Just Dragging

Ever since Blond Girl's incident and consequent trip to the hospital I have been basically unable to get back into the groove of things.. It seems I am always just a bit out of step.

This is frustrating for me because I have spent a very long time and a lot of effort to fight anemia, depression and frustration. To find that I had settled into a rythmn of sorts and yet this one just through me for a loop.

It is hard juggling my life because I have this split very public/very private life. As many sufferers and survivors of abuse do I keep my troubles very very close. I don't share with others what is really going on in my life and when I do, things are usually better. Then I have no problem sharing, well some things..

I just feel battled, bruised and not the victor in day to day life right now. Alone, abandoned and completely without my support base. I have plenty of lovely acquainances and many people who have stepped out and offered a helping hand.. but few friends, if any.. who call and say hey, let's hit the show. Or want to discuss what I am reading.. I created this wonderful and fantastic new site and I have no one to really share it with.

Then of course there is family, sometimes I wonder if I did the kids a disservice.. I feel disconnected from them, while they have become that cohesive unit I always wanted them to be. They will never feel like they are unwanted or unappreciated amongst their siblings.. They will never feel like there they sit with their faces to the window.. on the wrong side, seeing a lovely family unit, knowing that they should be a part of it and yet, aren't.

Yeah, I am suffering a setback.. I know I can not rely on anyone to define who I am except myself, but it would be nice, if just once.. one of those people who claim to care for me got it.. got that while I am not some week useless creature (that most of my family sees me as) I am also not that strong fortress (that most of the community sees). I am me, no more, no less.

Making It Public - Part 2

Upon leaving High School in 1980 I was completely prepared to go forth and live my life for Christ. Well as prepared as an 18 year old can be for facing the adult world. I was well armoured and ready to become a soldier of Christ (a phrase from my childhood) more than that I was excited. I had my armour, my shield and my banner and of course those three verses that I had claimed as my very own.

Number 2 was

Is 40:31

They that wait upon the Lord

Shall renew their strength

They shall mount up with wings as eagles

They shall run and not be weary

They shall walk and not feint.

One of the benefits of attending a private protestant high school is the fact that they not only teach you the bible they expect you to incorporate your learning into your everyday life. We used bible verses as part of each of our classes, clubs and teams. Each group would pick a verse that they felt best described them and would use it as part of their meditations, in a way it was another form of a mascot only this time it was the mascot of our faith. Is 40:31 was something of an "it" verse back in the day. It was used frequently it didn't hurt that it had been put to music and was sung often during chapel as well as at church. Our softball team even used it as our team verse so obviously it must be a good one..

Can anyone tell me what a child can possibly know about waiting, this is the age group that invented the phrase "are we there yet". As a teenager waiting means dreading that the phone won't ring and you won't have a date for the weekend or waiting for the results of a particularly difficult test, or waiting to see if you made the play or the team or won the election. Or standing at home plate and waiting for that perfect pitch. Needless to say I had no clue what waiting was and even less on waiting upon God.

When I left school I had such great plans, fantastic hopes and dreams. I had no idea how I was going to make these plans, hopes and dreams happen only that surely they would all fall into place. I knew God had plans for me I even had an idea of what they were. Even now all these years later I believe that. What I didn't understand was that God didn't just have plans for me He had a plan! I knew I was supposed to be a wife and mother. I knew that God had these plans for me, that this was where I would serve God best. Accepting these plans would be defying my family but I understood that I needed to follow God. And yes I said defying. My family expected me to be a doctor, a lawyer, president, a career woman. An interesting mover and shaker. So believe me when I say being "just" a wife and mother was a defiance. I was told "no one has a right to freeload like that" that I was "wasting my brain" and other such things.

Because of the way I was brought up I honestly believed I was "sacrificing" my life for God. But I am an arrogant fool, God gives you your gifts does that not mean He expects us to use them? And when you follow God's plan for you, you do it in His time not yours.

