Cory is the musical one in the family. He takes band in school. He enjoys playing his saxophone, though I think he should practice more. Yes, Cory, I know you're reading this, and I think you should practice more.
I never really thought about having him take private lessons to supplement what he learns in school, and he never mentioned it. Some of his other band friends take private lessons, though, and I'm sure it makes a difference. The question is, with a busy schedule full of school activities, library activities, and homework, how does anyone fit in time for music lessons?
Amadeus Home Music School can help, because they schedule music lessons in your home, at your convenience. That definitely saves some time because you don't have to drive to the lesson and back again. Amadeus offers lessons for not only the saxophone, but other instruments, singing lessons, and music for children with special needs. You can call their toll free number or fill out the web form to get more information.
I'll have to ask Cory if it's something he would be interested in.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tagged - 7 Things
Cathy tagged me to share 7 random facts about myself.
This tag even comes with a cute graphic:
This tag even comes with a cute graphic:
- I started this post about a week ago, and then never got to it. Then I read Misty's 7 Things post and felt tagged all over again. What can you learn about me from that? I have good intentions - it's just that there are so many things I want to do and just not enough time to do them all. At least not time to do them right.
- I have a whole bunch of pictures on my camera cards that I really need to download to my computer. I've just been pulling a picture off here and there for posts and things, but I need to get them all off, and backed up to DVD - so I can clear the cards off, and fill them back up again. (this sounds kind of like a repeat of #1, doesn't it?)
- I've been walking 2 miles (30 minutes) every weekday morning since Cory was a baby. He's 16 now, so that's a lot of miles. I was going to add them up, but that sounds like too much work.
- When I read John Grisham books, I think it would be cool to be a lawyer.
- I think I'm in love with bread. Seriously, I could never do the low carb thing. This week I tried out a bread recipe I saw on GMA last week. Yum! I am definitely making this again.
- It bugs me when people walk on the wrong side of the street. Bugs me. More on this later.
- I have two kids. Oh, wait, you already knew that. :P
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Sky Watch Friday (#42)
It's (almost) Friday again, and that means
Sky Watch Friday!
To get a picture of tonight's sunset, I had to walk out my front door and across the street. I just couldn't see it from my house because of the trees and houses in the way. A couple weeks ago, I could see the sunset from my front yard, but not tonight. The sun may set in the West, but it seems that West moves, doesn't it? Even without the help of New York movers.
So, my feet got a little cold - it was worth it.
If you enjoy looking at the sky as much as I do, you'll want to check out Sky Watch Friday. You can enjoy skies from around the world!
Books I Read
I took some books back to the library this afternoon, books I haven't read yet. I could have kept them, because they weren't due yet, but I knew I wasn't going to have a chance to read them. So I figured it would be better to take them back so they could perhaps be read by someone else. The thing is, I really want to read these books. They're not about anything important like employment screening, just interesting books I pulled off the shelves. You know how they say you can't judge a book by its cover? Maybe you can't, but I tend to choose a book by its cover. If the cover looks interesting, I'm more likely to pull it off the shelf.
These books looked interesting enough that I pulled them off the shelf, checked them out, and brought them home to read. The problem is that I do that with a lot of books - more books than I have time to actually read. I so wish I could read faster like Cory does.
I need to find a better way to keep track of the books I want to read, instead of just checking out every book that catches my eye and then not having time to read them all, though that does help the library's circulation stats. So today I started using the 'I want to Read' option on iRead on Facebook. I've been using it to keep track of the books I am reading and the books I've read this year, but I hadn't added any to the 'I want to Read' list until now. I added the books I took back to the library - so I'll remember to check them out again when I'm ready to read them. That is, unless some other book covers attract my attention and get in the way.
These books looked interesting enough that I pulled them off the shelf, checked them out, and brought them home to read. The problem is that I do that with a lot of books - more books than I have time to actually read. I so wish I could read faster like Cory does.
I need to find a better way to keep track of the books I want to read, instead of just checking out every book that catches my eye and then not having time to read them all, though that does help the library's circulation stats. So today I started using the 'I want to Read' option on iRead on Facebook. I've been using it to keep track of the books I am reading and the books I've read this year, but I hadn't added any to the 'I want to Read' list until now. I added the books I took back to the library - so I'll remember to check them out again when I'm ready to read them. That is, unless some other book covers attract my attention and get in the way.
What Should Have Been a Quick Job...
...took me half the morning.
Why do the simplest things seem to take so much time? I needed to update a website this morning - change 4 numbers on 2 pages, upload the changed pages, done. Well, it should have worked that way, but when I changed the numbers and uploaded the pages, suddenly there was no home page. When I went to the page, the server told me there was no such page. What?
