For those of you who assumed I abandoned my blog to raise llamas in the Andes Mountains, you 1. don't know how difficult raising llamas can be and 2. you don't read my husband's blog which would have made you question why he was picking up his mail order bride at the airport.
Seriously, I had to get these past two weeks behind me to think clearly enough to make sentences that you would enjoy to read. Between working a lot for Don, writing two major papers for my last two weeks of class, starting my new job with Drama Kids, and trying to get better from a horrible sinus infection, I've been a little overwhelmed.
Now that is behind me. On Monday, Don went to his assisted living home. There is a good chance he won't like it so I may work occasionally for him if he does come back home, but I can't give up every weekend like I've been doing. I started a new class which means it will be nine weeks before I have to kill myself over another 1,700 word paper. I have these weird periods through the day where my head feel foggy and a little dizzy and nauseous but I'm functional. I work for Drama Kids every Monday and Friday and I love it. I think the director thought I'd be able to just take the class over, but there is a strict curriculum to follow of which I know nothing about. He will have me start to take over in the next few weeks after observing and training.
The day I started feeling better was the day I took Don to a luncheon being given for his barbershop quartet group. He has sang with them for the past 30 years and each year they host a get together at the William Penn Inn in Blue Bell, Pa. In this area, that's like the creme de la creme. I told Don my family had been there once when I was little. They saw the prices and quickly walked out. It was a dress up luncheon, if you can tell from the picture. Women were supposed to wear 1950s hat and gloves, men wore crazy ties. This was the only crazy one we could find for Don. So we enter the banquet room and I'm the youngest person there by 30 years. I got many compliments on my hat (which was a donation) and the hostess told me in a snide voice, "There are three women here who aren't wearing hats..." So I'm glad I enjoy dressing up and made a good impression at the same time.
We had such a good lunch and a fun time. I think he was trying to pass me off as his date which the older women at our table didn't really appreciate. Afterall, this is the first year Marian didn't attend. Most of the men (except Don) were put into groups to sing a song. A lot of the men hadn't sung together before because of always being with their own group. They had to all agree on a song to sing. Half the men knew one song, the other half didn't know that one. It was cute to see them remember songs like recalling old friends. Then their voices just fell into place. It got a laugh during the one group's performance, they forgot the words. I have a new appreciation for barbershop singing. It turns a 90 year old man into an ageless crooner. Don finally got to sing at the end when the entire group of men sang for the ladies. I wanted to give you a sample, if like me, you've never heard a quartet perform. I thought it was beautiful. Give them a few seconds to fully harmonize, since they didn't practice beforehand. It's a wonderful memory to have of Don and the precious time I spent with him. I will definitely be visiting him wherever he decides to go, but it won't be the same.
Seriously, I had to get these past two weeks behind me to think clearly enough to make sentences that you would enjoy to read. Between working a lot for Don, writing two major papers for my last two weeks of class, starting my new job with Drama Kids, and trying to get better from a horrible sinus infection, I've been a little overwhelmed.
Now that is behind me. On Monday, Don went to his assisted living home. There is a good chance he won't like it so I may work occasionally for him if he does come back home, but I can't give up every weekend like I've been doing. I started a new class which means it will be nine weeks before I have to kill myself over another 1,700 word paper. I have these weird periods through the day where my head feel foggy and a little dizzy and nauseous but I'm functional. I work for Drama Kids every Monday and Friday and I love it. I think the director thought I'd be able to just take the class over, but there is a strict curriculum to follow of which I know nothing about. He will have me start to take over in the next few weeks after observing and training.
The day I started feeling better was the day I took Don to a luncheon being given for his barbershop quartet group. He has sang with them for the past 30 years and each year they host a get together at the William Penn Inn in Blue Bell, Pa. In this area, that's like the creme de la creme. I told Don my family had been there once when I was little. They saw the prices and quickly walked out. It was a dress up luncheon, if you can tell from the picture. Women were supposed to wear 1950s hat and gloves, men wore crazy ties. This was the only crazy one we could find for Don. So we enter the banquet room and I'm the youngest person there by 30 years. I got many compliments on my hat (which was a donation) and the hostess told me in a snide voice, "There are three women here who aren't wearing hats..." So I'm glad I enjoy dressing up and made a good impression at the same time.
We had such a good lunch and a fun time. I think he was trying to pass me off as his date which the older women at our table didn't really appreciate. Afterall, this is the first year Marian didn't attend. Most of the men (except Don) were put into groups to sing a song. A lot of the men hadn't sung together before because of always being with their own group. They had to all agree on a song to sing. Half the men knew one song, the other half didn't know that one. It was cute to see them remember songs like recalling old friends. Then their voices just fell into place. It got a laugh during the one group's performance, they forgot the words. I have a new appreciation for barbershop singing. It turns a 90 year old man into an ageless crooner. Don finally got to sing at the end when the entire group of men sang for the ladies. I wanted to give you a sample, if like me, you've never heard a quartet perform. I thought it was beautiful. Give them a few seconds to fully harmonize, since they didn't practice beforehand. It's a wonderful memory to have of Don and the precious time I spent with him. I will definitely be visiting him wherever he decides to go, but it won't be the same.
4 comments:
Love love loved that video! But which one is Don? I saw his picture at the top, but couldnt place him in the video?
Don wasn't able to sing with a quartet, but I have him singing in the chorus in a different video. I have to review it to see if the lighting is okay because you might not be able to really see him that good. I'll post that too if you want!
Oh, Karen, you look adorable in that picture... and about eighteen years old! No wonder Don was showing you off!! :) I'm glad you had such a good time together at the barbershop bash and the hat suits you to a T! :)
*ceido*
Thanks ceido! Just the boost I needed! I definitely felt more "myself" with the outfit on!
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