T-I-R-E-D

I hope you've all had a good weekend. I've had a lot going on, and as a result, I am tired...physically, mentally and emotionally.

Friday I helped Hubby at the shop which always means a lot of standing and mind numbing, repetitive work. I was there for about 4 hours and then taught two hours of piano lessons, prepared supper and finally crashed in the recliner with a massive headache.

Saturday afternoon was the winter recital for my piano students. It started at 2:00, but that means getting there at about 11 to get the heat on in time to warm the space and get a table set up, decorations in place, check on the condition of the piano, rearrange some furniture and get the coffee going. This year I invited family members and friends to participate by sharing with us their talents whether they take piano from me or not. I asked people to bring other instruments, sing, do a reading or play the piano. There weren't many takers, but one family stepped up and brought their violins. They have two little girls, one played the violin and the other the cello and dad played along with them. It was so sweet! Then later in the program, the dad came back up and played a beautiful Bach prelude. What a treat that was!

This was a first recital experience for several students, most did very well. I have one adult also taking part in her first recital and she started out fine but something happened in the middle and she couldn't get back on track. I felt bad for her, but she seemed to handle it alright. I need to have a chat with her soon to make sure she's ok. All in all it was an enjoyable afternoon. There is some tension between me and one of the mothers, so that is always draining on me, something happened between us years ago and we've never been the same since; she always makes me feel inadequate. Also I hate talking in front of a group, and not being able to get programs printed, I had to do a lot of talking.

This morning I arrived at church ready to go in and start my regular practice time and lo and behold, there was the Sunday School classes practicing for their Christmas program. I didn't even think that the space might not be available to me this morning and as usual, no one thinks to alert the organist. I had three pieces of music I had to combine into a single prelude, none of which had registrations prepared. I also saw in the bulletin that there was a hymn I had never ever played before and of course two other Christmas hymns which only get played once a year, so they weren't practiced. It was a fly by the seat of my pants kind of day and let me tell you, anything that has to do with the seat of my pants is never pretty!

Hubby had to leave church early to take care of an issue at the rink - someone...maybe more than one someone didn't show up to their assignment which means Hubby has to find a way to cover it. I had to ask a fellow church member for a ride home and it's now after 3:30 and he is still not home.

It's a gray day...it's raining. Someone at church said "well we don't have to shovel it", true...but once it freezes it's going to be an awful, slippery mess! After everything that has transpired this weekend, I feel like just curling up in a big quilt and not only calling it a day, but calling it a weekend. My emotions are not handling things well and so I'm done folks. 

Going To Work

I'm posting again tonight because tomorrow morning I will be going to help Hubby in the shop. He is swamped trying to get deadlines met before the holiday's, so he's asked me to help him. My usual morning routine of cleaning, Bible reading, blogging and working out will turn into a quick shower and out the door. I just hope that my body will be able to handle the physical stress of the job.

Tomorrow afternoon I have three students coming, so it will be a very busy day. I have no idea what we'll eat, I won't have any time to prepare anything. 

I didn't get as much done today as I'd hoped so I'm headed upstairs to find a lamp bright enough so I can see to sew on that button. 

I'll catch up with you all later!

Quiet Thursday

There is not much in the schedule here at the little turquoise house today and that's fine.

I do have the ever-present laundry situation to take care of, a button to sew on my winter dress coat as well as tighten the others, and the instructions to an iris-folding Christmas card to figure out and make. If I have too much trouble, I'll have to head over to the store to seek help. I do want to get it done, it's such a pretty card. 

I have one student this afternoon at 3:45. Supper will be a small ham that I'll put in the crock-pot in a while - it's pre-cooked, so it just needs to warm and tenderize. Along with the ham I'll serve a baked potato and green beans, all very easy to prepare.

The temps are up in the mid 30's today, but it's still very gray out. Hubby chose to save the wood and not put a fire in the stove this morning. The forecast also calls for snow showers, but I don't think we'll get any. 

