Sleep, Where Art Thou?

It's a little after 5 a.m. and I've been up since 4. I can't sleep. Hubby got up at some point, probably not too long before I did. I was tossing and turning, My back was aching and my eyes were itching and burning. I knew he was awake and I was in and out. I thought it was later than it was. I didn't hear him leave but the next time I woke, he was gone. I'm assuming he walked up to the shop to get some work done  - he'll do that when he can't sleep. I'm worried about him. I'm also worried about what he's not telling me, it seems there is something bothering him that he's not sharing. I tried to sleep but finally gave up. Usually when I get out of bed, Suki follows me, but not this morning, even she's smart enough to know it's way too early to be up. 

Hubby has a full day today getting the children's race ready for tomorrow in the Harbor. It's about an hours drive from here on narrow, winding roads, then he has to prepare the course, take care of any other details and drive home.

I've done my floors already, I did them this morning with the dust mop, funny...I just couldn't bring myself to disturb the quiet of the morning with the roar of the vacuum cleaner. I'm getting hungry, but it's too early to eat. 

Today I have to play the organ for a funeral at 11:00. I wish I had the new organ, I'm not looking forward to playing that thing today without the pianist there to hide behind. I hope I can manage on such little sleep. I don't know what I'll do this afternoon, whatever strikes my fancy at the time, I suppose...there is plenty from which to choose. Hubby won't be home until around 5. 

Yesterday was a long day, but not bad as far as days go. I had my lunch with the Anita's. Anita with Alzheimer's is getting worse, when we arrived, she was in her underwear. We helped her dress and ate BLT sandwiches with homemade bread and garden lettuce that I brought from home, then we went to visit Marcia, another church member who had knee surgery and because she lives alone, has to stay in a nursing home until she's able to get around. Marcia is one of the local piano teachers; I didn't get a chance to ask her but I wonder if she's even going to try to teach this year, she said it would probably be October before she goes home. I was glad to get out of there, the nursing home brought back memories I had a hard time dealing with, besides which, I'm not ready to sit around with a bunch of old, sick people and shoot the breeze for the afternoon. 

After Anita took me home, I hit up a couple of rummage sales but didn't find much for my cards. There was a large canning jar full of old buttons that I really wanted, but they were asking $20. for it which I thought was rather steep so I called a friend who knows more about antiques than I do and she said she wouldn't pay that much. There were no interesting buttons in there except a few bone buttons which are quite old. She said maybe at $10. she might, but even at that, unless there were some unique ones in there, even that was high. 

The family that was deciding to sign on for lessons finally decided and they are in the schedule starting on the 17th. YEAH!

Hubby and I ordered out from our favorite restaurant and on his way into the house with the food, he spilled his all over the ground. He was trying to carry the two foam containers of food and a growler of beer and instead of making two trips or asking for help...well...he ate it anyway. We watched several episodes of NCIS and went to bed. Too bad the morning came so early.

Well, I'm getting hungry and Hubby will probably be heading back soon looking for breakfast himself...guess it's time to sign off for now. 

Summer Rain

We just experienced the most wonderful rain! There was a little thunder but no visible lightning and once it got going it was one of those nice, steady, soaking type rains...just what we needed. It came at a time of day that brought back memories of my childhood.

Nearly every afternoon in the summer when I was young we could set our clocks by the rain. It would come in around 5:00 or so just when dad's were coming home and it was time to go inside for supper. We would eat to the sound of the rain forming puddles in the yard, then by 7:00 or so it was over and all the neighborhood children would head back outside to splash barefooted in the gutters. It rarely failed to disappoint.

