[Adult Music Theory and choir directing books]

I've been MIA awhile with my focuses being elsewhere, but when I started searching for something, the best place I could think of to come for recommendations was here!

 

I am in the process of starting a handbell choir at church. I would like to brush up on my music theory (I've played piano for years and had a music theory class in college). Was hoping for recommendations on a workbook.

 

I also need recommendations for books or dvds on choir directing. I have a very basic knowledge and need to expand it.

 

TIA!

[schoolroom flooring]

Check out fiberfloor from Tarkett. http://www.tarkettna.com/en/Products/FiberFloor/tabid/68/Default.aspx It is somewhat like a vinyl, but softer due to it's thinkness. Very durable too! I put it down in our sunroom at the old house and loved it. Very easy to instal, especially if you can do with the glueless application.

[Albuterol--is this normal?]

When my pedi first gave ds albuterol for asthma, the nurses called it "satan in a bottle". For another child I asked if he could write Rx for a straight jacket to go with it.

[How to begin family reading?]

I'm hoping to start this (again) with mine. DH prefers to read with them individually because it gives him one on one time with them, but with them all wanting longer books our night time routine was getting looooong. When I have read aloud in the past my two youngest do latch hook, middle ds does cross-stitch. My oldest will do legos or snap circuits type things.

 

I was reading Heidi at one point last year that they all seemed engaged in it.

[Tie-dye shirt question]

Can't seem to find this info anywhere. I wanted to make back-to-school shirts and the kids asked for tie-dye. I wanted to write something on the shirts so I bought a black fabric marker. Do you think I should do the writing before or after dying.....or is this even a good idea?

 

Thanks

[Math in story format?]

DS 9 asked if there were math books that were more like a story - ala Life of Fred. He isn't ready for LOF yet though. We use Singapore Math mainly which he does like ok, but he asked for story type math because he *LOVES* Grammar Land (http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=nesbitt&book=grammar&story=_contents I'd gotten it free somewhere, but can't find that right now. I've been making worksheets to go along with it as we do it.)

 

Thanks!

[Financial Software Rec for Mac]

I use Budget from http://www.snowmintcs.com/index.php It is a virtual envelope system which is what I always wanted because I use my check card for everything. There is a trial download so you can try it out. There is a little bit of a learning curve, but there is a forum for help.

[Cloth diapering and homemade laundry deterget?]

Does this work out ok? Does the recipe need adjusted? Using Fels Naptha, borax and washing soda liquid recipe. I'm guessing vinegar needs to be added.

 

Thanks

[Guacamole recipe needed, please]

Love Alton Brown's

 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/guacamole-recipe/index.html

["Retirement" gift for a homeschool mom?]

My youngest brother graduates from homeschool this year and we are teasing my mom about retiring. I think it has been 26 years of homeschooling with 7 graduates. My two older sisters has some years of public school, but starting with myself the remaining 5 were solely homeschooled.

 

I thought of a spa certificate, but while Mom would like the idea of it, I don't think she'd actually enjoy it.

 

TIA

[Sick from homemade yogurt?]

DH made yogurt for the first time yesterday, had some this morning and now has a nasty tummy ache (with dashes to the bathroom). Could it be the yogurt? If so what would he have done wrong? He's the only one that ate some this morning and I'd rather not test it on the kids. lol

[Ear infection in dog]

I'm pretty sure my dog has an ear infection. Was on my way to vet appointment this afternoon when they called and said an emergency was just brought in so they wouldn't have time to look at him for awhile. So I just went home. He doesn't seem to be in major discomfort. Friday night he had a lot of discharge and redness. It seems to have gotten better since. He is still shaking his head, but not near as much rubbing on it. Will it get better, like kids will a lot of times, without treatment? I'm pretty sure in the past we've had some ear cleaning solution. Is a commercial product necessary or is there a home/natural solution?

 

Thanks, Joni

[Planbook for Mac]

I use Planbook and like it. Certainly the best I could find for a mac. I'm fairly basic in my usage of it though. I love the color coding. The only problem I've had is if I've canceled a day of school with it's funtion for that, I can't un-cancel it. I just sent the developer an email about it. There is a yahoo groups for questions and whatnot that the developer reads very often. He seems to be continuing to improve the program.

 

HTH

[US Census already?]

My mom is working the census. This year they are basically verifying addresses. She says there is no mistaking they are with the census, I think she said they have a vest, badge, a bag, and using a little computer to put in info. She says they don't even need to be talking to people, but give a light knock as a courtesy since they are on the porch. She said sometimes they do need to talk to the occupant if they are unsure if it is single dwelling structure or something.

 

They had background checks and classes and all kinds of paperwork. So just ask to see this guy's ID.

[I need coffee help]

I really like Trader Joe's FT Scandinavian Blend!

 

Here's a link to a blog about it: http://feastingontjs.blogspot.com/search/label/coffee - scroll down a bit.

