Clarinet Choir

A few weeks ago I was listening to a piece of classical music with my boss, Bob, at work.  I recognized the melody and knew that I had to have played it at some point.  I tried later that day and into the evening to find a recording of it but failed.  It made me sad. 
Bob teased that I was "reliving the glory days" before I left work and he was probably right.  My experiences in high school and college were a great time that I find myself wanting to experience again from time to time.  Maybe everyone gets a little nostalgic, but to me, it's saying goodbye to a way of life and a passion I can no longer fully participate in.
When it comes to what I play and how well I play it I don't like to bring it up, I don't like to talk about it and I don't like to brag.  Which is why the common answer I give to how many instruments I play is "a few", how well I play is "I do alright" and other vague answers to such questions.  I've always found the minute you brag it's to someone who is better than you are and they won't be impressed.  I find that being specific, even if you don't mean to sound arrogant comes across that way.  So vague and simple is usually best.
But I am going to admit some things right now that I normally wouldn't say.  I am a good musician.  I have to remember the "glory days" to be reminded of that.  I was a first chair in a Europe tour, All-State, honor band clarinetist.  I was a special guest oboist.  I was lead alto in a jazz ensemble.  I was a soloist, a composer, an arranger, a sought after musician.
I chose a different path than performer when I left school and married Jim.  I accepted the minute I said "yes" to Jim's proposal that I was giving up that future and I know I made the right choice.  But I would be lying if I didn't sometimes miss it.
I miss having a reason to practice or play with an ensemble of any size.  It's why I never complain about being on the special music schedule, it's why I learned bass (to play in the worship team) and it's why when Nate Helzer offers me an opportunity to play in the pit orchestra for a musical or accompany his choirs I jump at the chance.  It's why the Seussical was the highlight of my year last year-- playing in a group, even a small one, the challenges it presented, the multiple instruments, everything I love to do. 
Not to say I don't find things to do.  I am always looking for new music for special music at church, Karen and I work on solos of mine, I am always thinking of things to do with an ensemble and I'm always thinking of things to write.  It's why I give lessons and why I love working at the music store.
It's also why I'm re-writing a piece for the OHS band to hopefully perform sometime this spring.  It's also why I didn't hesitate to accept when the Clarinet Madness clarinet choir in South Dakota offered to play something I write.  The clarinet choir will be particularly special to write for, as two of my most beloved private instructors perform in it (which I admit also freaks me out a little bit!). 
Music will always be a part of my life.  While I may no longer be able to perform in concert bands, orchestras or jazz groups, I will fill my life with what I can.  It's a part of what makes me, me.

My Morning Tea

Danielle, thanks again for the run this morning.  I enjoyed a new route for a change of scenery, even though it was somewhat a lack of scenery.  Thank you, also, for the conversation.  Sometimes I realize we have more in common than I thought and I really enjoy getting to know you
For everyone else, obviously, I went for a run with Danielle this morning.  I was doing laundry before I left and my planning skills lapsed as I started the machine with my winter gear in.  So, I put on capris and a light jacket.  The run was fine, but by the time I got home I was cold.  I even told Jim as I walked in the door "I don't think I'll ever get warm again".  So, after a warm shower, I made a nice hot cup of tea.
I drink Chai Tea a lot, and the Good Earth brand always has quotes on the tab at the end of the tea bag.  Today, mine read:

"Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt".  -Abraham Lincoln.

 I have always loved this quote.  James 1:19 says "... everyone should be slow to speak and quick to listen..." and I've always thought of these together. 
I thought it was quite the coincidence that this quote would appear today after my conversation with Danielle this morning.  As we were cooling down we started talking about comments people make to us.  To talk without thinking seems to be a condition we all suffer from and have all been hurt by.

I admit to hyper-sensitivity and over-analyzing.  Everything people say to me I run through filters to see which ways they could mean it. I'm worse in that I even take into consideration what people DON'T say.  No one said anything nice today, I wonder if that's because there is nothing nice to say?

So this is coming from someone who is very aware of words, and should be taken with a grain of salt.  But, I find myself wondering today how often I've said something to someone without thinking that could have been hurtful? Or, have I held my tongue when I could have been a blessing? 

