So I hate to post on my blog (which I've been neglecting) that I need 30 followers on my book review blog. I need 30 peeps to follow me so I can qualify to review books from a publishing house, so any help would be appreciated! I don't mind if you never give my blog a second glance, but the add would be a great help to the goal of 30!

Upon noticing my little brother moping before lunch...

Deb: David, why are you so grouchy?
David: I'm very hungry.
Deb: You just had breakfast two hours ago...why are you so hungry?
David: Because that was a Hobbit breakfast!!!

Today is another melancholy day...spending it listening/playing music, and just milking the creative juices. Ah the romance of a dark apartment and no sunshine outside!

My little sister reminded me how much funner it is to blog despite the fact we have Facebook these days. So yes, I go on Facebook every day because I play my ranch game on it. And in the process I see what everyone is up to. Granted, it's nice having a social network where information comes TO ME, as opposed to a blog where you have to be looking specifically to GET information. But at the same time, as an avid writer it feels more like journaling to blog; whereas Facebook is more of a "this is what I'm doing today" type thing. So Sarah, here's to you and the great time I had with you this evening. And for those of you wondering - YES I am going to post this on Facebook so EVERYONE can read it. ;)

Someone made a comment this past Sunday that they wondered what October 10, 1010 was like. It gave me an opportunity to actually learn about the calendar and it's history (I don't think I paid enough attention in school!) While it is a good idea in theory, the calendar as we know it wasn't established till Pope Gregory XIII finally reformed to the Julian calendar in 1582. So while 10-10-1010 was a real day in the history of the world it wasn't observed, remembered or noted as a special day - David had just been crowned king of Israel and days weren't kept as we know them now.

Frank is so tired from working all week that he is exausted. I encoraged him to get some rest and thanks to my extremely awesome Pandigital device I can blog while I lay down with him. I was so fortunate to get four days off from work, but my dear husband was not so lucky. I love him so much it is difficult to see him wok so hard. And to know he does it for us and the betterment of our family tells me in ways words cannot how lucky and truly blessed I am to have such a wonderful man as my husband.

Frank is at work and I miss him so much! As of late we have been growing closer together, and now I can truly say that we are joined at the hip. I do not love easily, but the love I do feel is all for him. I don't think I have room for anyone else (i.e. children) in my heart at the moment, but it would be interesting to see that change. ..

Frank surprised me today at work on my lunch break by giving me a dozen pink roses! It was completely unexpected and such a pleasant surprise. Frank has brought me flowers one other time; but this was my first dozen roses. All I can say is that I definitely do not deserve the gesture of love from my husband; yet it shows me how much he loves me and thinks I am actually worth it.

I spent the day watching my three favorite movies - Vanity Fair, Pride & Prejudice, and Sense & Sensibility. Classics, those three!!

Then I cleaned...wished it was tomorrow and poof! The day will be over as quick as a wink. The work week is tiring, but most enjoyable. I enjoy being useful and it keeps me from being lonely. Long hours without Frank is depressing. :)

Oldie turned Goldie

Frank recently bought a violin on e-bay for around $50. It looked fine in the pictures, but the seller was selling it cheap because it was unlabeled. As it turns out, no one else wanted it, so we won the bid easy as a wink. It was discouraging, because there were several other violins that were sooo much more valuable that we got out-bid for. But I kept telling Frank that we would get the violins that were for us - no matter how worthless they seemed in comparison to other excellent buys.

We got the $50 piece of seemingly worthless wood, and I strung three strings on the pegs it came with. I noticed right away that the sound was potentially very good. The upper register was a little muted, but I knew that it was only because of the missing e-string. I was disappointed, however, by the fact that we were unable to find a peg to fit. After a lot of searching, we were able to determine that it was a custom piece; and after trying everything short of carving one ourselves we decided we would wait till we had $100 and take it up to Jan's place in Gainesville. Frank did notice that the label was carved on the back of the violin instead of the traditional label. It reads, "Lyon and Healy" and the year and country of origin were a complete mystery to us at that point.

So today, Frank made the effort and went up to Gainesville and got two pegs - one to replace a loose one, and one for the missing one. We spent $31 on $100 worth of work; the bridge was shaved down, the chin piece was adjusted, an e-string was strung, as well as the two pegs replaced. It sounds wonderful - big deep sound in the lower register, and a pleasant upper register without a ear piercing tinny that is so deja vu of every student model out there.

All things said and done, it is a French-made model made under the label of Lyon and Healy. It was made between the mid to late 1800's, in the city of Mirecourt. Our violin is valued at $6,000 and there is no way I will ever part with it! I enjoy playing violin, but I do not dare call myself a violinist. I am cellist at heart, and it a lot nearer to my heart than the violin has ever been. But this Lyon and Healy has such a great sound it is actually enjoyable to play. It is the classic oldie turned goldie story, except it finally happened to me. I own a valuable piece of history, all for $80 bucks; on a day that Frank randomly bid for an unlabeled instrument, on a violin that was meant for me all along.

Never reject anyone that looks undesirable like an old violin. You never know what's going to be underneath the varnish.

P.S. These next few sentences are specifically geared towards my mom and dad...

Just because Frank may not have been your "ideal choice" for the me, the cold hard fact is that we have been married for over 2 years, and I love him. I see him for who he is; a wonderful man who loves me more than I thought was humanly possible. I am not coming back, and I am more than happy where I am in life. Frank is a treasure that only gets better the longer we are together. And like that old violin that seemed ordinary yet turned out to be very valuable; Frank is a wonderful man that gets only better the more you get to know him. So why don't you two stop lying to yourselves and realize that we are together, he is a fantastic husband, and know that I am hanging on to my treasure.

To elaborate on yesterday's post:

I have no regrets in marrying my wonderful husband of nearly two years. Had I not taken the plunge when I did, I would forever regret having missed out on the most delightful last two years of my life. I look forward to many more years of joy with my beloved husband.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. "

We'll still regret some things we did; but we'll regret more what we didn't do ~ particularly when we know it was the right thing by God to do and chose to ignore it. Trust me on this one.

Thanksgiving Pictures

Here are the rest of the Thanksgiving pictures...I wasn't able to get them all in order, but I did the best I could!

Me and Phebe...

Mr. Lytle & Phebe

Mrs. Meyers

Mr. Lytle in a serious pose...a rarity.

Okay, Mr. Lytle in a not-so-serious pose!

Playing Chester

Mr. Lytle doing a weird pose while Mrs. Meyers pretends not to notice.

Mrs. Lytle has the giggles...

Caution: do not make weird faces if you do not want to be seen on the internet. Because I WILL post them.

Aw, how sweet...what a perfect couple.

"Put your left foot in, stick your right foot out...and hold."

Mr. Lytle having another stress-relieving moment...

Lydia and me having a jam session.

Mr. Lytle acting scared...not sure of what.

Marisol handing out food

Mr. Lytle showing off his big cup

Mr. & Mrs. Wilson...you should meet them sometime.

Mr. and Mrs. Lytle posing for the camera...

6th Thanksgiving Picture

This picture portrays Abby doing something useful, and shows that she has ever so good intentions!!! Who knows ~ maybe Samantha and Abby will play duets someday!

Also, we have dear Lyddie showing them how it's done...

5th Thanksgiving Picture

Can anyone guess who this is? (Show of hands, please.)

4th Thanksgiving Picture

Imagine one family feeding their children cake every day. You look at the table and they see their slice of cake with the place setting perfectly set. The fork and knife are all set and ready at their fingertips and you expect them to just sit and enjoy what others may not have the opportunity to have.

