Rochester 2009

Rochester was a blast! It was so great to see so many of my friends. We've all gone our own various directions, but we still enjoy each other's company the few times of the year that we come together.

Check it out - I'm on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN33EkfC2Mo

Been keeping very busy lately. I'm joining another chorus, working on a website (http://sherilynandfrankiem.com) and helping with the local theatre group again.

My friend, Jen was so great to me for watching my two dogs this past weekend! It's no simple task to keep those love bugs from stepping on you all day! And she had a house full of other dogs, too!

Rachacha!

Rochester, here I come! Looking forward to the wonderful adventures that invariably occur during DCA weekend. I'm sure I'll be posting about it when I get home!

A Simple Idea, Superbly Executed...

A Simple Idea, Superbly Executed

I heard this phrase today, and it really makes me think... I think that it's people who can figure this out who are the ones that can get ahead in today's business world. And it may even be better than winning the Mega Millions, which I wouldn't mind, either... Fingers crossed.

Birthday Sundays!

I think Ron's birthday on Friday finally marked the end of the stream of weekly birthday celebrations at Bahrs landing!

Of course, I won't know because it's back to rehearsal on Sunday nights! Looks like I'll have to get my Sherilyn and Frankie fix on Saturday nights instead!

Sick... But trying to stay positive!

I have some kind of summer cold, but I'm going to force myself to be happy because Faith's feeding tube is gone!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!

Also trying to remember... The journey IS the destination!

That's all I got for now.

Self Doubt

I hate self doubt... hate it hate it hate it...

But today, I feel full of it. I just have a creepy feeling that if circumstances had gone differently in the last 6 months, I'd be traveling a different road. There's no way to verify this without making waves I don't care to make, so I'll just leave it at that. I guess this feeling is a good thing, though because it is allowing me to make, what I think, are better decisions - the type that will get me to where I want to go. Without this feeling, I might have made a decision that I think would be a mistake to make.

I'm just very frustrated that for all the things that I can do that I know other people can't do, I worry about the things that I struggle with. Sometimes, I wonder if I should take a step back and just stay in my comfort zone. Unfortunately, I would be very bored.

So, onward and upward! I know all of this is for the best, so I just have to keep moving, one foot in front of the other.

What just happened?

Okay... I'm still working on processing the day I just had.

I went to Columbia Presbyterian thinking that I was going to sit in a waiting room all day, write a requirements document, see a sleeping baby and maybe have a nice meal, but the day didn't quite go that way.

My niece, Faith went in pretty much as scheduled for her cath, and my family including my mom and dad, Billy and Erica, and her parents started the waiting. The woman from the front desk had told us that things were going well and they would be finished soon. I sent a message to Ron saying everything was good.

Then, Dr. Gloom and Doom walked in. He said that he didn't see enough evidence that Faith's veins were growing... That it would be unlikely that she would survive the third surgery, and transplant is not an option because they only transplant the heart - not the veins around it. She wouldn't survive that operation either. I watched my brother's wife beg the doctor to fix her daughter. That Faith is her world, and she can't live without her. To not let her baby die. We looked for some form of option that we could take as a next step. There was none. He said that Billy and Erica should try to make things as normal as possible, and we would "see what happens." Basically, eventually (read anytime from the next 3 months to the next 18 months), Faith would outgrow these veins, and she would not be able to get enough oxygen into her blood. She would fall victim to some illness she wouldn't be able to shake.

Hours later, we find out a different story. The surgeon was able to expand one vein to normal size through ballooning, plug up a spontaneously grown vein that was sending un-oxygenated blood back to the heart, and now we are back in the game. No stints (read pieces of metal that can never grow with the veins) added at all. Assuming all goes as it should, Faith will be a candidate for the 3rd surgery. From close to 0% to 50% in a few hours.

I got to see the sleeping baby. Color is now in her fingertips because the blood is flowing (closer to) properly. Amazing.

Just Do It

I can't understand why on Earth anyone would just sit around feeling sorry for themselves, especially people who have it damn good. If you read this, you know who you are, knock it off.

You can't choose what happens to you, but you can decide how to react to it.

YOU have the power to control your own destiny - JUST DO IT! :-)

Playbill Layout

So, I've been working on the layout for the playbill for my local community theatre, and I have to say, I'm enjoying the work way more than I thought I would be. I'm using Pages on the Mac to create everything on 8.5 x 11 and then a program called Cocoa Booklet can create a pdf with the pages exactly as they need to be for printing.

I also found out that a friend has recently found my blog - hi, Kathleen. Yes - blogging is easy, and you can do it, too. If your interest is tracking your personal life and memories, then there is no need to worry about how many people are reading. Just throw it out there, and you will be surprised how many people will come back and say that they saw what you wrote online :-)

The best way to do it is to start. And then try to update it more than I update mine!

Controlling other people...

One thing that I think my mom helped me learn was that it is wrong to try to control other people. I remember spending time as a kid getting upset and wondering why my friends would occaisionally choose things to do that was not what I wanted them to do or expected them to be doing. Mom would explain that the best thing to do is let them make their own decisions and let it go. Most things happen for a reason - chances are, I would get to spend time with that friend again soon, and whatever was done to upset me would be ancient history.

