I'm classifying this posting under the category of "Bargains," although Hubby probably wouldn't agree too heartily with this classification. Let me first explain that I'm now the proud owner of an additional player piano. Yes, you heard that right, I now own two pianos and don't even know how to play. I guess you could say I have great expectations combined with a side of pure OCD pack rat.

In my search to purchase some player piano rolls, I found a lovely lady who was trying to sell her 1919 Davenport-Treacy Cabinet Grand Upright Player Piano. The piano had been completely restored and came with 250 piano rolls - and the price was a steal since she really wanted to get rid of it. When I initially contacted her, I was just interested in purchasing a handful of the rolls but as soon as I laid eyes on it and heard it play, I was sold. Hubby was none too thrilled to learn that I wanted to buy it.

During the whole bargaining process, Hubby made it very clear to me that he was not supportive of my quest to be a mini-Mozart. His gripe was that none of us knew how to play and that we already had a defunct, yet cool, player piano. I argued back that a player piano took the guesswork out of having to learn how to play. Plus, he knew that it was going to drive me absolutely batty to own piano rolls I couldn't play because I couldn't get the original piano working. And, what's better than having a working example of the exact item I'm trying to refurbish?

Ultimately, I knew I'd win this battle because I can be a very hard person to deal with when I'm discontent and pushy. Hubby needs his sanity so he finally agreed.

We went out yesterday morning and picked it up with the help of Grandpa D. Pianos are very heavy and this one was no exception. Thankfully, we were able to get it loaded up and placed it into it's new home with relative ease. Well, it was easy for me because I just sat back and pretty much watched the guys do their thing.

After we had the piano properly seated and the 250 rolls ever so nicely organized, I sat down and showed off the magnificence of the piano. I played Hubby and Grandpa D songs like, "Tip Toe Through The Tulips," "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," and finished with a contemporary, "Tears In Heaven." My dad was all grins and Hubby appeared to be in awe whenever I looked at him. Of course, when he saw me watching him he'd quickly change his expression and give me, "Yeah, it's a'yight."

He tried it a couple of times with the assistance of Taterbug, and I think he liked it a little bit more each time:

The afternoon turned into evening and several more songs were played. I found Hubby to have a particular fondness for "Tears In Heaven" (usually sung by Eric Clapton) and he kept playing it over and over. What started out to be his goofy rendition actually turned into Hubby bellowing out his best vibratos and false ivory tickling, much to the delight of his fans. For someone who disliked my idea so much, he was enjoying himself quite a bit.

Needless to say, we love our new family addition. I just ordered some Billy Joel, Beach Boys, Grease, and Phantom of the Opera piano rolls. Do you know they even have Britney Spears? I just couldn't defile my piano by playing "Oops I Did It Again," or "Hit Me Baby One More Time," no matter how much Tater begged and pleaded. I did succumb to the "Indian Outlaw" song because I love me some Tim McGraw. Maybe Hubby will channel him while he's playing. A girl can only hope.