My Girls Turn

It has been a very odd week this week.  Rich's schedule has been a little abnormal, as he has been working most nights. This means he gets home early in the morning and leaves for work around 1:00 pm.  Needless to say I don't like this set up at all.  I mean...gosh darn it...I miss him.  He has been doing whatever he can to stick to some normal routine stuff, but you can only do so much when you are tired.

So in keeping with the oddity of this week, the love of my daughter, and my new knowledge of uploading videos...(Did you know it takes FOREVER to upload a video...and when I mean forever I mean about 20 minutes)

Yeah...I like to exaggerate...just a little.

...I decided to share her dance at this past Holiday Program.  She is dancing the Spanish dance from the Nutcracker.  She worked very hard at learning to suck in her gut, keep her shoulders back, and flip her fan.

She is the one in the second row middle with the black skirt, but she keeps getting blocked by her good friend.

I mean seriously if I would have picked ANY other seat in my row I would have seen her better...yeah go figure.  

Anyway, I just love watching her dance...she just looks so graceful, beautiful, and poised.  I get a little teary everytime I see her...snif snif.

It isn't a very long video so I hope you watch it, but I know it isn't YOUR daughter so I'd forgive you if you choose to skip it and go about your merry way. 


20101211113306 from Amy Rolniak on Vimeo.

I just love her to pieces. She is an honest, sweet, loving girl who would do anything for anybody.  I am happy to show her off a little.

Plus she is a great cuddler, which makes going to bed without Rich a little more tolerable.

More Later

- A Ro

The Real Hodgepodge

It is Wednesday and you know what that means right???  Yes Joyce has saved my blog once again by giving me 7 questions to answer.  Do you want your blog saved too???  Then answer the questions on your blog and head over to Joyce's and link up.

That easy...

1. Would you rather be seen as a person who did their duty or forged their own path?
Wow a doozy right off the bat. 

I am a person who does her job very well.  I know my job. I know what is expected and I love it.  I am a very strong willed person so I have no problem forging my own path too.

How's that for getting around that one?

2. This week's Wednesday Hodgepodge happens to fall on Groundhog's Day. In keeping with that theme, if you could have a do-over of any one day out of the last seven, which day would it be and why. If you haven't seen the movie Groundhog Day this question will make absolutely no sense but that's okay....you can answer anyway.
I think I would love to have my last Saturday to do over, not because I would want to change anything but I enjoyed it so much I want to do it again.  I got to spend it with my kids and Rich and we had so much fun. 

3. Hot cocoa...yay or nay on the marshmallows?
Hot cocoa in general is not my favorite drink.  When I do drink it it can't be from an envelope with freeze dried marshmallows mixed with hot water...

yuck

It has to be with milk, real chocolate, REAL marshmallows and whipped cream.

4. Do you wear makeup every day? What are the top two must haves in your daily makeup routine?
This is one of the reasons I love my husband so much...I don't like to wear makeup.  So most weekends I usually don't put it on.  Rich tells me I am beautiful everyday...but it is the times that I am in sweats and no makeup and he looks at me and tells me how beautiful I am that just makes my heart swell.  He really thinks I am a beautiful person regardless of whether I have makeup on or not. In fact he often tells me that I make the makeup look good...I know, he's a keeper.

Now don't get me wrong, I am a diva so I do enjoy dressing up to the nines and putting on makeup... sometimes.

5. Is it more important to you in a relationship to be loved or understood?
I feel that if you are truly loved by someone that they will work hard to understand you.  So I really think being loved is the most important thing.

6. Parsley sage rosemary or thyme... your favorite?
Rosemary all the way.  I love the smell and the taste.  Really parsley has no business being in this trio, in my opinion, just a bitter pretty herb.

7. What do you do when you feel angry?
I am a very passionate person.  I feel most of my emotions deeply. I have learned a lot about me and anger over the last couple of years.  I used to just try not to be angry and dismiss it all, but that only leads to internalizing it and that never works.  I now just feel the anger, think through it, and  let it run its course.  I also have a very VERY level headed husband who is very good at getting me down off those ledges and really knows how to make me feel better and help me.

Now having said all that it takes a lot to get me angry, and now that I just feel it I don't get angry as much...go figure.

