What if...

1. What if you choked on a piece of bread while eating? Cough, darn it! .

2. What if someone you don't know IMed you? I would say hello and get to know them

3. What if you forgot to set your alarm clock and was late to school? I would have to call the office to let them know I was going to be late so that someone could watch my classes for me

4. What if the person you love hated you? How awful.... well, not much you can do except for deal with it and move on, eh?

5. What if you had a big test on Monday but is busy on the weekends? Thank goodness I'm past the "big test on Monday" phase of my life!

6. What if your computer crashed when you were almost done writing a big essay (and hadn't save it)? I would cry! Don't pretend that you wouldn't!

7. What if you had to go to the bathroom but someone was in it? Umm - find another

8. What if you woke up and was covered in frogs? Ick! I'd get up and run!

9. What if your two closest friends started avoiding each other? That would be so sad! Well, I guess we'd have to alternate days, huh?

10. What if you accidentally sent a message to a person who wasn't supposed to read it? Oops! Call and apologize.

11. What if you were on the phone and your friend had something crucial to say, but at that moment the phone went dead? I'd grab a land-line phone!

12. What if you had a time machine and could travel to any time period? What year would you go to? Hmm... either the 20's or the late 50's

13. (continuing from above) You went to a time period but what if the time machine crashes and your stuck there? Well, I guess I'd better get used to not having e-mail!

14. What if you had to do a CPR to a member of the same gender? Who cares! When someone needs CPR, gender does NOT matter!

15. What if you lost something really important to you? Just keep looking...

16. What if your best friend starts to drift away to another group? Well, obviously that means that their interests are changing.... If you love something, let it go

17. What if you were sick on the day your class got to go on a field trip? Aww- that sucks, and has SO happened to me! What are ya going to do?

18. What if you were sucked into the computer? Yikes... that's a little bitty space for me to fit!

19. What if you had 1000 songs in your music player and suddenly they all got erased? I guess I would get to work and download some more!

20. What if the shower broke down and the plumber couldn't come for a week? I would borrow Mom's or a neighbor's

21. What if your legs got cut off? I would become a spokesman for prosthetics!

22. What if you found out that your gf/bf was cheating on you? We'd have a LONG, not so nice kind of talk....

23. What if your friend beat you in the 50 meter run by 0.01 sec.? Congratulate them, then get back to practicing!

24. What if you could change your name? I think I'm pretty okay with my name

25. What if your favorite T.V. show got canceled? Buy the entire series on DVD boxed sets... that's what I did with "Friends"

Christmas

Mom and I went to the movies tonight, our Christmas night tradition. (We saw "The Family Stone" - good movie!)

On the way home the radio was on one of those stations that play continuous Christmas music. I was enjoying it and humming along until "Little Drummer Boy" came on. That was my great-grandmother's (Granny Norman) favorite carol. She asked my brother to play it every Christmas because he was a percussionist. (He had the hardest time explaining why he couldn't play the song with just his drum....) She's been gone a little over two years now, and I've heard the carol since then... but for some reason tonight, it hit me. I was so glad that it was dark in the car and that my mother couldn't see the tears that had welled up in my eyes... I REALLY didn't feel like explaining what I felt. It was one of those times where you're holding back such a flood that your eyes sting. I really miss her. I miss that she smelled like an old lady and that she always had gas. *L* I miss that she gave my brother and I goldfish or oyster crackers every time that we went to her house - even if we were way too old for afterschool snacks. I miss that she knew every thing that there was to know about gardening and I miss that she stuck tissues EVERYWHERE. I miss that she let Britt and I play hide and go seek in her corn garden, and I miss shucking peas with her on her front porch while we watched the cars go by. I miss that when we were in trouble she called us every single family name but our own. ("Ida, I mean Kim, I mean Eleanor, I mean Kathy, I mean LORI!" "Sam, I mean Clay, I mean JB, I mean Joel, I mean BRITT!") I miss holding her hand while we watched TV. I love that she made Britt and I watch her "stories" (soap operas) every afternoon, immediately followed by wrestling. That woman loved some wrestling! I miss that she gave everyone underwear that didn't fit for Christmas every year. I miss her strength. I always admired what a strong woman she was - and I never told her. I should have told her. I miss that Britt was always her favorite (even though she would have NEVER admitted it in a million years.) I miss her. And for some reason, I miss her more right now than I ever have.... Merry Christmas, Granny Norman.

