My Bio

I was asked today to provide a bio for an upcoming choir program.  I'd never done a bio before.  Not for myself.  So, I tried to come up with something.

Everytime I read the bio of a peer, it usually starts with their name, followed by "received her Bachelor of Music Education degree in piano from Southeastern University" or something akin to that.  But mine doesn't read that way.  Mine is simply, "Church Pianist for 20 years".  So, I sat down and thought about my bio today.  So far, it goes a little something like this.

I grew up in Denham Springs, beginning my piano lessons at the young age of six and continuing until I graduated from Denham Springs High in 1985.  I had several teachers in the Denham/Walker area who provided my piano instruction.  There was ONE teacher I really wanted to take lessons from but I'd heard that she only accepted students through audition.  It wasn't until I was grown, and way past auditioning age, that I learned she wasn't really auditioning the student, she was "auditioning" the parents to see how committed they were to getting their child to lessons!

I had a musical mother and musical neighbors on three sides of my childhood home.  The fourth side had livestock.  At night, I could hear the neighbor on the left as he played country music with his band.  The sounds would float across the pasture to my bedroom window, inspiring me to one day become a famous country singer. (Yeah, you see THAT happened!)  On other days, the neighbor on the right would play a mean piano in the stylings of Floyd Kramer and I dreamt of being able to play like that someday. (I CAN!) The neighbor across the street was an aspiring opera singer.

My mother was also classically trained in voice and from time to time would need someone to play for her when she sang at local senior luncheons.  She told me once that the real reason she pushed for my piano lessons was so she would always have an accompanist at her beck and call.

I graduated high school, got married six months later, and didn't touch a keyboard for 5-7 years.  Then someone gave me a piano.  I got it tuned and proceeded to entertain myself in my living room.  Not long after that, I got divorced.

A few years later, in 1997, I remarried.  That same year, I'd heard that my childhood church home needed a pianist as they were beginning a new 2nd service on Sunday mornings.  I called the music director to ask about the position and was told to be at choir practice the following Wednesday night.  I showed up and 20 years later, I'm still there as church pianist and choir accompanist.  During that 20 years, I have also accompanied Doyle and Walker High School Choirs, under the direction of Sherri Shelton and Margaret Pfeil, and Denham Springs Jr. High, under the direction of Karen McGibboney, for their District Festival performances as well as Christmas and End of Year concerts.   I have also played at weddings and funerals.

I really just wanted to be a veterinarian and an Indian Princess when I grew up.

The Horoscope Isn't Always Correct, but Every Once In a While

Hunny has been patiently waiting for some items he ordered for the motor-home to be delivered.  Most of the things he ordered came promptly to our door.  This ONE item has not arrived though and he's been a little impatient for it. 

He got on his computer, looked up Amazon to see his order, got the tracking number, went to the UPS site and plugged the number in.  It shows the items was delivered and left at the "side door".  Um, we don't have a "side door".  So, he notated the phone number on the UPS site and called them.  Of course, the computer answered the phone and he was directed through a series of "press 1, 2, 3, etc."  A few minutes later, he hung up the phone and went back to the Amazon site to go through the whole process again. Fifteen minutes later, his blood pressure is up and he's snappy.  I have no idea what he's doing over in the corner with the computer.  I just know he needs a break.

I walk over to him and tell him gently to "Please, step away from the laptop" and "Put down the phone." He's not a happy camper. He makes his way to his favorite living room chair and attempts to get comfortable.  I settle down in the office chair and look at the Amazon website for the item information.  Then I move to the UPS website for tracking information.  I click "Lost Package" and am directed to another page on which there is a phone number.

I call the phone number and got the automated robot.  Instead of going through all the numbers, I just press 0.  To my relief, a human answers the line and offers her assistance.  She asks questions and I give answers, yada yada.  In the end, a claim for the lost package has been made, Amazon has been contacted for a refund, and an investigation for the package has begun.

I turn to Hunny and jokingly ask him, "Do you have any more booboos for Mama to kiss and make better?"  He glares at me and say, "It's not funny!" and goes back to reading his newspaper.

I barely have left the office chair and took two steps when I heard him take a deep sigh, and mumbled under his breath, "You've gotta be kidding me."

I question him and he shows me the Horoscope printed in the paper today.

His: "Emotions will take control and should be channeled into something that will make your life and a relationship with someone you love better."

Mine: "Jump in and get things done.  Your ability to adapt, take charge and make things happen will turn you into the go-to person." 

Bwah-hahaha-hahaha.  I find the whole thing quite hilarious.  Just remember, the Horoscope is not always right, but Every Once in a while, it'll surprise ya.

Whew! It's been a day!

The past two days have had me depressed and anxious.  My Dahlin' had to go to some inspection jobs and it's been a little unusual for me since he's semi-retired and always around. So, he's left me home alone for a few days and I feel a bit out of sorts.

Yesterday, after taking my girls to their piano lesson and returning home for the evening, I pulled into my 70 foot long driveway and parked my Suburban in it's normal spot.  We got out of it, came into the house, and got settled for the evening.  The truck has been having it's issues lately, I mean, it has 300,501 miles on it.  Two years ago, the Reverse went out on the transmission and we repaired that.  Now, it's leaking oil and water but still driving good as long as I keep an eye on things.

So, last night, we go to bed and I didn't sleep well.  I tossed and turned all night.  This morning, I get up to get the girls ready for school and my husband asks me about a transaction on our checking account.  Apparently, earlier this week, someone had themselves a Macy's shopping spree, grabbed some groceries at Rouse's, got some meds at Walgreen's, grabbed a coffee at McDonald's, then got a CocaCola and a steak dinner .... all on my dime!!!  $383.38 worth! 

