Texas Society for Music Theory Conference

This weekend was the Texas Society for Music Theory Conference and I got to present part of my thesis in a poster session. This means I set up my poster and people walk around and ask questions concerning your research. I thought it went pretty well! The composer I am writing my thesis about, Stephen Lias, was there and we got to talk some more which is always helpful! Dr. Lias is pictured with me in the above picture.

Next week, I will be traveling with some grad students to Baton Rouge, LA where I will present another poster on my composer. Stay tuned for more music nerdiness!

p.s. I realize the letters are not perfectly straight on my poster but in my defense, I was on some heavy cold medicine when I glued it and it looked straight at the time! Ha!

Baby Blanket

This post is mostly for my mom but since you are here feel free to read! I made this blanket for Amanda's new baby Casen. I bought the material already blocked (the puppies and everything) and I just sewed the front to the back and tied the border. I thought it turned out pretty good, especially considering I didn't use a pattern of any kind. I'm slowly getting better at this sewing stuff! Thanks Mom!!

San Diego...My New Favorite Place!

I went to San Diego this past week and Ben and I had a fantastic time together AGAIN! The picture above is at the Cabrillo National Monument. Saturday was Ben's only full day off while I was out there so we took full advantage of the time and the great weather!

We went to the movies in the morning, had some great In 'N Out Burger for lunch. Then we went to Ocean Beach and sat and watched surfer's for awhile. Then we headed to Cabrillo to walk around and see the Lighthouse and get a bit of history and culture while enjoying a fantastic view at the same time. That night, we celebrated Valentine's Day with some fabulous Omaha steaks we grilled and Ben surpised me with a beautiful bouquet of pink tulips (one of my favorite flowers!). What a great way to spend the day! Thanks sweet Ben!!!

There's a New Boy in My Life...

And his name is Joshua Casen Nichols! Josh and Amanda had their sweet Casen on Wed. January 30, 2008. He weighed 9 lbs. 2 oz. and was 21.5 in. long!

I can't wait to meet him in person. Amanda tells me he loves to be held so he AND I are both in luck because I LOVE to hold babies!!





He's a handsome one already!

More Talk of Marriage...

So my cd player in my classroom broke last week and I've had to use my laptop as the main output for music in my classes. Well...I have a picture of Ben and I on my desktop. Usually I have my itunes already pulled up but today the picture of Ben and I was visible and it spurred quite a discussion...

Boy: Miss Stephens is that your husband?

Miss Stephens: No. I am not married. He is my boyfriend though!

Boy: Oh...(thinks for a moment)I want you to get married soon.

(All the children start to talk and agree)

Miss Stephens: Why do you want me to get married soon?

Boy: I don't know...so I can see what he looks like!

Girl: (Interrupts and talks over the entire class)Miss Stephens doesn't HAVE to get married, not if she doesn't want to. There's nothing in the Bible that says she HAS to get married!

Ha! I'm glad I have a second grader that agrees that I'm not an old maid yet! I love second graders!