Blog Update, 9-4-11

Since coming home from Texas, we have had quite a few happenings. We went to Santa Barbara and traveled through the wine regions there. It was lovely. We had a great experience at Fess Parker in particular. The stay at the Castillo Inn was very nice. It was a little farther from the ocean that we had thought, but still it had everything we needed. The Marriott up in the Santa Ynez Valley on our next to last night in California was a suite and quite the palace (but a bit too close to the freeway and therefore noisy).

The last day, I performed at the International Clarinet Conference with Amy Simmons. The piece went well and we all had a great time.

Band camp approached quickly after that and we hosted Miranda for the entire week. It was such a wonderful experience and we really had some quality time with our cherished niece. She hung in there and went to camp with me every day. I am proud that she went home and signed up for color guard right away.

School is through it's second week now. I have really great students and I think this year will be the best yet. Pato (from Tampico, Mexico) is leaving today after visiting for three weeks. The students are really going to miss him. I was not able to fulfill his dream of performing with a marching band because the football schedule changed, but hopefully he will come back.

David's band has been playing a lot and sounding great. David Carithers has taken on a more active role with booking and publicity for them. I am so happy for David. He wants another guitar for his birthday!

27 played with Jamaica Me Happy at the Gap last week as well. Fun gig and it's like coming home.

Well, the big news is that we went from no boats to having our own fleet. Do to a connection with Gary (Gary Zumba is what he was referred to at first :>), a member of my Zumba class at Sidelines, we became aware of a few really good deals on boats. At first we decided to just buy the fixer upper ski boat, but when the price became really right, we went ahead and bought the large pontoon party cruiser as well. We're not sure how this will work in the long term and it's been a virtual black hole for money so far, but David is trying very hard to like the lake for me. I absolutely love being out on water, but was raised that way and just to have a boat that cranks when you turn the ignition is like a dream come true.

Charlie's divorce proceedings are going as planned and I haven't seen him this happy in years. We have spent more time together this summer that we have in 20 years. This is such a good development for our family and my heart is so full of hope for Charlie and the possibilities that the future may bring for not only Charlie's health, but also for Payton and Kennedy. I think without she that shall go unnamed in the picture, Charlie and Dad may even be able to explore a relationship together again. Mom has been gone since 1997 so mending the fence is well over due. Still, I am trying not to push, but I can tell they are both ready.

Soybean Festival here next week. Yippee. Not!

Happy Labor Day weekend. Rain is coming it seems.

More later this fall.

Julie