Where do I start . . . . ??
As many of you know, Cassie was a volunteer at the Columbus Zoo & Aquariam. She was one of the lucky ones chosen, after a long grueling process and interview, to be a part of their ZooAide program. Okay, maybe it wasn't a "grueling interview," but it didn't come easy and she was up against A LOT of other teenagers who too wanted to be part of this great program.
By March 14, 2008, her thirteenth birthday and the minimum age allowed in the program, Cassie submitted her application to the zoo and we waited. We really weren't expecting her to get into the program because we had heard how difficult it was to get into, let alone an interview. We waited. Several families, whose kids had interviewed in the past, said not to expect anything the first time applying; the zoo's application even stated they receive so many applications that unless an interview was requested we would not hear anything and thank you for applying. We waited.
One day she came running from the mailbox. Keep in mind, by this time we figured since we hadn't heard anything she wasn't going to be invited for an interview. But we were wrong. She was invited to interview for the program. So exciting!! The interview was three hours long, but it was done in a group of peers where the teens were asked individual questions and then they did team building skills to see how they interacted with one another. She was excited about the interview, but was prepared to not get a position because they interviewed 150 for only 100 spots and there were others there that had interviewed in the past. One nice thing about the program, once you are in you are in until you give up your spot.
Well, one day another packet arrived and it was welcoming her and offering a spot in the ZooAide program. She was, I was too, soo excited that she was going to get to be a part of this wonderful program. Being in the program, she was required to volunteer a minimum of 56 hours. So, we traveled from Baltimore, Ohio to Powell, Ohio once to twice a week two round trips a day; 38 miles one way and just under an hour. That first year she volunteered less than 100 hours.
In January of 2009 she received her letter inviting her back for the 2009 summer. It asked ZooAides if they didn't think they could commit to the required 56 volunteer hours to please let them know so they could fill it with another candidate. Well, with Jay graduating in May '09 and interviewing for his 'first call' and us moving, we thought it best to give up her spot immediately so another would have an opportunity. As many of you know, that 'first call' didn't come as quickly as we had anticipated. Well, before we knew it it was the end of May and it looked like we were going to be in Ohio for a little longer, at least for the beginning of summer and when the ZooAide program would start. So, Cassie contacted who she needed to and explained the situation and was welcomed back into the program. She wanted to volunteer even more last summer because she figured it would be her last opportunity; she volunteered well over 100 hours, making her the third from volunteering the most hours. She was excited and had such a great time.
A little less than two weeks ago, a package arrived from her grandparents in Ohio. In the box were clarinet books, reeds for the clarinet, trumpet books, oil for the trumpet, and a stack of mail that didn't get forwarded. In that stack of mail was her invitation to participate in the ZooAide program for the summer. She was sad because she is here in North Dakota and the opportunity is in Ohio. Well, she kept that packet, never throwing it out and never contacting to release her spot.
Since I have caught glimpses of her laying on her bed looking and re-reading her letter over and over again, I started thinking if there would be a way to make it happen for her. You know, she will be fifteen in sixteen days and I know how it feels, as a teenager, to be uprooted from the life you think is everything perfect and put in a new place and have to start over. You see, moving is in my blood, and when I was her age (fourteen) my parents moved us from a place that was perfect and we went someplace that didn't offer the same things and we all had to start over. I know her struggle, her sadness, her disappointment, and her wanting right now.
The past week I have really been thinking about it, and as Cassie put it "there was an idea brewing in my mom's mind and it hadn't boiled over into conversation until last night." Last night, for whatever reason, I felt the need to put my thoughts out there and see what kind of response, or reaction if you will, I would receive.
You see, we are going to visit Ohio basically the whole month of April (April 12th - May 2nd), and the first question was when did the program start and then the main question was could Cassie stay and find a way to the zoo at least one day a week. On our way to youth group last night, I asked Cassie where her packet was, knowing because I've seen it laying next to her bed, so I could see what details were shared. She wanted to know why. I told her I had been thinking about something for a while and I had to talk to the right people.
