Hodge Podge

My post today will be a bit of a hodge podge. I don't know where you all go to get the questions you answer, etc., but today will be quite random  as there is so much going through my mind.

The last time I posted I told you I was going to get my hair cut, which I did. I'm disappointed in it; I don't know if it was my stylist or just the way my hair interprets it, but it's not what I wanted it to be. The photo I took lays soft and feminine around the ear and collar, mine is squared off. My mentor loves it, the ladies at the scrapbook store like it, Hubby accepts it - he says it looks easy and cool, which it is. Maybe when it grows out a little I can figure out how to make it work.

I made another card last night - this one for Daughter #1 and her Hubby; they celebrate their anniversary in August. Now I'm trying to come up with an idea for my Mentor who has a birthday in August.

I gave Daughter #2 the card for the top of her jewelry box, she seemed to like it.

Monday was the birthday of my teen idol, Bobby Sherman. Hard to believe he turned 70!

One of our big dogs - Mae - is becoming more and more crippled up. She has hip displasia and has been losing muscle mass for sometime now, but just this week seems to be failing at a more increased rate. A decision must be made on her behalf rather soon, I'm afraid. She and Gilmore have an appointment on the 31st, I don't know if she will be coming home with us yet or not.

We have a church business meeting to attend tonight. There will be discussion regarding the search for a new organ...I really don't look forward to it - there are enough people that don't believe it's a necessary purchase to make me uncomfortable. I never like being put in positions where I have to defend myself or my decisions.

There is so much to do here at the Little Turquoise House...weed the garden, wash the living room curtains and all three of Suki's beds, grocery shop, bank, practice, make cards, create ATC's for August trade...I guess I'd better go!

Off To The Salon!

I'm going to get my hair cut this morning and I can't wait! I'm going to try for something like this, only with a bang more like I'm used to and not so long it will get in my eyes. I love the way the layers lay in this one, I hope it works with my hair. What do you think? 

This afternoon is practice time on the organ, no students today at all so I'm undecided as to my evening plans.

The weather was perfect for a nice read on the back deck last night. 

Several of you enjoyed my picture of the church last night, so here is a couple of links where you can see the inside and read about it's history. I love that the man that built it built it so he could have some place to marry the woman he loved! If you're short on time, be sure to at least check out the last two links. ENJOY! 

Jacobsvillewiki

churchhistory

jacobsvillechurch1

insideJacobsvillechurch2

Another Quiet Sunday

The cooler drier air we have today is welcome; it was especially nice while sitting in church this morning. Pastor spoke on Joshua chapter 23 and dwelt a good bit on being in the world but not of the world.

During one of the hymns my mind wandered and I thought we had finished the last verse so I quit playing! The pianist and the congregation went on as I was searching the hymnbook for the next hymn! I quickly paged back, found where they were and jumped in again to finish. No one said anything, but I'm sure at least Hubby noticed.

Yesterday I made a card for a wedding we have coming up next Saturday - one of the young ladies in our church is getting married. She was the violinist at my daughter's wedding and is an excellent musician and lovely young woman. Hubby and I are planning to attend but not stay for the reception - he doesn't care much for that sort of thing.

After our lunch of Calico Beans and Corn Bread was finished and cleaned up today I made a card for Daughter #2. Well, it's really not a "card" as you would think...many years ago now, really before either of my daughters was old enough to appreciate them, I bought them matching jewelry boxes and gave them as gifts when each was old enough to take care of them. The box lid is actually a frame and I chose instead of a photo, to put a hand written verse (scrap book style and depicting their personal style and taste) in there as a decoration. I don't have a photo of Daughter #1's, but this is what I came up with for Daughter #2. I gave her the box several years ago now, but just couldn't come up with the right design for the insert until recently. It's nice having this project finished. I have trouble choosing things she likes, so I hope I got this right.

Hubby is out on the trails this afternoon and it's nearly time to get something together for supper...I guess I'll wait and see what he wants when he comes in.

I guess now is as good a time as any to go fill the bird feeders and let my toes enjoy the grass for a few minutes. If I have time I think I'll grab my book and head out to the deck to read.

I hope you're all having a wonderful Sunday.

"Chilly" Saturday

Kris was talking about fall this week and I couldn't relate until today LOL. It's only 54 degrees at the moment, with a cool breeze blowing in the studio windows and we are expecting highs of only 64 today! It is a nice break from our recent heat wave, but I'm not ready for it to stay this cool just yet...70's, ok. 

I was on the computer so much yesterday that I am not in the mood to spend much time here today. I do believe I'm headed to the grocery store, maybe check out some garage sales on the way if I can find some, then home to cook beans for tomorrow, straighten the studio, pull weeds in the garden, fill the bird feeders, and make a card for an upcoming wedding. I did get my walk in yesterday and hope to do that again today as well. 