Hunny leaves for work and I tell him that I'm going to the bank as soon as they open to take care of this mess.  Approximately 8 a.m., I go out to my Suburban, you know, the one I just drove home yesterday evening?  I get in it, put the key in and start it up.  Then I put it in Reverse and can you guess what happened?  Nothing.  Nada.  Not a dang thing.  Puzzled, I move the shifter to Drive and what happened then?  Nothing.  Nada.  Not a dang thing.  My non-mechanical brain automatically thinks, "Oh, Joy.  The transmission has gone out and now we'll have to get that replaced."  Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine the events that transpired next.

I call Hunny to tell him what's going on.  After a few choice words, he tells me just take care of the bank thing over the phone and he'll be home soon to look at my truck. 

About 11:30 a.m. he pulls up.  I greet him with a sandwich and we talk a bit and then we head out to look at the truck.  He instructs me to get in and turn the key on.  "Put it in Reverse.", he says.  Same as before, nothing happens.  Puzzled, he then says, "Try Drive?".  Again, nothing.  He then lays on his back and shimmies up under the truck.  Then he hollers at me, "Kill it!"  So I do.

He crawls out from under the truck and says to me, "So, how in the hell did you get up the driveway without a drive shaft?" Huh?  There's no drive shaft?  With a shrug, I said, "I don't know."  followed by, "Where would it be?  It couldn't have gone far."  He asks, "Did you hear anything at all when you came up the driveway? A loud bang or anything?"  Me, "Nope."

We went for a walk down the drive looking for the missing drive shaft.  Then we took his truck and drove about 1/4 mile down the road to look for it.  It is gone!  We come back and he crawls under the truck again and says, "That's odd.  All 4 bolts are missing from the deferential. I can understand two, but ALL 4?"

After walking around the yard while scratching our heads, we finally conclude that this drive shaft did not just fall off and roll away where it can't be found.  It HAD to have grown legs and walked off!  Literally! 

We looked around for evidence but there isn't any.  If there was anything in the dirt under the truck, it got scrubbed away when he crawled under to look at it.  We decided that someone came into our yard after we went to bed.  They bebopped up my 70 foot drive with a little ol' tool in their hand, crawled under my truck and helped themselves to my drive shaft.  Leaving me stranded at home with no way around.  I guess they figured they needed it more than I did. 

We called the police and filed a report but that's not gonna get my part back.  Now, Dahlin' is calling all the salvage yards he can find to get a replacement but it's not easy.  Apparently, my model of vehicle is a popular one.  I wonder if the thief knows that the drive shaft he stole has over 300,000 miles on it?

After having #1 - my debit card compromised, and #2 - my drive shaft taken off my truck within 30 feet of my front door, I'm wondering what #3 is gonna be.  I think I'll go take a nap.  Maybe the world will be all sunshine and roses when I wake up.

Down Home Grill Cafe, Livingston, La

Location: 29437 S Frost Rd Livingston, Louisiana 70754

Hours:  9-3, M-F

Phone:  (225) 686-1197

The Down Home Grill Cafe in Livingston has been open for a couple of years now and serves only breakfast and lunch.  I have eaten there several times before and usually have a pretty good experience.  Today, my husband and I decided to drop in for lunch and, on a whim, I decided I'd do a review.   

The place isn't fancy.  There are no elaborate decorations.  It has brown Formica topped tables and vinyl chairs.  There is also a bar.  

For our lunch today, my husband and I strayed from the usual menu and chose to have the offered specials.  We did not order any appetizers.  Our drinks were the standard Unsweetened Tea.  

My husband had the All You Can Eat Fried Catfish with a side of Fried Okra and Potato Salad ($12).  Catfish fillets were coated in Cornmeal and deep fried to a golden brown color.  They had a crispy snap at the bite.  The Fried Okra, Potato Salad, and Texas Toast were a nice accessory to the meal.
  

I chose what the waitress called the Atchafalaya (Fried Catfish smothered with Crawfish Etoufee) with a side salad and Texas Toast ($13).   Again, the Fried Catfish was wonderful!  However, the Crawfish Etoufee was a little spicy for me.  It had a good flavor but after a few bites, I could no longer tell that I had taste buds.  My sinuses were cleared though!  

Our waitress, Rebecca, was beautiful, polite, and attentive to our needs.  She must have been watching from across the room.  My husband had one Fried Catfish fillet left on his plate when she appeared with more.  It was, after all, All You Can Eat.  She also noticed when our drinks were a little low and refilled them promptly.  We didn't have to ask her for anything at all!

We will be back.

 

 

Happy 2017!

Today is the 2nd day of the New Year!  We didn't do much around my house to celebrate.  In fact, I've been online most of the day doing genealogy research and road trip planning.  So far this year, we have had heavy rains resulting in a Flood Watch for Jan 1 and a Tornado Watch for Jan 2.  The weatherman is predicting blue skies for Jan 3.  We'll see.  Meanwhile, I began reading some of my old posts on the blog here. 

I need to get busy!  One of my first posts had to do with my bucket list.  I posted that list 7 years ago!  I haven't made much headway on it either.  Looking at it now is a bit depressing!   I need to add "Hiking the Appalachian Trail" to that list but I honestly don't see how that will ever get done.  I can just imagine what kind of shape I would be in after hiking that trail.  I'd be one hot mama!