The Problem With Life Is That It's So Daily

My husband says that all the time. I haven't successfully found out where that quote originated, but it's how I'm feeling today. 

I was so pleased with myself yesterday. I intentionally stayed home from organ practice in order to get my home in order and perhaps get a jump on the rest of the week. I attacked the dust in every room of the Turquoise Castle with my Swiffer duster, ran the vacuum, mopped the kitchen, cleaned the bathroom, swept the basement, washed, dried, folded and put away 4 loads of laundry, cleaned out the refrigerator, straightened the studio and taught a piano lesson. Fortunately I had leftovers so I didn't have to cook. Although I didn't get to a couple of office type jobs I did get in a bit of a work-out and when I went to bed I was fairly pleased with all I had accomplished. The plan for this morning was to teach my 8:00 a.m. lesson, dive into my morning devotions, do a quick touch up on my "clean" castle and head over to the church to get in a couple hours practice before coming home to an afternoon of teaching. 

Best laid plans...

Instead I woke up late because I stayed up with Hubby after he came home he came home from his reffing job. He always needs to unwind a bit before going to bed and we watched Netflix a little longer than we should have. I walked through the castle and found life happened again. The kitchen sink had dishes in it from Hubby's late night snack and daughter's lunch from yesterday, the couch was covered in white dog fur from his snuggles with Hubby last night and before I could begin to tackle any of it my student arrived early before I had even had breakfast or my coffee. 

It looks like another day away from the organ. I could leave it all, but then I'd have to do chores tonight instead of my work-out. 

I get so discouraged that I'm always giving something up. I'm tired of my to-do list getting increasingly longer instead of shorter. My goals of things I want/need to accomplish keep getting pushed aside for chores. 

Yes I've asked for help from family but it doesn't happen and I have to pick my battles and move on. I can't hire help. It's so hard to be queen when my goals are always last on the list of the urgent. 

All that said, it's time to wash the dishes, start supper prep, run the vacuum and get myself ready for students to start arriving. 

I need to relocate my sparkle. 

Let The Sun Shine In!

This time of year we see the sun and the moon so rarely that I felt the need on Saturday morning to document the event. It's been so refreshing and energizing to see the sun the last two days. I am hoping for this gift at least one more day as tomorrow I could really use the extra energy it brings. These are photos of the moon set and sunrise on Saturday. 

Update: I didn't get this posted when I had planned, but the good news is, it looks like we'll have that sunshine today that I've been hoping for! I've already got a good start to my day. 

Even Gibbs, as much as he adores the snow surely must enjoy the sunshine as well. 

Saturday was also our monthly ATC trade. Our theme this month was music and these are the cards I made and took to trade: 

And these I made but saved for now:

We've had some illness among our group so our meeting was cut short so those ailing could return home. Prayers are offered for one with skin cancer and another with vertigo. It is my prayer that all will be feeling much better for our all day craft day next Saturday. 

One of the things I'm doing for myself is making more of an effort to look the part of "queen". I've never been a fan of make-up and I'd prefer to wear a sweatshirt and yoga pants than take the time and make the effort to put together a nice outfit, but I find when I do take the time to dress up and put on make-up it also affects my attitude. I find I feel more elegant and more feminine. I have to talk myself into it more often than not since it's easier to be a slob, especially when my job doesn't take me out of the house on a daily basis. I know in my heart that I should dress better for my students, their parents and even for myself. A dear friend used to regularly tell me "head up, shoulders back"...he's not around to remind me, so it's time to remind myself and it's something I must do daily...dressing up a bit does help me hold my head up a bit higher.

Oh, how could I forget?! I was given a surprise gift from a friend at the ATC trade. Pam is a local artist that sales her creations and she made me my initial and these magnets. The initial is a store bought letter but she decorated it with...wait for it...EGGSHELLS and alcohol paint. She does this for jewelry too. It's amazing what this woman comes up with! The magnets are common tiles painted with alcohol ink. I was so surprised...still am as she's not someone I would have expected a gift from. It's not like we know each other very well, I hardly know her at all but come to think of it, she's always doing nice little things for me. I must make her a thank-you note for her this week. Do yourself a favor and visit her Facebook page at Pamations and scroll down to see some of her other creations. I don't think it's been updated in a while, she's too busy being creative, but if you happen to see something you like, you won't be disappointed. 

One more step toward my goals. 

Sparkle on....

