Brief Catch Up

It's getting late and I'm quite tired so I will give you a quick and not so interesting update and hope to post at least once a week from now on...we'll see. It's been a crazy couple of weeks! Son and wife dropped of their dogs for us to care for over the weekend of the 11th while they went to Chicago for a wedding. While they were gone their dogs attacked my Sookie and one of them bit her leg which is now infected. I have spent over $300.00 visiting the vet (3 visits so far - at least on more on Wednesday). It has been very stressful and I had pretty much shut down emotionally for a few days as I was on overload.

This past weekend Daughter and Hubby came up to stay with us while they attended a wedding in town. It was good to see them. They left this morning and the house is way to quiet tonight since Hubby is out with the Pastor and some other mountain bikers on the trails.

Today I had a great time at the organ with Mentor. We got into a wonderful discussion on articulation in Bach. I'm working on a Bach prelude and Fugue to play for a church prelude as soon as I can get it ready.

In between all this I have been scrapbooking like crazy. I have created several pages I plan to scan and share with you all in an upcoming entry. It and my music are what is keeping me somewhat sane these days. Tomorrow is cleaning day. I must get this house back in order.

Back To Routine

I'm sitting here this morning dawdling over my coffee...because I can. I cleaned house yesterday and I have to say, it felt good to be able to do that. After being laid up for a week with bursitis in my shoulder (and yes, Carol, it did keep me from my music for a while, but I'm back at it now), I am thankful to have been able to scrub the bathtub without pain and I actually enjoyed doing the dishes last night...it's strange how God can give us a new perspective through trials. So...my house is clean this morning and it does feel SO good!

I could and probably should go practice this afternoon, but I really feel a strong desire to stay home and just be...if that makes any scence to you. I need a day to just enjoy my home and enjoy summer. I'm going to "putter". I have plants to water, bird feeders to re-fill, some laundry to do, some computer work to tend to and this afternoon I'd like very much to plan out some scrapbook pages and get my supplies ready for our next "Craft Day" which is coming up on the 11th of this month. I'm once again focusing on my family heritage album. I'd love to finish it this summer. 

I'm also looking forward to tonight which is the Pine Mountain Music Festival Organ Concert. I get to go and listen to someone else play the organ that I have my lessons on. Mentor told me on Monday that his program looks to be very good and much of the music he has chosen to play is music that Mentor and I play so it will be interesting to hear someone else's interpretations. I'm excited! I always love a good organ concert. I've asked Hubby to go with me and he worked hard so he could join me. 

Speaking of the concert...I have to giggle...I think Hubby got jealous! When I told Hubby I was planning on going to the organ concert and asked him if he could join me, somehow he got it in his head that I was going with Mentor! I mentioned that I was grateful that Mentor had mentioned it, because if he hadn't I would have missed it since I was thinking it was scheduled for later in July, but Mentor and I have never gone to a concert together without Hubby being with us. We both attend and sometimes wind up seating near each other, but we never go together! I have to say I think that is why Hubby made such an effort to go, because he didn't want us going alone/together LOL. 

I have to hand it to Hubby though, all these years of Mentor and I working together and he's always trusted us. I think there were times he may have felt a tinge of jealousy, and maybe even felt left out which is why in recent years he finally started attending these events with me. "They" say "you can never just be friends with the opposite sex". I'm here to tell you I disagree with that statement. Mentor and I have been working together for over 20 years now and we have never been anything more than teacher/coach and student. Our relationship has at times crossed over into a brother/sister relationship, but never, ever anything beyond that. We both realize though that we have to be careful, just because of how we may appear to others. We've always been careful to make sure that even our "alone" time together was in a public place. I remember when we first started working together, a dear friend of mine had me over to tea and proceeded to tell me how wrong I was for doing what I was doing and she said "you're going to ruin your marriage". It upset me to hear her speak this way, but I did understood her fear. A few years later, after observing Mentor and I together, she apologized and said she was wrong and can see we are close, but not in that way. I honestly don't know what got hold of Hubby this week, but I have to giggle a bit. 

This is the second year we have blooms on my Mother-in-laws "Black Prince" rose bush that we transplanted from her home. Aren't they pretty? 

And also the pansies that Daughter #2 gave me for Mother's Day ~ 

A Bump In My Road

It seems it's been about a month since I posted last. Sometimes when life throws in some bumps and curves, my creativity takes a back seat and I find it difficult to put into words what is on my heart. I can't say my creativity is flowing freely just yet, but it's time to try and shake the dust off and get back to a healthy routine. I say it all the time, but I do miss blogging regularly...most of all I miss all my friends here.  