When I was 22 I met a man, a totally unsuitable man, one who had been wicked and wild

divorced not once but twice but he had turned his back on that and was dedicated to family or so he said. He was a good son a dedicated father, charismatic and sexy. He was the flame and I was the moth circling it until I was all but blind to God's plans. I knew I was getting older (ok, stop laughing I was 22 that is old when you are 22) and I needed to get on with God's plan. I was so afraid that no one was going to want me (again not waiting for God and certainly not trusting in Him) no one would love me that I would be alone for the rest of my life missing out on the chance to be wife and mother I rushed into a relationship. Looking back, knowing the two of us as I do now I have to admit I not only rushed into it I forced it. What a disaster!!! I survived a marriage that can easily be described as hell on earth. No joy, no happiness, no life of living according to God's plan. There was misery, despair, disdain, drudgery and contempt. God was not a part of my marriage! I am lucky that God did not abandon me but no instead He continued to protect me even in my arrogance. I stayed in that fiasco of a marriage for 10 long years before finally ending it.

Even then I did not as for God's guidance I knew what had to be done. Yet with every wrong choice, every time I rushed forward knowing what was wrong and ready to fix it all by myself. God blessed and protected me. Why? well not because I am some prize of a follower nope because He loves me and has plans for me. It took me a long long time to let go and really let God. I would pray but then I would start bargaining, then I would ask for forgiveness and say I knew I wasn't supposed to try and bargain with Him, then I would ask for help but I would lay out my plans and let Him know how I needed His help. I did not listen to what He wanted done and I certainly did not wait upon His plans.. Oh arrogant, arrogant child. Can you not just picture God sitting there shaking His head after we finished our little talks? I am so lucky that God did not give up on me.

Now I find myself praying not for what I need as much as for the ability to wait upon God's timing. That I will learn to listen not control. Even as I write this I wonder at my motives. Am I truly trying to share what God has done in my life? Or am I trying to manipulate God's plans again? See one of the negatives to rushing God's plans is that when He speaks you are not quite sure if it is Him. I mean we don't get a lot of burning bushes these days. So you tremble and pray it isn't once again your ego and arrogance taking charge trying to "fix" things.

I submit these words to God asking Him to use them as He sees fit, even if that means He doesn't use them at all. I hope finally I am on the right path and am using one of the gifts He gave me in a manner that becomes Him. and yes, I am praying that I learn to listen and wait.

Piggy Poop and the Environment

I was reading the news yesterday and I cam across the most interesting article. It seems some farmers in Europe have found a way to well recycle piggie poop, they eliminate the methane gas that damages the environment, run their farms and send energy back along the grid. It seems the piggies actually poop in a certain place which sends it down a chute (yes piggies can be semi domesticated and for lack of better term house trained) Come on admit it you are laughing..

The thing is everyone was wondering if this would eventually just be another way for rich countries to buy carbon credits and say they are more energy efficient. and of course this alone will help but not fix the problem.. and that makes me think, yes it will not fix the problem but it will help it and if everyone does one thing to help the situation think how much farther along we would be.

For my part I have to think.. Remember when Al Gore said we have less than a decade to reverse the problem? I know many think he is being hysterical and over dramatic and that he is wrong but my question is... What if he is right? For that reason alone everyone should do what they can..

Lessons Learned

I have been wading through a quagmire of emotions lately. In general I am a positive person to such an extreme that I have been accused of living in fantasyland.. I don't I never have I just choose to not let the bad things win. Over the past year or so the bad things have been winning.. I have lost some dear friends because I sank so deep into the abyss.. I am clawing myself out moment by moment.. I am actually quite proud of my accomplishments.

Today I was reading some blogs and I found this one Women's Self Esteem and it really just called to me. I found it to be articulate and well thought out as well as being dead on.. It reminded me that life is a series of choices and we could choose to be happy.. to be positive and to find joy or we could choose to let it all slip away and be miserable.

I find I personally prefer to be happy.. I find I no longer want to dwell in the world of woe is me... I am going to make it about others once again..

thanks Dorothy.. that was brilliant

IT IS OFFICIAL

What you may ask?? Well the fact that I am PLAINLY INSANE

The other day I was reading a blog over at Darnuth Keep and realized how very much I enjoyed them. I envied Kelly the ability to do this. I envied her ability to be responsible and dedicated I envied her, her ability to take the time to write such beautiful words and I envied her, her desire to hone her craft.

Then I woke up and realized that I did not need to envy her, no I could emulate her. From tomorrow on.. well maybe tonight depending on when I accomplish this feat. I am going to post a poem a day.

