2009 Sacramento Jazz Jubilee

So it is that time where I update you on my memories of the jazz festival and I know it has been two weeks, but I have been busy. Anyways, at 10:45 am James and I went to the opening day parade where we watched Blue Street Jazz Band play the pre-parade entertainment and then we watched the parade. After the parade James and I walked around Old Town Sacramento and then we went and sold cds for Blue Street Jazz Band at 2:30 pm and I gave Sherri the children's book I wrote about her. After that set James and I then went with Sherri, Matty, Rick, and Rich to the Freeway Gardens and we sat around and had a few drinks and watched Mumbo Gumbo play for a bit and then we went out to dinner with them. After dinner we went and sold cds for Blue Street Jazz Band and then after that set James and I went to go watch Hal Smith's Hayriders play. On Saturday at 10 am James and I went and sold cds for Blue Street Jazz Band. Then we got on the bus and ran into Bria where we then went and watched the New Lowdown with Chloe Feoranzo. Then James and I took off to go sell cds for Blue Street Jazz Band where they did an all Sherri Colby set. After the all Sherri Colby set James and I went to Round Table where we watched BSR Hotshots and after that set I talked to Molly Reeves for a bit. Then James and I took off to go sell cds for Blue Street Jazz Band. After that set James and I went to see Hal Smith's Hayriders and then James and I stayed to watch the headliner band which was Aftershock. Since we didn't like them very much James and I left. On Sunday at 10 am James and I went to go sell cds for Blue Street Jazz Band's gospel set. Then after that set James and I went to go see 101st Army Dixieland Jazz Band with Bria. Then after that set James and I went to go watch the Firecracker Jazz Band and then after that set James and I then made our way to the back of the room to sell cds for Blue Street Jazz Band. After the 2:30 pm set Sherri, Matty, Rick, James, and I all went out to sushi at Mikuni's where I got to spin the birthday wheel. After lunch we all went to the next Blue Street Jazz Band set where Sherri sang "Now Baby or Never" upon my request and James and I got up from the cds table and danced to our song. After that set James and I got on the bus and went to sell cds for Blue Street Jazz Band and after that set was over I had girl talk with Sherri. On Monday at 10 am James and I went and sold cds for Blue Street Jazz Band. At that set the band got me up on the stage and sang happy birthday to me. Then after that set James and I went to go see Reynolds Brothers' Rascals with Madison Munn. Then after that set we went and saw 101st Army Dixieland Band's patriotic set where Leonard Fahrni played a really fast rendition of happy birthday for me on his trumpet. Then James and I ended the festival with Hal Smith's Hayriders. During that set Anita tried to embarrass James, but it did not work and the band all so sang me happy birthday and played my favorite Johnny Cash song which is Jackson. The highlights of this festival was meeting Rich, meeting Rich's wife, getting a special gift from Leonard, having dinner with Sherri, Matty, Rich, and Rick, having sushi for my birthday with Sherri, Matty, and Rick, spinning the birthday wheel at Mikuni's and ending up getting mints on the wheel, but coming home with a beer cup instead, giving Sherri the children's book I wrote for her and seeing her reaction when I gave it to her, watching Sherri show the rest of the band her children's book, Matty telling me he was going to read Sherri her children's book to put her to sleep, meeting Laurie, meeting Gwen, having Blue Street Jazz Band sing me happy birthday while I was on stage, Matty keeping me from falling off the stage on my birthday, Sherri and Matty meeting Christina and Brian, having Leonard play me happy birthday on his trumpet, having Hal Smith's Hayriders sing me happy birthday and play Jackson for me on my birthday, Anita trying to embarrass James, Johnny G. embarrassing James and I, taking a picture with Katie Cavera, having a special swing dance with Kymmi, Sherri singing Now Baby or Never for James and I as we danced, meeting Chloe, watching New Lowdown with Bria, watching Bria play with 101st Army Dixieland Band, seeing Leonard's impression of Brian Casserly, getting a picture with Leonard, Bria, and Forrest, talking to Claire, seeing Claire's bride to be mardi gras beads, James buying me a Betty Boop shirt, and Bria telling me blondes are smarter then brunettes. Special thanks to Blue Street Jazz Band, Hal Smith's Hayrider's, Sherri Colby- Bottel and Matty Bottel, Rick Canfield, Bria Skonberg, Claire McKenna, Katie Cavera, Anita Thomas, Leonard Fahrni, Brant English, and of course my wonderful fiance James Chastain.

