Playing back-up

Dudley's Rush had a gig tonight. A local charity was having a volunteer appreciation dinner and we were asked to play. I love singing with them, so I was really looking forward to it. I figured it would be like everything else we've done; hang around for a while, sing some fun stuff, and call it a night.

I wish.

We were billed as Dudley's Rush, but really we were the back-up band for Mrs. Retired Teacher, who was in charge of putting the program together.

Mrs. Teacher is a very nice lady. I'm told she was a great teacher. I can believe that based on the way she takes commmand of things whether she needs to or not.

Mrs. Teacher picked half of our songs. She led the singing, including telling us which verses of our songs to sing. She, um, conducted the whole room. She had a hip replacement two months ago; I can't believe the way she was getting around.

Now I understand the lack of enthusiasm among the band members who have been around longer than I. No doubt we'll be asked to do it again next year. I think I might find a very small, very pretty, very concealable flask.

Valentines Day

We had a special Valentines dinner last night at work. Typically we're only open for brunch/lunch, and only on Tuesday for special occasions. Dinner on a Tuesday is definitely a Special Occassion.

We cooked for two days. There was soft music and candlelight in the dining area. We had a full staff and served 46 meals (chosen from three entree choices) in under two hours. We rocked! Our guests all seemed happy; we only had one plate come back, and the only negative comment we got was that the salt in the shaker didn't come out. For our second full scale evening event, it went off without a hitch. Tips were great!

I got home about 9:30 in that wierd state between exhaustion and too wound up to go to sleep. It took almost two hours and a shower to get me to bed. Of course, Ryan was restless; when he wasn't walking over me, he was walking through the bedroom grumbling. I've never had a cat that grumbled before.

I was less than impressed when I had to get up this morning. I didn't dread going to work, but I was definitely hoping for a quiet day, maybe with a chance to leave early, and I was really looking forward to the coffee we brew. I got part of my wish. Business was steady, no one came in half an hour before closing (even the bank ladies came early!). We were cleaned up and leaving half an hour after we locked the door. We didn't have any of the Annoying Regulars, thank goodness, or I might have gotten myself into trouble! Surprisingly, many of our lunch guests today were dinner guests last night, and they seemed very happy to have the same dessert choices! One lady even brought a mini rose bush for The Boss.

Now I'm home alone for a change. I convinced Eric that I needed some quiet time, so he took the kids to church without me. I've had way too much coffee today. I need to do some pre-writing for a new idea, and I have some research to do, but I'm surfing the web instead. I think it's going to be an early night. At least I hope it's going to be.