Phew

The wedding is ovah. It went fine and I got many compliments. This has been so fun, though, that I want to keep the cello chops up. Now it is time to get to work on the COD concert stuff that is on Thursday and the Maria trio stuff that is on Friday.

Ciabatta

Ciabatta
Originally uploaded by gurley

As is probably obvious by looking this bread is not quite up to snuff yet. I'm really not a huge fan of this kind of bread so perhaps I should stop trying to make stuff that I don't really like. This particular batch was doomed, though, because it had to ride in the car during the final proof and also because we don't have the right equipment. And also because I was being pestered by drunk Papa.

The great thing about grandparents is that when your kids are with them you can really realize just how much you miss them when they are gone. I dropped them both off yesterday, then grandma took abbey and me to get haircuts, even though I had forgotten that I was going to wait until after Abbey's ballet show to cut hers but oh well. Then we went to the shoe store for some slipper type shoes to wear out of swimming lessons and ballet when they don't necessarily have socks. Those goofers picked out these rubber croc like things that are shaped like cats. and now they sit back there meowing their shoes at each other.

Then I went to rehearsal. Which went pretty well I think, although I do feel slightly hoodwinked. It turns out we're rehearsing to play her tunes for a fundraiser at her temple. She's lucky that I just recently extended my banning of all thing money related to cover my music life as well. Because now I can't even worry about it, a gig's a gig.

yay

ugh

Happy half birthday to Abbey and me! That must mean it's auntie Becky's birthday. I'm still feeling all ughy from her party 2 days ago. Now instead of getting all drunk and then hung over I just get hung over from meat. I should have known better but there was nothing to eat otherwise. We were going to stop and bring something but of course we didn't. I only had a bite or two but here we are 2 days later and I can still feel it working it's way through the system.

Yesterday I made Portuguese sweet bread but I finished it so late that I have not yet tried it. It looks really good, hopefully it tastes good too.

And I finished the second hat which Ella does not like because it's not blue enough. It's so blue it looks white. It's also a touch too small so I may just give it to Jenna. I also finished the mittens which are connected up and strung through Abbey's coat. Now I have to make Ella's mittens.

I think I'm finally getting a little less nervous about Saturday, things are sounding better and better, it's amazing what happens when you practice. Tomorrow is my rehearsal with the newest group, hopefully that all clicks together. fingers crossed that gail can find a drummer because we desperately need one.

Today we are off to the circus this AM with my parents. Then we are taking them to this yummy mexican place in pilsen because it is so good and they will love it. Then we have to go to Auntie Becky's house for her birthday extravaganza. I have a plan of attack. It's like that seinfeld where George realizes that his first instinct is always wrong and he should do the opposite. Well, obviously Becky is on the opposite side of the calendar from me so I maybe I'll just oppositeize everything this evening. Kathy is at least coming this year.

Cranky!!

