HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May 2006 become a healing year for us all.

It doesn't get much cuter than this.

George Dog the Cat is exhausted. He's been chasing and fetching his beaded rope for most of the day. However, it started out pretty scary when TT came in from the outdoors at 5:30 this morning smelling like the danger zone. She was freaked, he was freaked, they growled and hissed for 4 hours before things calmed down. Neither one ever go outside, she snuck out, ended up being out all night, George saw her in the window and started howling. We let her in, and there you know the rest of the story.......

There is so much comfort

in family and extended family. I have absolutely wonderful in-laws. I have absolutely wonderful nieces and a nephew. They are very kind, unassuming, no stress, just really good people.

They are also the most intelligent bunch of folks, yet lead such a simple life. They are well educated, involved in community, environmental and school events. There is NO stress from these people. Everyone enjoys each other. there is no fighting, no one drinks, no one is a psycho. There is never a blowup or fight.

Then why is it every time we get together, I get high anxiety, all tense, have nightmares, chew my nails and cry?

Tomorrow--we are meeting at the Lewis and Clark Caverns. They are coming to Ennis to stay the night. We are going out to dinner. Simply speaking, I'm a wreck.

Today, I'm writing thank you notes for all the presents I received at Christmas.

So to my blogger friends:

Thank you MEANIE for making me laugh, being so naughty and hanging tough. I love you and miss you. Good luck to you and your maw maw in your new home and new life.

Thank you CHUCK. I better leave it at that!

Thanks Tim M for your continued support in your troops, our friendship and love for music. You are a sensitive, emotional and kind man.

Thanks Wenchy for sending REAL MAIL to Jolene and I. I'm getting a New Year's letter out! I promise! And of course, thanks for your thoughtful words and encouragement in our tough times.

Thanks Jam for finally admitting your paternal responsibilities to Meanie, your off the wall (jamwall?) blogs and living in Minnesota. I hope things go better, healthwise, for your father in the new year.

Thanks Hand for your music, your novella and your scumbag world and your unmoving attitude and and opinion, lol.

Thanks Martini for appreciating my humor. I'm glad Jimmy is of no relation to you. Good luck with that cool camera. Halloween is only 10 months away!

Jodster, if you read this, thanks for all your uselss advice.

Laura, thanks for your listening ear. We've found a few things in common. I hope our communication continues and things go well for you.

Leesa, thanks for your beautiful pics. Nice to know another redhead in Montana!

Cheeky---long time. How are you? Thanks for your empathy.

Meatbag--ready to lose another game of literati? You must be swamped at work.

Lou Reed--uhh, yeah.

To whom i've missed--sorry!

To all those bloggers who read but don't respond, thanks for dropping in--I see you on my counter, but I don't know who you are.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND THANKS FOR BLOGGING!

What to do today:

Monday, I put away the Christmas stuff.
Tuesday, we all went shopping with the girls Christmas money and out to dinner.
Wednesday??? Well, I'll probably reorganize some of the downstairs. I would really like to go soak in the hot springs tonight. Would be a mahhvelous way to spend my day off, dahhlink.
I don't have a TV, so I won't be watching reruns of CSI. It's windy and a bit miserable out, so anything outdoorsy today wouldn't be much fun.
I'm not finding much to talk about on my blog, but...I do find it interesting that people have the audacity to criticize someone's blog...in general. They fundamentally disagree, which is fine. And I could understand a logical discussion, but to blatently be rude and judgmental to someone because they don't agree with it simply ignorant. It's what gives "christians" their reputation. If you don't like it, don't read it. Move on. But to think someone thinks they have a right to judge and insult another for their opinion.....who made them Blog God?

On a final note, (that's the best saying for a music teacher, isn't it?)

What happens to the dyslexic agnostic with insomnia? He lays in bed all night, wondering if there is a doG.

Five Golden People---

From us to you....Happy New Year!

