Sharon

The Pain Full Tour

Posted on August 13, 2013August 13, 2013 by Sharon

Or so I refer to my recent France excursion. The primary reason is that the French word for bread is pain, pronounced “pen” but without the N, however every time I look at that, all I can read is pain – as in- OUCH!

Having reduced (to nothing) my bread consumption prior to the tour, you would think I’d be ecstatic to do nothing but nosh on French croissants all the time! However, having an allergy to onions, meant that at some meals, the bread was all there was to eat. So, while I do love me some bread and butter, existing on bread and water and butter isn’t as much fun as you’d like to believe.

Still, it was food, and I was in France, so….

So, I should have been satisfied. And, I think for the main part I was satisfied. For most involved, the trip was a true success! The kids sang at La Madeleine and took part in a Mass at Notre Dame and did a very moving concert in the American Cemetery near Omaha Beach.

Forgive the wind noise!!

I went into this trip pretty darned stressed to get it all done before getting on the plane. The combination of a heavier than usual Spring Concert season and an increased work load, meant that I was scrambling to finish and make sure everything professionally, and personally, was in place before I left. Thus, I wasn’t very relaxed from the get-go. And, yes, I am in a foreign country seeing wonderful things, but I’m also working. With 13 chaperones and 78 children, there’s always something that needs a decision, direction or action. So, one pre-frazzled chorus manager ended up being a fairly frazzled chorus manager on tour.

Note le pain on my plate. Also note, double espresso was my friend... — Note le pain on my plate. Also note, double espresso was my friend…

Don’t get me wrong, there were some good times, and I saw some awesome things. Most of which were muted by whatever was going on, but still…

For example, we went to the Louvre, but had to wait for our turn to get in. Most groups wandered the shops that are underground near the entrance to the museum, but one group wanted to take the time to go over to the “lock” bridge.

(The “lock bridge” is a place where lovers place a lock, with their initials written on it, on the bridge rails and then toss the key into the river Seine.)

As the time to enter the museum drew closer and all groups began to arrive to the meeting point, this group found itself on the surface without a way to get back to where we were. I sent the other groups into the Louvre and ended up going topside with our tour guide to figure a way for this group to be admitted. Once they were in, we raced to see the Mona Lisa (she’s really kinda small, actually) and then we were free to enjoy the remaining hour or so in the museum.

The Louvre. In an hour or so. Um, NOT happening.

So, Hubby and I decided we’d sort of do our usual cruising of the building, while keeping our eyes peeled for anyone who might be misplaced.

I think we looked at 3 paintings before my phone rang and I was told that two students were no longer with their group, and had last been seen on the floor we were on. Which means that all the art on the walls, much like my experience in the Sistine Chapel for similar reasons, ended up being a blur of color with an occasional glimpse of something that really caught my eye while I scanned the crowds for a familiar person in the “colour du jour” purple t-shirt.

Truly, I’m not complaining, although it sounds like it. It’s just work! It’s my job! Sure, I get to do my job in some pretty awesome places, but the end all and be all is that I’m working it, dude! And it can be draining at times.

Now, that being said. The chaperones were outstanding this time and I was so impressed with how well everyone did. Overall, it was a resounding success, so this makes me happy!

(See all the kids frolicking in the background?)

Another thing that makes me happy? The boss turned to me during the Farewell dinner and said, “How about we learn to waltz while in Austria?” To which I said, “I’m game if you are!”

So guess where we are going in 2015? Blood and Roses, here we come…

Musings and Mutterings

Two Months, Paris and Two Kittens

Posted on July 19, 2013July 19, 2013 by Sharon

I looked back at when I’d written my last blog. It was in May. REALLY?

I don’t know why this surprises me so much. Those last two months went by in such a blur, it’s no wonder I find myself sitting at my desk on July 18th and feeling a bit muddled.

There were the performances of Carmina Burana, France rehearsals, new auditions, progress reports, France preparations, travel plans and the like to keep me busy. Carmina Burana went over very well, the France rehearsals were always on the tail of new auditions, so that was a mixed bag. Travel plans were never-ending and progress reports were down to the wire, with the help of a Class Parent to help me get them mailed out before I left.

