Nashville in November

I just wanted you to know how the trip to Nashville went.

Just in case you are in a hurry and you need to know in one word,

FANTASTIC.

But for the three family members that would like to read further, here is the synopsis by day. I know that for anyone who is actually a real musician, the dictionary at the end is going to let you know that, well, I know NOTHING. But don't make fun.

November 15th

~ preproduction at Pentavarit Studio with Andy Osenga.

~ scratch tracks were made for the first 5 songs.

~ Met Allison, Andy's wife and we ate at Baja Burrito (yum)

~ Hung out with Britt, Bobby and Jen, ate Jen's fabulous cooking.

November 16th

~ scratch tracks were made for the next 5 songs

~ Britt came and hung out at the studio.

~ Ate at McDougals (yum as well)

~ Ate at Baja again (super yum)

November 17th

~ Smoakstack Studio to begin laying tracks for bass (James Gregory) and drums (Will Sayles).

~ Ate at Baja again (super super yum)

~ Listened, learned a lot. And marveled at amazing musicians with my jaw hanging down to the floor most of the day.

November 18th

~ Smoakstack again with Andrew, James and Will. Finished laying down bass and drums for all ten songs.

~ drank a lot of coffee and tried to keep my jaw from dislocating again (these guys are amazing!!!)

~ ate at Calypso. (Does the yum ever end?)

~ hung out with Britt and Jen, ate more of Jen's amazing cooking.

November 19th

~ Listened to all the tracks and made notes about what was going to happen when I come back in January.

~ Flew home to my sweet family, just in time to save me from dying of homesickness!

STUDIO DICTIONARY (stuff I learned that most 4th graders already knew)

scratch track - the song in a raw state. Usually with vocals and bare instrumentation and a click track. Used as a guide for creating the real song track.

Click track - a steady rhythm fed to your cans so that you can stay on beat while you record.

Cans - headphones

Diamonds - whole notes

Preproduction - talking through with the producer all of the ideas and thoughts about each song.

Killer - this is good.

punch you in - insert a part into the music, usually in the middle of the song.

I can't wait to add to this. End of January is the next recording date. I will let you know how it goes!

More Manners

The kids displayed table decorum that could have been straight from Mrs. Manners tonight.

It was very pleasant.

I'll tell you about it.

Oh, by the way,

Did you know that JR and AJ have pet names for each other?

JR is "Jestah" and AJ is "Bubbsie".

Cute.

You also may not know that "Bubbsie" can't say his "r" sound.

And tonight at the dinner table it was:

AJ: Jestah, did you get yuhsef a dwink?

JR: No Bubbsie.

AJ: Don't wuwwee I will get you one. You don't need ice. (he can't reach the ice)

JR: Oh, Bubbsie, let me help you.

AJ: Thanks Jestah.

JR: Your welcome Bubbsie

AJ: Mom, Look, I cut my own food!

JR: I ate my dinner. May I be excused?

AJ: Look at my plate! May I have dessut?

MOM: Sure, but AJ I don't think you have any candy left.

JR: Bubbsie, would you like a piece of mine?

AJ: Thanks Jestah!

Ah, the absolute 1940's of it all!

Too darling!!

I am floored and proud of the little chubby-cheeked cherubs that are gracing the dinner table, but I am realizing that too much sweetness is a little rich for my blood.

It was almost a relief when AJ marched into the living room after dinner, ripped off his shirt and hollered "Hey Dad! Wanna see my nippoles?

Sweets, Stories and Songs

Tomorrow night come and join me at Temple Bible Church's Outback building from 7-9. There will be about 20 items that we are raffling off and some yummy desserts to eat! This is an event to raise money for the last phase of the recording project in January. (All of the funds for the travel this month have been raised!!! YEA!!!)

Come hang out. Have fun and enjoy the music.

Thank you for your support friends.

Manners?

I am writing down these little segments from dinner tonight for posterity. I want to mark this day, as the beginning of a new era. I don't know what it will be called. But I am hoping it will be a little more civilized.

AJ: Mom, I need my own knife. This dinner is a little creepy

Me: Well, okay. Only if it's one of the kid knives.

JR: Mom, I don't think I wiped very well when I pooped earlier

Me: Okay.

Me: AJ, the knife is not a sword

Me: AJ, the knife is not a machete

Me: AJ, don't cut the table. DON'T lick the edge of the knife.

Me. AJ, give me the knife.

JR: Mom, I spilled my chocolate milk. It's all over the curtains. Sorry. Can I have some more?

(this is the first time EVER I have made chocolate milk for the kids)

AJ: "Sluuuuuuuurp"

Me: Asher, don't lick milk off the table!

AJ: Don't worry mom. I have more!

Me: Chew with your mouth closed.

Me: Smaller bites please

Me: Use your fork, and don't talk with your mouth full.

AJ: I Wooonth moom

Me: Ew.

Me: Chewing once does not count as actually chewing!

AJ: We all have three hearts.

Me: Interesting, don't stand up in the chair.

AJ: Mom, I'm cold!

Me: Well, you shouldn't have come to the table naked. (although, I know why he did. He requested that he have a scar just like Will's on his shoulder. Will drew one on with a sharpie and, well, what's the point of having a scar if you can't show it off?)

I am appalled at my children's manners.

But I am thrilled that not once did they complain about what they had to eat.

AND, at the end of dinner, a half-clothed 3 year old and his older sister said "thanks" and took their plates to the sink.

HA!

HA!

I WILL prevail.