I'm Still Learning

bragging rights

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:21:09 GMT

Katie's voice teacher's showcase was last weekend. Go to www.youtube.com . Search: "Katie Renee Sings The Girl in 14G".
I'm so proud.....

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:06:59 GMT

I haven't posted in awhile- just a quick update.

Thanksgiving was lots of fun- spent the day with Katie, Mom, sister, brother, sis-in-law, nephews. Ate way too much. Then decorated Mom's house for Christmas- a Thanksgiving Day tradition.
Katie had a good time- lots of smiles and laughter til we got home and there was NO communication from her dad. He totally blew her off on Thanksgiving. She was so hurt. I don't understand him...

We have 2 performances of "Messiah" this weekend- one at the Rialto theater in IL, one at the new Basilica in St John. Singing the "Halleluia Chorus" is an amazing experience in and of itself. Then into rehearsals for our 2 Christmas performances. I love singing with the Symphony, especially alongside my daughter. Watching her gain a further apprieciation for and love of classical music is really neat.

Have been hanging out alot more with my girlfriends- I really missed this- just didn't take the time for it the last few months. I have such incredible friends....

Dating regularly- no love connection. Yet.

I'm almost done Christmas shopping! :) And am really excited about the gifts I've purchased for people. But I'm one "those" who gets too excited and usually can't wait to surprise people. Hoepfully I'll do better this year and there will actuallybe some gifts left to open on Christmas morning!

Happier post!

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:11:15 GMT

We have our first college visit scheduled for Oct 20th. I can't believe my baby is making plans for college! Wow. Time goes so very quickly.
Anyway, she wants to pursue a career in music. She wants to go into vocal performance but is being smart and is preparing a back-up plan. She is really passionate about teaching as well- she gets so excited when explaining all that she is learning and "hears" when listening to music. I can't even begin to understand all of it. It truly is a gift. Anyway. Dr Skoog from Bowling Green University diercted us in Switzerland. We fell in love with him. He is so gifted and inspired us in so many ways. And he is just a very kind man. Anyway, when Katie made All-State Honors Choir, we were thrilled to find out that he is also directing that! How weird is that? A professor from an Ohio school directing the IN Honors Choir??? God works in mysterious ways.... So we started looking into Bowling Green. Unlike other schools, they have a wonderful program where the students are prepared for BOTH a professional performing career as well as a teaching career. Most schools make you choose. There is also a program at BGSU where you can focus on teaching only- but Katie isn't as interested in that one. So we're really excited. Next Monday they hae a "Discover Music Day" where you meet all the profs, hear about the programs, tour the campus, tour the hall where most music majors stay, sit in on classes, attend rehearsals. Really cool. So we're going to BGSU next Sunday, staying the night then attending the program Monday. I'm so excited.
Her other choice of course is IU. We'll be visiting there in the Spring.

more crap from the sperm donor

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 05:56:45 GMT

Got a letter from my lawyer today.
The asshole hired an attorney and is questioning the court's rulings. HUH???? Basically, he lost so he's pissed. Let's see..... if he would have showed up, maybe the judge would have at least listened to him. But no, he couldn't do that. So now he's being a total dick. The good news is, the judge already ruled. If he wants it changed, take me back to court. We'll face the same judge and she'll bury him. The bad news- I have no money from him yet and I'm now amassing MORE lawyer fees cos sperm donor is being a jerk. UGH!!! I so want to give up sometimes. Then I look at Katie and know that I can't. But it gets so damn hard.....

custody

Fri, 09 May 2008 15:22:16 GMT

We went to court yesterday and I was awarded FULL CUSTODY! And Brian is being ordered to pay 1 1/2 years of back child support! I think I may actuallybe able to pay for groceries on a regular basis now! And we're asking for the idiot to be ordered to pay all my attorney fees. So he'll have to cough up around $10,000.00. He can afford it, believe me. Life is good.

