I Miss Them!

I can't believe I haven't seen Nicole or Dylan in only 5 days - seems like a lot longer! Is that a laugh?!? Well, Dylan looks happy!

Update from here - the apartment is empty, except for the few things that I am bringing home with me. There is a little more stuff to bring home than I thought, so I will have to go to K-Mart and grab a duffel bag this afternoon. I have painted the bedroom wall, and now working on the livingroom. The Sherwin Williams paint is going quickly, so I bought some white primer and I am putting two coats of that on the brown livingroom wall before applying the rest of the Sherwin Williams Extra White.

The move ended up fine - the movers were impatient after getting everything in the truck, and didn't want to stick around to put the barrier up which holds all of the stuff from falling down as the truck starts moving. They eventually did, after fighting with the truck driver about whose responsibility it was. We ended up at about 10 linear feet, so a 2 feet more than estimated. It is only $176 more per foot, so it is not an outrageous change, although would have been nice to fit at 8 feet. The movers took off, and the drive, who has been working for ABF for 30 years, said he wouldn't expect to ever see them again - he had talked to his boss and gave a really bad report. Ah well, they did seem to do a good job even though they whined and complained the whole time. Kept joking about all of the rules of the Octagon.
Today I am going to meet Rabbi Strom for lunch, and then come back here to finish the painting. Leaving tomorrow to head to Syracuse, where Nicole and Dylan will meet me on Saturday. Ah, the life.

Been enjoying watching "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" and listening to this as I paint:

Complete

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Nice and Empty

Unfortunately the moving guys are not happy. The building is making them move everything one location at a time - out of my apt to the hallway - into the elevator - out to hallway in basement - out to truck. They have 5 guys and now have to be completely slowed down by the one tiny elevator. I am annoyed also. Going to talk to Ray to see if he could do anything, but I'm sure he won't.
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Truck is Here

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Wrapping

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New Toy

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Big Pile

Everything is packed in boxes and I am waiting for the movers. Looks like about 8 linear feet which is what we were quoted, so hopefully it is not more than that. Wish me luck!
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Car is Sold!!!

Posing

Final Shabbat Unplugged

Wow, it has been almost a week since I last posted. That speaks volumes about how crazy our life has become as we get read for this move.  We are packing, working, and changing diapers like pros! I picked up the car finally from the mechanic this morning, A/C still not fixed, but I guess I will have to sell it as is. Someone is coming to look at it tomorrow, so hopefully that will seal the deal.

I played my final Shabbat Unplugged last night, which was definitely a bittersweet experience. I am going to miss the guys and the experience terribly, but I am excited to bring the experience with me, and glad for the way it has changed my view of Judaism.

It has been an amazing group to be a part of - Rabbi Strom is an incredible example of a young Jewish leader - he is so comfortable with his own interpretation of what it means to be a rabbi and a member of the Jewish community that I think he makes everyone feel that they can also define their place. I know he has done that for me. It was incredibly awkward enough for me at first to play piano in the synagogue on Shabbat, and definitely felt strange trying to play with fun and letting my emotions out in the playing. Now that I am used to it, it has really helped me find my place in a Jewish community in a way I had never before. I always felt my religion was intensely personal, and I always defined my community experience outside of Judaism. I think part of the reason for this is that I never was able to express myself musically in my Jewish experiences. This group helped me realize that for me, music is not going to be able to be separated from my Jewish experience, and I will continue to find places and congregations where I can express myself musically in order to fully be a part of the community. Thank you Josh Strom, Evan Schultz, Sandy Simon, Jon Singer, Ted Seigel, and Josh Myers for some great nights of music making. And especially thanks Jonathan "Chops" Levy for inviting me into the group and realizing that it was something I would enjoy and needed.

So, gonna miss them and the congregation a lot, and I expect to keep hearing great things from them.

La la la, and here are some youtube videos of some of my favorite moments.

Mi Camocha to the tune of Freedom '90 by George Michael


Hashkivenu


Yihiyu

Clean as a Whistle!

Dylan & Jesse

7 hours!

Dylan went to sleep last night around 10:30 and didn't wake up until 5:30 this morning! So proud of her! We wore her out during the day I guess, Kerry Smith and Jeff Pizzo came over to hang out with her. Here is a cute one of her sleeping in her new zip-up pajamas:

Happy 4th of July!

Dylan,

As this is your first celebration of July 4th, it makes me realize that I am glad you have been born in the United States of America. Although this country is not perfect, it is one of the places on earth where by being an American you will be able to learn about the world with free access to information, and you will be free to travel where you want to. As a woman you will be able to pursue your dreams without government interference and with many supportive people and organizations. I'm glad you are an American, because by being American you will have the freedom to learn about and appreciate all of the cultures of the world, and be proud of the amazing beauty and responsibility it is to be human.
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Protected

Find another baby to mess with mosquitoes!!!!!!
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