Portofino

We spent the day yesterday in Portofino which is the Italian Rivera. It is such a beautiful place with interesting castles and homes. It is definitely the most tourist influenced place we have been to so far. The prices were inflated as well, but the view was stunning. The symphony opened the Portofino music festival with their concert. It was one of my favorites because there was no stage. I was sitting close enough to Ashley to touch her. I also got some great close up shots of her playing, and there wasn't a thing she could do about it. I got a few with some very annoyed looks. They did so well. The Italians do not turn air conditioning on in their public buildings, so it was very warm, and the kids suffered for their music.

Unfortunately Ashley has gotten ill. She has been running a temperature and is congested and has a major headache. We stayed back today to let her rest as tomorrow she will need to play in their last concert. That will be here in Alba at a church names San Dominico. It was built in the 1500's and the acoustics are amazing. There is quite an echo. I am looking forward to that. The rest of the group is in Milano today. We do not feel too terrible about missing it because we have heard that on Monday everything is closed. I think they will just be able to shop. I also have a problem that I will write about when I get home. Let's just say, it has been interesting and annoying to deal with. Italian hospitals are different from American hospitals, but the doctor and nurses were very nice to me. Just so you don't worry, I am fine.

Here are some photos I took in Portofino.

Cremona

After spending a few days in Alba, we have ventured out a little. Our second stop was Cremona. I will write about the first stop when I can upload a lot of pictures. The internet connection here is very slow. This was the first concert for the kids. They did a great job, and the people seemed to love them. After the concert the Mayor (or equivalent of a mayor)hosted a buffet for all of us in city hall. The food was okay, but the view from there was so amazing. There is a huge Catholic church across from it, and at night it is all light up and beautiful.


This picture is of the very top of the clock tower. It is hard to show with pictures the size of this church. I could not get a picture with the whole church in it because it is so massive.

Ashley was playing mayor of Cremona.

We spent a lot of time on the bus, and we were tired when we got back to the hotel at 1:30 am. We had to be up and going again the next morning for another long day.

Day One

Today was a very long day, but very good. The orchestra started the day with a three hour rehearsal. I went with some other parents to explore the town a bit. I am learning a little Italian, and that is fun. There are many churches here, and we were able to go inside many of them. In fact, the first concert that MYSO will play is in an old church. The echo in there makes the music sound so big. That concert will be on Thursday. It is being advertised very widely. Right in the center of town is this banner.

I learned that one of my very favorite things in the world is made here. Nutella comes from here. After lunch we had a walking tour of the city. Our tour guide was an American student studying here from St. Mary's College. He was very entertaining, and if he did not know the answer to someone's question, he would make something up. It was pretty funny. My favorite part of this tour was the local theater. It was built in the 1600's, then in about 1980, they restored it, then added another section. So, the stage is in the middle of the building, and on one side is the old theater, and on the other side of the stage was a modern theater. We were able to go out onto the roof of the building where we saw the alps.

Here is another view off the roof of the hillside.

We did not get to everything our guide wanted to get to, but the kids had to go back for a second rehearsal. The parents were able to continue on with the tour guide and see the rest of the city. Every evening we go to dinner at a local restaurant. The food has been very good. We have a lot of pizza, which is great. My very favorite thing here is the gelato. All I can say is wow! Ice cream will never be the same for me again. Ashley and I have decided we will have a different flavor every day. I am going to be brave and try the watermelon flavor. Today I had mint chocolate. I am trying to take everything in here, as it is so different from what I am used to. The streets are wonderful, and people walk everywhere. The shops are kept so clean, and every morning the shop owners wash the cobblestone in front of their store and also their windows.

This is a picture I got of Ashley that I just love.

Alba

Just a quick blog here. We arrived in Alba, Italy today. It is so beautiful and amazing. The flight was long, but good. We are happy to be here and will update with pictures when I have time.

5th Grade Graduation

It was so fun to be at Nicolaas' graduation. This first video is of Nic marching in at the beginning of graduation.

This video is of Nic receiving his diploma.

The last video is a really cute thing they do every year. They show the baby picture first, then they show a current picture. When I asked Nic what he thought of the baby picture I submitted, he said he wished I had picked one without chubby cheeks. I told him it was not possible, because all his baby pictures have chubby cheeks. I love those chubby cheeks.