The verses I want to share from God's Word today come from the Daily Bread. I know some of you read that everyday, but in light of what Carol blogged about recently, I thought it was a timely message. 

I John 2:15-17 
"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. ¹⁷ The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever."

12-12-12

My Wednesday students had to reschedule for tomorrow, so no one is coming for lessons today. I plan to make a loaf of bread and a loaf of banana bread, cook black beans for my quinoa mixture and hopefully prepare that as well. I also plan to spend a good deal of time at the piano today and do some cleaning.

From God's Word:

Exodus 22:28

"You shall not curse God, nor curse a ruler of your people."

Hmmmm, something to think about there.

Daughter #2 has a Skype interview on Monday for a summer internship/job. I pray it goes well for her.

Yesterday I gave my "dark room speech" to three students. Last night after giving it to the third student, he changed his playing and sounded like a completely different pianist. It was exciting! I love teaching piano! Now, if I can just get him to do it that way all the time.

Walking in an Unfamiliar Dark Room

 

I continue to preach - rather unsuccessfully - the need for students to slow their music down, especially in the early stages of learning a new piece.

Today I related it to trying to walk around in a dark and unfamiliar room. If we are concerned about injuring ourselves, we don't walk into a dark room the same way we would in a room filled with light. We slow down, open our eyes wider and feel our way, being careful not to stub our toes.

We must treat unfamiliar music like a dark room. We must slow down, open our eyes - looking carefully for signs along the way, feeling our way from one note to the next, one phrase to the next. If we are making many mistakes and re-striking keys, we are going too fast for our skill at that time. By slowing down and learning everything slowly and correctly, we actually speed up the learning process and our retention. Speed comes only when we know our way around.

Until we finally learn to slow down and feel our way, our music will remain unfamiliar and dark. 

No Cooking Today

I'm taking a break from the kitchen today, I've been cooking some meals ahead for Christmas week. Yesterday I got my vegetarian chili made and it's in the freezer now - I think we'll have that on Christmas Eve. I'm going to soak some black beans today so tomorrow I can cook my quinoa mixture to be used in tacos or taco salad - planning that for the 23rd. Turkey dinner will be for Christmas day. Fortunately, I don't have to cook today - there are enough left-overs for lunch and enough left-over chicken chili for supper.

I have two students coming this afternoon and another one tonight. Yesterday I had a lady call about piano lessons, she's 71 and can't read any music. She was ready to come right away but I sent her to look for a book, and told her when she gets it we'll set up her lesson time. I'm not sure what to expect.

Daughter #2 was here for the day yesterday - she had a hair appointment and she hung out with me and also took care of some homework. She went back last night, she has classes the rest of the week.

From God's Word, Leviticus 19:1-2

“Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

This morning Hubby came back inside after having left for work to show me the moon. The sun had just started to come up so there was an orange glow on the horizon and the clouds above it were a dusty purple color. The moon was just a sliver and the dog star was visible with it - so pretty.

I hope to come back and visit blogs later - I'll have to see. I'm not feeling well today. 
 

Chirstmas Preparations

 

We have snow this morning, but only an inch or two - certainly nothing of the big storm they were predicting for us.

 

I worked on my cards last night until about 11:00 last night. I'm all finished except for one that I'm making for our church bulletin board - we post our cards instead of mailing out to everyone. I just have to run to the scrapbook store today and ask Jeannie to cut some letters for me and it will be done. I even got a start on my daughter's birthday card!

Speaking of Daughter#2, she's coming up sometime today - she has a hair appointment scheduled and she doesn't have classes. I have a small gift and a card I made ready for her boyfriend - just a keychain, but I wanted to get him something. Since my daughter is coming up and I'm not sure when and also because I have some cooking to do to prepare for the kids coming, I won't be going to practice the pipe organ. I will do some practicing on the piano....this Saturday is our Christmas recital and I will be playing 2 pieces that still need some work.

