Share A Picture That I Love
I wonder what he is thinking about...
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Day 29 of 30 Day Challenge
Three Things I Can't Live Without
1. My Kitchen - I love to cook and I would probably be very irritated if I had to eat out all of the time.
2. My MacBook - It is my lifeline to the people that are important to me.
3. Hot Water - My favorite time of day: Shower Time!!!!
I already had to live to one week without my phone and my car; that was pretty easy to survive, although I would not make a habit of it.
1. My Kitchen - I love to cook and I would probably be very irritated if I had to eat out all of the time.
2. My MacBook - It is my lifeline to the people that are important to me.
3. Hot Water - My favorite time of day: Shower Time!!!!
I already had to live to one week without my phone and my car; that was pretty easy to survive, although I would not make a habit of it.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Day 28 of 30 Day Challenge
My Favorite Books
So many to choose from, so little time :)
A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink - awesome discussion of what our children need to learn and know written with a sense of humor
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon - this book is written from the point of view of a young man with a mental disability who decides to investigate a neighborhood crime
Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy - a woman with a hard life gets to witness life in the future; I found it very thought-provoking
So many to choose from, so little time :)
A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink - awesome discussion of what our children need to learn and know written with a sense of humor
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon - this book is written from the point of view of a young man with a mental disability who decides to investigate a neighborhood crime
Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy - a woman with a hard life gets to witness life in the future; I found it very thought-provoking
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Day 27 of 30 Day Challenge
Three Wishes
1. I wish for my boys to grow in healthy and successful men.
2. I wish for my husband and I to enjoy a lifelong, loving marriage.
3. I wish to "Pay It Forward" and help the world one good deed at a time.
1. I wish for my boys to grow in healthy and successful men.
2. I wish for my husband and I to enjoy a lifelong, loving marriage.
3. I wish to "Pay It Forward" and help the world one good deed at a time.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Day 26 of 30 Day Challenge
Best Concert I've Ever Been To
Honestly, I have not been to very many concerts. Mainly, I can't afford them. But my favorites have involved family:
I went with my Mom to see Celtic Women. It was great sharing the experience with her and enjoying a picnic :)
I went with my Brother to see Carbon Leaf. We were on vacation at the beach and he invited me along to hear a band he loves. Carbon Leaf has since been my favorite band :D
Honestly, I have not been to very many concerts. Mainly, I can't afford them. But my favorites have involved family:
I went with my Mom to see Celtic Women. It was great sharing the experience with her and enjoying a picnic :)
I went with my Brother to see Carbon Leaf. We were on vacation at the beach and he invited me along to hear a band he loves. Carbon Leaf has since been my favorite band :D
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Days 13-25 of 30 Day Challenge
If you couldn't guess, LIFE got the best of me and the first item to fall off of the to-do list was the blog. So now I am attempting to catch up.
Day 13 - Favorite Bible Verse or Quote
This is a saying that I have on a Post-It where I can see it every morning:
"Make Me a Blessing to Someone Today."
Day 14 - Share Something I am Looking Forward To
I am planning to visit my best friend next summer, to finally meet her (almost) 2-year old and the new baby due in March. I have not seen her in a few years! It is such a challenge to arrange visits with the 3000 miles in-between us and our families to raise.
Day 15 - 3 Tips for a New Blogger
Um, I am a New Blogger, so any tips you can give me would be great!
Day 16 - 5 Blogs I Visit Daily
Pioneer Woman (she cracks me up!)
Good Girl Gone Green (great suggestions for leaving a smaller carbon footprint)
Anything posted by my Friends and Family
Day 17 - Something I Regret
Aren't we supposed to live life without regret? I think the only thing I would change about what have done in the time I've been on this Earth is to have a better understanding of DEBT before putting myself in it! I would like to tell my high school self to select the college with the FULL ride versus the half ride that I did pick (college loan repayment is disgusting!) and I would tell my grad school self to HIDE THE CREDIT CARDS!!!!
