Remodel

I haven't written for the past few days because....I have been remodeling the bathroom. As some of you know we had a water leak back in June, and ever since have been remodeling the whole house.

Most is done now, but we still hadn't got to some of the smaller areas.

So, because Stef was having a Pampered Chef party tommorrow, it meant I got to begin remodeling. She is a great help though! We started Monday night sanding and staining the stairs. Apparently, I don't know how to put on stain, because still today it is not fully dry, and it ended up being darker than I thought. Oh well, now I know for the next time (Please say there won't be a next time, please say there won't........).
Anyway, while we were waiting for that to dry, I built some shelves in the storage shed, then organized that. Then hung some new lighting in the kitchen, and then demolished the old sink, and began laying flooring and installing a new sink. Oh yeah, and we painted in there. So about 20 trips to Lowes and more money than I care to think about later, we are more on our way. At least the house looks presentable. I still have TONS of work though. None of the quarter round has been laid, and I haven't laid any transitions yet. I'm also debating on whether or not to do the closets. Jury is still out.
Then I have to replace or fix our dishwasher (it was recalled), change a few remaining water lines, paint a few more rooms, go to the store with Stef and get decorations, and then somehow take time to enjoy the things I'm putting in the house.
It is fun though and I'm having a good time learning all the things (even if it is the hard way).
Well I'm going to go for now and get some R&R.
Have a good one, and if you need anything fixed, you know who to call!
Andrew
no, not me, someone who knows what they're doing. JJ, you can call me too. :-)

What a week!

I'm back home, and wow, what a week it has been! I got home Monday night, Tues morning, and the next day, I was told about a conference that was in town. So, Wed. Morn, bright and early, Stef and I headed downtown for the conference. It was with the Americana Music Association, and it was AWESOME! Tons of great info, and getting to meet and talk with fellow musicians. MMM...good times :-)
So, while I was there, I was given the opportunity to play in a Songwriter's night. It was so much fun! I am supposed to play again this Friday.
This was my first songwriter night. I will be playing more songwriter nights very soon. I have quite a few new songs that I'm looking forward to showing you. Let me know if you're interested in having me perform. I am also going to be doing more house concerts. If you would like me to come play in your living room, let me know. E-mail me at andrew@andrewlael.com
For now, it is time to get busy on finalizing those songs!
Until next time,
Andrew

Howdy, Stranger

Okay,
I know it's been about six months since I have posted, but like all good ideas, they start out strong, and then slowly fizzle out.
So, I'm giving this a go, one more time. I'm writing this on my last day of selling EZ-Buns. I am excited about being home, and getting more involved with my church and friends and music. So, stay tuned for more info on my musical journey.
Later!

Day 2 of Daytona Rally

Ok,
Here I am again, late and in a rush to post because everyone else has gone to bed. I'm sure the tapping of the keys are going to annoy some, but, I will try to keep it short. I promised some pics, so here they are.

First, we are at the Daytona 500 Speedway, right in the smack center of the track. I go by the pit area every day, so for any of you Nascar fans, all I have to say is HAHAHAHAH :-)
Here are a few shots of us driving out tonight.




Pretty cool huh? As you could see in some of the pics, there are RVs galore! It is a "rally" for Rv'ers and boy what an interesting bunch. I never would have know it, but it is whole community and lifestyle. It is crazy! And so many people!!! Boy, unbelievable. I snapped this pic of an RV right out the door of our booth. I'm not sure right now, but I think that I would enjoy something like this one day.


Finally, I thought some of you may want to see what I see all day, while working. Actually, this is what you would see if you came to visit me. If you're lucky, I may give you the "speal" too :-)


I'm outta here for tonight. Hopefully, I'll check back in tommorrow.
SEEYA!

First Day of The Rally

Today I am in Daytona, and I know I promised pics of the track, but... I didn't do it today. Sorry, maybe tommorrow.

Anyway, today there were SO many people. I cannot believe it. It was hot and sticky, and they still came. Do that many of you out there LOVE RVs and RV merchandise that much? I would never have gone to one of these. But, I guess that's what makes the world go round. Different strokes for different folks huh? Overall, it was a good day, but...I am not looking forward to tommorrow. It is supposed to be hotter and rain, so...we'll see how crazy that is. Hopefully, it will make the folks come inside where we are and buy, buy, buy :-)

It does make for some fun with the Airzooka though. Maybe that is what I will discuss tommorrow. It is so awesome and makes for some great laughs.

