For the first 50 years of my life, my perfectionist self mistakenly believed it was all about knowing more, getting it right, planning, attempting to prevent bad things from happening, and keeping all of my chicks in a row. It took me this long to discover that the JOURNEY is all that matters. This quote from Gilda Radner sums it all up:

"I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.
"


Monday, March 20, 2017

Kerry's Obsession is Revived!


I went to see Disney's new Beauty and the Beast movie
yesterday with my daughter, Kerry.


We had watched the cartoon version of the movie
together hundreds of times before,  so it was rather
fitting that we went together to see this one.

There was a time in Kerry's life that Beauty and the Beast 
was an obsession.


She was 3 years old at the time, and she
looked so much prettier in the yellow Belle gown
than the Disney character in the cartoon!


I made this cake for Kerry on her third birthday.


It was perfect that Lumiere had 3 places 
to put her real birthday candles!




One of her cherished gifts that year
was a snow globe of the castle, the Beast,
and Belle.


Adam was just as big a fan as Kerry was!




We also went to see Beauty and the Beast on Ice
which is where they got their "Chip" cups!


Annie was a few years behind, but she, too, adored Belle.



She was almost speechless when she got a chance
to give Belle a hug at Disney World!

The new Beauty and the Beast opened this weekend 
and all three women in our family went to see it.
I wish Annie had been able to go with Kerry and me,
but we all had a long discussion of the movie 
on the phone last night.

The verdict:  It was even better than we could have imagined!



Emma Watson was the perfect Belle!  
She was a strong, confident, intelligent Belle, 
as well as very beautiful in a very innocent way.
Annie said she cried a little when she first saw 
Emma Watson in the yellow ball gown!


I loved that she was not overly made-up too.


The entire movie was magical and beautiful!


The costumes were perfect and the casting spot-on.
You could not have casted a better Gaston!


Maurice, Belle's father, was portrayed with much
more intelligence and feeling by Kevin Klein.



And the magnificent Beast was both a scary animal
yet very human - just as he should be.


Even Lumiere and Cogsworth were perfect!

After watching this human version of the movie,
it's sad to say that I don't expect the cartoon 
version to be watched much anymore.

I predict Emma Watson will be the idol 
of every little girl (if she isn't already for 
playing Hermione in the Harry Potter movies!)


I know, for a fact, that this movie will
probably be watched again and again 
in this household.  

My little Belle
texted me earlier today to say she was thinking
about going to the movies again tonight to see
it for the 2nd time.  

No doubt it will become an obsession
once again!

Bravo, Disney!


Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Her Final Performance

As parents,  my husband and I have attended many 
performances of our daughter, Annie.


It began with piano recitals.


She took lessons with Mrs. Reitsma for many years.





Mrs. Bigge got her started on the saxophone in 5th and 6th grades.



She had lots of fun in the high school jazz band and concert band.



She marched in many parades.


She performed in a few talent shows in high school.


She also played in the Greater Hartford Youth Wind Ensemble 
under Glen Adsit.


Many summers were spent at the Litchfield Jazz Camp.


She had her first solo saxophone recital during the summer 
before college.


Eastman School of Music offered many opportunities 
for Annie to perform.   Her saxophone quartet meant
so much to her, and it was fun to watch them come together
as a group over the years.





This culminated in winning a national chamber music competition 
at MTNA last year!


There were so many other group performances at Eastman too.



So,  after so many years of performances,
Annie gave her final performance of her
school career in January.





We were so proud of Annie as she performed 
her program!  Even though she was extremely
nervous, she appeared poised and confident.
Annie was accompanied on piano by three very
accomplished musicians and friends: Joe, Evan, and Naomi.






When it was over,  her relief revealed itself in her 
bigger-than-usual smile.




And her smile never left her face for the rest of the
evening as she was greeted by her many friends 
from her years in Rochester.  


Dr. Grunow Annie's advisor and professor, 
 has supported Annie through good times and bad.
We are so thankful for him!


Josh, one of Annie's best friends from high school, presented
her with a bouquet after her performance!


Chai has been another very supportive and loving friend.


Khanh, who played with Annie in their quartet,
reenacted their famous pose!


We were happy to see Lauritz from quartet too!


The performance was live-streamed online, 
so even members of the family in New Jersey
we watching and cheering Annie on!



Annie could not help but feel the love all around her!



Annie is student-teaching this semester and will 
graduate in May.   

We are so proud of ALL of Annie's performances,
from that first piano recital until now. 

We are also proud of the woman she has become.
We know she will do amazing things
with all she has learned!