Quartet sings on the road

We've used the hot tub a couple of times this week. The weather was just right for it and there was no breeze. On Wednesday we had a speaker from the "Blind Vision Rehabilitation, Inc." organization. A young man spoke to us about how he suddenly went blind over a two week period about a year ago. He must be in his 40s. He shared how the organization has helped him learn to communicate and to navigate and do everyday things. What he said gave everyone pause. He is a courageous young man dealing with a very tragic circumstance.

Yesterday Dee had breakfast with two friends from Butler at First Watch then she joined me at the Friday lenten luncheon at the Mars UP Church. I was able to put together a barbershop quartet to sing there - just one song - Irish Blessing - for the close of the service after lunch. It went well.

Afterward, we went and sang some songs to a woman for her anniversary. Her husband had hired a Singing Valentine back in February for his grandmother, and now wanted a quartet to sing to his wife. We'd only found out about the request earlier yesterday morning, but since we ha a quartet already together, the group decided we could do it. As it turns out, the woman was a clerk at the Shopper's Choice grocery store in the North Hills. We sang three songs to her from her husband. She loved it, and the customers stopped what they were doing to watch and listen. It went well. I spoke with the husband later in the day and he was very pleased with what we did.

Earlier in the week went to see the painting work of a person that was recommended. The interior decorator who came to the house to suggest colors, used a guy she was pleased with. We went to her house to see the results. Then, we made our decision on the paint colors and the painter we wanted to use. Of the five estimates we received, his was the most reasonable. He came by the house and finalized things, and said he'd be able to start on Monday! So, it won't be long we'll have a little more color in our lives.

I've been working on my sermon for tomorrow. I'll use the text from Exodus 17:8-16. I need to finalize it today. I've given it the title "The Secret Weapon." Today I practice with a quartet from the church at the church. We'll be singing on Maundy Thursday at the church we attend regularly.

A Day of Golf and Shopping

Here are a couple of photos from last Thursday's performance at the Presbyterian Church luncheon. The photo on the left is of a "pick-up" quartet that sang that day. (I notice one of them needs to exercise more.) The photo on the right is of the group of 12 that were able to make it that afternoon. We did put on an entertaining show. The lower photo shows the poster they had created to advertise us to their congregation for the day. Nice.

Well, the Bogmeisters practiced on Monday night as usual. Our director was late because she sold her home in Monroeville. But the guys practiced faithfully under the guidance of the assistant director (He's just one of the guys.) I was pleased to see people didn't just goof off, but came to learn and to get better.

Yesterday we went to the dentist to get our teeth cleaned and to make some appointments for additional work (fillings and crowns). Then I went to the "networking" session at the Chamber and Dee went to get her hair cut and colored. (It looks real nice.) Afterward, we drove to Butler and Dee went shopping with Kathy G. and I went golfing for the first time this year at Lake Vue North. (It went well.) Then, we met up for dinner with another couple. The six of us ate at Garfields at the Clearview Mall. We had a nice time. A beautiful day to be with friends out in the sunshine. I told them about our singing the National Anthem at the Pirates game on the 19 of July. They all wanted tickets, and Russ wanted two more for their grandchildren. Great! We'll sit in the $20 section and everyone will get a Pirate hat to boot. Anybody else interested?

However, a little achy after the first day of golf. We walked the 9 holes - up and down the hilly course. Reminded me of the first time I did it there last year. Whew!

A Little of This and That

Yesterday was a quiet day for me. Dee had to work so I hung around the house. The window guy came and washed the outside of the windows. I did some reading of stuff on selling and wrote an article for the local Chamber of Commerce newsletter. I also decided on a text and title for the sermon I have to preach next Sunday at our church.

I talked with my mother for a while. She seemed to be okay. I keep trying to encourage her to participate in the "bell ringing" at her church. She said she used to like doing that and that she knows she needs to get out more. But when Tuesday comes, she's not very motivate. She does go to the senior center but I don't think she teaches much line dancing any more. She said her group of interested women is down to about 4 people. And often they bring their own music. She says they'll get there before her and have it playing when she arrives. Therefore, they don't need her.

We did talk about the "Irish Jig." She said she'd like to learn it. I went online while talking with her and saw some people doing it on You Tube. I read her the directions for the steps. She was familiar with what I was reading, but just didn't have the sequence of steps down. We talked about 25 minutes. She didn't repeat herself and this was anew topic for her so that was good.

Dee's sister Ruthie called and said she'd been to see the headstone that was installed at the cemetery for their mom. She said it looked very nice. We'd just gotten word that the work was done.

Dee commented the other day that in two days she'd talked on the phone with about 5 friends and couldn't recall having done that while in NJ during the whole 12 years we were there. It's like we were cut off from our past and just didn't connect with folks back here while out there. Each day we both find confirmation that our decision to retire was the right one at the right time.

