damfino said ........
And here is a quick video of me playing her (she’s been named Miss Opal). Her notes sit ever so slightly different than my other fiddle, so forgive the flat notes, that’s my fingers reverting back to what I’m used to, lol.

  

Great job @damfino and congrats on the new "lady".

It's amazing how time flies. Seven years feels like just yesterday.
Glad to see you back here again. 😁 You've come so far since when you joined the forum.

damfino said
@Fiddlerman  Thank you! Oh yeah, it still feels like yesterday I was squeaking it Twinkle Twinkle, now I can squeak out a few more tunes, haha. 

And correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't your confidence in playing for people get way better too? 😁

damfino said
@Fiddlerman  I’m way more comfortable than I would have been if I didn’t make myself do videos or play on Streetjelly when I did. People don’t usually believe me when they claim they are too shy, etc, because I am very introverted and not comfortable in front of a camera at all, pushing myself out of my comfort zone really helped. It’s something you have to practice at as well, or you’ll always be “not ready” to do a video or play for people. 

plus now I just don’t care: I’m a beginner-ish, I didn’t play my whole life, I’m not going to be perfect, lol. 

Exactly right. For a person wanting to be able to play for others, they must force themselves out of their comfort zones in order to adapt. You did exactly what you needed to do.

Also, not caring, is a great attitude in that respect. If someone has a lesser opinion of you because you played for them, for any reason at all, it's their problem and not yours.

Great job on all of that Mandy!