Anyway, I better get outta here tonight.

See ya tommorrow

The fun of flying!

Ok,
Today we flew from Houston to Orlando. Our flight departed at 7:40 and we arrived at the airport at 6:55AM. After checking in and heading to our terminal, we got stopped in the security line for 40 minutes!!!! There was only one group checking in a whole terminal, so...we were stuck. To make a long story umm longer, we get to the gate with the plane still there. But...they wouldn't let us on. We had to go to the next flight and wait standby. It all worked out, because our friends Derrick and Lisa, who were picking us up needed a few extra minutes...but it was very frustrating!

We got here ok, and have had a great rest of the day. We set up for our show. It is pretty cool. We are set up in the middle of the track for the Daytona 500. It is pretty impressive. That place is HUGE! I will try to get a few pics to post here.

There is also a large stage set up, and I'm going to see if I can get a chance to play, but it will be very lucky if it happens. I don't have my guitar, so I will have to use someone elses. Anyway, it is something to hope for at least.

Until tommorrow (or the next chance I get to write)
See Ya!

Friends and Family

Well, (deep subject huh?)
We have spent the last few days with family, and today Stef and I visited my former place of employment. It was good to catch up on all the "news" and info. Lucky for us, everyone thought we looked so good and refreshed. I believe we told the same stories to about 10 different people, so hopefully, I didn't reapeat anything to anyone.

It was interesting to return and see how on one hand, things have changed, but on the other, things were the same. Some hairstyles were different, some had lost weight, others the opposite, but, there was still the same things there. Most still hated their job, were looking for retirement, and had some problem with someone else there. It made me appreciative for what I have now. God has blessed Stef and I so much! We are able to spend our time together, we travel around the US meeting so may different and unique people, and we are able to make a little money as well.

It really makes me take life into perspective. Why is America so obsessed with making themselves miserable day after day with the "grind?" It is so much better to enjoy life and whatever comes your way. There is enough that comes at you that will make you worry, why complicate it? And are the fancy "toys" worth it? It is funny how fast the "toys" aren't worth it. Last night I went to Frys (perhaps the best tech store in the world) and found a 300 gig hard drive! :-) I was so excited! It was cheap and a good speed. But in probably less than a year, that is going to be full and not a good deal. Same with my TV. I bought a 53" widescreen HDTV a year and a half ago. The technology is so "old" now that I need to upgrade in order to get something "decent." Or so I think. All my friends come over and are amazed, wowed, and impressed with how great it is, but to me, it is "old school." I can't believe how soon the "love" for things wears off.

I am so fickle in my thoughts and ideas and wants. Will this ever change? Will I be satisfied? When does it become enough. Shaun Groves has a great blog on this he wrote a while back. Check it out here. http://readshlog.blogspot.com/2005/08/enough.html

What do you think? Is the "grind" worth it? Will consumerism ever subside? Maybe end? What will it take to make that happen?

The big number one!

Ok,
Now how many of you are actually going to read this, there is no telling, but...I am going to begin posting my $1.5o here and also some of my encouters and happenings. Now that I am on the road, I'm getting to meet all kinds of interesting people and funny things. So...

Today I'm sitting in Houston, Tx visiting with family. Stef and I just got done with a show at Mule Days in Columbia, TN, and flew out last night to Houston. It was a nice flight (probably because there were only 8 people on the flight) and right on time. Thanks Contenintal.

On the music front, good things are happening. I have been writing, and have a new song that I getting good response from. I have been meeting with SESAC and they are very excited about this song. I am working on my work tape right now, and getting ready to go into the studio for a demo. Once that is done, my contact at SESAC is going to start showing it to people. Not really earthshattering, but...a step in the right direction! Once I get a good copy of the song, I'll post it on myspace at.... http://www.myspace.com/andrewlael

I will try and post a few more songs (remember in work form, so rough) and I would like your input on which songs are your favorite. I am making an "independent" album of about 5 or 6 songs to start out with, so I would like some input.

Ok, well I will end my first (official) blog now, and get started with my "life" so I can return and tell you all about it...(like you really want to know :-) )

So until then, keep living, and enjoy life!
Andrew