Maria

I learned something really cool yesterday that tied a song from "Paint Your Wagon" to the practice of naming storms after women. This is from the wiki entry for "They Call the Wind Maria:"

 "In George Rippey Stewart's 1941 novel Storm, he gives the storm which is the protagonist of his story the name "Maria."
The success of Stewart's novel was one factor that motivated U.S. military meteorologists to start the informal practice of giving women's names to storms in the Pacific during World War II. The practice became official in 1945. In 1953, a similar system of using women's names was adopted for North Atlantic storms. This continued until 1979, when men's names were incorporated into the system.

 This novel was also the inspiration for the song. Isn't that cool? Stewart wrote a novel, which inspired Lerner & Loewe to write a song, which led meteorologists to name storms after women.

 I really like the internet.

this is my favorite version, because it uses the minor key in the second verse, which sounds so much like the wind moaning. there are others available on youtube :)

and my happy list:
* good friends.
* it snowed in the mountains yesterday!
* hot cocoa to warm me up.
* reliable cars.
* a mother-in-law who sewed 2 costumes for w's school musical.
* h did his homework without me asking him to!
* w did a load of dishes without me asking him to!
* m cleaned up her breakfast mess without me asking her to!
* kids who do their chores without me nagging :)
* good music
* warm house
* podcasts
* the internet
* i have lots of warm things to wear
* God is good.

Volunteering

So a week ago last Thursday (Sept 5), Jared called to let me know he might be working out of town over the weekend.  It was disappointing, but after 9 years in the military, we've learned to be flexible.  Friday afternoon he texts me, "Forgot to let you know that I agreed to the family speaking in church Sunday."
I sent back "very funny" and he replied "not kidding."

I was eager to spread the happy news, and when the kids got home an hour later, I greeted them at the door with the exciting information that they got to give talks in church in less than TWO DAYS!!! HOORAY!!!!!

They did an amazing job- W and M wrote their own talks, and I pulled a few church magazines out and handed them to H.  He wrote his own talk, had me edit it, and I made him read it through several times.  Then I wrote my own talk :) and put in lots of extra research just in case the kids were quick.  They were, which left about half the meeting for me to fill.  I managed, with the help of Heavenly Father and some divine inspiration :).

Today, the choir performed a song, "Draw Near Unto Me."  (i looked on youtube, but couldn't find a complete rendition of the song. oh well.)  Despite the fact that it has taken much more preparation and time than did my talk, I enjoyed leading the choir so much more than I did giving that talk.  I feel much more comfortable in a musical setting, I guess.

School is progressing well, I think.  H is playing football- tackle football!!- and has practice 3 times a week, plus 1 game a week.  It means he has very little free time, since he has to fit in scouts and homework on the days he has no practice.  However, he absolutely loves practicing and playing.  As in, he's ready well before he needs to be, and bugs me to drop him off early so he can in some extra practice.  I'm really glad he has found something he enjoys so much.

M is doing well- she likes most of her classes, and loves her art class.  She is still working a few days a week, and we've had at least one episode of staying up really late Sunday evening trying frantically to finish up homework for Monday.  She is learning to better manage her time, though, which is good.

W is busy with play practice (performances are October 18, 19, 21, 23, 25, and 26 at 6:30pm).  He's had several tests already, and works hard to keep up in all his classes.  However, he's already talking about what classes he wants to take next year, as well as his senior year.  I cannot believe how quickly the time is passing- I still remember taking him to the bus stop for his first day of kindergarten!

Jared is working a lot, and preparing for the upcoming hunting season.  He has big plans for an elk- he and Morgen will be hunting this year.  I'm not sure where we'll put all the meat if we get more than one elk though.

Gratitude List:
* running water.  hot and cold both!
* flush toilets
* blackberries (we made jam from the ones growing in our yard- delicious!)
* a juicer and water bath canner.
* fish for dinner.
* cooler weather :)
* music, both sacred and secular, that inspires me.
* good friends
* family
* Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father
* podcasts, and the ability to store a lot on my iphone so i can listen to them.
* Jared is home this week, barring any unscheduled emergencies.