We were up early this morning, Hubby has a morning of trail work planned and needed to get an early start. I made him a hearty breakfast of eggs, fried potatoes with onions, bacon, toast and coffee.

Suki is snoring in her bed behind me, the birds are singing, I'm enjoying my coffee and all is right with the world...well, almost. I must say, I do live a sheltered life here in the Little Turquoise House and I'm not sure that's all bad. Life is simple here and I hope it can remain that way. 

Busy Week

It's been a busy week - I was able to see both my chiropractor and my massage therapist and I can tell a difference in how I feel, but there is much work yet to do. Those two appointments combined with practice hours, students, and general errands have kept me on the move. Today though I'm home alone listening to the birds sing and catching up on some correspondence and filing. 

Yesterday was Hubby's birthday. Daughter #2 came up for his requested supper of brats - I also put out coleslaw and potato salad and we had strawberry short-cake for dessert. The strawberries he bought from the daughter of a customer - she's 9 and picks and sells them herself. They are YUMMY!! 

Hubby didn't have any requests of anything special to do, he went out and pulled some weeds in the garden. I think we bored Daughter to pieces LOL - we're getting to be an couple of 'old farts'. She decided to leave early and go to Bible study. Just as well I suppose...Hubby then decided it was prudent for him to go back to work until about 9 p.m. or so. 

We finally got out new VISA card in the mail and I was able to purchase some books I needed for teaching and also treated myself to some new music. I've been enjoying these immensely!

We had a couple of days of sweltering heat and severe storms last night which have brought a welcomed cooling. I have much on my list to do and yet, I may just go take a walk and enjoy this nice weather while I can. I'll be back to finish my work later...

July ATC Trade

Last weekend was the July ATC trade and so I wanted to share with you my contributions. The theme was "bling". 

One of my new piano students is fascinated by them and may join our trade group in the next couple of months. She says she loves being creative and is always looking for something new to try. I know the ladies at the trade will enjoy some young blood. 

I told her I would get her the list of themes as soon as it's available and if she wants we can go over to the trades together. I'm excited! I hope she does join, it will be fun to have a friend to go with even if she is only 15 LOL! 

Garret House Organ

I was given a special treat this week; my usual practice organ was unavailable, so my mentor took me down the road a bit to an old church building that closed it's doors to it's congregation many years ago. It has been purchased by the Historical Society, but unfortunately not much has been done to it. 

I remember the first time he took me there many years ago now and not much has changed. The door is locked with a padlock and once inside we were greeted to spider webs and a strong musty/moldy smell.

The wall paper is stained and falling off the walls in places, but one can still imagine what it must have been like to worship here in it's day. The stained glass is simple but lovely and fortunately, still intact. 

My mentor used to play the organ here regularly ever since he was a young boy and he showed me where he scratched his name in the woodwork of the casing in the back of the organ.

When the church closed it's doors, he was given the keys and was made caretaker over the organ until recently when the Historical Society took over.

Now he needs special permission to use it, and as a result it gets played rarely. 

Several years ago our special guest organist, Marilyn Mason played this organ in concert and it was probably the best organ concert we've had in this area. I remember taking my mom there to hear her play as if it were yesterday. 

Over the years I've had a few opportunities to play it, but never for an entire afternoon by myself. That was my special treat this week! 

 This was one of the first organs my mentor took me to visit when we first started working together. It's one of, if not the oldest working organ in Michigan!

 It has always held a special place in my heart.

 It's a small organ, not very many ranks, but it has such a sweet sound. How I wish our church could have it, then it would be used every week!

As you can see, I had some fun with the camera on my phone! That afternoon will certainly be one of the highlights of my summer! I hope you enjoyed this little tour.

Feeling Sorry For Myself

After church today Hubby and Daughter went biking up in the Harbor. They asked if I was going as they were heading out the door, and I had no idea I would have the opportunity, so I wasn't prepared to go and thus turned them down. They wanted me to go along to help them get from point A to point B, run errands etc. and if I was going to the Harbor, I wanted to be able to do what I wanted when I wanted. I had planned an afternoon of scrapbooking, only to get online instead. I was able to get my page fixed...FINALLY, but once that was done, there wasn't time to start scrapbooking and I rather lost my interest and began feeling sorry for myself that I hadn't decided to go along. Even with helping them out, I could have seen the beach and shopped a bit. It's too beautiful of a day to waste inside which is exactly what I've done. Oh well...too late now to do much about it.

They just called, they are hungry and I have nothing for them. Guess I'll make this rant short and see what I can do before they arrive.

I hope your day is better than mine.