Day 18 - Something I Miss
My Dad, Gerard Gene Gateau: April 1, 1952 - July 15, 1995.
Day 19 - Nicknames
I really do not have any nicknames. My students call me Ms. Mac sometimes.
For a while, there was an ongoing joke based on some strange college recruitment mail I was getting: somehow my name got on a list as "Hekther Gosteau." I got some great lit from all-male colleges :) My best friend still calls me "Hekther."
Day 20 - Picture of Myself
Hmmm, which one to pick...
Day 21 - Something that Stresses Me Out
WHINING!!! Somedays I feel that I hear it at work from middle school students and at home from my 5-year-old!
Day 22 - Share My Hobbies
I LOVE to read!!! I belong to 2 book clubs, plus I read whatever I feel like reading. :)
I love to garden, both flowers & landscaping (pretty) and vegetables & herbs (purposeful).
I am a musician, so enjoy listening to and performing music.
Day 23 - Favorite Blog Hop
That would be: whichever hop I stumble upon on a given day!
Day 24 - Favorite Places to Shop
I have discovered a love of Kohls. I am not always impressed with the organization of the store or the customer service, however I love the clothing options.
Ann Taylor is also a favorite of mine for my professional wear.
Day 25 - Let's Do the Shuffle
I have multiple iPods (work, workout, personal), but my iPhone happens to be the one closest to me. This is probably the most eclectic since I have my own personal favorites, as well as trusty kid favorites and tracks for teaching flute lessons. Let's see what happens!
1. Three is a Magic Number by Blind Melon (from Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks)
2. American Tale by Carbon Leaf (from 5 Alive! Disc 1)
3. Be Like That by 3 Doors Down (from The Better Life)
4. Please Can I Keep It? by Laura Linney (from Philadelphia Chickens)
5. Breathe Today by Flyleaf (from Flyleaf)
6. Summertime by The Sundays (from Static & Silence)
7. Boots by The Laurie Berkner Band (from The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band)
8. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2 (from The Best of 1980-1990)
9. It's Not Over by Daughtry (from Daughtry)
10. Gianni Schicchi by the London Philharmonic (from High Performance Flute)
And now I am caught up!!! Hurrah!!
Day 13 - Favorite Bible Verse or Quote
This is a saying that I have on a Post-It where I can see it every morning:
"Make Me a Blessing to Someone Today."
Day 14 - Share Something I am Looking Forward To
I am planning to visit my best friend next summer, to finally meet her (almost) 2-year old and the new baby due in March. I have not seen her in a few years! It is such a challenge to arrange visits with the 3000 miles in-between us and our families to raise.
Day 15 - 3 Tips for a New Blogger
Um, I am a New Blogger, so any tips you can give me would be great!
Day 16 - 5 Blogs I Visit Daily
Pioneer Woman (she cracks me up!)
Good Girl Gone Green (great suggestions for leaving a smaller carbon footprint)
Anything posted by my Friends and Family
Day 17 - Something I Regret
Aren't we supposed to live life without regret? I think the only thing I would change about what have done in the time I've been on this Earth is to have a better understanding of DEBT before putting myself in it! I would like to tell my high school self to select the college with the FULL ride versus the half ride that I did pick (college loan repayment is disgusting!) and I would tell my grad school self to HIDE THE CREDIT CARDS!!!!
Day 18 - Something I Miss
My Dad, Gerard Gene Gateau: April 1, 1952 - July 15, 1995.
Day 19 - Nicknames
I really do not have any nicknames. My students call me Ms. Mac sometimes.
For a while, there was an ongoing joke based on some strange college recruitment mail I was getting: somehow my name got on a list as "Hekther Gosteau." I got some great lit from all-male colleges :) My best friend still calls me "Hekther."
Day 20 - Picture of Myself
Hmmm, which one to pick...
Day 21 - Something that Stresses Me Out
WHINING!!! Somedays I feel that I hear it at work from middle school students and at home from my 5-year-old!