Now imagine another family that also feeds their children cake. This family however, doesn't have nice silverware or even a table. They just tell the children where the cake is, but don't really give directions how to eat it or even enjoy it because they don't know how to either. The children know that the cake is in the refrigerator but due to lack of direction, they eat it with their hands as best as they can.

Now I'm sure most readers are wondering what cake has to do with the picture, or what point I'm trying to make. Frank and I were talking yesterday about people born and raised in Christian families, and those raised without the benefit of a Christian home. No matter where we are born or how we are raised, we all ultimately make a choice about what we are going to believe. Those born in Christian homes (the family who was taught to eat cake with silverware) know they way they are supposed to walk. Still, it will be their choice whether they want to be saved. Those born without the Christian influence (the family that eats cake with their hands) will need to be taught how to do things properly, the true way to salvation. We who eat cake with a fork can't look down in scorn at those who eat cake with their hands. If they haven't been taught to eat cake with utensils, how can we expect them to do it right?

This was Frank's analogy, and I really enjoyed it. He should really be a preacher ~ at least to my thinking. All comments would greatly be appreciated.

Oh yes, and Abby's (pictured above with Frank) is being taught to eat cake with a fork (figuratively, in keeping with the analogy). I'm not sure that's how she prefers it...in real life. ;)

3rd Thanksgiving Picture

Okay...so I am still very prejudiced and want to keep posting pictures of Frank. But see, I put Josh in it this time!!!

Josh is a very special and perceptive young man, who knows when something is wrong and stays away from certain people. Why? Well, Josh has autism, which (for those of you who don't know), autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. The autism spectrum disorders (ASD) also include related conditions with milder signs and symptoms.

Autism has a strong genetic basis, although the genetics of autism are complex and it is unclear whether ASD is explained more by multi gene interactions or by rare mutations. In rare cases, autism is strongly associated with agents that cause birth defects. Other proposed causes, such as childhood vaccines, are controversial, and the vaccine hypotheses lack any convincing scientific evidence. The prevalence of ASD is about 6 per 1,000 people, with about four times as many boys as girls. The number of people known to have autism has increased dramatically since the 1980s, partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; the question of whether actual prevalence has increased is unresolved.

Autism affects many parts of the brain; how this occurs is not understood. Parents usually notice signs in the first two years of their child's life. Although early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care, social, and communication skills, there is no known cure. Few children with autism live independently after reaching adulthood, but some become successful, and an autistic culture has developed, with some seeking a cure and others believing that autism is a condition rather than a disorder.

What does that have to do with Josh being special? After Frank and I got married, I'm afraid that some very bad misconceptions began to go around, and rumors abounded on who and what Frank was. I'm very sorry to tell everyone that he is not a vampire, or anything out of the ordinary. No, he is not possessed by any special demons, (and no, I am not joking. I've heard some very nasty things, and I'd like to put some curiosities to rest. ) But I knew when my dear uncle and aunt invited Frank and I to go over to their place for dinner, that the ultimate test would be when Josh and Frank met. I kinda dreaded it in some ways, but I wanted to see what would happen. In the end, I trusted that Josh would love Frank just as much as I do. Can anybody guess what happened when Frank and Josh collided? Let's just say we are all trying to think of different ways to get Josh to do something other than jump on Frank's lap, beg him to go push him on the swing, and hog all the attention for himself. I guess any ideas I had that Josh might not like Frank were completely ungrounded. Between Josh always saying "more" for more fun time with Frank, and Abby showing the devoutest devotion to Frank by being the sweetest, most endearing creature when he's there (yes, I have to fight her for his lap, his kisses, and the privilege of sitting by his side!) when we go over I almost have my family to myself. I can only say that Josh is always right. If Josh loves Frank so much in his limited knowledge (which I daresay is more unprejudiced, simplistic, yet sophisticated than other persons in my acquaintance!) than everyone else who still has a problem with my husband needs to humble themselves to Josh's level and realize that they need to take a second look on how they are dealing with their opinions of my husband. And just as a reminder, if you, my dear reader, are getting the slightest bit upset about what you're reading, than I daresay you have a guilty mind. If it doesn't apply to you, then thank God right now that He has opened your eyes to His truths. And trust me, a guilty conscience is not a happy bedfellow. So if you can't sleep tonight because of too much on your mind ~ maybe it's because it isn't clear.

2nd Thanksgiving Picture

Okay, so I admit I am very prejudiced. I want to have a picture of Frank posted now, because I don't want to wait. (Don't worry, everyone who was at the feast will have their pictures posted soon.)

Frank has always encouraged me to tell the truth and be stand strong in what I believe in; so I wrote a poem today of something he would say...just in my words. Frank speaks many truths, I just have the knack of writing it down in a way that sounds pretty and softens the blow of exactly what it is ~ the truth. Feel free to comment...and please tell the truth. :)

To Be Strong

To be strong doesn't mean,
To always look good;
It's doing what's right,
What we know we should.

It's not saving face,
Or trying to be cool;
Because we will make,
Of ourselves a great fool.

It takes great courage,
To truly be strong;
It means telling the truth,
Even when you're wrong.

It means standing up,
For what you believe in;
Because when you lie,
You commit a great sin.

And being free from lies,
Will give your heart a song;
Standing for what is right,
Is one way to be strong.

1st Thanksgiving Picture

Okay, so I have a ton of pictures from Thanksgiving...(thank you Abby!!). I will try to be posting new pictures daily until they are all posted. Keep your eyes on the Wilson blog, and you just might learn something new about us...

So everyone knows how I eloped to marry Frank. Right? Okay, good. So does anybody know WHY I did it? Didn't think so. Little known fact: I suggested we invite Frank to church even before I knew his name ~ I think it goes without saying how that turned out. But regardless of everything that has happened since the night of September 3rd of the year 2007; Frank is my husband now. I want you to look at the picture above and give a good, hard look at Frank. Don't think about how he "stole me away." Look at his picture without prejudice or malice of any kind. Frank is a good husband, and he loves me beyond the expectations I ever had of him. He has made my family different forever, and it's time we all accept him for who he is. If you can't love Frank for who he is, (as a lot of you don't know him personally) love him because you love me. I am still the same Deborah I always was, except that I have been made better because God has bestowed His grace upon my life and given me the man I was going to need to keep me going strong. Yes, in some ways I am different. But I am different for the better. Yes, God and Frank still have a lot of work to do; God for the spiritual, and Frank for the earthly aspects. But I could not do without either of these two in my life, and I am thankful for where I am today. I know I am where I am because of the choices I have made. But I want everyone who knows me to understand that Frank and I are husband and wife now, and I will not allow anyone to look down on a wonderful thing.

Second in that picture is my good ole Uncle Sam. We all know he's a project, (sorry Sam) but you know what ~ it takes a lot of humility to be the only one in my family to invite Frank and me to sit at his table. To eat among his daughters for what all we know are now plotting their "escape" through their windows. Sound silly to you? It does to me. Despite every person's mistakes in life, God gives us each our own measure of grace to deal with the mistakes of others. What does this have to do with Uncle Sam? Start by asking yourself this: Who are we to judge others, when we ourselves have a log in our eye? I mean think about it. Are we sinless enough to point out the sins in others? Are we qualified like a panel of judges to decide who did wrong? When was the last time you sinned? And in case anyone is confused by my question, yes I mean lying. I mean things we categorize and consider "little lies." Telling your husband a partial truth. Telling your child that they can't do something and then getting up and doing it yourself. Do you see the double standard I am trying to explain? Sam has allowed the chiefest of sinners (yes, I mean me...and I'm kinda tired of telling everyone that) and has invited us to his home, among his wife and children, no less. Do you think you could do that? Do you have enough humility to do what he has done? He doesn't have us over to remind us that we're bad kids, that we need to start bonding with the rug beside the couch, etc, etc. But I have learned from him that pride needs to be put aside, and we need to be humble.