About external things this time, one is just not even worth mentioning but the other is that Abbey and Ella's ballet teacher is requiring attention and money above and beyond what a ballet teacher should, I think. First of all, when we started out over the summer Abbey and Ella were put into the same class. Over the summer this was fine with me because it was Ella's first class of anything ever and we all know how nervous and shy Ella can be. Looking back I think it was an error because since then Ella has started school and does just fine there on her own, and is growing into herself apart from Abbey in an awesome way. So I'd really like for them to be in classes that are appropriate for their level. They currently are in a class where there are 3 -5 year olds, with mostly 4 year olds and Abbey plus 3 3 year olds. The class is an hour. I do not want to sit and watch ballet class for an hour every week. Over the summer I stayed because Ella was new to class and I wanted to make sure that she did OK and stuff, but she did fine. So once the fall session started I'd take the girls in and get them all geared up and then go home for an hour and then come pick them up, usually a little early so I could catch the last little bit of class and get a vibe on the room. The past few weeks there has been a noticeable vibe of frustration in the room. I noticed that 2 of the moms were tucked away off in a corner while most of the moms were talking at a table, and 1 or 2 were actually sitting by the class and watching. The class was divided just this same way! The 2 girls of the seperate moms were only with each other and would only talk to each other. The rest of class was pretty much doing ballet and there were 1 or 2 kids who were having a hard time focusing but their moms were there directing them. My kids were in the group that was doing ballet. I asked them afterwards what was going on and they said that the 2 girls are exclusive and it hurts their feelings. We talked about what ballet class is and what it is for and how it's nice to have friends but that it's not appropriate to behave that way at ballet, the girls got it, they were sad that these 2 others weren't friendly. Then this week I got a call from the teacher to tell me that she was having a problem with Ella and that Ella doesn't do the arms. I know exactly what's going on with Ella, when she gets stressed she shuts down and doesn't do the arms. I told the teacher my concerns about having abbey and ella together, which she brushed off, and I told her that Ella is a bit of a tough nut and that if she hasn't warmed up yet then the ball is still in the teacher's court. That put her off a bit but she came back with a slightly accusoritory tone about there being other 3 year olds in the class that were doing fine. I really didn't want to get into it with the lady because I still needed to do some research. So I talked to Ella about how we have to try and that even if it's hard and we don't think we can it's still our job to try our best and all that jazz and then I went to class and sat on the side with the bad kid moms and watched. And talked to them. And my conclusion is that the ballet teacher is insane. I think my kids are learning ballet, but I think that the social statement being made by her attitude towards the different behaviours in class was very telling. My experience with ballet as a child was that I was not pretty enough or thin enough to be good. The teacher ran me out of town, it felt personal. I hope that I am not bringing that baggage to this situation. Meanwhile the cost of tuition is about 5 dollars lower than the other ballet schools in the area and it's close. but we have been nickled and dimed to death and don't even get a fun costume for the dress up bin out of the deal. they're rented! What kind of buck is she making on costume rentals that she couldn't make on out and out buying them? You pay her for flowers, you pay her for an ad in the program, we buy 15 dollar tickets! Each! Kids are 7. They are invited to be in 2 numbers at 15 each per kid per costume and as they get older they are "invited" to do more!

Obviously I need a new ballet teacher. I cannot deal with this, it will make me have hate feelings.

otherwise I am stressing out over 3 upcoming gigs that I do not feel even remotely ready for and do not see any way to get there without ignoring my children for extended periods. Even with my folks are taking them overnight but that's for a whole different gig that's not until January or something.

Time to make the waffles

monday monday la laaaa la laaaaa

it snowed.

there is snow in my yard.

I am actually happy about that because maybe now it will just be winter and not this weird going back and forth thing that seems to make me feel yucky.

today I think I will start learning how to make french bread. I do not think there is much to do day 1 but I think I will do it and then I will know.

I have been a knitting fool and now I need to be a going to the post office fool because I cannot finish these socks until I know if they will fit. They are TINY and must go to the smallest footed person that I know, but if they are indeed too tiny even for her then I must frog and re-do.

But oh yes, the knitting, I spent too much on the yarn for the hat but it was soooo nice to work with and has knitted up just as nice. yay for non itchy wool. the mitten wool on the other hand is giving me a rash to work with but I'm hoping that it will relax a little. It still has chunks of leaves from the dye in it and stuff, which is nice too but rather the opposite of the other hand spun and dyed stuff.

Oh, and my new strings!!! Also well worth the spendy because they are so smooth and slidey. Since John's from homeing it I can definitely practice first thing, and then start the bread...

I have realized that I can really like this time of year as long as I don't feel like I have to do anything. As long as I can somehow make myself want to do it I'm ok...

we'll see

Thursday already! Let's see, what shall we do today? I was still really sore and achy at yoga time yesterday so I did lots of stretching and less of crazy things. Off to the gym today and then we are recording at COD which is not really that fun or interesting anymore, but does get the adrenalin going. Can't fuck up, ya know? Tape's rolling. then there is an hour and a half of ballet this evening. That should poop them out. There are 2 girls there who only play with each other and don't allow anyone else to play with them. And it's like, I really like their mom's but what the fuck ladies? A) your kids are disrupting class and B) they are being huge assholes! I just leave and don't watch class anymore but these mom's can sit there and watch an hours worth of this shit every fucking week? They are the 2 teachers too, well, one of them is a teacher and the other is in school to be. I'm really appalled and mortified, though, if you can't tell. Fortunately Abbey and Ella both just participate in the class and pretty much hang out with everybody. At Ballet and at swimming. Nobody like to put their face in the water, yet, that's when we'll have fishes instead of daughters.

