Found in Fishers

What are you thankful for?

On this eve before Thanksgiving, I continue to be reminded of the little things to be thankful about.
I am thankful for Words of Wisdom. Words that cause me to pause and reflect. I like reading them at the introduction of chapters in a book, in newsletters or newspapers. I like hearing them when people speak to support their message. Words of Wisdom help me reflect. To stop and think about how I can make a difference.

I was reminded about Words of Wisdom today when I was trying to find a receipt in my purse. Instead I found a worn piece of paper and read both sides. I immediately remembered where I found those Words of Wisdom. You will be surprised. I heard them on the movie "Maid in Manhattan" and immediately wrote them down. I remember clearly now sitting in Fishers watching the movie on cable when the words hit me. I had to write them down so I would remember them. Here they are:
"Sometimes we are forced in directions we ought to have found for ourselves" - Oh my gosh can I really relate to that. Long story short, I moved for my new job and am blessed that it was the right decision because I absolutely love what I do.  I have found myself and am thankful for that.
"What we do does not define us. What defines us is how we rise after falling" - What a powerful message for someone like me who tends towards perfectionism.

What are you thankful for this holiday season? What are those little things in life that make you take pause and give thanks? Please sign in.

I am thankful for smiles and laughter

No matter where I am or what the occasion is, if I am given a smile I feel so much better about things. I shared lots of smiles in China, I took lots of pictures of smiles on the faces of Chinese children, I saw many smiles at the MidStates Band Competition on the faces of the HSE members. You know the smile. You can give it to your friends and family but it is also something contagious with strangers. I started that today. A smile and a hello to people I did not even know. When we first made eye contact there was no expression but when I smiled, the other person said hello.
What a simple gesture that can make for a great day.
Having a sense of humor is a pretty good character trait. Laughing is such a wonderful remedy for most any problem. No matter where I am or what role I am in, I find laughter an essential part of my day. I am thankful for laughter. I think it is important to laugh. At myself, at things that are funny, and sometimes things that are not especially funny but to lighten up the room.
I have laughed this week at some pretty funny e-mails. I often laugh at my goofy dogs. I did a lot of laughing today. At work we have an annual pie auction to raise money for locals families. Last year the auction was live but due to time constraints it was in an auction with papers next to the pies. It was still funny as people kept checking in and adding just a penny more or twenty-five cents more. I laughed so hard at one point I actually snorted. I also laughed today about Dancing with the Stars. I laughed because Helio has become so popular that people at work, some of the most conservative people I know, actually called in last night and voted for Helio. There was even a co-worker wearing a Vote for Helio button. I laughed.
When a teacher came to see me this afternoon I was reading a book about spelling research and teaching tips at the elementary level. She asked me for some copies to be made with holes for a binder. On my note in front of her I wrote "wholes in paper." I immediately showed her what I had just done and the book I was looking through when she walked in. Boy did we both have a good laugh.
I laughed today with the custodian at work. We have these quick conversations during the afternoon and at each point there is some great laughter. He just went hunting and shot a deer. He told me his son shot a doe. I laughed and told him now that Bambi was without a mother, he quipped back "Oh yes and without a Grandpa too."  We are always poking fun at each other. A good laugh to end a busy day.

Laughter, I am thankful for laughter.

A week of giving thanks. First up...crocheting

Tis the week of Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks to all those things that are special in my life. This week I am giving thanks for the small things. Those special little things that make the difference. Think of those things that can easily go unnoticed if we don't stop and take a moment to reflect.

I am thankful for friends and crocheting. Friends, I am blessed to have some really special friends in my life. I have many friends living in Da Region but I also have some new friends living in central Indiana. Crocheting, a hobby of my grandmother's. She would sit for hours at a time crocheting blankets making sure that each child and grandchild would get at least one beautiful blanket before she died. She made that goal even while virtually blind the last year of her life. What a beautiful memory I have of her handiwork.  As hard as I tried to learn to crochet it just never worked. I could never get the tension right so I made some of the most unusual shaped scarves.