.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

BBQ and Family Memories

I just got home from my Uncle and Aunt's house in Jackson - annual Christmas dinner. (They always serve Barbeque from "Fresh Air" ... best BBQ in Georgia!!)

When I was 9 or 10, my Uncle Lamar decided that it was time for me to learn to drive. So - he took me and his HUGE pick-up truck out to the cow pasture (yes.... cows.... family farmers!) and put me behind the wheel. I loved every minute of it. There was nothing out there to hit (the cows moved when you started towards them) so, I had a blast! Mom however - was not so happy about it. ;o)

Once Britt (my younger brother) along with Amber, Amy, Heather (cousins) and I, decided that we were going to go to the pasture to inspect the cow patties. (For those who are really farm-illiterate, that's the cow poo....) We were really gross kids. *L* Well, we found a really huge one and we were all standing in a circle around it... Britt decided that he was going to be funny and picked up a huge rock and acted like he was going to toss it at the patty. YIKES! Well, the rock slipped, and the patty flew everywhere...all over everyone! Gross!!!


Well, I have a huge smile on my face just remembering all those crazy times on the farm.....

Merry Christmas Eve Eve to all!

Pass me the tissues....

I just sneezed, no joke, 12 times..... Cross your fingers that the head cold is gone by Christmas!

Shakespeare's Sonnet 130

I've been on a huge poetry kick lately.... re-reading all of my books of poems, and sharing a few of my favorites....


My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damasked, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks,
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound.
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress when she walks treads on the ground.
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.


I love this sonnet.... basically - Shakespeare is stating that even though his mistress wasn't a supermodel (and had bad breath, apparently *L*) he still loves her..... it's a nice message.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve Eve! ;o)

There's a Lifetime in those Biscuits...

My grandmother makes the most amazing homemade biscuits. They're perfect. The perfect texture, the perfect size, the perfect taste. I always enjoy them, but something about the biscuit I ate this morning was different. I was chewing the first bite and I just got this rush of thoughts- how did she learn to make these? Did she learn from her grandmother? How long did it take for her to perfect them? Does she think they taste as good as I do?

There is a lifetime in those biscuits... a lifetime of experience and practice and love....

My mom's cornbread is the same way.... perfect..... I can't count how many times I've watched Mom with her hands in a bowl of cornmeal mixing cornbread for Dad.... The bread is always perfect - it falls out of that old iron skillet and is always the perfect shade of tan. A lifetime of experience....

When will I find my food? The food that I make with all of my experience and love inside? Maybe I already make it and I don't know it.... (Maybe it's that peanut butter pie...*wink*)

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud - William Wordsworth

This is my favorite poem of ALL times! :o) Thought I'd share....

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils,
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: -
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company:
I gazed -and gazed -but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought.

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.

Such a bum...

I have never been as large of a bum as I was today - and it was great!! I did absolutely nothing - and I mean NOTHING. (Well, I did load the dishwasher, but that was it!) I watched "Raising Helen" and "Inventing the Abbots" today - both really good movies, by the way.

Just got a phone call from Dr. Shiver inviting me to a Christmas party at his place... too bad that the night of his party is my Dad's birthday - family first. (I would love to be able to go!)

Here's to hoping that I'll actually get a little work done in the morning.....

When scotch tape attacks...

Tim and I had a great weekend.... I feel SO relaxed knowing that I don't have to get up for work in the morning. (Don't get me wrong, I love my job....I'm just NOT a morning person!)

I finally finished all of my Christmas shopping tonight - so now I'm wrapping gifts. (One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time!) Now, if I could only convince the kittens to stop shredding the wrapping paper, I'd be good to go.... ;o)

FINALLY

I did it.... finally... I've lived in Macon almost two years now, and I finally found the post-office. *L* I've just been buying stamps at the Kroger customer service desk, and darn it - I was tired of stamps with flags! I wanted something different!

So.... I got brave.... I ventured into downtown Macon. I usually spend my time there lost, trying to find my way home. (All those streets look the same to me!) And, I found it! I conquered the College Street Post office! And I have pretty stamps! I mailed my Christmas cards....

Today has been a success! ;o)

Cuervo Cookies

It is time to start baking for the holidays.


Christmas Cookies

1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the
Cuervo again to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level
cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy
bowl.

Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make
sure the Cuervo is still OK, try another cup just in case.

First, turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl
and chuck in the cup of dried fruit, Pick the frigging fruit off
floor.

Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers
just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the Cuervo to check
for tonsisticity.

Next,sift two cups of salt, or something. Check the Jose Cuervo.

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a
spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven.
Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget
to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window,
finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the
dishwasher.

CHERRY MISTMAS

Lori Looks Like....

Go to google.com type in "your name looks like" (make sure you use the quotations). Post your favorites!


Lori looks like a race horse freshly sprung from the gate, pure energy in motion.

Lori looks like she has now biked her way into the top 10.

Lori Looks like leather or a candy I think.

Lori looks like she needs a well deserved break.

Before she takes her clothes off Lori looks like a Sunday school teacher: wholesome,
unsullied, pure.

Lori looks like she took a overload of sugar.

Lori looks like a career criminal.

Lori looks like the Statue of Liberty, only less green.

Lori looks like she’s about to gag.

Lori looks like a God compared to you devils!

Lori looks like she would sell her soul for a hot shower at this point.



How interesting...... two days 'till Christmas break!!

Warm Fuzzies

I adore white twinkle Christmas lights.... I absolutely adore them!

A Player's Guide

I'd read the following article a few years ago, and I was so excited to come across it again the other day. I thought I'd share - band nerds will appreciate it.....

A Player's Guide for Keeping Conductors in Line

by Donn Laurence Mills

If there were a basic training manual for orchestra players, it might include ways to practice not only music, but one-upmanship. It seems as if many young players take pride in getting the conductor's goat. The following rules are intended as a guide to the development of habits that will irritate the conductor. (Variations and additional methods depend upon the imagination and skill of the player.)

1. Never be satisfied with the tuning note. Fussing about the pitch takes attention away from the podium and puts it on you, where it belongs.
2. When raising the music stand, be sure the top comes off and spills the music on the floor.
3. Complain about the temperature of the rehearsal room, the lighting, crowded space, or a draft. It's best to do this when the conductor is under pressure.
4. Look the other way just before cues.
5. Never have the proper mute, a spare set of strings, or extra reeds. Percussion players must never have all their equipment.
6. Ask for a re-audition or seating change. Ask often. Give the impression you're about to quit. Let the conductor know you're there as a personal favor.
7. Pluck the strings as if you are checking tuning at every opportunity, especially when the conductor is giving instructions. Brass players: drop mutes. Percussionists have a wide variety of dropable items, but cymbals are unquestionably the best because they roll around for several seconds.
8. Loudly blow water from the keys during pauses (Horn, oboe and clarinet players are trained to do this from birth).
9. Long after a passage has gone by, ask the conductor if your C# was in tune. This is especially effective if you had no C# or were not playing at the time. (If he catches you, pretend to be correcting a note in your part.)
10. At dramatic moments in the music (while the conductor is emoting) be busy marking your music so that the climaxes will sound empty and disappointing.
11. Wait until well into a rehearsal before letting the conductor know you don't have the music.
12. Look at your watch frequently. Shake it in disbelief occasionally.
13. Tell the conductor, "I can't find the beat." Conductors are always sensitive about their "stick technique", so challenge it frequently.
14. As the conductor if he has listened to the Bernstein recording of the piece. Imply that he could learn a thing or two from it. Also good: ask "Is this the first time you've conducted this piece?"
15. When rehearsing a difficult passage, screw up your face and shake your head indicating that you'll never be able to play it. Don't say anything: make him wonder.
16. If your articulation differs from that of others playing the same phrase, stick to your guns. Do not ask the conductor which is correct until backstage just before the concert.
17. Find an excuse to leave rehearsal about 15 minutes early so that others will become restless and start to pack up and fidget.
18. During applause, smile weakly or show no expression at all. Better yet, nonchalantly put away your instrument. Make the conductor feel he is keeping you from doing something really important.

It is time that players reminded their conductors of the facts of life: just who do conductors think they are, anyway?

.....

District Honor Band Auditions were yesterday... what can I say? *sigh* Is there a magical way to encourage middle schoolers to practice?

Went out with Tim, Sarah Beth and James yesterday..... good times. We even had our picture taken with Santa. I haven't done that since I was about 5!

Tim just left Macon to head back to Fayetteville. I hate seeing him leave. Long Distance stinks....

Band concert is Thursday.... y'all pray that I (and all of my students) live until Friday!