Starting next weekend I have something major going on for the next 5 weekends in a row–capping off the final weekend with my piano contest. Which means, this weekend is really the last “relaxing” weekend for a while.
So, Tim and I went on a wonderful date today. We went to Bonfire grill (I had a gift card, yippie!) and ordered a Chicken Club sandwich (Yum!). They put us at a high top table right next to a fireplace which was nice and cozy. Then we scoped out a natural foods store that I found just down the road (which is actually really awesome, especially if I need something specific or organic) then we went to Lowe’s (that’s right folks, all awesome dates once you’re married end up at Lowe’s or Menards!) and then we capped it off with a much needed car wash. See, doesn’t that sound like fun? I thought it was spectacular!
This week was very taxing on me emotionally. I had a rough encounter with a parent of one of my students that really upset me for a bit. I don’t want to go into any details on here (just in case…) but let’s just say it upset me. It’s all over now. I’m actually still waiting to hear back from the student, but I’ve communicated as kindly and clearly as I can and now have my peace in the situation. Tim said it well, when he reminded me that in all the years of teaching and ALL of the students I’ve had contact with I really only had a small handful of problems. And for that I am EXTREMELY grateful.
On a lighter note… wanna hear about my sad lamp story? Here is my lamp (yes, they were in a cheap 3 pack set from WalMart, so I really shouldn’t be surprised)…
I noticed the other day that my lamp was starting to smell funny and, wait for it… smoke. Yes, smoke. And I thought to myself… that’s not good. So I looked more closely and the whole top of the plastic lamp shade had disintegrated and was falling directly onto the light bulb.
Even now there is plastic melted ONTO the light bulb… which I tried to take a picture of but it really doesn’t show up well on camera. I guess you’ll just have to use your imagination. So, I quickly moved the metal plate to the inside of the lamp shade which protected it more, but the damage was already done (and no, I didn’t originally install it backwards, because I know that’s what you’re thinking…) So today on our date to Lowe’s we used part of a gift card we had to purchase new lampshades with METAL brackets inside. You know, the way lamp shade should be made… See how pretty!
Way prettier lamp shade, too!
Sorry about the encounter with a parent, but, like Tim said, it’s going to happen eventually when you deal with the public as you do, and you must be doing an awesome job that this is the first time. I still remember the time a parent took their students out of lessons with me, telling me that she wanted them to “learn to play musically” and they weren’t learning that from me. Actually, they never practiced and it is very hard to play something musically when you can’t even play the notes, but what could I say? But I understand how upsetting that can be when you think everyone is happy, then you find out someone isn’t. I don’t know about you, but it shakes me up so much that I begin to doubt everything I’m doing. But, like everything else, it passes. And maybe even makes us a little better teachers.
Keep up the great work!
I love you,
Mom
I love the new lamp shade!
And I know what you mean about best dates ending at Lowe’s. 🙂 Our favorite dates are going out to a place for sandwiches and walking across the street to wander around Barnes and Noble looking at books that we don’t usually buy. It’s not super fancy or anything, but it’s definitely US.
Good luck with your parent/student situation. And lots of luck on your next several busy weekends!