But friends who crochet, now that is something to give thanks about. And a male friend who crochets, who could ask for more. Meet my friend Jeff. Yes, Jeff who taught himself to crochet. In the photo you can see his handiwork displayed. A Puff-a-Lump he made for his son when he was born 18 years ago and a blanket he is making for his daughter. When I first heard that Jeff actually crocheted, I kinda had to take step back. Jeff, the marathon runner, avid football fan, X-Box 360 champ and ... crochet king??? You go Jeff.
I give thanks this week to my friends in Fishers who made our transition to central Indiana so pleasant. It was the Remleys who helped us get things moved to the house, who helped out without asking. We enjoy our trips to El Rodeo and each other's company for dinner at our house or theirs. The Remleys also faithfully watch the dogs when we have a long day away from home.
Thanks Jeff and Katie for your friendship. And thanks Jeff for keeping the art of crocheting alive! 

How exactly do you plant a tulip bulb?

Call me crazy, call me Martha Stewart but how the heck do YOU plant your tulip bulbs? Today I planted my 250 bulbs in the dark because it rained all day on Sunday when I planned to do yard work but how exactly should they be planted?
I have to admit, I am a bit of a perfectionist. I can't help it. Blame my parents. Who else can I put that off on? :) I actually measure the distance from the foundation to plant my first row of bulbs then I do some scattering of bulb holes but I like to plant my bulbs in odd numbers. Three near each other like a triangle or five like a mini bowling pin set up. Then, when they grow you see these beautiful clumps of color.
I got a deal this year too. All the bulbs for $21 at the Costco clearance.
When talking to my sister on the phone about planting bulbs she enlighted me about this crazy way she plants bulbs. How random! First not wanting to get dirt under her nails she uses an attachment to her drill to make the holes. Hmmm, sounds kinda princess like to me. Then she takes the bulbs and tosses them in the air and where they land is where she plants them.  I just could not believe my ears. Thows bulbs to determine their placement?  I just don't get it. It makes no sense to me.
I made her prove to me that was an actual way to plant bulbs and she surprisingly found a couple internet sites discussing the technique. Help me, help her. How do you think we should plant bulbs?

A final shout out to the Class AA MSBA CHAMPS!!

Tonight was the celebration of the marching band season and recognition of the Royal Command and Guard. There were several awards given like Best Student in each class, Most Spirited Section. Lots of kudos to the parents who do so much to help make this all happen. The color guard received the award for most improved section. That was well deserved. Liz got an award too. Most improved Saber!! That was a surprise for her. She got a bit teary eyed at the end that the season is over.
Each student received an engraved medal tonight as well as an awesome sweatshirt that says Grand Champion. A really nice gift for the kids.  John put together this wonderful photo collage for the staff and created a multi-media presentation for the end of tonight's program. He just amazes me. The talent he has is incredible. His best work comes under pressure as he has yet to really sleep in the last 48 hours.
It was kinda sad to say good bye to such an wonderful season. I am looking forward to next year. What a great way to spend my weekends!
Concert, Jazz and Pep Band have all started for Mark. Liz tries out for the Glassman Drum Corp in Toledo in a couple weeks and college classes start for her Jan 14th. What did I say about things quieting down???

It's a tradition

Each year the night before the last competition it is a tradition that the seniors have Senior Prank Night. This year was no different as the 16 or so seniors went to the high school the night before band competition finals. This year, with a flight theme, the group had some very creative ways of using balloons.
First the seniors took out all of the furniture from the band room and filled the floor with 700 balloons. They also then covered the ceiling with several hundred helium balloons. They then took to the director's tower and filled each level with water balloons.
It was pretty funny but right after the competition they had to clean it all up. The problem is that seniors never learn their lesson about doing too much because after they spend hours cleaning they don't have a chance another time to think "Let's not do too much because we have to clean it up"
Another tradition...signing the parking lot. An annual rite of passage for seniors. I really did not think too much about it until I remembered that the school just resealed the parking lot too weeks ago. Great... I may have the kid who gets in trouble for defacing the parking lot. So far so good, seems like the school has accepted that this truly is a tradition. The seniors sign the practice lot right in front of the football field lines outside near the director's tower and the marching band semi.
Tonight's the night. Award Ceremony. Keep checking.

Friday Night Lights, whimpy style

It is a crisp fall Friday night. Good weather for the regional football game in Hamilton County. And Hamilton Southern has the home field advantage against Pike High School. I even got 2 free tickets! But it is too cold for me, I am tired, and I have a back ache. For me, it is football whimpy style today.
I was looking forward to going to the big football game tonight. I even was at the high school until 6:50. But in the end, I just was too tired to sit on the cold benches and shiver while watching the football game tonight.
I am sure it was exciting to be there in person but not tonight. I watched Oprah on DVR while eating reasonably priced home food rather than concession stand food, I reclined on the Lazy Boy chair and kept checking the game. In town, the audio of the game is on channel 19, so I felt like I could be there is the comfort of my home. How lucky am I!