So I checked the files on the server and found that FrontPage had added an extra file and made that the home page. The only problem was that I never created that file, and the browser wouldn't read it. I kept trying to fix the navigation, making my page the home page, but it wouldn't listen to me - until I just deleted the extra file. Then I had toplay mess fight with the navigation to get it back to the way it was before. I just don't know why things can't work the way they are supposed to - quickly and the first time - so I don't have to spend so much time on simple tasks.
Why do the simplest things seem to take so much time? I needed to update a website this morning - change 4 numbers on 2 pages, upload the changed pages, done. Well, it should have worked that way, but when I changed the numbers and uploaded the pages, suddenly there was no home page. When I went to the page, the server told me there was no such page. What?
So I checked the files on the server and found that FrontPage had added an extra file and made that the home page. The only problem was that I never created that file, and the browser wouldn't read it. I kept trying to fix the navigation, making my page the home page, but it wouldn't listen to me - until I just deleted the extra file. Then I had to
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Be in the Movies
Cory and I were watching a movie the other day, and he was saying the lines along with the actor, all dramatic and everything. Then he turned to me and said, "I'd love to be in the movies." - or something like that. He reads my blog, and then he'll complain if I put words in his mouth. The point is, acting and being in movies is something he would definitely enjoy. He loves being in front of a crowd, being the center of attention. I think he'd be great in the movies. Those of you who have seen his videos, what do you think?
Of course, everyone can't be in the movies, at least not with a speaking, starring part, but Talent6 can help people get into the movies as Extras. You know the extras. They're the crowd at the baseball game, the people walking down the street, the background people who make it look real. You won't necessarily become a movie star, but being an Extra means you're in the movie, right?
All it takes is a phone call to the toll free number (800-493-9047) to get started. Talk to a portfolio manager and let them find you a job in the movies. Movies are filmed all over the country, not just in Hollywood, so they can find work for anyone. It's not movie star pay, but movie extras get paid between $100 and $300 per day, which isn't bad. And sometimes extras get 'discovered' right? Either way, it sounds like an amazing experience, and Talent6 can help.
If you've ever dreamed of being in the movies, give them a call. What do you have to lose? Oh, and when you get famous - remember I knew you when.
Of course, everyone can't be in the movies, at least not with a speaking, starring part, but Talent6 can help people get into the movies as Extras. You know the extras. They're the crowd at the baseball game, the people walking down the street, the background people who make it look real. You won't necessarily become a movie star, but being an Extra means you're in the movie, right?
All it takes is a phone call to the toll free number (800-493-9047) to get started. Talk to a portfolio manager and let them find you a job in the movies. Movies are filmed all over the country, not just in Hollywood, so they can find work for anyone. It's not movie star pay, but movie extras get paid between $100 and $300 per day, which isn't bad. And sometimes extras get 'discovered' right? Either way, it sounds like an amazing experience, and Talent6 can help.
If you've ever dreamed of being in the movies, give them a call. What do you have to lose? Oh, and when you get famous - remember I knew you when.
Doctor's Appointment
Beth had another doctor's appointment today. This doctor told her basically the same thing the last one did, but she feels more comfortable with this one. It sounds like she is seriously considering the surgery now, which should take care of her problem. He said she could take medicine to control it, but she would have to take it for the rest of her life, except that she couldn't take it when she got pregnant, and if she had any problems with her heart during pregnancy, it could be really hard on her and the baby.
Anyway, if she gets the surgery, she shouldn't have to worry about it any more. It's not going to be cheap, but definitely something that needs taken care of.
Anyway, if she gets the surgery, she shouldn't have to worry about it any more. It's not going to be cheap, but definitely something that needs taken care of.
Save Green, Go Green Giveaway!
I like where I live. I really do, but this is one of those times I wish I lived somewhere else - either that, or that Charter would offer services in my area. Right now they are offering some great deals on their services for Internet, cable TV, and phone services. You know how I love to save money, and under $100/month for all three services would definitely save us some money.
That's not the only thing, though. Right now if you sign up and order one or more services from Charter you are entered to win a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid. There's no purchase required, but you do have to live in an area serviced by Charter to be eligible. With the cost of gas nowadays, this is probably one of the best prizes around. Winning any car would be great, but being able to save money on gas too is even better. This car gets up to 45mpg on the highway, and is worth over $24,000. It has a polished metal exterior, fabric interior, cruise control, 160-watt sound system, and the all-important MP3 Auxiliary Input Jack. Best of all, if you win, it's FREE!
