Christmas Recital - 2017

It looks like once again, my little piano studio is showing growing pains. We may have outgrown our space for our Christmas recital. It was standing room only, and two of my students weren't able to make it (including sweet Annie who was home with a fever.) But the students played very well and represented themselves in a way that should make them proud.

Christmas Programs

Annie's first elementary Christmas program. Dayna's middle school band and choir concert. Children singing in the church service. The 50th anniversary alumni concert at Alaina's high school (I watched in solidarity, since I couldn't be there to play.) It's been a busy, musical month.

My tile is about to be destroyed when they renovate the school. At least I have a picture.

Ashland Arts Council Christmas Concert

We were pretty excited to be asked to perform as the Wilson family this year for the Ashland Arts Council's annual Christmas Concert. The Arts Council owns an historic church in town, and it was such a beautiful place to play our music. Several of my piano students performed as well. Piano, recorders, cello, "drums"...it was a lot of fun being the musical Wilson family.

https://www.facebook.com/ashlandartscouncil/videos/2433598626865225/

First Date

Twenty years ago - in all our glory. No, we didn't go roller skating on our first date, but this is the earliest picture I have, from shortly after we started dating. I'm still in awe that he's stuck with my craziness this long. Twenty years....and still rolling. (you can groan now)

Clean Bill

October and November were filled with some rather invasive medical tests after some abnormalities were spotted during a routine exam. When all is said and done, I'm relieved to know that the blood work and biopsy produced nothing to cause concern. Nor is major surgery necessary at this point.

I'm still fighting what I consider to be significant fatigue - there are days I'm not comfortable driving for fear of falling asleep. And days I'm not working, it's not uncommon for me to sleep for several hours in the afternoon. I'm hoping to get this figured out soon, as I will be doing another long-term sub job in the spring, on top of three evenings of piano lessons.

So while the big questions have been answered, I'm still knocking on doors to get to the bottom of other issues.

Back in My Element

It seems November was filled with more music subbing days than normal. I've been able to teach from Kindergarten through High School, including both of my girls. I confess, it's a little bit of a stroke to the ego to be asked to specifically teach a methodology that's part of my background, namely singing in solfege (the do-re-mis, for those not familiar). I can't believe how quickly various groups were able to pick up on the concept and make incredibly beautiful music. I was even in tears at one point with the high school choir at the beauty of their singing. It was nice to be back in my element and remember what it was that drew me to music education in the first place.

Fir Real?

This beautiful balsam fir is now gracing our living room. It's a fun tradition to go to Prairie Pine Plantation each year, drink hot cocoa, look for hidden squirrels, ride in a wagon, and find the perfect tree. This year, note that Annie is wearing shorts. You just never know in Nebraska.