are some June 1 want-to-dos...
In addition to my overarching goal of spending lots of QT with David, this summer I would like to:
Learn Spanish - there's a free tutorial program offered online by Gwinnett Public Libraries. I know I'll never be fluent, but I would like to learn enough to hold a conversation with a parent at school. So far I've been through 2 lessons and am discovering I remember just enough French to be confused by it.
Learn to sew - this includes making cute little bags for the cello racks at school to hold rosin and rags, which shouldn't be too hard, Mom helped me with the first couple. But also, to make a shirt for myself (I bought patterns like, 5 years ago!), and one for David. Maybe I'll start with the smaller one...
Dress the windows - right now living room and bedroom windows are naked; trying to decide whether to buy new curtains or attempt to sew some (will probably end up purchasing); and fixing the curtain rod in the baby's room that Someone has almost pulled down!
Be physically active - rather than setting a weight-loss goal, if I can fit more activity in, I figure I'll be healthier overall, and mabye get back the rest of my range of motion in my knee that had surgery last summer.
Not spend too much money! - somehow, being off school sometimes means more shopping, which equals more spending. Not even on me anymore, but on the kiddo! My goal is to find low/no cost activities that will keep us entertained the next 9 weeks - today was fingerpainting!
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| Friday, April 24th, 2009
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9:16 pm - Books to read...
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And a potential order to read them in: The Book Thief - finished last night - very good
Angels & Demons (actually started before I started seeing movie previews for it, and belongs to a friend)
Happiest Toddler on the Block - The New Way to Stop the Daily Battle of Wills and Raise a Secure and Well-Behaved One- to Four-Year-Old; I checked this out of the library and read the first few chapters, it seemed interesting, and now that we are entering month 18, I am starting to witness these daily battles of will!
Brisinger - third book in the Eragon/Eldest series, bought it the week it came out, never finished it!
Three Cups of Tea - recommended by my mom
The Greatest Generation - duplicate gift for my dad, but looks interesting
and OF COURSE - the comics my dear husband so lovingly puts on my side of the bed; I did read all Scott Pilgram trades, and just finished Gotham Central; finished two trades of Alias,and have not started Atomic Robo.
Alright, off to walk in the still-warm evening - I WILL earn my 35 lb star by next Saturday!
current mood: determined
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| Sunday, April 12th, 2009
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9:52 pm - This week I...
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- Cleaned almost the entire house, top to bottom.
- Did some yardwork - and realized how much more there is to do!
- Got an annual pass to Stone Mtn, got to play outside on lots of playgrounds and our backyard
- Spent some quality time with my mom and the Jill,
- got to go shopping, a LOT - mostly for the dude
- and...most importantly - got to hang out with my little boy 24-7! Tomorrow is not going to be easy for ether one of us.
This week is testing, then another 5 weeks of kids, plus one post-week (we have to make up a stupid planning day the day after Memorial Day, then I sighed up for some professional development for Wed-Fri). Then it's 8 weeks of summer! We have reserved a sweet beach house on Hilton Head for a week in June, and are headed down with both sets of parents again, and maybe some of our siblings. Happy Easter everyone!
current mood: accomplished
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| Sunday, March 29th, 2009
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10:24 pm - stuff
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Corey thinks I should write fanfic based off my dream from 2 nights ago, a Harry Potter/Twilight/SeaQuest/The Office cross-over plot - it was awesome. Life is good, just very busy. I've rolled off of session, and onto two other committees at church, so we'll see how that goes.
One week left at school until Spring Break. Having fun with chamber groups and spring concert prep. Went to a string teacher conference last weekend and it was awesome, have come back re-charged and full of new ideas.
We're still trying to do small things to the house, try to use our space the most wisely, thinking spring cleaning is in my spring break future. Baby is huge, 30 pounds, has his 17 month check-up this week. He's picking up new words weekly, if not daily, and has figured out how to run. Pics soon. Spring break soon... .
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| Saturday, February 14th, 2009
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11:01 pm - Restaurant Reviews
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Here are 4 places I have eaten at recently; 2 different cuisines, all with good company!
Cafe Istanbul (Scott Blvd & DeKalb Industrial): Authentic Mediterranean restaurant. Most seating is on cushions on the floor (not so good with a 1 year old!), décor older but interesting. Hummus and pita were okay, but both tasted like they had pizza seasoning on them. Entree was the kabob combo platter, beef and chicken.
