by Rachel | Uncategorized
I am one lucky girl! Not only did my family throw a super fun afternoon cookout for my birthday, but they also gave me an iPad 2 (with a pink smart cover). It was delivered to my husband’s office today, so I can’t wait to open it up and start playing with it this evening.
I also received several gift cards and checks from other family members and even a few students’ families, which I put towards the AirTurn Page Turner and Music Reader system (which you can read more about here).
I’m looking forward to using all my new gear this summer — both in my studio and for playing gigs, my first of which is tomorrow. I’m only four days into summer vacation, and yet I’ve barely had any downtime at all. Not that I’m complaining!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
As a birthday present to myself, I’m taking a break from the usual “Sunday Singalong” video — mainly because I haven’t had a chance to make one this week! After wrapping up my last day of work on Thursday, doing double duty as maid of honor and vocalist in a wedding on Friday, and attending another wedding yesterday, I think I deserve a day to just chill with my friends and family.
This is the third birthday I’ve celebrated at Listen & Learn, which I find incredibly hard to believe! I’ve written about turning 26, turning 27, and now the big 2-8. It’s true what they say…time flies when you’re having fun. This year is going to be an exciting one filled with lots of new adventures, but before I get to those, here a few highlights from my 27th year:
- Releasing my first studio album
- Taking a 2nd anniversary trip to Chicago
- Becoming an internship supervisor
- Celebrating my brother’s wedding
- Presenting my first CMTE at AMTA National Conference
- Hosting my family on Christmas for the first time
- Becoming self-employed and expanding my business
There are lots more highlights I could list, but I’m out of time! My family and friends are getting together for an afternoon birthday celebration in just a little bit. I’ll report back at to whether or not I receive the items on my birthday wish list, though all I really care about is being with the people I love :) Happy Sunday to you, whether or not it’s your birthday!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
My best friend Katie is getting married tonight! I am so excited to be her maid of honor, just like she was for me in my Friday evening wedding almost three years ago (as pictured above).
Not only do I have the responsibilities that go along with being maid of honor (holding the rings, giving a toast, corralling the dress, etc.) but I’m also singing at the ceremony. My friend Ryan, who is an amazing guitarist with whom I’ll be gigging this summer, is going to accompany me.
Last year was the summer of wedding singing — I think I sang at 5 of them — but this year, Katie’s is the only one. But that doesn’t mean I have a shortage of weddings to attend! In fact, Zach’s best friend James is getting married tomorrow. And then two weeks from now he’s in another wedding in Chicago, and the list goes on and on.
Katie and Justin have been together for almost 10 years, so I’ve been waiting for this day for a while now :) It should be a perfect day and evening. I hope you have fun plans for this beautiful Friday, too!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Thankfully, I’m a little more calm posting this update than I was last time! That looooong to-do list has been tackled and (mostly) conquered, which means I actually have some progress to share with you today. I’m going to post the full album of pictures on my Facebook page pretty soon, but I’ve been itching to show off my hard work thus far on the blog and cannot wait any longer.
While I had my camera out, I went ahead and snapped some exterior shots of my house, which is where my studio is located. I didn’t get a good picture of the entire thing, but you get the idea from these angles.
I spent one entire day this weekend working on the new entryway into the studio. The door to the left of the garage had to be replaced last week, so my first act of duty was to paint it so that it matched the garage door. Next, I washed and repainted the walls in the entryway. I was planning to paint the screen that hides our central vac unit, but then decided I liked it white. (Okay, so in truth, I was really tired by that point…but the white is growing on me!) I didn’t include the shelf to the right of the screen in my picture because I have yet to fill it.
The waiting room now has a coat rack, artwork, and a standing lamp. And today I’m going to pick up the crowning jewel of the room — an awesome coffee table with extra seating. Thank you, dear mother-in-law, for the wonderful birthday gift! That just might call for an update post all by itself. Oh, and Amanda Ellis just sent me pictures of the pillows she made for this room. They are on their way, and will look great in there!
Here is the studio itself. Although it’s smaller than my old one, I love it so much more. I think it’s the coziness that does it for me, actually. It’s also much better organized, because there is a large closet to conceal all the stuff I don’t use on a daily basis. Originally I was planning to put curtains on the windows, but then my mom and mother-in-law convinced me otherwise. I’m extremely happy with that decision now, since both rooms need all the extra natural light they can get.
I am over the moon about how the new studio has shaped up, and can’t stop coming up with excuses to spend time in there. Luckily, I have a very understanding husband :) There are definitely still lots of things to do, and even though I’m not sure when I’ll have time to get to them, somehow it will happen. It always does, it seems!
