Tall Timbers

In our elementary school 4th graders are introduced to the recorder in their music class. As a musician, I love the idea. And, it gave Aidan a real opportunity to explore other musical options besides singing and piano. I cannot tell you how much he has absolutely loved playing. His piano skills have greatly improved since he took on this challenge. I even got my own recorder so I could play with him (since then Robyn and Hunter also have their own recorder).

4th grade Tall Timbers Recorder Group (Aidan is on the far left, red shirt)

This is just a sampling of what they played. They also played some pieces along with the rest of the 4th grade class with percussion instruments and singing. It was a great, eclectic program! (There's a bit of Robyn in here too--she'd be the little girl going in and out of the video)

I can't begin to explain how they "move up the ranks" in the "Recorder World". Only that the highest level of performance is a black belt (shown by a piece of string tied to the bottom of the recorder). Those performing at this level immediately become part of the Tall Timbers and got to perform separately here at the 4th grade program. He's gearing up to play with the Towering Timbers next year...a group that performs for various events throughout the year. Aidan's very excited for that!

I'm learning that Aidan is my instrumentalist. He doesn't care for the singing put he'll whip out a song on the piano or the recorder any day. He's already wondering what instrument he wants to play come Middle School.

Bathroom Woes

I was going to paint the bathroom today. The fact that I'm to the point where I can paint it is quite the accomplishment for me.

We knew when we bought this home four years ago that we'd have to do some work in this bathroom (I will spare you the photos). Firstly, it had no exhaust fan. Which contributed to the mildew buildup--yuck. Secondly, the vinyl flooring was coming up around the toilet. Just imagine two boys using that toilet. Another yuck. Both issues create this fantastic, pungent smell of--well, yuck! And, there are other issues in the bathroom (ie broken shower rod), but these two are the most obvious. I hate going in there and even worse--I hate allowing guests to use it.

Here we are, four years later and I'm happy to report that we did put an exhaust fan in back in February. We had to punch a new hole in the ceiling for it and we haven't gotten around to fixing up the old hole. While that has helped with the moisture we still had to clean up mildew that was already there. Not a job I was looking forward to. I was expecting it to be a miserable tasks of scrubbing and scrubbing in a bathroom of bleach fumes.

Turns out, the chore was quite the opposite! It took me less than hour to scrub...more like just wipe the mildew from the walls and ceilings and--with the newly installed exhaust fan--the fumes weren't too bad. I don't think I even broke a sweat!

We bought the paint Saturday and painted a little section. Due to the unusual, weird textured in there (different from the rest of the house) it'll take at least three coats.

So, like I said, I was going to paint today. While I'm excited that I finally can--I think I just want to hang with Robyn today.

Met It's End

I knew it. I knew it would come down. After Ike-force winds mutilated it I was sure it would only take one more excellent gust of wind before it literally came crashing down.

First this in Aug. 2008

Then this a month later


Now just a few moments ago:


So long big, ugly, rotten tree.

Anyone want to come help remove it from my driveway? How about removing it all together? Thankfully the young pine tree I just planted last Fall wasn't damaged. And, it barely missed my van. Then, I panicked and recalled that a piano student has just left my driveway not five minutes before this happened. Wow--timing is everything.

Fort Extravaganza

May 11, 2011. This day was met with RAIN! And, may I say that it rained for a good, long while. For those of you not from the area...we really needed it. Our Pack and other members of our congregation were out in it mulching the church grounds. Quite a sight to watch all the boys at work not caring about the rain.

But, this was not the grand highlight of our day for the family. The Fort Extravaganza was! (Given that wonderful name by our MC of the evening). While this ceremony was originally just a ceremony for me, due to schedule conflicts and a busy Summer coming up I knew the boys wouldn't be present at a Pack Meeting for several months. So, we opted to celebrate all of our accomplishments at this ceremony.

Hunter earned his Wolf Rank and several Arrow Points. Aidan received his Webelos Rank and all the awards that go with that.
I completed my Wood Badge Ticket requirements and therefore was awarded my Wood Badge beads, Neckerchief and Woggle. Basically, I graduated from the course after 15 long months of working on my ticket!
To avoid writing all about the significance of each tradition in Wood Badge you can read about them here. I, for one, find it quite interesting and am very privileged to be among this elite group of people in the scouting world.
(me with my Troop Guide and SR-1023 Course Director)

Yes, I know I'm short...must you keep reminding me...

Now I can join the ranks of my other family members who are not only former Wood Badge graduates but also members of the Buffalo Patrol. Yep--we all have a thing for the Buffalo...
Thanks for the gift to start my own Buffalo collection


The ceremony ended with the blowing of the Kudu Horn! Hunter commented that he must have meant to say "Fog Horn".


Us Scouters will admit that we are a little weird but we have so much fun!

Course, we had to top off the night with this cake sporting my Course SR-1023 logo, our Buffalo Totem (center) and our various Patrol yells...oh, and I realized this morning that those are little Buffalo tracks all over the cake! My sister did a great job portraying Wood Badge for me. It's great having a sister like her (that's putting it very mildly)!

It was a momentous and memorable occasion for me and I'm very grateful for those friends and family who gave up their late evening to attend, participate and support me and my family.

To my other Buffalo Patrol members: Get movin' and finish those tickets!