A "GOOD CAUSE" and Easter report

 

4 16 2023

Dear Family:

I missed last week’s letter.  It was Easter, it was a fabulous afternoon/evening at Mike and Amy’s house and by the time I got home, I was too tired.  I’ll try to catch you all up today.  Easter was lovely and full of family and fun.  Attending: Amy, Mike, Haley, Tanner and Claire Dougall, Taylor, Kelsy, Cooper and McKay Schnell, Brad Schnell, Glennda and Scott Field and me.  When you see the photos, you will be amazed and you will enjoy the beauty and fun.

Table setting first:

NEXT IS FOOD:

Amy working hard

Aspargus Salad

Deviled Eggs

Veggie tray

Sweet peppers with Boursin Cheese (My favorite)

Haley's Mom's raspberry jello salad

NEXT THE KIDS:

Claire with Bunny Ears.  Claire attached herself to my sister Glennda when Glennda walked in the door and they spent a good deal of the day together. Glennda is holding Claire.

Cooper made sure Claire got some eggs

Cooper and McKay enjoying plush pillows

Cooper and Claire

Cooper, Claire, McKay  (notice how big brother is holding McKay away from Claire 😀

Best thing this week! Clarke has been staying with me while he is setting Portland Metro Area on fire with his amazing selling techniques.  WORST THING!! I bumped into his car when I was backing out Friday going to a gig.  There isn’t much damage, but we will work it out.  He doesn’t hate me so we are good.

I was backing out Friday morning going to the first gig off the day;  Oregon City Fred Meyer was having a grand re-opening and on Tuesday we got the call to play Dixieland music on Friday for 45 minutes.  That’s quick, but our 5 piece band has about 4 Dixieland tunes (that we played twice) and I mixed in 2 Roaring Twenties Tunes and a couple swing tunes. 

It looks just like a Fred Meyer Store I think.  We were set up by the customer service counter.  The ribbon cutting was just on the other side of Customer Service.

We were a hit and it was so fun watching people dance up and down the isle and so many told us, “This is a wonderful surprise. Can you come every Friday?”  The best thing was the Fred Meyer chief honcho and his assistant were thrilled and we had fun.  Then we drove to Vancouver (Luepke Senior Center) and played again from 1-3pm for their 50's+ monthly dance. The administrators were thrilled that about 70 people were there. We play again next month on May 12 (my birthday and hopefully that’s when Kelsy’s baby comes…..I’ve been thinking positive.)  On Saturday April 29 we play in Keizer at the Senior Center and hopefully there will be more people there.  The nice thing is now we are playing at fewer Retirement homes and more dances.  I think the Covid scare and paralyzing people with fear is over and now people feel like they can resume their lives.  Playing in this 5 piece band is probably one of the more gratifying things I’ve done music-wise.  Teaching piano is gratifying in the long run after about 4 years of teaching someone.  But these dances are immediately gratifying and there is nothing better than hearing feedback that they love the band.

Patricia (cha cha)  I could only send 7 seconds because anything larger wouldn't complete. I'll put some on YouTube and send links sometime.  (If this doesn't come through, I'll attached it to the email.)

My effort to turn over managing the 2 big bands is going well.  I’ve had 3 personal sessions with Aimee Chalfant and she calls me when she doesn’t know how to handle something.  I like the freedom from having to find venues for the big bands to play.

Kenlee’s Birthday is the 30^th.  No other birthday in April that I can find.

My message today is: “…..(we) should be anxiously engaged in a good cause”….”  The rest of it goes on to say…”and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness…”

I want to commend all my grandchildren.  You are all anxiously engaged; Carter on a Mission, Hayden in college, Conner in an EMT program, and those who are parents are certainly anxiously engaged everyday taking care of, teaching, protecting, and helping your little ones.  I look back to the years that I was raising my 3 children.  I wish I had had someone telling me that what I was doing was good, that they could tell I was trying my hardest and that I shouldn’t be so hard on myself.  I was always thinking that I should be doing better, working harder, that I wasn’t good enough.  I want to tell you that you are doing great, you are working hard and you are good enough.  In your years to come you will look back and see that all the little things you are doing are appreciated, noticed and produce potential.  You will have helped your children succeed in school, in friendships, in relationships, in careers and with their extended families. 

You are all anxiously engaged in a good cause.

I love you all.  Have a great week

Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Sister and Aunt Suzanne