Day 22 - Share My Hobbies
I LOVE to read!!! I belong to 2 book clubs, plus I read whatever I feel like reading. :)
I love to garden, both flowers & landscaping (pretty) and vegetables & herbs (purposeful).
I am a musician, so enjoy listening to and performing music.
Day 23 - Favorite Blog Hop
That would be: whichever hop I stumble upon on a given day!
Day 24 - Favorite Places to Shop
I have discovered a love of Kohls. I am not always impressed with the organization of the store or the customer service, however I love the clothing options.
Ann Taylor is also a favorite of mine for my professional wear.
Day 25 - Let's Do the Shuffle
I have multiple iPods (work, workout, personal), but my iPhone happens to be the one closest to me. This is probably the most eclectic since I have my own personal favorites, as well as trusty kid favorites and tracks for teaching flute lessons. Let's see what happens!
1. Three is a Magic Number by Blind Melon (from Schoolhouse Rock! Rocks)
2. American Tale by Carbon Leaf (from 5 Alive! Disc 1)
3. Be Like That by 3 Doors Down (from The Better Life)
4. Please Can I Keep It? by Laura Linney (from Philadelphia Chickens)
5. Breathe Today by Flyleaf (from Flyleaf)
6. Summertime by The Sundays (from Static & Silence)
7. Boots by The Laurie Berkner Band (from The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band)
8. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2 (from The Best of 1980-1990)
9. It's Not Over by Daughtry (from Daughtry)
10. Gianni Schicchi by the London Philharmonic (from High Performance Flute)
And now I am caught up!!! Hurrah!!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Day 12 of 30 Day Challenge
Goals for the Next Year
1. Have Connor successfully complete Kindergarten!
2. Finish painting the rooms of the house (we moved in last July and I have 2 bathrooms and a bedroom to go!)
3. Grow my Musikgarten classes!
4. Be more active at the local music school.
5. Strengthen my new local friendships and visit my time-tested friendships (working on trips to Maryland and California, still figuring out Georgia and Texas - why must my good friends and I have no fear of moving?).
6. Potty-train Ian. Hello, challenge!
7. Continue and improve upon living "green" and "natural."
1. Have Connor successfully complete Kindergarten!
2. Finish painting the rooms of the house (we moved in last July and I have 2 bathrooms and a bedroom to go!)
3. Grow my Musikgarten classes!
4. Be more active at the local music school.
5. Strengthen my new local friendships and visit my time-tested friendships (working on trips to Maryland and California, still figuring out Georgia and Texas - why must my good friends and I have no fear of moving?).
6. Potty-train Ian. Hello, challenge!
7. Continue and improve upon living "green" and "natural."
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Day 11 of 30 Day Challenge
What Am I Afraid Of?
I have the typical fears: bugs & spiders (but only if they're touching me!), tragedies affecting my loved ones, disasters, really high heights, etc.
But my largest fear is asphyxiation. I used to think I had claustrophobia (fear of small spaces), however I realized I was not fearful of the space, I was fearful of running out of air!! It takes a lot of mind-over-matter for me to go on an airplane. I do not like diving deep under water. I do not think I would ever be able to scuba dive, go in a submarine, or travel to space.
At least my fear does not affect my everyday life :)
I have the typical fears: bugs & spiders (but only if they're touching me!), tragedies affecting my loved ones, disasters, really high heights, etc.
But my largest fear is asphyxiation. I used to think I had claustrophobia (fear of small spaces), however I realized I was not fearful of the space, I was fearful of running out of air!! It takes a lot of mind-over-matter for me to go on an airplane. I do not like diving deep under water. I do not think I would ever be able to scuba dive, go in a submarine, or travel to space.
At least my fear does not affect my everyday life :)
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Day 10 of 30 Day Challenge
My Special Someone
As a friend and I sat in our first class for Experimental Psychology, we surveyed our classmates. It was a night class, so there was a great mix of college-crowd and adult-learners (more of the latter). We noticed that in the row in front of us was a guy wearing college attire from another college: LOSER!! Thus began the heckling.