What I liked most about Kelly was her admission that hey the goal was a poem a day but it didn't always happen. She did not beat herself up over this nope she just kept plugging away. So that is my goal.. to write a poem a day but to realize that some days life will not allow for this.

I also liked the fact that she felt these poems were not always her best work but continued to post them.. why? because while they were not her best work they did help her to hone her craft.. so that is my goal to write a poem a day and to realize that they may not be my best effort but an effort still..

I honestly can not believe I am starting yet another blog but there you have it I am PLAINLY INSANE and IT IS OFFICIAL

so please all feel free to come along for the ride on my brand spanking new blog.. too young to even earn an entrecard.. Shauni's Dreams that Come

A Cinquain Challenge

I have been challenged by a friend to write two Cinquains.. now she challenged me in an entirely different format and I have chosen to accept, just me being me I have chosen to accept on my terms not hers.. giggles sorry sweetie can't help it. So here they are about me.. enjoy

Shauni
Creative, Insane
Insecure, Loyal and Emotional
Me

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MOM
Unique, Bohemian
Promising, Interesting, Annoying
A Mom to four, what more can be said
ME

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shauni
Polite, Bright, Strong
Seeking, Growing, Learning
Ever Insistant there is More
Shauni

So here is my challenge to you.. write a Cinquain, make it blog appropriate.. see this blog is about me therefore my cinquains are aboutme.. my other blog Jugglingteens is about my kids so my cinquains would be as well.

What is a Cinquain you may ask? It is a poem, structured and concise not unlike a haiku in it's regiment just less known outside of poetry circles for some reason.. guess haiku just sounds sexier or something.. The poems can be of three separate styles within and hold a separate purpose for each style. The style types are outlined below.

• Line1: One word
  Line2: Two words
  Line 3: Three words
  Line 4: Four words
  Line 5: One word

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Line1: A noun
  Line2: Two adjectives
  Line 3: Three -ing words
  Line 4: A phrase
  Line 5: Another word for the noun

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

• Line1: Two syllables
  Line2: Four syllables
  Line 3: Six syllables
  Line 4: Eight syllables
  Line 5: Two syllables

Thank You All

On my last post I gave in to feelings of helplessness and despair. This is not my usual type of post. By nature I am a positive tomorrow is a another day kind of girl. I have spent a lifetime not refusing to see but refusing to let the trials and tribulations get me down. In a way it was the greatest gift God ever gave me, the ability to see that there is always hope. Unfortunately sometimes even I get overwhelmed and yesterday it hit with a vengeance.

I thought that I would just curl up and ignore what was coming wait for it to pass and then on Monday start picking up the pieces.. I wrote the words here because finally I had a place to say them. Instead of shoving them away or sucking it up and accepting that bad choices make a bad life. Of course my bad choices revolve around living a positive life, raising kids and committing my adult life to making them better people. No drugs, No alcohol, No cigarettes.. my addiction of choice.. books.. yes that is right I read to escape. Anyway back on track...

Yesterday I gave in to despair and I was offered such words of support and comfort both in my comments and in my private emails. Thank you all so very much I honestly didn't see that one coming. It was a gift beyond measure so while it still sucks that I can not do what I dream of for my kids I can take solace in the fact that there are those out there with compassionate and generous hearts..

Thank You

Thursday 13 #4 - 13 things I never knew

So it is Thursday and I decided to join the Thursday 13 crew, for more information on this one go check out this blog and maybe come along for the fun..

Thirteen Things I never knew

1. I never knew that no matter how hard I am pushed I can stand tall in what I believe.

2. I never knew that a child with ADHD qualifies for social security benefits... parents check this out there are requirements but I gave up 8 YEARS of financial assistance not because we didn't qualify or I chose not to but because I DID NOT KNOW.

3. I never knew life was going to be this hard

4. I never knew I would be alone at 46 and prefer it to being miserable in a marriage

5. I never knew I would have such a wonderful outlet in the blogging world

6. I never knew how very precious true friends are.. thank you those most precious

7. I never knew just how much I would sacrifice for my kids..

8. I never knew that no matter how wise I would get there would always be glimpses of the blond in me.

9. I never knew how very much I wanted to travel

10. I never knew how important other people's opinions of me would become..

11. I never knew I would long for the days when I was in school not because it was a fun time but because I just want to keep learning...