Emerson's Trophy Room

As with Mister Hand's comment a while back, I, too, detest the showing and displaying of stuffed animals. However, this room is of such grandeur....and who would think that anyone in Ennis, Montana would have such a display? Most of it is being donated to a local museum. All the life size bronzes are already in Tucson. We visited as he ate his Christmas dinner. He gave me some of Theda's stitchery for Christmas. I will show that on a different post.

WOOHOO!!!

I made it! I got a total of 12 sets of salt and pepper shakers for Christmas!

Merry Christmas, everyone! Hugs and good cheer all around!

'Twas the night before Christmas

and I'm pretty melancholy. Nevertheless, Santa has come.

12/24/05

Date of Birth: December 18, 1963
You are dispersing your energies, ELLIE, and you know it! You go out to dinner in town, attend parties and shows, but you are never really present. You listen to people but what they are saying doesn't interest you in any fundamental way. Yes, you are bored, and you're afraid to admit it to yourself. The depth of your inner search requires that you use a lot of energy reexamining your life.

Christmas Elf Name My Christmas Elf Name is Get your Christmas Elf Name at JokesUnlimited.com

is there any correlation betwixed the 2?

I took Ed and Scott

(son and husband) to see Emerson Hall last night. He is the gentleman that has donated the pianos to the school and helping us build a concert/fine arts hall. At 92, he's doing remarkably well, except for his lonely heart. (Theda has been gone 1 1/2 years now.) What a gentleman this man is. He took us in to see his trophy room. You see, he's made 34 Safari hunts. He didn't kill everything available, only rare and trophy animals. Emerson opened up the door and the cold air hit our faces. Brrr. On went the lights, the crystal chandeliers, and the room of a thousand square feet was full of head mounts and full body mounts. Elephant head, tusks, lions, bengal tigers, a zillion different antelope, water buffalo,baboons, zebras, boars, wart hogs, etc, from Africa, Afghanistan, South America, a polar bear of the coast of Siberia, a 16ft croc hide on the wall. A mountain sheep from the middle east that was taken at 17 thousand feet...Clearly, the list can go on and on. A whole room off of it contained mounts from North America including a caribou killed by a bow.

As a rule, I don't particularly care for animal mounts, but the number, size and uniqueness of the animals in this room was simply astonishing. My husband was even impressed! Emerson's has lead such an interesting life. After an hour of looking at all the animals, we went back to the little corner of the house the usually sits in. I sipped my hot tea, Emerson spoke a little of Theda, their career in photography and how much he misses her. He's alone and insists on being alone for Christmas. We will take him a plate of Christmas dinner. I will continue to go visit this lonely soul. He always gives me a hug when I leave, claiming it raises a woman's endorphins. Hopefully, it touches his heart, as well.

We will take pics next time we go, then you will understand the grandeur of this place. Who would ever think that little ol' Ennis, Montana would host such a collection.

He has already donated all the life size bronzes to the International Safari Museum in Tucson.

We're STILL in school!

I think we are the only school in the whole state of Montana that has to go today and tomorrow and i think it really stinks! (Maybe I should volunteer my services to be on the calendar committee next year.) The men in our building don't seem to mind, this way we get out before June 1st. The womenfolk are in agreement that getting out FRIDAY, only 2 days before Christmas is just not enough time to properly prepare for the feast ahead.

On my trip to Wyoming, this is what I got to see:

TWELVE below zero (F) when we unloaded the furniture,
ELEVEN below zero (F) when we loaded the furniture,
TEN types of hawks,
NINE million white tail deer,
EIGHT zillion antelope,
SEVEN mountain ranges
SIX "v's" of geese,
FIVE icy streams (rivers),
FOUR wild turkeys,
THREE Golden eagles,
TWO bald eagles,
and a porcupine nestled in a tall bush!

Happy Birthday,

to Me.....
happy birthday to Me,
happy birthday dear ME,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
and to my husband in 2 days....3 parties today!