What You Mean to Me (A poem that I wrote for my mentor, Sherri Colby- Bottel)

What you Mean to Me
I love all your warm hugs
I love the way you care for me even though I am not your own
I love your caring, kind, and loving heart
I love you with all my heart

You mean the world to me
I don’t know what I would do without you and your wonderful husband
I love looking up to you
I love all the prep talks you give me
I love you with all my heart

You give me joy, hope, and faith
I love all the ways you make me feel inside
You truly are a guardian angel
I love you with all my heart

I love the way you are always there to help me
I love the way you are there beside me in thick and thin
I love the way you protect me
I love you with all my heart

I love the way you blow kisses to me
I love the way you make me smile
I love the way you make me laugh
I love you with all my heart

Me with Sherri Colby who is one of the best people to hang out with

Dixieland Monterey

So it is that time again where I update you on my memories of the jazz festival. Anyways, James and I arrived in Monterey when James realized he packed light, so just before we went to the Portola Hotel we checked in our hotel and then we went to the Portola Hotel where we went searching for some food, but couldn't get what we wanted until 3. At 3 pm we got our badges from Anne and Jeff and that is when I also showed Anne my ring. James and I decided to watch Titan Hot Seven for a little bit and then we went and ate lunch. After Titan Hot Seven finished James and I went to Ivory and Gold to sell. Since Titan Hot Seven had to play at 5:30 pm Ivory and Gold had to stop the set 5 minutes ahead a time, so when James and I were done selling we helped Anne pack up the cds and walked with her to the Titan Hot Seven set. After the Titan Hot Seven set James, Anne, Jeff, and I walked to the Wharf Theater where James and I went to go sell the cds, but we were very lucky and we got to watch Ivory and Gold play where Anne got some pig slippers, so she played in them. Then James and I stayed and watched We 3 where Danny and Jeff messed with Bob's head. After We 3 James and I walked back to the Portola Hotel to watch the last Titan Hot Seven set. Then on Saturday James and I went to go see We 3 again, but we were late and the room was full, so instead we went to the hospitality room to hang out and eat. Then we decided to go see Jeff's pianorama where I was asked if I was Jeff's wife... James decided to study at the cd table so that Anne can go in and play with Jeff. After Jeff's pianorama I went with Jeff and Anne to go watch Titan Hot Seven where James later met me. After Titan Hot Seven's set James, Jeff, Anne, and I went to the hospitality room to go eat and that was when Jeff asked James and I if we wanted to go eat with him, Anne, and Danny after their 5:30 Titan Hot Seven set. Then I walked to Gilbert's with Jeff and Anne and James later came to join us to go sell cds for Ivory and Gold. After Ivory and Gold James and I went to Titan Hot Seven's set and after that set we went to go eat dinner at an Indian restaurant where Jeff made a toast about James and I and about our wedding and then we went and had some drinks with Anne, Jeff, and Danny where we met some of their friends and Jeff told them that James and I were engaged. After that James and I went to go and watch Titan Hot Seven's last set. On Sunday James and I wanted to go see Titan Hot Seven's first set, but our cell phones didn't update so we were late and never got to see Titan Hot Seven's first set. James and I then went to go see Blue Street play after that we went and saw Yve Evans and Company's set where Yve embarrassed us by telling the audience that we were engaged and how proud she was of us and she also made me run up to the stage to show her my ring. Then James and I went and watched Titan Hot Seven's last set where Jeff also decided to embarrass us as well by playing here comes the bride to the tune of Panama. Then James and I went and sold for Ivory and Gold where I became Danny's wife which was what we ended our festival with which was a bit weird because we always end our festivals with Titan Hot Seven. The highlights of this festival was having some drinks with Anne, Jeff, and Danny, going out to dinner with Anne, Jeff, and Danny, seeing Anne get her slippers, seeing Jeff and Danny mess with Bob's head, finding out that Bob was engaged, talking to Bob's fiancee about weddings, Yve playing James and I a song and then making me go up to the stage to show her my ring, Yve telling us how proud she is of us, Jeff telling the audience we were engaged and playing here comes the bride, seeing a picture of Danny's baby girl, watching Jeff almost eat Danny's food as we were in the elevator, and Jeff making a toast to James and I.