When I dropped her off, I ran my idea past Jay, which I have to add he was not too keen on the idea, but he too couldn't but notice the huge grin on Cassie's face. She was trying to contain her excitement and cover up her enormous grin when she told him, "It wasn't my idea. This is all her." My response, "Oh, you don't want to go - you're not interested?" She was quick to say she was so interested in going.
I figured we'd have a few days to talk more about it and then decide. WRONG. When I got home and looked at her letter, the deadline to hold her spot is TODAY, February 26th. So, I called Grandma Karen and explained I had a question, well more of a proposal and I apologized for the limited time to contemplate it because unfortunately we were under a time constraint and needed to decide by today the 26th. I ran it by her, but the main thing would be Cassie would stay in Ohio when we leave on May 2nd and would remain there till July so she could get her required 56 hours.
Cassie called her grandmother this morning and found out it was a "no brainer, of course she could stay" and spend the summer volunteering at the zoo. Which this works out great because Cassie can also spend some time with her aunt and cousin while her uncle is on his second tour in Iraq. Cassie has filled out and signed all her paperwork, it's been emailed to the appropriate party giving written committment, a message has been left giving verbal committment, and the paperwork went out today (priority mail) so postmarked today. We are hoping this is all we need to do to hold her spot for the summer. We have done all we can on our end, so now we WAIT, again, until we hear one way or another that her spot has been reserved.
If all goes well, Cassie will get to spend her summer volunteering at the zoo again this summer. It is a bitter sweet thing. I am excited for her that she'll get to do something she really enjoys, but she will be gone for several months and her dad and I, along with her siblings who are already protesting saying she can't go and stay, will miss her. But she reminded us we can Skype . . . gotta love Skype!! It won't be the same as seeing her everyday and being able to torment her with hugs and kisses, but knowing she is enjoying her summer and doing something she loves and seeing the excitement in her will make it all worth it!!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Gaming with Friends in OHIO
The kids have been able to game with their friends all the way in Ohio. We love our Wii and are so excited that some of our friends have Wii's too. Of course, to be able to game with each other they have to have certain games and the same game. The kids have been able to hook up via the wonderful web and race their friends in Ohio. They are enjoying their time gaming because it also gives them an opportunity to phone each other before to see if they can play. So, they're getting to chat a little bit and then take each other on!!
Hands above . . .
Mackenzie has been working a lot on her handstand - I know, Mackenzie is not in any of these pictures. Of course, while she's been working on her handstand so has Cassie. Cassie has gotten really good and decided it was time to take on Dad!! Jay, as long as I've known him, has always been able to stay in the handstand formation for quite a while. You see, when he was younger, he walked on his hands in parades. So Cassie took on her Dad . . . 
They both felt rushed and crowded so they didn't stay up very long. So, Jay had to demonstrate his strength and endurance and do it again . . .
Then Cassie decided it was time to show off her talents . . .
Cassie has been trying to perfect her handstand so she can walk on her hands too.
I'm dizzy (all that blood rushing to my head) just looking at the pictures.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Playin' in the snow
They all decided since it was not TOO cold they would all suit up and go out. They have all been inspired by the Winter Olympics. Mackenzie even got on our cheap but easy snowboard and took a ride down our hill. Now, Cassie on the other hand, had moved the picnic table the other day and butted it up to the snow so she could grind across it. Well, the day before, of course when I wasn't taking pictures she was doing it with no problems, but then yesterday when I was taking pictures she was taking face plants!
So, after deciding the snow was too packed to snowboard on, they decided to do tricks off the swing set. With all the snow on the ground the distance isn't as much plus they have a soft landing. I guess the olympics have gotten their adrenaline creative juices going. GREAT!!
Well, I'm glad to report there were no broken bones, sprained ankles, torn ligaments, or bruised muscles while performing these tricks.
Clearing our driveway
Well, we have had some problems in recent days getting out of our driveway. Actually, Jay took me into town yesterday and when we returned he tried backing into the garage. I say "tried' because the area we would normaly pull forward in was packed with a huge drift and a couple of times he got hung up in the snow. We had limited accessibilty up the driveway and to the garage until late yesterday.