The first week of June we finally had to say good-bye to our dear fur buddy, Gilmore. He let us know without a doubt that it was time. We originally acquired him for daughter #1 and upon getting word that we put him down, she wrote this on Facebook: 

"I remember the first day we brought him home. It was my turn to pick a family pet, so we went to the humane society to adopt a rescue. Being the indecisive teen that I was, I fell for 2 dogs - one of them being Gilmore. We chose to take him home on a trial run and I remember being in absolute hysterics the rest of the day - torn between him and the other dog I'd left at the shelter. Gilmore saw my tears and buried his head in my lap as if to say, "please choose me." He then sneezed so hard he hit his nose on the ground which only prompted a succession of sneezes that sent me into a fit of giggles. I knew then he was goofy and silly and belonged with us.

I'll never forget the time he ran away from home one early morning after being sprayed by a skunk and I spent the day searching for him on my huffy bike. I remember getting ready to give up after hours of searching in the cold when I finally saw him in the backyard of our friend's house across town. I screamed his name and he started to run away again, probably thinking that I was mad at him. I fell off my bike and sank into the ground, calling his name again hoping he would see I wasn't angry. It worked and he ran into my arms crying and whimpering from exhaustion and relief. It was a long, slow walk home, but I'd never been happier in my life.

He was goofy, sweet, loyal and a true friend. I'll never forget the unconditional love he showed me. My only hope is he enjoyed the short life he had with us and that we showed him so much love he forgot about his previous owners' abuse and felt just how much we loved him. The last time I saw him I knew he was in pain even though he tried to hide it and act like a puppy. I looked into his sweet brown eyes and told him it was okay. It was okay if he had to leave - it was okay and I'd be okay. I knew it was likely the last time I'd see him.

Today my dad took Gilmore to the vet to put an end to his pain. Its always hard to say goodbye, but I'm so comforted to know he's out of pain. I'll miss you so much, sweet Gilmore. I'm so happy I got to love you."

I miss him, but at the same time I'm enjoying less to have to clean up after and I'm enjoying a bit more freedom. We were so locked in to his schedule. I would like to go without another dog for a while....maybe a long while because I'd like to be able to pick up and go and do things we haven't been able to do. It always feels like everyone else gets to go on short trips and I was always the one to stay home and look after the dogs. Hubby on the other hand is already missing having a dog around the house and Sookie just isn't enough to satisfy him. 

About a month ago I was asked by our choir director to help accompany the choir as they perform an arrangement of And Can It Be which calls for both piano and organ accompaniment. I have never done anything like this on the organ and so I practiced my little fingers off in preparation. I also got a shot of energy and I was enjoying the weather and all and spent time working in the yard. I raked the entire yard -front, back and side - by myself, planted some flower seeds, weeded the flower beds, potted some flowers, oh and I added weight lifting to my work-out. Guess what?!? One evening I began feeling pain in my shoulder, so I rubbed it and when I went to bed that night I was in terrible pain. I woke the next morning and it was worse, but I just kept thinking I strained a muscle and I'd be better but it got worse. Finally the following morning I made a Drs. appt. because I could no longer lift it even the tiniest bit. I couldn't hold a coffee cup in my hand, much less get dressed by myself. Come to find out it's bursitis and I was given two cortisone shots and put on some heavy duty pain pills and told to sit for two days and do nothing but ice the shoulder. So I did...I iced and slept for two days and finally the afternoon of the third day which was the Sunday I was supposed to play with the choir, I was beginning to get some movement back. Tuesday I was doing well but I kept an appt. I made for my chiropractor to work on it some and I'm glad I did. I'm back to "normal" with the exception that I'm finding it doesn't take much to start feeling a twinge again, and so I have to really watch how much I do. I have been off my exercising now for over a week and I can feel the difference. I have lost all headway that I had made and I'm very frustrated. I hope to begin again this week, but I'm not sure exactly what to do since weight lifting is out for now. 

I guess this is enough of an update for now. I think even typing seems to have an effect on this shoulder. I have more to tell you but I'll spread my news out over several posts. Have a blessed Sunday everyone!

Memorial Weekend

It's been a very busy weekend! Friday I spent the day working on an organizational project, but it is taking much longer than I anticipated and I ran out of supplies. Hubby was gone all day helping Son put up a fence and I didn't have students scheduled, so it was nice to have the day to get things done. 

Saturday I made a run to Walmart to get the supplies I needed to finish that project, spent the afternoon on the organ bench, came home and cooked two meals for Sunday which brought me close to bedtime! 

