Tuesday Tid-Bits

Today has been a bit mixed up. Last night a parent called wanting to reschedule lessons for today so she could take another one of her children to the dr. this afternoon. That meant rearranging my day, but it worked out fine. Then I had another one call and cancel due to illness, so it's been a bit odd today. 

Our dog Gilmore is losing bladder control - we woke yesterday morning to him coming to get us, but peeing all over our bedroom floor, then he walked down the hall and into the living room all the while peeing away! We of course got him outside and cleaned it up, but when I did the floors it meant running the steam mop. I'm so glad we were able to put wood floors in this house! 

Yesterday I went down the hill to practice on the pipe organ. It is so nice to be able to do that once in a while now. David and I started work on our recital program, but I still don't know what I need to be practicing for certain. I have been very stressed about the whole thing all day today, not to mention he told me he's considering moving himself and his mother to Arizona! He had such a difficult winter this year that he's thinking of moving. I'm just in shock and I don't know what I will do without him involved in my music. 

Friday I tried a new exercise DVD. I think once I get past the initial problems I'm having it will be good, but my arms and shoulders were so tight when I started that I injured my rotator cuff on my left side. I was afraid I did some real serious damage because it hurt so badly, but after doing the ice/heat treatment and going to bed with an Ibuprofen I woke up Sunday morning feeling good enough to play the organ. I'm afraid to try it again until after I get someone to work on me. 

My son is still looking for work - he has a possibility, but he needs to learn a new computer program that his current computer is too old to run and without a job he can't afford to buy a new computer. SIGH. 

Daughter #2 arrived home safely from her backpacking trip and thank God He protected them when they had a close encounter with a big black bear!

Saturday I had the blessing of talking to my oldest and dearest friend on the phone for 3 1/2 hours! We've been friends since the first day of school when we were in the first grade! We don't get to talk often and she doesn't email much, but when we do get together it's like time has stood still...like we've never been apart. It's marvelous and I know how fortunate I am to have this rare kind of friendship. 

More snow is falling - we're due to get another 4-6 inches between now and tomorrow evening and it's possible we could get freezing rain as well. YUCK, YUCK, YUCK. It's only March, but I just can't take any more. 

Lots of things and people on my heart tonight...I'm feeling overwhelmed. I'm not sure how I'll spend my evening...I do wish I had someone to just sit down and talk with.

Here are a few cards I made recently. Most of you have probably already seen them on Facebook. I may work on some spring/Easter ideas tonight. 

Remember if you want to have a conversation to click the Notify Me box in the lower right hand corner of the comment area. If we can all remember to do this, it will be more like Multiply. 

Until next time my friends~

Question to you, my Blogger friends

Those of us who are Multiply refugees were lamenting the fact that Blogger wasn't as friendly as far as staying notified when new comments were made on posts. I'm not sure when it showed up, but one day some time ago I noticed a box to check when I leave a comment on someone's post. It's in the lower right hand corner and it says "Notify me". When I remember to click it, I get an email letting me know a new post was made there so I can stay in the conversation. Is anyone else using it? So I posted answers to everyone who commented on my last blog entry - do any of you see those? It's a nice feature when I remember to click the box.

I did Hubby's laundry yesterday so it's my laundry day today. I will also pay bills and make a chicken soup. Hubby has a few crazy busy days - they started yesterday. He's refereeing and playing in a slow-puck tournament all weekend. He'll be in and out and missing some meals here at home, so I'm making the soup so that he'll have something warm and nutritious that can be warmed quickly if and when he blows in. I have one student at 4:00 and otherwise it will be a quiet day. I should go practice and I am beating myself up a bit for considering staying home both today and tomorrow, but I really feel as though my body needs extra attention - I've been doing the work, but I don't think it's enough. I'm planning some extra work-outs and a longer stretch time for the next two days. If I get to church early enough Sunday morning I should have enough time to brush up the music before the start of the service. Next week I can put in some serious practice hours...maybe the sun will even shine through the stained glass!

I find myself putting things off that I find to be difficult - waiting for real spring around here when day to day life isn't quite so challenging.

Until next time~

Playing Catch-Up

These mornings right after the time I change I find it difficult to get out of bed - it's just so easy to continue to sleep and with the continued cold and now dampness to the air I certainly don't want to crawl out from under the covers. Consequently, my days have been starting later and somewhat behind schedule.

The last few days I have been on the run constantly. I believe today things might be getting back to normal somewhat, though again, I'm behind schedule.  The end of last week sort of fell apart...students were rescheduled for one reason or another, I had a couple of other appointments to fit in and I had to help a fellow teacher test one of his students that couldn't make it to the testing on Saturday. Everything that I personally had wanted to do got shoved to the back of the priority list. I do hope today to get to some of them.