I'm going to make and freeze a vegetarian chili and also another soup or something to have on hand while the kids are here - I really don't want to spend all Christmas week in the kitchen. I think I might see if I can freeze a crisp for Christmas day dessert. Not sure I'll get it all done today...probably not, but if I do something everyday, I should be done this week.

All that, plus teaching and keeping the house somewhat clean will keep me busy this week. Oh...I need to run the steam mop today. Ok, I'm tired already!!

Question for all you bloggers....I love my new background, but it doesn't seem to fit properly. Can someone help me? Do I need to change my template and if so, what works best? Also, what is the difference between a 2 column and a 3 column layout and which one should I be using? I can't remember which one I have on here now, but I tried the other one and it used up too much of my pretty background. Any help is appreciated, thanks. 

Love Is A Christmas Rose

 



























Friendship is
a holly tree, That brightens as it grows, 

Friendship is a holly tree, But love is a Christmas rose!  

Romance is the mistletoe, That from the ceiling glows,  

Romance is the mistletoe, But love is a Christmas rose!  

With this rose I give you, On this Christmas day,  

Can't you see my darling,  

What my heart has tried so hard to say?  

Friendship is a holly tree  

That brightens as it grows 

Friendship is a holly tree  

But love is a Christmas rose!

 Romance is the mistletoe 

That from the ceiling glows 

Romance is the mistletoe

But love is a Christmas rose!

Love is a Christmas rose!

Love is a Christmas rose!

 Love is a Christmas rose . . . 

Words and Music by Earl Shuman and Leon Carr

Coffee by the Fire

Good Saturday morning! 

The snow has begun, we're under a winter storm warning for tonight through Monday. I'll be staying in today, finishing my cards and taking care of some other things around the little turquoise house. Hubby has a busy day - he'll be back and forth between the ice rink and work.

I watched another favorite Christmas movie last night...One Special Night starring Julie Andrews and James Garner...two of my favorites. Julie is my all time favorite female actress and singer, I admire her so much. She is talented, elegant and gracious. James Garner always reminded my mom of my dad...they look alike. 

From God's Word:

Psalm 19:7-11

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.

 This is short today. My coffee is gone and it's time to throw another log on the fire and head upstairs to get started.

Thiry One-derful

It's been a dark week. I looked out the window one afternoon at 3:00 p.m. and I couldn't believe how dark it was. It's also been windy and we've had that awful mix of rain and snow. I know it sounds like I'm complaining, I'm trying not to, really...it is what it is...it's messy and dark and there is no other way to say it. 

On a brighter note, this week Hubby and I celebrated thirty one-derful years of married joy. Hubby brought in a bouquet of a dozen red roses which are GORGEOUS and we went out to dinner at a favorite spot here in town. I love this little restaurant at Christmas. They always have a huge tree that you have to walk around and it's all decorated with homespun, old fashioned ornaments like dried orange slices, popcorn and cranberries although, the snowballs with faces are a little creepy looking. Over the bar, pine boughs are strung, accented with monster pine-cones. I wish I could post pictures...maybe next year. I have been thinking even more so than usual about our marriage and how blessed we have been. Two imperfect people do not a perfect marriage make, but when I look at the marriages and family situations around me...WE ARE SO BLESSED. I know it's nothing we've done, we try to be obedient and faithful to that which God has called us, but it is God who preserves us...this I know and I'm grateful.

I've only accomplished a portion of our decorating. I've set out my mother's manger scene and decorated my surfaces with woodworking crafts my kids made in school and my mother's Santa collection, but Hubby and Daughter have not had time to pick out a tree. It has become tradition that the two of them take care of that job each Christmas. I'll never forget how awful I felt the year we moved to the house and I decided it was time for a fake tree for convenience sake. I found out the hard way how much my daughter looked forward to choosing the tree with her dad each year. It was her special thing to do and by setting up the fake tree I took that away from her...I didn't know. Soooooo, I keep the fake tree in the closet.

