priorities

i am so thankful to have a job.  a job doing something i love that i feel i am gifted to do... teach.
it is definitely the right thing for us for this season.

but there are things in my life that are being neglected so i can do work well.
and it's okay.  it's part of life.  give and take. you can't do everything.

some things that aren't happening lately are...
cleaning - beyond a quick clorox wipe after cleaning up after dinner
cooking - this is important.  we can't eat crap all the time. i'm working on finding the energy to cook after dinner.
reading books - miss it.
reading blogs - i'm okay with it.
crafts - meh it's a nice idea but SO not important


things that are top priority even though i'm working full time (and by 'top priority' i mean, i am learning how to balance and make work happen around these things that God has called me to do well in.) 

husband

bible study

budget

family

friends

needless to say, my 'to do' list is long and things get crossed off very infrequently.  on the other hand, it creates simplicity in a way... get up, go to work, come home, see my husband, go to sleep.  & repeat.  there's not much time for wasting and weekends are such a fun treat.  

changes are hard to process sometimes.  i'm not sure what to think about it all yet. just taking life one day at a time, choosing joy always, working hard, and relying on the Lord.

fall is around the corner...

in no particular order, top 10 reasons fall is my favorite season

10. perfect weather - cool, no humidity, but not too cold

9. sweaters

source  and no i would not spend a fraction of that on a sweater...

8. pretty leaves

7. cute boots & other fashion goodness. this might be my favorite season for fashion.  layers are necessary but it's not too cold.  

6. caramel apple cider 

i love the stuff at starbucks but this season i'm going to try to make it :)

5. my birthday

4. college football [yes, honestly, i enjoy watching the games.  it's a relaxing way to spend a saturday afternoon.  although i'm okay not to spend thursday and friday and saturaday AND sunday watching football. haha. plus my husband is SO SO happy.]

3. back to school

2. thanksgiving

1. this year, fall means we are that much closer to baby girl coming :)

what's your favorite season?
are you excited for fall? 

picture update

We went and saw where Paul's new office will be :)

I spent many days setting up my classrooms

in progress

I 'lost' my iphone on top of our car only to discover where it was when it fell off the roof on the interstate 1 day later... this case is the remnants.

hung out some with this little munchkin! 

went to Denver with the hubs and forgot to take pics! These are all I have... 

a cool bookstore

me exploring at Red Rocks Amphitheater while Mr. Cook was in a conference.

what have YOU been up to? :)

sirens

When we lived in Chicago, I never even noticed sirens at all hours of the day (and night).

This morning at 715, sirens startled me!!  and again at 2:15, I thought to myself, 2 sirens in one day?! Life in Nebraska :) 

Also yesterday morning- beautiful rainbow. What a creative way God chooses to remind us of his faithfulness.

Lately i have grown tired of reading long blog posts so I'm going to work extra hard to keep these short and sweet. 

On that note,
adios.

saturday

i have a friend who doesn't have facebook [shocking, yes.] anyway, she called me the other night to tell me on the phone she got engaged.  :) isn't that so fun!  it's fun that she's engaged and it's fun that she called. and it feels even more special because it's not like everybody and their mom and their grandma knows from facebook, but just the closest friends that she would actually dial up.

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our small group might sign up for a benefit 5k for Easter weekend.  i exercise pretty regularly these days but i'm still scared of running.  i might try to run/walk 3 miles today and see what happens.

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ben and i are planning a potential trip to a concert in indiana this may.  we have friends in indiana, friends on the way, it'd be close to kentucky where there are more friends (and pretty scenery), we like the artist, and we like road trips. so, why not?

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i've been working on a quilt all weekend.  [side note: there are 5 really nice quilting stores in Lincoln plus a JoAnn's and a Hancock Fabrics.  doesn't that seem like more than the appropriate amount for the size of the town?]

this is a crappy picture i took from my phone at a bad angle.  but you get the idea :)

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my current sewing addiction means less time for reading.  meanwhile, all the books i requested from the library just happened to come in. and these are big books! like 500 pages! (i'm like a child in that a big book with small writing is intimidating.)  So, the one's on the shelf are In the Garden of Beasts, The Warmth of Other Suns, and The Secrets of the FBI.  Have you read any?

