~ The Man Report ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Imminent Shutdown ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

[blue_river]

Well it's better than the other one I had for you:

Assertive
Sexy
Stupid

Good one Linnie

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

I'll tell ya how I got that grand piano now. Some Linnie Family History: (I'm bored-Buzz is gone. I have no one to play with).

My great grandmother had died in a house fire in 1976 and she had this upright piano that her grandfather had bought in 1910. My parents for some reason, decided that they wanted it so they had it shipped from Iowa to Montana and I was the only one interested in playing it. So it really became mine. I started lessons when I was 9 and have been playing for 30 years. 10 of those I took lessons-the other 20, I just played when I had time. I got a little rusty but I still played.

For nearly 100 years, since it was made, that piano has been in my family. I still have the key that locks the keyboard cover and the original warranty that is framed and hanging above it. Pretty cool stuff. When we moved into our new house, I hired movers to move it as it is extremely heavy. It took 5 people to get it into our new house. I put it in a room that I call the Music Room and after my grandma died, I added my grandpa's guitar to that room. She bought that for him when he was drafted into WWII and it was always special to both of them. They played in bars around the midwest when they were younger-he'd play the guitar or banjo and she'd sing. I feel so lucky to have it.

At one point, after my grandpa died in 1994, my grandmother decided to move some money around in her estate. She and my grandpa were people of the depression so they hoarded all their money and my grandpa was an ace at taking money and making money so they had a sizeable estate. She gave me a chunk of money with the agreement that it wasn't really "mine" but I could have the interest that it earned by being invested. A few years ago, the investments ran out and I offered the money back to her, but she didn't want it-said I could keep it for the time being.

She died last year and I still had the money. I was just going to hang onto it until a good investment opportunity came up. Well, my dad died unexpectedly. I was so depressed and I had reached a point in my grief where I really wanted to do something just for ME. So I was driving by my piano tuner's business and he had a black grand piano in the window. I went in and bought it. Buzz said he never thought I would have enough guts to spend that much money, but I think every pianist wants to play on a grand. At least, I did. We had the perfect spot for it-it's not in the music room-it's in the basement.

My brother was horrified: "You're not going to start collecting pianos now!!" No, it was just something I always wanted and I got a great deal on it so I did it. I don't think my grandparents would've liked me spending their money that way, but at least I bought something musical with it. And something I love. So I started taking lessons again last summer. It's hard to find someone to work with advanced students. We've already had all the theory and developed our habits and that can be hard for some teachers. A lot of them prefer beginning students. But I found this awesome lady that I work with and she's just fantastic. She has helped me a bunch and I'm having a great time. It's something just for me-I'll never be a concert pianist but maybe I'll play for our church again someday (I used to when I was a teenager). I am planning on playing in her recital this spring. I've got 2 pieces picked out: Debussy's La Petite Negre' and a Turkey in the Straw piece that is extremely challenging.

Whenver we go to the Grand Floridian and they have the pianist playing, I just love it. It's my favorite instrument of course and it's such a pretty sound. I also love the place on the Boardwalk -what's it called- Dueling Pianos? That's a great place!

Speaking of the Boardwalk, I was doing laundry today and I came upon a hoodie that Buzz bought at the BW. I think I'm going to commandeer it and make it mine-it's pretty nice. I also found the stretchy shorts!! They made it into the wash!!! That's always good!!

So that's the story of the Grand. Next up: Buzz's Fiasco in Cabo San Lucas. He's much more entertaining than I am!!

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

I believe i"m still on topic b/c I did add that about WDW.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That was a lovely story Linnie. I too play the piano and have a grand at home. My lessons when I was growing up were always off an on as we moved a lot so I am not as good a pianist as I would like to be, perhaps I should start taking lessons again like you are doing. I have a bunch of Disney sheet music that I like to play, but I would like to learn how to play something more advanced.

 

[Disneyolic]

Well you're outta luck then cause that would be me

Nuh-uh!

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

Nuh-uh!

Well, let's ask him.

Buzz, who do you like best????

It's Linnie, of course!! She's perfect in every way!!

Told ya!!