I went for a massage this morning, my therapist had a cancellation and I jumped at the chance to get in. Ever since I stood in the kitchen for 8 hours on Thanksgiving I have been an awful mess. I know, most of you are thinking, "oh, lucky her, she gets a massage", well, let me tell you, when I get a massage it is anything but relaxing. After an hour and a half of being on the table, I was so ready to get off. I am feeling the benefits now though, my body feels looser, but oh...there is still so much more to dig through.  

I can't believe it's 3:00 already. I'm happy I don't have to cook supper tonight...leftovers again. I spent $7.00 on a DVD today...Holiday Inn. I bought White Christmas last year. I have to start watching my Christmas movies now, once the kids arrive, I won't be able to. 

Time to leave blog land and go address envelopes for Christmas cards. I sure hope we get more than we did last year, otherwise this might be the last year I do this. Maybe I'll put in my new DVD while I work on them. 

Bugged

I spent yesterday sick. Not sick enough to crawl into bed and stay there, but sick nonetheless. I was doubled over in pain at times, and was bloated and gassy. I'm better today, but I still don't feel like I'm out of the woods yet. I'm no longer in pain, but still feel bloated. I slept from 6:30 last night until 11:00 in the chair...I did wake up for a bit and saw some of Remington Steele, then Hubby woke me up to take the dogs out. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, but the second my head hit the pillow I was gone. Hubby said I must be fighting some kind of intestinal bug to be able to sleep so much. I'm going to keep my diet light and bland for a while. 

  

My weekend has finally started, I know it's strange to say that at 5:00 on Friday night, but I'm used to finishing my work week on Wednesday. Due to a scheduling conflict however, three students wanted to move from Tuesday to Friday.  

I hope to take it easy this weekend. Hubby has quite a bit of hockey to keep him busy and I'm going to cook as little as possible. I'd like to get that day to myself that I was spoiled by illness yesterday, we'll see. 

Day Off

Tomorrow (Thursday) is my day off...no students are scheduled and there is enough left-overs that I won't have to cook. I want to take the day for myself...do I dare?  

 
Tomorrow is my day off...there are no students scheduled and there are enough leftovers that I won't have to cook. I want to take the day for myself...do I dare? 

I was online a good bit of today, why, I don't know. Cyber life is so quiet right now, I guess most people are busy preparing for Christmas or just with life in general. All my online groups etc. are so quiet, even the people that email me regularly seem to prefer to be quiet. This time of year is always difficult for me...the Christmas decorations are out...well, most of them and my thoughts always turn to memories of my mom at Christmas. I tend to want to distract myself and stay busy and social to keep my mind from going places that only serve to bring on tears. Since my only real social life is online, I was unsuccessful in that area today. Tomorrow I may not even try, hence this post tonight instead of tomorrow.


I'll get some light cleaning done, there is always that to do. I have a letter to write and a card to make, the piano needs to know my hands still exist, not just those of my students and Suki needs some real attention in the grooming department. Oh, there is plenty for me to do apart from the internet...the question is, is it enough or will I find myself once again desperately scanning my email for life away from reality?

Good night and may God keep you safe and warm.

Preparations

It's so hard to believe we are in the very midst of the holiday season already. Life just seems to be passing me by somehow. Winters here are so hard - it seems to take all our energy just to do what needs to be done each day. Each day I try to check all my "boxes" to make sure I have taken care of all the necessities because it takes so much more effort and planning to run out for something we forgot. I wanted to have my pantry filled more than it is, but we will have to keep an ear to the news for any big storms coming our way and make the necessary purchases as the need arises. Hubby is predicting a year of heavy lake effect snows for us. Time will tell if he's right.