December '63 (Oh What A Night)
( The Four Seasons )

Oh, what a night, late December back in '63
What a very special time for me
As I remember what a night!

Oh, what a night!
You know I didn't even know her name
But I was never gonna be the same
What a lady, what a night!

Oh, I got a funny feeling when she walked in the room
And I, as I recall it ended much too soon

Oh, what a night!
Hypnotizing, mesmerizing me
She was everything I dreamed she'd be
Sweet surrender, what a night!

I felt a rush like a rolling bolt of thunder
Spinnin' my head around and taking my body under

Oh, what a night!

Why'd it take so long to see the light?
Seemed so wrong, but now it seems so right
What a lady, what a night!

Oh, I got a funny feeling when she walked in the room
And I, as I recall it ended much too soon

Oh, what a night!
Hypnotizing, mesmerizing me
She was everything I dreamed she'd be
Sweet surrender, what a night!

I felt a rush like a rolling bolt of thunder
Spinnin' my head around and taking my body under
Oh, what a night!
(Oh, what a night!)
Oh, what a night!
(Oh, what a night!)
Oh, what a night!
(Oh, what a night!)

Over the river and through the woods

to Jolene's house we go! Honestly! Truly! We cross the Madison, Jefferson, Yellowstone, Tongue Rivers, we go through 2 indian reservations, by the Crazies, Bridger, Pryor and Big Horn mountains. After 6 or 7 hours of driving, depending on the roads, we will be in Buffalo, Wyoming. I'm looking forward to the trip. Currently, it is 10 degrees, and blowing snow. There are a couple of passes that will be touch and go. Good thing we have 4WD! I suppose it is better than a one horse open sleigh, too!
School for one more week, Ed will be home soon. I'm looking forward to a merry christmas in my own home with all 3 kids. usually we travel for christmas, so, it will be great to be home in my own kitchen this year.

I played my sax last night for a hospice fundraiser. I was told that I could just sit back in the corner and play music. I walked into the Elks Lodge, it was full of ritzy people and they were all facing the stage. STAGE. O well. I sat up there for an hours and played to my heart's content. Of course, I jazzed up the carols that I could. I brought music only to give me ideas on what to play next. I got done, realizing it's the first time my husband has ever heard me play and we've been together since 6/00. I need to play more. I need to get a gig going. I need to let that part of me out....once again.
So, I gotta scoot. Will wear my snow boots for sure!
Have a marshmallow world weekend!
loves,
e

Pondering:

When looking at the big picture, I think one of the most secure and stable elements in a relationship is the predictability of your partner.

4:30 Am

is a lovely time to wander outside, in pink fuzzy slippers- mind you, trying to get firewood. Then to have the fire basically go out because the wood you managed to find was green. I remember the good ol' days when once I went to sleep, I stayed asleep and didn't wake up until the alarm went off. Ho Hum.



We had a Christmas party last night with Scott's partner and the other employees. It was very nice. One young couple had their kids with them. I cringed when I first saw them, as usually young kids at fancy restaurants generally mean screaming and not a very enjoyable dinner. However, these 2 were so cute and so good. Jack is seven, in first grade and Anna is one. They were fun to watch and play with and kept my mind off the drunk lady sitting across the table from me who is socially inept.

Today, I'm taking the choir to the nursing home to sing carols with the residents. Yesterday, we made Christmas cards for them. We will go next week, as well. Some of the residents really, truly enjoy it. Some will cry, who knows what nostalgic memories it is prompt. Nevertheless, it is good for my students to give the gift of music to those who are less fortunate and elderly.