In Summary:  I am a duty understanding path forger who likes the real things in life like, chocolate and marshmallows.  I am a diva who likes to lounge around in sweats with no makeup and just be loved.  But most of all I am a person who feels emotions with her whole heart and is so lucky to have a man in my life who understands and appreciates that.

More Later

-A Ro

Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Rock-Stars

So today was my school's Battle of the Bands and my son was in one of the two bands.  Now it wasn't really a BATTLE because no one won or got any sort of prize excpet the adoring screams of teenage girls.

Lord help me


He is playing the bass on this John Mayer Trio cover a of a Jimi Hendrix's song; Wait Until Tomorrow.  All 3.75 of you who follow my blog on a regular basis will remember I posted the John Mayer Trio's version on one of my Friday Fun posts. 

I know that you have slept since then and I really don't expect you to remember, but just in case you thought "hey I have heard that before" and can't figure it out, now you know.

I was so proud of him.  I am also sorta fond of the other two members of this band.  The guitarist is one of my students and the drummer I have known since the 3rd grade...they are all amazing musicians.




I have now figured out how to upload videos to youtube so beware, I have a couple more proud mama bear videos to show, but for now enjoy my rocker boy. 

I really hope for your sake that you don't have a son that is in a band because a) chicks dig rockers and I am not read for that and b) your heart will break into a million pieces when you see them up on that stage being amazing.

More Later

- A Ro

Weekend Highlight Reel

Bella said it best today..."Why did this weekend go so fast??"

you said it sistah...
 
I think every weekend goes too fast, but she is right this one went by pretty quickly.  We kept pretty busy and had a lot of fun...here are some highlights.

1.  Went to see Green Hornet, very funny movie.  Bella went too and it was almost too action packed for her...just warnin' you all with 10 year olds.  Andrew even went with us...yeah I know...a 15 year old going out to a movie with his family.  No he was fine...no fever or delirium.  It helped that we went to his favorite restaurant before hand.  The way to a teenage heart is through his stomach...ha ha.

2.  Missed my workout on Wednesday...due to lame-o excuse that my ipod wasn't charged.  I simply cannot do cardio with nothing to listen to.  I know lame-o.  So I decided to do an hour of elliptical on Saturday morning to make up for it...my legs were a little shaky.  Teach me to use a lame-o excuse ever again.

3.  We happened to be following a young couple with three small children around Target.  The conversation went something like this:

Him:  Oooh honey I think we need to get some of these pitchers.
Her:  Well dear we really have a lot of pitchers that we don't really use.
subtext: You wouldn't know where the pitchers were if they all fell on your head.

Him:  Oooh honey I think we need to get some more sponges.
Her:  Not really we have a bunch under the sink
subtext:  Now how the heck would you know if we needed sponges

Him:  Oooh honey this is a really good deal on granola bars.
Her:  Not really I usually get them at the market for much cheaper.
subtext:  Next time...take the kids...leave the husband

Rich and I have it worked out perfectly.  I make list.  I forget list.  He pushes cart. He tries to remind me of what was on the original list.   See perfection.

4.  The Thousand Oaks Library has a puffer fish that is, according to Bella, named Harold.

This fish acutally looked like it was smiling...

5.  The duck pond near the park have attack ducks.

As we walk up...

...they suddenly attack.  I try to explain that I don't have bread crumbs because we weren't planning on stopping to see the ducks, but since Bella loves animals she begged us to stop "just for a minute" even though it was spitting rain.  Clearly they didn't buy my excuses.

6.  Coffee houses in Santa Monica are not for the "older" crowd...and when I mean older I mean Rich and I.  They are very crowded and the workers are a little...lets just say...put out when they need to make your vanilla latte sugar free, non fat, and decaf.  I should have known it was going to be trouble when they were wearing t-shirts that said death before decaf.

7.  When Bella is promised a cinnamon roll at Corner Bakery (as payment for having to spend her Sunday morning in the car carting her brother around),  and they are out of cinnamon rolls, oatmeal is her second choice.  Yeah...oatmeal at Corner Bakery would never even have been in my top ten choices if I were ten and couldn't have a cinnamon roll...I think it falls right behind the double blueberry muffin and right before the grits. 

8.  When Bella is promised a treat for being drug around to all of our Saturday morning errands, she picks Cream of Broccoli soup.  Yeah...Cream of Broccoli Soup would never even have been in my top ten choices
if I were ten and promised a treat...I think it falls right behind the Hershey's with Almonds and right before the grits.