We have had a path cleared in our driveway by a congregational member's snowblower, another congregational member's bladed truck, a neighbor's push behind snow blower, and then yesterday by yet another congregational member's husband's apparatus. I use the word 'apparatus' because I'm not really sure what it actually is. I believe my husband called it a skidster (is that even a word) with a huge snowblower on the front. It was so cool to watch and of course I had to take pictures . . .
Here, Mr. T, is coming in at the base of the driveway with the snow remover. Look at that hard packed drift we've been manuevering around to get into our driveway.
He cleared so much of the drive and even into the yard that hopefully if we get anymore of this ridiculous white stuff it won't cause as much a problem in the driveway anymore.
LOOK . . . you can see an actual path to travel safely.
He even cleared that enormous mound of snow on Jay's side of the garage/driveway, which will make getting into the garage A LOT easier.
He cleared the area around the propane tank, which is AWESOME because we are hoping to have that price gauging tank removed and replaced with one a little friendlier on our pocketbook. Which we were wondering how we were going to clear the snow around it so it could be removed and replaced. YAY, that's now taken care of too!!
Jay took some pictures of Zack near some of the deeper mounds to give a little perspective of how deep they are. Now, you have to keep in mind, Zack is almost as tall as me (5'4 3/4").
So, a HUGE THANK YOU to all those who have helped us in our driveway dilemmas! If I have counted correctly, there has been a total of four 'snow removal fairies' that have come to our resuce.
THANK YOU!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Our snow drifts!!
Okay, we have always told the kids it is not nice to use the word 'hate.' So, I will abstain from saying, "I HATE the snow, oops - did I just say that? I mean . . . I despise, detest, loathe, dislike, disapprove of all this SNOW!! It's bad enough it is frigid cold and we don't want to leave the house, but to be housebound because we can't get out of our own driveway drives me NUTS!! I am a prisoner in this house! We are being held captive by this weather and I am so done with it!!
The snow makes for a beautiful senic portrait, especially as the sun rises and just glistens off the white canvas. However, this quantity, which is nothing compare to what they endured last winter, is very encumbrancing. I have never liked driving in hazardous conditions on wet or snow covered roads. I have had to take on these ridiculous drifts way too many times. It's pretty bad when you get stuck in your own driveway. Thank goodness we don't have to get up at four in the morning anymore to go out and deliver papers. At least, I am not required to leave my house, BUT I want to and I can't. Not only is our driveway not passable with my standard 'mom vehicle,' the traditional minivan, but the roads to get out of our subdevelopment (as it is called out here) are not 'mom vehicle' friendly either.
We only got about another inch of snow last night, but the winds were ridiculous and this is what we woke up to this morning . . .
This picture shows the concrete area of the driveway just outside the garage.
This picture shows the huge packed drift that is at the base of the concrete where we back out of the garage. This area was plowed out a week ago and you would never know it now!! This is typically the first area where I get stuck.
As you walk down the driveway, it looks fine . . . BUT . . .
As you get closer to the mouth, main entrance of the driveway, there is a HUGE drift covering our path to get out. There is NO way either one of our vehicles, Dodge Caravan & Chevy Malibu, are getting through there!! Jay actually went out and TRIED to shovel (you can see where he was working) a path so we could get through. BUT there is NO WAY he could do all that, get ready for church, and be at church by 9:00 a.m. and he started a little after seven, but quickly realized by 7:35 that it wasn't happening with our tiny little shovel!!
Jay put a call in to a congregational member whose husband has a landscaping company and he does plow work in the winter. So, he came out with his four wheel truck (no blade) and drove through it several times to loosen it up and make enough tracks for Jay to get out. Then Jay followed him through the subdevelopment out to the main road because he even told Jay there were some major drifts and if he got stuck he'd pull him out. Well, Jay & the girls got out - Zack & I stayed home as we are both not feeling well.
We are so thankful for those who have assisted us in getting our driveway bladed or blown and even blading the road between our house and the main road so we could get out, but we can't always depend on someone to come to our resue. To be able to get around out here, one has to own at least one four wheel drive vehicle - can't afford that on a pastor's income, and a snowblower - and that's not in the budget anytime soon either. I'm not sure how we are going to get through the rest of this winter and any in the future unless a 'snow fairy' arrives and provides the basic needs to get through a winter in the frigid plains of North Dakota.