 Plans for the day include cleaning the bathroom, decorating for Christmas, make Italian Stew for supper and teach a piano lesson...I think I have only one today, the others had to cancel for today. I also need to squeeze in some time to trim Suki. Practice on my Christmas music. I am planning an informal Christmas recital for the studio and encouraging family and friends of students to also participate. I will be playing two pieces myself.

In God's Word this morning I'm in Leviticus, one of the dry sections of Scripture to my way of thinking and I'm struggling to read and find something applicable.

Prayer Concerns: I might be getting sick. I've been sneezing and blowing my nose a lot this morning.
Hubby's stress at work
That Hubby's customers will pay in a timely manner.

That I will be a good steward of what we have and not be wasteful or unwise in my spending.

Blessing: Hubby seems busy at work.

Verse for today:

Revelation 22:20

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Thanksgiving Down

I trust everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday - we have so many blessings and so much to be thankful for. Pastor T spoke this morning on being thankful always in all things, it was a good reminder.

I spent Thanksgiving day in the kitchen - 8 hours of work and a few short moments around the table and it was time to clean up. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful we had the food to prepare and share with family around the table, but I really do need to find a way to make this easier for Christmas. I spent the next day trying to recuperate. 

Friday my son and I braved blizzard conditions and slick roads to drive into town so he could cash his check, I bit my nails the entire trip. We stopped by a few stores in town but could not find what he was looking for. I was very happy to get back home.

Saturday Hubby had to spend quite a bit of time at the rink so son and I just relaxed and watched some movies, it was one of those lazy days. I did manage to do some organizing in my studio with some scrapbook materials. Hopefully this week I can put in some time with my craft. 

Son left this morning...I was not ready to see him go...then again I don't think I ever am. I always miss him so much right after he leaves. Daughter #2 is here...she and Hubby just went ice skating. 

My body is still complaining about the long hours in the kitchen and the overdose of food this weekend. I had just a salad for lunch today...it's time to get back on track. 

Winter is here! We had quite a bit of snow this weekend and it's coming down again this afternoon. Tomorrow, my usual schedule has been changed in order to get my car in for an oil change and snow tires. 5 months to go!! UGH! It's hard to be thankful for snow. I am thankful for my comfortable home and the fire that keeps it toasty and warm. I'll be hibernating  soon. 

 

Busy day here. 

 

 I made a long list of to-do's for today and have gotten very little accomplished. Oh, well, it will be there tomorrow and it will all get done somehow. 

 

I have our sheets washed and dried but not back on the bed yet, a load of clothes washed and another in the dryer, wiped up the bathroom, I've taught one lesson and have one more to do, I went back to the grocery store and bought two more turkeys to put in the freezer...at .96 a lb., I had to take advantage. I still have bread to make, pies to make, cheeseball to make, the microwave to clean (something exploded in there LOL), and I wanted to do some re-organizing in my studio, but it looks like that will have to wait.

I'm excited - my son will be coming home sometime today. One of his roommates is driving up, so he's coming with him. I don't know yet, but we might be driving him back...when, I don't know that yet either. We will have both him and Daughter#2 here for Thanksgiving tomorrow. 

Blessings:

I will get to spend time with my boy this weekend.

We got paid yesterday, it was a long time coming.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Warmth on A Fall Tuesday

My plans for the day include:
General cleaning
Students @ 1:30-2:15, 2:15-3:00, 3:30-4:00 and 7:00-7:15
Put Spare Ribs with sauerkraut and potatoes in the crock-pot.

Work on Christmas cards

Stop by Earthwise, our natural health store that is closing and take advantage of the 70% off sale.

Prayers today are for Hubby's shoulder, it was getting better and now has taken a turn for the worse. He is in a great deal of pain and we don't know what he has done to injure it.  

For my brother who is facing a court date and possible jail time.

For a dear friend as she sits in the hospital next to her father who is dealing with complications from his cancer and my be facing more surgery. 