I remember summer evenings after those rains. There were several of us kids living on or near the corner of that street. We lived next to the corner house where Karen and Joey lived...Karen was my brothers age, about 4-5 years younger than me. Then Denise lived across the street from them, she was in my grade at school. Roger lived next door to us on the other side, he was one year younger than me and his sister, Gwen was a year older than me. Also in that family was Mary, Steve, Greg and Cindy - the last four were all too old to be caught playing with us. Although, we used to rent out a small cottage behind our house to a single young man and all the girls in the neighborhood were ga-ga! Mary would come out and pretend to join in with us when he was out working on his car. We would play hide-and-go-seek, red rover or freeze tag, running in and out of all the yards until we couldn't see each other's faces or our mother's started yelling for us to come in. Those were the days, such simpler times...today I miss them.

I had a massage therapy appointment today. It wasn't as bad as I had expected, though my usual chronic problems reared their ugly heads. My therapist told me about how our bodies hold onto things like stress and grief and how the left side of our bodies relates to the female, while the right side relates to the male. One of my chronic issues is my left hip and leg. The hip is in the center area of the body and does a lot to support and carry the rest of the body...being on the left side, the female side, she suggested perhaps I am holding onto grief for my mother and it is being "stored" in my hip, that if I could find a way to release it my pain might diminish, maybe even go away entirely. How do you let go of grief?

I'm also having a great deal of pain and tension in my right shoulder. She said the shoulder is often where we "shoulder" our burdens, concerns and worries and since it is on the right side, that suggests by worry would be regarding a significant male in my life. She said she had the same issue going on about the same time she learned about this theory. She said she was having right shoulder pain and not only did she want to rid herself of the pain, but she wanted to try the theory out for herself. She thought long and hard about what it could be, but couldn't figure it out. Not long after that, her husband quit smoking and her pain went away. When she realized it was gone, she thought about what had happened and realized how worried she had been about her husbands health. It made her a believer in what she originally thought was just far-fetched.

I am worried about my husbands health and stress levels and the fact that he also shoulders everything for the entire family. I worry about what would happen if something happened to him  - where would I turn? How would I manage? What would I do? We have no savings, I know nothing about the business, how to sell it and all the equipment, I don't have a job that would pay well enough to support me, and finding work at my age in a small town will be next to impossible. I know nothing about cars, insurance, or anything because he refuses to teach me or go over what to do just in case, no matter how many times I have asked or expressed how much I need him to lay it all out for me.

I do still carry grief for my mother and all the thoughts of my childhood summers brought back some lovely memories of her always being home and always being there for me. Perhaps I carry that in my hip. I miss her, I will always miss her and I grieve...how do I let go of that? I have no idea.

The rain has passed for now but the clouds remain - the coolness is welcome as is the light breeze coming in the studio window. The crickets are singing and this summer remains for just a short time, then it to will be just another memory.

Harvest Time

Good morning!

Yesterday's roast with fresh garden carrots and home made bread was yummy and since it's a good sized roast and just the two of us, there will be plenty leftovers for Hubby and me the rest of the week. 

I have no students today, so I may gather my things and head to the scrapbook store to visit while I work on a couple more cards. I thought I was done with this set, but the ideas just keep coming so I will have three sets of six "thinking of you" cards which includes ones for sympathy and thank-you as well. 

I also need to stop by the grocery store, I'm out of juicing vegetables...all except carrots that is. It's time to harvest our garden, we picked a colander full of peas last night, but the carrots we want to freeze for this winter instead of juicing them. I'll go out for some more peas and some carrots sometime today. 

I am in negotiations with a new family for piano lessons, it's been back and forth looking for a time that will work for them. I also contacted the last family holding out from last year, I haven't heard from them whether or not they are returning. There were three students in that family, so losing them would be a big hit. I pray I hear from them soon.

I'm looking forward to my next juice fast, I've decided to do it one weekend a month. 

That's all for now, I've got to get moving.

Just Another Day

I have only two students today, three of them are taking a couple of weeks to enjoy the last of summer and prepare for the start of school. I will do my floors, put a roast in the crock-pot and start a loaf of bread. We might get sprinkled on, so I will wait to start the laundry - the sun is supposed to come out this afternoon. I am emailing back and forth with a family to schedule their daughters for lessons. I pray today we can find them a spot in the schedule. I also need to call another family to see if they will be returning. Pray they will. 