See what I mean about being beautiful. It just is not manageable for us midwesterners!!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Winter Wonderland
To date, we have had a total of 45 inches of snow.
Will it ever go away???!!!!
We are SO sick of the snow. We are SO tired of being cooped up in the house. We miss being able to get out and do things with PEOPLE!! It is TOO cold to get out and go anywhere. Let alone there seems to be nothing to do around here in the dead of winter and in the middle of a deep freeze.
The snow is pretty to look at, BUT it gets very old very fast!! We've had snow on the ground since November. NOVEMBER I say, and apparently it will be on the ground till April and maybe as late as May. Come on . . . YUK!!! It's nice to have snow in December and especially for Christmas, but in April for Easter. We are so hoping by the time we return from our trip to Iowa/Illionis/Ohio in May that the snow will be GONE!! It would definitely be very refreshing to see NO snow when we come back!!
Even our big Saint Bernard dog doesn't like the snow anymore. She goes out and does her business and before we know it she is at the door barking for us to let her in. She NEVER barked to come in back home.
We are very thankful to members from the church and neighbors that have come over and either plowed or used their snowblowers to help clear our driveway so we can get out. I'm not sure how we'd manage without them. The driveway is not huge, but too big for someone to actually use a shovel and dig out. The kids have been very helpful too and have shoveled the concrete part of the driveway. However, it was a novelty at first and now they are a little tired of it.
Snow, Snow, GO AWAY!!!!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Our Homeschooling Story . . .
Well, we have been homeschooling for only 6 1/2 years. We started when Cassie was entering the 3rd grade and Zack was entering kindergarten. We started homeschooling because we had had a negative, okay a couple of negative experiences with the school district we lived in.
A little schooling history . . .
* Cassie attended kindergarten at Canal Winchester's Indian Trail, 2000-2001 school year
* June 2001 we moved to Parker, Colorado & in July 2001 Cassie started the 1st grade; they have year round schooling . . . SHOCKER - she was 1/2 a year behind academically, which was heartbreaking because when she started kindergarten she was definitely ahead, we even went to the principal at the time a requested she be tested and moved straight to the first grade, but he refused sighting "socialization" as his support
* It didn't take Cassie long to get caught up and surpass her academic peers. In the second grade she was doing work equivalent to the fourth grade level.
* Mid academic year 2002-2003, January '03, we moved back to Pickerington, Ohio and prior to enrolling her we went to the superintendent and discussed Cassie's academic progress. The superintendent was non receptive to our inquiries about having her tested and gave the excuse that they hear all the time from families moving into the district that their kids are ahead when in reality they are not; "Pickerington has one of the best districts in the state." STRIKE ONE!!
* We were building a house so we were able to enroll Cassie in the elementary she would attend based on the completion of our home. When I took Cassie in to meet her teacher, I talked briefly about her academics. She was non-receptive. After a few weeks, Cassie was BORED bringing home horrible grades, so we met with the teacher. Her response was upsetting. She claimed Cassie was not even at level, 2nd gr., especially in reading (she was reading upon entering K). I was very upset, but figured she was misinformed. When actually I think she had it out for the poor kid. It turned out she was the mother of a boy the same age/in class/on pee wee leagues with the Jacksons (my husband & his sibs) when my MIL pulled them out of school to homeschool. This teacher flat out asked if I was related to "the Jacksons that use to go around singing and homeschooled for a while." Evidentlly my MIL was one of the pioneers of homeschooling in the Pickerington area. It was then and there I realized this teacher had no interest in challenging and educating my child.
* Well, the house we were building was taking longer and there were some hold-ups, so we opted for buying an established home and we moved in in May of '03. Which meant in Sept. '03, Cassie would be enrolled in a different elementary building, but she finished out her the 2002-2003 at the current building with her horrible teacher. At the end of the academic year, the proficiency test scores came home. Can you believe Cassie tested 4th grade and higher in all academic areas!!! I was so angry at this teacher because she had wasted valuable time with my daughter!! STRIKE TWO!!