We had our first winter storm yesterday, they predicted it to be much worse than it turned out to be. Even at that, today I am thankful for the wood-stove in our basement and the warmth it throws off. I'm thankful for a warm and comfortable home, I know there are many waking up this morning that don't have this luxury. God is good and He has blessed. 

Verse for today:

Proverbs 16:1-3

The plans of the heart belong to man,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
² All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the Lord weighs the motives.
³ Commit your works to the LordAnd your plans will be established.

 

Continuing in Thanks

I am so thankful I have the Lord in my life. I honestly don't know what I would do without Him.

I was watching the weather channel this morning and found myself so thankful that I have not been placed in any kind of situation like those in the wake of Sandy, however I was humbled and pray that if I am ever faced with any fearful situation such as that, that I will remember to look to Jesus and trust Him to see us through and provide for our every need. I'm not sure I would have the same strength I see displayed by some of those folks.

Matthew 14:30-31

³⁰ But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

I've got my chores done for the day and I'm looking forward to taking a card class this afternoon. We will be making pop-up cards. 

I'm Thankful For

My wonderful husband who holds me when I need a friend or just some support.

With A Heavy Heart

Plans today are simple, it should be a quiet day. Light, general clean-up around here and some errands this morning. I need to get out for a walk this afternoon.

Concerns: My heart is very heavy for my brother and his family, things are not good there. It is the prime example of not being obedient to God's laws and paying dearly for it. What's even more sad is watching the trickle down effect to his children. I'm so sad today. My heart is in Colorado.

Today I'm thankful today for friends that God brings into our lives when we need a loving touch or a caring word. I need that today. 

From God's Word today:

Deuteronomy 5:28-33

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²⁸ “The Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me, ‘I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. ²⁹ Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever! ³⁰ Go, say to them, “Return to your tents.” ³¹ But as for you, stand here by Me, that I may speak to you all the commandments and the statutes and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I give them to possess.’ ³² So you shall observe to do just as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left. ³³ You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess.

Post Election Outlook

Plans:
Pray, pray and pray some more. Today should be a quiet day, a quick clean through the house and then teaching this afternoon. I hope to work on some Christmas projects as well.

Update on me: I know I've been MIA a bit lately. I've been sick with Peritonsillar Abscess. It's an infection in the area around the tonsil and it caused my throat to swell to where I had great pain in swallowing and eating. I've been on Prednisone and a heavy duty anti-biotic since Friday and I'm doing  better.

Daughter #1 had the idea of instituting a secret Santa this year, instead of the need to buy gifts for everyone. All of us are facing financial difficulty, so I'm all in favor. I'm also excited to see our focus shift from gifts to spending time together as a family. I've been missing them all so much in the last few days that I can't wait for Christmas to have them all home.

God's Word: Yes, in Deuteronomy.

Concerns:
First of all, our country and what we as believers will be faced with in the coming years. 

Next, once again we await a paycheck while the bill collectors want their money. Please pray we can pay our bills soon.

Today I'm thankful that God knows and He is still on the throne. The world can take my freedoms, but they can never sever me from God.

Some verses for today that God brought to my attention during my worship time this morning:

2 Chronicles 14:11

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹¹ Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.”

Deuteronomy 4:39-40

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

³⁹ Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that the Lord, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other. ⁴⁰ So you shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I am ^[a]giving you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may ^[b]live long on the land which the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

When the Macaroni Hits the Floor

Because of someone who recently voiced an honest opinion, I've been thinking a lot the last few days about my life, what I do and why I do what I do. I'm reminded of the scene in You've Got Mail where Meg Ryan confesses that she is never able to come up with what she wants to say when she wants to say it, but rather thinks of all kinds of good come backs long after the situation has passed. That's me!!

The opinion that was voiced was that I clean too much. I shouldn't rush to the sink to clean up a dirty dish or two, I shouldn't worry that the floor wears a few dog-hairs or that the bathroom isn't presentable for company. Instead of cleaning house I should be doing something else...what, was never offered, but in the past I have also had similar comments come to me, basically that I have wasted my life being a stay-at-home wife and mother and now especially that my children are grown I should be out bringing in a pay-check to help with expenses or out serving the Lord is some way.

