This was my 2008 Christmas Card. I am looking for something unique and I just loved this idea.
I just love them. Survived the Wizard of Oz--talented kids, great parents and a wonderful program. More later
1. Trombone
2. Trumpet
3. Clarinet
We happily signed the form confirming his choices. We were foolish to assume that he would get a choice on his list-This is the public schools you know and it frankly, it always seems to be about the teachers and what is best and award winning bands. He tried the instruments at school and said the he could buzz the mouthpiece of trombone, but had trouble reaching the full range of slide, he could not buzz the trumpet mouth piece and had trouble playing the clarinet. Needless to day, he came home with the:
BARITONE!!!
I contacted the music teacher questioning this decision and she said...Trip had trouble reaching the full range on the trombone and the baritone and trombone are virtually interchangeable--no they are not!! He can easily go from the baritone to the trombone and we will give you a baritone for home and one for school. Do you see an agenda here!! Excuse me, why did you not give my child a choice on the list. There is a shortage of baritones in the high school and they think they can trick my son and us into this choice.
DO NOT MESS WITH THE BAND GEEKS.
Our music teachers are trying to talk the kids into instruments the high school band needs. Many kids were pushed toward the cello (too many violins too I guess--too bad if you are poor and cannot afford violin lessons on your own, those spots are taken by those who can).
I did say, shame on you. 1) give the kids a choice on his list 2) do not try to manipulate the kids into picking an instrument they do not like or are interested remotely in playing--it is about them not what you need in the future. A 4 minute interview should not determine the instrument a child should play and they should not be discouraged in anyway. You are telling kids they can not something to make your job easier.
Finally, after my angry, rude email, the music teacher called me and said she would have an instrument ready on Monday. She said " I disagree with all your arguments and hope he is not frustrated when he cannot reach the low notes'. I said, the good news his, he will probably grow.
When you visit the pool snack shack at our country club, instead of cash, you give them your member number. My children use the snack shack everyday in the summer and are always sneaking in extra treats. The use of the number is always a problem in the summer.
This number's life seems to be carrying into the fall. My son just gave our member number as part of our address 2443 Berkshire Road. Our address is 809. He also swears that is our address. There are so many problems on mulitple levels here. Thought this picture was too funny!
These are my friends Sarah and Lisa (and their beautiful families) who started a wonderful business of planners call Familytime.mine (part of the dot.mine group). They sell their products on their own website and through Amazon and Borders (Borders has exclusive designs made just for them).
Their planners are designed for busy mothers who have to manage the lives of their busy children. Lisa and Sarah sat down with a bunch of active women who gave input into the actual functionality, layout and design their planners and voila....FamilyTime.mine was born.
I AM A HUGE FAN!
I have been using these planners for the past three years. Last year, I lost my FamilyTime.Mine planner and because I was in Chicago and desperate, I replaced it with a MomAgenda--big mistake. MomAgendas are way too small. I need space for all my kids activities and always had 8.5x11 inch paper sticking out of my planner--I looked like a slob!
I also use google calendar, but when I am in a meeting, I like looking at a monthly and yearly calendar--I guess I am a big picture type girl and need to see it all.
Cute Bubbles (Time.Mine-Standard Calendar)
Purples are "in" for fall--great cover (FamilyTime.Mine)
Love this one--so fresh! (FamilyTime.Mine)
Fun Dots! (FamilyTime.Mine)
Month at a Glance -FamilyTime.Mine
Has Week At A Glance too -FamilyTime.Mine
Lots of extras--I write it all down here and keep my calendars year after year!
Photo by Stephen Johnson
Photo by Stephen Johnson
My husband traded his lunch with my daughter, but neither were still happy with the food. My husband even said something to the manager. We received 10% off our bill and my daughter's meal was free. Actually, it is not the money at all. Rarely am I this unhappy that I would write about it--but, this restaurant is trying to play in the "big leagues" and having people leave who are unhappy believing that you ruined their meal, is not good for your reputation. We could not get out of there fast enough! Do not expect perfection here!
Every summer when I receive my lovely tax bill, I become instantly, and temporarily dedicated to using our public library, public parks, etc.
One such public park is called Rolling Hills Water Park. Actually, it is a really nice water park in a beautiful setting. It is clean, simple, and reasonably priced. I said, "hey kids, we are going to the water park for your brother's birthday". I packed up my group and we hit the wave pool, lazy river, fancy sprinkler area, etc. all for $8.00 for the day.
Since we mostly hang out at our private clubs in the summer, I had forgotten what public really means --the rules of modesty are gone.
Here are a few questions for you readers, and these are not meant to be mean sound, just statements from a sheltered mother of three:
Tattoos--I did not realize they were so popular. When was it acceptable for 70+ year old women have them and wear them proudly? Secondly, when did it become acceptable for severely overweight people to wear bikinis? There was not just one or two violators of this rule either. Is flaunting obesity in style? You know the saying, "love your body, and be proud of it"...well, it was in full form, and I mean full form today.
I was listening to the radio (tattoo discussion) and this woman stated that even though she has several easily visible tattoos, people should not judge her and we all need look inside of her. Well, I am sorry....if you choose this path, you will be judged and categorized the rest of your life. You rarely see tattoos on successful business leaders, politicians, etc.(unless they are a little off).
Remember girls, when you are pledging that sorority and in weak moment a group thinks it would be fun to put those Greek letters on your ankle, think again. Of course, Kappas would never do this.
