If you could do anything, what would you do?

That’s a line that Don Draper said in tonight’s Mad Men.  Now, don’t worry, I’m not going to give you any spoilers.  But I sat there, and I thought, what would I do?  Perhaps I haven’t been as happy lately as I’d like.  What would change that?  I thought about a whole bunch of different things, things that I enjoy, things that I think I’d enjoy…

206039_10151031052814623_671034622_12200675_903068785_n

(From our concert Friday night.  I’m the one holding my head ridiculously high on the far left.  I am guessing I was leading the bow?)

I thought, well, it’s the violin.  It’s always the darned violin.  Nothing beats playing the violin.

Well, let me be most specific.  Nothing beats playing Mahler.  Mahler Symphony no. 3.  If I could do anything, that’s what I’d do.  Or Mahler Symphony no. 2.  But I’d prefer 3, thanks.

Another Baby Shower

The concert (Chamber Project St Louis) last night went well.  We made it through everything, and the audience gave us a standing ovation at the end, which was really touching.  It was a great season overall and I’m relieved to be done.  It was exhausting, and honestly my shoulder still needs some healing before I am back to more intense playing.

Today my boss at the school, Laura, threw a wonderful baby shower for Kirby, one of the other teachers at the school.  It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed getting to chat with some of the parents and teachers than I don’t ordinarily have time for.  I had to leave early, unfortunately, but really enjoyed it.  She got the cake from McArthur’s Bakery based on my earlier recommendation (though I must admit I decided NOT to eat the cake today.  Mike would be proud.  I’m sure it was amazing.)  I only took a few pictures because I wasn’t in super blogger mode, but here’s a few I “instagrammed.”

09b42c56acdf11e18bb812313804a181_7

The punch!  It was really tasty.  In my opinion, one of the most fun parts of teaching is having punch at the recitals (though not tomorrow, unfortunately.)  I guess I’ll have to add baby showers to the list of places and times to have punch.  The shower had an owl theme.

We played a couple games.  One of them was pairing up in teams to decorate onesies, and then Kirby had to choose her favorite.  We didn’t win but had a good time making ours.

e6fc6e80ace811e1a92a1231381b6f02_7

Last but not least—the party favors.  These are super cute and filled with chocolate.  I left mine in the car for a bit, so it partly melted.  I figured since I skipped the cake and then ran about 5 miles I could eat a couple pieces 😉

f1b16ab2ad1311e1b10e123138105d6b_7
It was a really nice shower!  I felt bad that I had to leave before the presents were opened, but I’m sure Kirby got a lot of wonderful, helpful stuff.

This was supposed to be my stress free week. Oops.

Tomorrow night, 8 pm.  Audience Choice concert (it’s already been chosen, you don’t get to choose on the night.)  Chamber Project St Louis.  I’m playing on way too many of the pieces.

June 1, 2012 8:00pm
Third Annual Audience Choice Concert!
The Chapel Venue
6238 Alexander Dr. 63105
www.chapelvenue.com
$12 includes concert and two drinks

purchase tickets online here or at the door

At least I figured out what to wear.  I think.  And then I noticed one of my favorite shoes has a little tear in it.  Guess I won’t be wearing those.  I need to find a good shoe repair place.

But seriously.  5 hours of rehearsal.  And that really isn’t enough.  I’m icing my shoulder.  I’m not in the mood for this.  But you should probably come out anyway, I always manage to pull these things off 😉

Plus all the teaching…I have one more week of regular teaching and then it’s into the summer schedule, which will be a much needed lighter schedule.  And going back to City Academy to check on the violins that should have already been returned and weren’t, and doing report cards.  And having a student recital at the house this weekend, and a photo shoot, and a gig, and makeup lessons…to say that I am overwhelmed and stressed out would be an understatement. 

Good news:  we found a house for next year.  We are moving in mid-July.  That’s one stress that I don’t have to worry about.  And we booked tickets for a trip to Boulder, Colorado at the end of July.  So…July should be fun, right?

And I like my new haircut.  Today it was much easier to get ready for work.

Good riddance to May though.  And there was a general overall gain of approximately 4 pounds this month.  That definitely helps my mood. 

Okay.  This is all not really a problem.  I’m just tired.  Everything will be fine, right?  I know what this post needs.  Pictures of cats.

Maru sitting on a cow.

marucow

Oh man, I already feel better 🙂

Creepy haircut pictures

I got my haircut. She took about six inches off. In lieu of an actual post today since I’m so busy, and so stressed out about various things including Friday’s concert that I actually cried all the way to Chesterfield…here are some mildly creepy pictures I took of myself in the car. And my snack today since I’m having major food planning fails.

20120530-194824.jpg

20120530-194847.jpg

20120530-194858.jpg

20120530-194920.jpg

Meat Day

Today we were invited to a “Meat Day” barbecue at our friend Kyle’s house.  Chris was coming back from the Indy 500 so I picked up a steak at the store for him and a “black and blue” burger for me.  I’m not a huge burger fan but I love these burgers from Schuck’s (our local grocery store)—they have blue cheese and green onions and other yummy stuff in them.  I also made the cake batter blondies but with coconut cake and I added extra coconut in the mix and on top.

IMG_0293

My burger!

IMG_0295

A cupcake for dessert, looked beautiful, but really had too much icing (often my complaint about cupcakes, I know I’m weird.)

IMG_0279

Oh, it’s Will and Chris at the race.  They were wearing ripped shirts to try to fit in with the other folks at the race.  Also Chris’s beard is simply out of control.  I much prefer what he did today, though most of the folks at the BBQ disagreed.

IMG_0289

I told him to look happy.  But how awesome is that facial hair?

hannahvanessa

Vanessa and I.  Man it was hot.  And can I say how excited I am to get a haircut tomorrow?

Okay, I’m tired, it feels like Sunday night, but tomorrow is already Tuesday.  It’s a busy, busy week.

Remember, Friday night, Chamber Project St Louis, Audience Choice Concert!  Come out to the Chapel at 8 pm.  The big question:  will I wear the polka dot dress again or will I wear something different?  Only way to find out is to attend (or I suppose read my blog…)

Saturday in pictures

Of course you know I can’t just have pictures.  But I’ll be a woman of few words.

photo (28)

Fish tacos and street corn at Milagro Modern Mexican with Melissa and Steve.

photo (29)

A wedding at Trinity Lutheran Church in Soulard.  Then a quick drive to the Loretto Hilton to play Sweeney Todd with the St Louis Symphony…my last engagement of the year.  Let’s all cross our fingers they call me again in the fall!

Then Chris headed to see the Indy 500 with our friend Will and Vanessa and I hit up Vin de set for drinks and dinner (well, dinner for her).

She had some fun with a lemon twist.  This is what happens when you hang out with low brass players, evidently.

photo (31)

Can you tell what this is?

photo (30)

And then it was bedtime.  Now it’s my dad’s birthday, it’s time to run again, and I have another wedding. 

Weird.  No pictures of me 😉

thoughts about violin, teaching, running, life.