12. I never knew how hard it would be to come up with 13 things.. sheesh..

13. I never knew that I would dream of writing and taking pictures for a living..

giggles another 13 down

Not Me Mondays #5

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. I personally found it at On the Verge a blog that has a wicked take on raising multiple children. Something I obviously have in common with both authors of the above mentioned blogs.

Today I am not going to......

1. I am not going to be upset that one dinner with my ex erased years of hard work with my son and his acceptance of his ADHD.

2. I am not going to stress that I actually am starting to have job interviews again.

3. I am not going to drool over the tea's at teavana.

4. I am not going to buy that nifty little black number that is for sale at old navy.

5. I am not going to do the happy dance now that spring break is over.

6. I am not going to worry about my daughter and her self image...

7. I am not going to do spring break laundry.. really I am going to leave it sit there for weeks on end.

8. I am not going to write 4 blogs today.

9. I am not going to worry about if I am making the right choices in my life.

10. I am not going to learn to soar.. stand on my own and be free...

have a great day all... I am not going to..

Thanks to my Top Droppers

I wanted to take the time and really thank my top droppers this month. Especially since I have been woefully behind in my dropping.. shoot in my blogging, so much has been going on in my life that I just get overwhelmed but so many of you continue so I do thank each and every one of you.

Dropper # of drops BMWF1Blog 31 DJ Tammy Squels 31 Scandinavian Ways - Winesworlds blog 31 1 Blog and 2 Sides 28 Proud Mommy 27 Parental Instincts 27 Lola's Diner 27 The Way I See It 27 Avoid Money Scams 26 Dungeon Siege Cheats 26

Keeping it a Secret!!

Just between you me and the fencepost I am off on an adventure and having the grandest time. To honestly appreciate this you have to realize what a completely devoted parent I am (ok poor but devoted sounds better). In the almost 21 years that I have been a parent I have left my children a total of (including this trip) 18 days. Now we can all do the math but since I have a calculator handy I will do it, but that is a total of .8571 days of vacation per year. AHHH Motherhood, the carreer choice for the terminally insane. AND on every other trip away from my kids it was about going home.. So while it was pleasant it was still fraught with it;s own share of stress.

This trip is about me me me me me.. Actually it was a gift! I can not afford such a thing, can not even envision taking a trip to anywere (sheesh the mall would look exciting to me these days) so to have this dropped in my lap was an amazing event. I will not go into detail as to the hows and whyfores we can just say something about frequent flyer miles and gift cards that were expiring... however it worked out I am sitting in a bed and breakfast in Monterey waiting to begin my day..

Friends are on their way down to meet us and we are going to explore our surrondings. Tonight there will be pictures! I am having a bit of guilt (not in leaving the children) as I am so close to home and not gonna call. That was appeased a little when I found out that my loving maternal parent was off galivanting on her own..

Anyway see you all soon

Not Me Monday - #4

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. I personally found it at On the Verge a blog that has a wicked take on raising multiple children. Something I obviously have in common with both authors of the above mentioned blogs.

What am I not going to do this week?

1. I am not going to feel bad because I missed last week.
2. I am not going to go bonkers trying to get everything ready for my trip.
3. I am not going to rush to the school so I can pay for the girls trip to Florida
4. I am not going to stress out with my editing job that I got (since my grammar sucks)
5. I am not going to argue with my daughter over well, take your pick....
6. I am not going to worry about finances..

I just love this game... have a great day all

Thursday 13 # 2 - 13 Places I Want to Go

So it is Thursday and I decided to join the Thursday 13 crew, for more information on this one go check out this blog and maybe come along for the fun..

13 Places I want to go....

1. Barcelona, Spain

2. The Great Wall of China

3. The Appalachian Trail

4. Giza

5. Moscow, Russia

6. Australia

7. Machu Pichu

8. The Panama Canal

9. Istanbul, Turkey

10, Athens Greece

11. Venice, Italy

12. The Galapagos

13. Everywhere Else.... I know a cope out but I want to see everything, everywhere, although I know I wont get there the dream is waiting

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. I personally found it at On the Verge a blog that has a wicked take on raising multiple children. Something I obviously have in common with both authors of the above mentioned blogs.