When Dee got home, she was tired. It was a long and busy day at the store. She has just one more day before she takes a leave of absence. She's looking forward to that. I told her Kerri had called earlier in the day and was doing fine. Though her due date is April 17, she's hoping to make it to at least April 4. That's Patrick's last day for the intense classes he's taking. Kerri said the last week will be very busy and important to him work wise, so she really hopes to make it till then before giving birth.

Rocky Raccoon is gone!, and about Margaritas and the Pirates

Yesterday we were able to get some grocery shopping done. Before the day ended we'd been to three grocery stores! But we found everything we were looking for. Later we stopped at Starbucks for drink of coffee. Speaking of coffee, I just finished making my 7th batch of "cold brewed coffee" at home. We bought a little "frother" that you put in milk (we sue soy) and it whips it into a nice foam to add to the brewed coffee. Yummm.

By the way, we did catch the raccoon. Seems he was lured into the trap and we found him trying to get out on the morning we were leaving for the trip to Kerri's (Friday a week ago). I called the guy who owned the trap, and he came over and took the raccoon away. He brought the trap back to see if there were anymore around. After three days, he took the trap home.

That being said, we concluded we could use the hot tub again, so we used it last night about dusk. It had been quite a while since we used it. We were in maybe about 25 minutes - very relaxing. Afterward we watched a movie we'd rented. The movie was called "Nim's Island." It was a nice tale with pretty scenery and a good story line. Very imaginative.

We're starting to get the bids of the people who came to give us estimates on painting the interior of our place. The bids are all over the place. Quite a wide range of prices. We'll likely make a decision this week and then get on with it.

A couple of weeks ago we went to lunch after church at a place called "Bar Louie". They'd advertised a Sunday Brunch and we had coupons so we gave it a try. It ws good and we noticed that had live music. I filled out survey while we were there. Well, yesterday I received a phone call saying I'd won a free "Margarita party" for 8-20 people. It included 2 Margarita's for each person and a choice of two appetisers for everyone. And I can use it anytime I like between 5-7 p.m. through April 30, 2009. They're going to start an "open mic" night on Mondays starting on March 30. I'm thinking that the Bogmeisters could go there after practice some Monday night, have the Margarita's and also enter the open mic contest.

Speaking of the Bogmeisters... We now starting to promote the " Day at PNC Park" when we'll be singing the National Anthem. Part of the deal is we have to promote our being there in hopes of other people ordering tickets. The important thing is that they use our account code #722466 and they'll get a discount of a buck or so. We're singing on Sunday, July 19 at the 1:35 p.m. game with the SF Giants.

People can order their own tickets (and if you want to use it as a fund raiser for your group, the Pirates organization will give you an even better discount). And you can order them for anywhere in the Park.

Another option is if you want to sit with us (either (section 325) $11 tickets or (section 125)$20 tickets (with ball cap)) I can order the tickets for you, but I'd need to know by April 13, 2009 because our chorus is placing one order for us and our friends and families.)

Also, we're inviting other men to sing the National Anthem with us barbershop style. The requirement is they have to attend 5 rehearsals for about 30 minutes each time so they know their notes and part. We rehearse on Monday nights starting at 7 p.m. at the Richland Elementary School on the Red Belt in Gibsonia. (They wouldn't have to stay for the whole rehearsal, just the first part when we'll be practicing the National Anthem.)These practices begin on May 4 when we're having an "Open House" to launch this "once in a lifetime experience."

Let me know as soon as possible that you want to either attend the game or sing with the men's chorus that day. It should be fun!

Visit with Kerri and Patrick

It's been a week since I last dropped a note on this blog. We went to visit our daughter Kerri. She's now in her 35th week and doing well. The baby is due April 17 but "low". So the Dr. has put her on "bed rest" for two more weeks. That means being in a horizontal position most of the day. She works out of the house right now and so has her laptop, and phones and water by her side.

Patrick had to work some over the weekend and so we decided to go down and keep her company and take care of some errands for her and deliver the many gifts people brought to the shower for her. It worked out well. It was great seeing her and being with them for a bit. Patrick is taking some course work for work and so has to put in extra hours on the course projects. The course will end on April 4. So Kerri doesn't want to do anything that would cause the little girl to come earlier than that if possible.

Since getting home, Dee has been working at McGinnis'. Although she's given them notice regarding the anticipated birth. They asked if she'd take a "leave of absence" and then return when it's convenient after the baby arrives. Her last day is Sunday afternoon.

We've had some painters in to give us estimates on painting our dining room and living room and kitchen (for sure) and then estimates on the master bedroom and bathroom as well. It's interesting how wide ranging the estimates are.