9.  I love having my kids with me for the weekend even if it means being a mom taxi and buying Cream of Broccoli soup...

...oh and don't forget being chased by ducks.


More Later

- A Ro

Project 365 Week 5

It is time to share my week with you.  Another pretty normal week around the Ro. household, but if you look closely you will notice that I managed to get Andrew into 2 of my pictures this week. 

I know...

Head on over to Sara's and check out all the other bloggers who linked up.  It is a large group this year, so lots of fun.  Here is my go:


Sunday January 23:

Protein Shake

Used my new Magic Bullet to whip up this yummy blueberry and banana protein shake.  Had a big muscle workout this morning, and it is the only way I can choke down the protein powder.  It is actually tasty.

Monday January 24:

I'd Like to Introduce My Son Andrew

It was CHUCK night!!!  We all watched and I made chocolate shakes for the kids with...you guessed it...my new Magic Bullet.  I have used that gadget more than my George Foreman Grill, Crock Pot, and Fry Daddy combined...I don't actually have a Fry Daddy...but you get the picture.

Tuesday January 25:

Sick Girl

Bella woke up with a 102 fever this morning.  She, however, got herself dressed and was ready to go to school because she had a soccer game and couldn't miss it.  She must not have noticed that she could hardly stand up let alone kick a soccer ball and run a marathon up and down the field.  Silly girl.

Wednesday January 26:

Band Concert Courtesy of Advil

Bella had her first fifth grade band assembly this morning.  She really couldn't miss it so we threw some Advil in her and got her through it...then took her home.  The percussion bug hasn't quite bit her yet, but she does alright.

Thursday January 27:

Our Patriot Pete

We had a big basketball game tonight.  Bella came home early again from school, but Andrew stayed to watch the game and we went to pick him up.  We got to watch the 4th quarter which was not a great quarter for our guys.  We ended up losing.  Here is our mascot, he is one of my students...I love this guy!!

Friday January 28:

 Another Picture???

Andrew went to see the Green Hornet last weekend with some friends and really loved it.  He thought we all would enjoy it too.  So we talked him into going with us on Friday night.  It takes a lot to get a teenager to go to the movies with his family so we had to bribe him with our favorite BBQ restaurant Red's before hand.  You gotta do what you gotta do.

Saturday January 29:

A Beautiful Songbird

I went to see my former student perform at a coffee house in Santa Monica tonight.  She was absolutely amazing.  She has such stage presence and such a wonderful voice.  She was surprised to see me, and was glad I was there.  Bella, Rich and I really enjoyed ourselves. 

In Summary:  I got some alone time with Bella as I nursed her back to health, and still this spleen-less gal didn't get sick (knock on wood).  I also got some quality time with my Andrew too, AND got to document it (don't hold your breath that you will ever see him again in my pictures).  I got to be a proud teacher and see one of my own use her talent and passion (that is such a wonderful thing).  But most of all I got my money's worth out of that As Seen on TV Magic Bullet.  Wow Andrew in pictures and a As Seen on TV success...I should go buy a lottery ticket.

More Later

- A Ro

Friday Fun

So I have been thinking a lot about what fun thing I can put up on my blog today.  I have had a sorta crazy week due to the fact that I have had a sick girly girl.  She missed school on Tuesday, went for her band concert on Wednesday morning, but then came home, and then today she tried to go to school and made it until about 1:30 came home and slept and I hope she will be OK tomorrow.  One thing about being a music teacher is you usually don't get a sub who can get done what you need to get done.  I have an AMAZING accompanist for my choruses, and she is always more than happy to sub for me, and as much as she does a very good job at reading my mind I can't expect her to throw herself into rehearsing new music.  So needless to say my groups are a little behind.  I see most of them tomorrow so I hope to get back on track as we have a concert in early March.


worry much??

So back to my fun Friday.  I have this alumni student named Hannah DeRemer.  Ever since the first day I met her I knew she was something special.  She had this amazing voice, vivacious spirit, and a general love of life.  She worked hard, never let disappointment get her down, and did everything with graciousness.  When she went to college she joined this a cappella group at Emerson called Noteworthy, fell in love with a boy who arranged songs for her group, lost that boy to cancer, graduated, and is now back in LA working on a singing career.  She has a show tomorrow night and I think I might just surprise her and show up to give her some support. She is also Melissa Manchester's daughter.  She has always tried to build her own life and career outside of her mother's shadow.  She is that kind of girl, doesn't want any handouts.