Sunday after church Hubby, Daughter#2 and her new friend went mountain biking while I spent the afternoon working in the yard. I got all my bird feeders refilled, my flower bed weeded and the black flies substantially fed! My neck is full of black fly bites...they love to crawl in and nibble around the hair line. I'm not used to that much fresh air and sunshine and was quite exhausted and ready for bed. 

This morning already I've made a trip to Copper Harbor to drop off Daughter#2 and her friends so they can catch the boat which will take them to to a nature preserve on an Island where they will spend the entire week backpacking. They have to pack all their food and will be without cell phones or assistance of any kind. They are much braver than me! Pray for their safety. My trip home wasn't as relaxing as I had hoped, it was rainy and foggy and the road is quite twisty/turny, but I made it and was happy to be home. It's been rainy and gloomy all day. 

The rest of my day was normal. I ramped up my workout by adding some new exercises to my routine. It was very difficult to do and I find myself quite discouraged but still determined. I cleaned a bit, practiced and taught two lessons. I was supposed to have three but one of them forgot and called to reschedule for tomorrow. I could have used the day off, but my students were wanting to come and I can't afford to say no right now. 

I'm looking forward to staying home tomorrow, working on my projects and teaching. 

Found

"Find a penny, 

pick it up 

and all day long 

you'll have good luck." 

This morning when I took Sookie out, I found a Kennedy half dollar in the driveway. How it could have gotten there, I can't imagine. If a penny is good luck what does that mean for a half dollar? Not that I believe in "luck" but oh how we could use a change in circumstances around here. 

I didn't get as much done yesterday as I wanted. I think the weather was sapping my energy. Today was much better; I got much more accomplished; I feel better and more energized. I've been up since 5:30. I did my floors and most of the dusting before breakfast. Hubby went in to work and then came back at 7 for breakfast. I had students from 2-3:30 and 5-6 today. I finished the dusting between students and actually finished the entire house!

Even though I didn't get much done yesterday, I did a lot of thinking about how I'd like to rearrange some things around here. I have some good plans, but a lot has to happen to get to that place. 

This morning I found a free download of a piece of music I've heard on Pandora, River Flows In You by Yiruma. If you go there and scroll down, there is a video of him playing it. It printed off quite small, but I hope Hubby can work his magic and make it readable for me. It's a very repetitive piece, but enjoyable and should be fun to play. Maybe some of the students will enjoy it. 

I found a very special lady that I have wondered about for many years. We went to the same high school though she was a couple of years older than me and we also went to the same church which is how I really knew her. We were in the same youth group and toured together with the choir. We also attended the same college and were in the choir together there as well. I always looked up to her. I considered her my role model. She was soft spoken, gracious, elegant, modest and had a strong faith in God. Her mother was the same and together they were pretty amazing. She was also just plain beautiful. She was always such an encouragement to me. I remember my first year in college how I struggled and how exhausted I was - she came in my room one night and encouraged me. She said it would get better and easier and that if I needed to talk to someone her door was always open. Well I found her today through some mutual friends from college. I had searched Facebook for her but couldn't find her. Now I know why. Some of our mutual friends had made comments that scared me and yet I couldn't find anything that would tell me what was going on so I finally got brave and friended her husband. I didn't think he would remember me from college, but I messaged him and explained. He was very kind and explained to me that back in 1989 she had a brain tumor removed and was given chemo treatments which, over the years has caused degeneration in her brain. It's called radiation induced vasculopathy. From the photos I've found it seems she had two boys and was recently taken to meet her grandson for the first time. This picture was taken in 1980 so basically she spent her entire married life with this struggle. Such a sad story. One of those that just simply does not make sense to our way of thinking but I know that God is in control and there is some reason. Her husband says she's losing the ability to speak and most of her motor skills are gone. He says she's not afraid which does not surprise me for one second. God bless her. She's on my prayer list along with her husband and family. 

I also found another interesting article about introverts that makes so much sense to me. 

Well that's my day. I found a few things...some good, some not. Hubby came home and left again while I was teaching...he didn't say a word. Something is up and it's probably nothing good. I hope I can find a way to encourage him. 

I guess I'll find something to work on and try to relax. Good night. 

Chilly Tuesday

It snowed last night! We could still see some grass, but it definitely had lots of frosting this morning! BRRR...I was ready to crawl back into bed this morning. If I didn't have so many unfinished projects, I think I would have!