 

[Disneyolic]

Well you're outta luck then cause that would be me

Well, let's ask him.

Buzz, who do you like best????



Told ya!!

I think you cheated.

 

[Montana Diznee Fan]

DM = Gudest

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

That was a lovely story Linnie. I too play the piano and have a grand at home. My lessons when I was growing up were always off an on as we moved a lot so I am not as good a pianist as I would like to be, perhaps I should start taking lessons again like you are doing. I have a bunch of Disney sheet music that I like to play, but I would like to learn how to play something more advanced.

Thank you Lessa. I tend to get bogged down in details when I write, but when I read, I like background info. It helps me to picture it better. Or something. So I provide the reader with probably more than they want to read or care about. I think my family's history is fascinating. We're an odd bunch with a colorful past and present. I've got stories that could frighten a ghost. I was always hoping my grandma would write a book, but she never did. Maybe I should. Our family is chock full of characters. It's no wonder I was drawn to Buzz. He fits right in.

Anyway, I have a few Disney pieces, but I have never really played them. I probably should someday. Starting lessons was hard, because now I have to be disciplined and practice more than just when I feel like it. My teacher is so patient and realizes that we can't just sit and play for 2 hours at a time. So she is teaching me to make the most of the time that I do have and it's great! I'm having such a good time in lessons.

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

DM = Gudest

Ah Ver!!! (Anyone ever say that when they were a kid or is that just a Southside thing?!)

Anyway, I think DM is Montana Diznee Fan!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah Ver!!!!! (Ah Ver means you're in trouble now, Chicky!!)

 

[blue_river]

DM = Gudest

oh Gee...I wonder who this phantom poster is

 

[blue_river]

Linnie, you're so lucky you know how to play and even luckier to have a grand piano

You should record yourself on cam and post it on your youtube account. I'd love to hear you play!

 

[OhMari]

I also love the place on the Boardwalk -what's it called- Dueling Pianos? That's a great place!

The place on the Boardwalk is Jellyrolls. I liked your Piano story.

I am a piano player too. Growing up, I always complained our piano didn't sound like a baby grand like the old lady that lived next door. Now I find out my old piano is worth lots of money. It has ivory keys. One of those keys could buy me a Baby Grand.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Wow I shouldn't have went Christmas shopping, I came home and was 4 pages behind on reading here .

I read this thread several times a day because it is hilarious, but I don't contribute much because well frankly you are all a heck of a lot more humorous than I am.

Linnie, I like your background info, you are right it does help picture things better. I loved the story about the piano's. It is wonderful that you have the old piano and now the new one. I am not musically talented at all, so I admire your pursuing your talent.

I love reading about the possible upcoming DISmeet. I don't think we will be going to Disney in 2008 , but we have a land/sea trip scheduled Dec. 2009 . I will just have to get my Disney fix from your family , if that is ok?

 

[carrieannie]

I loved the piano story Linnie! I would love to hear you play! does Trey like to listen to you? has he tried it at all? Send a picture of both?
We already have a pic of your Hummer,,,BTW Did anybody tell Butt, oops,,,Buzz that its a HUMMER and they were designed for the military and were made to get dirty?!!

 

[ncsjodi]

OK, so is there a party tonight? I had to run out and buy a snowthrower tonight. They're predicting 8-12 inches here during the day tomorrow and my back just can't take it.

Let me know when and where and I'll be there. DH is at the firehouse again tonight, so he might join as well. Gotta get my Christmas tree up tonight though. Being gone last week threw off my whole schedule! But, it was worth it!

Linnie, I've been thinking about starting piano lessons again too. We have the upright that I grew up playing. My DD6 started lessons last June and is doing really well. Already playing with both hands! Just can't afford for both of us to take lessons! I guess I'll just continue to play the stuff I played back then. I'd love to have a grand piano, but it would take up my entire living room!

 

[carrieannie]

I`m doing my christmas cards tonite, WDW pictures of course,,(still on topic also BTW he-he!) I f anyone would like one from the Laudone family in R.I
I would love to send them out! PM your addy,,,,I will not stalk you,,,,maybe,,,,,,,

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

Linnie, you're so lucky you know how to play and even luckier to have a grand piano

You should record yourself on cam and post it on your youtube account. I'd love to hear you play!