I am doing my best not to hurry the finishing work on this blanket but I got a mitten pattern generator and had to at least make the swatch out of my new fancy yarn that came yesterday sot hat I could print my pattern for the mittens... The blanket is so close to done I can't help but finish it today I don't think and then it's on to mittens for the fam.

practicing

is back on track. My new bass strings are coming in the mail woohoo. Finally got some new rosin for the ole cello bow and that has made a big difference. Now I have to find a good chair. I'm so annoyed that I didn't just save the dog chair from the olden days because it's the perfect height, but I didn't. I did something stupid and bought organic hand dyed yarn from the crafters. These will be the most expensive hats and gloves ever. Unless for some reason it's an endless supply or something, we'll see just how many mittens and hats I can make from 220 grams of yarn. I love etsy, though.

So John tells me the other day, and maybe he was asking? I don't think so. He tells me that now is a good time to buy stocks and that we should consider investing. As in, he's already picked out the stocks and is ready to write the check or something. So I say, oh, well, then maybe a little kick down for the bass fund is in order? And oh yeah, remember how we were going to fund a retirement account for me? yeah. And then he says, you have to pick one or the other! Yeah!

Everybody is on to round 2 of cold season 2008. I am just now de-snotted but both girls are in the throes. I think it needs to just get cold already, this late summer summer can kiss my ass, I'd much prefer it in March. or even April.

Ooooh, and I'm reading a terrible vampire book but I must finish it today. it's really bad but in that good way. I got it just to kick start the reading and it has worked like a charm.

Let's see... I need to just go to a stinkin yoga class but I can't seem to get there, but I keep practicing at home and stuff I'm just pretty sure that I'm doing some whacky alignment things to compensate for my knees, which have gotten a lot better but are still, well, not like they were before.

ya

more playing

So on Saturday I got to go play with this fellow named Bill at the Border's in Oak Brook. And there were some other folks. 2 people new the songs and the other 3 of us were reading. So it actually went pretty well, there were only 1 or 2 train wrecks and we got cooking there towards the end. There was a table sitting right next to me who sang along and were really enjoying themselves. And then there was the fellow over in the magazines who was flat out getting down. I think he was three fish short of a lawn mower, but he was enjoying himself. And I could adjust his whirly. H aha ha ha

today is grandma day.

woohoo

Playing

My COD combo was invited to play the Elmhurst Jazz Fest this February. Yay, right? Yeah! But the only problem for me is that I need to register for the class, as of course only students are allowed to "compete" in such a thing. But since I'm out of district it's like 350 or something crazy to register, while it's only around 100 for the in district folks. So would it be horrid for me to register from a different address? I hate this shit, really. Ugh. I should ask the director fellow what he thinks...

Tonight's the night I can go to Danche's and play a little. I should go, I'm feeling really terribly lacadaisical about playing anything, though, why is that?

dunno

Voting Day

Woohoo

gonzo

John and I are heading in tomorrow. The girls are going to my mom's and then we're going to drive over and park because if it's anything like escape from new york we'll be needing the car later. Oh how I wish we had more supplies...

loo loo loo loo

so we went to the Snack Shop for dinner last night, it's a greasy spoon over on Ogden (which is Route 66) and I ordered the coffee because how do you go to the diner without getting coffee? This stuff tasted like normal diner coffee, but man, did it ever jack my shit all up. I watched the time change, and then made myself go lie down. I think I slept for awhile but I have no idea how long but once the sun came up so did my eye balls. so here I am. loo loo loo. I have a baby shower to attend with the girls and we all know what joy I derive from those sorts of pseudo phony events. But I CAN bring my knitting so woohoo.

loo loo loo loo

Better

Ugh, that was sucky. I am finally feeling better, but I broke down last night in the middle of the night and took some tylenol. The dreams, man, the dreams I was having! ugh.