Fresno Mardi Gras

So it is that time where I update you on my memories of the jazz festival and I know it has been three weeks, but I have been busy with 18 units. Anyways, James and I went to the Radisson after his 2 o' clock class and we had some lunch and met Mary which was fun. After lunch and hanging out with Mary we went and saw Blue Street play and we ended up being the cd salesmen for Blue Street. We then had dinner and after that we went and watched Climax and that is when the new King and Queen was announced which just so you all know the new king and queen was Dave and Lori. I then got a prep talk from Sherri and after that Sherri and I went to the lounge where James, Matty, and Mary were and we had a few drinks and hung out for a bit. Then on Saturday James and I went and had some breakfast with Mary and after breakfast we went to go work for Blue Street... Sherri noticed something was wrong with me and she asked me if I was okay and I shook my head yes and she did this all from the stage. Later when Sherri came to tell me she would work with me on my homework she asked me if I was okay and I told her yes and she then replied no you're not we will talk later. James and I hung out in the lounge with Mary on Saturday and then we went to sell cds for Blue Street's second set. After that Sherri helped me with some homework and then James and I went out to eat with Sherri, Matty, Gailene , and a friend of theirs. We talked about many things in the restaurant. After dinner James and I sold cds for Blue Street's last set. That was so much fun because Sherri sang mine and James' song (I am talking about the song she sang when he proposed to me) and James and I danced to the song! After that James and I stayed and watched Climax play with Sherri, Matty, and Gailene. Then James and I went and said bye to Sherri and Matty and Sherri and I set up a time on Monday that we could meet up since her and Matty were not going to be at the festival on Sunday since they had to be in Sacramento. On Sunday James and I went and watched Fulton Street play and on the way to that I got a picture of Hal playing with Bob Schulz Frisco Jazz Band and then off James and I went to sell cds for Blue Street. After we finished selling cds for Blue Street James and I went and watched Hal play with Fulton Street which was a wonderful set and then James and I moved our way over to the cds table to sell cds for Blue Street again. Usually we would of ended our festival there, but we didn't... James and I then went and saw High Sierra play and that is when we ended our festival. James and I then went and hung out in the lounge and waited for Mary and after that we went and had dinner and then we went and hung out in the lounge with Mary and I texted Sherri to find out what time and where we were going to meet on Monday. Then on Monday James and I met Sherri at Uncle Harry's and we had some coffee and breakfast with her and she gave me a cookbook that was hers and some cooking goodies, so that I could learn how to cook. The highlights of this festival was having my girl talks with Sherri, going out to dinner with Sherri, Matty, Gailene, and their friend, watching Sherri sing with Climax Jazz Band, getting pictures with Bob, Hal, and Clint, meeting Mary, James playing with the sugar, the peppers, his straw, and the silverware at dinnertime on Sunday, hanging out in the lounge with Sherri, Matty, and Mary, being told by Peiter that I really am wonderful, helping Karen Marguth choose some songs to sing at Blue Street's last set and going out to breakfast with Sherri and getting all my cooking goodies and getting a cookbook that was hers.

Me and Hal Smith at the 2009 Fresno Mardi Gras

Me and Bob Williams at the 2009 Fresno Mardi Gras

Me and Clint Baker at the 2009 Fresno Mardi Gras

Heroes

When people think of a hero or heroes what do they think of? Are they thinking of a person who rules or guides or inspires others, the principal character in a play or movie or novel or poem, someone who fights for a cause, a Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century), (classical mythology) a being of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits; often the offspring of a mortal and a god, or (Greek mythology) priestess of Aphrodite who killed herself when her lover Leander drowned while trying to swim the Hellespont to see her? When I think of a hero or heroes I think of the ones who fought for a cause. I also think of a person who rules or guides or inspires others. My heroes are James and my ultimate best friend Lola for always being there for me in thick and thin, Jeff and Anne Barnhart for taking care of me when my grandma passed away, Matty Bottel and SherriLynn Colby- Bottel for keeping me going and caring for me after my grandma passed away, my grandma Virginia for teaching me the true meaning of take life one day at a time, Bria Skonberg for showing me I can have fun even without my grandma being around, Jason Wanner (Lil J) for showing me how to turn into the old Amy once again, Yve Evans for showing me how to believe in miracles, and of course Jesus for dying on the cross for our sins. These people mean the world to me and I am very thankful to have them in my life and I am very thankful that they all lead me to guidance and they all inspired me in many ways and some of them to this day still inspire me.

My wonderful fiance James and my wonderful ultimate best friend Lola

Jeff with his wonderful wife Anne

Matty with his wonderful wife SherriLynn

My grandma Virginia... R.I.P Grandma

Bria Skonberg

Jason Wanner A.K.A Lil J

Yve Evans singing to Igor Glenn

A painting by my mom of Jesus

New Life in Fresno

I have been thinking about my walk with the Lord and I have enjoyed it so much here in Fresno. Yes I am still homesick, but this is my first time living on my own and I am still learning all of the financial stuff that I need to learn like how to only spend money on the things I need to buy that are a necessity. I enjoy Fresno State so much though. I have met some wonderful people there... most of the people I have met is mostly in the Criminology Fraternity that James is in. I never thought that this would be such an easy walk and it isn't an easy walk, but it is a lot easier then I thought it would be. James and I have found a wonderful new church, with Pastor Steve's help, in Clovis that is an Evangelical Free Church. James and I went to one of the churches here and didn't really enjoy it because there was 3 services and each service had way too many people in it, so we never got to meet anyone, so we tried Clovis Evangelical Free Church also known as CEFC and within the first Sunday we went we fell in love with the church and met so many people who all took us in with open arms and they made us feel so at home. Some of the people that have made a difference in my life at CEFC are Ashley and her husband Jim, Dan, and Chip. Ashley and Jim have been trying to get James and I connected in the church and Ashley has told me she would do the best she could to help me in my walk. Dan has made James and I feel so welcomed at Soul Cafe and for those who are wondering what Soul Cafe is... well it is a bible study that James and I go to after the first service... we study the word and we have snacks as we discuss what we are study on that day. Then finally Chip is always willing to pray for me and James whenever we need it the most. I really do love my new church and my new church family, but nothing will ever replace The Harbor though, so now James and I have two churches. Not only do I go to a wonderful church and go to a wonderful school, but I got great neighbors that I love to death. I am also engaged to the most wonderful man ever. I never thought when I asked James 5 years ago to help me with a title on my English paper that we would start dating and then we would get married. I have continued to look forward to see what the Lord has in store for me with in my few more years here in Fresno!