Before the Graduation

Tonight Nicolaas is graduating from Elementary School. I made him pose for pictures in our front yard. He looks so handsome in his suit. He will be going to middle school in August. We will have three kids in the middle school next year. This is the only time that we will have a child in every grade at a school. Here are a few of my favorite pictures.





I will post pictures from the actual graduation later.

Kerrie

Kerrie says some pretty funny things. I forget most times to write it down, but this one is a classic. We were at her physical therapy appointment and her therapist was asking her about the height genetics of our family. Kerrie did not know how tall her Grandma Davis is, so I answered for her. My mom used to be 5' 8 1/2" tall, but she is now about 5' 7". Kerrie then said, "She shrunk in the wash." I have no idea where this came from, but it is pretty funny. I guess the message is, as we get older, make sure we wash ourselves in cold to avoid shrinkage.

Making Progress

I wish I was a little further along, but I am making progress.

Cleaning:
Laundry - Will be done today! Yippee, this was a big one.
upstairs hall - Mostly done, just needs to be swept.
upstairs bathroom - Kids said they did this, but you know how that goes.
bedrooms - Not done.
hard wood floors - Not done.
kitchen floor - Not done.
vacuum basement - Not done.
bathroom floors - Not done.
Fridge - Not done.

Appointments & Events - All but one will be done by tonight. PHEW!
home school review
Kelsie - Ortho
Nathan - Ortho
Kerrie - PT
Ashley & Me - Dermatologist
Nicolaas' Graduation from 5th grade

Packing:
Ashley & Me - Done, except for the last minute hair/makeup things!
Girls - girls camp - Done!
Boys - ready for Cub Scout day camp - Done!

As you can see, I have crossed off some major things, and what is left is completely doable on Friday and Saturday.

Name That Computer

Last year, a tragedy struck our household. Well, at least that is how James would put it. I would say it was a normal event for a house with kids. James' beloved linux laptop was in it's case, on our bed. Nicolaas wanting to use the bed to watch tv, picked up the bag and threw it to the ground. Of course the laptop broke. Well, not completely broke, just the screen broke. He hooked it up to an old computer monitor we had, and he was able to use the computer, but not as a laptop. Many, many times I heard of his displeasure in his broken computer. I can not blame him for this, I would have been upset too. However, I got tired of listening to this complaining. I mean, get over it already. I know, I am very compassionate. Finally, I'd had enough and told him I was buying him a new linux laptop. He promised he would stop the complaining. I however did not believe it, so I told him if he complained just one more time, I would get the new computer. He was great for about two weeks, but he just could not stop himself from grumbling about the broken computer. One week later, a new computer arrived in the mail. He carried on about how I should not have done it, but secretly he loves his new computer. How do I know this, you ask? The answer would be the name he gave his new computer. He named it Moroni. I asked him why he picked that name, and he said he wanted to name it after a great man, which I am assuming the correlation to the computer is that it is a great computer. I find the whole thing very amusing.

To Do List

It is past time to make this list. I only have a few short days until my mother-in-law will be here. I would be in good shape if I did not have a million appointments to take care of. It is always good to have a list to work from, and since today is a reflection kind of day, I thought it would be a good time to do it.

Cleaning:
Laundry
upstairs hall
upstairs bathroom
bedrooms
hard wood floors
kitchen floor
vacuum basement
bathroom floors
Fridge

Appointments & Events
home school review
Kelsie - Ortho
Nathan - Ortho
Kerrie - PT
Ashley & Me - Dermatologist
Nicolaas' Graduation from 5th grade

Packing:
Ashley & Me
Girls - girls camp
Boys - ready for Cub Scout day camp

This list is pretty daunting, but I will just do one thing at a time until it is done. One really great thing that I was not expecting is James is actually taking a day off to help me. I was not expecting this because he was saving his time off for his mom. In his very James like way, he calmly informs me that the time off for his mom is taken care of. Of course, I asked, what do you mean the time is taken care of? Which he quietly informs me that he has been given an award at work, and as part of that they have given him an extra three days off. That was great news. Tomorrow I will get going on my list, and get it all done.