Samantha. Where do I start? Beyond asking me why I had left home, she accepted me and Frank. (Key word readers, FRANK.) Yeah, remember that guy I married? The one that's my husband? Same one. All I told her was "because I loved him." She didn't need to know the whole story. She didn't need a three hour explanation. And just like that, she nodded and gave me another hug. To have the love of a child. I wish everyone could be as simplistic as she is. She's not naive like other children. She knows right from wrong very well. But you know what, she loves me enough to forgive all rumors she hears and is told, and decided that love and forgiveness were more important to her than keeping a grudge.

Sometimes the people we love make very bad mistakes in life, and we wish we could go back in time and start all over again. But sadly, we are given only one chance. We only have one life. No matter where you are, who you are, or what you have done; you cannot take it back. You cannot do it over. You cannot try again. We are each given one chance in every situation, and God promises to give us an opportunity in each situation to back out of it before it's too late. But many times (as we all can testify) we do not take that way out that God provides us. In every temptation, there is a way of escape. There is a choice we can make to do the right thing before it's too late. Once done, our choice is final. We can't take it back. We can't change our mind at the last minute and hope it will all work out. We cannot erase the past. God promises to forgive us of our sins, but He does not promise there will be no consequences as a result of our choices. My choice was to marry Frank. The way I chose to walk the path that lead to being his wife is not only the one I regret, but the one I will answer for. Frank told me that by sneaking around would be to show I was ashamed of him from the start. But I chose to not try again and appeal to my parents. I want everyone to know that I am not ashamed of my husband, and I would like for all the people I know and have grown to love (yes, everyone from FBT) to see what a wonderful man God has blessed me with. The journey will not be easy. But think of this: has your way of escape been closed because you chose not to do it God's way? Are you too late? Have you ignored your last chance at redemption forever because you refuse to admit your wrong?Think about that while you lay in bed tonight. No matter what it is, open your eyes and take that way of escape ~ you'll ultimately be glad you did.

Of Religon & Sports

So, for the people who don't know me. I am an avid football fan and was very happy to see Tim Tebow and The University of Florida win another BCS Nation Title. However what I'm very disappointed in is the Criticisms that Tim Tebow has come under for his "Message".

To Tim and many others there is a great message in those letters and numbers. To those that do not believe in the message they should only see letters and numbers, and have no reason for finding offense. But, that would make too much sense. The reality is that those that find offense in the letters and numbers John 3:16 are really finding offense with the God whom they are rebelling against. If they find offense in the letters and numbers of John 3:16, then they will also find offense in God's word found in the next verses. "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather then light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." John 3:17-21

So, my applause to Tebow and the Christians that have positively responded to his message. To the reverend who thinks Tebow's actions aren't appropriate. God warns us about the consequences of being ashamed of Him in Mark 8:38 - 38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." This is a cynical world in which we live that tries to silence good Christian folks. Praise God for sending his Son to us to die for “OUR” sins and give us a chance for salvation, I for one am proud! It’s shameful that people are finding offense in the very message of hope and salvation. But then again that's nothing new for the times we descend upon.

More Wedding Pictures

I dug up some more wedding pictures, and as I had nothing better to do at the moment, here they are. And yes, Thanksgiving pictures will be published soon!

No blushing bride here...sunburned is more like it.

I don't know why I was smiling; I rememeber it was something like Frank had given me that special smile of his...and instead of bursting out laughing - I simply grinned.

"Don't like cake, don't like cake..."

"Alright, your turn, Frank!!"

I wonder if that ornament played any music?

See...we did get married in a church. I wasn't making that up, you know!

It's all over. Pity. Because now the fun part begins!!!

Not much going on around here...just busy working mornings at Dollar General with Frank along with all the household chores that cannot be neglected. So far no more possums, and no more missing food. I must say that when food went missing one could not help but think either Frank or myself was responsible; however, I assure you it was a rodent. Because when we eat, we eat it all, not leaving teeth marks and bites on bread bags and the like.

And now I must get back to my laundry - with Frank working so many hours between two jobs (about 13-16 every day) I simply do not bother him with petty household chores. Even the trash I'll be taking out myself because I just want to be able to sit down and spend time with him and not have to worry that things still need to get done. I cherish every moment I spend with my husband, and when he is home, he is responsible for nothing. Granted; he volunteers himself to do a lot, but I just want him to sit down, kick his shoes off, and relax. The most I've ever worked in one day is 13 hours, and it was not easy. Frank does it three days a week and it can be grueling. But he does it for me, he does it for us, so we can live by ourselves and have some peace and quiet. Right now he is trying to get an overnight job in case I can't work, and I can't help but love him for his continous efforts. He is the only man I have ever loved, and I will always love him despite what anyone says or thinks. Not only does he love me, he is faithful to me and does not stray. For those of you who are yet unmarried - having a mate to love, cherish and spend your life with is wonderful. I would highly recommend it.

Faithful
Responsible
Attentive
Never-ending
Karing

Loving
Initiative
Neat
Determined
Sincere
Endearing
Yielding

Wise
Interesting
Loyal
Succesful
Optimistic
Nurturing

The Abominable Opossum Part:2

So...this opossum story take bit of a twist. To the question of how it got in the house, well... it crawled up the the main water pipe and destroyed the floor around the pipe and crawled in. Talking with the Maintenance Man we figured there were more opossums around under the apartment. We decided that one of us should go under and check it out. Needless to say the Maintenance Man was scared so I went under, thankfully for me...& the opossums that there were none to be found. With no success at tracking the felons down, we settled for a trap by my front door. Well, 2 days went by with no success when one morning I was walking out the front door at 5:30am to go to work, When the mother of all opossums came running at me! With little time to contemplate, 5 hrs of sleep between jobs & extreme irritability due to lack of java...I kicked the opossum! It flew back and landed where of all place?, the trap. All the people in the apartment complex said it was the biggest they've seen. It was so sad, I put her in the back of my truck and drove down the road and let her go. She was so cute...all white with gray ears.

The Abominable Opposum

So…we had an exciting adventure here a couple nights ago – an opossum in the house!! I was just chilling in the living room, and Frank was at the computer, when we heard a bunch of racket in the kitchen. So we go look, and a baby possum was just knocking over stuff, and breaking into my Ritz crackers! Frank had me watch the little scoundrel while he went to go tell Miss Spivey. She called the police, and Frank beat the poor little thing senseless with two steel sticks. So when the officer finally showed up, he said we weren’t in trouble or anything, but there was nothing he could do. But we did have a good laugh. Frank and I ended up taking the possum to some old bike trails here in Belleview – hopefully far enough it won’t come back!

Love Is A Mystery

Love can come to anyone,
At any time and any place;
No one really knows how it happens,
It comes and goes without a trace.

Sometimes we think we are in love,
But are disappointed to discover;
That the other wasn’t worthy,
An unfaithful spouse or a lover.