What About This Crown Thing?

About a year ago I changed the name of my blog. The word Maestoso means majestically or with majesty - it's a musical term. Grazioso is also a musical term meaning with grace. The new theme of this blog is to serve as a reminder to me to live my life with majesty and grace. I am currently focused on making some important lifestyle changes. I'm learning to "reign as queen" by not allowing life to get in the way of accomplishing my goals and living in majesty and grace as a daughter of the King, subject to God's ultimate lead. I'm hoping as you read this entry the idea will begin to make some sense. Please also feel free to check out my featured post which may explain better. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not thinking of royalty as in spoiled. As wives and mothers we often put ourselves and our goals for life last on our to-do list. I am trying to turn that around a bit in my own life. I still have my family to care for along with the cooking, cleaning, laundry and teaching, but my health has been telling me it's past time for me to start putting myself first at least once in a while and to spend time enriching myself, physically, mentally and emotionally. I began this journey a year ago and though I have made progress, it is an ongoing process and you're welcome to to join me or at least encourage me and learn from my mistakes. It's all about being the best I can be because I am called into His Kingdom. 

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of the darkness into His marvelous light".

To remind those of you who read this before and also to give any new readers a sense of where I'm going with this, I ask you to check out these past blog entries. 
Straighten That Crown
Crowned

Here are some thoughts from Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience that really helped me put this into perspective. 

How To Destroy Procrastination pt.1
How To Destroy Procrastination pt. 2

Please take the time to read these articles because it's worth your while if your trying to set goals or make changes in your life...I promise. Isn't the start of the new year the time everyone has goals bouncing around in their heads? Me too. 

Lately I have felt as though God has been telling me if I keep filling my time with wasteful things my life will be a waste, but if I fill my time with the things I am meant to do, then I will be laying up eternal treasure and furthering the Kingdom. 

I have a bucket list of sorts - though I haven't written it down as yet and I probably should sometime soon. I have divided it up into two categories. In the first category I'm making slow but steady progress but in the second category I'm failing miserably. I'm praying this will be my year. My list isn't the same as most people's in that I'm not wanting to sky dive or climb a mountain or be well traveled. My goals are much simpler, much more in line with my day to day life but when I accomplish one that's been on my list for a while I certainly feel like a weight has been lifted. 

Working to obtain my goals, being the best me I can be while enriching my intimate relationship with The Father is all what it means to "wear the crown". 

The completion of these Christmas stockings I finally made for my SIL, DIL and my granddaughter was one of the things on my to-do list. I'm so happy to cross these off and I'm very happy with how they turned out. 

Yes, that's one project off the list but there are so many more. It's so hard to stay motivated, but I find...crazy as it sounds...if I imagine getting up every morning and putting on my "crown" it helps me to take my responsibilities seriously. And it's not all about projects, it's also about building relationships, nurturing friendships and even my relationship with The King, my heavenly Father. Is my life reflecting Him and His love in everything I put my hand to each and every day? 

It's not easy. It's a one day at a time kind of thing and I don't always come to the end of my day with my crown sparkling. More often that not it's pretty beat up and sometimes it's been knocked completely off my head but I put it on the next morning and try again. 

So it seems I may have some new readers to my blog, I hope I haven't scared you off with my rantings about wearing a crown and being a queen. It may all sound a bit crazy just coming into it, but I hope as you stop by from time to time you will begin to understand my analogies. 

Speaking of new readers, I found out my blog has been in hiding in that people haven't been able to view it. I was told when I first joined blogger that everything was public so I've been a bit confused the past few days as to why my new friends can't read my older entries. Anyway, if you're new here, WELCOME and I hope you can at least read some of my more recent entries. If you've stopped by, please leave a comment, I'd like to get to know you and come visit you where you blog. 

Fall

I know this is not a good photo of my first granddaughter and believe me when I tell you, my files are full of adorable pictures I'd love to share, but since Blogger doesn't have the best system of privacy and my DIL is very careful about what we post online, this will have to do. I'll have to find some ways to be more creative with pictures of her. 

Our first meeting was Thanksgiving. There is something indescribable that happened in my heart the first time I saw my son, my first born holding his first born. OH MY GOODNESS!! 