I look at people around me now and think about how much better it would be if more people learned that lesson. Especially couples - every person is trying to control the other, trying to force him/her to do what is wanted. I try to treat people the way that I want to be treated, so I try to give people a lot of space to make their own decisions and go on from there. After all, it's even worse to be the person who is getting controlled than to be the person who for whatever reason, thinks you need to be controlled.

Anyway, I hope this makes sense to someone out there...

Reasons why I like Wildwood....

You can get there and back on one tank of gas, and it's a nice drive...

The boardwalk and beach are clean and maintained, but the prices are not ridiculously expensive...

Kelly's...

Faith's benefit

Yesterday was the day everyone in my family has been waiting for - Faith's benefit. I'm glad to say that we pulled it off very well. No one has done the final tally, yet, but it should be a big chunk to help Billy and Erica pay for Faith's medical bills.

It was so great to me to look around the parking lot at Todd's Dugout and see all of the people that I knew were there because of a connection to me. Not to mention, all the people that I know that sent donations and kept asking about the baby. For me, it was a call to everyone I know for help, and people responded. If I ever have any doubts about the good nature of people, I will look back on this day and remember that when you ask those around you for help, they will be there, enthusiastically.

Super cute Easter picture of Faith

Because sometimes pictures are better than words.  My words, anyway!! ;-)

Happy birthday to me... tomorrow!

Tomorrrow, I turn 31 - yay.

Today one of my co-workers said to me, "Who likes their life?" when I mentioned that it would suck to live the life of a software developer, with all the responsibilities it entails (especially in an outage situation)...

Well, the truth is, I do like my life.  The liking of your life is entirely up to you.  If you don't like it, change it. :-)

That's what I think, anyway.

12 Hours of Rehearsal

Yesterday's experience is one of the reasons why it took me so long to make a decision as to whether or not I would join Sky alumni. I started with 3 hours of chorus rehearsal at around 9am. Then, I took a short break, though alumni rehearsal technically started at 12. That took until approximately 5pm. Then there was some "fellowship" as some folks would call it (wtf, Reading?!) and then I went to Melrose rehearsal from 6 until 9pm.

It's fun and all, but.....!

Ah, well. It will lighten up after the GAS.

Talking to old people....

So... Last night I was playing shuffleboard at the Elks. In the middle of the second game, one of the really old ladies keys in on me and starts talking and talking and talking. Oh, yeah - she was wearing Easter bunny ears. Oddly, I didn't mind.

She was actually pretty funny, and the first time I laughed, she smiled and said, "There, I made one person smile today." Other than the fact that she's been through two strokes and I'm sure she wouldn't mind not having to deal with being elderly, she has a pretty cool life. She was talking about her family, and how she has great great nieces and grandchildren and it's just a huge family. She's been married to her husband for 36 years. He's in the hospital for something, but he should be okay. She said that because she let me talk to her, she'll be able to sleep because all the stuff she's had going through her head has been released.

Anyway, it was a nice conversation, and I just think it's a shame that a lot of people wouldn't take the time to listen to someone who has been through life and still lives to tell the tale.

Joining stuff...

Okay - it's about time I posted again.

So, I joined two new groups - Skyliners Alumni Minicorps and Skyliners Alumni. Both groups have moderately challenging music I have to learn and memorize to perform for Labor Day weekend. I'll be busy!

But I have to admit, it is good to learn something new...

Oh, and please keep an eye on Faith's blog for information on her benefit!

Random Thought of the Day

I don't think a person should just do whatever he/she wants whenever he/she feels like it. There's something to be said for taking into consideration another person's needs, wants, beliefs and feelings before acting on your own, selfishly. Sometimes, that means you don't get your way, or you have to wait your turn. I think whoever can achieve this level of discipline will become a better person and will be happier because of it. Also, it leads to a higher level of appreciation when you do get to do exactly what you want.

Philadelphia Flower Show

Ron got some tickets from a coworker to go to the Philadelphia Flower Show, and since we are always willing to try anything, we went! It was a lot of fun!

See pictures here!

We have determined that flower type people eat a lot of ice cream. There was an ice cream vendor every four steps or so, and the lines were crazy! ;-)

Also, when they tell you the best time to come is after 4pm, THEY ARE NOT KIDDING!! It was far easier to go through the displays later in the evening than when we first arrived!

While sampling the local fare (meaning ice cream - lol) we found an ice cream / pretzel combo place, and discovered the most marvelous innovation - the pretzel cone! Good stuff. Anything that mixes something salty with something sweet is okay in my book!

Anonther Dream

Also involving stairs... This time I was on the hall of fame cruise...

I remember going down the stairways... At one point, we were allowed to jump off the back of the ship and swim in the water. This was great until the ship started to move away!! I was still in the water. Somehow, I was able to get back on the ship.

More from the dream dictionary...