True love will always be a mystery,
But faithfulness is the key;
Not only in our actions,
But in our lives, word and deed.

New Arrival

Well, talk about a long & a wonderful GOD given day.

We just got home from the hospital and we just had to share

the blessed new addition to the family with everyone.

So...without futher ado...We proudly present...

::Drumroll Please::

Phebe Lily-Grace Sosa

Congratulations Sam & Marisol

My Beautiful Wife & Precious Phebe

Frank Lindsey Wilson

Today is Frank's 28th birthday, and I wanted to post a picture of him for everyone. This is a picture from right before we got married last year, so he was still 26 in this pic. I want to say that I love Frank very much, and it is an honor and priveledge to be his wife. Happy birthday, sweetheart!

Overdue Wedding Pics

Frank and I have been married over 10 months already...very overdue pics!!! However, we finally moved out (hurrah!) and I am getting a lot of thigs done that are long overdue.

Work Days

So much has happened since I last wrote I hardly know where to start. The days have passed by so quickly I have scarce been able to comprehend where one day ends and the other begins.

For Christmas, Frank and I cooked up Christmas dinner together. We had a really great time together and the end of the year finished much too soon.

January came and went like a whisper on the wind. Towards the end of the month I started working in one of the stores Frank works in, so we’ve been working most of our days together. Frank’s boss gave me only a few hours to begin with, but today we found out over 40 extra hours are available. So with only 6 of us working the store, we can have as many hours as we want or need. As it was, I was getting over 30 hours for this next week; and now the boss told me I could have 10 more if I wanted. Even Frank offered to work on our days off; so now it seems we’ll be working every day of the week. But that’s okay with me, because more than anything I want to move out on our own. Frank wants to move out too, and we just need our own space. We are spending so much more time together now with us working at the same store, and it has been good for us.

I will try to keep the blog updated…whenever I get a spare chance. I pray everyone is well.

The Path Of Life

I have been so busy wrapping up different music jobs and practicing that I haven’t had a spare minute to write on the blog. (So sorry folks.) To catch everyone up on all the latest...

Last Saturday and Sunday I played Handel’s Messiah with the Marion Civic Chorale and it went fairly well. Messiah is always difficult for any musician; and this oratory in particular is always taxing on oneself. I think we all did the best that we could, and with God’s grace made it through without any extreme difficulty.

On Tuesday I played with my orchestra at the Freedom Library right here in Ocala, and it went very well. There wasn’t a huge crowd, but that’s not what’s important. We had a wonderful time playing together, and we have only one more gathering before we break up for the holidays.

I have a wedding to play on Sunday afternoon, and I still haven’t gotten the music to it. So I have to sight read the whole wedding. I look forward to it. Only God can guide me through this one. I will have faith and trust in Him to direct my paths.

“Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight. Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16: 1-11

Last Handel Rehearsal

Practice went well tonight. It was our last rehearsal before the concerts Saturday and Sunday, so we went through the entire program with the chorus. One of my classmates from the college was there to sing for the chorus, and it was fun to work with her. We’re doing a lot of skipping in our performance of the Messiah, and I’m not really sure why. When we originally got our music 6 months ago, there were some pieces missing already. But now we’re skipping from #12 to #44 and that’s a bit of a stretch. But who am I to complain? Less work for me. Usually I don’t like cutting up music like that, but I hurt my shoulder the other day and appreciate any slack I can get for now.

Sorry I haven't e-mailed some of you. My e-mail is not working, thus the reason why I haven't written. So sorry.

Frank will be home soon, and I need to get some chores done. Till next time.

College Concert at the Appleton

My orchestra played for a church service today, and that went well. As soon as the service was over I had to run to the Appleton Museum and play with Miss Rosa’s college kids for their concert. Both engagements went well, and I was out a total of 9 hours. I am so tired from running circles all day that I got home, took a bath, am writing this real quick, and am going to crash. Frank didn’t have to work this morning, so I left the man in bed when I left at 9:15 this morning.

When Frank and I re-arranged out room, he never got around to plugging in the DVD player. So after I’m done with practicing music and my chores, I’ve been reading a lot. I enjoy watching movies, but it gets a bit much after a while. So I’ve just been reading a lot instead. Reading is better anyway.

I usually write more, but I am so tired from today – it was draining to say the least. I would gladly do it again though.

Tomorrow is the last rehearsal for Handel’s Messiah, so when Frank leaves for work Monday afternoon, I’m going to have to get on the button and PRACTICE! There are a few spots here and there that could use some brushing up.

Christmas Concert

The concert tonight was an absolute smash, and everyone did so well in their performances. It has been our best concert to date, and I am so excited at how well everyone is doing. There were a lot of people in attendance, and that was a surprise to all of us. Ocala was having their Christmas parade, so we expected a handful of people. But we had a great turnout and everyone sounded great.

My solo went well, as did Alex’s and Mr. Roger’s. I thought I would be a lot more nervous, but when the moment came, I didn’t feel the slightest twinge. After performing all these years, I’ve finally come to the point where I don’t loose my head. I’ve gotten a lot more confident in myself since I got married…I am not as shy as I was, and at least now I can do simple things that I never did before because I was afraid to. Things like making phone calls, doing my own shopping, making arrangements for this and that, etc. I can actually do things for myself without hiding behind someone else.

Dr. Spencer, his wife, and daughter came, as well as Pedro & Johanna and their 4 children. Even the clerk from the Ocala Library Bookstore was there! I hadn’t seen most of these people since before I got married, so it was good to catch up with everyone. Dr. Fishel, good doctor that he is, wanted to know all the details leading up to my marriage, and we had a good talk about everything.

The night was a complete success, and we all had a wonderful time. If we keep practicing and improving, we’ll be able to do a little traveling and who knows? Maybe we’ll go overseas someday.

Cleaning The Trailer

Frank’s shoulder is still paining him, so his boss told him to rest up his shoulder and be fresh for tomorrow. I was happy, and Frank was even more so. We just lay in bed all morning, and I finally got used to the smell of Icy Hot all over Frank’s back and spine. Icy Hot smells good – it’s mentholated so I fell asleep so fast it wasn’t funny. But when one smells Icy Hot for 12 hours in a row it can get a little bit much. I didn’t mind the smell. But it did make me very sleepy, and Frank had trouble trying to wake me up. We did have a good time together, even though we squandered most of it sleeping. But as long as we’re together we have a good time. Whether it’s arguing the merits and demerits of frozen bread and milk to throwing the covers at each other to sitting quietly watching a movie, we always have a good time.

Frank’s mom and I are cleaning up the trailer in Belleview so I can set up a studio for my music classes. We went tonight and did some work on it, and we went to see Frank as soon as we were through. Frank and I like to take stabs at each other in public (I really don’t’ know why) but it always amuses the customers and employees at his job. Just tonight he mentioned that he should have bought milk and froze it. I was surprised at that, and said I wasn’t sure frozen milk was all that good. Frank replied that it was no different than eating frozen bread, and I retorted that I always thaw my bread and then eat it. He then said that milk was no different, to which I agreed instantly because I still wasn’t sure why we were even having that discussion. There was as an older couple he was waiting on who heard the whole exchange, and they were both grinning at us the entire time. The lady smilingly commented that we sounded like an old married couple, and Frank told her that we were married, but that it hadn’t been all that long yet. I couldn’t help it, I threw in the comment “he’s the one that’s old, not me.” That got everyone laughing, but for my own personal safety I steered clear of Frank until he cooled off about that jibe. He wasn’t mad at all; he feigned annoyance for the sake of the audience which included his mom. We love doing crazy things like that…it’s so much fun to feign an argument and then make up. Or should I say make out?

