THE BAND

And so it began. . .

Scene: End of 2nd day of school.

Who: Travis, the new middle schooler, in 6th grade, (basically, still "wide-eyed" and soaking in everything, even if he doesn't understand it all yet).

What: Band/instrument

The rest of the story: So, it's the end of the 2nd day of school. I ask the kids if they have any news to share, papers to show, need more supplies etc.... Travis announces we need to buy him an instrument for band. I ask what instrument, he replies that he doesn't know yet, the teacher hasn't done the evaluations yet. I try to explain that we would rather not buy one right away, but should wait to make sure it is something he will like and continue to pursue over the next few years.

Travis: "But, I promise I will."

Me: "Ok, we'll talk about it when we know what instrument you need." (ie...no way, no how, not now - there must be a way w/out buying a new instrument!)

The discussion ends peacefully. Several hours pass and the topic of school and their classes come up again. Here is the next exchange:

Travis: "You, know mom, Mr. M..... says if we play an instrument and they find out when we go to college, they will give you money to help pay for it. So you will be getting your money back."

Me: hysterical laughter (It was just the way he said "and they find out" that was sooo funny, if you're not laughing it may be one of those you had to be there moments)

Lynn: reading a book and oblivious to it all

Travis: "Why are you laughing."

Me: "Just because you can play doesn't mean you get a scholarship. I'm not laughing at you, just at your interpretation of what your teacher said."

Lynn: looks up to see what is so funny so I explain... "that's called a scholarship, Travis, and you have to practice and get good at an instrument to earn one." (he is the logical one, right?)

Travis: "But, I do want to be in the band, and I will stay in it and practice to get good."

Me: "Ok...I know you want to, and we will talk about it when we know an instrument." (still chuckling to myself about the getting money for college automatically when "they find out" you can play something and I will be getting my money back for the instrument at that time.)

Lynn: already back to his book and his own world

So, it was left at that. We will definitely consider renting or buying an instrument when we find out what he wants to play and the Band teacher thinks he is ready. And hopefully he will understand if we don't go buy the instrument as soon as one is assigned to him. But, I will also hope for that scholarship - we will need it!

Stay tuned.... Part 2 and the instrument reveal will come soon!

Uneventful Week

Well, I have been racking my brain trying to come up with a post that would be interesting to anyone who may read. I have to say this has been a very uneventful week around our household, and I do not have any interesting news, or antics to share. So, I must apologize as this may be boring.

Hunter and I have been working, nothing exciting for us as of yet, and Hunter is off tomorrow (he is off every other Friday). However, last Friday, he did have some excitement - he fell in a manhole. He was not hurt seriously, actually not much at all, just a few scrapes and bruises. He filed a workman's comp report just to be safe though - fortunately there will not be anything that will need to be paid on it.

Flicka and Camo have been going over to the in-laws house and took turns spending one night there this week (they wanted alone time). Flicka has spent a few days at home alone - her favorite thing to do because she can stay in bed till she wakes up, stay in her pj's all day, basically just veg out.

I have a couple of work appts. tomorrow so I will work at least 1/2 day. Hunter and the kids will go over to the in-laws so they can swim, and the kids are planning to ride 4 wheelers for a little while. While, we live in town, the in-laws live outside city limits and have around 10 acres. Gives us a chance to pretend we are in the country.

I think it has just been too hot to get into too much right now. If you live in AR this time of year you know you can't escape the heat. Forecast for the next 4 days - actual temp of 99 - 100, heat index of 105 - 110!!! HEAT + HUMIDITY = HHHHOOOOTTTT!!!!:0( *I still prefer summer over the bone chilling cold of winter!!!*

I guess overall, I would much rather have an uneventful week, than one full of turmoil!

Hope everyone is having a good week, and staying cool! Don't forget sunscreen and lots of water!!!!:0):0)

BACK TO NORMAL

All is back to normal, home is finally home again. Flicka and Camo are home with Hunter and I. We have slept under the same roof for 3 nights in a row now; sleep is much sweeter when all is right in the home.

Don't get me wrong though, it is no fairy tale. When I say back to normal, it includes more than just everyone being back at home. The kids arguing, cooking dinner again (took a break from that when the kiddos were away), running kids here and there again, increase in laundry again, etc.....

Ah, normal - it is awesome, and it is exhausting! But, I do love it!

My normal may be crazy to some, but to quote a line from a Jimmy Buffet song - "if we weren't all crazy, we would all be insane!" (I will learn how to upload music clips, and do links soon, I promise)

So, share with me. Is my normal crazy? What is your normal?

CAR TROUBLE

Ugh! Isn't having your car break down when you are least expecting it the worst?!!! It happened to me today, and it was not fun! I know it could have been so much worse, but it still was not fun!

My work requires me to drive a lot and my car is basically my office some days. Today I was in a town about 45 minutes away from where I currently live. My car decided to overheat and then not start again. Fortunately, my dad works in the town this happened in, he was at work and couldn't rescue me. But I did call my mom, and she was able to get someone they know, who grew up in the same town I did and still lives close to my parents, that is a mechanic to come and help me out. He managed to get me mobile again, and I was able to make it back to my home safely and park my car.

Hunter is very handy and will be able to fix the car, but will have to wait on a part from the dealer! So, all in all, it will be OK. Just an unexpected expense we didn't really need right now.

So, I just needed to say UGH!!!!