Still not tired of talkin' about our Champs!

Another day, another blog about our MSBA Grand Champion Band, the Royal Command and Guard.
There have been lots of e-mails flying today in preparation for Monday Night's Award Ceremony. Sorry, you will have to wait and see what the Royal Guardian Band Boosters decide to do. Still top secret. I will tell you that the night will be a good one.
First, John will share his DVD show highlighting photos of the season. I am sure it will be a dandy one again. We will recognize the band and then there are separate awards for most improved, best spirit, etc. The section leaders are recognized and then the students will get a token of their championship. We also have some great photos that John is putting together so the kids can sign the mats for the staff.
I always love the end of year celebration but I do drop a tear or two. I know it will be worse next year with it being our last year with this band. Liz will be sad this year as this is it for her with the RCG. Since she is graduating in December, no winter guard. But at the same time she is trying out for a Drum Corp out of Toledo, Ohio that will occupy her entire summer going across the country...hopefully for her. As we told her, trying out is a great experience too.
Friday night the pep band will be playing at the big football game. I am hoping that the Royals will win and get us closer to the championship game that will be played at the RCA Dome. We did it two years ago, so I am hoping for a second shot at it. If so, Mark will be playing in the band that weekend, Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Coming soon - Did you know I have a male friend who crochets? Oh, and I have to tell you more about how my daughter defaced the school parking lot. oops.

The Official Championship Trophy

We are still riding high on the championship win. The kids had to turn in their medals today as they are getting engraved for the presentation on Monday. We are also getting quite a few congratulatory notes and e-mails. One is from the band in Hanover, Indiana. That band Southwestern has been our "partner" band all year because we are both from Indiana and because of the names Hamilton Southeastern and Southwestern. Each has been sending well wishes including the "band-o-grams" at each competition. The Royal Command and Guard even got a balloon bouquet last Friday  wishing us luck.
I am sad that the band season is over. Ok, I do want a couple free weekends but it is so much fun being a band roadie. I was talking to a former band parent in the office today and she said that her social life has hit the breaks because so many of her friends were connected through band and she does not see them anymore. That is too sad. But I am going to stay on my high note still because this has been such an awesome experience for the kids.
I think the most incredible thing for the band is that they really had determination last week and kicked it up a notch. They have worked for 4 months on a program and were able to step it up because of their dedication. A special sign was delivered outside the high school yesterday announcing the Grand Champions. I will take a picture of it for tomorrow.
Until then, check out our trophy with the drum majors!

More about our Championship RCG

Friday night was full of drama. The kids had practice that night. It was pretty darn funny because after practice the adults did a show for the kids. Our own The Sky's the Limit. I was the flag girl. I was totally exhausted by the time we were done with our 5 minute show. The funniest part was when the kids in the program use arm signals to spell RCG, HSE we spelled YMCA. After the skit we had cake for the kids.

When I got home I listened to the Hamilton Southeastern Football game and we won! 31-10 against Warren Central. Warren won state championship for the last 4 years. As a matter of fact 2 years ago when HSE went to state we lost to Warren. It was a big win for the team. When we got home, John's computer would not boot up. Found out today, the hard drive went out. Thankfully Frye's Electronics was able to save the data so that is good but the lack of a good computer has slowed down John's photo business by a few days.

Saturday morning came fast enough with a 6:30AM practice. We could hear the band playing from our house. It was also the morning the band arrived after Senior Pranks. Yup, and with a senior in the house it was interesting to hear what they did. I guess they took all the chairs out of the band room and covered the floor with 700 balloons. They also covered the ceiling with helium balloons and the director's stand outside with water balloons. Then the seniors followed tradition and signed the marching band portion of the blacktop with spray paint. The only problem is the pavement has a fresh coat of blacktop. oops. But is looks neat. I guess this is a long standing tradition that the seniors write their names. The parking lot where they practice is in the southwest corner and after it was resurfaced, the company even put in the football field lines so they could mark their spaces while practicing.

Keep checking, more to come with photos once we get the good computer going again.