It was bleak and rainy, overlooking the bay, and I'd stayed inside and worked at the computer all day. Thought I'd walk the two blocks up the steep hill for the mail, but work was relentless, and I couldn't tear myself away.

At 6PM, after 12 hours of work, I decided I NEEDED to get OUT for dinner and then return and resume work 'til midnight, as I usually do. I phoned nearly-neighbor and emerging screenwriter Victoria MacDonald (cousin of Brad Bird, screenwriter, director of THE INCREDIBLES) to see if she was of a similar mind. Victoria wanted very much to drive the 30 miles to Tacoma and the Cliff House, where our mutual friend Doug Johnston does psychic readings. (It was such a reading that caused her to seek me out.) I was reluctant to take that much time from work, but she suggested I take my computer and phone in the car, and off we went.

When Doug finally arrived (from the Poodle Dog, where he'd done seven readings), he did a spontaneous reading on me for about an hour -- so he says I must take him with me to the GRAMMY awards when I go (he sees me getting at least three)! He says yes, I must get my album out by my goal date of February 2007, because he sees things opening up big-time for me in September and, if I'm not ready, the opportunities will pass by.

Monday, when Vos drove us through 60 miles of rain and dark, to Seattle for the NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) Holiday Party and annual membership meeting, I realized I didn't have the address of the Paramount Theatre, where it was held. I started sneezing (an allergic reaction to our joint insecurity at my not being able to tell Vos the street address). I couldn't get a 1-800 listing for the theatre so called a friend, Rog Fisher, and got directions. We arrived late and missed the entertainment - live music by Board President and Latin GRAMMY Nominee Jovino Santos-Neto. His bass player was just packing up and said, "Hello, Gretchen. Chuck Deardorff." I hadn't recognized him but he had played on my early recordings at The Evergreen State College, some of the songs I've now re-recorded for my album SWEET SIXTEEN! He's now the foremost jazz bassist in the NW and teaches at Cornish School for the Arts (maybe it's University now).

In line for the buffet, another bass player recognized me. Carey Black, said he too is from Olympia and that I'd phoned him when i was looking for a bass player, but we'd never met before. He said, he recognized me from a picture, probably in the paper. I said, maybe it was one with my peacocks, which made the front page of The Olympian, May 9, 2005, while I was in Dallas, recording! : )

We spent about a half hour comparing notes, as we ate delicious hors d'oeurves. I asked if he could recommend a studio, in the area, with an acoustic grand paino. From memory, he gave me the number where he'd been recording and which has an acoustic grand piano. It has been recommended many times to me, including this past year by Bonnie Guitar, and has always been booked too far in advance to suit my needs. Even now, in December, it's booked into April. But maybe if I called and said I have just one song to do, he could slip me in if there were a cancellation.

Meanwhile, Vos toured the magnificently ornate Paramount theatre and then we alighted together at a table. Some woman asked if she could sit there, too. "I'm Kathleen; we drove up from Portland."

I said, "Oh, I have a friend here from Portland; well I'm not sure I'd recognize him, if I saw him; but we met at the NARAS picnic this summer. His name is Steve Hall."

She said, "That's him! that was Steve who was just here. He's my husband!" And then her face lit with recognition and we realized, it was she who had visited intently with Vos, while her husband Steve and I visited intensely over Grammy matters, at the picnic! We laughed, made re-introductions and instant replay of the same situation, visiting in pairs until the management kicked us out! (:o)

Yesterday, I phoned the recommended David Lange Studio but reached an answering machine. Nor had I received a call back from Pacific Studios, where I've been recording. I need to get that final song done as quickly as possible so can have the album completed, manufactured and release by February, as my bright and organized daughter Kimari so long ago realistically recommended. (I objected that was too far off; now, it'll be here in the blink of an eye!)

And Vos insists he's not letting me off the hook to have a copy ready as his Christmas present. (Also, I'm to give a personally made gift to Marie, whose name I drew, and Kimari said it's obvious what I should give -- so another reason to rush completion.) I say "rush" after 2-1/2 years of rushing (and non-stop pressure)! Writing this is my regrouping.