At A Loss and "Splurge"

Thank you all so much for your support and advice as I try to figure out just what to do with this crazy blog! I know it shouldn't bother me so much, but it does. Changing my background is something I enjoy doing and each background is somehow inspirational to my writing. 

I just cannot figure out how to get rid of this 4th of July background!! I have tried uploading a photo for a background from my computer and according to the little "live on blog" picture on the template page the photo I uploaded is there but it doesn't show up on my page. I have tried adding a new gadget and adding a different background but that too does not show up. I cannot figure out how to delete the previous background when I can't access the code. It's making me crazy!! 

I have posted to forums and "help"...I did hear from Peggy from the blogger staff, but so far I'm not making my point with her, I'm hoping she'll take another look. If any of you have any revelations that could help, please don't hesitate. I'll try anything!

Splurge -
Before the 4th weekend, I took a day and did some shopping...I think I mentioned it here. It was a good day and I visited one of my favorite antique stores and saw way to many good things! I did splurge on a metal stool for my son for a birthday gift - he loves the "industrial" decor and this was an original piece that would work perfectly with his antique drafting table. I decided I'd rather buy something for him than something for myself, but some of the things I saw...one thing in particular just kept coming back to my mind, so I went down again and decided if it was still there, I'd buy myself a present. When I got to the room, where it had been I couldn't find it, but as I looked around more, it had just been moved...under a table and was very hard to see. It was almost as if it had been tucked out of view just for me. ;) 


I love my birds that come visit at the feeders and recently have discovered antique bird cages seem to be a popular decor item. This one in particular struck my fancy. I have thought about different ways to use it, but for now it's on the piano as is and I'm enjoying that way for now. It's quite "Victorian" looking and normally I don't care for that style...too ornate...but this little cage I really like. There is just enough chipped paint to give it that "shabby" appearance. 

I brought it in my studio...no one else has seen it. For now, it's our little secret. ;)

Do you have any antiques or decor pieces that have no useful purpose other than you like them? I also have my organ pipe...one wooden organ pipe. It does make for a good conversation piece from time to time. 

We had a brand new visitor to our feeder this morning...a rose breasted grosbeak  I'd never seen one before...we had to look him up in the bird book. 

Just so you know, the background I chose that I can't get to show up is so cute...it's all birdcages!! :(

Well, I have lunch to get on the table, Suki to walk, the matinee to play at the Heritage Center and a new student coming so I'd best get going and save my background frustrations for later. 

FRUSTRATED!!!

I'm hoping one of you can help. I wanted to change my background today...it's no longer the 4th of July. I went to my layout page to find the HTML/java script  gadget that holds the code to my July 4th background I found at "cutest blog on the block"...that particular gadget is missing from my layout page even though the background is still applied to my page! I have searched through all of them...it's not there. I tried adding a new background by uploading a picture from my computer, but I'm guessing I have to take the other one down first before it can be seen. 

Have any of you had anything like this happen to you? I'm worried that I may have to clear everything and start over. I really don't want to do that! Either that, or it may be the 4th of July forever!!

GRRRRRRRR!!!!!

After the 4th Update

It's always such a whirlwind when the kids "blow" into town. They arrived "starving" on Thursday about 6:45 p.m. and got to share a pasty meal together with a special requested dessert for Daughter #1's birthday which was in May. I also gave Son his birthday gift...his day was in June and they brought Father's day/birthday gifts for their dad. Now I think we're all caught up on gift giving for a while. After supper we chatted for a bit until time for them to leave for the harbor and an evening of fireworks...the "old" folks stayed home, sat with the 5 dogs and turned in around 11. 

Son stayed the night and all of Friday in the Harbor with friends because one of his childhood buds was up and they hadn't seen each other in several years. The others slept in a bit, then we went to the beach for a short while, then to the grocery store for lunch needs, and back home to eat. The afternoon was quiet, it was hot as well so no one felt like doing much. Later that evening we made a fire in the fire pit outside and roasted marshmallows for s'mores, then played a yard game until we couldn't stand the mosquitoes any longer...which didn't take long at all.  Daughter #2 headed back to her place because she had to open at work on Saturday morning, then attend a wedding. 

Son returned around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday. We talked over breakfast about doing some antiquing, but one of his friends called and they went out to lunch. Daughter #1 and Hubby had some things they wanted to do so I did some chores. Everyone returned for supper, but they decided they wanted to treat us to supper out which was a nice treat. Daughter #2 came home after the wedding and spent what was left of the evening with everyone chatting around the table. The "boys" took some fireworks over to the lake to set off and as we watched from our windows (it was too buggy out to go with them), we saw the police drive by - someone must have called them. I was afraid they might get into trouble but, fortunately, there was a lull in their display right when he drove through, and after he left they set off the last two and were done. Perfect timing. 