I'll be reading in I Kings again this morning.

Marc sent $500.00 out of pocket to the organ company to hold the organ we're looking at until the church has all it's meetings and makes up it's mind. The company said it will apply to purchase or be refunded if the church chooses not to buy. I am concerned a little and this is becoming all consuming for Marc. 

The weather has cooled off some, but I still feel sticky because it's so humid. I am grateful for the lower temps this morning though. 

Button, Button, Who's Got The Button??

Did you ever play that game as a child? One of my favorite pastimes as a child was to sit on my mother's bed and play with her button box. All the different colors and shapes intrigued me and I would spend hours making designs on her chenille bedspread with them and her color headed sewing pins. I guess that's why I find myself drawn to them today - not just buttons, but old buttons - the ones with odd shapes, faded, worn, interesting. My favorites of course are the ones that remain from my own mother's button box. A good share of those buttons I remember the clothes from which they came and all kinds of memories come flooding back of occasions they were worn; most of the outfits my mother sewed herself. If nothing else there are memories of mom and just being near her in her room.

When my mother in law had to leave her home, I was handed her button box - "if there is anything in there you want...". Many of hers were plain shirt buttons, but I saved the interesting ones, the ones with pretty colors and the older ones.

Last night I started making cards for my fund raising project - I completed only two. Today the plan was to dive into them again, but I remembered it being Saturday, the day for rummage sales in our area. I didn't have a paper to check so I just got in the car and decided to drive down the busier streets to see if signs were posted. I found a few, nothing impressive and they were selling mostly children's items. I turned down the final street, heading for home when I spied a sign and knew the address was just ahead, taking a quick glance to see if it was worth stopping for, I saw mostly "older woman stuff", kitchen items, rocking chairs, knick-knacks...I decided to stop and was so glad I did. I spent $3.00 and came home with 7 rubber stamps, two full rolls of ribbon, a charm from an old necklace, some cross-stitch fabric, corrugated cardboard shapes, red, green and pink tulle AND..........a sandwich bag FULL of OLD BUTTONS!! SCORE!! There are ones that have clusters like flowers, fan shapes, square ones with beveled edges, crystals and ones with interesting filigree.  Even some of the plain white ones have an interesting texture to them. Some of them feel like they're made of something porous - they feel almost fragile. They just don't make them like these anymore! I apologize for the blurry picture, using a flash just washed them all out and without a flash they're blurry. Anyway, I am thrilled to be able to have so many "new" buttons to my collection so I can use them on my cards and save my mother's buttons for more personal things.

The organ situation has been up and down, up and down. I'm on a veritable organ roller coaster and it's starting to make me ill. First I was encouraged, then Pastor Tony heard something negative so it was considered a bad move, now he read something different so it might not be so bad after all. I'm just afraid to get my hopes up again. I have shed way too many tears over this whole situation and I'm done. Quite frankly I have finally given it completely over to God and whatever happens, happens. If we don't purchase an organ, I will no longer be the organist at church and maybe that's not such a bad thing. Life will go on and I'm sure God has something in store for me.

So that's been my day - that and a nice chat with a friend. Hubby's been on the trails and he wants to get the lawn mowed before it rains. He's already exhausted and I fully see him falling asleep in the recliner watching NCIS tonight.

Time to head back to my card making project. I'll post pictures when I'm done with this set.

A Lesson From A Sheep

This is Shrek the sheep. He became famous several years ago when he was found after hiding out in caves for six years. 

Of course, during this time his fleece grew without anyone there to shorn (shave) it. When he was finally found and shaved, 

his fleece weighed an amazing sixty pounds. Most sheep have a fleece weighing just under ten pounds, with the exception

 usually reaching fifteen pounds, maximum. For six years, Shrek carried six times the regular weight of his fleece. Simply 

because he was away from his shepherd.