So today what am I not going to do?

1. I am not going to be excited that it is the last day before the kids finally go back to school

2. I am not going to wait in anticipation for the new Anne Bishop book

3. I am not going to go grocery shopping

4. I am not going to do laundry, I am not, not, not

5. I am not going to worry about my weight


yes I know today's not me is a bit short but I am not quite awake yet..

Thursday Thirteen #1 - 13 Things I am Going to do Today

So it is Thursday and I decided to join the Thursday 13 crew, for more information on this one go check out this blog and maybe come along for the fun..


So 13 Things I am going to do today

1. Tell my children I love them, all four of them

2. Read a book, not sure which one since I have read all the ones I own

3. Talk to my friend Karen, not a day goes by when I don't get the joy of speaking with her

4. Look for a job, going to hope today is the day I find one.

5. Smile at a stranger

6. Laugh for the simple pleasure of laughing

7. Appreciate that there is no snow on the ground

8. Write

9. Do the dishes, yuck I know but real life sometimes Must interfere

10. Take a walk

11. Be there for a friend who may need me

12. Watch for robins

13. Just be happy that I am alive and healthy and that my kids are as well

So there you have it my very first Thursday 13

Every Now and Then

I know I have mentioned before I love sports. The concept, the action, the ideal. I love that in theory you play to win but honor the rules that it isn't all about winning but the game. Oh, I know with the onset of big business in our sports world that concept has been lost to some.

But occasionally that spirit shines through. I read this article a couple of days ago and it brought tears to my eyes. It made me proud oh so proud. With all the embarrassing behavior of the state of Illinois' leaders it made me especially proud. Our children have class..

Basically, in a cross state rivalry, there was a team from Wisconsin who had a stellar young athlete who lost his mom the day of the game. He of course wasn't on the roster but decided to show up to support his team. As a way to help stem the grief, the coach let him play. Now the rules say.. if you play someone not on the game's roster then the other team is given two technical free throws..

Here is where it gets interesting, the opposing Coach ARGUED with the officials tried his hardest to REFUSE the shots.. Finally after several minutes he conceded the free throws had to be taken those were the rules. So he looked to his players asked who was going to step up and do the job. In steps one of his seniors, a leader on the team. Proudly, walking to the Free Throw line, showing team spirit and integrity he promptly tanked the shots.. In an obvious show of good sportsmanship the ball barely left his hands. Just enough to appease the rule book. AND THE CROWD went wild!!! (did i mention the game was in Wisconsin).

I am so very proud of all of these players.. both of these teams. For remembering it is not about winning but about how you play the game.

LIfe's Been A Bit Interesting

So my life has been rather interesting of late and then one could almost say it is just the norm.. my life is always interesting (yeah, if interesting means chaotic, crazed and out of control). But this week it has been good interesting.

My friend, my best of friends who was in the hospital with a heart attack FINALLY came home. Yes, after four long weeks he is home and recovering. It is difficult to imagine the anguish his attack has been on his loved ones but last night I heard his girl laugh. Really and truly laugh. These days we somehow think of heart attacks as almost blase.. that you go in get fixed and poof.. but no, they can take a long time to heal. The good news is, he will.

Another friend, the amazing Vonnie, has decided to follow me into the land of blogging. I have warned her, she is insane and will quickly succumb to blog withdrawals when not blogging but she valiantly ventured forth. As we all do she is going to be stumbling and fumbling to make her way into this wild world we cal blogging but please all, go on and give her a visit.. Now of course being a friend of mine overachieving being in the blood. She has not one, not two but THREE blogs.. but here they are.. Welcome Walmart Shoppers , The Fashionable Wench , My Crazy Life As I said she is insane but she has a great heart and could use the friends..

And finally rumor has it I am actually going to be receiving a check tomorrow.. So that would be last weeks,child support check if i happen to get this weeks as well I am so going glasses shopping. I completely broke mine and desperately need a new pair..

Oh well, have a fabulous day all

Not Me Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week. I personally found it at On the Verge a blog that has a wicked take on raising multiple children. Something I obviously have in common with both authors of the above mentioned blogs. So I decided to give this NOT ME MONDAY concept a try.


