On the mend

My girl is still feverish, but we're chasing the number down with a steady tylen0l/advil regimen. Cough medicine, antibiotic, fluids, rest, the regular regimen is underway. Still, though, the fever lingers, and she's not a sickly kid. We're back to the doctor tomorrow, and that means I'll be taking a sick day tomorrow, my first in the new job. Daddy was home with her today, so I'm up at bat. It's weird, but I'm actually a little sad I'll miss a great lesson we've planned for tomorrow. Thank goodness for the block scheduling. I should be back for the second round of it with Thursday's kids. The real trick will be for me to spend the day with Little Miss Hack-and-Wheeze and not end up in the sick bay myself!

Happy/Sad Day

Sad Happy
My girl spiked a fever at school and her grandma had to go pick her up. She stayed there with Grandma and Grandpa until I finished my voice lesson, and we both finished a Chorale rehearsal. Happy to have Grandma and Grandpa here, and I know that they are happy to see out girl, but sad that she's feverish and blue.

Happy Sad
Teaching is hitting a rhythm and I'm managing the workload. I've even found time to practice, and I prepared three pieces for vocal juries on Saturday. My first lesson on the repertoire went pretty well. I was proud of my work, but again sad for the path not taken.

Sometimes I think I can handle only one emotion at a time, and today I had simultaneous opposite feelings. Time to lose myself in someone else's story for a few pages, and put myself to bed.

350/365 Did I ask for this?

Barely fifteen and head-0ver-heels for a boy we don't even know. "Do I have to be single forever, Mom?" she said (shouted). Forever? Yes, she's a little dramatic.

I bandaged her boo-boos, shielded her eyes from the sting of shampoo, and carried her on my shoulders when her little legs were tired. And all that was... maybe a week ago.

No. She's not single. She's at the center of a family that adores her. And we're not giving that up any time soon.

310/365 Grinning fool.

It's the Friday afternoon ritual. My girl is in her acting class, and I grade papers, plan lessons, and diddle on the nets in the San Marco Starbucks down the street. And today I'm smiling in Starbucks. I'm smiling over an email from my baby sister whose son loved the birthday gelt we gave him. He spent it at the book fair, and he's reading voraciously. I'm smiling about a hubby who is alive, well, and just as lovably annoying as ever. I'm smiling about a girl who seems to be making the adjustment to high school better these days. I'm smiling about a job that's fun, if a little daunting. I'm smiling because tomorrow I have a voice lesson where I think we may plan for me to learn repertoire for competitions and auditions. Busy but balancing, I can smile over my espresso.

297/365 Recipe for a Teen Birthday Sleepover

3 Chick Flicks

2 trays baked ziti

1 case diet coke

2 dozen cupcakes

2 lbs M& Ms

1 bag each: Doritos, Cheetos, Fritos

Prepare ingredients mid afternoon. Add half a dozen friends. Warm thoroughly in hot tub. Finish with liberal dose of gossip and giggles.

272/365 The Home Conservatory

Complete with metronome, music stand, and a music library with yellowing pages of my college rep and the crisp new possibilities of her young vocal studies, this is becoming a favorite place in the house. We have a sofa for spectators (human and cat) plenty of natural light, and fabulous acoustics thanks to high ceilings and wood floor. Though, to be truthful, a cave would be beautiful when filled with the sound of my daughter singing. When she is on, there are angels in the room.

260/365 Riding 'Da Bus

SO proud of my girl, striking out in a new school on her own. She has to navigate her way through dozens of buses to find the right one, making her way in a school so far from home in a different county. She's been rather conscientious lately. Growing up so fast. It didn't help that her wonderful voice teacher, Dr. C, reminded me of how grown up she is, and how, before we know it, she'll be on her way to college. SLOW DOWN!

190/365 Stage Dad, etc.

I listened to the director when he said not to use a flash, thus the fuzzy photo...

Another busy and eventful day. We started by not meeting MJ and LMJ, even though we meant to. I was buzzing about, readying the house for the trip and the hubby found the West Wing channel. What a shame, we were only blocks from their house. We had to go to St. Vincents hospital to see the "Workers Comp" doctor. He kept us waiting for 40 minutes, listed to the medical drama, from risers to hematoma, then asked us "Why are you here?" I just hope he checks the "yes" box and the school board's insurance starts paying the medical bills. They are in to the 5 digit category now. After the doc we headed to San Marco to see the girl's camp show. Theater Jax did a great job, as usual. I learned that I am married to a supreme "Stage Dad." Every time she sang, acted or danced he reached over and pinched my arm. He was so proud! And I am so bruised. Full of pride and laden with Starbucks, we headed to the car for our trip northward. Also eventful, but that is the subject of another post!

186/365 Oh Boy.

No, they're not going out, but they were hanging out. They swam, talked, laughed, and shared a bowl of popcorn. I watched, listened, and found every excuse to come and ask a question or see if they needed anything. She's on cloud nine and I'm worn out!

150/365 Da Girlz

With the husband in bed since 8:00 PM Friday, I am on a solo mission to accomplish weekend tasks. Mow lawn, launder clothing, clean house, and serve as "neighborhood host" for our Chorale picnic. Even Batman has his Robin, so I recruited some Superwomen-in-training. Daughter and BFF assisted in set-up and break-down of the festivities, and I really couldn't have done it without them. After their hard work a little levity seemed in order, so we had our inaugural visit to the Fleming Island Carmike 12 to watch Pixar's UP in Disney Digital 3D. With its shocking PG rating, this was not your average Disney flick. The story was about regret, forgiveness, growing older, moving on, life, death, mortality, and disillusionment. Not only did I enjoy a few good cries, I got these tripped out 3D glasses to keep! Then we girls Ihopped for dinner. Pancakes for breakfast should be on the menu at least once a week, I think. A busy, busy day kept my mind off the ailing spouse, his mysterious headache and the unanswered questions it brings.

144/365 Another Audition

I guess this family should get used to this. Mom and Dad are a pair of recently-resurrected theater geeks. We fretted our own recent auditions, and experienced a remarkable success. The Drama Princess herself will be auditioning for entrance into the Musical Theater Program at her high school. This special audition requires that she prepare 16 bars of a show tune. She'll be ready. Working at home in pj's with a built-in accompanist and coach, we can gently reinforce the wisdom of her wonderful voice teacher. Then we recede into the background and fret and sweat with all the other parents.