This reminds me of John 10 when Jesus compares Himself to a shepherd, and His followers are His sheep. Maybe it’s a stretch, 

but I think Shrek is much like a person who knows Jesus Christ but has wandered. If we avoid Christ’s constant refining of our 

character, we’re going to accumulate extra weight in this world—a weight we don’t have to bear.

When Shrek was found, a professional sheep shearer took care of Shrek’s fleece in twenty-eight minutes. Shrek’s sixty pound 

fleece was finally removed. All it took was coming home to his shepherd.

I believe Christ can lift the burdens we carry, if only we stop hiding. He can shave off our ‘fleece’—that is, our self-imposed 

burdens brought about by wandering from our Good Shepherd.

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The Ups and Downs of Falling in Love

Our thoughts and daily routines have been all consumed by organs and bike races lately. The bike race this past weekend went well - Hubby and Daughter came home with nice prizes. The award for men was a glass mug with and the women were awarded very cool handcrafted necklaces. If you look closely you can see them in the picture. The necklace is a stone with a bike charm on top...lovely!

Our son came home for the weekend to race - he didn't place, but had a good ride with no mishaps. It was so good having him home and he and I were able to have some one on one time that I treasure.  He even got my scanner working on my printer - so hopefully when it comes time, I'll remember what he told me to do.

As far as the organ update goes, we had a committee meeting regarding the Rodgers model - our choir director had a guest in town that joined us because his church recently purchased a second hand organ and he was able to share first hand what they went through. He recommended someone that we called and they said they heard good things about the company we were dealing with so it was decided a special business meeting would be called to vote on purchasing that organ. Our associate pastor was out of town for

the committee meeting. I shared all this information with my mentor and after seeing a picture of the organ he told us a local church has the exact same model, so this afternoon Hubby and I made an appointment to see it. The church was so kind to let us in to play with it for a while. I FELL IN LOVE!! I loved the touch, feel, sound even more than the brand new one I played a few weeks ago. I felt so at home at that organ. When we came home, our pastor was there looking for an update on the organ...he didn't know we had just come from playing one. I was finally able to get him excited about the purchase because he saw how much I loved it. It seemed at that moment as though I had my organ - all that was left was the church approving it at the Sunday meeting. HOWEVER...Pastor Tony went back to the church with a picture of the organ in his hand to "pray over it" and then he called the company just to reassure himself because there were some things that were "raising red flags" to him. To make a long story short, he found out some things we hadn't seen. I won't go into detail just because it will take so long, but suffice it to say, we won't be buying that organ or dealing with that company EVER!

I'm so disappointed, I almost cried. Hubby said he feels like he would if he had asked me to marry him and I said no LOL. It does feel a little like a break-up of sorts. Now the search continues and I am bone weary of it. 

Speaking of bones, I was at the chiropractor again today - three times in three weeks. The ribs seem to be holding now, but the shoulder blade still bothers me when I practice and my hips went out again...WAY OUT. Even Hubby looked at me this morning and told me I was crooked as if I hadn't already figured that out LOL. I'm in for now, but my lower back is complaining about being messed with. I also have an allergic reaction to something affecting my eye. The combination of all three is exhausting and I'm ready for my recliner and a glass of wine. I've had enough of this day, thank you. 

I just had a little visitor...the neighbor dog came and said hello through the studio window screen. The neighbor girl (my student) is home alone this week as her family had to go back to CO for some things and she had to stay behind for cross-country practice and to take care of the dog. I went out to make sure Renee knew where Grettle was and before I knew it she was talking my ear off - even though she's staying nights with another family, the poor thing is lonely in that big house all by herself. 

There was one bright spot in my week. I went down the hill to practice - oh that organ just washes away so much - cleans out the cobwebs and makes me feel like me again. I practiced for 2 hours - David came in, we talked for an hour about the organ meeting at church, then I played a piece for him and his comment was: "Oh Julie, that was so well done, that is what I have wanted to hear from you for the past 20 years. It's not that it was perfect, there were mistakes, as you know, but rather than correct them, you just worked them in as part of the music, the pauses were part of the beauty and were actually very calming to me as a listener". That meant so much to me to hear him say that...I can't even tell you how much! 

