Author Archives: wfeatherston

Shawnee Mission South Band Concert – Spring 2010

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So begins the many years of attending year-end band and orchestra concerts – by my estimation, about 8 years (unless you also count college).  Emily participated in the Shawnee Mission South area band concert the other night – bands from the several elementary schools, the middle, and the high school.

Despite having the concert in the high school gym with the audience sitting on the bleachers, it was a very nice concert.  We’ve attended Anna’s string concerts for the past 2 years, but now we get to enjoy both girls playing.

Emily has progressed at an amazing rate considering she only started the flute at the beginning of this school year.  Her many years of piano have prepared her well.  She’s anticipating starting private flute lessons this summer.

Anna’s First Music Festival

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Anna participated in her first music festival with the school district.  Standing alone in front of a judge with nothing between them except the music stand, she played her violin piece so well.  Her accompanist was the woman who’s been with her all along – Linda, of course.

Her violin teacher, Mrs. Jensen, was also in attendance

I sat watching and listening to my oldest daughter play an instrument that she’s only played for just over 2 years…and she sounded awesome.

Obviously, the judge agreed because she gave her a “1” rating – the best one can get.

Great job, Anna!

Emily wins

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Emily ran for Student Council Treasurer this year; she has been campaigning hard for the past 2 weeks.  Additionally, she was helped by her campaign manager, Savannah.  They worked hard on campaign posters – announcing the “Million Dollar Girl”.  After delivering a very convincing speech this morning at an assembly, she was voted in by her peers to serve next year.

She lost last year when she ran for Sargent at Arms and was pretty upset for several weeks.  However, she became involved as a class representative and found that she really enjoyed serving on StuCo.  One of her favorite activities with StuCo was the “Student Store” – which is monitored by the treasurer.  She’s really excited to take on this challenge.  Her 6th grade year is already starting to shape up.

Way to go, Emily!

Seeing Kenny Chesney…once again!!!!

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We really enjoy Kenny Chesney – a lot!  In fact, Linda has to be one his greatest fans.  We’ve seen him in concert twice – including once with the girls on the 2nd row.

This week, Kenny has released his concert movie presented in 3D.  It’s only in theatres for 10 days.  This was a must-see for Linda; I really wanted to see it as well.  However, our schedules were not looking favorable for us going together.  Then we noticed there was a midnight showing.  Perfect.  But…we’re old now!  Midnight?!

Throwing caution to the wind and suppressing a daylong worth of work and fatigue, we bought our tickets online and left for a date that we’ve not had in a long time – a late Friday night movie.

The movie was fantastic.  It felt just like we were at our favorite concert again.  Absolutely fun.  Nothing like being able to sing at the top of your lungs in the middle of a movie theatre at one in the morning.

Here’s hoping it gets released to DVD so we can watch it anytime we want.

New toys…new blog site!

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Last week saw the arrival of a new computer at our house.  Our PC was getting older and very, very slow.  Linda and I have been wanting a Mac for a long time, so we figured this was the time to jump in and do it.

We purchased a 21.5” iMac and also a MacBook.  Awesome machines.  These are easily the best computers I’ve ever used.  Switching from PC to Mac has been a little tricky, but it’s getting easier.

One of the software packages that came with the computer is iWeb; this is used to simply create web pages that can then be easily uploaded.  I made the decision to abandon the blogspot site I was using and obtain our own domain name.  So, here we are.  I’ll do my best to update this regularly so that friends and family can follow along.

Contact me at bill@featherstonsinkansas.com if you have any comments.

P90X Update – End of Phase 2

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So, Day 60 has come and gone.  I’ve finished 2/3rd’s of the program and I’m really starting to see progress.

I am regularly asked how much weight I’ve lost.  It’s amazing how much that does for one’s self-esteem.  I occasionally crave a big hamburger or a big soda, but most days I’m quite happy with the healthy food choices that I’m now consuming.

The good news: I’ve lost another 9 pounds these past 4 weeks – to a grand total of 29 pounds lost.  Down from 209 to 180.  The second phase emphasizes more muscle gain and less weight loss.  I’m hoping to add a bit more muscle and definition in the 3rd phase.

Thanks to Linda for all of the support…couldn’t do this very well without it.

Where have we been? Puerto Vallarte

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It’s been almost 3 weeks since the last post – it’s been a busy three weeks.

Most importantly, the 4 of us and Linda’s parents traveled to Puerto Vallarte, Mexico for spring break.  This was an absolutely fun time – and it was warm.  Upper 70’s every day…much better than the 30s and 40s back in Kansas.

Here are some pictures to show just how fun it was!

Here we are whale watching – we followed a mother and baby humpback whale for at least an hour (all with food and beer provided).

The girls loved playing in the water.  There was also a very nice pool that found some splashing and swimming, as well.


This was the view from our balcony – just beyond the trees is the water.  The room was comfortable and close to the stairs that emptied out onto everything.  Great spot.

We had lots of stuff to do – obviously sitting by the pool or the ocean.  Several open bars with drinks flowing (I loved the margaritas and Coronas; the girls loved the virgin strawberry daiquiris).  The buffets were full and had plenty of choices to choose what to eat.  The fun stuff included a climbing wall and a shooting range.

One of the days was spent on a bus tour of the city and the surrounding mountains.  We had lunch at a really nice open-air restaurant that served awesome seafood next to a cascading river.


We went to a flea market and got to haggle prices…

I also found a cigar shop across the street that made their own cigars there – got a nice box to bring back home.

We finished the tour off with a tour of a Tequila factory – got to sample several different varieties.  Also got a couple bottles to bring home so I can remember my great time in Mexico.

Our last night on vacation was spent at a candle-lit dinner on a secluded beach – 45 minutes away by a cruise boat at sunset.  The dinner was precluded with a show filled with native drums, dancing and singing all in ancient costume (as noted in the pictures below from Vallarta Adventures.)   What a great end to a great vacation.

photo courtesy of http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/tours/rhythms-of-the-night#

P90X Update – End of Phase 1

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Well, 30 days have come and gone.  I’ve hit “Play” on the DVD player every day and faithfully done the prescribed workout.  I have drastically changed the way I’m eating – far healthier and much less.  The results have been fabulous.

I have lost 20 pounds – down from 209 to 189.  My clothes all fit (including ones that have been hiding in the back of the closet because they didn’t fit).  I’ve gained one hole on my belt and am closing in on a second one.  The “love handles” are starting to disappear and I’m actually starting to see some definition in abdominal muscles.  Maybe a six-pack ab is possible after all?

I’m asked almost daily if I’ve been losing weight because it looks like I have.  It’s amazing how good that makes someone feel to hear those words.

The second phase of P90X is geared more towards building and sculpting muscle.  I don’t expect a whole lot more weight loss, but I think I’ll start to look much better.

And yes…I took pictures at the beginning and again now.  Maybe they’ll be posted someday.  Maybe…

Elton John & Billy Joel – Face 2 Face 2010

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Last night Linda and I enjoyed one of the best concerts we’ve experienced.  Elton John and Billy Joel entertained us for 3 solid hours with hit after hit.

Ever since these two rock icons joined forces several years ago, we’d both commented how awesome it would be to see their concert.  However, being in med school with 2 young daughters didn’t allow for such luxuries.

When it was announced they’d be coming to Kansas City this year, I hopped at the chance to get tickets.  The last few tickets available were way up high behind the stage.  It was totally worth it.  It turns out, incidentally, that the seats were great.

If you ever get to see these two in concert – do yourself a favor – go without hesitation!

Photo courtesy of concertaholics.com