During all of this, my neighbor moved and life at Camp Nini was different. Not bad, just different.

France went amazingly well, with chaperons that did a great job and music that was well received. I’ll write about that soon. I’ve found I really miss blogging. I know I say that every time I stop for a period of time, so it must be true, right? I read somewhere that you should be able to write with a pen on a notebook, but sometimes, the only way I can keep up with my stream on consciousness downloading (aka blogging) is to type!

It did take longer to get back to some kind of schedule this time. It was a good week and a half before I could get any kind of reasonable rest, which didn’t bode well for my granddaughters’ visit just 5 days after our return. I think that between the travel, the stress of the job and the lack of sleep, I’m not really as ready for her as I’d like to be. And now that she’s here… well… that’s a totally different story. I’ve never seen a more intelligent kid, but one who questions you, interrupts, asks the same question while you are still answering the first inquiry, is demanding and yet is kind and cute and funny and generous and loving. Trust me, it’s doing a number on MY head. She’s had it rough in her short 7 years, so bless her that she can still be fairly optimistic and happy.

Since it’s been proven that we really aren’t smart people, I also adopted two kittens the same day the granddaughter arrived. Both are 12 weeks old and are ADORABLE. I hadn’t realized just how much I missed having cat energy in my house. Honestly, they’ve given me more simple joy in the past week than I’ve had in that basement since I moved here over a year ago. I’m working on getting them to adjust to the dog and then… wait for it… I’m looking for a puppy. Probably not the brightest idea, but our dog is aging and lonely and I want her to be a happy camper. I know she misses not having a buddy around.

Sally - originally Scalliwag, but Sally fits her better — Sally – originally Scalliwag, but Sally fits her better

Musings and Mutterings

Emulsify! – 37

Posted on May 21, 2013May 21, 2013 by Sharon

You know my life is strange when I’m happy about emulsification.

All work and no play makes Sharon a very angsty mess, so I decided to take on a challenge (isn’t that what EVERYONE does when they are feeling stressed and angsty??) to master the art of home-made mayonnaise.

Image credit www.beforeitsnews.com — Image credit
http://www.beforeitsnews.com

I know, I know… don’t have a fainting spell. It’s actually easier than I thought it would be.

This morning I had an epic mayo fail. I spent about a half hour assembling ingredients, monitoring my blender and pouring in olive oil at a painfully slow pace. Still, the emulsification gods were not pleased with my efforts and what I got was a gloopy mess of smelly olive oil and egg mixture. Um. Ew. AND, I wasn’t clever enough to take a photo of said fail so you could share in my disappointment! I did put it in a zip lock baggie before I pitched it in the garbage, though. There, it can fester into some kind of toxic goo, only to be eventually absorbed back into the graceful arms of mother nature in about 6 bamillion (like my new word?) years, or whenever plastic actually breaks down. Good going, Sharon. Shall we label this a double fail?

So, I did a little research and found a few blogs and a video that let me know where I’d gone wrong. I marched my fanny off to the store and got the proper ingredients and with a determined jut of my chin, I decided I’d try it again. This time, however, I mixed myself some liquid courage first. Fondly known as Geezus Juice, I put ice in a cup, added one shot of Huckleberry Vodka, 2 Tablespoons of Lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of Cranberry concentrate, followed by a dropper full of liquid Lemon Stevia and some water. I stirred it up, put in my straw and took a long swig, and was ready to try my mayo again.

What I learned was that for proper emulsification to occur, you must have two main ingredients.

1. Everything must be clean and at room temperature.

2. You need patience. (This is where the Geezus Juice came in for me!)

Homemade Mayo-

1 large egg – room temp

1 large egg yolk – room temp

1 t. ground mustard

4 T lemon juice – room temp

1 cup olive oil (NOT EXTRA VIRGIN – get the light stuff) – room temp

Salt, pepper or other interesting herbs and spices as desired. I bought some chipotle to try later!