Chicken was good, beef too spicy for my tastes. Served over rice with a few vegetables, was expecting the onions to be cooked. Baklava for dessert, I thought it was okay, the baklava connoisseur in the family (Corey) did not. Not kid friendly, pricey lunch menu. I hear on the weekends it is busy, with belly dancing and hooka. 2.5 out of 5 stars. Rice (Five Forks and Killian Hill) Chinese and Sushi Bar. Clean and quiet. Good variety on menu; I had California rolls and salmon/cream cheese rolls, they were somewhat bland. Corey had the beef fried rice, he let David have the leftovers Direct quote “fairly standard, nothing special”. Kid friendly, helpful staff. 2 out of 5 stars. Thaicoon (Briarcliff and Clifton): Thai and Sushi Bar. Also clean and quiet, somewhat upscale décor. Extensive sushi menu, I got a J.B. roll/California roll platter, and could not finish it all! Corey had the pineapple fried rice, enjoyed it but said it could have used a little more spice. Fried ice cream for dessert was quite tasty, menu was a little pricey. 4 out of 5 stars. Nicolas (LaVista and Briarcliff): Lebanese/Mediterranean food. Older building/not much décor, kind of cold (kept my jacket on both times). Fantastic hummus and pita. First time tried the chicken shawarma, super tender and flavorful. Little bro got a sampler platter, and I liked everything I sampled off of that, especially the eggplant!
Second time took my mom, got one of the sampler platters myself, was pleased again! Nickolas, the owner, will come out to greet you, and there is belly dancing on the weekends, although the music is kinda loud! 5 out of 5 stars! I do think it’s funny that the places I liked better are a) further away, and b) I used to live within 2 miles of both of them and never tried them! Oh well, live and learn more! Here are 4 places I have eaten at recently; 2 different cuisines, all with good company!
current mood:  full
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| Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
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1:15 am - Whitney should not have hot chocolate at 11 PM
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Or else I will appearently stay up as late as I can remember in recent history (besides for fun things like new year's and pre-new year's parties!). However, I'm trying to be productive and do some online bill paying. Which brings me to my point for the evening, Gwinnett Co. Water Resources is stupid. I got my bill, and at first glance it looks like they have not credited my payment for last month. However, I remember writing and mailing that check, so I go do a search for it on my banking website, thinking it should be an odd amount, but around $20.
I don't see anything, but do find this random check for 2.57. Guess what it is? The check to the water company, where they appearently could not read the "1" after the 2, or the handwriting directly below that says "Twenty-one dollars and 57/100" so they only credited my account 2 dollars. And charge me $1.90 in late fees, with a nasty note about payment past due and service subject to disconnection. So because your check scanner didn't read it correctly, I am punished? It's $2, and therefore not enough to make a stink over, I just paid them the rest of the amount online - which they have finally started accepting online bill pay like the rest of the world, therefore hopefully avoiding this situation in the future - but it's the principle of the thing.
David likes going down slides on his belly and playing with "baw" - ball. Church responsibilities are starting to lessen - for me, picking up for Corey. February is a silly busy month with Festival and other orchestra activites. Budget cuts around the county are making people nervous, we'll see what happens. Other than that, life is good.
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| Sunday, December 21st, 2008
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11:25 pm - Muppets + Christmas = Happy Whitney!
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This week has been filled with Christmas preparation and Muppet specials. Sunday we bought a tree, and I put lights on while we listened to John Denver and the Muppets Christmas CD. Afterwards we put on the best Christmas special ever, A Muppet Family Christmas, Corey was kinda scared I could quote the whole thing. Tuesday night I baked cookies for a cookie swap while watching the first part of Muppet Christmas Carol.
Thursday I watched the new special (Letters to Santa, it was okay), and last night I wrapped presents while watching the other half of Christmas Carol. Tonight I just finished watching the special from 2002 (basically It's a Wonderful Life with Kermit), which is cute, but just WRONG having Sam the Eagle as a rave monkey and especially Scooter as a cage dancer.) Also, sometime this break, I am going to go see the Jim Henson exhibit at the Atlanta History Center. Whoopee! (and not the one who was in 2 of the specials!)
current mood: chipper
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| Sunday, December 7th, 2008
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11:28 pm - Update!
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Wow, it's been a month! Lots of things have happened, like baby's first steps! Happened the day after Thanksgiving, and now he is a walking fool! We've also tried playing with crayons, grilled cheese sandwiches, and lots of other things. Thanksgiving was great, some time to sleep in, see lots of family etc. Only 2 weeks until Christmas break!
Winter concert is this Tuesday, then we start getting ready for Festival, which is early this year. We are doing some winter cleaning at home, deciding to put away the clutter before we bring out Christmas decorations, especially since the house needs a lot more baby-proofing than this time last year! Corey just did a number on our office, and I've been working on the common areas.