Of Pain & Practice

Frank hurt his shoulder moving all our stuff yesterday, so when he went to work this morning he came right back. He couldn’t move his shoulder past a certain point, and he was in a lot of pain. His boss sent him back home. He didn’t do much but lay in bed, and I joined him. He went to work this afternoon, but I was glad to have him here in the morning. We sometimes like to lay in bed and talk, but most nights we’ll just curl up in each others’ arms until we fall asleep. That’s always easier said than done, because we have to turn around several times before we get comfortable.

I practiced a while for the concert I’m playing on the 1st. I don’t want to over practice, but I do want to be prepared. Switching between the violin and cello might be a little challenging, but I think I can manage. I wasn’t too thrilled about doing a solo, but Miss Helen and Alex egged me on until I couldn’t say no. What inspired me more than anything was when Alex started practicing with Mr. Norman for her solo. So I picked cello since Alex doesn’t play cello, so I don’t get competitive and forget the whole point of playing is all about. Miss Helen was gracious enough to let me use her cello, and that is always a high point in any day for me. Her cello sounds so good I can be having a bad day and still sound good.

I’m real excited about this concert on Saturday, because it’s the first concert where I will be playing as Mrs. Wilson. It seems as if the music world is taking me seriously at last, and I’m more than thrilled to be playing among the best of Ocala. With Miss Helen having a bad shoulder and barely being able to play, she has been giving me all her jobs. At first I was so worried that I wouldn’t be good enough to fill in for her, but I keep getting calls and requests to play, so I can’t be that bad. I’ve been practicing a lot more than I used to, so that always helps.

I need to practice Handel’s Messiah. It has some rough spots, and I don’t want to goof up a perfectly good job because I didn’t practice. December is always so busy for musicians, but we love the business. In the spring the Marion Civic Theater always has jobs, weddings in the summer, and Christmas preparation in the fall. It’s a full life, but one I enjoy very much.

Frank was suggesting that once we move closer to town he trade in his Cruiser for an automatic vehicle. That way I can drive myself to my jobs and drop him off and pick him up from his. He teased me and said he wondered what I would do with a car to drive, and I replied I would do what I’m supposed to – drive him to work, drive myself to rehearsals, weddings, and concerts, and then pick him up at the end of the day. Guess I better get good with directions…as I will have to be doing a lot of it in the near future!

Last College Rehearsal

Frank bought a new bed for us, as his back just can’t take or old bed anymore. So we got up early this morning, and put the bed in our room. We had to go to my last rehearsal with the college kids, as the concert is on Sunday. We always have such fun at rehearsals. Miss Rosa told us that in professional orchestras the players aren’t supposed to talk during rehearsals. We tried doing that but it didn’t work at all. It was just too hard to not talk in-between pieces, especially when our timing was off on a couple measures in “Ave Verum Corpus.” I didn’t want to say anything about it, but with the concert on Sunday I just worked out the problem area with Patrick since we have to be very careful not to mess up the soloist. We left the college with all the information we needed for the concert on Sunday.

As Frank and I were leaving the college, a white truck looking suspiciously like the McClain’s truck parked just a few parking spots from where we had just left. Frank pointed it out before I even saw it, and asked if it was anyone I knew. How he remembered that truck I don’t know. But he did remember. And sure enough - it was Matt, and Frank pulled over so I could say hi. I have never seen Matt surprised or taken off guard at any time. But the look on Matt’s face was priceless as I called his name out the window. I asked him how he was doing but he was so stunned I had to repeat the question. We spoke only briefly as there was a car behind us, but it was so good to see some one from church.

After we finally left the college we went to the Red Lobster for lunch and had a really good time. The waitress was most pleasant, and I enjoyed myself immensely. I had Chicken Alfredo, and Frank had a shrimp plate. The biscuits were so good I’ll do anything to make then at home. I never thought I’d ever go to a restaurant that sells primarily fish, but I like fish now. I eat things I said I’d never eat – fish for starters, pickles, mustard, and tons of other things. Frank got the ungratefulness and pickiness out of me. I eat what he puts in front of me with no questions and no faces.

Since we got a queen sized bed, we had to buy new sheets and a comforter. So we went to Wal-Mart and spend a couple hours matching the colors for the comforter and buying extra pillow cases. We stopped by the clothes rack that was on sale, and Frank picked out some clothes for me. I found some nice blouses for the cool weather and a few various other miscellaneous items. We had a great time just being together.

When we got home we fixed the bed up with the new sheets, and then we re-arranged the entire room. It took us only a couple hours, and then we showered, and went to sleep. I may not have had Frank home yesterday, but today more than made up for it.

Work

Frank had to go to work today from noon till eight or ten tonight. I guess I’ll try to practice for the concert on Saturday as I have a solo to play on the cello. I have the concert with my string orchestra on Saturday, then we play for the Sunday service at the church where we practice, then I play with the kids at the college that same afternoon. Since Frank has to work I really don’t have anything I’d rather be doing then practice my music anyway. And I will get my parts down perfectly if it kills me. Frank has his job, and I have mine. Much as it breaks my heart to have to spend the afternoon we usually spend together a part, there is nothing I can do about it. I will bury myself in my music as I have always done and hope the next 10 hours go by quickly.

I really need to practice Handel’s Messiah as the next rehearsal is the 3rd of December. I have the next 6 or 7 hours to practice, and if truth be told I really don’t have the heart to do anything else.

Last Rehearsal

Frank works only the one job today, so we were able to spend the morning together. After he went to work, I pulled out my music and instruments, and practiced till my fingers could no longer move. I have rehearsal tonight, and it’s the last rehearsal before the concert on Saturday. I have so much going on my head is spinning. But I’ll manage. With hours of practicing under my belt I feel more confident about all these concerts next month. The end of the year is usually crazy like this, then everything cools down until spring. Summer is wedding season, and fall is preparation for the holidays again. Musician’s lives are very busy, but very exciting. Maybe someday I’ll join up with the Philharmonic Orchestra in the Villages again and go on fancy overseers trips like Italy or France. All in good time.

Frank had Tuesday and Wednesday off, so I look forward to spending the next two days with him. Even when we go to Robert’s or just do things, I like being with him. The last two weeks we’ve gone to Robert’s and had a real good time. All we ever do is go out to eat, shop for movies, and hang out and play video games, but we have a good time.

And again, I need to get back to practice because my break is over. I have only a few more days before the concert on Saturday.

Music From The Heart

Frank did indeed, have to work today, but not anything to be done about that. I just sang for a good long while from my book of favorite hymns, and practiced for a good long bit. I really need to practice all my music real good, because I have a string of concerts and engagements to play next month that I do not feel ready for. And if I don’t feel ready because of lack of practice it’s going to show in my music. The point of playing music is because one is confident in the music and in one’s own ability to perform it due to prior practice. Otherwise one might as well be trying to make a brick wall sing. Music without feeling is empty. There is only one thing I hope to accomplish as a music teacher. And that is not to make my students sound good. If I can teach them only one thing, it will be this: to feel their music with all their hearts no matter what. And in doing that, they will always sound good.

Well then, teacher needs to go get some of that feeling into her music now…I must confess I am very hard on myself. Frank’s mom tries to tell me how to do it, but the last time she said something to me was indeed, the last time she’s ever going to tell me how to play music. No one can tell you how to play music – because it has to come from your heart.