Here are some pictures of one of my geraniums - it's never looked this good in all the years I've had it. It was given to me by a student who is now finished with her four years of college and has been holding down an important job in homeland security for about three years now. Anyway, I wanted to share my two favorites of the photos I took. 

That's all for today...now...about that wine............

DONE!!

I finished all my housework and I still have energy left!! I should be weeding the garden...the one thing I didn't get to, but I'm cooking supper instead. My son has arrived and it' SOOOOOOOOOOO good to see him and get my hug! I always look forward to those hugs!! He's with his Dad at the bike shop, so I have a minute to post.

Anyway housework all done...feels so good. Linda said she wants whatever it was I put in my coffee LOL, well, it's not the coffee. Ever since I did my juice fast I have juiced first thing every morning and my energy level is through the roof! Normally scrubbing my floor like that would wipe me out...I was tired and had to do a little, rest, do some more, but when I finished and rested again, my energy all came back. It's truly amazing! It also helps that my back/ribs/shoulder are all feeling better...not healed, but better.

Supper is ready to go on the table and my men are yakkin' it up at the bike store. I'm not sure what to expect tomorrow, I'm playing it all by ear.

I'm looking forward to a relaxing evening.

Cleaning and Cleaning and Cleaning

Is it really Friday already??

Finishing my cleaning today I got a lot accomplished yesterday but there is much yet to do. Also today is my day with my Alzheimer's friend, but my son is also coming and should arrive early afternoon soooo, I will take Anita a lunch, eat with her and check the house over and probably head back so I can spend some time with him.I also have to title all my ATC's for tomorrow as it's trade day.  

Hubby will be busy, busy on the trails all day preparing for the big bike race tomorrow. 

Today I have to vacuum the house, scrub the kitchen floor, clean the kitchen including the appliances, vacuum the basement and if there is time and I have anything left...weed the garden...oh, and cook supper. 

So, lots to do...aaaaand she's OFF!!! 

Best Laid Plans

None of the plans I had laid out for yesterday actually happened, so I am planning the housework again for today. One student this afternoon.

Yesterday I had a chiropractic appt. in the a.m., then it was home for lunch, then off again to play an organ somewhat like one of the ones we may be getting. We just wanted to hear, touch, listen just to make sure before we went ahead. It was nothing fabulous, but it will serve us fine, I believe. Today I will be calling the Mormon church to see if they will let me come and play their organ as it is like the other one we are looking at. 

After all that, I took care of some secretarial things and practiced a bit and it was time to get supper on the table and then off to a concert last night that one of our local organists was putting on along with two other instrumentalists and a vocalist. I thought there was going to be more organ, but she only used it for 2 pieces and the rest was done on piano or harpsichord. Afterward I helped serve refreshments, of which we had way too many and so I was pleaded with to bring home "some". "Some" turned into quite a lot which is now sitting here taunting me. I'm sending it to work with Hubby this morning. 

Prayer concerns: 

the purchase and installation of the organ and that God would be with us and give us wisdom.

Hubby and his busy weekend preparing the bike race.

My ribs/back

Blessings: A sunshine filled day.

First There Were None, Now There Are Two!

My friend Anita stopped by today with a letter from her cousin who is an Allan Organ salesman. He has in on trade an organ that would fill our needs at the church for a little over $6000.00. He would personally deliver, install and voice it for us! I took the information to show my mentor - he sees no reason why this couldn't be our new church organ.

Then I get home to find this email from Hubby to the organ committee:

I got a call from Eric at DMP Gallery Organs in California.

I contacted them regarding a Rodgers 760 with six speaker cabinets that I saw on Ebay. The cost for this instrument would be a bit less than $4,800, shipping included. This is a 1989 vintage analog organ, computer boards, no tubes. A possible candidate to convert the console to Hauptwerk at a later time.