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the backspace key bit the dust yesterday :(

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i've been doing a bible study in James and i'm legitimately sad to see it come to an end.  God has taught me so much through the day-to-day lessons and through the weekly teachings from Beth Moore [more to come on that another time].  Let's just say, life-changing.

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last week, we went to a rockin' choir performance by the Star Singers of Aldridge Elementary School.   Honestly, it was very enjoyable.  Less than an hour, well timed, efficient transitions, cute songs, and some jazz hands.  As a HUGE critic of bad school music programs, I really liked this one.  Of course, I was bound to love it since one of my 2 favorite Aldridge musicians was in it :)

a lot of 5th graders! 93 to be exact

the most important start singer :)

the boys with their super cute, organized and efficient music teacher. (will wasn't performing in this one)

happy saturday,
renee

walmart

I was at walmart... just a quick trip.  I hopped into a line that looked awesome - the lady in front of me was just finishing up. score! (anyone who shops at walmart knows that being in and out of the line in less than 10 minutes is a reason to celebrate.)  so I loaded up my few things onto the belt and the lady in front of me was still there. weird since she had just been handed her things and told "have a nice day."  (that's your cue to leave, in case you wanted to dawdle).  oh and she dawdled.  she proceeded (AFTER finishing purchasing everything and paying) to begin telling the cashier all about her dogs. dogs, plural. keyword begin.  so, i waited patiently with a smile, thinking surely she must be about to go. but no.  she stayed. and she pulled out pictures. of her dogs.  this went on for several minutes.  then she and cashier (new BFFS) smiled at each other and bid farewell.


i was tempted to be irritated. i always pick the wrong line.  but then i thought - maybe they both needed a friendly chat that day. and i didn't have anywhere to be. and i didn't have any screaming children in my cart. so, what's the big deal. oh well :) it was just kinda funny.  as in, trying-not-to-giggle-out-loud funny.

and now, i'm blogging about it to procrastinate taxes....

happy thursday :)

links

happy friday!

a friend sent me a link to this blog post full of truth.

just finished this book - instructive, practical, inspiring, true.

i listened to this first sermon in a series on marriage based on this book.  i intend to listen to the rest and read the book with my awesome husband!

i am considering putting my name on the waiting list for this event... crazy and a little weird/ random? maybe

this 13 second video made me giggle and say "awww."

home and book

Well I haven't been inspired to write anything on here and I'm still not but this blog is something I want to keep up with, so I'm doing it anyway!  I was in a lull on our 3-ish week vacation.  haha which adults take a 3 week break from life? we do.

we spent about 9 or 10 days in chicago.
then spent a day driving back to nebraska.
then i taught piano for 2 days (i crammed all my lessons into 2 days). okay, so we didn't take a complete break from life.
then we spent about 10 days in omaha.

it was all pretty awesome!  but i'm glad to be back in a normal routine and it feels good to be home.  this truly feels like home.  i love that feeling.

on a different note, i've been reading slowly through A.W. Tozer's The Knowledge of the Holy.

this book is SO great. you can get it for like $2.00 online, so you probably should.  i wish i could quote the whole thing, but here is a quote from my reading for today.

"The truth is that there is not and can never be anything outside of the nature of God which can move Him in the least degree.  All God's reasons come from within His uncreated being.  Nothing has entered the being of God from eternity, nothing has been removed, nothing has been changed" (87).

at the beginning of the book, Tozer writes, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us...The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him.  It begins in the mind and may be present where no overt act of worship has taken place."  He explains that we "learn by using what we already now as a bridge over which we pass to the unknown.  It is not possible for the mind to crash suddenly past the familiar into the totally unfamiliar."

although i am tempted to copy the entire second chapter, i'll refrain.  needless to say, this book is helping my finite mind to understand God better than before, although still far from a true understanding of Him.  it is humbling to read about the fact that though God made me in His image, He is far greater and vastly different than i.  

i've been reading a chapter per day.  that's all i can mentally handle and think about at once.  