Pismo Jubilee by the Sea 2008

So it is that time of year where I update you on the jazz festival. James and I went back home for the Pismo Jubilee by the Sea on October 24th to the 26th. We went home on Thursday and were going to go see We 3's special set, but since we got home to late we decided not to go. We went and visited some people at Hancock College. Then we went back to Lompoc and stayed with Randy. Then on Friday Randy took me to Marie Calenders to help sell for Ivory and Gold at 11 am since James had a doctors appointment. I told Danny I was lost without James and I asked Jeff if he really thought James would leave his wonderful fiancee alone. Then after Ivory and Gold I talked to some of the wives of The Night Blooming Jazzmen that I grew up with and I watched The Night Blooming Jazzmen. Then after that I sat and watched Jeff Barnhart play and about half way through Jeff's set James came and we watched the rest of the set. After that set James and I then went and ate at the hospitality room and then at 4 pm we went and watched Titan Hot Seven and then after that back to the hospitality room and then we went to Titan Hot Seven again. We stayed and talked to my parents for a bit and then we went and saw Titan Hot Seven play and then we went home and slept. Saturday we got up early and drove to Lompoc and feed Randy's bird and then went out to coffee with Jerry and Redge and then we told Redge that James and I are now engaged. Then we went to go see Cornet Chop Suey play, but the venue was full and I couldn't get in even though I told the volunteers that it was my grandpa's band so James and I went and talked to Jeff Bishop and then we came back and my mom got us in, it took my mom, my grandma, and Russ to get us into the Vet's Hall just to see the band play and then James and I stayed and watched Titan Hot Seven. Jerry Karhn and I also set up a time to have a little guitar lesson. After that James and I went to the hospitality room to eat and I showed Jeff a picture on my phone of James and I and we talked about how long James and I have been engaged for. Then James and I went to Titan Hot Seven's last set and after that James and I went to Jerry Krahn's room and I had a guitar lesson. He says that I am ready for chords now so I can't wait until Sherri sends me some chords. Then after that James and I went to go eat in the hospitality room to eat where Danny and Jeff were making fools of themselves, but it was fun to be around. :) Then James and I went to Marie Calenders to go sell cds for Ivory and Gold and Jeff announced that James and I just got engaged 2 months ago, but instead he said we just got married 2 months ago. After the Ivory and Gold set James and I went to go see the 3 clarinets and leyland trio which was so awesome. After that set James and I decided to go home. Then on Sunday morning James and I decided to go see Blue Street's gospel set and then off we went to see the Titan Hot Seven and High Sierra set which again was an awesome set. Then after that we went to the hospitality room and ate and then off to the second to last Titan Hot Seven set James and I went to. Jeff Barnhart found James and I in the audience and then decided that we should be on the dance floor so he pointed to James and I and then he pointed to the dance floor so James and I went to go dance, but what Jeff didn't know was that the song only had a few seconds left and that is when everything went down hill and that is when Jim Fryer got on the mic and told James "You know James you don't ask your women to dance when the song is almost over" and I told them it was Jeff's fault. Then Jeff announced that we were Titan Hot Seven's really good friends and we just got engaged and that made Bob Draga get on the mic and tell James "If you need any advice on marriage to come to him." Then Jim said "Yeah if he wants to be married more then once." It was pretty interesting to be a part of the show. James and I finished our dance and then we went to the cds sells table so that we could sell for Ivory and Gold and then we finished our festival off with Titan Hot Seven as we always do. We had a great time this year and I have many memories and some of those would be being a part of Titan Hot Seven's show, watching the front line of Titan Hot Seven go and surprise High Sierra and then High Sierra getting Titan Hot Seven back, Jeff telling us he got caught in a conga line, having a guitar lesson with Jerry Krahn, being told that Jeff, Anne, Danny, Sherri, and Matt would love to play at the wedding and that we need to get the details figured out after we set a date, and of course the best of all was seeing Russ' face when I told him James and I were engaged!