Wedding

The wedding went well today, no major hiccups or disasters. I had a really good time, and I look forward to doing it again. I played cello this time, and it was fun. It was different not being the lead, but I didn’t mind. I love playing cello, and there is nothing quite like making a day special for the bride and groom by playing music for them. To see the sparkle in their eye as music sets the mood…heavenly. I’m going to put together a scrapbook of all the things I play in, so when I have students they can have something to finalize in their minds why I am the teacher.

Other then the wedding, not much is going on today. I’m tired because I woke up early with Frank. I don’t want to imagine how tired Frank is after working so many days in a row. And as I hear it he has to work tomorrow all day, so he’s gonna crash Monday big time. At least he has Tuesday and Wednesday off, so we can do some things together, hopefully. If not, well, I guess I can practice. The days are running by so quickly and yet so slow at times. It’s nearly the end of the month, and I’m not even half ready for the month to end. It feels like Frank and I have been married for so much longer than we have, yet I look at the calendar and it will be 3 months on the 7th. We jest and say we were married in another lifetime, but it’s all in jest.

Okay…back to practicing for me. I’m going to have my music down to the dotted sixteenth note if it kills me.

Studio Set-Up

The day started out pretty well today. I got up early with Frank and when he went off to work and practiced all morning. I did a really crazy thing, though, and did 200 push-ups. So now I’m sore all over and it hurts to laugh or sneeze. Much to my grief, Frank’s mom asked me to scrub down her refrigerator with bleach at her house in Belleview, and now I’m even more sore and achy. I have a wedding to play tomorrow and my hands are dry and peeling. I’ll remember to take gloves next time. We’re setting up the living room of the house in Belleview as a studio, but we have to clean up the place first. Mostly there’s just a bunch of boxes and furniture all over the place.

I called my cello teacher and told her that Patrick was willing to buy his own bass. She said she would call her friend in Gainesville and see if he could get us a bass for a good price. So maybe by next year we will have a bass again. Since I play 3 strings already, Frank asked if I wanted to learn how to play bass myself. We both want to give it a try, so we’re keeping an eye in e-bay and once we find a good one, we just might give it a shot.

Frank also wants to make instruments, and I think he can do it. Patrick knows a lot about the making of instruments and his major in college is guitar. So the way I figure, Patrick may be a very valuable friend to have around. He can certainly help Frank with guitar. Ever since I got married opportunities to play music and make it a career have expanded incredibly. Frank leaves the door open for me to decide what I want and don’t want to do. I tried to ask if I could work at Publix or some bakery, but he said no. He doesn’t want me to become poisoned by the things of this world, and to have to deal with the outside world. He said that’s his job, and not for me to deal with. He knows what its like out there, and he wants to protect me from it. Ignorance is bliss, or so they say, and he wants to keep it that way.

Thanksgiving

Frank and I had a great time cooking the roast last night. Between the two of us we got the roast going in no time at all. It was an eight pound beef roast, so while it browned it in the oven, we cut up enough vegetables to feed both our families for two meals. We cut up carrots, onions, potatoes, squash, zucchini, cabbage, and a few other things I can’t remember. Anyway, it was really good; both the meat and the veggies. Frank and I are really big on vegetables – grilled or in a roast. He is really the better cook of the two of us, and he is really patient in showing me new things.

Frank had to work all day today, so after the food was ready only his mom and grandpa ate with me. Then I packed up some food for Frank, and we went down to Belleview to see him at his job. He took a break, and we both went back the break room and just sat together and talked for a while. Being a holiday, there was hardly anyone in town, and business was really slow. So it was the perfect day to hang out with him. As his mom and I were leaving, she went on out to the car ahead of me. I stayed behind just for a moment, and Frank looked awkward for some reason. I noticed some of his co-workers looking at us on the sly, and I just grinned like I’d won a million bucks. I knew why they were watching. I pulled him down to my height and he said in an agonized whisper, “everyone’s watching us.” I just grinned bigger and whispered back “so?” The store was so empty I think the employees were bored. They got an eyeful…and I got a mouthful. All parties were happy, and we left after an hour and a half. It was a great Thanksgiving after all.

Practice & Olive Garden

Frank and I woke up at 10:00am this morning, so we were late for my practice. We would have made it on time, except the road was blocked and we were stuck in traffic for a long time. Then we were delayed by an ambulance. So we were half and hour late, but it turned out alright because we practiced for half and hour afterwards after Miss Rosa had to leave.

Frank took me to Olive Garden for lunch and we had a great time. The waiter was awful, and it took him forever to get our food. But we had a good time whispering silly things in each other’s ears while we waited.

After lunch, we went to the Social Security office and got my name changed on my SS. Then we got my license changed, and it all took just a few minutes. We then headed off to Target and got a few things we needed and then we went to Publix and picked up some stuff for tonight’s impromptu Thanksgiving. Since Frank will be at work all day tomorrow, we’re doing a roast for dinner tonight. It’s always fun to cook with Frank, and I look forward to it.

Wedding Practice & Hogs

Today was chock full of things to do. I was supposed to practice with Alex for the wedding on Saturday, but I forgot my music. So we re-scheduled and Frank took me over to her place today. It worked out real well because Frank got to meet her husband Keith, and they hit it off right away. As Alex and I were practicing I could hear them talking about all sorts of things – movies, work, and none too quietly either. Since Keith works in what Frank wants to make his career, they got along just great. I was thrilled that they got to meet. It’s amazing how men can meet and less than an hour later be great friends. So it ended up working out after all. Frank makes friends very easily, so that’s a plus. He makes up for my shyness with his friendliness.

From Keith and Alex’s we went over to Robert’s, and we went to Circuit City and bought some movies that were on sale. We went to Chick-Fil-A again, and we had a great time talking and just chatting. Frank was telling us how Wildlife Officers are supposed to kill hogs that are on the land they are patrolling. They used to donate hogs to shelters that fed the homeless, but they no longer take them unless the officers skin them for them. And the officers are not allowed to take them home because of conflict of interest. So Frank proposed that Robert and I be head of our own charity, and then we would take care of the hogs ourselves. Robert was really disgusted and said he would pass. But even though Frank was only joking, it was still funny. We kept joking about it for the rest of the day.

We then hung out with Robert for a few hours afterwards, and now we’re going to crash at home. We have to get up early tomorrow to get to my practice at the college.

Wedding Crashers

Frank had off this morning, so we ate noodle casserole and watched Wedding Crashers till he had to go. We were both very glad he had yesterday morning and this morning off. He is always bemoaning the fact we don’t spend a lot of time together, but we make do with what we have. We’re not like other couples who spend so much time together they start getting on each others’ nerves.

Wedding Crashers was extremely hilarious. Robert recommended it, and if Robert likes something it’s bound to be good. And it was. It was so good I watched it again after Frank went to work. I’ve got to hand it to Vince Vaughn – he was great in this movie. I’m not a particular fan of his, but I’m putting him in the top 25 along with Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe and Dale Midkiff. Not on their looks…that doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. It’s their ability to act in a diversity of roles and entertain at the same time.

So anyways…I need to practice for tonight’s orchestra rehearsal. Time to get that emotion that makes music really great into my fingers. Because that can only come from the heart.

Peace & Quiet

Frank finally had a break from work. He has been working so hard I worry about him. But like my father used to do, Frank works until he drops. But he was able to get some rest this morning at last.