happy tuesday! :)

random

someone from a local piano studio contacted me about teaching group lessons & homeschool kids.  i've been praying for an "in" with a homeschool network. we'll see where that leads :)

Ben loves computer programming.  He's working on things that animate... like he enters all this fancy computer lingo into a program and hits enter and BAM!  a picture appears and starts moving.  cool!

i decorated for christmas. pics to come. maybe 

a name says a lot about somebody... here's a link to a little video about the importance of Jesus' names.

this politically correct children's book gave me a giggle.

a piano mom and i are starting this bible study.  i can't wait for it to arrive!!

a fun gift for those gifting on a budget :)

fabulous halloween costume...

this etsy print made me smile :)  i'd enjoy having it even though it's kinda silly

is it seriously december?!?!? o.m.g.

last week, i met with a personal trainer. it was included in a groupon deal with a month membership to a fancy schmancy gym here in town. she kicked my butt.  she was young and we started chatting and long story short... she and her boyfriend came to church with us this weekend.  I think God is working in their hearts!!

happy sunday!

monday rest

today is monday.
i was supposed to sub but i cancelled.  too much to do.
bills, budget, bank.
piano stuff.
phone calls.
license plates.
grocery shopping.

after i finally got my act together this morning, i went to walmart.
on the way, a man called. he saw my sign advertising piano. i thought - yay another student! he wanted to sell me a package with windstream, the internet company we already have and hate. but there's no competing companies. so we're stuck with it. i tried to be friendly.
i walked into walmart. no list.
could have sworn i grabbed it. i ripped it out of my notebook. i made the list saturday. had no idea what was on it today. because it's monday. that is 2 whole days to forget my list. ugh. said a polite goodbye to the advertising man on the phone and the man who just gave me the cart at the door. back home for the list.
15 minute drive.
list is on the counter.
yay.
back to walmart. feeling a little irritated.
then i remember that last night, we served food with the salvation army out of a truck downtown.  the food wasn't very good. we gave out 100-ish meals. to people who were waiting outside for not-very-good-mac-and-cheese-chicken-casserole from a truck.  and then i realize it's not that big of deal to have to go get the list because then i can go back to walmart and get fresh food to make for this week.
do my shopping. $30 on this week's groceries. this is why i make a list. score!!
get home. can't find the mozzerella. just had it yesterday. probably i threw it out on accident. it is nowhere to be found...
can't find the stamps.  just bought them last week. a new packet. cute christmas ornament stamps. nowhere to be found. they're probably with the mozzerella.
there are other things on my mind. i'm distracted. hence all the forgetting. forgetting despite the bajillion lists i made in the last couple days.
i'm distracted by the mom of a piano student who is a jehovah's witness.  we're meeting wednesday.  she is misled. i feel the spiritual warfare in my soul.
i am burdened for another mom who said to me "I'm starting to worry about where I'm going when I die" as i lent her the book "how good is good enough."  yet, i'm glad the Lord brought her to me and opened her heart and we're getting together this week.
i'm burdened for the people in need around me and around the world.

meanwhile, still can't find the mozzerella, stamps, AND i forgot something at walmart. distracted.

then i turn on my new favorite CD that one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world sent me for my birthday. the song i turn to is "restless." 
that's how i felt all morning. and yesterday.
restless.
the lyrics say....

and i'm restless... until i rest in you, o God.

so true. i listen to it repeatedly, singing it from my heart. praying. resting for a few moments. choosing an attitude of rest over anxiety. an attitude of gratefulness over grumbling.

Jesus invites us into his sweet rest. are you resting in Him today?
i am. and this afternoon is shaping up to be nice and peaceful.

p.s. the other day, i sent my husband an email in all lowercase letters. his first comment in his response was "i like the lowercase. very artsy." :) so, i'm going for it again. haha all these deep thoughts are making me feel artsy. and i'm really not artsy. so the only way i can express my artsy feelings is through lowercase letters on this blog. 

Right now...

I stole this idea from this blog.  (I don't know her. is that creepy?)