This video is one of her last performances with this group.  It is one of my favorite songs and always brings a tear to my eye.  Hannah is on the very end on the right side of the screen, it is obvious to me that this song is also special to her and all that she has lost.  In Hannah, loss becomes conviction to move on, and be stronger.

She is the middle soloist at the end.  I know this isn't really all that "fun" of a song, but it was what came to mind for me on this Friday.



She is beautiful.

She is strong.

She is loved.

She is missed.

She will always hold a special place in my heart.


More Later

- A Ro

The One Where I Give You Too Much Information

So I have written about 390 or so posts over the course of two years so if you have heard this one before forgive me.

I have no spleen.

Yep I am spleen-less, not to be confused with spineless which I am definitely not.

About 13 years ago I noticed this huge lump in my abdominal area.  I had Andrew about a year before that and I just assumed that I might have a hernia.  So I went to the doctor and he ordered a cat scan, and they saw that my spleen was the size of a football.  Every doctor I saw just assumed that I had a form of Hodgkin's lymphoma and we went from there.  I had numerous blood tests, employed a new team of doctors, had some bone marrow removed from my hip, completed rounds of immunizations and was scheduled for surgery.

A real fun couple of months. 

I never thought it was cancer...not once.  However, I read lots of books and was prepared to full on fight it.  I turned into a vegan vegetarian and was bound and determined to beat it.

Well, they took my spleen and found out that it wasn't cancer but some cystic disease...basically my spleen had been slowly overtaken by cysts.  The pathologist didn't even know what it was but it most definitely wasn't cancer.

Thank.God.

I always thought that one didn't need his or her spleen as an adult.  Which is sorta true, our bone marrow takes over most of the spleen's immune system jobs (which is why they had to take my marrow to make sure it was healthy...that whole procedure I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy...don't worry I won't go into details).  Even though we can live without it, our spleen still has some role in our immune system.  So now that I didn't have one I had to take some extra precautions with regards to my immune system.  I can't catch a particular strain of pneumonia or I'll die (I know dramatic) so I get immunized for that (which isn't a fun thing either) and I am more susceptible to illness so I need to have a supply of antibiotics on permanent order at the pharmacy in case I get a fever of over 102, and I have to get a flu shot every year too.

Whatever.

OK finally the point of my post.  I am the one person in my house that is supposed to catch every bug that comes around, but oddly I never get sick.

So Bella has been home the last two days being sick.  Andrew was sick last week.  Rich has had a cold this past week too.  Not me.  And I am not even careful.  I need to take care of my kids which in my book means cuddling and holding and getting really close (not so much Andrew), and Rich and I have been married less than a year so daily kisses are still a must.  Still I stand...the strong one.  My doctor is very surprised by all of this.  He says that I am the healthiest person on the edge of disaster.  I have no spleen, I am TB positive, and I have fibrocystic breast disease, but my blood pressure is excellent and my resting pulse rate is about 40.  I exercise regularly and eat basically a healthy diet.  So I must be doing something right, or all these years around middle and high schoolers has really boosted my immune system. 

This isn't, however, all it is cracked up to be.  When every one else around you is sick and you aren't you end up being the permanent care taker with no pay backs.  Now I must say my family handles sickness VERY differently.

Bella wakes up with a fever stumbles to her dresser gets dressed and comes into my room to start her plea to go to school.  "Mom they need me for my soccer game"  "Mom I can't miss math" "What will my friends do without me".  Andrew on the other hand wakes up with a sniffle and can barely lift his head to take an Advil, and you would think he wasn't going to live the 6 hours until he gets his next one.  It isn't that he really wants to stay home I think he really cannot handle being sick.  Rich is usually a healthy person, and his sicknesses are really just a pain in the butt, nothing serious, but he falls into the Andrew camp of being sick.  Just miserable.  As for me on the rare occasion that I do get sick, I just buck it up and get it done.  No moping, no whining, no stopping.

Being spleen-less apparently does not equal ticket to sympathy. 


More Later

- A Ro