Laundry this morning and floors, two students at 45 minutes each this afternoon. I had hoped to work on my projects today, but I didn't get to anything. I could sort through some memorabilia for scrapbook purposes or I could remove my rubber stamps from their blocks and adhere them to acetate and file them, or I could work on my scrapbook. Maybe tonight after I clean the kitchen and fold and put away all the laundry...maybe not LOL.

I forgot to show you a project that Daughter #2 asked me to put together for her boyfriends upcoming birthday. He is a mountain/ice climber, so this was her idea and our joint execution:

Sharing a new album from one of my favorites, Jim Brickman. I think it's a wonderful album...do check it out.

Have a wonderful evening!

Monday

Weekends go by so quickly! 

Sunday I woke up with an awful headache but I went to church anyway. It was so difficult to be at the organ and play half way decently. Even eating lunch didn't help so I went home and took another Ibuprofen and took a nap. I woke up feeling better but it still wasn't gone. It was finally gone when I woke up this morning, but I've felt tired all day. 

When Hubby and I were walking the dogs after church we were surprised to see a small bat flying rather erratically. We couldn't figure out why a bat would be out and about in the middle of the day! When we returned home from lunch, we were even more surprised to find it clinging to the step on our front porch! We watched it as it crawled up the steps, across the porch, took a couple of tries and flying short distances and then headed for my flower bed. I thought it was going to settle in for a nap among my columbine, but I watched as it began crawling up the side of the house! I think it tucked itself in under the shake shingles for a bit. When I went out later, it was either far enough under where I couldn't see it, or it had moved on. Hubby was a little surprised that I wasn't totally freaking out. I don't care for them when they are flying too close to me and I certainly don't want them inside the house, but this one didn't seem to be doing well and I found myself rather fascinated as I've never seen one that close for that length of time. I've never seen them crawl like that. It's a bit creepy LOL. I didn't want to take my eyes off it to get my camera so I didn't get any pictures but I found this one online that looks very much like it did when we first found it on the porch. 

Usual Monday here, some cleaning this morning, organ practice with my mentor, David at the organ. I treasure our time together.

Mentor was telling me about the sale of the Crystal Cathedral in CA to the Catholic Diocese and how the organ is currently in Italy being refurbished and will be re-installed in the "new" Christ Cathedral. He was saying he wants very much to make the trip out to the dedicatory concert in 2016. I hope he can go. I had never seen a picture of this organ until today. Check out this video. It is immense! He hopes to take a friend with him who was right hand man to the famous concert organist, Virgil Fox who's specifications went into the building of the organ. I told him if he gets to go that I want to see lots of pictures when he returns! 

Daughter #2 is having her wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow. They gave her two possible quotes on price $1200. something and $2000. something. She has no insurance. Please, please pray it is the lesser of the two. She can pay that...it will be tight for a long while and difficult on her, but the other one is simply out of the question with her current job. She has to get this done as she is in so much pain. We cannot help her as we have not been paid since before Christmas and we are trying to make it on my teaching money which will be next to non-existent after June 4th. I don't know what we're going to do except pray that God will continue to provide for her needs and for ours. 

I'll be spending the day at The Little Turquoise House tomorrow doing laundry and teaching. Hopefully I'll be able to work on a project or two...I'll keep ya posted. ;) 

Come Saturday...

Well, it's no longer morning, far from it. But thinking back to this morning, I do sometimes miss the lazy Saturday mornings of my youth. Cartoons and pj's all morning! When I got a little older I graduated to old Andy Hardy movies on one of the movie channels! One of these Saturdays I'm going to curl up and watch something in my pj's all morning long and not wait for a sick day! After the cool temps, rain and even snow this week, it was so nice to open up the windows and let the sunshine in!

New to my Saturday morning routine is waiting for my "egg lady". I found out through a piano student that one of my former piano students moms is now selling farm fresh eggs and she even delivers them! I signed up!! I am loving the eggs, the flavor is better and I just feel good knowing they are farm fresh and local. She has some hens that lay a turquoise colored egg that is so pretty! These this morning are a little lighter in color, but she tries to give every customer one or two of the pretty turquoise/green/bluish eggs. 

 Our fur buddy Gilmore is showing his age more and more. We have had the "discussion" several times about what to do for our dear friend, and he must hear us talking because he always seems to perk up for a day or two. He is having such a hard time climbing the steps and sometimes his legs are so weak that we see him walking on the top of his foot! One of us usually has to go and move it back for him. 