Saturday at 7:30 a.m. I was picked up by a fellow piano teacher and we drove to the testing site to begin setting up for the day. Music Teacher's Association Student Achievement Testing began at 9. I was in charge of the theory test. I found it's been way too long since I had to add fractions which is necessary for scoring, but I think I managed and everything else went smoothly - it was just a long day. The other teachers got to sit down together and eat lunch, as it happened I wound up eating alone in my room while continuing to give the test. That afternoon we were blessed with the opportunity to sit in on a master class given by our guest performance judge Giuseppe Lupis. You can get to know him a little, here.

I was thankful that one of my students chose to take part in the masterclass, but at the same time it was a bit nerve wracking as a teacher to hear someone else critique my student. Giuseppe was very pleased with him though and had several compliments, then taught both of us something about legato and dynamics that I did not know. I learned from his teaching of some of the other students as well and wish I had the opportunity to take lessons from him. My student's testing sheet was returned with high praise and high marks. Giuseppe was born and raised in Italy and though I had to strain from time to time to understand him clearly, his accent was such a pleasure to listen to. All of us teachers took him out to dinner that night and had a wonderful time getting to know him. I truly hope this is not the last time that we see Giuseppe. 

Sunday of course was church. Hubby had volunteered to help with a local ski race that was held that morning, so I went to church alone. After church I came home and did some house cleaning and cooking to prepare for company on Monday. My house is in real need of some major spring cleaning and I am beginning to get that urge but it's not strong enough yet to force me to get started. I did what needed to be done, and it was fine. 

Monday I was so relieved to get my hair cut - amazing what a difference that makes. The weather was gorgeous with highs in the 40's so I drove down the hill and practiced on the pipe organ...such a treat. It's out of tune now with the temperature changes and the moisture, but it didn't matter to me. Later my mentor came over for supper and he asked if I felt at home at the instrument since I hadn't been there in so many weeks and I told him "like I had never been away." I had made enchiladas and apple crisp for dessert - it was good and the company even better. The plan was to discuss our upcoming recital plans, and we did, but not to the extent I had hoped. It's ok, it will all work out...I just have a tendency to have to have everything laid out and predicted ahead of time. 

Yesterday and today still I find myself in the need of some down time. I just need some time to myself to reorganize and recharge but I have to keep to my schedule and just keep on going.  Today will be another practice day - with Easter and the recital coming up, not to mention the need to prepare for each Sunday, I really can't skip any practice days. 

Daughter #2 is on as backpacking trip in Tennessee for spring break. She was exhausted from work and classes and sports activities before she left so I hope she's doing alright and doesn't come home exhausted and sick as she heads back to classes. Certainly no moss gathers under her feet! Oh to be young again! 

My son still has not been put back on at work so he's starting to look for something else. I hope he finds something soon, but who knows where that will take him. 

The latest from Gordon my friend/teacher fighting cancer: 

Hi Everyone

Just got back from the doctor's office. Blood counts are up so I got my chemo infusion #7. Everything went well. 

Then went to the infectious disease doctor. You may recall that I got an infection in my right foot that moved up into my calf. After trying 3 different antibiotics, I was admitted to the hospital and put on my meds intravenously. After a week (7 very long days - had to go home just to  feel better) I was released and given the remainder of this last antibiotic to take orally. That doctor saw me today and was so pleased
that she cancelled the next MRI and sent me home. Yay !! I'm to finish this last antibiotic and see her again in 2 weeks. 

Praise God !

It's good news, but prayers continue. 

Well that about wraps up my update. I need to get back to the routine around here. 

Until next time ~

So Tired

I cleaned house this morning and spent 30 minutes on the treadmill and another 20 doing my stretches, then I taught four piano lessons this afternoon and I'm tellin'ya...I did just fine until I closed the door after the last one left and I realized just how exhausted I am....then the dogs want to go for their walk....whew.

I'm done...done in. It's 5:30 p.m. and I'm ready for my jammies and my favorite chair and TV show. Hubby is coming down with a cold and has had equipment break-downs today so I imagine he will not be very happy when he does come home. He also has hockey later and I should start my Easter cards while he's gone, but I don't know if I can. I want to make some Iris Folding cards - something like this:

I got a call from a dear friend while I was teaching that I couldn't take. Actually she was my mother's best friend. It's so interesting because she has been on my mind a lot lately and I really wanted to hear what she had to say. I may give her a call tonight. I've also had my mom on my mind a lot lately...more than usual, so hearing from Donna is just so well timed.