Right now, I am...

listening: to nothing. and it's peaceful.

feeling: cozy. heat on. windows closed. thoughts of carmel apple cider dancing in my head.

watching: The Office & Parks and Rec.  (not this second, but in life).

missing: my dear friend Kristen.

this feels like a super old pic! when she was preggo with her firstborn (who's almost 3 and has an 11-month old bro) and I was in college. 

wondering: whether or not I'll teach in public schools again

reading: The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer

thankful: for God's provision and love

excited: for this weekend

i turn 24. that feels old.

working: on gathering Christmas music for all my students (except the Jehovah's witness kid) and coming up with a fun winter contest!

praying: for a piano student's mom who asked to borrow "how good is good enough?"

admiring: these china patterns

would i get sick of turquoise? it's so pretty. not very compatible with christmas decor. but so pretty. life's hard choices. :)

avoiding: my "insanity" workout

wanting: to learn how to sew... so i can make things like this for less than $40

excited: for a night with 2 girls from my bible study

anticipating: involvement with "city impact"

what are you doing?

Internet Findings

So, I not-so-secretly like to browse all sorts of random things on the internet.
I should probably set myself a time limit.
Here are some random things I've seen that I like.  (No promises that they will be of any interest to you...)

this house is so pretty.

This video is a hilarious plug for getting kids to sell stuff to give generously to the work for God's kingdom through their local church.  (It's the first one on the page.)

We did this alien-abduction-brainteaser with my 11 year old brother (in-law) this weekend. None of us solved it :/

This is short & funny. (and wrong)  It reminds me that my mom makes really good cookies too :)

i officially like pinterest.  i don't pay attention to any sort of so-and-so is following you or repinned.  the last thing i need is another social network site.  however, i do like that there is one place on the internet where i can "pin" everything else that i like.  like a virtual bulletin board. way better than a favorites bar. 

This looks like a tasty, fruity, halloweeny drink :)

These messages are convicting (in 2 videos totaling 80 minutes).  Part 1.  Part 2. 

Have you found anything good on the internet lately?

Monday

I haven't really had much to say this past week I guess... blogging kinda went to the wayside.

My younger (but not littler) brother turned 22 last week.

Then...

the day Brian came home from the hospital

Now...

San Francisco in July

We're still good friends :)

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I subbed 2 days last week in Elementary school music.  

Kids often giggle when I say my name is "Mrs. Cook."  I guess "cook" is funny.

The 1st day of subbing, she didn't know I was a music person, so we watched movies all day.  2nd graders STILL love the Magic School Bus!  haha Miss Frizzle (or should i say "the frizz") is so entertaining.

The 2nd day, we learned Halloween songs.  4th and 5th grade learned "Little Shop of Horrors" which they loved.  You should have seen how captivated they were when I told them the storyline about the singing, man-eating plant.  They were SO excited to learn it.  And of course they asked if we could learn a dance, so I said yes.  And then proceeded to make up one on the spot.  I am not a good dancer.  So we step-touched our way through much of the song.  And performed for their classroom teachers.  And it was full of awesomeness.  The kids were so pumped.  :) I like days like that.

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Last week's dinner menu was:

baked mac and cheese

baked potato soup (crockpot!) 

spaghetti (home made sacue)

chicken pad thai

It wasn't a very exciting week of meals.  The baked potato soup was good, but I didn't like it.  Well, Ben loved it. (I don't think he was faking it.) and I could see that it would be good.. if you liked baked potato soup, which apparently I don't.  I don't really like the flavor of potato in my soup.  Something about the soupy potato texture combo.  But, if you like baked potato soup, I suggest making it in the crockpot.  It's easy. and probably scrumptious.

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This week, we're starting a workout program called "Insanity."

I'm legitimately nervous.

and out of shape.

and not typically "insane" when it comes to exercise.

but i'm excited! 

and want to be in shape

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I have 38 piano students. 

My goal is 50 by January.

Our original goal was 20 by October.  

I had 20 in about 1 month of moving here.  

God is so faithful to do "above and beyond all we can ask or imagine."  (Eph 3:20)  That is the resounding theme of this season in our lives.  

