It's About Time

Ah yes, it's been a busy month since I last wrote.  The back yard project was completed and I'll share a few "before" and "after" shots.  Then, Holly, Erich, Zoe and Ezra came to visit for Thanksgiving!  It had been 6 months since we saw Holly and the grandkids last and almost 10 months since we last saw Erich!  Erich finally got to meet his niece, Sophia!


We had a very nice Thanksgiving with 14 people:  Holly, Erich, Zoe, and Ezra, Sara, Zach, and Sophia, Ellen and Howard Goldberg (Zach's parents), Doris Goldberg (Zach's Grandma), Matt (Zach's brother) and Chloe (Matt's girlfriend), Mark and me!  (I did miss my East Coast family on that special day as they used to come to our home in Virginia each year for Thanksgiving.)


It was a great visit with our California bunch although several of us managed to get sick for a couple of days after Thanksgiving.  We still were able to do a lot of things with them:  a couple of visits to the Goldbergs in Thornton, the Denver Children's Museum, sledding a few times, ice skating, saw the puppies in the pet store, went to the Parade of Lights Parade preview with the Colorado State University (CSU) marching band, and attended the CSU Holiday Gala, among other things.  Lots of fun all around!


Erich had to leave the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and Holly and the kids left this past Sunday.  Hated seeing them go!  We're hoping to get out to see them and my brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Mona in April!


We continue to stay busy with our music endeavors--we had two New Horizon Band concerts in November and a couple more coming up this month.  Mark and I developed a new band Web site, too and went "active" with the site.  Check it out:  http://nhbnc.zxq.net/  We are finalizing a "Know Your Band Buddies" book for the Band and are getting ready for the band's annual Christmas party.


We are also hosting the Fort Collins Newcomers Club monthly wine tasting group event at our house this Thursday. Busy, busy, to say the least!


Hope all of our friends and family had an enjoyable Thanksgiving!  After I make it through this week, it's time to focus on Christmas and get Christmas presents purchased and our annual letter written!  More on Christmas later...

On Overload and Lovin' It!

Finished up band rehearsal today and as usual I'm exhausted!  My brain is working overtime which I'm sure is good for it.  I'm giving myself a quick break and then will begin practicing over and over again various drum stick patterns.  I'm also working on swing rhythms and fills on my drumset.  Need to get the triplets on various toms as well as the snare.


Mark and I ran over to the Drum Store on Linden Street in Old Town Fort Collins and I got a Djembe drum and Mark got a digeridoo!  I think we are going to start a drum circle at our house and rotate between different houses.  Should be fun!

First Practice

I got up the nerve to go to the beginning concert band practice today. I wasn't sure how much of the music I'd be able to read but I did okay for the first go around. I happened to be the only percussionist there today so there were plenty of pauses during the pieces--lost my place a few times. That's okay. I'll get it sooner or later.

It definitely was fun even if I did have a bit of anxiety at first! I'm looking forward to Thursday's practice!