Now is definitely the time. Check out Charter's services on Internet, phone service, and cable TV, and enter the Save Green, Go Green Giveaway. Even if you don't win the car, you'll still be saving money.
That's not the only thing, though. Right now if you sign up and order one or more services from Charter you are entered to win a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid. There's no purchase required, but you do have to live in an area serviced by Charter to be eligible. With the cost of gas nowadays, this is probably one of the best prizes around. Winning any car would be great, but being able to save money on gas too is even better. This car gets up to 45mpg on the highway, and is worth over $24,000. It has a polished metal exterior, fabric interior, cruise control, 160-watt sound system, and the all-important MP3 Auxiliary Input Jack. Best of all, if you win, it's FREE!
Now is definitely the time. Check out Charter's services on Internet, phone service, and cable TV, and enter the Save Green, Go Green Giveaway. Even if you don't win the car, you'll still be saving money.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Very Dangerous
Image via WikipediaShe's a high school student, with a part-time job - so why in the @*%$# would Chase give her a credit card with a $15,000 limit?When Beth went and opened her new checking and savings accounts, they offered her a credit card, too. It sounded good - up to 3% back on purchases, and they'll tie it to her checking account in case she ever spends more than she actually has. Yep, real convenient.
We talked about how this can be a good thing, as long as she uses it responsibly and pays her balance, if she has one, every single month. She can start building her own credit record so she'll be able to buy a car and even a house some day. She's starting with a clean slate, and she has the opportunity to build a good credit score. On the other hand, if she doesn't use it responsibly, she can really get herself into trouble, now and for a long time to come.
Of course, when we first talked about it, I thought they'd maybe give her a credit line of $1000 to $1500 - something small that would gradually increase as she used it responsibly. But she got the card yesterday, and it says her a credit limit is $15,000.
Correction: as I was typing this, Beth came home from school. She said she called to activate her new card, and they said they'd put the wrong number on the letter. Her credit limit is actually $1500. Still dangerous, but not quite so bad.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Her Own Money
A week or so ago Beth stopped by the bank on the way home from school. She opened a new checking account and savings account - one that is not linked to our accounts and that we can't access. Technically the High School Checking account we opened for her was supposed to end when she turned 18, and change to a College Checking account. She's still in high school, so they said she didn't have to change, but she decided to mostly because she doesn't want anyone else to have access to her accounts.
It was supposed to take a little while to get everything set up and to get her debit card sent to her, so they left her original account open until it was all set up, and then the bank is supposed to move her money over and close her old accounts. She has received her debit card and some other information, so when I logged into the bank accounts today and saw that her checking account balance was $0, I figured they had moved the money over. Except that her savings account still has a balance. So, I checked, and she spent more money than she actually had in her account, so overdraft protection had moved over enough to cover it from her savings.
Then the question is, transfer enough to cover it so that she doesn't get hit with the overdraft fee again, or just leave it alone? I mean, she wants to handle her own money, says she knows how, but I don't want to see her get hit with a fee, either.
I decided that she wants to handle her own money and she needs to learn, so I didn't touch it. I did, however, mention it to her when she got home from school, and she transferred some money before she left for work. Pretty soon everything will be changed over, and I won't be able to see if she's on thin ice. Then she really will have to keep track of her own money, or pay the fees. Pretty soon she'll have to do everything for herself, like get her own car insurance, get life insurance quotes, and maybe even clean her room/apartment/house. Yeah, I'll believe that one when I see it!
It was supposed to take a little while to get everything set up and to get her debit card sent to her, so they left her original account open until it was all set up, and then the bank is supposed to move her money over and close her old accounts. She has received her debit card and some other information, so when I logged into the bank accounts today and saw that her checking account balance was $0, I figured they had moved the money over. Except that her savings account still has a balance. So, I checked, and she spent more money than she actually had in her account, so overdraft protection had moved over enough to cover it from her savings.
Then the question is, transfer enough to cover it so that she doesn't get hit with the overdraft fee again, or just leave it alone? I mean, she wants to handle her own money, says she knows how, but I don't want to see her get hit with a fee, either.
I decided that she wants to handle her own money and she needs to learn, so I didn't touch it. I did, however, mention it to her when she got home from school, and she transferred some money before she left for work. Pretty soon everything will be changed over, and I won't be able to see if she's on thin ice. Then she really will have to keep track of her own money, or pay the fees. Pretty soon she'll have to do everything for herself, like get her own car insurance, get life insurance quotes, and maybe even clean her room/apartment/house. Yeah, I'll believe that one when I see it!
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