Even though she was already a month old by that time she and her mother were still trying to make sense out of the whole nursing thing and there was a lot of crying and very little sleep going on. Hubby had to get home but I got to stay for a total of four days. It was wonderful and awful. Wonderful because I got to be with my son and hold my granddaughter but awful because I felt so helpless and there really was very little I could do to help except do dishes of which I did...a lot. It was difficult to witness the struggle between new parents, wanting to butt in and knowing I shouldn't. GD, DIL and Hubby had all been sick the week before, I came down with a slight case while I was there and Son came down with a big dose just before he had to drive me home. I felt so bad for him. I loved loving on my GD, but I was so very happy to be home at the same time. 

Our second meeting with her was New Year's Day. We made a day trip out of it and that was much better although I'm not happy with winter driving in the dark...even as a passenger. She grew and changed a lot in a month and every time I leave her my arms ache to hold her again. I try to stay busy and not think about it too much. My DIL is very good about sending lots of pictures and video. 

I have officially joined the ranks of doating grandmothers.

I'm gonna rock this gramma thing!

Summer

Recently one of my all time favorite shows, Gilmore Girls did a reunion type series in 4 installments labeled Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer. I'm going to try and catch you up on the last several months of my life by first bringing you Summer.

Last fall I wanted to brush up some of my piano and music theory skills and was pleased to begin working with one of the best musicians in our area. As it turned out she wanted to learn how to play the organ so we traded services. Susan is a local private music teacher and a talented performer on the piano and flute so of course she is taking to the organ very well.

She and I together with my Hubby on his euphonium gave a recital in August as part of the Organists of the Keweenaw summer recital series. Each summer the local organists put on recitals on local historic pipe organs to raise money for their upkeep. For our recital we used one of the oldest tracker pipe organs in MIchigan. I often wondered if I was crazy for putting myself through the stress of practicing and performing on an unfamiliar instrument, but once the evening was over I was glad we did it. I haven't. decided if I'm ready to do another any time soon though. 

I had great fun taking some inquisitive friends D and J on an organ crawl of some of those historic organs this summer. We had a good time getting to know each other better and formed fast friendships, especially between me and J. They live in FL during the winter and before they left we had established a routine of meeting for breakfast one day a week for breakfast. We have a lot in common, she's a very good listener and she really supports me in my work and ministry on the organ. J told me that after D, who's cancer is in remission, got home he fell fast asleep on the couch and when he woke up he said his dreams were of organ music! Warmed my heart! 

I was proud to see several of my piano students perform publically at Calumet's sesqui-centennial celebration this summer. The plan was to have different performing groups at each intersection downtown but because fo rain they put us under a small tent in the part which was right next to a large tent of vendors and the very loud MTU pep band. We also had to borrow a keyboard that unbeknownst to us arrived with no music rack, bench or power source. My students rallied like professionals and made the most of a difficult situation by helping me find solutions to each problem and then put on excellent performances that made people stop and take notice. It was a learning experience for each one of us and I was so proud of each one of my students!

Unfortunately I took a picture of each student that participated but I can only find few in my files. Where the rest have disappeared to I have no idea. I'm rather upset. 

Well it was quite the summer filled with music. I discovered some of my weaknesses but also some of my strengths and in these few instances I believe I wore my crown well. 

Back to the routine

Another Christmas has come and gone. I spent all of last week putting Christmas away and cleaning the house. It feels good to say I started the new year with a clean house, clean laundry all put away, dishes done, meals prepared and a pantry full of groceries. For one of the first times in a very long time I feel like I've started the new year on a positive, prepared note.  My students are returning this week...more about them soon. I'm looking forward to getting back to my routine. I like my routines, they keep me on track. 

I know I've said this before, but I'm really hoping to be able to blog more regularly again. It's good for me. Life has a tendency to become overwhelming at times and it's those times when I tend to disappear for a while. More often than not I have a blog in my head but when I finally get the chance to sit down to type it out it's gone or just not the same. Often I find I lose interest because so few are even reading what I write let alone letting me know they're here. Maybe this is the year I'll be able to get to know more bloggers. I hope so. 

We're under another lake effect snow warning today through Friday. They're saying we could get 1-2 feet of snow by Friday. It really doesn't seem to be putting down that much in snow depth, but the wind and the cold are bearable and makes for very poor visibility for drivers. I had planned to go practice today, but there is very little gas in my car and Hubby didn't fill it at lunch time. Between that and the snow and cold, I guess it's best I stay in and get caught up on my blog. 

I have much to catch you up on so I'll do that a little at a time. In the meantime...Happy New Year!