2011 Wrap up!!!

Hello!! I just thought I jot down some memories for myself in 2011. I tried to categorize them into different segments of my life.....Happy New Year!

MUSIC
Music seemed to be everywhere in my life in 2011!! Lifestyle changes seemed to give way for more frequent jam sessions, rehearsals, and post-concert parties in our home….whether it be “Moon Rock” grade schoolers banging on drums and pianos, or a post-concert jam of seasoned musicians…you never needed to put on the radio, as live music somehow was channeled within our 4 walls. So when it came time to discuss whether to have the legendary annual music party, Bob declined citing that he was content hosting more intimate gatherings of musicians.
Other musical highlights include:

- Jam session at the Kingston Rondout with Bob and Alan and his good friends Mimi & Earle....how funny that another 5 year old spontaneously pulls out a uke and jams with Alan on stage!!

- The Old Songs festival with Bob and Alan!! Alan and I performed on the main stage as part of the Jug Band! Meeting so many new people each year!!

- Alan meeting Pete Seeger and playing on stage with him with the other children.

- Listening to Bob play music in the evenings as we relax after a busy day. Instruments come and go, but my favorite is when he plays the Martin.

- Listening to Alan compose music….whether it be something he writes for his bus driver, or when he vents on his drums about having to brush his teeth.

- The Sea Chantey rehearsals in the downstairs music room, and the joy I have in serving them homemade apple pie or chocolate cake ……I loved having Alan snuggle with me on the futon as they practiced their songs!

- The Saint Patrick’s Day!! I wish I had my camera as Alan charmed the waitstaff at the Holiday Inn with his guitar!! And then the parade with the Folkloric band!! Is there anyone as jovial as Jim?

- This Holiday was filled with music, from the Nowell We Sing concert, to the Santa Train Run, to the special night with the sea chantey folks and friends.


HERITAGE FOLK MUSIC
It was a great year for HFM!!!! We have a core group of dedicated volunteers, raised money for our 2011 concerts and we are ready to kick off 2011! For me, I am still feeling the excitement of the Hootenanny!!! I also enjoyed the after party concerts we would host at our place….most memorable…3 Rix and Joe Hickerson.


SPIRITUALITY
Though I was ambivalent at first, the consistent empathy and support of the Unitarian Universalist community embraced me in a manner that energized my spirit in a way that no other religious organization has before. Examples in 2011: Reverend Linda sharing a tender moment with Alan after he had a nightmare about “bad heaven”; The Helgers family watching Alan after school for two weeks when my regular babysitter was on vacation….. Bob playing the Hindustani slide guitar at Reverend Linda’s wedding…..Paula bonding with Alan and stopping by his “craft sale”, (his only customer)…

In addition, the membership trusted me with several new roles this year….Communications Chair, newsletter editor and Interim transitions team member….Also exciting was serving as the pulpit partner with Reverend Jan!! She is our interim minister, and I have said this before…I gravitate towards leaders who utilize the relational approach to leadership…it’s a style that takes courage and a foundation of trust. Our minister is dedicated to “shared ministry,” and that combined with finding value and meaning in all religions, my membership at the UUCC blossomed!!

Other important religious experiences this year: Experiencing the openness of the Hindu Community with Bob and Alan, starting the practice of evening prayers, hearing Alan say grace at dinner…..volunteering at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving… and --- when you live with a five year old, even building a fairy house in the back yard can be a spiritual experience (another favorite memory of 2011)!!!


FAMILY
Bob, Alan and I started our second year living in our home. We are officially “moved in!” All of our big projects had been accomplished in our first year, and our biggest challenge is space. Instruments continue to multiply, but that is a good thing and very much encouraged here!

Our family garden flourished with tomatoes, squash, cilantro, and flowers. Also miraculous is our magical sunflower garden which appeared underneath our birdhouse a few weeks after the one I planted alongside the house perished.

Bob’s music career in his retirement continued to grow. He had regular gigs at Tastebuds and Inquiring Minds. I am also proud that he was hired by a cruise company this fall, and had several new gigs including Mohonk.

We had a family trip to Arizona (and one with just me and Alan at Xmas)…..and also enjoyed a vacation at Old Songs.

Alan started Kindergarten!! It was a toss up between Saugerties and Rhinebeck, and just like we did with preschool, we toured classrooms, had meetings with school officials, as if we were seeking a college!!! We chose Rhinebeck!!! Very happy with this!! Alan continues to grow and grow, and is the tallest Kindergartner in the Hudson Valley!!! He participated in T-Ball this summer, then had swimming lessons at the YMCA, and just started Karate (already has a red stripe on his belt).

Suzanne moved to NYC! We are proud that she completed a master training program at Dharma!! This year, she is teaching 2nd grade instead of 4th and seems to really enjoy it.

CAREER - As for me, I love working for Dutchess!!! Had a great year!! College Night was a success!!! I taught Into into the Liberal Arts, and continue to enjoy working with students from such a diverse background! Love making road trips to the schools and interacting with parents!!! While the commute is long, I am not opposed to moving across the river. It's still a few years away, but I can see that coming!