Court was pure hell. The sperm donor didn't even show up. He just couldn't take a day off work. WTF! This is his daugher we're talking about. Katie was devastated. Again. Her comment was- "he can't even take off a day to fight for me." Broke my heart. And his entire family has turned their back on her. Not one of them has contacted her. The evil step-monster showed up late for the hearing. When Katie saw her, she broke down into hysterics. She was only their to intimidate Katie. She never asked to speak to the judge, lawyer, nothing. When the judge saw Katie's reaction to the bitch, she was kicked out of the courtroom. Love that judge. Female, of course. Not sure a male would have gotten it.

I hope that once Brian calms down, he will work toward a nurturing, loving relationship with Katie. She needs her dad. But if she were to stay with him the way he is now, she would only grow to hate and resent him. So let's pray that the asshole develops some morals and a heart in the near future.

what a suprise

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 05:24:21 GMT

Updates

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 20:04:03 GMT

Symphony- couldn't have been better. Kirk Muspratt said Katie is "astonishing" Isn't that a great word? And when it's used to descibe your daughter, well, all I can say is- I cried. Suprised? Didn't think so. He went on and on about her and said she should get a double major-she wants to be a vet- but should also pursue music as she could get a music scholarship anywhere she wants. *big grin* He also strongly encouraged both Katie and I to audition for the Symphony chorus. Not something I've ever been interested in doing, but hey, anything for my daughter. So... we auditioned last night. The first thing we found out upon arrival was that Dr Menk didn't take ANYONE who had auditoned so far that day ( there were 2 days of auditions) and she didn't seem to be in a very good mood. I went first- toughest audition I've ever had. Dr. Menk tested my range- easy enough- she stopped me at a high C. Then she played intervals and I had to remember them and sing them back. OK, thank goodness I did well with my vocal range. Didn't do so hot with a couple of those. Then I had to sight-read. Over-shot some of the notes, did OK, not superb. Then she tested if I could keep beat, hold notes the correct time and not sing thru rests. Easy stuff. She asked me to sing first soprano.
Then Katie went in. Dr. Menk told her that she doesn't take people under 17. Katie is 15. But she tested her range. Not sure where she stopped her- I think around an A. She almost stopped the audition, but I think cos Kirk recommended her, she let her continue. SHE KICKED BUTT!!! She absolutely nailed the rest of the audition. Her voice teacher and chorus teacher have her do sight reading and interval training all the time. Dr. Menk told her that she is a great vocalist and musician and should major in music. Major in music!!!! She was also asked to sing first soprano.
So again, way proud Mom. Thank goodness Katie has her feet planted firmly on the ground. It feels really great to have such incredibly accomplished and experienced people believing in her, of course. But majoring in music? There are alot of talented people out there, and we all know how cut-throat this business can be. I'm just not sure that's for Katie. So at this point, she's still wanting to pursue vet school, but if she can double major and get a scholarship, all the better.
As for me- work is great. Really having fun so far. Very, very busy, but I'll take that over being bored any day.
Romance- same. Several dates, nothing special.
Janna- I know this is long- sorry but I don't remember how to hide it like you taught me to. *hangs head in shame*

BIG

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 05:58:21 GMT

This was closing night of "BIG". In my entry on 7-27-07 I said that there would be tears on closing. Well, I underestimated the feelings I would have. I absolutely sobbed during my last number. It's a wonderful scene where I have to say good-bye to the man I've fallen in love with.   On other nights, I've managed to fake some tears. But tonight- there was no acting involved. I couldn't even think I was so sad. That has never happened to me. I've been doing theater for over 30 years and have never experienced anything like this. Luckily, most of the audience just thought it was incredible acting. But my leading man and I - Doug- could barely get thru the number we were crying so much. It was really hard. Doug is such a kind and generous man, and when we were singing this incredible song, we were looking into each other's eyes and just knew what the other was feeling. It was pretty cool. No, there is no romantic anything involved. We just had a really incredible summer, and more fun than we could have imagined, and it was hard to know it was ending. In addition, our girls, who made their stage debuts together 14 years ago ( when Doug and I played the Scarecrow and Glinda and our girls were Munchkins in the Wizard of Oz), were in this show also and renewed a friendship that I know will last for many, many years. So it was a really emotional moment. I'm absolutely certain that we hit several bad notes and messed up some lines in that scene. But for the first time ever, I brought my Mom to tears (during a show that is), and the feedback from the audience tells me that the scene was very convincing.
This is why I do theater- I meet the most amazing people and have unbelievable moments with individuals- moments I will cherish forever.
On another note, my leading man, Doug, fell and thought he broke his arm during his opening scene. He was in in incredible pain but gave an outstanding performance nonetheless.   He went to the ER right after the performance and luckily, he only bruised the bone. He'll be sore for a few days, but he'll be OK.
Thanks so much to everyone who came to see the show- I hope it put a smile on your face and let you be a "kid" for a couple hours.

