Saturday, March 31, 2007

What's A Meme????

Okay, show of hands. How many of you know what a "meme" is?

I didn't know it was required blogger knowledge until beFrank "tagged" me this morning.

I didn't know playing tag was a blogging option.

I do now.

So, from what I can decipher, I'm supposed to reveal "5 Things You Didn't Know About FlutePrayer".

Here goes:
  1. I get as much of a buzz from decaf as the average person gets from regular. I made the mistake of drinking some decaf chai before I went to bed last night and was up until 3am.

  2. When I was in 7th grade I could only do 5 sit-ups. Then I started taking flute lessons from an excellent teacher who taught me how to use my abdominal muscles to move the air quickly through the instrument. By 8th grade, without having done a single sit-up since the previous year, I could do 25 sit-ups. Now I can do hundreds if I have to. One of the big advantages of strong abs is a pain-free lower back.

  3. I am a Night Owl. One of the first things I asked my husband when we first started dating was if he was a "Lark" or a "Night Owl". I knew that if he was a Lark, we would have to end the relationship right there. I used to work in my family's bakery. I had to be at work at 6:30am. I did that for almost 17 years. It was brutal.

  4. My Hebrew name is "Atira". My last name is Christian. I converted to Judaism in 1984. I discovered Jesus in 1996. I love being a Christian Christian.

  5. I marched in Richard Nixon's first inaugural parade with the Whittier High School Cardinal Band. It was the first time I flew on an airplane, and the first time I was on television. I still have pictures.

Now I'm supposed to tag 5 bloggers.

I don't know 5 bloggers.

I understand it doesn't matter if you know them or not (does regular lurking count?)

I hope they won't hate me:

Joey at call me lightning

Weaver at TVPhotoBlog

Ken at Kenya Mission Trip (make a donation while you're there)

befrank already tagged Darleene and Lenslinger.

No fair!

That's all I can do. I plead blog iggerance!

Oh, and beFrank? You owe me...

Friday, March 30, 2007

Home Alone


I'm home alone this weekend.

Bob is in Ridgecrest working until late Sunday evening.

I am profoundly exhausted.

I'm going to force myself to sit down.

It is hard to switch from overdrive to neutral at the drop of a hat.

I've already watched Pride and Prejudice once today.

Maybe I'll watch it again.

Or maybe I'll just sit and drool.....

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Aiming for the Weekend


I know I've been uncharacteristically silent this week.


There has not been anything unusual to report.

Bob is feeling better.

Yes!!!

I'm in cruise mode, aiming for the weekend when I can get some serious practice time in.

That will come after some serious nappage.

ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....

Monday, March 26, 2007

Delirium


Bob has been extremely ill since Friday night with a bad infection that came on very suddenly.

Saturday afternoon he was delirious.

If you were to ask Bob, he would tell you talking rates slightly above torture
on his list of things he least likes to participate in.

For a few hours on Saturday, however, the delirium turned him into a regular
Chatty Cathy.

I learned more about him in 30 minutes than he's disclosed in the almost 3 years that we've been together.

He's feeling a little better today.

I sort of miss my Chatty Cathy.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

Fluting With Ken Grant

I got to flute with Ken Grant last night.

Ken was at Azusa Pacific University this week as Artist in Residence.

His usual habitat is the Eastman School of Music and the Rochester Philharmonic as principal clarinetist.


We got to play a lot of great music together.

Here we are rehearsing "Appalachian Spring" before the concert:

Ken premiered "Sabar Moves" by Jed Koops.

This is Jed at the rehearsal:


Ken also performed the Trio in a minor, Opus 114 with School of Music Dean Duane Funderburk on piano....


...and cellist Jonathan Thomson:


Bassoonist Rufus Olivier of Quintet fame joined in the fun.

Here we are rehearsing the Stravinski Octet:


Ken and I celebrated after a successful concert.

I'm already looking forward to next year's visit!

Friday, March 23, 2007

Welcome Home

A few months ago Bob and I were given cause to be concerned about how long we would be living in our present home.


Last night our landlord spoke to Bob.

He said in no uncertain terms that he would like us to stay.

It was a wonderful welcome home.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Another Ear-y Post

Okay. I admit it.

My posts have been overly ear oriented of late.

I was going to apologize and move on.

That was until I saw this post on beFrank's blog:


Check it out.

Seems I'm not the only one with ear-y blog posts.

It must be something in the air...

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Without A Stitch


I just returned from having my sutures removed.

The nurse kept repeating how amazed she was at how quickly and well the surgery site had healed.

Bob has been wonderful about cleaning and dressing the wound twice a day.

I am grateful that no more special care is needed

It feels better every day.

It is a relief to be without a stitch.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Recovering!






I had the flute on my face for 8 hours today.

The only numbness I'm experiencing now is a result of the wear and tear of playing and not from the surgery.

I'm going to kick back and put some ice on the surgery site (and possibly my lips!)

My dad is also doing well.

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Friday, March 16, 2007

Dad's Surgery Successful

My brother Ken just called to say that Dad's surgery was successful!
The surgeon said he'd seen bigger hiatal hernias, but not many.
I'm looking forward to the relief that my dad will receive from this surgery.
I'll keep you posted throughout the day.


7:00pm Update: I just talked to my mom. Dad is doing very well. He may be sent home tomorrow(!)

Saturday 4:30pm Update: My dad is home resting. Amazing.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Initial Results

Bob and I got our first view of my surgery site this morning.

It was time to change the dressing.

This is what we saw:

Bob drew this nice picture.

We thought we'd spare you the real thing.

