I am really enjoying the group project. I am progressing at a pretty good clip for me. I am learning a lot from it.

I did a 2 hour cello session, just now, most being group project, then my standbys. 

I think I need to get bkuetooth iPods. The bluetooth headset is too much. I will have to check the price, but I think it is more than I want to spend, 😁

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I needed to isolate a section of the click track. It is hard to do with the format of the click track. Also, I prefer to just be able to press play and have it start over, with the format, I have to drag the cursor back to the beginning. 

Solved my problem. I did a screenshot video of it and made a video for my camera roll. I now have the all parts complete and the section I needed sectioned out as separate videos in my camera roll. Works out nicely.

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I started out pretty bad with my group project. It ended better.

I was using my new airbuds. I only used the right one so that I could hear my cello with the left ear. It was easier than with the heavy bulky headset, but I wish you could opt to not have the mics turned on, and could opt to not have it use the phone.

Now, that said, do not tell me about all the cancelling crap. It will not turn your mics off. The problem is with the AirBud mic, it is too sensitive, and you cannot use the earbuds and not have it connected to actually ring the phone through the AirBud, or hear any notifications through the AirBud, or whatever it is called. I spent all morning checking it out. Please do not reply with a bunch of techy stuff. I am basically talking to myself, wishing Apple would have an option to just turn the mic off. I just want to watch my how to vids without the TV competing with vid audio in the AirBuds. The TV is not that loud, and it gets picked up and overpowers the video. I do not want it louder.

The fix is very simple. Just an option to turn the mic off. In my search, apparently, a lot of users would like that option. Simple solution. I would assume their software techies can write that option in to the code. Oh, I am talking Apple, 😂😂😂.

I do not use my phone if I am driving, whether hands free or not. It is in my purse. If I did not have the phone, I would not be hearing it, so ... that is how it is when I am driving, so I do not need these for talking on the phone. And, I do not do it through the radio so everyone in the car is in on my conversation, plus, I know the other end does not get a clear sound, having been at the receiving end of these calls. If it is my husband's ringtone, or one of my daughter's' ringtones, I just pull off into a parking lot and call them back. 

I cannot charge my phone in the car to charge it during trips when my husband is driving anymore. Now, when I do that, that stupid AirPlay, or whatever it is, starts up. Give me a break! I used to be able to. I do not have my phone synced to the car. 

I just want to listen to click tracks, watch videos, etc, with the AirBuds, no talking with them.

Back to my group project, done with my frustration. I do have a measure in the cello part where I just play the first note and then count the other 3 beats and then join in in the next measure. I also mock up the ending because I am not able to play those trips, so I use the last note in the two trips. Works out just fine. 

My daughter contacted me yesterday, wants me to make a curtain for under my younger granddaughter's bed, it is raised off the floor and has a build into the bed bookshelf under the bed. There is an opening at the head of the bed front to enter that area. My granddaughter would like a curtain. Her sister has a slightly higher bed with all sides open and has Harry Potter curtains around it. They were made for the bed.

My daughter does not sew. I sent her a diagram and what I needed to know so I could make it. I also told her to look at her curtains if she doesn't know what the heck I am talking about. I am not the best "explainer". I told her she can call any time. After I sent the email, it dawned in me. I should have asked her to buy me tickets to fly out and make it there! WHAT WAS I THINKING!!🤦‍♀️

Because of the curtain request, as soon as I get the Group Project acceptable, I will record and submit it when we can submit. I think the curtains are to be a Christmas present for my granddaughter.

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I did a couple hours of playing, I wish I could have been set up to record. I had three that would have been good recordings! I am doing laundry this morning and the sound would have been heard, so I could not record. My hair was not too unruly, either! Those dang cowlicks ( 3 of them!). I will try again this afternoon, although, I am better in the morning. I am hoping for a good recording by the end of the week. Then I will be all set when the submission instructions are posted. Then I can finish my holiday cards, 😁.

I paid closer attention to my bowing arm, today. My bowing arm is getting lazy. It isn't me, just my arm! It has a mind of its own, 😂. It was much better.

I also did my other songs and added one that I do on my violin and viola. 

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I did some more work on the Group Project. I think that I need to sit down with the purpose of making the recording. I have been doing it ocer and over and today, I noticed that I am going backwards. I also think that this is happening because I have been working so long in it. This is usually what happens, so I think this week I will be doing some recording, 🤞.

I just finished working on my Holiday Cards. I have all the shapes cut, cut and folded the card bases, have all parts cut. I am now inking the top layering piece with a two part stencil. I have 12 inked, 43 more to go! I had to stop and fix dinner. I re-inked the pads when I stopped so that the ink pads will be moist tomorrow. It was probably good that I had to get up to fix dinner. I have another layering sheet to ink also. I ran out of the color of cardstock I need, so I am using the same Fiesta Blue ink I am using with one of the stencils and making my own blue cardstock. 

Then, I have to stamp the back of the base cards with my name. I have to select an inside sentiment from my stamps and stamp all 50 sentiments inside the card base.

Then, I can assemble all the parts! Voila, 50 Mouse Holiday Cards. I also have 2 birthday cards to make before the end of the first week of December. I might have one that is suitable for one recipient in my stash of cards that I made, the other, I know I have to make one for. I really need to restock my stash. I gave a bunch to my daughter for her to use that last time she visited. Maybe I can get an assortment made for her as a Holiday gift. Not much time, though.

I think that tomorrow I will take a break from my cello and do my violin.

Later.

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Was working on the Group Project with the idea of doing the video. Did not go well. That camera is an audience, I have time. 

Then my daughter called. I only see her once a year, so when she calls, everything is put on hold. I said, "Did you hear my cello way over there and want me to stop?" 😂😂😂😂

I will try again tomorrow. 

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So, I made a donation to St Jude's Children's Hospital last week. It was my son's favorite place to donate, which he did, regularly. I couldn't do it until this year. I made up for the last year. 

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Lately, since I had help with my setup, I am finding I am having an easier time with my violin than my cello. I am not sure how I feel about that. I need to fix my viola setup now.

I was just playing my violin. I gave the 4th violin part of the Group Project a couple of runs through. It was actually not too bad. Triplets are not manageable, as with the cello. But, not too bad for a sight read through. Not going to be working it to submit. It was an experiment.

I also played the two Worldfiddler tunes. I really like them. Much better today. The stretches on the E string were much better! 

I also did Oh Christmas Tree, by just paying it as I know it. 

It will be interesting to see how this goes. It may be that my fingers are not as comfortable with the stretch on the cello now, or maybe, it is just temporary. Maybe they are temporarily stiff.

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Did the two songs from the tunes Worldfiddler shared again. Yep, liking those.

I think that if I can get them anywhere near good, I might do a party for people to only play songs from this songbook, as written. It would be nice to hear them, and give support and thanks to Worldfiddler for sharing these.

Anyone reading this, please do not start the party. I am waiting until I can play through one of these smoothly. Thank you.

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