I am not upset that my daughter deleted the video of her sister singing at the school spaghetti and a song program - the only copy from both families
I do not let it bother me that I found 7 plates strewn about the place, all dirty, none in the kitchen
I am not upset that the trash bag is still by the front door although all four have left and had to walk by the trash room when as they left the building.
It does not bother me that pita boy never seems to leave.
I am not going to do laundry although there must be 25 loads waiting to be done.

Wow, that was fun but I am not going to have to find more exciting things to not do next week.

accountabilty

Accountability is a rather irksome thing, as a matter of fact most people are more than ready to make sure others are accountable for their actions but refuse to accept any for their own.

Life is about choices the ones we make and the ones we don't make. As we go through life we make decisions and most of what happens to us is based on those decisions. Oh, you say what if you are hit by a truck while sitting at a bus stop. No it is not your fault but you did decide to go to the bus stop. I know that is silly to think someone is responsible for their own accident and of course they aren't but that was my point on decisions.

But accountability is an entirely different thing, when you make a choice and set the wheels in motion you are accountable for your actions. If only to yourself, you have to decide if it was worth it, if your actions were worth the consequences. Oh there is often the vindication of the self righteous but so often they are just as guilty as the guilty...

In the end you are accountable to your God, your society, your community, to yourself but the only person you are only accountable FOR is yourself. So if you decide to tilt at windmills then are mocked, if you can accept the consequences of your actions go ahead.. tilt away. If you need to take a stand you must understand that you could loose much more than you gain and you have to decide if those consequences are worth it. The one thing you should never do is blame others for the consequences of your actions.

How does that work? Goodness only knows and yes there are those who will take advantage of your willingness to take responsibility they will use it as a means of saying that they were right and you have to accept that too.. People are just that people, they make mistakes and sometimes when they make a choice that others feel is a mistake in the end it is the right choice.

In the end you have to be able to live with yourself. Often we are so indoctrinated into making others like us we forget that simple fact. We have to be able to look ourselves in the mirror day after day after day. Yes it is ever so much easier to point out the flaws of others to mock the choices others make. To point our fingers in sweeping condemnation of those around us than to say hey, maybe I have to look at my choices..

Just a thought

Music in the Schools

Life is getting hard, schools are buckling down they are pushing for more advanced learning and no child left behind...

But what gets lost in the process, always music and art. Now some consider this frivolous spending, they feel the money should be used elsewhere but somewhere along the line we seem to have forgotten a few things.

First off quality of life, education is important we need to be able process all of the information that comes with the lives we are living. BUT music plays such an integral part of our lives... it portrays the fabric of our lives creates a background of who and what we are... how many of us remember a certain song fondly, thinking of what we were doing when we first heard it? or we use music to explain an emotion or thought.

Secondly, children who learn music learn other things better. I have a son who refused to believe he could master fractions.. when one day I looked at Him and said, hon you read music what exactly do you think that is? From that day on he believed in himself... of course it is proven that it helps children to focus, they are more disciplined and in general just do better in school. So with that thought why don't we teach more music instead of less.

Thirdly, while we don't admit it we value our musicians we respect them, where do you think many of them learned their first instrument?

I have four fabulous children all of whom play at least one instrument 3 of them multiple ones. My oldest plays, alto sax, bari sax, tuba, trombone, bass trombone, electric guitar, acoustical guitar, bass guitar and several other instruments at random.. but the ones listed are the ones he has if not mastered, excelled at. My second son plays the trombone and has a fabulous tenor voice, my oldest daughter plays the alto sax, bari sax and is begging to play percussion. and the youngest.. well she plays, trumpet, tuba, trombone and has a fabulous contralto voice... I know without a fabulous music program in the schools my children would have been missing an important part of their lives... I do not have the talent to teach them something like this.

I just feel we need to rally around our music programs, take pride in them, during the school year check it out, see when the local high school is having a concert, go see them. If you have small children, take them.. let them see what they can do. What is out there for them, there is more to life than sports...

Oh for the record my children are all also competitive swimmers.. so they did not lack in athletics.. and all have the brains to excel in school...whether or not they choose to is another matter.

my point... support your local school band..