Helping Hands

This week I am working on the Tots N Tunes Preschool Music Program video, which I have edited and set to music twice a year for almost the past ten years. It is a task that comes around far too quickly every time, that I am totally guilty of procrastinating on, but despite various hiccups and technical difficulties, always ends up completed on time.

When Leslie Domingues, owner of Northlake Academy of Music and Tots N Tunes, asked me if I could do it this year, I wondered if I would be able to fit the project's many hours of computer work/editing into my schedule. It's not that it's hard, it's just time consuming. It's a busy early December at The Big Red Barn, and I have a lot of birthday parties, a holiday tea, a parade, a float to build, and my own child's activities to think about. As I've learned over years of piling my plate too high, I knew that it would get done, one way or another, so I said yes. The extra money would come in handy, but I did it for more than money.

In another life, I was a dancer and a dance teacher. This led me to the job as creative movement teacher at Tots N Tunes, a preschool music program that began in the back of Werlein's Music Store, almost 15 years ago. The program was started by Leslie Domingues, who had taught for many years as a piano teacher and who had a special love of working with children. I was there for the first class of Tots N Tunes, and many more to count thereafter. Over the years I witnessed Leslie's brainchild grow from a floating preschool music program to an amazing music studio, Northlake Academy of Music, with over a dozen rooms for private lessons, a separate Tots N Tunes room, a choir room, a violin room, and more. It's really an amazing facility. But I digress.

One of the best things about working for Leslie is/was how well she treats her employees. Leslie always paid fairly, gave Christmas bonuses, bought at Wendy's for the ride across the Causeway on Saturday after Tots N Tunes, and surprised you now and then with a little treat, like coffee from Starbucks. Sure, these things are monetary, and employee praise doesn't necessarily need be linked to money, but when you're a girl in your mid 20's (or mid 30's) with very little money, they certainly are appreciated! Over my years of work at Tots N Tunes/Northlake, I took on other job responsibilities, including flyer/web/graphic design, administrative duties, and (of course) the Tots N Tunes video. When I had my daughter, Lily Grace, and moved from Mandeville to Ponchatoula, I took a break from teaching at Tots N Tunes, but continued to help out with non-teaching things.

One of the things that I am most grateful about is how Leslie provided me with the opportunity to earn money when my options were limited. She let me work from home and allowed me to bring my daughter, Lily Grace, to work at her house. We would sit at her table and work on various things while Lily toddled around, requested anything and everything in Leslie's impressive pantry, played with toys, and watched TV. Leslie was always loving and patient with Lily, now and then surprising her with special treats. She was more than a boss, she was a friend, and I was always happy to spend the hours working together and talking about life. At the time, my home life, marriage, and financial situation were not the stuff dreams are made of. The small, yet more than fair, monthly salary that she gave me was an enormous help, and allowed me to tuck money away for a rainy day (at least when I didn't have to use it to pay the electric bill.) That rainy day turned out to be The Big Red Barn.

The Big Red Barn was originally located in a cottage next door to my old house. The cottage was actually a garage, which was made into an apartment with a bathroom and kitchenette. The structure was sound, but it needed a few renovations. I had dreamed of opening an arts center for children for years, and the space was just sitting there, so it seemed like a great opportunity. I talked to my then-husband about the idea, and though it took a while, things eventually started to happen. My (then) mother-in-law bought a new sink, hot water heater, and lumber to finish the walls. My (then) father-in-law, who lived with us at the time, completed the work in lieu of rent. Family helped with the framework, but it was up to me to fill that framework. I filled it, figuratively, brick by brick, month by month. I scrimped and saved the money I earned from Leslie and used it to buy carpet, wall paint, basic art supplies, and advertising materials/ad space.

I've always been a total diva of bargain shopping, and am in no way above trash-picking or yard sailing, so I knew how to spend as little as possible and get the most bang for my buck. For example, the original chairs at The Big Red Barn were purchased at a Ponchatoula High fundraiser yard sale for 50 CENTS each! They were old rusty school chairs, probably from the 60s or 70s. I spray painted them and they served us well, for years. It didn't take a lot of money to get started, but every little bit helped.

The opportunity that Leslie gave me allowed me to earn enough money to help make my dreams come true. I don't know if it would have happened otherwise, especially since I HATE asking anyone for help, and although my parents probably would have lent me money if I asked for it, I never would have asked. I live my dream every day, and am thankful and amazed at my fun, yet humble, little place. I've made it happen, but I have had help along the way. Most dreams need a little assistance; we just have to know where to find it.