In a clean blender, food processor or a canning jar using a stick blender, combine the egg and the egg yolk. Add the lemon juice and let them get cozy for 20 minutes to an hour. (Long enough for them to be room temperature)

Once they are happy with each other and their surroundings, blend them up for 30 seconds or so. Then add your salt, mustard and spices and blend again for 30 seconds.

Next- there is some debate here… some say add 1/2 cup of your oil, others say 1/4 and still others say only a few teaspoons at first. Deciding to err on the side of caution, I started with 3 tsp. of oil and let that blend up for a few minutes.

Finally, and here is where the patience comes in, I started pouring in the rest of the cup of oil. You have to make it the smallest, slowest stream of oil you can possibly imagine. Just above a drop at a time. I was using a stick blender in a canning jar and my poor stick blender was so hot by the time I was done pouring (it took 6 minutes) I thought it might be toast! But by the time the last little drop of oil went in, things had thickened up (emulsified) and I was a happy camper!!

I capped the mayo, added an expiration date (that’s the same as the expiration on your eggs) and put it in the fridge to finish up it’s thickening process.

Voila!! Which is appropriate since mayonnaise is a French creation and I’m off to Paris in T- 37 days!

I know it’s kinda silly, but I’m happy it worked. By the way, should you try this at home, boys and girls, and emulsification eludes you, save the stuff you spent all that time blending. As long as you used a light olive oil, you can add spices and herbs and use it as a thin dressing on salads or a dip for veggies!

Musings and Mutterings

Another Bag Away – 47

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Sharon

It was Mother’s Day.

I got up before everyone else and cleaned out my pantry… again. I know it doesn’t seem like something most would do for Mother’s Day, but it gave me to two distinct feelings.

1. Freedom and
2. Dread

Almost 2 months ago, I decided that my body had screamed it’s warnings to me enough, and that I was going to do something about it. I’d already been limiting my bread and sugar consumption and dairy was off the boards, so why not go ahead and embrace the Primal/Paleo movement and just get rid of grains as well?

For the first few weeks, I felt the way they say you can expect to feel… not so great. But, then things started to gel and I felt much better. About that time, I cleaned out most of my pantry. I gave items to my neighbor and to my daughter, but didn’t quite clean out everything. I left a few items, as a comfort I think, so that “just in case”, I’d have something non-paleo to fall back on.

Now that I’ve completed the second month, and lost a few lbs (14, I think), I had my first foray into the world of non-paleo eating in a long while. My daughter surprised me with a Mother’s Day visit and we went out to lunch and ended up having some pizza later in the evening. Interestingly enough, my body tolerated the pizza better than it had ever done so in the past, and while I felt kinda raunchy, I didn’t feel as wiped out and horrible as I did when I was eating a traditional diet. Still, it was enough for me to notice the difference and decide that I was going to the next level of commitment. (It also let me know that while I’m in France, it’ll be perfectly fine for me to sample a croissant or two, and I’ll be fine!)

So, I got up early and made some raspberry-lime green tea, washed some berries to nibble on, and got into my stash in the pantry. Out goes the oatmeal, panko breading, flour, agave nectar, beans – both canned and dry, cornbread mix and rice cakes. I stuffed a Trader Joe’s bag full of food and still had to put some items in a smaller plastic grocery bag. I hadn’t realized how much of a “just in case” pile I’d still had!! Now, my daughter will take what she wants, and the rest will be donated.

While I was clearing items, I noticed that I was just a bit nostalgic about some of the meals I’d made in the past, and all those years of baking. I also panicked a bit, because these items were some of my safe stash. But the thought process of just in case, means you never feel 100% sure of the choice you’ve made and if I always have the stuff around I don’t want to eat, then am I fully committed?

Musings and Mutterings

The Mechanics of Human Tetris – 58

Posted on May 3, 2013May 3, 2013 by Sharon

So much for my thought that I would keep up in here…for that matter, so much for my thoughts of keeping up at all.