Thankful thankful thankful for his great faithfulness.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end; 

They are new every morning;

Great is your faithfulness 

                   Lamentations 3:22-23

happy monday :)

friends

Here's a scene from last week's recess on the playground while I was subbing

Melanie (1st grader) is sitting alone, building mountains with the rock/sand/dirt.
Anna approaches Melanie, skipping.
Anna: "Can I play with you?"
Melanie: "Sure. you can build another mountain."
Anna: "ok."
1 minute later
Anna: "do you want to be my friend?"
Melanie (smiling): "yea. sure."

Random Tuesday

We are going home for Ben to run the Chicago Marathon this weekend.  I wonder if Chicago will always be home for me...?

Even though we're only going to be home for like 1 day, I'm STOKED!  [yeah, i said it]
I'm excited to see my family.
I'm excited to go to church.
I'm excited to see some girlfriends.
and I'm excited to see my husband accomplish his year-long goal of running his 1st marathon.

Yippeeeeeee!!!!!  [insert happy dance]

I started trying to sell stuff on ebay and craigslist for some extra moola.  Not much.  Just dabbling in it.  So far, I've made $36.92 (including shipping expenses and the couple things I purchased to resell.)  What's your best sale so far? you ask... I'm so glad you asked!  I bought a ladder bookshelf at a garage sale for $10 and sold it for $50.  I was pretty excited.  :)  Worst sale?  I lost money on shipping a CD through half.com.  Woops!

I'm going to make this as a message board for my piano area.  Click here if you want to make one too! It looks ridiculously easy.

My college roommate and I started a new Bible study together using A Woman of Hospitality, by Dee Brestin.  By the 3rd question, God had already shown me the difference between entertaining and hospitality.  And convicted me that I need to "entertain" less and serve others by being hospitable more.  I think this one's a winner.
               entertaining = for me
               hospitality = for others
 

Made 2 recipes with the crockpot last week.  (will share later) I.love.the.crockpot.  I was scared of it but thank goodness I got over that.  It's amazing!

true confessions - i'm on an NFL fantasy football team.  i let the computer pick my players. i'm ranked 6th out of 10. wah wah. 

we don't have t.v.  well, we have A t.v. but we can't watch anything on it.  no cable. tried a digital antenna thingy - didn't work in the basement. haven't gotten around to signing up for netflix. it's actually kinda refreshing.  i'm not one of those "i'm-better-than-you-because-i-don't-watch-t.v." people... i actually like t.v. a lot. but we don't have tons of time together at nights anyway because of weird schedules so it works for us for now.  we've discussed getting celebratory cable when we finishing paying my student loans... hopefully sooner than later.

happy tuesday,
ren

random thoughts

1. I've been measuring the time by Husker games.  Last week - Washington.  This week - Wyoming.  Next weekend - Wisconsin.  I live in Nebraska.

2. 2 no-shows to piano lessons this week.  1 was a miscommunication.  The other... still haven't heard from him.  Calling someone after they don't show is super awkward.  "uh. hi.  i thought we had scheduled for you to come at 3:00 yesterday?"  I usually say "I thought" because sometimes i'm wrong :) like when I called the lady who I thought didn't show. and she clearly told me she would be in Missouri and we'd start the next week.  ay ay ay embarrassing.  I've thought about calling people to remind them about their lessons at first. but I'm not their moms so i decided against it.  Dilemma - both of yesterday's no-shows came for a free trial lesson, took new books, and scheduled a 2nd lesson to come back.  They'd pay for the books and rest of the month's lessons at the 2nd lesson, which they didn't show up to.  wah wah.  this system has yet to screw me - usually people just forgot and show up the following week after i call. with $ in hand.

3.  My piano studio has some diversity.  Ages 4-69 and everything between.  I have a couple non-white students.  Also, big families, small families, Jehovah's witness family, rich old ladies, families on tight budgets who are SACRIFICING to give their kids piano lessons.  I admire that.  both my parents and my husband's parents sacrificed to give kids piano lessons in times of financial hardship.  it's worth it.  always.  i will never change my mind about that.  find the $20 every week and make it happen.  [stepping off my soapbox]

4. I finally finished Good to Great in God's Eyes by Chip Ingram.  I had put it on the backburner for a few weeks, but it was so good.  Read it!  Determine to be a GREAT Christian, not just a mediocre one.