I wish we could have seen Son more, but I understand him wanting to visit with his friend that he never gets to see. It just seems everyone was running in different directions this time. I didn't even get a single picture!! Oh well, it was still nice to see them all. Now the Little Turquoise House looks like a bomb went off...every sheet, blanket and towel is dirty and I'm too tired to do anything about it on this muggy Sunday afternoon. Tomorrow will be catch up day before students start arriving again on Tuesday. 

Happy 4th!

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 

I Cannot Believe

How tired I am! I mentioned in my last entry that Suki had a vet appt. today, so that was first on my list, but I actually got moving early and was able to get my cleaning done before we left as well as get my shopping at the Co-op done before the appt. Things were going great, I was on a roll, or so it seemed. However I had several other stops to make - the sporting goods store for the shoes I was looking at the last time I was in town, the jeweler to have my mother's wedding rings repaired and to the music store only to find out they don't carry what I need, then on to Walmart for TP, paper towels and a box fan, since the weather is warming up. 

It took much longer than I had hoped. Poor Suki was in the car getting more miserable by the second. I did take her out to have lunch with me by the water front. Once home, I dropped her off to rest and went out again to do my grocery shopping then back home to unload that before going out again to get pasties for the weekend since they won't be open tomorrow and then a quick stop by the scrapbook store. 

WHEW!! By the time I was ALL done, I was finding I was having a difficult time walking. Not only are my feet very sore, but the back of my right thigh is quite painful - not sure what is going on there, but I've decided to rest for the remainder of the evening...good time to redecorate the blog ;). 

Suki is also not doing well tonight - I think she is tender from the shots and told me in no uncertain terms did she want me to pick her up!! So I gave her some baby aspirin that I hope will ease her pain so she can rest tonight. The good news is, her heart murmur isn't any worse, but her eyesight seems to be going in the only eye she has left.  

Hubby left to help Daughter #2 mow her grass since she has so much trouble with the landlord's lawn mower. It certainly is taking him much longer than I thought it would. 

Tomorrow will be spent preparing for the kids' arrival. I'll do a light cleaning of the floors and dust a bit since the windows have been open. I'll wipe up the bathroom, make some bread, bake some seasoned chicken for tacos and make a slow-cooker lasagna and a special ice-cream dessert Daughter #1 requested for her birthday which was in May...it's a tradition. I also need to see if I can get my copier functioning and straighten the studio and remove anything I might need as Daughter #2 and Hubby will most likely stay in there on the air mattress again. 

Well, time to get in my comfy clothes. Nightie Night!

Numbering Our Days

Psalm 90: 12, 17
12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands. 

My plans were changed yesterday. After getting a very painful massage, I decided it best that I stay home from my practice time and "rest" and flush my system with fluids - something I don't do well when away from home because my bladder isn't as young as it once was. My massage therapist says the pain I experience when she's working on me reminds her of her Fibromyalgia patients. I have often wondered if I have that, but I have looked it up and I really don't think I do. However, I do have something going on. I was feeling bad about canceling my practice time when my mentor called and told me that the organ was going to be otherwise occupied by the recitalist that will be performing there tonight, so it all worked out. I don't know yet if I'm attending the recital, I want to go, but there is a $20.00 ticket to consider and I gave all my money to my massage therapist yesterday. We'll see what comes in from teaching today. 

Anyway, Daughter #2 came shortly after I cancelled my practice time. It was good that it all worked out as I was able to spend time with her. I have learned - and I was reminded again - that as much as I love my practice time, I must spend time with family when I have the chance. She and I went outside and washed our cars, inside and out...hmmm, so much for "rest". 

About ten years ago or so, I joined a yahoo group called Baptist Mamas. It's a group of women who attend Baptist churches who come together to share in each others' live and pray for one another. There are several women on there who I have known since day one and I have become good friends with. I learned yesterday that one of them has been diagnosed with ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gherig's disease. If you don't know anything about that horrible disease, you can look it up. My brother-in-law died from it - it is always fatal. Amy will leave a husband and three adopted children (one with mental health issues) behind. She knows the Lord though and has that blessed assurance of eternal life with Him in Heaven. She is talking of all she is wanting to accomplish while she still can. I thought of what plans I would make under the same circumstances and decided I hope I don't have to consider it for a long time, yet it is good to number our days and live with the thought that we truly do not know how much time we have. 

Plans for today include general cleaning and chores, laundry, wash the living room windows, stretch and do some yoga to help get this pain under control and teach students at 11, 1, 3:15 and 4:30. I also need to lay out a plan for a trip into town tomorrow. I will have Suki with me as she has to have her check-up at the vet and and the weather will be warm so I have to plan things out well so I don't have her in a hot car for very long at a time.

Whatever you put your hand to today I pray your time will be well spent. Have a wonderful day!!