Herein is my rebuttal. a practice run if you will. Hopefully by sorting this all out in my mind and getting it down in a physical form, when confronted again I will be able to recall all I need when I need it.

From my earliest of memories I had one goal in life, to become a wife and mother; that's all I ever wanted to do. As I matured in the Lord, I was taught that if we surrender our lives to Him, seek His guidance and strive to walk in His way, He will lead us to the best He has for us. Our desires for our life soon match up with His best plan and He continues to lead and guide us on our way. As I continued to grow up, I prayed for God to show me the path He had for me and my desire to be a wife and mother never changed. I studied about what it was to be a wife and mother, learned about sacrifice and being a servant, though I must admit, as the years in the occupation continued, I often struggled with the servant part. My parents started me in piano lessons and I believe now that it was their way of helping me find a way to support myself if need be. I soon felt the Lord's lead that I would use my music for Him somehow and I became interested in church music. After high school, I enrolled in a strict Bible college, where I studied music and Bible, thinking that one day I may be the wife of a music minister or choir director. To my surprise, God did not lead in that way, but I met and married my wonderful husband who believed as I, that a woman's first occupation and area of service is to her husband and children. Please don't misunderstand, my husband encourages me to still be all I can be and all I want to be, and once again my desires, his desires and God's plan for our lives came together. Call it old fashioned, call it demeaning if you have to, but I see it as Biblical. If you read Proverbs 31 carefully you will discover that the woman there was no slouch! Her husband trusts her because she stands with him and supports him. She works with her hands and makes things to sell - running a successful business from her home. She gets up early and works long into the night, it's a big job but she still takes time for herself; she works out and keeps herself  healthy and strong all the while making sure her family's needs are met. That is her job and her ministry. I have tried over the years to keep the Proverbs 31 woman as my role model. I have not always been successful, but I keep her up there, always striving for that goal.

First off, let me say, I know the choices I have made for my career are not for every woman. I also know in this difficult economy, not every woman has the choice to work at home or even work from her home. I understand that. What shouldn't change however is the mindset that no matter what other occupation we choose, our husband and family remain our first priority and I fully believe God will bless because of it. I know I have been blessed and believe me I am so thankful.

Now...yes, I clean. I spend a good deal of time in the cleaning, cooking, homemaking process. I also run my piano teaching business from my home, so clients are in and out all the time...it must stay presentable. We have three dogs...I vacuum the entire house every morning and let me say that dirt and sand is abrasive to wood floors and I believe keeping my floors vacuumed falls under being a good steward and taking care of all that God has blessed us with - not merely being a perfectionist cleaner just to be cleaning. I wipe up the bathroom out of respect for anyone who needs to use it and I keep my dishes washed and put away after every meal. I don't like walking into my kitchen and see nothing but a counter full of dirty dishes staring back at me, especially in the morning; it starts my day on the wrong note. I was criticized recently for those daily routines. I guess I'm supposed to let the dog hair swirl around my guests ankles and instead of standing for a few minutes after every meal to wash a few dishes, I should let the counters overflow before I spend an hour or more exhausting myself in front of the sink or am unable to prepare a meal for lack of counter space. I was always taught no job is finished until the clean up is done and a good cook always cleans as she goes. I look at it this way: whether I run around constantly keeping things clean and presentable, or spend an entire day on my weekend cleaning the entire place, it still has to be done one way or the other and this way is easier and less tiring for me.

