Word to Your Mother - Band Wisdom

My youngest son is attending his first marching competition with his high school .  So I thought I would give him some encouragement. He has come a long long way.  Check out my Diary Entry on Dinner Music.

trying on the uniform for the first time

Far Right Front

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What I Learned This Summer

What I Learned This Summer

I guess my summer is finally winding down. I thought I would share what I learned this summer.  I am linking up with Emily Freeman. Also check out what everyone else learned this summer.

I DID NOT FIND BIGFOOT

I know you are SHOCKED that we didn't have a close encounter with Bigfoot.  My friend and I did a hiking program through a local hospital. It was called Trek for the Treasure.  We did 6 progressively harder hikes that had clues that were to lead us to find Bigfoot.  We looked for the last clue and literally could not find it. It was disappointing and frustrating. I am though super proud of us for doing this.

HANDLING THE HILLS

On our way back from our Trek for Treasure hike #5, I had a long discussion with my husband.  I felt I wasn't handling the hills/mountains in my life very well both literally and figuratively.  I usually pride myself on tackling challenges but I have been frustrated.  My personal summer plans have been derailed. I did not take it well . I am the Queen of Work Arounds but I have been stuck for a bit on the part of the summer that didn't happen for me.

I saw this quote and had a little ah ha moment

When you can't control what's happening,
challenge yourself to control the way you
respond to what's happening.
That is where the power is.

I have long said, " You always have a choice."  I guess I should work on practicing what I preach.

BAND MOM

My youngest son is a trumpet player.  We had a whole lot of music this summer.  He went to Jazz Camp and he is currently at Band Camp for high school.  I love watching him play.  He is so fearless in this part of his life.  I love how he doesn't hold back. I have become a band mom.  Hey, I even got a fortune cookie that involved music.

PODCASTS

Many of  you know I am a big podcast fan.  My favorite from this summer was a 2 part REPLY ALL
on a telephone scam - #102 Long Distance and Long Distance #103  I wish I was like Alex Goldman, kidding.  Would you let a scammer take control of your computer.  Would you visit your scammer in India? Listen to this.  It is SO good

The Band Marches On

Our youngest got the opportunity to march with the combined middle school bands of Horizon and Vista at the Holland Days parade in Oak Harbor, Washington on Saturday.  This is a parade I have never been to. The parade was opened with a town crier and bell ringer. The parade included lots of people in Dutch dress complete with clogs. It was a great day for a parade with several local middle school bands. 

Chuck said he had a great time but marched half the parade with a tootsie roll stuck to his shoe.  They gave  time after the parade to visit the carnival.  The drummers acquired plastic hard hats from the group behind them - the ReStore. For the first time out as a group this season, they did well.