Cruise

To dream that you are on a cruise, represents some emotional journey that you are going through. The dream may also be a pun on "cruising" through situations in your life with ease and little effort.

Left

To dream of the direction left, symbolizes the unconscious and your repressed thoughts/emotions. It is an indication of passivity.

To dream that you are left behind, represents feelings of rejection or not fitting into a group. It may also highlight fears of not being able to keep up. You are questioning your abilities and/or may not be utilizing your full potential. If you left something or someone behind, indicates that you are ready to let go of the past and move forward.

Swimming

To dream that you are swimming, suggests that you are exploring aspects of your unconscious mind and emotions. The dream may be a sign that you are seeking some sort of emotional support. It is a common dream image for people going through therapy.

To dream that you are swimming underwater, suggests that you are completely submerged in your own feelings. You are forcing yourself to deal with your emotional difficulties.

Dreams...

Sometimes, I have the weirdest dreams...

The other night, I dreamt that I was at my old high school... It looked as scary as I remember it from when I was in elementary school, and as I was hurrying up and down the staircases, they were being disintegrated by acid.

So, to amuse myself, I looked up some stuff in an online dream dictionary...

http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary/

Acid

To see acid in your dream, represents feelings of hatred, rage, and/or revenge. Your integrity may be compromised or called into question. Alternatively, seeing acid in your dream, indicates that you are being manipulated by a situation or by someone. The dream may also be a metaphor to symbolize a negative influence in your life. Something or someone is eating away at you.

To dream that you drink acid, indicates that you are emotionally paralyzed and need to learn how to express yourself.

Staircase

To see a staircase in your dream, symbolizes change and transformation.

Stairs

To dream that you are walking up a flight of stairs, indicates that you are achieving a higher level of understanding. You are making progress into your spiritual/emotional/material journey. It also represents material and thoughts that are coming to the surface.

To dream that you are walking down a flight of stairs, represents your repressed thoughts. It suggests that you are going into your unconscious. It also refers to setbacks that you will experience in your life. If you are afraid of going down the stairs, then it suggests that you are afraid to confront your repressed emotions and thoughts. Is there something from your past that you are not acknowledging.

To see spiral or winding stairs, signify growth and/or rebirth.

School

To dream that you are in school, signifies feelings of inadequacy and childhood insecurities that have never been resolved. It may relate to anxieties about your performance and abilities. If you are still in school and dream about school, then it will naturally serve as a backdrop to your dream world.

Alternatively, a dream that takes place in school may be a metaphor for the lessons that you are learning from your waking life. You may be going through a "spiritual learning" experience.

To dream that you are looking for a school, suggests that you need to expand your knowledge and learning.

To dream that your childhood school is in ruins, suggests that you are dwelling on some unresolved childhood issue. Alternatively, the dream represents the passage of time. You need to look toward the future instead of reliving the past.

What on earth is wrong....

with a little music, a little singing, a little dancing, some laughter, and some beverages....?

I got home at a decent time and not completely inebriated....

All I need to do before getting ready for work is some laundry....

Ah well. I guess I just don't "get it."

Acheiving Perfection

Last night, I watched front row center as my dad bowl a 300 game. It was his first and the first ever in the league we bowl in. He had been chasing it for years now.

It was definitely the coolest moment I've shared with my dad since we danced together on my wedding day.

I didn't get nervous until he threw his 8th strike in a row. After that, I watched each shot as it came off his hand, thinking, yes - that could be another one! And four more times, it was!

Congratulations, Dad! You really can do anything!

What dogs do in their crates

Okay, this is it. I need to return to at least weekly blogging. So, I start here.

I decided I really wanted to know what Skippy does when I leave him in his crate for a few hours. So, yesterday, before we left for drum corps rehearsal, I set up my Asus with my quick cam and pointed it right at the crate.

The first 40 minutes were hard to watch. He was whining and barking and howling and trying to get out. After that, he settled in for a nap. Helmut came as soon as the noise stopped and laid near the bathroom door, which is close to the crate.

I was happy to see that once he settled down, he was sleeping most of the time. I really look forward to the time when I can trust him not to chew if we leave him outside the crate. I think we are close, but not quite ready yet.

Happy New Year!

So, here is my first post of the year, 24 days late. Ah, well.

The year started out with a bang - with a cruise vacation! That was just awesome! It's called a "Drum Corps Hall of Fame Cruise" but really, it's for everyone. Closing the piano bar nightly with Milby and Bucky (also known as Santa and/or Colonel Sanders) was great! Next year, Ron and I are going to try to get more friends and family to go.

Other than that, things are just plugging along. Melrose has a new horn instructor who is, thankfully, someone I've worked with before while I was in the Skyliners. Also, the Sky chorus is a lot of fun - ABBA music is great.

Also, Faith is doing well. Really enjoyed seeing her and my brother and his wife for Christmas! Surgery is scheduled for February 11th. You can read her blog entries (listed on the right) for the latest updates.

I guess nothing new or earth shattering to report. I still blame Facebook for my lack of blogging.