IIIIIII'm Baaaaack!

So it has been over a month since I last posted on this blog. Believe me, it was not a vacation!

I have been SO busy during the past weeks, that I have barely had a spare second to even take a breath.

Usually, my week includes 5 days of school, two evenings of private voice lessons, one evening of prison choir,  a Sunday morning of prison choir, and church meetings after prison on Sundays.

Lately I have had even more on my plate, and have found that I have two or more places to go every day. I had my first evening off last night, and will get my first day off on Monday.

I'm not really complaining, except for the fact that my lungs have not been cooperating with me during all of this, but I would like to share a few of the things I have done that have kept me driving over a thousand miles up and down the state, and have made me lose dozens of hours of sleep over the past few weeks.

First, I had High School Men's and Women's Honor Choir. This included a couple of weeks where we had to drive north at least once for practices. Then came the Jr. High Honor Choir. Both of these were fantastic weekends, and I came away musically renewed and the kids had such wonderful experiences that I am sure most of them will come back for more!

Next, we had put it off long enough, so my HS Women's Choir finally got together for our group photo (ironically, we added a new member THE NEXT DAY!). We spent a couple of hours standing in the cold, and several of us got sick because of it. I am still trying to recover. Here is one of the better pics from that afternoon:

We also got a picture of just our group leadership:

Last weekend, I went south (for some beautifully warm weather) to attend a Music Conference. It was a very profitable weekend for renewing my sense of purpose and getting to see old friends, as well as finding new strategies and music for my classroom. 

Tomorrow, we have a concert in Inklings' town, then a drive north to take our Youngest Daughter out to dinner. It is a tradition with our family that when a kid turns 16, they get to pick the restaurant. It usually means an expensive dinner, but it only happens every 2 years or so, and this is our last one. Our oldest chose a McGrath's Fish House. # 2 chose the Olive Garden. Our oldest daughter chose Sizzler, and this one has chosen Red Lobster. Makes us breathe easier that we don't have more kids!

I will try to get back to my schedule of blogging at least once a week, but will make no guarantees, since I am coming into the busiest part of the school year. This is one reason why I have never bothered trying out for Survivor! No time! maybe some year. First, I think will come finishing my book, and maybe some more music. 

At least retirement is only 14 years away! [sigh]