Michelle is still having a difficult time, but she will be okay. We just need time to heal. She's been doing lots of baking for me and we started the coolest jigsaw puzzle. Tonight, we will be decorating the gingerbread men and rolling out the sugar cookies. It's actually quite nice having her stay with us. She's lots of company and help. I admire and respect her. It's great having Megs home too and best of all....all my kids will be home for Christmas. Ed is off work the 21-26, and plans on coming up during that time. I'm so glad. It's been a while since we've had Christmas at our own house. Michelle and I are planning the big meal...pork tenderloin baked with a yummy applesauce "stuff" I invented, lol.

Do you have all your shopping done? Mine almost is.
I just have a few more little items to get. I love this time of year.

This next weekend, we'll be headed to Buffalo to pick up the furniture we are buying from Meanie's maw maw before she moves down to Rock Springs. Also, one of my students is moving in with us. She is a senior, her parents moved and she wants to finish school here, PLUS she is my lead clarinet player! Good thing we just bought a new house!

Well, the coffee is done, so I must go grab a cup. It feels good to just sit down and write, this morning. My fire is finally taking off, my pink fuzzy slippers are doing their job AND the paper deliverer actually remembered to drop off our morning reading material. Today is starting out most magnificently! To all my readers, including those that drop in and never write anything, I hope your day is magnificent, too.

Mondays

suck, especially today.

LADIES! I HAVE THE ANSWER!!!

When you have a long shopping list and you are with your son and/or husband--you know what is going to happen, don't you? You know the inevitable is coming. He will start whining and complaining. Soon, the shopping isn't very enjoyable because of it. Well, let me tell you the ultimate solution!


1. Read the list together. Whatever he seems interested in, go there first.
2. Let him pick out the "manly" presents for the other males you are buying for.
3. When that is done, SEND HIM TO THE CAR FOR A NAP!
4. Enjoy the rest of your shopping spree. You won't be rushed. You don't have to justify yourself. There won't be any loud sighs when you go back and look at the special gift for the 3rd time!

Tis the season! Happy Shopping!

Mmm, this is fun!-thanks Wenchy!

What is your sexual appeal?
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December 10th

It is so cold today. Michelle had a bad night last night. We are supposed to have some sort of a ceremony today--I think not.

Today I held my beautiful granddaughter.

Tomorrow she goes home from the hospital with her adopting parents. I will blog more about this in a few days.

Yesterday, Michelle was seeing her doctor for the routine OB visit and Jeff and Araka were there, as well. The doctor listened to the baby's heartbeat and found it was irregular. He had Michelle go get an ultrasound and see what was going on. The cord was wrapped around little Teyla's neck (pronounced Tay-la). So she induced Michelle...3 weeks early. Right now, Michelle is dealing with tomorrow's leaving the baby 3 weeks earlier than she had time to mentally prepare. God, this is a tough one. (I couldn't help but buy her the cutest little red santa dress with hat and boots).

Jeff and Araka are elated and very understanding...and blessed to be adopting the most beautiful little girl I've seen since my own daughter's birth.

6-12 choir, 5-8 band...'tis the season!

Winter Concert
Grades 5-8
December 5th, 2005
Directed by Ellie Creek
Accompanied by Jaime Robers



JH Choir:

Joy To The World (audience participate) Watts/Mason
Jingle Bell Rock Cofield
Do You Hear What I Hear? Regeny/Shane
Angels Carol P. Liebergen
Country Roads John Denver


5th Grade Band:

Mozart Melody Adapted
Go Tell Aunt Rhody Traditional Folk
William Tell Theme Rossini
Ode to Joy Theme from the 9th Symphony Beethoven
We Will Rock You Theme Queen

6th Grade Band:

Pirate’s Cove Gene Milford
Superband Meets Mr. Boogie Andrew Balent
Ding Dong Merrily on High arrg. James Swearingen

7-8th Grade Band:

William Tell Overture arrg. Andrew Balent
Morpheus Robert W. Smith
Angels We Have Heard on High (trad. French carol) James Chadwick
Kings of Christmas arrg. Joseph Compello

















The music department wishes to extend a warm thank you for your continued support in music education, as well as wishes for a very peaceful new year.