Monday, December 6, 2010

Talent Show

 

Our Ward Primary had a talent show this last Saturday.  For two weeks prior to this event Ethan had been talking about playing his harmonica for his talent.  He was so excited about it and kept getting after me to sign him up for it.  Well, being the procrastinator mom that I am, two days before the show, I finally sign him up.  The night before the show we were out late at a christmas market and when we got home he realized he hadn’t practiced at all for the show.  In fact, I couldn’t remember the last time I had heard him play it.  He wanted us to set his alarm for 6 a.m. the next morning so he could practice.  Luckily we talked him into 7 a.m. because that is just insanely too early for a Saturday morning.  Turns out when he got up he couldn’t find his harmonica.  He looked everywhere.  He finally found it minutes before we left and of course we were running late.  So on the way over I talk him into playing it at least once so he would be somewhat prepared before getting up on stage.  I was so impressed with him.  When it was his turn, he went right up and played his harmonica without any hesitation and did a great job.  This kid won’t talk to people, but he has the confidence to play an instrument he hasn’t practiced in front of a room full of people.  Sometimes I wonder if we are related because I would definitely have to practice for a month before I would agree to perform in front of anyone.

 

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Another Learning Experience

 

Today I decided to go to Pflanzen-Kolle.  This place is amazing.  It’s a garden center that’s two levels with a craft section, a large christmas decoration section, and even a pet store with the cutest bunnies you’ve ever seen.  I saw that they were selling christmas trees the last time I was there, so I went today to see how much they are…turns out they are a lot more than I want to spend on a tree that’s dying.  Anyway, I didn’t want to come away empty handed so I decided to buy some poinsettas.  I decided on three different ones and a bag of potting soil.  I didn’t have any change with me, so I couldn’t get a cart.  I found one of those carrying baskets and I put half of my stuff in there and carried the other half.  When I went to purchase I got instructed in German that I could not put my basket on the counter and had to empty it and put it away before I could purchase anything…at least this is what I gathered from the hand gestures she was making because I didn’t understand any of it.  Once I made it through that part and paid for everything.  I gathered everything in my arms and started walking out.  Then I heard some more very stern instructions in German again.  I turned around, and yes, she was talking to me.  This time I could not figure out what she was saying, so I asked “Sprechen Sie English?” and of course she didn’t, but luckily another customer did and told me I had to wrap my plants before I could leave.  I was a little bit confused, but I walked over to the wrappings and tried to wrap my plants by watching someone else.  Apparently I wasn’t doing it right because she came over and showed me how.  I had to do the other two on my own after that.  Who knew that buying three little plants was going to be so difficult.  The thing I learned from all of this, is that these things don’t bother me anymore.  Who knew?  I feel embarrassed or stupid.  These are common feelings I used to get anytime I tried doing anything on my own in the economy.  I must be growing up or getting used to it so much that it’s normal now :)  Anyway, I had to take a picture of my cute little wrapped babies.  The two I wrapped are on the left.  I have to say, I did a pretty good job for my first time (after being instructed, that is) :)

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I realized when planting my little babies that the wrappings are an ingenious idea.  I did it all of the potting on the paper, which meant very little clean-up.  Also, I didn’t have to worry about the soil spilling all over in the car and I think it kept them warmer out in the freezing weather.  So, once again, the Germans have another great idea.  Maybe we do this in the U.S. too, but I’m not an experienced plant buyer…obviously :)

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