Over the course, we got to know this Loser and he often walked with us after class. He was a commuter and happened to park in the lot next to our dorm. We became friends and saw him socially over the next 2 years.
Then one magical spring Saturday, Fate decided it was time. We think we had life lessons to learn from the people we dated during the 2 years of friendship. I had just dumped my current boyfriend (and yes, "dumped" is the appropriate term since he was an immature idiot!) and was prepared to enjoy the band concert that night and few a drinks alone. Loser stopped by, stating that he had just dumped his current girlfriend (who lived 2 floors up) and wanted to stop by on his way home. Instead of spending the evening alone, we went to the concert together, enjoyed the drinks he had brought along, and shared a few kisses by the end of the night.
The summer brought us closer together, since I had already signed on to live and work on campus for the summer and he lived nearby. We were practically inseparable our Senior year (which I'm sure drove my friends nuts!). He followed me to grad school in Philadelphia and we were officially engaged the following December. We married a year and half later in a small ceremony with our closest friends and family.
He is my best friend. We have our arguments, but we do not "fight." We are still learning and growing in our relationship, and have added careers, dogs, sons, and all sorts of crazy to the mix!
As a friend and I sat in our first class for Experimental Psychology, we surveyed our classmates. It was a night class, so there was a great mix of college-crowd and adult-learners (more of the latter). We noticed that in the row in front of us was a guy wearing college attire from another college: LOSER!! Thus began the heckling.
Over the course, we got to know this Loser and he often walked with us after class. He was a commuter and happened to park in the lot next to our dorm. We became friends and saw him socially over the next 2 years.
Then one magical spring Saturday, Fate decided it was time. We think we had life lessons to learn from the people we dated during the 2 years of friendship. I had just dumped my current boyfriend (and yes, "dumped" is the appropriate term since he was an immature idiot!) and was prepared to enjoy the band concert that night and few a drinks alone. Loser stopped by, stating that he had just dumped his current girlfriend (who lived 2 floors up) and wanted to stop by on his way home. Instead of spending the evening alone, we went to the concert together, enjoyed the drinks he had brought along, and shared a few kisses by the end of the night.
The summer brought us closer together, since I had already signed on to live and work on campus for the summer and he lived nearby. We were practically inseparable our Senior year (which I'm sure drove my friends nuts!). He followed me to grad school in Philadelphia and we were officially engaged the following December. We married a year and half later in a small ceremony with our closest friends and family.
He is my best friend. We have our arguments, but we do not "fight." We are still learning and growing in our relationship, and have added careers, dogs, sons, and all sorts of crazy to the mix!
Friday, September 9, 2011
Day 9 of 30 Day Challenge
Must-See TV
Yet another topic that will give you a glimpse of my personality :)
Project Runway
(I got hooked while breast-feeding in the wee hours of the morning!)
(I got hooked while breast-feeding in the wee hours of the morning!)
Doctor Who
(I blame my husband for this one)
The Glee Project
(Since I watched this, I feel I should start watching Glee)
(I blame my husband for this one)
The Glee Project
(Since I watched this, I feel I should start watching Glee)
Eureka
(Letting my inner Nerd shine through!)
Torchwood: Miracle Day
(I like the "special" series more than the original series)
See where the Challenge started:
Find some new friends (and welcome to my new friends!):
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Day 8 of 30 Day Challenge
Share a Picture of My Friends
In the search of an appropriate picture, I realized that I do not have many pictures of my friends, especially recent pictures.
So here is a picture of my "sister" and my college roommate, taken in the limo on the way to my wedding :)
I wish I had pictures of Trey, April, Cathy, Sharlena, and Becky, too. Oh well!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Day 7 of 30 Day Challenge
Favorite Vacation
As I was pondering this topic, I was very indecisive. Should I pick one from childhood? Or perhaps one with just my husband and I? Or something more recent with the whole family?
