It's December - the season of being busy. And, last week, I just got a new calling in the ward PLUS I started a part-time job! Oh, yes. Crazy!
My new calling is actually one that is right up my alley - I am the ward music chair plus the sacrament meeting organist. I'm pretty excited about both. I haven't played organ in church for over 10 years and believe the ward is ready for musical numbers again during sacrament meeting. We certainly have enough musical talent. For example, today in church, I coordinated a string ensemble to play a couple of Christmas carols. We had seven string musicians - five cellos and a violin and a viola! And, after I put together this group, I learned of another violinist AND violist in the ward! Wow....
Here we are in rehearsal before the meeting today
My new job is working at the Music Suite. Ultimately, it will be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 1-6:00 starting in January. This month I have one or two shifts per week to train. I am truly not bored with life as it is, but I miss the extra spending money I had when I taught cello lessons - particularly money for traveling - and the Music Suite needed help. I would prefer two days a week but they needed three days so that is what I am doin for now. Hopefully, the other part-time person will eventually be ready for more hours and I will be happy to give them to her. Pat, the owner, is someone I have known for years and she knows I won't be here for long. Happily, as an experienced music teacher and musician, I am kind of qualified for the job.
At least I won't have Civic Orchestra rehearsals on Thursday nights for about six weeks. We had our concert on Saturday - in conjunction with the Show-Me Opera company which is connected with MU, we put on Amahl and the Night Visitors. I love this little opera - it is the second time I have played it with Civic - and it was very nice to have five people supporting me in the audience: Steve, Elise, and three ladies from the ward (Katherine Eschrich, Betty McKinley, and Elizabeth Crippen)
As mentioned in my last blog, Elizabeth's cat, Dakota, had to be put down and Friday was the day. I drove her and the kitty to the vet and stayed with her the whole time - which actually took a whole lot longer than it should have for anyone to see us and then to follow through. Being there brought back all the memories of our beloved animals: Alfred, Trissy, and Sadie. Sigh
Another unpleasant activity last week was going to the dentist again for more filling repair....this time on the upper right part of my mouth. The Windom Hill Christmas station on Pandora got me through this time.
And, it is the time of year for making goodies. I made my mother's Christmas cake for a potluck last Sunday.
I made dipped chocolates on Saturday....
And decorated sugar cookies today. Melanie helped with them but then it was dinner time and I had to finish them later on. And, while we watched the First Presidency devotional after dinner, Tamara, Steve, and I fashioned cream-cheese mints. Definitely a tasty weekend.
Hey, you practically begged for the callings :)
ReplyDeleteI know Frisky wasn't quite as beloved as the others, but I wanted to include her in this remembrance. I was there with Beckie when she had to be put down, and it was gut-wrenching. It was the first time I had ever been present for such a thing, and it broke both Beckie's and my hearts to have to do it. But we wanted to be there for Frisky anyway so she could pass on in the presence of people who cared about her (and that she hopefully cared for in return).
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, good luck with all the extra activities! :)