Every family has to work out the chores to what best suits them. Like I said earlier, I wasn't always a good servant. I had my share of times where I felt I was being taken advantage of and where my family could have pitched in and helped, they chose not to. This often made my life difficult and put me in a place where, maybe some other things I wanted to do got put aside. If I had it to do over again, I would change some aspects, but never the goal. Now that it's just my husband and me I rarely ask for his help. Why? He works a full time job and a part time job and volunteers in his community and church. He has no more time or energy to wash dishes and I shouldn't ask it of him. Rather, I support his work by providing a clean, warm, comfortable home where he can find rest and a good, nourishing meal so he can continue to do all that he does. That's my job. I'm the support system and that's God's plan for my life and that's the way I always wanted it. I would not force this "job" on anyone who can't do it for whatever reason, so why should I be forced into a job outside the home where I am not qualified or comfortable in working?

As far as a ministry goes, I consider supporting my husband and serving him my ministry, not to mention counseling my children when needed and hopefully showing God's love to the piano students and their families that come to my home. Prayer warriors are also needed and often go unnoticed in the service community and that's fine, but we're here. Just because I'm not always in the public eye, doesn't mean I don't have a ministry. By the way...just what is an unpaid church organist if not a ministry to the church?

I think part of the problem with those on the outside looking in, is they don't see the entire picture. They only see me scurrying as I strive to stay on top of things, they haven't been able to see the blessings that come from that. Recently I had to take money from the savings account to get groceries since we haven't been paid. I was careful and tried to purchase only what we needed. I bought two boxes of whole-grain pasta and poured them together into a storage container. My husband, while looking for something to snack on, bumped the container and it fell to the floor and the lid popped off sending pasta noodles rolling from one end of the kitchen to the other! No fear, I had just run the vacuum and the steam mop and I knew my floors were quite clean, so not wanting to waste precious food, we hand picked each piece from the floor and returned it to the container. That may disturb some, I understand, but I cannot afford to waste food and had my floors been dirty I would have been forced to throw it out. I have also had the unexpected guest drop by and because I took care of my morning routine, I could, with confidence, invite them in. One time, many years ago, we had an electrical fire break out in our kitchen wall. When the firefighters came in, they tossed things out of their way and into my dish drainer and sink. Had I not cleaned up the dishes and put them properly away, I would have had nothing but broken dishes that morning on which to serve breakfast. I have seen time and time again where taking care of things as I go is the best choice for me and my family. I'm not perfect, there are times I let it go for one reason or another, but I always regret it. I admit to being a procrastinator in some things, but when it comes to my home I have established some pretty good habits.

Interestingly enough, on the other side of this coin, I have also been criticized for being "nothing but a stay-at-home wife", suggesting I sit at home and do nothing to help my family. Those onlookers seem to not see the business I successfully run from my home where I make a per hour salary that I am not qualified to make at any other job. If I can fill my schedule, I would be making a tidy sum, which leads me to something else I wanted to share with you. Last night I attended a Party-lite party given by a mother of former students of mine. Something amazing happened at the party...only what I had dreamed of!! I was talking with the women whose children I used to teach. We were talking about her kids and what they were up to and she mentioned how her daughter, though unable to use it in her life right now, still enjoys music and plays on the piano whenever she goes home for visits. Cathy told me that as soon as her daughter and her husband get to a permanent place, the piano will go to her. That not only warmed my heart, but was overheard by another woman in the room who began asking about piano lessons for herself. I talked to her a bit and made sure she had my business card and one to share with a friend. Later, two other women approached me also asking about lessons for themselves. One was the girl who runs the Party-lite business, her husband is in seminary and she will be a pastor's wife soon. It is a helpful thing for pastor's wives to know how to play piano. SOoooo...I'm hoping to hear from these three women soon and pray they will be new additions to my studio.

I hope I have not lost you in this ramble of mine today. If you're still reading, let me close by saying I am content for the most part and happy in my role as wife, mother, and domestic engineer. No matter what your occupation is, may I encourage you from Ecclesiastes 9:10 "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going". We only have a few days on this earth to make a difference for God in the lives of those to whom we come in contact, so let's make the most of it and do our very best at what God has given us to do. When the macaroni hits the floor, be confident that you have done your job well and you are prepared.