I also found time over Thanksgiving to fill out some of the baby book, since he is 13 months old! And it got me started on a scrapbook a work friend made me, with all the pages done, I just have to insert pictures! That's going to be my Christmas break project, but it did make me unearth a scrapbook about our engagement, reception, and honeymoon that my mother-in-law had prepped for me, so that's my current project! I'm also attempting to knit a scarf for the Special Olympics, but I'm not very good at purling. So, lots of things on the burners, as usual, but that seems to be how I like it!
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| Sunday, November 2nd, 2008
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8:14 pm - Most Excellent Weekend
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Ahh..what a great weekend. Friday night we had my parents over for board games (absolutely NO trick-or-treaters, and probably the last time we can ignore Halloween for a LONG time!). Saturday we got up early, but soon went back to bed until 11:30. Ran some errands, got my toenails done with ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) bonechic . Then my aunt came over to watch David so we could go over to mehve 's post-halloween party. We had good food and good fun, the girls put together a haunted cookie house, and everyone played some Rockband 2.
This morning we made it to church and had lunch with our small group afterwards. Our friends Kate and Brian even stayed over for a while and played some more Rockband 2. (we own all the stuff, but it's hard with a baby - either we're trying not to wake him up, or someone needs to entertain him. This worked out perfectly, with 3 instruments and 4 of us. This afternoon we went to the consignment store and got a few winter items, as well as a pretty sweet kitchen set as a late birthday present to the boy from us.
I plan to top off the weekend by taking 2 more days off. Well, Tuesday teachers have off, but I'm taking tomorrow off; still feeling guilty about Not taking Thursday off, little boy had a rough day after his yearly check-up. Cannot believe it is already November, and that my little boy is a year old. Pictures coming soon!
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| Tuesday, October 21st, 2008
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8:13 pm - Ahh..that's better
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Things have settled down after a very busy couple of weeks. I sometimes feel like some weeks are more productive than others, and this is a good one. Today after work, baby and I made it to the Dollar Store (stuff for work and the baby's birthday), GNC (glucosamine for my stupid knee), Publix (cake for said b-day, which I realized was silly expensive and will be baking it myself), and dry cleaners.
Then we went home, David had a tasty snack of goldfish, grapes, and cheese while I made spaghetti sauce. We went for a walk while it simmered and caught up with a friend on the phone. We came back and had dinner, bathtime, and baby went down without a fight about 7:45. I am now watching a Netflix movie (Charlie Bartlett), and planning on painting my toenails! Wish every day could be like this - or just at home with the baby.
( Life is good... )
current mood: satisfied
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| Saturday, October 11th, 2008
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10:37 pm - Memory Walk 2008
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If you are reading this, you probably know me personally, and if you've heard me talk about my family, know that my grandmother suffers from Alzheimer's disease, and has for almost 10 years now. While she is still with us in body, she is not in mind, and in the past 5 years two of her sisters have also been diagnosed with the disease. I want an end to this dehabilitating disease before it can reach my mother's generation. Next weekend my parents and I will participate in Memory Walk 2008, to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer's disease. All of the funds raised go directly back to research and education to fight the disease. If you're interested, please visit my page and consider supporting a great cause. Thanks for taking time to read this.
http://atlantachastainmemorywalk.kintera.org/sara
current mood: determined
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| Thursday, October 9th, 2008
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9:55 pm - Update
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- Baby is mostly recovered from a bout of croup. Had a nasty cough this weekend, couldn't breathe very well Monday morning, but thank good ness for early dr, appointments and grandma childcare.
- Fall concert is one week from today, we recorded the 8th graders yesterday and today so they could hear how not good they sound.
- Our lawn mower and ladder were stolen from our carport today, kind of unsettling.
- I am tired, Now that school is back in, I'm having trouble fitting it all in, husband, baby, work, church, fixing food (us and baby), exercise, weekend obligations, something has to go.
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| Friday, September 26th, 2008
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9:59 pm - Update!
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Holy cow, is September over already? I cannot believe my little boy is 11 months old today, and will have his birthday in one month! If I do not say it enough, he is the light of my life and I love every minute I get to spend with him.
School is going really well, we are 3 weeks away from our first concert for 7th and 8th graders - we've given them some hard music, but they are rising to the challenge (mostly). Sixth grade has been full of Twinkle Twinkle, and, most recently, (wait for it), the D major scale!
Tomorrow I am working 6 hours, but it is a pretty neat day; the Atlanta Symphony has partnered with our district to coach kids in sectionals and large groups, with a concert in the afternoon. The next couple weekends are busy, my second cousin is getting married next weekend, the next weekend a wedding gig, and then the Memory Walk with my family - I'll make a seperate post about that. Hope everyone else's fall is going well!
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| Saturday, September 6th, 2008
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9:39 pm - And here they are!
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