Our Bogmeisters had a performance yesterday at a Presbyterian Church in the North Hills. There were about 80 people there for a senior citizens' luncheon. We had about 12 singers and it turned out well. Some of our guys couldn't get off work, but we did a good job. I got to sing in a quartet -"My Wild Irish Rose." Fun.

I also attended a training seminar put on by "Sandler Training Institute". One of the people in the Chamber told me about it. It was for "sales people". So I thought it might give me insights for doing PR for the Chorus. Really good stuff. They have a whole curriculum but I didn't sign up for that. Although I'm sure it would be helpful for sales people who have to make a living selling. They gave us a free book called "Five Minutes with VITO (Very Important Top Officer)". Really Good Stuff.

When we were at Kerri's I went to a worship service at a church nearby. The service I went to was a "contemporary" one. First class all the way, but not something I'd want a weekly diet of. They have a traditional service earlier, but I didn't know about it when I went... That's all for now.

About Networking and Community Service

On Tuesday Dee and I had a "home decorator" come to our place to help us pick paint colors for the walls, and to suggest other things that would dress up the place a little now that we've been here 14 months. (I met this gal at the Chamber networking" sessions.) She and Dee hit it off well, and the gal even offered to go shopping with Dee for some of the ideas suggested.

Then, I went to the "networking" lunch time meeting with the Chamber. It's always fun. I used my 60 seconds to talk about "hobbies" and that my hobby is singing. And that the great thing about my hobby is that we can use it to bring pleasure to other people. "We lift spirits and put smiles on people's faces." During the second half-hour we brainstormed together ways that have worked for us to make connections and to engage others so that they'll be interested in whatever service you have to offer them. A lot of good stuff was shared. A theme running through was "you have to listen to others in understand them before you they'll want to listen to you." That is, "encourage others to talk while you practice focused listening."

In the late afternoon we went to the Pittsburgh Home and Garden Show with the Campbells. It was fun walking around looking at the stuff and the demonstrations. Especially since we don't really need anything for the house. We did meet a guy Dee knew from high school who now owns Furniture Galleries on Route 8. He had some really nice chairs (very comfortable) for a mere $2,300! And we found a guy who installs window shades and blinds (remote control) which we are considering for the dormer windows at the front of the house. Those two windows let in the afternoon sun and they are so high up that we can't get to them even if they had regular blinds on them.

Afterward, we went to the Bettis Restaurant for dinner. I like that place because of their unique men's room. HA HA! I've never been in a place that has a one way window that looks out onto the restaurant area from the inside the men's room In fact, you have to be standing at a urinal in order to see through the window into the restaurant. (Of course from the restaurant side it looks like a large mirror). Amazing!

Rotary today was good - the people who went to the Hondorus medical trip for 8 days had returned and shared what they'd done there. (Water filtration, stove assistance as well as giving out meds, pulling teeth and checking eyes and giving out eye-glasses.) After the meeting we delivered Apple Dumpling Gang Coloring/ Activity books to the second graders of the Pine and Mars School districts. They have a teacher's storybook that tells a story that emphasises the "Four-Way Test" of Rotary. (Is it the Truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Does it build good will and better friendships? Is it benificial to all concerned?) The children can color the pictures, solve the puzzles and figure out the "word search" answers. It was fun. The teachers seemed to enjoy getting the books and the kids were thrilled. It seems the WORD SEARCH pages were a favorite. It was a nice afternoon.

After the Shower Was Over

Whew! The weekend was a busy one, but at the end of the day it was a good kind of tired. The baby shower went off without a hitch except that the baby's mom, Kerri, couldn't make it in person. The speakerphone idea work as a good back up though. Everyone who was planning to come came. We took lots of pictures and even some video footage. Here's a short clip from the Barbershop quartet (Sharp Edge) that came and sang to the gals and to Kerri via phone.

Earlier in the day I'd gone to pick my mom and to bring her to the shower. Since Kerri wasn't going to be spending the night, I invited my mom to pack for a sleepover. She did. It was nice that she could go to church with us on Sunday as I was singing with an a cappella quartet at church (2 guys 2 gals). From what people tell me it went well. She even went in to Dee's Sunday school class session. Since I had to be there at 7:45 a.m. because we were doing two services, it made a long day for me. We had lunch after worship and then drove mom home, turned around and drove back to Mars.

Sometime after the shower and before Sunday morning I started sneezing, watery eyes etc. I made it through the worship service okay. But it just got worse as the day progressed. So when I got back from dropping mom off, I went to be and slept for about 3 hours before joining with Dee for the evening. We'd stopped at Walgreens and the pharmacist recommended Claritin D. One pill every 24 hours. So I took that before the nap. It seemed to help and this morning I'm feeling somewhat better (75%) and am confident I'll improve during the day.

We're planning on going the Home and Garden Show in Pittsburgh later this morning and part of the afternoon. Here are some more pictures from the baby shower...