Christmas Music

It was a good weekend. Friday night Hubby and I went out to supper to celebrate our 33rd wedding anniversary, then he took me to hear my mentor play the organ in their church's annual Lessons and Carols on Saturday. How I love singing the carols while he plays!! Saturday was also my ATC trade, it was nice to see the ladies from the Scrapbook Store again. How I miss the convenience of the store. Sunday of course was church - it went very well despite the fact I haven't been feeling well. The Lord truly stepped in and worked through me as I played - I did not do anything in my own strength that morning. Sunday after church Hubby and Daughter went out to get our tree. It's still sitting naked in the living room! 

It is shaping up to be a very busy week this week. Today I have a practice time I must get in, then I'm meeting with one of my piano parents to practice with her. I will be accompanying her while she sings Gesu Bambino on Saturday when she sings in our annual Family Recital. She is a professional vocalist who has sung opera in years past. I am very honored she asked me to accompany her but I'm also very nervous as I've had to rework a piano accompaniment to work on the organ and I'm not sure I can manage it very well. Following my practice with her I have 5 lessons to teach this afternoon/evening. 

The rest of the week holds a full teaching and practice schedule, Friday I'll practice with Mary again and Saturday is our recital. Sunday is the Christmas program at church and I haven't even begun to practice the hymns and carols the congregation will be singing that day. I also have two solo pieces to put together for that as well as possibly a duet with Hubby. 

It looks like no one is going to play my little game, so here are the answers: 

 Left to right: a) Heiki Lunta (local myth) b) Jack Frost c) Zeus

 

Left to right: a) Pegasus b) Sirens c) Icarus

Fairies

                                         Left to right: a) mermaid b) Apollo c) Aphrodite

Next month's theme is "your ethnic heritage".  As usual, I have no idea what I will do!
Until next time...

Let's Play A Little Game

I just finished my Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) for December, tomorrow's trade is at 1:30. This month's theme is "Myths". I never studied Greek mythology so I had to do some research and some are not Greek. I will give you a hint, for the very first one you need to know a little about the area where I live as it's a local myth. 

I will post pictures of my completed cards and you can guess what myth each one represents and put your answer in the comment section. I'll post the answers when I feel enough of you have had the chance to post. You might need to click on the photo for the large size to see the detail. READY? Here goes:

Set #1 left to right a) b) c)

Set #2 left to right a) b) c)

Set #3 left to right a) b) c)

Set #4 left to right a) b) c)

In other news, you may have seen on FB that Hubby and I celebrated 33 years together as husband and wife yesterday (the 4th).

He bought me these beautiful red roses and an expensive organ book I've been wanting for years and I bought him season 11 of NCIS. We went out to supper tonight because I had to teach last night. We enjoyed a nice supper at our favorite restaurant and then he had to rush off to ref a game. 

Tomorrow after the trade I will practice the organ for a few hours, then pick up pasties for some hungry boys that are coming over to help Hubby move fire wood to the basement. Tomorrow evening we are going to Lessons and Carols at the Catholic church where I practice to hear my mentor play the organ. It is such a beautiful program every year and this year is probably his last to play as he's retiring this summer.

I don't want to miss being there! Please keep him in your prayers as he has some health issues he's dealing with and also for my friend and former teacher who is still struggling with cancer. He was doing so much better but now is in so much pain from his back (the cancer is also there). I just pray it is not spreading. I know he's getting discouraged.

Ok, that's all for now. I'll be watching for your guesses!

Until next time...

Thirty-Two Years Ago

Thirty - Two years ago I married the most wonderful of men! Our life has had it's up and downs, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. He shows his love for me in so many ways, the most recent was the new organ at church. If it wasn't for him supporting me and standing by me I would have a brand new electric keyboard to play instead. If it wasn't for him searching the internet for three years, doing tons of research on organs, speakers, placement, etc., etc., it wouldn't even be here because no one else would have done any of that. He organized committees, sent emails, made phone calls...the list is endless and I'm sure he did things I don't even know about! In the last 32 years he has never and i mean never, ever no matter what else was going on in his life or the business or anything...he never has forgotten my birthday, our anniversary, Valentine's Day or even Mother's Day! As you know our financial picture right now is not a good one, but several weeks ago I noticed a $100.00 bill in his dresser drawer. I wondered about it, but didn't ask. I check for it periodically, it hasn't been moved. Yesterday I found out he tucked it away just to take me out to dinner tonight! I told him not to waste money on flowers this year...he loves to buy me a bouquet of red roses (I carried red roses on my wedding day) but last night he brought me a single red rose and said "my bride has to have her flower."

I made him a card last night and I ordered him a new music stand for his music. It's a surprise! He has always been so hard to buy for that I was really excited to see him struggle with his flimsy music stand while trying to practice his euphonium...I knew exactly what he needed! 

This week I finished making 15 thank you cards to send to everyone that had anything to do with getting the organ here and installed: 

I had fun making the "thanks so much" look like another stop on the organ! 

Yesterday morning was a check-up chiropractic appt., she made several more adjustments, but mostly all is well, just some continued healing needed. I taught from 1:30-5:00...the last little girl dragged herself in not looking well. I kept the lesson simple and as short as I could. I put my hand on her back at one point and her whole body felt warm. I told her mom I think she was running a fever. She apologized for sending her ill, but thought she was just tired. It happens when working with children, but I washed the piano keys down with disinfectant. 

My weight is a big concern again...I want to look good sitting on the organ bench for our recital!! I bought a pretty new top to wear...it sparkles ;). I have successfully made it through the first two days of my health/weight loss discipline. I got in my exercise and with no cheats on my eating!! Tonight will be a challenge going out to eat, but I will do all I can to stay on track.

I was a bad girl yesterday! I bought myself a present...well...three...make that four. A local store has been selling Magnabilities, I could go in periodically and buy a new one for my setting and for only $4.00 I could treat myself with something new. When Son and I went in there on Friday, they seem to no longer be carrying them. I got on the website last night "just to look around" and discovered I can make my own with my own photo! I have one necklace and several of the interchangeable magnets, but...MAKE MY OWN?? LET THE FUN BEGIN! I uploaded three favorite photos and had fun making it fit the circle just right...another click or two and...they're on the way and I'm like a teenager, I'm so excited! These are the photos I chose:

This is the pendant I chose for them along with a black ball chain. I'll be able to wear three of my best friends around my neck!

Today I'll be heading back to the church to practice...at least I hope so. They are predicting nasty weather to come our way including rain turning to ice!! I'm not a happy camper and I certainly don't want to be out driving in that, even in town, so I'll have to make an assessment after lunch.  

Here are some random photos of Thanksgiving weekend:

I've been here too long today...gotta run!