I don't have a Utube account!! Maybe I need to get one? Unfortunately, I would never have gotten the grand if it wasn't for my grandma or my dad dying. But I love it and play it all the time. It was just one of those things where I thought, "Is this money going to help me when I'm gone? Nope. I"m spending it."

My grandma always wanted to take a cruise, but she never spent the money and never took a cruise. I want to do the things I want to do while I"m here.

Thanks MrsKsomeday, I often wonder where the pianos will end up when I'm gone. I would love to have my kids play and for them to get them, but who knows. I appreciate your replies to our TR-you seem to "get" me! Definitely ok to get your Disney fix from us!!

Ohmari-Thanks! Jellyrolls! That's it! Dueling Pianos? What was I thinking?? My old one has ivory keys too. Here's a short story. My grandma's brother had a player piano (he sells antiques -kind of similar to Fred G. Sanford). He pried the keys off my great grandma's piano to replace the keys that were missing the ivory on his player so he'd get a better price. She never knew-she was out of her mind when she got older due to her horrible life events. Story for another time. My parents, when they acquired the old piano, had the keys replaced with plastic (there was 4 of them). I inquired about replacing them with ivory a few years ago and was severely told NO!!! No one does that-it's illegal. I've often thought about buying an old piano and putting the ivory onto my old mine. It's only 4 keys.

Carrieannie-Trey has tried it and shows some talent for it. So has LA. I asked if they wanted lessons, but they don't. I think my teacher would be excellent for Trey. She's interested in working with him. She told me with the little kids, she makes it like a game, rather than practice. Sounds right up his alley.

Funny thing about the Hummer-Last spring Buzz was interested in getting me a new car so I asked for one that was more fuel efficient than the Hummer like our rental car in WDW last spring. It was a pretty red pontiac of some sort. I didn't get it. Before the Escalade, I had this Trailblazer that I loved-I really didn't want to get rid of it for the Escalade, but I did. We sold it to 2M and last spring, the guy who was driving it was due for a new car so we bought it back from 2M. So I got my new old car-my beloved Trailblazer. It wasn't fuel efficient like I wanted, but I love this car. Tonight, Buzz is on his way to go look at another car for me. An Acadia. He better hurry. I'm already on my 2nd glass of wine. I could be half in the bag before he gets home.

 

[GeminiAngel]

Goofs Sig:

OMG!!!

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

OK, so is there a party tonight? I had to run out and buy a snowthrower tonight. They're predicting 8-12 inches here during the day tomorrow and my back just can't take it.

Let me know when and where and I'll be there. DH is at the firehouse again tonight, so he might join as well. Gotta get my Christmas tree up tonight though. Being gone last week threw off my whole schedule! But, it was worth it!

Linnie, I've been thinking about starting piano lessons again too. We have the upright that I grew up playing. My DD6 started lessons last June and is doing really well. Already playing with both hands! Just can't afford for both of us to take lessons! I guess I'll just continue to play the stuff I played back then. I'd love to have a grand piano, but it would take up my entire living room!

That's cool playing with both hands already. I started when I was 9 and I'd often wished I'd started sooner. I really wished I'd never taken those 20 years to just play off and on and wished I would have worked harder during that time. I think I'm getting my fingers back under me now, but it seems harder now than it did then.

You bought a snow thrower? We call them snow blowers here!! 8-12 inches is a hefty amount!! We've got a ton of sidewalk and driveway to clear and a few weeks ago, we got this horrible, heavy wet snow that our snow blower/thrower couldn't even move. It was awful!! The next day, even with an aching back, I went out and pulled the kids in the sled and I'd grab Trey and throw him down in the snow-he loved it! Anything to make my kids laugh! Good luck-I hope you don't really get that much. Here, they always predict several inches and we usually just get a dusting, but every once in awhile, we get dumped on. Montana winters are not all they used to be. They're very mild anymore. When I was a kid, I remember snow drifts and piles on the roads that stayed there until spring. Global warming maybe??