Maybe I'll show it to you after the stitches are removed.

Maybe not.

Bob said, "Wow. This is what the doctor was calling small?"

Imagine what her initial expectations would have resulted in.

Anyway, the red lines are the incisions.

The blue lines are the stitches.

Check this out.

The incisions form the letter "T".

My first name is Teri.

Cool.

Now I have my initial engraved on the side of my head.

Try not to be too jealous!


Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Aftermath

This is what I'm doing today.

Wow.

That surgery stuff hurts!

Feeling better than yesterday, though!


Monday, March 12, 2007

All Clear!

I'm on the other side of the Mohs surgery.

It feels good!

Doesn't this look like some sort of primitive blue tooth device?


My doctor was amazed when she first took a look at the cancer site this morning. She said, "That's a lot smaller than I thought!"

I only needed one round of surgery.

When she was doing the "closure" she said again, "That was a lot smaller than I thought it would be."

I know why. Many of you have been praying for me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

I can just cover the whole thing up with my hair and I'm good to go.

Too bad I can't shampoo until Wednesday evening.

It might not look so perky by then.

The sutures come out next Tuesday afternoon.

I'm going to get some ice on my face and relax for a couple of days.

Then I'm going to practice my flute!

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Muni Band



It's official.
I got my work call today for the 2007 summer season of Concerts in the Parks with the Long Beach Municipal Band.

I'll get another two cool Hawaiian shirts to wear during our 8 week season which begins on June 26 and runs through August 17.

I sure hope you'll be able to join us in the parks of Long Beach.

We always have fun.

Bob will be there too.

Come join the crowd.

You'll be glad you did.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Music To My Ears


I spent the day in the recording studio.


This was an annual recording session for Queenwood/Kjos.

We were recording new concert band music composed by Anne McGinty and John Edmonson.


Many of us have been doing this annual session since the last century.

In fact, Anne is kind enough to compose parts with individual players in mind.



I played piccolo for 3 hours this morning.


I switched to flute for 3 hours this afternoon.

Now I'm ready to spring forward before I go to bed.

I need my rest.

Tomorrow I get to play my flute again!

Friday, March 9, 2007

More Fun Than Surgery

My dad's surgery, scheduled for this morning, was canceled yesterday.



My sister Christy, her husband Dave, and son Mason had been planning to come down from their home in Atascadero for the event.

Dave and Christy chatting with Dad

Rather than cancel the trip, they decided to come down and party.

Mom and Mason

My nephew Mason is 14. He begged to have his picture taken so he could be on the blog:

No, I'm not standing in a hole.

Mason is one tall dude.


We had a great afternoon.

Dad can have his surgery another day.





Thursday, March 8, 2007

Senior Flutist

A Senior Recital is a big deal.

It requires 4 to 5 years of preparation.



One of my APU students, Kim, gave her Senior Recital tonight.

She played beautifully.

Kim has been a student of mine for 5 years. We met the first week of her freshman year.

We have seen each other every week since then.

That will change in May when Kim graduates.


It is wonderful to walk along side students as they wrestle away with their flutes.

It is an amazing privilege to witness the transformation that occurs after years of hard work, dedication, and practice.

It is an acquired skill to be able to decrease as the students increase.

I've had a lot of practice at it.

I think I'm getting the hang of it.

Sort of.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Kim's accompanist Joel passed his oral exams for his Doctorate at USC this morning!!!


Kim is getting married on her 23rd birthday on June 23rd to this wonderful young man:


I know she will be well cared for.

What more could I ask!

Dad's Surgery Scrubbed

My mom just called to let me know that my dad's surgery, scheduled for tomorrow, was scrubbed by the hospital. They are now thinking about scheduling the procedure at a hospital closer to their home in Whittier.

I'm still on for my surgery on Monday.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Surgery Project

My family has some surgeries approaching.

My dad Walt is having surgery to repair a nasty hiatal hernia early Friday morning.

(If it was a nice hernia he wouldn't need the work done!)


I've got several hours of surgery to look forward to on Monday myself.

I was instructed to bring a book or some other form of entertainment to keep me occupied while waiting for the lab reports between each surgery session.

I went out this afternoon to gather the supplies necessary for the most soothing activity I know:

Crocheting.

I have crocheted in orchestra pits during musicals, on stage during rehearsals (during the rests, not while playing!), on airplanes, at meetings, at hospitals, and, of course, at home.

There is something extremely peaceful about sitting quietly with hook and yarn, tying knots around the cares and worries that are burdening me.

Oh, I pray a lot, too.

The two seem to go hand in hand.

So I will be spending some quiet time during the next few days, praying and crocheting.

That will quiet me down.

Meanwhile, fret not.

I'll keep you posted on my surgery project.

Monday, March 5, 2007

A Date at the Mouse House



Bob and I meandered over to Disneyland this afternoon.


We're annual pass holders who enjoy low key, unhurried visits.



The weather was pleasant and warm.


We hadn't been on a date in a while.


I've got that basal cell surgery next Monday, so today seemed like a good day to kick back.


Pirates rocks!


My favorite ride is Indiana Jones. I love the sound track. It's like being in a movie.


Bob never complains when I request going on the Pooh ride. He is a true gentleman, and wonderful husband.


We both appreciate Billy Hill and the Hillbillies.


It's wonderful to attend a live show with such amazingly talented musicians.

If you haven't seen it, give it a try. It's great.




One of my favorite things is the Flag Retreat in the late afternoon.

It makes me weep every time.



It's worth the trip.




We had a great time on our date at the Mouse House.



Hope to see you there soon!