We would still need to get someone in to voice it for our sanctuary. (I have not idea of total price I would assume somewhere between $500 - $1,250.)

He said he has others showing interest in purchasing this organ but because we contacted him first we get first shot.

He needs to know our time frame to see if he can hold it that long. So I need some counsel regarding whether this is something on which the congregation needs to vote? Are we willing to take a risk on a used organ sight unseen?

So the question is: do we go with the Allan that I don't care as much for the sound, but has a personal connection and satisfaction guarantee of sorts, or for the Rodgers which has the sound I love and it has draw knobs instead of tabs, but it will be delivered in a crate to the porch of the church for us to move in and set up. Plus we'll have to call in a Rodgers tech to come in and voice it - the email has been sent to inquire about the cost of that. 

I'll be emailing the Allan salesman regarding speakers and to get a sound sample CD. My mind is just spinning! I want a good instrument; one that will serve our congregation and lift voices in praise for many years to come, one with excellent sound, reliability and something that I won't be apologizing for a few years down the road. I feel this is all on me. If something goes wrong, it's going to all come back on me for wanting it in the first place. 

Please pray with me for God's best for everyone involved.

 

Good Monday Morning!

I trust you all had a good weekend. Mine was nothing spectacular, but it was nice.

I spent two days on a modified juice fast - preparing my juice mostly from produce taken from our garden. I did fine both days from breakfast through the afternoon, juicing every three hours to keep my metabolism and my blood sugar steady. I was not at all hungry or even tempted to eat, however, I found I could not go into the evening without solid food in my stomach. The first day I juiced for supper, then gave in and had a snack later that evening, the next day I decided it would be better to eat a light supper and maybe juice again in the evening, so I ate some vegetable stir fry and found I was not hungry for anything later. I learned a couple of things by doing this. I learned that if I eat good, healthy, nutrient dense foods I don't need to eat as much and I also learned what it was like to feel genuine hunger and not just the desire to eat. I've read this and heard it from others', but you have to do it yourself to fully understand. I also noticed by the second day how energetic I had become  - I almost felt like I had taken a drug to wind myself up! Not only was I energetic, but I had the desire to do things I hadn't felt like doing all summer and I also felt a surge of creativity - my brain was awake and able to do things that, quite frankly have been "fuzzy" for lack of a better word. These are all things I found very interesting and I hope I will remember them when I need. I lost two pounds in two days which was nice and I went back to normal (healthy, non-processed) food on Sunday and did fine and I weighed in this morning and the two pounds have not returned.

Saturday I attended my card class, it was fun, but nothing spectacular. I came home with a couple of nice cards and some good ideas. One thing the demonstrator did was give everyone a packet of pre-cut pieces of twp-sided, printed card stock in two Christmas prints. She told us to do our own design with the the given materials and the one person who comes closest to her design (which she wouldn't show us until we were done) would receive a $5.00 gift certificate to the store. I didn't win. :(

Hubby returned safely from his race with Daughter #2 on the tandem. They had no problems and did well but not well enough to place. It's all for the fun for them anyway.

This week I want to get my house clean - son will be arriving sometime Friday to ride the bike race on Saturday. I will miss the riders coming in to the finish line because I have an ATC trade and meeting that day.

Yesterday I was able to write my cousin a long letter - she's the only one of the family that keeps in regular contact with me since my mom passed. She writes lovely letters which are bitters sweet as  I always get homesick when I read them. I was also able to straighten up the studio and put away some things that had been cluttering my desk - it's now ready for students to come.

The birds have been gorging themselves at my feeders, especially the hummingbirds. I truly believe we are in for an early fall and winter.

No pictures today, my to-do list is long and I'm short on time. I will return this evening to see what you all have been up to lately.

