*Ding*

Obsession complete. Please remove the plastic wrapping and remember that item will be HOT.

Just for your enjoyment, here's a photo of me on stage, taking a bow after a performance. It was taken by my hubby back in my college performing days. Yup, that's me. Clarinet in hand, big goofy grin on my face.

I picked up my clarinet from the shop today. It looks like new! It's amazing. The guy that fixed it even commented on how beautifully it plays! (Thanks, Mom!!! We knew the Buffet was the way to go, huh?!)

I am completely and thoroughly obsessed.

I got all my chores and work done especially fast today, because I've made music my treat for doing well. I finish folding laundry (and putting it away - I've gotta crack down) and make all my phone calls... the clarinet is MINE...

I looked at it longingly while I made my 20 calls today. Each call on the stack got me closer. It was almost like a drug, and I was ready to just hook up an IV. The good thing is that I booked 4 appointments (and left lots of messages). The GREAT thing is that I got to play my beloved instrument for a whole 15 minutes.

Wow. Just 15, you ask? Well, it's been a while, you know, and my embouchure has gone to crap and back. I'm almost starting from square one on toning the muscles in my mouth. After 15 minutes all I could tell my kids was "buuhhhh buh buh buh buuuhhhhh." Can you imagine? "Elahhh... buh buh bbbbbbuuuuh. BUH!!!" It's a good thing my kids know sign language.

They actually let me play, too. But that's only because my mom (THANKS MOM) brought them two recorders on her last visit. They sat right alongside me on the piano bench and played with me. Distraction? Nah. They weren't no stinkin' distraction. My piano teacher actually trained me on how to focus while distractions are happening.

To prepare us for competition, she would have us play our memorized piece while she tried valiantly to distract us and mess us up. This kept going until we got it right despite the distractions. I remember lights going off, piano lids being shut on my hands, her and her son stomping around, clapping and singing at the top of their lungs, putting their hands over my eyes and taking away my bench while I was playing, trying to distract me. Did I budge? No. I was the essence of tranquility and calm focus. Oooommm. 'Cause you never know when those judges are going to put their hands over your eyes, you know.

I'm grateful for that, though, because it has caused my Zen-like ability to focus on my music in any atmosphere. Even with two toddlers. Amazing.

And just for good measure, I practiced Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum by Debussy tonight on the piano for about an hour after the kids were in bed and the hubby was safely out getting a beer with his buddy. I remember it! My hand hurts like all heck, but I remember it!!! I felt like I had to play Moonlight Sonata as a cool-down exercise. So now my lips and my hands hurt.

I'm falling apart, but at least I'm enjoying myself.