Although, there is no alternative, is there?

Today, I’m feeling a little beaten up by work. And I think, is it work or is it me beating me up? Even with the help of 4 parents to help run the show, I’m still feeling a bit behind.

I got an email this morning because my rosters are a week behind in being updated online. A parent was frustrated that her daughter was showing an absence she knew she’d made up. The child got the credit for the rehearsal in my paper roster, but the online one the boss sees just wasn’t my top priority. Ticketing (Human Tetris) 3 venues for upcoming performances was.

This year it seems that everyone and their brother had some kind of conflict, which resulted in hours of emails and a spreadsheet of people’s specific schedules that requires massive scrolling to get through. It required two people to check and recheck programs to be sure each singer was on the correct program for the correct venue and that all names were spelled properly. All this switching around also means that seating charts and reserved seating for performers be arranged and only after that is done can I begin to assign seats to guests.

The moans and groans I hear from families who don’t get front and center seats is depressing. I literally worked 3, 18 hour days to complete ticketing. I look at vocal parts and seat parents opposite their child’s section in the chorus so they can see their kid sing. With the size of our largest chorus creating a U shape on our stage, I take special care to be sure everyone has a good seat. I weed through the graduating singers and place their guests in prime seating since it’s their last concert. I make sure every person who writes a special request for a certain seat due to a certain ailment gets exactly what they want, and I seat families with small children closer to the stage so their parents can see their little faces, and older singer’s families are mid theater to the back so the booming sound of our larger singers easily reaches their families in the farthest rows. Why a parent of the older singers would even want to sit in the front rows is beyond me. Do the dynamics of sound not enter their thoughts? This beautiful music would shoot right over their heads and they’d miss the subtlety of the harmonious joining of voices and instead hear the individual strong voices of the singers.

I know that most people haven’t a clue as to what I do and for the most part, it’s not necessary that they do. As long as they are enjoying the experience, then that’s the goal. But when I feel I’ve given such a large effort to help create a positive experience and the only thing I hear is complaining… well… even this happy camper can feel a bit kicked.

However! Today is a new day and I understand that you choose the way you feel. Perhaps I should look at my care in seating with a sense of accomplishment instead. I essentially did what normally takes me a week to do in 3 days and I got programs out despite changes and I got the France chaperons started on their paths – since we leave in 58 days – and I got proposals for the next trip in 2015 to ponder. I answered hundreds of emails, sent mass mailings out about changes and reminders for performances and I scheduled over 200 students for their vocal checks/re-auditions. I even successfully navigated another off-site performance with dubious weather and tricky logistics this past week. So on the whole, I feel my workload this week has been handled pretty damn well. And for the next person who complains about a seat that’s slightly to the left, I may just direct them to this blog so they can see that left of center isn’t the worst place to be.

Musings and Mutterings

Peeps! 79

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Sharon

The Peepshow! It’s become the annual event that lets us know it’s Spring in Cow County!

IMG_20130405_160711[1] — My favorite. Peepster Island.

The new sugary fashion sensation. Peepdresses!

Peepflower. Looks more like a Peep mandala to me, but it's colorful! :0) — Peepflower. Looks more like a Peep mandala to me, but it’s colorful! :0)

Musings and Mutterings

Sharon’s “Gone to the Dogs”

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Sharon

Every now and then you find someone who reminds you that life is pretty good, just because of who they are. I met someone who made me very happy this past Saturday.

I’d gone to the Carroll County Agricultural Center for their Easter Farmer’s market to see if there was a new wreath for my door, or maybe some spring plants for the yard. There were candies and cakes and more baked goods than you could shake a stick at, but there were also some crafts.

A banner on the wall announced that the two tables which had the most adorable paper crafts, belonged to Sharon’s “Gone to the Dogs”. Everything appealed to me. The colors, the prices, the neatly tied ribbons and the creative message boards and photo frames. Even the small bags of candy were attractively packaged. It was a field day for someone who has a stationary addiction the way I do. Thank you cards, and note pads are a true weakness of mine!