Hubby is going to help son put in a fence in a couple of weeks and I so want to go along, but Gil wouldn't make the trip well. I think it's time, but then he looks at us with through those sweet eyes and we just don't have the heart. Looks like I will probably be staying home and dog sitting yet again. We have pretty much decided though that he won't be able to make it through another winter, and we don't have the heart to ask him to. 

Last fall I transplanted some Johnny Jump ups that grew wild in our vegetable garden. They have filled this yard since we moved here in 2008, the same year my mom passed away. Pansies and Johnny Jump Ups were her very favorite flower and whenever I saw another batch spring up in the yard I took it as a sign from my mom. It seemed she was saying she was happy for us and that she approved. They came up beautifully this spring in the front bed. 

 I went to the church to practice this afternoon and was so sore when I came home that I spent some time with my new favorite thing...my foam roller. Once again I have let myself go and once again I am getting back on track. The foam roller helps realign my spine and hips and takes care of my sciatic pain. If I keep this up along with my other exercises and yoga I will be in good shape. I just have to stay consistent which has always been a problem for me.  I feel so much better when I do it, why do I put it off for so long? 

Well, I need to get a good nights rest, church tomorrow and all that is required of me. Time to take Sookie outside and take some meat out of the freezer for tomorrow. 
Good night all!

Spring

Hello all! 

I know, it's been a very long time. I miss being here, I miss all of you. I have been reading occasionally and commenting occasionally, I hope you've gotten my messages. A few weeks ago I had a creative, eloquent blog going through my head and wouldn't ya know it....not a minute to myself to sit down and type it out. Of course, now I've forgotten even what it was about! 

I haven't blogged since the beginning of Lent. I had goals and expectations that are yet to be realized. It has become discouraging at times, but I soldier on. Life is a journey - trial and error, successes and failures and I may be making some progress - a little like one step forward, two steps back. One of my favorite new quotes is this: "There is a beautiful thing called imperfect progress. It comes when we take slow steps of progress wrapped in grace. Imperfect progress is still progress."

One milestone was planning a "craft day" for my scrapbook friends from the store that closed last year. We finally had a chance to all get together again - it was a fun reunion! Our church let us open the gym to these ladies and we invited other crafters to join us. We already have our second gathering scheduled for the 11th of July! I was so busy setting things up that I failed to take any pictures...NEXT TIME! 

Mother's Day was quiet, but nice. I was taken out to eat by Hubby and Daughter #2 - the others could not be here, but sent gifts and called. It was good to talk to them. Daughter #1 sent a nice bouquet of flowers, Son sent a cream and sugar set I've been wanting to round out my turquoise Fiesta Ware collection, Daughter #2 gave me some foot soak crystals, some pansies for my porch planter and came by this last week to help me clean all the windows of The Turquoise House inside and out. 

Spring finally arrived! The snow finally melted, came again and melted again. There are still "small" piles of snow in some shaded areas, but for now at least the garden and yard at The Turquoise house are clear of the white stuff! 

This handsome fella was my first robin sighting this year. Oh how happy I was to see him! 

 Since then we have had several visitors to the yard. 

Oh how I enjoy my feathered friends! 

With the exception of cleaning the garage, the cleaning of the windows marked the completion of my spring cleaning for this year. I'm happy to have that behind me and now it's on to more important things. 

Hubby's business continues to be poor, even dare I say, worse than ever. I am so very grateful for my piano students. I currently have 17 enrolled, but that will be changing quickly with the coming of summer. Most families drop out for the summer. I'm trying to look forward to more free time for myself - a chance to make some real progress on those personal goals of mine, but it's difficult to find personal peace when one wonders from day to day how the bills are going to be paid. Our meals have become even more simple than ever, which is a blessing in disguise. I usually cook some meat of some kind on the stove top and add a tossed salad...dinner. 

Hubby is anxiously awaiting the spring planting of the garden. We had snow just last week and temps continue to stay cool, so it's too early just yet. 

After staying away all winter, I am now back practicing on the pipe organ every Monday afternoon and meeting with my mentor for more instruction and encouragement. His official retirement date is August 7th. We plan to continue to meet unless his new schedule (he has to get some kind of part time job) prevents it. 

I am working hard on my music both at the organ and the piano. It's difficult to get anything else accomplished between practice time and teaching, but I love it. I am struggling now with what may be arthritis of the middle knuckle in my right hand. It doesn't hurt to play unless I have a stretch. I am no longer able to pick up a half gallon of milk with that hand. 

Well gang, I hope this is the first of many blog entries to come. I will update some more as things come to mind. Please drop me a note and let me know you're still out there. I miss you all.