I remembered a few sore spots in my history this morning.  Comments that were made that when I think of them I have to forgive the person who said them again because my pride builds defenses and I get angry just thinking about them.  I remember lesser comments that have hurt me.  I realize that most often these comments are made without any realization that they could cause pain. 

So, I will pray that God will help me guard my tongue in the coming week.  That I won't hold my tongue from encouragement, but I will hold it from "comment", advice or judgement.  That I will listen more than I speak. That I will speak only when I know what to say, so that I don't prove that I'm a fool (I'll keep that as my little secret) I will guard my mouth (and my typing), to keep myself from calamity (Proverbs 21:23), from unnecessary pain and drama.   I will be quick to apologize and forgive for comments made. 

And I will finish my tea.

Friday Night Parrish Style

Friday nights are the one night a week where Jim and I are able to completely relax.  Tonight after work we got in our gym attire.  I did some yoga, Jim ran for a while on the treadmill.  I made homemade burritos.  The best part of the night?  The comfy clothes.  There is a close to perfect feeling after some relaxing yoga, a nice warm shower, and that moment when the sweat pants come on.  Ahhh...

Responsible for Things

I apologize if I have any daily readers that were disappointed to not find a new post last night.  I had every intention and actually started four or five times before I just gave up and chalked it up to block sort of day... both writers block and photographers block.  Nothing seemed interesting enough to write about, which is entertaining considering the other things I've written about haven't been terribly interesting.
Today is day 5 of our no spend month so there really isn't much to report as far as our actions other than we are still on track, which I would sure hope to be the case not even a full week in.  I was afraid by now we would be craving our favorite dining out options, especially since they aren't available, but so far, none of that.  At least not that is being admitted, anyway.
I did discover on returning from the grocery store I had forgotten something on the grocery list.  Dishwasher detergent capsules.  There are 4 left under the sink.  In an effort to conserve them and still keep my house clean, I have been doing the dishes the normal way.  Don't worry, I'm not complaining, but it's been something new in the Parrish household to have our dishes all hand washed.

Though I wouldn't consider myself a big spender, Jim and I have a tendency to waste money on each other sometimes.  I was thinking about this today as we watched TV during lunch.  The TV and sound system have been two things that Jim has purchased since we moved here that I questioned but eventually gave in because, well, I love him and wanted to see him happy with a new toy.  I didn't think we needed a screen THAT big, or a system that could get THAT loud.
But, I'm guilty of getting things, too.

The couch you see here was a purchase we made when we first moved here.  The kitchen has gadgets that I don't necessarily need (though I use all of them, I hate keeping things I don't use).  This is the view from our front door looking into our home.  I appreciate so much the opportunity to own a home and the things in it and I feel blessed and burdened with the responsibility to keep everything nice.  Now that we aren't spending money I am reminded again of that responsibility for the things I already have.  Why would I want more things to care for?
So today I feel the need to clean my house extra well and take care of my things extra carefully, because God gave them to me and what He gives, no matter how temporary, is my responsibility to care for. 

Trying To Teach Triathlon Training

One of my final purchases of 2011 was The Triathlete's Training Bible.  I have been learning all sorts of interesting things about preparing for this sort of event.  Jim had some interest in competing in the Tri-Ogallala race this coming summer and asked me to help him train.  So, being the organizer and the runner of the family, I’ve taken on the responsibility of learning everything I can about the sport so that my dear husband is prepared.  I plan on helping him with his diet, I plan on training with him and then I’m going to somehow find a big foam finger and cheer him on come race day.  I will have to enlist the help of some high school girls to make one of those snazzy homemade cheering shirts.

I will not be competing in this race.  It is important that I cheer for my husband at the sporting even he wants to be involved in, and I couldn’t be focused on that if I were concerned with my own race.  I also ride a cruiser style bike with no gears.  It will be enough for me to know that I can do it, without the official time or without being involved.  I think I will enjoy being on the sidelines for this race, and the sense of accomplishment my husband will get will be a far better feeling than if I were to do it myself anyway.

