And now for something completely different....
It's been a crazy week here in Lake Wobe-...uh, I mean...NW Ohio. Getting the kids ready for and off to school. Trying to draft collateral materials for the Northwest Ohio Writers' Conference (www.nwowc.com, in case I hadn't mentioned recently). Trying not to over-commit for the next few months. My daughters have a lot of fun stuff going on and I want to be around for it.
Finances are still scary. I was, however, contacted for a voiceover gig. I MAY have some work involving copy for political campaigns in SE Michigan (yeah, for Republicans even! Go figure!) And given the severe lack of work lately, hey, I've had time to work on my own web site. It's about 85% there. I have to work on a page with writing samples, and I need to tweak my "About" page. It's too wordy -- definitely falls under the heading of "crappy first draft!"
My freelance buddy Karen landed the enviable gig of covering "Antiques Roadshow in CT" last weekend. Man, I want a piece of that action!
At the 11th hour, we found a clarinet for me oldest. It was her dad's. I took it to Pro Music in Sylvania and asked A) if it could be refurbed, B) how long it would take and C) the ever-important "how much will this set me back?"
The answers were:
A) Sure, no problem! It's actually in pretty good shape!
B) Uh, we're probably looking at 3-4 weeks as there are handful of clarinets still waiting to be refurbished
C) Only $95....I was expecting $150 or so.
Pro Music is a tiny shop on Main St. but the guys that work there are very nice, very courteous (esp. to those like me, the "Band Mom Rookie"), and very helpful. And to put icing on the cake, they gave us a loaner clarinet at no charge so DD could still practice with the band.
(End of shameless plug for Pro Music! But they deserve it. I was impressed.) :D
Eldest DD's first days of middle school have been pretty good. She's enjoying it and I think she's got a great schedule. Her homeroom teacher is also her math teacher AND her studyhall teacher. So if she needs math help, he's right there. *whew!* They are studying World History and Geography for Social Studies....DD is geeked about that. She has Art on Monday and Tuesday, and Band W-F. Every 20 days, they rotate classes first period. The kids that aren't in band or orchestra have art five days...which becomes keyboarding, then gym, then home ec, then...something else. ?? So really she skates on gym only having it two days a week for four weeks before moving on. She has NO idea how lucky she is! lol
Youngest DD had her kindergarten open house on Tuesday...met her teacher, got pictures taken. She and I have a meeting with her teacher on Friday, and DD starts officially after Labor Day. Hmm. What will I do with 2 1/2 hours to myself every day?
Oh....I'm sure I'll find something. ;-)
My first foray into window sign painting was laughable. I think one needs a steadier hand for large format painting rather than small. I'm going to attempt the signage with a stencil but if it still looks sad, I'll go back to plan A which was vinyl lettering.
I'm looking forward to cutting loose a few other obligations so I can work on my own business...and hopefully, by default, my own writing. I have a few projects with deadlines racing toward me.
Non-sequiturs:
DH and I were driving down the street in our little 'burb and while it is considered pretty affluent, with a mix of homes ranging from $120,000 to $500,000, and Beemers and Lexuses (Lexi?) are almost as common as minivans, following a MASERATI down the street was first! It struck me as a bit excessive, and slightly surreal.
There are certain food stuffs which are addicting, gotta have it kind of things....like chocolate, chips, hummus, peach ice cream. I am developing a habit with hot pepper jack cheese. It's excellent on Club Crackers and goes nicely with cabernet, which surprised me.
DD went for a walk with grandma the other day. While using a curb for a balance beam, DD remarked very matter-of-factly, "I love this world." Now you know what keeps me from going 'round the twist.
Finances are still scary. I was, however, contacted for a voiceover gig. I MAY have some work involving copy for political campaigns in SE Michigan (yeah, for Republicans even! Go figure!) And given the severe lack of work lately, hey, I've had time to work on my own web site. It's about 85% there. I have to work on a page with writing samples, and I need to tweak my "About" page. It's too wordy -- definitely falls under the heading of "crappy first draft!"
My freelance buddy Karen landed the enviable gig of covering "Antiques Roadshow in CT" last weekend. Man, I want a piece of that action!
At the 11th hour, we found a clarinet for me oldest. It was her dad's. I took it to Pro Music in Sylvania and asked A) if it could be refurbed, B) how long it would take and C) the ever-important "how much will this set me back?"
The answers were:
A) Sure, no problem! It's actually in pretty good shape!
B) Uh, we're probably looking at 3-4 weeks as there are handful of clarinets still waiting to be refurbished
C) Only $95....I was expecting $150 or so.
Pro Music is a tiny shop on Main St. but the guys that work there are very nice, very courteous (esp. to those like me, the "Band Mom Rookie"), and very helpful. And to put icing on the cake, they gave us a loaner clarinet at no charge so DD could still practice with the band.
(End of shameless plug for Pro Music! But they deserve it. I was impressed.) :D
Eldest DD's first days of middle school have been pretty good. She's enjoying it and I think she's got a great schedule. Her homeroom teacher is also her math teacher AND her studyhall teacher. So if she needs math help, he's right there. *whew!* They are studying World History and Geography for Social Studies....DD is geeked about that. She has Art on Monday and Tuesday, and Band W-F. Every 20 days, they rotate classes first period. The kids that aren't in band or orchestra have art five days...which becomes keyboarding, then gym, then home ec, then...something else. ?? So really she skates on gym only having it two days a week for four weeks before moving on. She has NO idea how lucky she is! lol
Youngest DD had her kindergarten open house on Tuesday...met her teacher, got pictures taken. She and I have a meeting with her teacher on Friday, and DD starts officially after Labor Day. Hmm. What will I do with 2 1/2 hours to myself every day?
Oh....I'm sure I'll find something. ;-)
My first foray into window sign painting was laughable. I think one needs a steadier hand for large format painting rather than small. I'm going to attempt the signage with a stencil but if it still looks sad, I'll go back to plan A which was vinyl lettering.
I'm looking forward to cutting loose a few other obligations so I can work on my own business...and hopefully, by default, my own writing. I have a few projects with deadlines racing toward me.
Non-sequiturs:
DH and I were driving down the street in our little 'burb and while it is considered pretty affluent, with a mix of homes ranging from $120,000 to $500,000, and Beemers and Lexuses (Lexi?) are almost as common as minivans, following a MASERATI down the street was first! It struck me as a bit excessive, and slightly surreal.
There are certain food stuffs which are addicting, gotta have it kind of things....like chocolate, chips, hummus, peach ice cream. I am developing a habit with hot pepper jack cheese. It's excellent on Club Crackers and goes nicely with cabernet, which surprised me.
DD went for a walk with grandma the other day. While using a curb for a balance beam, DD remarked very matter-of-factly, "I love this world." Now you know what keeps me from going 'round the twist.