* The 2003-2004 year was started in a new elementary so I thought a new beginning. Well, within the first week I went to one of those "Meet the Teacher" group meetings and was truly appalled. After the meeting, I talked one on one with the teacher about Cassie. She too was non-receptive and her comment to me was (paraphrased): "I have X amount of kids in my class. I prepare one lesson plan. If you would like to keep challenging Cassie in subjects she excels in, I encourage you to use additional workbook materials at home so she doesn't get bored and lose her drive to learn." Can you figure this one out? . . . . STRIKE THREE!!
* I went home that night and talked with Jay. For months Cassie had been asking to be homeschooled, and here we were finally entertaining the idea. We knew Cassie's learning capabilities and we knew Zack's lack of interest. We were concerned Cassie would continue to be bored and lose her drive to learn, she was already not wanting to go to school - which was new -, she was getting more migraine headaches, and she was getting horrible grades on things she had already done/learned in Colorado and had gotten excellent grades on. We were afraid Zack wouldn't excel as Cassie did and he might get lost in the whole scheme of things. It didn't take long for use to agree it was time for us to educate our children.
So, in September 2003 we pulled the kids out to begin our homeschooling journey. Cassie started 3rd grade and Zack started K. Our academic year runs from January to January. Homeschooling gives us the flexibilty to vacation/take trips when we want, fly through material that comes easily, take longer time/more intense studies of material that doesn't come easily, take personal time when life happens, or take off the same day as dad's day off. School doesn't have to be the same time everyday or the same days of the week. It just has to happen and for us to complete the material.
We use the A Beka curriculum for the majority of our core subjects, which is about a grade and half ahead of most curriculums. Zack uses BJU for his English writing & grammar and spelling. You see he doesn't excel in those areas and A Beka was too advanced so a friend had suggested Bob Jones because it was working for her son who seemed to have a lot of the same learning tendancies.
Our only stipulation with homeschooling was the kids don't have a choice until after they complete the 6th grade. Once they have completed the 6th grade then they get the choice if they want to continue their home education or venture out and try the brick and mortar schools. The original motivation there was I wasn't sure I would be capable of educating them as they got into harder subjects. To my surprise Cassie entered her 9th grade this year AT home. I am truly loving this journey. I love seeing the excitement in one of them when they learn something that truly interests them. I continue to learn right along with them!!
The reason I wanted to share our journey is because for the first time ever, Cassie and I are going to attend a home school convention. I booked our hotel reservation last night. March 18-20, 2010 Cassie and I are going to Fargo for the North Dakota Home School Association Home School Convention. After reviewing the home school convention booklet, I am truly interested and excited about the transcript boot camp, some of the keynote sessions and workshops. You see, ND is one of the most restrictive states for homeschoolers and I want to make sure I get it right (on paper, that is!!). Plus, as Cassie enters high school I have to keep detailed info/records so I make sure she completes the required units & has a grade card to share when applying for college. Cassie's looking forward to the "jamming/visiting" session and is planning on attending the "Pure Heart - Purity Conference." It will also be a great get away for mother and daughter just days after her 15th birthday!!
A little schooling history . . .
* Cassie attended kindergarten at Canal Winchester's Indian Trail, 2000-2001 school year
* June 2001 we moved to Parker, Colorado & in July 2001 Cassie started the 1st grade; they have year round schooling . . . SHOCKER - she was 1/2 a year behind academically, which was heartbreaking because when she started kindergarten she was definitely ahead, we even went to the principal at the time a requested she be tested and moved straight to the first grade, but he refused sighting "socialization" as his support
* It didn't take Cassie long to get caught up and surpass her academic peers. In the second grade she was doing work equivalent to the fourth grade level.
* Mid academic year 2002-2003, January '03, we moved back to Pickerington, Ohio and prior to enrolling her we went to the superintendent and discussed Cassie's academic progress. The superintendent was non receptive to our inquiries about having her tested and gave the excuse that they hear all the time from families moving into the district that their kids are ahead when in reality they are not; "Pickerington has one of the best districts in the state." STRIKE ONE!!