MEN. ICK!

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 09:03:58 GMT

OK, men are idiots. Do they really think they are so irreplaceable that they can do whatever they feel at the moment and that we will just overlook it cos they are just so awesome? IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!! Get a brain and a heart , or go away. Forever.

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 21:24:39 GMT

Haven't logged in awhile. Life is incredibly busy. Since I don't work summers, I was actually worried I'd be bored. HA!

Katie is now done with drivers ed- yup, my baby has her drivers permit! She does really well for the most part, altho at first I thought I'd have a panic attack every time I took her driving. Staying on the road didn't come easily for her.  She's now in speech, then when that finishes, she's has Varsity Singers camp.

And of course, we have rehearsal every night for "BIG- the musical". I hope alot of you come to see it. I play the girlfriend, Susan. It's one of the most fun roles I've every played. Lots of good silly fun. And I tap in this one. That's reason to come in and of itself. Katie has been helping me with that. She's never taken tap, (OK, she took for 6 weeks about 5 years ago) but has caught on really quickly. And the director told me last night that he's putting a mic on her for all the numbers cos her voice is so strong and beautiful. *big proud grin*

And this week I'm teaching music for Vacation Bible School. I've never done this before and have to admit it's alot of fun! I'm teaching them 4 songs with dance, then will present all of them for their parents Friday.

Dating- yes, but nothing serious. Enough about that.

Several of my friends have been dealing with alot of crap right now. Seems like lots of stuff has been coming down lately- illness, family problems, depression, loss, breakups, death. Love and hugs to all of you.

Katie and I are going to see High School Musical at the Star tonight. I'm expecting great things!!! I know they've been working hard and the people who I know are in it are very talented. So.... should be a good time.

muwaa to all.......

House

Wed, 30 May 2007 02:27:40 GMT

Did anyone see the final episode tonight? It was awesome- didn't see it coming. Can't wait till next season.

Friendship

Sun, 13 May 2007 06:11:17 GMT

I've been thinking alot lately about friendship and what it's all about. I've always been someone who takes a person at their word: trusts first, questions later. And lately this has slapped me in the face. Anyone who is reading this is probably thinking- join the club. But what concerns me is that I'm becoming someone I don't like. I find I don't trust people very easily anymore. I have always been big on not letting people control who you are, not compromising who you are because of the actions of other people. But I'm really having a tough time re-claiming my power after the betrayals I have recently experienced. In the meantime, I try to teach my daughter that people are good, to love them and accept them. Yet I'm feeling so sad and disappointed by several people whom I have truly loved and trusted. As they say, this too shall pass. I just really wish it would hurry up!!!!

First Post

Fri, 04 May 2007 00:17:32 GMT

So... I'm here per the recommendation of my friend, watchersprout. Who at this moment is my only friend. :( At least on LiveJournal. I am also on MySpace but find that posting some things there only serves to create drama. So I've found that I don't post. Then what's the use? I have been assured that this is a much "safer" place and that I can actually post my thoughts and feelings without creating all the drama. So here I am. I'm looking to find people with whom I have similar interests and to have a place to simply vent sometimes.
Please be patient with me while I learn all the etiquette of LJ as well as how to get icons, etc. You know, all that fancy stuff.