It’s exciting that the next few months will be training for us without any stress of my own race.  Because this year, I’ve decided I run for fun.  I am not going to compare myself to other runners as much as I want to, but focus on how great I feel.  I don’t run to race or for anything or anyone else.  And my husband is racing to prove to himself he can do it.  It will be nice to train with him.  Above being my husband, Jim is my absolute best friend and this is one more thing I get to do with him.  

Inventory Day

Though the store was closed for business today, we were more busy than we are normally at Lou Kraus Music.  As the title suggests and most business owners understand, it was inventory day.  A day set aside to check lists, scan barcodes, make sure we have what the government thinks we have and make sure we know what is in stock and what is not. 
I don't know how many people know this about me, but I'm kind of a semi-obsessive list maker.  I love lists, I love organization, I love everything having it's place.  I frequently have "inventory days" at home to determine if the things I own really have a place in my home, if they are good and worthy of taking up space.  There are things that don't fit.  I hate taking up storage space so often times "stock" that doesn't belong is given away or sold.  Sometimes, I hold on in hoping it will become useful one day.  I had multiple clarinets for that reason, most of which have finally been distributed in some way or another to other people.  Sometimes, inventory day can get me into trouble because I find where I'm lacking and that makes me want to shop, sometimes purchasing more things that will later be considered unworthy of taking up space.  Regardless, I like knowing what I have. 
My seriously strange love for list making, the little scanner gun I get to play with, and the full staff all accounted for make inventory day my favorite day at the store.  It flies by, with each little "beep" of my scanner signifying a little check mark in my brain of one more thing scanned and done, a success high with every one. 
Bob, Shannon, Luis and Cassandra were all there today.  I love a full house at the store.  It happens rarely, since there really isn't use of four people at the store on a regular basis.  Unlike the majority of people, I love my job, my bosses and my coworkers.  When I worked at GE Money, I didn't care for what I did, I didn't care for the upper, middle, or lower management, or the fact that there were so many layers of management.  I had a few friends for coworkers but not enough to make up the many most definitely NOT friends.  I had no passion for scanning documents and I made no connections that helped me along in something I was passionate in.
This job (which, I basically got because Shannon liked my laugh and I know something about music) is completely different.  I come to work and do something I like and am surrounded by something I love all day.  I may not be a guitar genius or pro-audio know-it-all and I may have to have Bob answer 95% of the questions people ask (because he is both a guitar genius and pro-audio know-it-all), but I love it.  My bosses are great and fun, my coworkers are funny and nice. 
So today, I celebrate list making and a great job with great people by sharing a picture of our newest LKM team member.  Known as Nachorita by us, Cassie by everyone else, she holds the super-fun scanning gun ready to tackle another row of sheet music!  Thanks, Nacho, I enjoyed it even more with your help!

This is NOT A Resolution

I repeat, this is NOT a resolution.  It might be starting on the first of the year and it might sound exactly like something that someone would say if they were starting a resolution, but it isn't.  It's a challenge.  Just to make that clear.

January is going to be our “No Spend Month”.  After a few months of vacations, Christmas presents, new restaurants opening and unexpected expenses, we feel it’s time to re-establish our financial goals and make them a reality.  It’s an experiment that I’d like to share.  And since everyone is different in their financial responsibilities, I have set my own rules for the month. 

What we CAN spend money on

-          Bills.  That’s a no-brainer.  We won’t have any debt or electricity being shut off.

-          Two grocery store visits for predetermined groceries.  No deviations.

-          Emergencies.  I’ve never read a blog, article, or anything on the subject of a no spend month where an emergency didn’t come up.

-          Our anniversary date (we planned on seeing the second Sherlock Holmes but it wasn’t available at our theater) I have cash set aside for.

-          Tithes.

What we CAN’T spend money on

-          Eating out, our most common monetary slip.

-          Extra grocery stops for “one thing” that end in multiple things.  2 trips.  That’s it.

-          Extra items.  We are set on clothes and luxury items.

-          Entertainment.  We have Netflix and movies of our own. 

It will be interesting to see what this will teach us.  I am looking forward to a little extra money in the bank and knowing we can go without spending when we have to.  Anyone else ever tried this and have any tips or tricks?
Picture is of the change that was in my purse a few minutes ago.  And, by the way, this is picture 10.  356 left to go.