Strong Memories

A family in my ward got some news yesterday that brought up some pretty strong memories, and difficult emotions for me. They found out that the husband is being deployed next week. I must say his wife is handling it much better than I did. I was a sobbing mess. There is just nothing like the experience of getting that call. For James, it happened on a Friday evening. It was almost exactly one month after 9/11, and I had a feeling it was going to happen, but that did nothing to prepare me for when the call actually came. I remember sitting next to James, listening to his side of the phone conversation, and beginning to understand that our lives were about to drastically change. He was told he would be activated just four short days later. These feelings were so intense that when I heard about this family, it came right back. It strikes a bit of fear in me also that it could happen to us again at any time. I will only allow myself to think of this for a small time, as it is not something that I can change, and is not my reality at this time. My heart and prayers go out for this family as they will have to separate in a very short time, with very little time to adjust to it.

Recital Clip

Here is a little clip of Ashley and Kerrie at their recital. It was a little scary for them because they have not performed in a recital since they took lessons from Cami, which was several years ago. Also, there was no piano accompaniment, so they were on their own.

Tri-M Honor Society

One of the things I missed while on my impromptu trip to SJ, was Ashley being inducted into the Tri-M Honor Society. This is a music society for students in high school that achieve in music and academics. I was sad to miss it, but my dear friend Kellie stepped in as a surrogate mother and took pictures for me. Thank you so much Kellie, you are awesome. It took away some of my guilt to know she was supporting Ashley for me.

Catching Up

Along with many other things going on in our lives, James and I recently celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. Our anniversary fell on a Friday this year, and that was nice. Ashley and Kerrie played in their private lesson recital. They played together, and did a very good job. Especially since they started learning the song about three weeks before they played it. It was fun to have them serenade us on our anniversary. After dropping the kids home, we went to our favorite restaurant, Olive Garden. It was a fun evening and we enjoyed just being together. The last 17 years have been quite a journey that I would not change for anything. Many things have turned out much differently than I thought they would, but it is mostly good.

Sweet Sixteen

Hard to believe, but Amanda turned sixteen at the end of May. It was kind of a low key birthday for her because it was on a Wednesday, and that day is crazy for us with viola lessons, then church activities. So we decided to celebrate right after school. She picked out her favorite kind of cake, chocolate. It was just our family, and it was a sweet time with her.



Here are a few things about Amanda at sixteen:
* This year she switched from certificate track to diploma track in high school. This was her idea, and she defended it to the school, which was amazing to see. She wanted to try, and try she has. She is passing every class on full diploma work. I think she shocked more than one person. She was so determined, and she did it. Way to go Amanda!
* She has yet to take her drivers permit test, but she is getting ready for it. I expect her to have her permit in the next few months. She and Ashley are studying together, and I will have two drivers by December.
* She has a blue hat that she wears whenever she can. This hat, named Mr. Hattie, has been in her possession since she was 9 years old. It is torn and tattered, but is an old friend to her.
* She has a great set of friends that are all boys and Ashley.
* She has yet to go on her first date. Believe me, I can wait for this one.
* She loves animals, and knows an amazing amount of information about all different kinds of animals, but especially Australian animals.
* She is kind and loving and a huge help to me. She loves to babysit, and is very good at it. She loves to play with children.
* She laughs often, and has others laughing with her. She still laughs at my jokes. I consider this a huge deal.
* She and I are very close, and I consider that a huge blessing in my life. Do not get me wrong, we have our run ins, but they are relatively minor, and short in duration.
*One great thing about Amanda is her perseverance. This child of mine never gives up. In the face of many of life's challenges, she just keeps plugging away when many, including myself, would have given up. She has had more than her share of challenges, but faces each one with a willing heart. It is remarkable to watch her and I am in awe of her most days. What an example she is to me.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl! I am so glad I am your mother, and I love you.

A Little Rant

My title is just exactly what I am about to do, which is rant. So, feel free to ignore this post.

James has been teaching at the University level for about about 15 years. He has seen a sift in the attitude of students over this time. They now seem to think they deserve to pass a class simply because they tried really hard, or their situation is so desperate that they should just be passed based on how hard their life is. The thing that is most shocking is that they do not accept any responsibility for failing. They also talk to him in such an amazingly disrespectful manner. Some even go so far as to drop his well earned title of Dr. and call him by his first name. Maybe I am just getting old and complaining about the kids today, but I would never have dreamed of calling my professors by their first names without permission, and even then I would have felt funny about it.