While I was looking at her items, Sharon came around the table and began to talk about her “hobby”, which she said might actually be more of a curse, just because it begins to take over. She was happy and bubbly and her demeanor reminded me of someone else I knew, however, just a tad gentler. She mentioned that she had taught school for 40 years and she and a friend had collected so many tools and gadgets that she felt like she had to use them and since she could only give so many cards to her sister-in-law, she’d decided she’d try to sell a few. You could tell she’d put thought into her display, just as she had in all her items.

I mentioned that I really enjoyed sculpting with fimo clay, but didn’t like to make things anymore because I had no where for them to go, nor anyone to give them to. Without hesitation, she picked up a card and offered to share a table with me if I wanted to display some items with her. Well now, that was pretty nice of her!

I found some really cute boxed note cards that I thought would be a nice gift for the parent volunteers in the chorus, and in keeping with my attempt to keep my money local, I bought 5 sets from her along with two baggies of candy for the two “local” children I’d be seeing soon. She was so happy she had a customer – and said so – she was glowing. She kept saying how happy she was that “someone likes my stuff!” and “thank you for renewing my hope that this might work!” But what floored me was when she said, “Please make your check payable to the Humane Society.”

Wha?

She said that she doesn’t take any money for the items she makes. She only wants the money from her sales to go 100% to the Humane Society. She had a reason to make items, the animals were supported, I got a tax break and everyone was in a pay-it-forward win-win situation! WOO HOO!! I can’t tell you how frigging happy this made me. I could have hugged that little woman for being exactly the most giving and loving person. And I’m glad I wiped out her boxed set collections because now she has a reason to sit down and play with her hobby again and the puppies and kitties got a nice donation check!!

Musings and Mutterings

91 Ketchup

Posted on March 27, 2013April 10, 2013 by Sharon

There’s just so much to talk about! I’ve been busy – as always in the Spring – and (as always) it’s time for a ketchup blog. By the way, how the hell did the word catsup morph into ketchup? And how did the word catsup ever become the earlier name of ketchup? Thoughts to ponder during another blog, I think!

No, the blog isn’t about ketchup, it’s just my silly way of letting you know this will be a blog that fills you in a bit on the residents and what’s been going on here at Camp Nini.

THE AMAZING MELTING MAN– My hubby got the news that his cholesterol could be better and opted to make some changes instead of popping a pill. He cut down on his portions and changed up his diet to include more fruit. The weekend after we got the report from the doc, we went out and got a treadmill. He started using it right away and became a fan of sweating! Even though a severe over-pronation and flat feet (seriously, the man has flipper for feet) he wanted to continue exercising. We found him a local 24 hour gym, which works perfectly for his weird schedule, and signed him up. He’s been experimenting and mixing it up and now, 20 lbs lighter, and sporting some nice guns, the beginnings of a six-pack and some pecs and – in my humble wifely opinion- some AWESOME looking muscles in his legs and tush (ahem, gimme a sec… whew!) he’s looking better than ever! I’m inspired by him. Which leads me to…

THE NEGLECTED TREADMILL – Fear not, o ye who were afraid that the treadmill would become nothing more than a clothes hanger, for I heard the siren’s call. (No, I didn’t fall – those holes in the wall behind the treadmill were put there by a man trying to text and run… let that be a lesson to you. Never text and run!) A while ago, I mentioned I was starting a switch to a more Paleo eating plan. Clean meat, vegetables, nuts and seeds and fruit are my primary food groups now. No dairy, no grains. My gut has been pretty darn happy! I’m glad to report that it’s been far easier than I could ever imagine to eat this way and I feel good. I won’t lie. I did have some “induction flu” where I was weak and listless and had a headache, but I also IMMEDIATELY had to come off my blood pressure meds. Poof! Just like that, one dietary change and my bp meds were too high. I went to the doc, who took my pressure and suggested I take a half dosage of my tablets from now on since my readings were so good. Little did she know, that I hadn’t taken my bp meds for a few days and the readings she’d gotten was simply my normal bp now. Oh happy day! Even though I was still adjusting, I also wasn’t losing weight, so I decided I should probably get on the treadmill and do some walking. I started the first day ramping up my walking speed, but now I’m up to walking briskly for 4 minutes and running for 1 minute. I repeat this pattern over a 35 minute walk. For me, this is HUGE!! Running? Really? ME? Awesome! I also stopped weighing myself every day. I think I’ll stick to once every two weeks or so. Otherwise, watching the constant NORMAL fluctuations were messing with my mind.