Then I realized which was my favorite vacation, although I'm not sure it technically qualifies as a "vacation."
When I was 16, I had an opportunity to spend 2 weeks touring 6 countries in Europe with a group of high school musicians. I do not consider it a "vacation;" there was a lot of work involved, since we had a performance practically every other day while in Europe!
It started with spending a weekend on a college campus in Pennsylvania learning all of the music. I was with 3 other students from my high school as well as our choir director. I was first chair flute in the band and I had the piccolo solo in "The Stars and Stripes Forever." (If you are not a band geek, just let that sentence go right out the other side of your brain.) We lived in the dorms and worked out butts off to be ready to perform our music in Europe.
Then they put us on buses, drove us to LaGuardia, packed us on a plane, and we were off!! Approximately 100 high school students and 5 adults... no parents allowed!!! AWESOME!!! We toured around Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, and France. We performed in small towns and larger cities. We enjoyed local culture, food, and drinks. We had a blast!!!
One of the best memories from that trip was being lost in Strasburg, France, with my friend Laurel. We wandered for around an hour, not really concerned that we had no clue where we were. The only real moment of desperation was when we needed a restroom and did not know how to ask in French! (I spoke Spanish and Laurel spoke German). A bit of gesturing in a nice cafe found us the appropriate "water closet." Eventually we found a multi-lingual man who pointed us in the right direction to get back to our hotel :)
I would love to share pictures with you, however this was pre-digital and all my photos are in a photo album with no time to scan them.
That trip was definitely a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience! I will always be thankful that my parents took out a loan from their business to provide this amazing opportunity for me!!
As I was pondering this topic, I was very indecisive. Should I pick one from childhood? Or perhaps one with just my husband and I? Or something more recent with the whole family?
Then I realized which was my favorite vacation, although I'm not sure it technically qualifies as a "vacation."
When I was 16, I had an opportunity to spend 2 weeks touring 6 countries in Europe with a group of high school musicians. I do not consider it a "vacation;" there was a lot of work involved, since we had a performance practically every other day while in Europe!
It started with spending a weekend on a college campus in Pennsylvania learning all of the music. I was with 3 other students from my high school as well as our choir director. I was first chair flute in the band and I had the piccolo solo in "The Stars and Stripes Forever." (If you are not a band geek, just let that sentence go right out the other side of your brain.) We lived in the dorms and worked out butts off to be ready to perform our music in Europe.
Then they put us on buses, drove us to LaGuardia, packed us on a plane, and we were off!! Approximately 100 high school students and 5 adults... no parents allowed!!! AWESOME!!! We toured around Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, and France. We performed in small towns and larger cities. We enjoyed local culture, food, and drinks. We had a blast!!!
One of the best memories from that trip was being lost in Strasburg, France, with my friend Laurel. We wandered for around an hour, not really concerned that we had no clue where we were. The only real moment of desperation was when we needed a restroom and did not know how to ask in French! (I spoke Spanish and Laurel spoke German). A bit of gesturing in a nice cafe found us the appropriate "water closet." Eventually we found a multi-lingual man who pointed us in the right direction to get back to our hotel :)
I would love to share pictures with you, however this was pre-digital and all my photos are in a photo album with no time to scan them.
That trip was definitely a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience! I will always be thankful that my parents took out a loan from their business to provide this amazing opportunity for me!!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Day 6 of 30 Day Challenge
My Favorite Movies
This list will really show my personality :) Alright, let's see now...
The Princess Bride: "Inconceivable!"
Young Frankenstein: "Roll! Roll! Roll in ze hay!"
The Replacements: "I Will Survive!"
Monday, September 5, 2011
Day 5 of 30 Day Challenge
A Photo That Makes Me Happy
I can only pick one? Hmm, this will be tough!
Enough said :)
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Day 4 of 30 Day Challenge
All About Family
Let's start with the family that's in my house. I have my wonderful husband of 8 years, and our 2 fabulous boys, ages 2 & 5. We also have 2 beagles (to clean up after the boys).