What sparked this little rant? Well, it was a comment from one of his students after receiving a failing grade. The student said something to the effect of: I deserve a better grade and you know it. I could not believe it when he told me that.

There, I feel better now, and can stop being ticked because my husband is being mistreated. I wish his students could see how hard he works to teach them, and also how he agonizes over the students that struggle. As he has graded tests, I have listened to so many of his comments like, "oh, no" or "what happened." He really cares, and wants them all to do well.

Well, I will end with a little nickname he has received from a high school girl he tutors every week. She calls him her "Math BF." It made him smile when he heard that.

New Laundry Attitude

If you have been following my blog for any period of time, you know how I feel about laundry. Well, my attitude has changed. I will no longer be complaining about my laundry, just grateful. Why you ask? Well, I received the following in an email:

Oh the "Good ol' Days"!

Subject: Washing
clothes Recipe NO joke

Washing Clothes Recipe'
-- imagine having a recipe for this ! ! !

Years ago an Alabama grandmother gave the new bride the following recipe:

This is an exact copy as written and found in an old scrapbook - with spelling errors and all.

WASHING CLOTHES

Build fire in backyard to heat kettle of rain water. Set tubs so smoke wont blow in eyes if wind is pert. Shave one hole cake of lie soap in boilin water.

Sort things, make 3 piles
1 pile white,
1 pile colored,
1 pile work britches and rags.

To make starch, stir flour in cool water to smooth, then thin down with boiling water.

Take white things, rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, and boil, then rub colored don't boil just wrench and starch.

Take things out of kettle with broom stick handle, then wrench, and starch.

Hang old rags on fence.

Spread tea towels on grass.

Pore wrench water in flower bed. Scrub porch with hot soapy water. Turn tubs upside down.

Go put on clean dress, smooth hair with hair combs. Brew cup of tea, sit and rock a spell and count your blessings.

For you non-southerners -wrench means rinse. :)
================================================
New laundry recipe:
Paste this over your washer and dryer Next time when you think things are bleak, read it again, kiss that washing machine and dryer, and give thanks.
First thing each morning you should run and hug your washer and dryer...and ALSO your commode - - those two-holers were mighty cold in winter and smelly year 'round!

Family Time

I had so much fun with my family this week. We played games, especially one that my sister Carolyn taught us called Cover Your Assets. I have a love/hate relationship with this game, and lets just say I did not kick any assets, well maybe I did once. We also spent some time in the local pool. They have a heated pool, and it felt fantastic. They have water aerobics, and also lap swim. It was pretty much a bunch of ladies bobbing up and down in the water and laughing while doing it. The lap swim is my favorite because we all leisurely swam up and down the pool on noodles. Very strenuous if to get my drift. We also went to the temple in Snowflake together. My brother Craig came for a day, and I also saw my brother Kirk and his wife Kathy. While we were in Snowflake I got to see my brother Scott for just a few minutes, and tour his beautiful home. This was the first time I had seen it, and man is it amazing. He built it too which just makes it even more awesome. The only brother I did not see was Gary. I am sad about that.

Another highlight was El Camino. They have the best mexican food out there. We ate there three times in the five days I was there. I know, sad, but if you could taste it you would totally understand. Julie and I drove around town on Friday taking pictures of all the hot spots in St. Johns. I thought it would be fun to post the pictures so my friends could see the small town I grew up in.

My house:

St. Johns High School, home of the Redskins:

Seminary building across the street from the high school:

Chapel where I attended church all my growing up years:

This is someone's yard. I used to think the house there was haunted:

I went to many county fair's at the fairgrounds. Very fun.

A trip home would not be complete without a visit to the cemetery.

My parent's headstone. No they are not dead, just planing for the future.

Local hair cut and styling business. I think the name is funny.

The only grocery store in town. They serve fantastic hamburgers.

Movie theater that shows one movie at a time. Hey, we were lucky to even have one.

Main street.

El Camino. Enough said.

The 'piece de resistance', the last outhouse in St. Johns.