5. I read this article about the gender-inclusive NIV Bible.  Didn't even know there was such a thing.  Personally, I think it's ridiculous.  Spending that much time and $ to publish a translation of the Bible that changes the words around to make girls feel better about the fact that most of the pronouns are "he."  come on now.  Plus, it's a little like saying, "God I know you are God and inspired the Scriptures to be holy, living, and active, but you are out of touch with the 21st century, so we need to help your Word by changing the 'his' to 'theirs.' Hope you don't mind."  It just seems like if the God of the universe inspired the author to say "he" or "brethren" we can just jump on board and understand it universally applies to people.   good gracious.

6.  Some of the things people feel free to write in blog world have the jaw-dropping shock effect on me.  For example, people will get into heated "discussions" by commenting back and forth.  on the internet.  i think, you would never say that in person.

7.  i habitually lock my car... after i park it... in the garage... that is attached to my house... and opens automatically from the inside only.  what can i say?  city girl.


Feeling random today.  hope you don't mind!!

Random Link Fun

I am not informed enough to post links to cool things on the internet consistently, but these are some things I've found that I  thought might be interesting to others...

Study the Bible more effectively with these tips.  (It's geared to preachers but applicable to all us non-preaching-lovers-of-God's-Word too.)

Flying on 9/1//2011  Woman racially profiled

What to do with kids and technology in this generation? (nope- not having a kid yet :) but we were just talking about this topic in our small group) technology and kids

I'm considering ordering this to create a fun, efficient calendar!  Plus it's pretty 

Pretty Fall Decor #1

Pretty Fall Decor #2


Happy web-surfing!  [remember when people called it that? i'm bringing it back] ;)

Wednesday.

Last weekend, we got this dining room table.  On craigslist....

for $140.  We had been looking at similar tables and they were running $300 or so new.  And this one is sturdier than some that we looked at.  The guy told us it was almost brand new and barely used.  Sometimes ads say that and it's NOT true... but this one looks brand new and has almost no scratches :) hip hip hooray for us.  I love a good deal... especially a good deal on something we need/want/were already planning to purchase.

So, in lieu of my recent craigslist success, I have been re-inspired to keep an out on craigslist for a good couch.  Probably we will just buy one new.  Couches are tricky to find used at a good deal- smells, stains, etc...  And the good ones go fast.  Plus they're a hassle to haul.  Anyway, while browsing craigslist, I came across this couch ad:

Ashley 3 piece set - $20 (Omaha)

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Date: 2011-09-13, 2:50PM CDT
Reply to: see below ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

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I have a 3 piece ashley retro style couch set.It has couch loveseat and ottoman.Its dirty needs cleaned.It was in a smoking enviroment and there are a few burn holes.They are still comfortable.They are a red fabric material and have chrome legs.Im only asking $20 considering the condition.Structurally still good and once cleaned they will be nice or throw a sheet over.All three pieces $20 Firm.If you can pickup and have cash Call me 402-612-2198 NO TEXTS These are not perfect so dont think you are getting perfect.They are dirty and have some burn holes but structually good.I dont have pictures.You haul I will remove once sold Thanks

What do you think?  Should I go for it? ;)

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In other random news, I was chit-chatting with my bro on g-chat yesterday afternoon.  To catch you up, he just moved to Palo Alto, California to start at Stanford - working towards a phd in engineering physics, more specifically the mini-field of "fluid dynamics."  The "quotes" are because I don't really know what it means. :)  If you'd like to read me bragging about Brian in a previous blog post, you may click here.  [What can I say? I'm a proud older sister... Plus he's probably the closest chance I'll ever have to knowing someone who will likely earn some sort of science prize or invent something really cool.]  Perhaps you'll find this conversation amusing.  

 me:  what project did you pick?