 

HTH

 

Alas we just moved to San Antonio TX and we don't have Trader Joe's. In NC it was a bi-weekly trek to TJ to get my coffee and cheese. I'm hurting here. :crying:

[I need coffee help]

An intervention really, but I don't want that kind of help. :D

 

Any recommendations for a good fair trade coffee without breaking the bank? We go through about 2lbs of coffee a week. I drink it black so it has to be a good roast and lower on the acidity scale.

 

Thanks!

[Another Easter question]

We don't do baskets and bunnies and whatnot anymore. A few years I just backed up all the baskets and bunnies and stuff to the first day of spring. I emphisized spring stuff - I called it "The Spring Bunny" and "Spring eggs" etc. Then on Easter Sunday it was all about resurrection. My kids love the resurrection rolls. Now I've managed to drop all the spring stuff - because I'm just a boring mama :-) We don't see the need to be spending the money on extra junk and candy.

 

There are ways to connect eggs and many spring things are about new life and can be connected to Jesus and resurrection. However, I've never been able to do anything with the bunny. (exuses me while the bunny song from veggie tales runs through my head).

 

Resurrection rolls: http://my.homewithgod.com/mkcathy/holiday/resurrectionrolls.html

[How often do you talk on the phone with Your closest friend?]

My closest friend and I are both anti-phone people. But we talk via ICQ every day. We both have cable internet so always connected. We pretty much have running diolog. It is pretty well known we are both not normal :-)

[Patch the Pirate]

Patch the Pirate is a man who lost his eye to cancer (at 27yrs old) and kids at church started calling him Patch the Pirate. He and his family have put out many Adventure story/music CDs that are great. http://www.majestymusic.com/ and http://www.patchthepirate.org/

 

I grew upon on Patch the Pirate :-)

[Favourite easy, sweet snack?]

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars

 

Crust:

2/3 C butter, softened

1/2 C sugar

1 C flour

1 C graham cracker crumbs.

1/2 C chocolate chips

 

Cream butter and sugar. Add flour and graham cracker crumbs. Mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 C crumb mixture. Press remaining into 12x8 microwave safe dish. Microwave on high 3min rotating dish 1/4 turn every minute.

 

Filling:

8oz cream cheese, softened

1 egg

2 TBS sugar

2 TBS milk

1/2 C chocolate chips

 

Combine everything but chocolate chips until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour over cooked crust. Sprinkle reserved crumbs over filling. Microwave for 4 minutes rotating the the dish every two minutes. Cool, chill before serving.

[I started rdg Cervantes' Don Quixote]

One would think based on my user name that I've read the book. Nope! I couldn't get through it. Granted it was college and I had many other things to read, but I could not stand it. I keep meaning to try again, but...

 

I have seen Man of LaMancha movie more than once and know the sound track very well. I was completely enamored with the idea of courtly love as a teen and much to my parents dismay, I've used Lady Dulcinea as a user name since. I"m not sure I ever convinced them that it did *not* mean whore or slut. lol

 

Ok all that being said, I'm going to try to find a good translation and try again.

[Finding a new church in a new city.]

We moved from NC to San Antonio TX last month. Finding a church is my #1 priority. I made a list of potentials from websites. The first one we went to, we all liked and it was very similar to our church in NC. I was thinking, we need to visit more to make sure. We went to another and it was ok, but didn't like it as well. Then as I've been here feeling more and more lonely, I think about how much I prayed to find a new church quickly and that maybe going to one we really liked first was a God thing. So maybe we don't really need to look more - He took us right where we are supposed to be.

 

So would you stick with the first church without visiting more if it seemed right? Or would you want to keep visiting? I'm itching to get back into fellowship as well as serving. It is VBS planning time after all!! (I was preschool VBS director for 4 years in NC so not doing anything for VBS yet is driving me crazy!)

[Doing a state study for the 50 states]

When we were doing this (and never finished it...but should pick it back up) we did it by date of statehood. We made a scrapbook 2page spread for each state which I think they enjoyed. We had the sate flag, flower, motto, bird, and tried to get interesting or historic facts about each state.

 

 

(if you want to see more pages I can get them for ya, but that is the only one I had on the computer)

[I have another moving question: Pets]

We have a cat and dog. DH thinks I should just ship them, but that means $$$. But do I dare go several days in transit with 4 kids, a cat who is indoor/outdoor and *won't* use a litter box and a 65lb dog? The dog has gone on 4-5 hour trips with us before and it's slightly difficult, but not impossible. However I won't have DH to help. I shouldn't have to stay at any hotels - family in all the right places!

 

 

We also have a toad, but she is no problem. :D

[Has anyone moved with full-service movers?]

New company is paying for it and it's pack and everything. However even after reading all the material they gave me and online I'm a little nervous. I can't tell exactly how I need to have things prepared, what furniture they will dis-assemble or not. (I have a huge Ikea Expedit shelf). I know I have to have things out of the attic, but what about closets and drawers? :confused:

 

Thanks,