Sadly, what appeared to be allergy has weakened me (nose bleed Tuesday morning at the Chiropractor), and last night's slightly sore throat from sneezing and post nasal drip is verging on sinus infection this morning. Omigod, my webmaster Darrell may have been right. He had warned me not to have my Parade of Lights party as I might relapse; that I should save my strength and get my last recording done first.

I've been trying to reach my engineer Markus Simmons, for several days now (he's up to his ears doing 5 albums, 14 hour days/nights). Finally drove by the studio last night (with Victoria, after the reading), ready to go in and try out the last-resort keyboard, if Markus were there and the proper keyboard available -- it had been rented out, last time, and the one I used had problems).

Markus had left at 8PM and I reached him at home. He wants to get me finished by Dec. 20th (Wednesday), as he is changing equipment and wants to finish on what we started, before trading it in for a $3400 credit toward a more advanced version of ProTools. Wants me to call Friday, and set something up, maybe for Sunday. Anyway, good I reached him!

At midnight, I climbed into bed with my computer and a book Vos recommended (MARIANNE by George Sand who reminds Vos a great deal of me). When I opened a computer animated Christmas card from my sister Sonja, it was so calming with the snow falling and the music, I was ready to nod off to sleep -- so wisely turned off the computer and light and did (a good choice).

Now, it's 6AM (I've been awake since 5; always wish I could sleep longer). Oh, no; stuffed up again, though my sinus condition had been almost clear (no color) for a week, just a little stuffy at the apex of my nose/throat.

I had been able to sing decently for the Parade of Lights party, Wednesday and Saturday. For a preview of the CD, Gretchen's SWEET SIXTEEN! (SUITE 16), as promised, I had played the first three tracks of the album, followed by a live performance of the new song I'll be recording for Track 4, "Everything I Wanna Be" - and then my now-traditional "Christmas Is You".

This was followed by a rip roaring jam session with Banjo, two Guitars, Harmonica, Flute and lots of Singing (my sister Sonja would have fit right in, with her Banjo or Uke from SURVIVOR, where she was the first person voted off the island :o) Also, I thought of her because Sky Benson, "the magic guy," as the children called him, was doing magic tricks Sonja does when she visit; a magnet to the children! Kimari tells me that when they left, four year old Kamiel wailed, "I love the magic guy!" (And I know they love Sonja, too.)

Ages 1-1/2 to 6 years, all five grandchildren (and two little friends, Owen and Hayley), were adorable! I loved that they all danced spontaneously as I played and sang "Everything I Wanna Be" (they call a "1,2,3" - because it's a jazz waltz, and they often request that I play a fast "1,2,3" from my CD, so they can dance)!

Kamiel and Lilli, were Christmas standouts, dressed in red velvet with white marabou trim, providing many camera ops, and the flashes snapped! Kamiiel was exquisite, and Lilli (almost 20 months) looked, for the first time, good in a dress! She captured attention and hearts with her amazingly right-on rhythm, both bouncing to the beat and clapping her hands (much as her soon-to-be-six-year-old cousin Tessa Noel had done at that age)! Kamiel's "twin" cousin Avery, with Tessa (and friend Hayley) were Christmas card cute, themeslves. Dad Chris Helmer has said of his Kamiel, "She has the Grammy gene." (They call me "Grammy" Gretchen.) Now it seems that Lilli has it, too. And when I held Lilli to dance, she'd relax in my arms with her head against my shoulder, just like Kamiel used to do. I feel so blessed.

PS Two weeks later, Gray is doing it, too. Non-stop Energizer bunny and all-boy, Gray suddenly melts in my arms with his head against my shoulder - "Instant peace" - when I hold him and dance. I love it!!! That was Christmas night, celebrating Tessa Noel's Birthday at their house.

I'd provided wild-caught, fresh salmon for all the family, and tonight I'll do the same for adorable Elsa Dorian (local Fleetwoods Replacement) and her family. Happy holidays, everyone! We'll all party with Kimari and Chris and a huge houseful of guests, New Year's Eve!