Juice Day

I slept in this morning...well, rather I went back to bed...something unheard of in years! Hubby and Daughter #2 will be riding a bike race today so I had to get up and take the dogs out - Gilmore told me it was time a little before 6 a.m. Once Hubby is up I get up to spend time with him, but this morning, I came in, fed the dogs and went back to bed. I finally climbed out at 7 and I must admit, it felt good.

Since I won't be cooking for Hubby, I decided to do a juice fast while he was away. I tried yesterday and I did pretty well, but gave in to have something to eat last night. I'm going to try again today. The idea is to clean out the system and hopefully get my diet back on track. Even with what I did do yesterday, I can tell a difference in how I feel and I truly hope this is the start of good things for not only my weight by my over all health as well. It was nice yesterday to go outside and pull my juicing ingredients fresh out of the ground!

I got a much needed massage on Thursday but nearly came off the table when she came to my right side. She said I was way too tender and that I might have a rib or vertebra out of place. I made an appt. with my chiropractor yesterday and my massage therapist was correct...it's a rib.  Several adjustments were made and she did some manipulative work, but I'm still hurting some. I may need to go back again next week. I have strict instructions not to lift anything heavy and do only mild stretches for exercise for now.

Other than take a card making class today, I don't have any other plans and I'm unsure as to how I'm going to spend my day. The sun is supposed to shine today - something we haven't seen consistently much at all this week, so I think laundry is a good idea. I will also be preparing a meal for after church on Sunday - Daughter #2 and her friends that joined us last week will all be here again. The house is in need of a good cleaning, it's time to get the studio organized for the rest of my students to return, I need to practice, and my card making project hasn't even gotten started yet. Sooooooo much to do and so little time.

Laundry is done, time to hang it out...

Sunday

I am amazed that the day is nearly over - they go by so quickly and life along with them. Another Sunday struggling with the organ at church and with the wrist pain that it gives me. After hearing and playing that other one last week, it makes it even more discouraging to keep going week after week.

After church we were expecting Daughter #2 and three of her friends to join us for lunch so I had made a large crock pot filled with enchiladas and we had chips, salsa and queso all ready, but Daughter came up to us and told us she had to work unexpectedly. She said the boys were disappointed because they were all craving a home cooked meal. When the service was over and we had communion cleaned up and the dishes put away, Hubby found the boys still milling around so he invited them over anyway. I don't mind. They are all three fine Christian young men and all away from home for the summer. I think they needed not only the food but a little "family time".

It's quiet here now...almost too quiet. Hubby went to the shop to get some work done; I should be working on cards but my creative bone isn't working right now. I think I'm too discouraged...not that I didn't win the lottery, but that I feel like there is no one really behind me on this project except for Hubby. Don't get me wrong, I can't tell you how blessed I am to have him working so hard to find me an organ, but I just feel like we're swimming upstream and no one else wants to do anything to help. Many of my friends (not at church) have suggested garage sales, bake sales, car washes...great...but those projects are just too big to handle by myself. At church this morning I felt myself starting to get a defensive attitude and I fear one day someone may say the wrong thing and they will see a side of me that is rarely seen by anyone.

I long to go somewhere, do something fun, see something new, spend time with a friend but there is nothing here to do that hasn't been done, nothing that hasn't been seen a gajillion times over and no one around.

Our Mae girl is rapidly declining. Hubby doesn't know what to do, but when we got home from church and were ready to take them out, she couldn't get up without assistance, and then fell down the front steps on the way out. The bones at the top of her hips are protruding...she's eating well, but is still becoming skin and bone. It breaks my heart to see her struggle so. Tomorrow is her and Gilmore's appointment with the vet - what will Hubby decide? Will she be coming home with us?

I apologize if this post is coming across as too negative. I am a little down and discouraged, but I'm fine really and God is good and He is still on the throne. I may just grab a book and go sit in the sun for a bit. I won't be able to do that much longer.

All It Takes Is Money And Maybe A Little Seagull Poop!