 brianpierce1010:  ahh yes

 brianpierce1010:  well for projects, my choices were 1) super hydrophobic surfaces research (something w/ navy), 2) flat plate boundary layer transition from laminar to turbulent flow, and 3) application of a new numerical method to Poissons equation.  I am pretty sure I am going to go w/ number 3

 me:  that's what i would have suggested

 brianpierce1010:  even though 1 probably sounds coolets in terms of the name

the actual work...not so much

 me:  and in terms of the the navy.  so number 3 will be the most interesting?

 brianpierce1010:  #3 is great though, cause if its successful, it could really save like everyone in the lab lots of simulation time

 me:  of course! what does that mean? like what will you do?

 brianpierce1010:  so like, a professor here came up w/ a new method for solving systems and i'll be trying to see if it can be applied to a common problem

u remember systems of equations? from like jr high, where u have maybe 2 equations, and two variables?

like, 2x + 4y = 6
and 3x + 2y = 4

something like that

 me:  oh yeah i know that.  i could totally be an engineer...

 brianpierce1010:  haha exactly  so to summarize, that is a 2x2 system (you don't count the 6 and 4)  its all abou twhats on the left hand side of the =

 me:  right... and you would be working with like 100 x 100 systems?

 brianpierce1010:  lol, that would be small

maybe like 10000x10000

maybe 1000x1000

something along those lines

and then u solve like 1000 of them

 me:  LOL  i was trying to exaggerate wtih 100

 brianpierce1010:  and so what computers all do now is use "Gaussian Elimination" which says you can solve it in about n^3 operations, but if n=10000, then n^3 is huge

 me:  woah. you lost me.

For the record, I did go on to have a fraction of understanding. but blah blah blah.

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I had the cutest piano student yesterday. She's 5 and smart.  From the first lesson, we learn a song by rote using the rhythm-words "pepperoni pizza" to play this rhythm:  (kids love this.  it mostly is for their finger technique/ hand position development)

   

So this little tyke is singing at the top of her lungs "PEPPERONI PIZZA- PEPPERONI PIZZA" while she plays her notes.  So cute.  Almost in tune.  :) 

Then, she looks over and giggles when she's done.  She loves the piano.  I wanted to video tape her singing, but decided that'd be creepy. Borderline pedifile since this is only her 3rd lesson with me.  Maybe once mom knows for sure I'm not a weirdo.  [or maybe the jury's still out on that... ;)]

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I'm going to work on blogging more regularly.  I enjoy it.  it's like journaling kinda.  but public.  so kinda not. 

ciao!

p.s. did you check out this post about my amazing husband running the Chicago Marathon???  you should.

 

Commentary on Life in Nebraska

1.  There is a big, beautiful, old house on the corner of our street, about 3 blocks down.  The corner of the lot is on a busy street, and I wanted to put a sign up advertising piano lessons.  There was a man in the yard one day, and I assumed he lived there, so I went up and introduced myself.  He told me he lives across the street, and when he build that house 45 years ago, his house was as far south as Lincoln went.  (It goes south for at least another 7 miles now...)  Anyway, he also told me "the little old lady that lives in this house [the big beautiful old one] is all by herself, so i [the man] come over and help her out with the yard once in a while."  I eventually met the lady in there - she's not that old - and she's super sweet!  Well, nearly every time I drive by, that man is sitting in her yard, on a bucket.  And he has another bucket beside him (and his dog) and he's picking up twigs, leaves, acorns, i don't know!  how sweet.  maybe they're life-long friends. the romantic in me thinks he loves her.

2.  Not too far down from that house I mentioned above, there is another house.  with a lot of dogs.  well, 3 to be exact.  small, medium, and large.  [baby bear, mama bear, and papa  bear size, if you will... haha i crack myself up.]  anyway, they are sad lookin' dogs.  for some reason, one of the dogs reminds me from the dog from The Fox and the Hound.  [does anyone remember that disney movie??]  They mosey around the yard.  One has funny lumps.  They don't bark.  Not sure what to think about these dogs.  It seems fitting that there are lots of "chatchkies" on the porch and in the yard.  [chatchkies... you know, lawn gnomes, random glass decor, pots with no flowers, etc...]