* We were building a house so we were able to enroll Cassie in the elementary she would attend based on the completion of our home. When I took Cassie in to meet her teacher, I talked briefly about her academics. She was non-receptive. After a few weeks, Cassie was BORED bringing home horrible grades, so we met with the teacher. Her response was upsetting. She claimed Cassie was not even at level, 2nd gr., especially in reading (she was reading upon entering K). I was very upset, but figured she was misinformed. When actually I think she had it out for the poor kid. It turned out she was the mother of a boy the same age/in class/on pee wee leagues with the Jacksons (my husband & his sibs) when my MIL pulled them out of school to homeschool. This teacher flat out asked if I was related to "the Jacksons that use to go around singing and homeschooled for a while." Evidentlly my MIL was one of the pioneers of homeschooling in the Pickerington area. It was then and there I realized this teacher had no interest in challenging and educating my child.
* Well, the house we were building was taking longer and there were some hold-ups, so we opted for buying an established home and we moved in in May of '03. Which meant in Sept. '03, Cassie would be enrolled in a different elementary building, but she finished out her the 2002-2003 at the current building with her horrible teacher. At the end of the academic year, the proficiency test scores came home. Can you believe Cassie tested 4th grade and higher in all academic areas!!! I was so angry at this teacher because she had wasted valuable time with my daughter!! STRIKE TWO!!
* The 2003-2004 year was started in a new elementary so I thought a new beginning. Well, within the first week I went to one of those "Meet the Teacher" group meetings and was truly appalled. After the meeting, I talked one on one with the teacher about Cassie. She too was non-receptive and her comment to me was (paraphrased): "I have X amount of kids in my class. I prepare one lesson plan. If you would like to keep challenging Cassie in subjects she excels in, I encourage you to use additional workbook materials at home so she doesn't get bored and lose her drive to learn." Can you figure this one out? . . . . STRIKE THREE!!
* I went home that night and talked with Jay. For months Cassie had been asking to be homeschooled, and here we were finally entertaining the idea. We knew Cassie's learning capabilities and we knew Zack's lack of interest. We were concerned Cassie would continue to be bored and lose her drive to learn, she was already not wanting to go to school - which was new -, she was getting more migraine headaches, and she was getting horrible grades on things she had already done/learned in Colorado and had gotten excellent grades on. We were afraid Zack wouldn't excel as Cassie did and he might get lost in the whole scheme of things. It didn't take long for use to agree it was time for us to educate our children.
So, in September 2003 we pulled the kids out to begin our homeschooling journey. Cassie started 3rd grade and Zack started K. Our academic year runs from January to January. Homeschooling gives us the flexibilty to vacation/take trips when we want, fly through material that comes easily, take longer time/more intense studies of material that doesn't come easily, take personal time when life happens, or take off the same day as dad's day off. School doesn't have to be the same time everyday or the same days of the week. It just has to happen and for us to complete the material.
We use the A Beka curriculum for the majority of our core subjects, which is about a grade and half ahead of most curriculums. Zack uses BJU for his English writing & grammar and spelling. You see he doesn't excel in those areas and A Beka was too advanced so a friend had suggested Bob Jones because it was working for her son who seemed to have a lot of the same learning tendancies.
Our only stipulation with homeschooling was the kids don't have a choice until after they complete the 6th grade. Once they have completed the 6th grade then they get the choice if they want to continue their home education or venture out and try the brick and mortar schools. The original motivation there was I wasn't sure I would be capable of educating them as they got into harder subjects. To my surprise Cassie entered her 9th grade this year AT home. I am truly loving this journey. I love seeing the excitement in one of them when they learn something that truly interests them. I continue to learn right along with them!!
The reason I wanted to share our journey is because for the first time ever, Cassie and I are going to attend a home school convention. I booked our hotel reservation last night. March 18-20, 2010 Cassie and I are going to Fargo for the North Dakota Home School Association Home School Convention. After reviewing the home school convention booklet, I am truly interested and excited about the transcript boot camp, some of the keynote sessions and workshops. You see, ND is one of the most restrictive states for homeschoolers and I want to make sure I get it right (on paper, that is!!). Plus, as Cassie enters high school I have to keep detailed info/records so I make sure she completes the required units & has a grade card to share when applying for college. Cassie's looking forward to the "jamming/visiting" session and is planning on attending the "Pure Heart - Purity Conference." It will also be a great get away for mother and daughter just days after her 15th birthday!!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
New Age Technology
The latest method of piano lessons. We have a standing lesson on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. central time. It has been going very well. We were using the cell phone and doing all three lessons. Well, for Christmas Grandma got a webcam for her computer. So, last Saturday, my BIL went over and got it all set up. Then on Friday the kids got to take their lessons via Skype with Grandma.