All pictures are from Flickr
PRINCESS CAMP
SUMMER BUSINESS
This camp also helps my daughters and their friends run a business. They set schedules, manage receivables, expenses, manage employees, etc. One day this year, we are going to a gardens where there is a fairy hollow and the children will make fairy houses and play games around the beautiful flowers in the Arboretum.
CAKES!
Being a cake perfectionist, meaning, I always strive to find the perfect cake for each special occasion. With this in mind, I think every little girl should have at least one Barbie Cake in her life time--I remember a friend of my mom's made me one in honor of my dance recital. My girls have had a Snow White, Cinderella, etc. as well as many fabulous, designer cakes too. Here are some examples of Cinderella theme cakes and the coveted Barbie Cake.
Andy Warhol
One of the lessons I have learned in my life is...I always try to go to funerals and if I cannot make the funeral, I really try to go to the visitation. It is never fun, but I always try to go. I usually send flowers and try to send over food to the home too.
My rules are simple:
If you are a friend and have lost someone close, I am there. Even if you are not a close friend but are involved in my life or my child's life, I am there...period. It means so much to your friends and family that you were there supporting them.
What are your thoughts on attending funerals?
Animals make the best logos. Match the logo with the brand. A. Polo; B. Penguin; C. Lacoste; D. Brooks Brothers; E. American Eagle; F. Vineyard Vines
ANSWERS: 1-C, 2-E, 3-D, 4-F, 5-A, 6-B
This is an article that was published in Esquire Magazine Feb. 2008 and I pulled a few highlights out (renumbered). It was written for men but many of the concepts apply to women too.
The (New) Laws of Casual Style
Put down the blue button-down, step away from the Crocs, and open your closet. We need to talk.
1. When in doubt: a white oxford shirt.
2. There is a name for men who can pull off wearing sports jerseys. They’re called professional athletes.
3. A rugby shirt is the most masculine thing a man can wear.
4. The 1950s and 60s were the high points of casual. Everything before and after was hit-or-miss.
5. Fitted is good. Snug is dicey. Tight is just wrong.
6. Hemp clothes are great. If you want to smoke them.
7. Khaki pants will look and feel their best approximately two weeks before disintegrating.
8. The man who imparts opinions via T-shirt has neither the intelligence to form a cogent opinion nor the good sense to keep it to himself.
9. Everything looks better with age. Except for white T-shirts. Those look best new.
10. The Professor was the best-dressed man on Gilligan’s Island, followed by Gilligan, Thurston Howell III, and the Skipper. Oh, and for what it’s worth, Ginger. By God, Ginger.
11. Articles of clothing that you can dress up: polo shirts, khaki shorts, blue jeans, white sneakers, and, for Texans, cowboy hats and boots.
12. Articles that you can never dress up: sports jerseys, track pants, wifebeaters, Birkenstocks, and flip-flops.
13. Cotton is the universal language of casual clothing. Wear it anywhere and you’ll fit right in.
14. Sweatpants are for sick days, couch surfing, and light exercise. For anything else, throw on a pair of jeans and get on with it.
15. Velour: no.
16. Never wear more than two denim items at a time. Scratch that: Never wear more than one denim item at a time, and make sure it’s not a vest.
17. To our knowledge, tank drivers never wore tank tops. If they did, we might like them better.
18. Khaki is a color. Chinos are a pair of pants. Know the difference but feel free to use the terms interchangeably.
19. The more expensive a restaurant’s entrées, the less comfortable you will feel in jeans. Unless, of course, you could buy the restaurant, in which case you can get away with anything you want.
20. No one you work with should ever see your toes or your nipples. Please dress accordingly.
21. Remove the brass buttons from your store-bought sport coat and replace them with buttons from a fancy golf club. It will annoy the hell out of the club’s (real) members.
22. The best jeans have five pockets. The best khakis have four. Anything more or less and you’re asking for trouble. Oh, and 1998 called: It wants its cargo pants back.
23. Unless he’s a chef, a gardener, or a jolly fat man from Holland, no one should ever wear clogs in his daily life. Same goes for Crocs.
24. Speaking of: We’re not sure what Americans did to deserve Crocs, but whatever it was, we’re sorry. We’re really, really sorry.
25. If you see the words “Barbecue,” “Come as you are,” “Bring the kids,”or “BYO” on an invitation, dress casually. When in doubt, bring a navy-blue blazer.
26. Berets: no. Not in Paris, France, and especially not in Paris, Texas.
27. The overlap between active sportswear and casual party attire should be kept to an absolute minimum. Leave the neon shirts and pants for the links, the white tennis shorts to the courts, and the swimsuit at the pool.
28. There’s no harm in letting yourself go, so long as you’re never more than an hour away from pulling yourself together.
29. A hood knocks ten years off your age and twenty points off your IQ.
30. Sunglasses don’t belong on top of your head, folded into the neck of your shirt, or hanging around your neck by some nylon cord. If you have to remove them, hold them or put them on a table. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE FOR ANOTHER 30 or so laws.
One of my favorite memories is my son Trip's 1st birthday party. His birthday is July 6th so you can see where we found our theme. Here is my daughter Caroline in her smocked flag dress (my three children had smocked flag outfits). Happy Fourth of July!
I am not sure what to think.....
Jimmy Choo
Fortnum and Mason
Do you have a charm braelet and what types of charms are on it?
This year at the pool, instead of the Rolex watches, I have been seeing a lot of Forever21 loose fitting watches like this but mostly in white. Other than the band, these are probably not water proof, but they look great. For $12, you cannot beat it. Forever 21
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