My extended family includes my mother, my maternal grandmother, my older brother (and his wife), and my "sister" (who is my best friend of 22 years!). My mother lives about 3 hours from us, however she comes to visit every 2 or 3 weeks: she goes through "grandkid withdrawal" :) My grandmother lives near my mother in an assisted living apartment (what I like to compare to a dorm without having to go to classes). My brother is in the Navy, and he & his wife currently live in Germany. My sister lives in California, which sucks on many levels, but gives me a great vacation spot :)
Come back tomorrow for more of the 30 Day Challenge started by:
Let's start with the family that's in my house. I have my wonderful husband of 8 years, and our 2 fabulous boys, ages 2 & 5. We also have 2 beagles (to clean up after the boys).
My extended family includes my mother, my maternal grandmother, my older brother (and his wife), and my "sister" (who is my best friend of 22 years!). My mother lives about 3 hours from us, however she comes to visit every 2 or 3 weeks: she goes through "grandkid withdrawal" :) My grandmother lives near my mother in an assisted living apartment (what I like to compare to a dorm without having to go to classes). My brother is in the Navy, and he & his wife currently live in Germany. My sister lives in California, which sucks on many levels, but gives me a great vacation spot :)
Come back tomorrow for more of the 30 Day Challenge started by:
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Days 1-3 of 30 Day Challenge
Today, I stumbled on a 30 Day Challenge for bloggers started by
Since I am new to blogging, I thought it would be a fun experiment. I am already 2 days behind, so I am catching up right now!!
Day 1: Introduce Yourself
My name is Heather and I am a wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, and teacher. I am a flutist and an avid reader. I teach music to middle school students at a public school and to babies & kindergarteners at a music school. I have a slight case of OCD, which leads me to be organized or to be annoyed that things are not organized :)
Day 2: About my blog
I started my blog just over a month ago to give me a place to ramble and share. I call it "My Three-Ring Circus" since I often look at my life as a bit of a circus: organized chaos. Although I hope to be the Ringmaster, I'm pretty sure I'm just one of the Clowns :)
Day 3: About My Job
I am a music teacher for 2 different schools.
My full time job is to teach music at a public middle school. I teach 6th grade Performing Arts (general music & theatre) and 7th & 8th grade band classes. I love teaching middle school students (ages 11-14)! They are full of energy and beginning to have interest in the world as a whole. I have been teaching middle school for 10 years.
My part time job is to teach flute lessons and Musikgarten for babies & kindergarteners at a local music school. This is especially rewarding, since I can work with students in a much smaller setting: one-to-one for private lessons and six-to-one for the classes. Watching the babies react to music is priceless, and so is the look on the parent's face!
Since I am new to blogging, I thought it would be a fun experiment. I am already 2 days behind, so I am catching up right now!!
Day 1: Introduce Yourself
My name is Heather and I am a wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, and teacher. I am a flutist and an avid reader. I teach music to middle school students at a public school and to babies & kindergarteners at a music school. I have a slight case of OCD, which leads me to be organized or to be annoyed that things are not organized :)
Day 2: About my blog
I started my blog just over a month ago to give me a place to ramble and share. I call it "My Three-Ring Circus" since I often look at my life as a bit of a circus: organized chaos. Although I hope to be the Ringmaster, I'm pretty sure I'm just one of the Clowns :)
Day 3: About My Job
I am a music teacher for 2 different schools.
My full time job is to teach music at a public middle school. I teach 6th grade Performing Arts (general music & theatre) and 7th & 8th grade band classes. I love teaching middle school students (ages 11-14)! They are full of energy and beginning to have interest in the world as a whole. I have been teaching middle school for 10 years.
My part time job is to teach flute lessons and Musikgarten for babies & kindergarteners at a local music school. This is especially rewarding, since I can work with students in a much smaller setting: one-to-one for private lessons and six-to-one for the classes. Watching the babies react to music is priceless, and so is the look on the parent's face!
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