We set up a TV tray next to the piano and placed the laptop so Grandma could see. And boy did she see, evidently Mackenzie wasn't curving her fingers like they should be.
This worked out great!!
Friday, February 5, 2010
TICK TICK TICK TICK TICK . . .
Metrodome? Metronome? Ticky Thingy?
The girls have been in need of one of these thingys. So, the other day, Cassie and I were coming home from Mandan and we were near Eckroth Music so we went over to get a couple of things.
As we were walking in, I told Cassie, "I need to get a polishing cloth for Mackenzie's violin and the metrodome."
She quickly corrected me and said, "It's a metronome. I think."
"Well," I said, "metrodome, metronome. I don't care. I just need one of those 'tick tick tick thingys," as I am swishing my index finger from side to side.
You see we have one of those old-school metronomes, but it just doesn't work quite as well as the new and improved digital ones. The thing putters out before Mackenzie is done with her song, and it is hard to set at the right speed.? Anyway. Shall I continue with our entrance into Eckroth Music.
"Mom," Cassie pleads with me, "it's a metro-NOME. You know like a giant GNOME. Don't do that when we get in there."
I preceded to tell her, "I'm going to ask for that 'tick tick tick thingy." All the time swishing my index finger side to side.
"Don't you dare," she said.
"Well, if you don't like the way I'm going to ask, then you ask," I told her.
Her response was, "I'm not that social."
Okay, whatever. She's not that social. Give me a break.
So we got into the store and I walked over to the strings section and picked up a cleaning/polishing cloth for Mackenzie. There were two ladies (workers) in the area but they were conversing about something. So, I walked around trying to see if I could find this 'tick, tick, tick thingy" when one approached and asked, "Are you finding everything you're looking for?"
"Actually," I said, "I'm trying to find one of those 'tick tick tick thingys,'" as I'm swishing my index finger.
She smiled and said, "Well, you know they don't do this," swishing her index finger, "anymore."
All I could do was look lovingly at my teenage daughter and smile while she glared at me for doing the 'tick tick tick thingy' with the full swishing finger.
HE HE HA HA . . . it's great to have a teen.
So, we did walk out of there with one of the new and improved 'tick tick tick thingys' that is actually 3 in 1. It is a tuner, a tone generator, and a METRONOME.
Out of this World . . .
We've passed this little, okay crazy looking, restaurant on the corner of a major intersection every week. We have been told we need to venture in at least once. So, we decided we could go over for lunch and check out this place.
When we were seated in the center hub of the restaurant, this is what we saw above us. It was really cool to look at.
The restaurant's restrooms were not marked as we "humanoids" are familiar with, you know the traditional signs of Men and Women, but they were He-Droid and She-Droid. I have to say, I was expecting some crazy out of this world restroom, but was disappointed when I walked in to just your normal public restroom.
The restaurant serves American cuisine and I was told they have the best ribs. None of us tried the ribs. We did have a pizza, a hamburger, a rueben (Jay's all time favorite sandwich), mac 'n cheese, and a salad. The sandwiches and Kenzie's mac 'n cheese came with these awesome seasoned fries in a cone shaped device with two sides of dipping sauce - there was a lot of nacho cheese at our table, and they were quite tasty.
After we ate, the kids ventured into the "Game Galaxy" to play some games. I walked around and took a few photos (I didn't want to look too weird).
I had planned on taking a picture of the exterior on our way out; however, as I stepped onto the parking lot I slipped and fell on the snow packed covered asphalt. So needless to say, I was lucky to get up and I didn't get that picture I wanted.
But check out Cassie's blog to see some other fun photos.
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