So at our last church business meeting, the church decided to send Hubby and I on a couple of trips to look at and try out some organs to help us decide what will best serve us. This week we drove to Hurley WI to look at one that has been installed in a church there. The salesman was there doing a service call and since it was "nearby" and he no longer has a show room, this was our chance to see if  this model would work for me. It's called a Viscount Vivace 60...it's their middle model and I have fallen in love because it's everything I've been wanting all in one easy purchase complete with 10 year warranty and service plan, something we wouldn't get buying a used instrument. There is only one catch....MONEY! The pastoral staff has made it clear they don't want the congregation spending a lot of money on this project and that $5-6,000 should get us something good enough and this instrument starts at $13,000. and then we add on a speaker package, etc., etc., etc., and before we know it, the cost is up around $16 - 18,000. 

I came home very discouraged and decided there has to be a way to pull together more money, but since a good share of the congregation is not backing this project, I knew it would have to be something that only me, myself and I could accomplish. I got what may very well will turn out to be a hair-brained idea and decided to make and sell greeting cards. I'll sell some locally - or at least I hope to - and I'll open an Etsy store online. One minute I think it's do able, the next I'm thinking...no way can I keep up and make enough cards, much less make them desirable enough to sell! I just feel like I have to at least show I'm trying to make an effort. 

I'm going to be asking everyone I know if they have anything they can donate for my cause. The less I have to spend to create the cards, the more money I can bring in. If you or someone you know can help me, please let me know and I'll get you my mailing address. 

I'm looking for: 

* card stock

* greeting cards

* post cards

* scrapbook supplies

* stickers

* lace, ribbon, sewing trims, buttons etc.

* costume jewelry with small elements that can be used as embellishments

* small beads

* glitter or glitter glue

* glue

So yesterday was my day out with the Anita's. We planned a stop at Retreat Design - one of my favorite shops that is only open one weekend a month and then a picnic lunch by the water front. While we were eating, a seagull flew over and pooped on me!! NASTY!! Fortunately I wore a top that had a slick nylon surface and it wiped right off. I cleaned up as best as I could and we continued on to the store. 

Once home, and showered ;), I got to thinking I read somewhere that being pooped on by a bird is supposed to have some sort of meaning so I got online and found this: 

It is considered good luck.

Because it is meant to enrich the earth, but instead you're getting enriched.
It is a "one-in-a-million" shot quite literally.
Go out and play the lottery! (probably a game related to birds)!
It's like the heavens are singling you out.

Source(s):

http://article.wn.com/view/2011/03/23/Bi…

Don't get me wrong, I don't take much stock in folk-lore and lucky charms and such, but I figured hey, on the crazy chance that there is something to it, I'm going to play along, so....I bought my first ever (and probably my last) lottery ticket. It's a Power ball ticket and the prize is up to $300, 000,000. Go ahead...call me crazy...Hubby is having great fun laughing at me while at the same time talking about how he would spend the money if we got it!! I'm thinking hey, wait a minute...I know the two shall become one and what's his is mine and what's mine is his but I should at least have first shot at what we do with it and yes...my list is ready...including an organ.

I have so much to do here today...cleaning, pay bills, make up a flyer for my new card making business, pull weeds, laundry, my nails and cook enchiladas for tomorrows lunch; yet...I want to go back to Retreat Design because they're having their flea market today where all kinds of vendors etc. come and sell things and much of what is in the store is half off. There is a bird bath there I really want and some things I could use for Christmas gifts, but I keep talking myself out of it because of the organ. If I'm going to be asking for money and saving for it myself (among other things we need) I can't justify buying what I want unless it gets me closer to my goals. It's so discouraging. 

There is also a wedding today I should attend, but Hubby is busy and I don't want to go alone. The groom is a former student of mine, he didn't take very long and he always had an attitude. His dad is our family Dr., I know I've talked about him before. The grooms sister, Abby still takes from me and will be playing much of the music for the ceremony - I should go to support her, but again, I don't want to go alone and she won't know if I'm there or not and probably won't care. 

Well, that's about it for my update - anyone want to buy any cards?