3. i love an attached garage.  seriously.  when it's raining, i don't get wet.  when i go grocery shopping, i just walk from the car right into my kitchen with the grocery bags. at heart, i love the city.  particularly Chicago.  :) but i can definitely adjust to life with an attached garage.

4. it costs me about $10 less (on average) to fill up my gas tank here in Lincoln than when we were living in the city (Chicago).  if i fill up once a week, that's $40/ month... $520/ year.  If I put that money into a college savings account (for the kids I don't have yet) at 5%, I'd have about $21,000 to contribute towards college.  Just from the difference in gas price between Lincoln and downtown Chicago.  However, I am charging about $7 less that I could charge in Chicago for private lessons.  So... that makes up for it.  and, who knows where we'll live when Ben is done with school.  but, i'm just saying.

5.  There is no Marshall's or Homegoods store here.  Good for my wallet.  Sad for my shopping.  (There is a poorly stocked TJ Maxx that I like to stop by...)

6a.  People get really excited about Husker football.  I have to admit, it's kinda contagious.  I didn't grow up watching a ton of football, although the Bears games were on every sunday.  My mom is a huge Bears fan.  My uncle always jokes she's the biggest Bears fan in our family.   She knows every player, all the rules of the game.  So, Sundays in the Pierce house, you will find her blaring the Bears game so she can hear it from the kitchen where she's making a yummy dinner.  And every so often, she'll walk into the living room to see a great play :)  Anyway, Husker Football.  Like I said, it's contagious.  Now I married into husker football, so I really had no choice but to become a fan.  But it's more fun to be a fan in Lincoln than it was in Chicago.  Because everybody is.  The grocery stores have big "N" flags in the window. 

The whole downtown has these signs:

6b. Every other house has some sort of Nebraska "paraphenalia" displayed - door signs, giant corn, flags.  [Side story - I was seeing all sorts of Wooden "N's" on people's doors... they looked like monograms.  like, i might put a C on my front door for Cook.  and i thought to myself, a lot of people have a last name that starts with N.  Well, I quickly caught on... NEBRASKA!]  Every store has Nebraska gear for sale - shirts, hats, jackets, sweatshirts.  And they're on the front display.  Of course! Where else would they be?

6c.Wives that didn't grow up loving football seem to have 2 options - sulk because you think football season steals your husband & talk about it with your girlfriends OR embrace it.  :)  I'm embracing it :)  GO BIG RED!!  Plus, I like football.  Fun to watch, cozy fall weekend afternoons, an excuse to get together with friends and yummy snack food.  what's not to love? 

7.  That's all for now.


Signing off from Nebraska,
Ren

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Thrift Stores

I'm not one of those cool people who gets all their clothes from thrift stores and still looks pulled together (like this girl). But i do like browsing at a goodwill or salvation army here and there.  And I especially like it for certain things.

For example, shirts for Ben for his T.A. job.  we put this particular shirt back... a little too much rainbow sherbert goin on.

 but we got all these :)

And lamps.  I needed an extra lamp for my new scrapbooking space (which I LOVE having).  And I ran into this guy for 99 cents :) All he needs is a head.

 The reason I was so excited about that little yellow lamp is because he matches the other little yellow lamp I have.  Which I also got at Goodwill. For $2.99. like 3 years ago.

Now my crafting will be well lit :) Totally relevant side story - i created a scrapbook page the other day, feeling good about it.  only to look at it in better light and realize the papers didn't match like i thought they did.  enter a 2nd lamp. 

As we were packing to move out of our Chicago apartment, I found a giant bin of VHS movies.  Who watches those right?  Ben reluctantly let me donate them along with our VHS player, which we hadn't used all year.  (He wanted to save them. I hate clutter and I especially don't like unused clutter.  and i love to throw things out, sometimes to the extreme.)

But, on the infamous night last week when we went to the Salvation Army Thrift Store to get Ben's shirts, we saw all these fun old movies while standing in line.  Ben started picking some up. I followed suit.  They were 99 cents.  We purchased them, went back to the electronics section, picked out a VHS player for $5.99 and the rest is history.