Today all I’ve done is practice, practice, practice. I really do get so tired of practicing all the time, but I have to for all the concerts coming up next month. I practice about 42 hours a week, thanks to the fact that I have a heap of music and two instruments. But as Frank puts in hours of work, so do I when I practice. This may be a very boring subject for all you readers of my blog, but it’s what I do all day besides cleaning and doing my little Bible studies. Not much to say besides what Frank and I do.

But I really like this new world. It’s nice and quiet, and anyone who knows me personally knows how much I savor peace and quiet. The setting out here is so peaceful and tranquil; and the sunsets are beautiful beyond compare. It’s a little paradise, and I say that with all confidence because God created it. Frank and I will sometimes go out and sit by the gazebo, and enjoy hearing the water gently whisper as it brushes the grass, the birds as they fly overhead, and the joy of just being together. We walk hand in hand through the overgrown paths, and share a long kiss or two over the bridges. It seems that no matter how long we are out there, it just isn’t long enough. I am always reluctant to leave it, but all good things come to an end at some point.

Martyr Musicians

Alex and I are going to practice tomorrow for the wedding next week, and I look forward to it. I wish I could go on a day Frank has off so he can meet her husband, Keith, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going to work that way. Reason why I’m so interested for Keith and Frank to meet is because Keith is a Wildlife Biologist and Frank wants to get a job with the FWC too. But maybe some other time. Alex and I have so much more in common now that I’m married and have been working jobs together. When we’re having bad days we gripe and whine about it…but we have so much fun. It makes us feel better to make martyrs of our musician lives, and we like to compare notes on who has it worse.

Frank is starting to make plans as to moving out. I don’t see what his rush is exactly, but I guess I understand why he doesn’t want to hang around too long. We can’t make too much noise, we can’t take showers past a certain time, we can’t talk to loud, and may we be preserved if we shake the bed too hard and rattle the DVD case by the wall too late at night. We’ll see what we can do.

Time to practice.

Thanksgiving Plans

Not much going on today beyond the normal practicing, cooking and cleaning. I did have a new idea running in my head today that I definitely want to act on. I used to have a bakery of sorts, and I miss doing that. So…I asked Frank’s mom if she would mind taking baked stuff with her to her job and passing them around to her co-workers, and she said she would gladly do it. I thought to start out with stuff I had on hand, probably blueberry muffins or some such trifle. Let’s see if we can get this show on the road. If I can launch an unofficial bakery it will give me something else to do. Frank works so hard I want to do whatever I can to chip in.

Frank asked me to make him chili this week, but I think it’s going to have to wait till next week. He wants a roast for Thanksgiving, and if we get a turkey we’ll have food up to our ears. We have some ground beef logs, but it will take about 2 days to thaw it out. So I just told Frank to hold on till next week. I don’t eat nearly enough to keep up with all the leftovers, and as it is I eat more than enough. Frank is going to get me some vitamins and he said if I take my vitamins I can eat just fruit, vegetables, salads and beans. Otherwise he stuffs me with all sorts of food. Not that I protest, but I kinda like being slim and healthy.

Can anyone guess what my closing line is? Back to practicing music.

Corned Beef & Cabbage

Frank made corn beef and cabbage for dinner last night, and it was so good. So good in fact, that I really don’t want to send him some with him to work so I can eat it! There’s enough for a couple of days anyway, so I suppose I can share. But maybe if I don’t mention it to him, he just may forget about it. He’s an awfully good cook, and if I’m not careful I’ll get fat on his food. :-)

I have a wedding on the 24th with just a violin & cello, so I’ve been practicing cello a lot. The calluses on my fingers are hardening again, so it’s getting easier to shift quickly and accurately. I’ve let my cello go in the last month with all the practicing for the X-Mas programs and the Handel performance. But now I need to get back up to par again for the wedding and the concert at the college. It’s coming along, so I’m not too worried. I’m on a string and a prayer right now, with three different clefs to read on two different instruments. I sometimes suffer a memory lapse and black out for a bit, but it happens to the best of us. It gets better the more I do it, and it’s not so confusing. The most challenging thing of all is switching back and forth between cello and violin for a performance; that’s where it takes all my mettle to get it right. It’s not so much the different positions; it’s the change of music notation, the spacing between notes, and the mental adjusting to two totally different things. In moments of frustration I sometimes wish I had never touched a cello. But when I have a cello in my hands I know exactly why I keep coming back to it day after day no matter how much trouble it is.

Back to practicing for me. Till tomorrow.

College Rehearsal

Today, Frank and I went down to the college and I practiced with Miss Rosa’s class. The practice went well, except that my cello was not in a cooperative mood and the strings kept going out of tune. But I’ll be practicing a lot in the next week to get the strings to stretch back. Sometimes the weather makes our instruments act up…today was no exception.

Frank and I were talking about asking Patrick about joining my string orchestra, but I didn’t really want to talk to Patrick myself. I’m still uncomfortable talking to men aside from Frank, so Frank asked Patrick himself. Patrick was definitely interested, but he doesn’t have a bass. So if we can get him a bass, and Monday’s are good for him, then we have a deal. I was told to recruit anyone I could for our string orchestra, and I want to do anything I can to make that happen. And since we need a bass really bad, I’m sure I can get the group excited. I just hope it works out. If he would have his own bass he could start right away, but we’re still digging up a bass for him.

For lunch we stopped by Backyard Burgers, and I couldn’t resist the smell of the burgers. So I ate mine on the way home. BB has the best burgers, and after you have a burger there, any other fast food burger tastes really bad. Frank is going to make dinner tonight, and I know it’s going to be really good. Anything he makes is really good. Since I like to cook a lot, I sometimes feel a little threatened by how good he is, but then again, this just means that if we ever decide to start a restaurant we’ll always have a full house.

Hanging Out

Frank and I didn’t sleep in as long as I thought we would…only till 11:00am. He woke me up quite pleasantly…whispering in my ear if I was hungry for hot dogs. And we would eaten hot dogs, but Robert doesn’t like hot dogs, so we ended up going to Chick-Fil-A. Which was just as interesting. I try to make Robert laugh all I can. But he usually makes me laugh instead! Between Frank and Robert is enough laughing to last me a good long while. Robert is a pretty serious guy. But he can make anyone laugh. I think what I find so amusing is that Robert doesn’t like very many foods. So one can imagine that I pick on him a lot for that. He is so fun to tease. When the three of us go out, Robert and I usually pick light things like chicken, and Frank gets something heavier like a hamburger or something. But ever since I pointed out to Frank that Robert and I order nearly exactly the same thing, Frank has been ordering the same thing I do.

Before we went out to eat, we went to Wal-Mart, Target, and Circuit City. Usually Robert finds all the good movies, but this time Frank and I found a bunch on the movies we wanted on sale. I even found Friends at Target for nearly half price. I only had enough money to buy the 1st season, but since the sale runs till the 26th, I’ll drop by Monday and pick up a few more seasons. There is 10 in all, but Robert says they have old TV shows on sale all the time. So whatever I can’t get this time I’ll just wait for the next time around.

We had a great time hanging out with Robert, and we finished the day off by going by Winn-Dixie and picking up some groceries. Frank wants to cook something for me tomorrow, and I look forward to it. He’s a great cook…yes…better than me.

Tomorrow we go to the college…so I should probably practice. I’ve been practicing violin a lot, and I should focus on cello more. Adieu till tomorrow.