Musings and Mutterings

115 The Statue That Helped Move Us

Posted on March 4, 2013March 4, 2013 by Sharon

This is my follow-up blog to Happy Birthday, Camp Nini. Also, it’s 115 days until I leave for Paris. Just sayin’.

After spending the night in a rinky-dink cheap motel close to our new home, we got up at the crack of dawn and headed out to our new home just as the sun was peeking over the horizon and the dew hadn’t even begun to thaw. We were excited to get started. We’d both taken off a week to try to put the house together in some working fashion.

Due to *someone’s* awesome planning, (read my silliness) we were moving in on a weekday, which meant all the folks who might have been able to help us were working. As it was, they were all exhausted by helping us pack up the old house. I must say, that was a lot of work, and I am, as ever, grateful for all they did. However, now I had a large truck, stuffed to the gills with my life’s belongings that needed to be unpacked. We felt a bit overwhelmed.

But! Enter the United States Army to the rescue!

Well, enter one of their members. But, MAN! Jesse, the neighbor we were moving away from, was a one man powerhouse of energy and motion and with his help, we had the truck unloaded and most items at least close to the rooms they were going to be residing in by early afternoon. Had it not been for his singular help, it would have taken us at least two days to get things off that truck. He was simply awesome.

And still is!

Jesse recently got the honor of having his likeness installed at the new Visitor’s Center at Arlington National Cemetery as “The Bugler”.

Well done, sir, well done.

Musings and Mutterings

Happy Birthday, Camp Nini

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Sharon

Camp Nini has now officially celebrated its first year! On February 27, 2012 we did the deed and signed for the house, although it wasn’t until February 28th that we were able to move in.

Settlement on Camp Nini was scheduled for the dinner hour so we could complete the settlement on the house we had sold earlier in the day. Tension was high, as it is when all are nervous about big purchases and large sums of money, while we all sat waiting for the title company to arrive. Sparse, idle conversation was attempted, but for the most part we listened to the clock tick on the wall.

And tick.

Finally, the realtor decided they’d try to find out what was going on and quickly realized that they didn’t have any information on the company assigned by our bank to perform the settlement. To say the sellers were getting uptight would be exceedingly polite.

Enter my smart phone. Having your email chase you all over the planet is good now and then. I looked up an email from the title company, got the phone number and started calling. No answer. Not to be deterred, I called my lending institution on the off-chance that someone would be around at 7:00 pm. Lo and behold, my account manager was still there working. He finally got in touch with the title company who had forgotten we were supposed to have the settlement that night. To their credit, they asked if they could come that evening and suggested we all have a bite to eat while we waited for them.

After dinner, we all reconvened in the realtors offices and settled in to sign away. The sellers were more than annoyed with the title company and were gruff when accepting the reduction in fees they were willing to credit due to their error. As far as I was concerned, I got free money! Woo hoo! About a half hour later, we were done, and the proud new owners of Camp Nini. Since it was pitch dark out, not to mention fairly cold, we opted not to begin unpacking the truck we’d struggled to get up the driveway the night before with all our worldly possessions stuffed inside.

I’m not sure if you can tell from this photo, but our driveway isn’t very forgiving and it’s a pretty steep grade. Recently, we found out that some of the locals referred to our house as the one “on top of concrete hill”.

Hubby and I decided to spend one more night in a hotel before getting a fresh start in the morning.

…to be continued tomorrow… as is fitting….. :0)