Monday Blues

Frank works all day today, so he’s gonna crash big time when he gets home. At least he was able to get some sleep yesterday morning, because he didn’t get much sleep last night. Too much party and he was on high from working so long. I’m afraid I didn’t help mush and kept him awake, but he has tomorrow and Wednesday off, so hopefully he’ll get his rest then.

Today I didn’t do much. I sat around a read for a while, then got up and made chicken and dumplings. I practiced violin for a good long while, but 6 hours pass by pretty quickly after I’ve done it 2 weeks in a row. I used to have trouble practicing for just an hour, but now I have plenty of time on my hands. I’m trying to use it wisely, and resist the temptation to go watch a movie or two. At first I was watching a new movie everyday, but I’m trying to slow down a little bit. Now I only watch a movie when I’m worn out from practicing so much. Frank has tons of movies, so it’s gonna take me a while to go though them anyway. He has some really good historical pieces, among them favorites of mine such as The Count of Monte Cristo, and Pride & Prejudice.

Not much else going on today…I’m just waiting for my baby to get home. Usually on Monday nights I watch The Bachelor, but tonight all the ladies are going to do is talk. So I’ll just wait until next week to see who Brad Novak will pick – Jenny or DiAnna. I hope Brad picks DiAnna, because she’s a Christian. Jenny on the other hand is a flimsy little model who just likes to flirt. Maybe if I am fortunate, Frank will get home an hour early. I can hope…!

It's gonna be Monday all week...I can feel it!

Sunday Stuff

Frank had the morning off so he was able to get some sleep. Tomorrow he has to go into work at 5:00am, so that means he’ll have to wake up at 4:00am. But I guess this is what happens when one works two jobs. I just feel bad that he’s always tired, but he says it is worth it just so I don’t have to work and can live a stress-free life. I try to chip in with whatever I can, because I hate to sit at home while he works his fingers down to the bone. (And no, I’m not being dramatic. You should see his hands on some days.)

Today I cleaned pretty much all afternoon – and I practiced for tomorrow’s orchestra rehearsal too. I don’t want to sit at rehearsal and look and sound like an idiot…I want to at least look like I know what I’m doing. We got a list last week of all the music we’re going to play for the Christmas programs, so we know what to focus on now.

The dryer just beeped and Frank’s tea is about to boil, so I’m off to do some more chores. Frank doesn’t like me doing chores when he’s home…his time off is so few that I do stuff when he’s gone, and when he’s here I spend every moment with him. Sometimes I practice, but only when he’s using the computer. Till tomorrow.

First Handel Rehearsal

Frank had to be at work real early today, so we both got up at 5:00am. I had my Handel’s Messiah rehearsal, and he has to work at both jobs today. I was running to the kitchen to get his food and tea together, when his mom tells me that the kids might like some of the brownies I was packing up for Frank. I was confused, because there are no kids here. And lo and behold; the noise I had heard at 3:30 that morning was none other than Frank’s brother Kevin and his family! I was stunned, I didn’t really believe her when she told me Kevin was here. I went for a look on the couch, and sure enough: Melanie and Danielle sprawled sitting up on one side, Justin splayed out on the other, and Kevin on the floor. I was speechless to say the least. I had been wanting to meet Kevin and his family, but I would have liked to have been warned. It was a thing of beauty when Frank came to the kitchen and asked who was sleeping on the couch. He didn’t get to do more than hug Kevin for a moment, but Kevin was way too exhausted to do more than mumble a greeting and go back to sleep. I was so flustered I walked Frank all the way out to the car without him even noticing I was following beside him into the dark, wet morning. Even the thought of snakes did not stop me this time. But it seems like I’ll have to handle Kevin and his brood alone, because Frank will not get a chance to hang out with them this time around. He will work all day today, tomorrow and Monday, and they are leaving Monday.

The practice went okay for Handel’s Messiah this morning. I met a few new people for this project; among them a flutist, a pianist, a violinist, a bass player, and a conductor. Not to mention the choir and soloists. Every time I play for soloists I remember why I am not a singer. I love to sing, don’t get me wrong, but they are so hard to work with sometimes!!! I'll stick to my little Celtic songs and folk songs. Much as I love the opera, I am a musician who would hate to have to play for an opera singer. I simply cannot be both. I learned a lot in the three hours we were rehearsing though, and after berating my own playing for hours, it finally came to me what I was doing wrong. Ever since I started playing cello, my vibrato has gotten mixed up between the horizontal position and the vertical position. The vibrato is completely different than violin on the cello, and even though I have been playing cello for 4 years now, I mentally have not been able to differentiate between the two. But in the middle of a piece this morning during rehearsal I finally did it. I played vibrato as it was meant to be played on a violin. I guess all that practicing did pay off after all. Good to know that practicing 6 hours a day actually has its rewards. I just wish I had my viola again so I could re-learn the viola clef and start doing that again. But all in good time. Let me get this season over with before I get into anything else.

Right now I need to go touch up some of today’s music…don’t want to disappoint that chorus!!!

The Bear Tale

I had nothing to worry about when it came to wondering if Frank would like the beef stroganoff. He ate the whole batch in less than 15 minutes, and it left me wondering what it tasted like. Guess I’ll have to make it again and find out. He usually doesn’t eat when he has to get up early again in the morning, but he said he was starved. How could I say no to that cute little face he puts on when he wants something?
As several people asked about the bear incident, I suppose I should tell the tale. I assure you it was nothing to scream about, and I actually enjoyed it. I was outside by the gazebo practicing Handel’s Messiah, when I heard a loud crunching behind me. I froze and cocked my ear to listen. I never suspected for a minute that it was bear. So I turned around, and not 5 feet away was a good-sized black bear. My very first thought was, “oops.” As if it were possible, I think the bear was even more surprised than I was. For lack of anything better to do, I just kept playing as if I had never seen a thing. And lo and behold, the bear just sat itself down and stayed there until I finished. Mercifully I had my back turned, but even as I was packing up my violin to go, the bear just sat there. Looking back I wonder how I had the nerve to keep on playing with a bear so close I could smell it. But I’m still alive, so I must not play too badly. I rather suspect that if I would still screech on my fiddle like I did a few years ago, I would not be alive today. No creature can stand a screeching instrument – not even a house dog. With all the practicing I’ve been doing lately on my technique, plus all the tips from all my wonderful friends in the music world, I have greatly improved in tone and intonation. Still, I am very grateful that it amused the bear to listen to me. Had it not been so entertaining, I may not have lived to tell about it. Frank was not as amused as I was about the bear…he was concerned that it happen again and I not be so fortunate. We had a brown bear come right up to the door, so they are quite bold. So while I am allowed to go outside, it is generally advised I not do so. I worry more about my instrument than I do me…it would be so sad to see my cello or violin torn apart by some angry beast. We have more than just bears to worry about…we have bobcats, panthers, snakes, gators, and a host of other animals and insects. I don’t feel closed in like I did in Dunnellon; mainly because of the lakes. There is a sense of openness, yet seclusion, and I enjoy it very much. It is worth the trouble of having to be careful.

I hear there is a cello teacher at the college, and I am going to ask and find out about classes. Since my cello teacher retired I have been wanting to get a new teacher, but my parents could barely afford having two daughters taking music lessons. As it was, my teacher was doing my lessons for nothing just because we got along real well. But I really would like to have a cello teacher again, and one that’s really hard on me and will help me be a better cellist. I love playing cello, but I love playing violin too. And with the help of my cello teacher and friend that plays viola, they are both helping me become a part of the musicians for Ocala and beyond.