This is a picture of Pike's Peak that popped up on my Facebook page today - again with the timing. This is where my mother grew up and the peak keeps watch over where she was laid to rest. My heart aches to go back there and see her grave site...I never have had that closure. I also still have family there and would love to see them all. Oh Momma...how I miss you.

A hot bath is sounding really good right now.

Hope

I still have a dark cloud that hangs threateningly over my head. but some small glimmers of hope as well.

I see the glimmer of hope in the coming of spring. Even though the days are oh so cold with temperatures still hanging around the below 0 mark most of the time, the days are noticeably longer and the sun has been a more frequent visitor and for that I am grateful because though I can't feel spring in the air, I can see it...it's on it's way.

The other glimmer of hope is a tiny improvement in my physical well being. After a visit with my massage therapist this past week, we determined the reason I have been in so much pain and so tender to the touch and why I can't seem to make a difference in my body when I stretch or have work done on the muscle tissues is because my fascia is so tight. She did a myo fascia release on my lower body and it was amazing. I felt the changes happening right there on the table. The next day I had no hip pain, I slept without tossing and turning and there was no pain in my hip or knee when I walked or climbed the stairs! The calves of my legs were even less tight to my touch and even seemed smaller to me - like all that tightness had made them swell. My therapist said that could very well be the case as fascia can retain fluid and when it's released the fluid is released along with other toxins and eliminated. That's the good news. The bad news is it's not a one and done kind of thing, it's a long road to healing and lots of work on my part. The other bad news is my therapist will be out of town for three weeks and so staying on top of this situation will be difficult at best, not to mention when she returns it will be expensive, but without it I truly don't believe I'll be walking or playing the organ much longer. That's the dark cloud, that and if I don't work on this everyday I slip immediately back to the painful tightness that has become a nasty new "normal" for me. I missed doing my exercises on both Saturday and Sunday and this morning I could tell I was slipping back to those painful patterns. It didn't take long at all. I've been through this before and each time I learn more about how to take care of myself and hopefully this time I will make time enough to stay on top of the situation.

So today, whether for better or for worse I chose to make a "spa day". Now most of you are thinking that sounds great, but bear in mind, I'm not talking body wraps, facials and steam baths, I'm talking about an afternoon of stretches and exercises and most of them will be painful.  It also means I had to neglect my practice time on the organ because there just isn't time for both. I went back and forth making this decision...I hate that I had to give up one for the other, but the situation is what it is because many times in the past...too many to count...I have not listened to my body and given it what it needed, rather I kept to my schedule and did what I either wanted to do or needed to do and my body has suffered for it. I'm hoping by doing this today and maybe again later in the week, a shorter period of stretches and exercise on the other days will suffice.

Also today I began being very strict with my diet - how many times have I said that - but this time I'm down to the wire on time. I have a new top I purchased to wear for my organ recital that will hopefully be scheduled for either May 1st or May 8h. I can wear the top now, but it doesn't look as good as I want it to...especially considering I'll be up in front of people. I have 8 weeks...8 weeks to make a substantial difference in how I look and feel.

Please pray I can do this.

Snow Bummed !!

Note the difference in this picture compared to the one at the top of my page...more about that in a minute.

My son was supposed to come visit today, but even with the storm lessening we advised him to make the trip another time. There is still considerable snow coming down and lots of blowing and drifting. It's been quite a blizzard...we haven't had one like this in several years.

Our front door was totally snowed in. Hubby shoveled, but when I went out a bit ago, I saw it's nearly impassable again. Someone tried to drive down our street last night and got stuck. The snow is completely covering the doors. The plow came down this morning, but had to stop and back up. Seriously, this is getting old.

Hubby is at the rink reffing hockey again...I'm home cooking and cleaning for tomorrow. I never know how many college people are going to show up for a meal. Sometimes we have four plus the two of us and sometimes it's just the two of us. I made chili and baked a cake. It was supposed to be for my son, but I had my mouth all watered up for it so I baked it anyway. Hopefully someone besides the two of us will be eating it. 

I'm tired, but I think I'll grab a quick shower and then start working on some cards.

THINK SPRING !!

Sharing Some Snow

I don't have a lot to say tonight - I've been teaching and practicing and working on this old, tired body this week and that's about all. I have another appointment with my chiropractor tomorrow. I did make a couple of special people some special cards and they both liked them very much. Thank you from the first friend:

Your card arrived yesterday and WOW is it ever nice/neat/cool !! You did a great job on it, and it couldn't be more appropriate. Thanks

Thank you from the second friend:

I have a feeling you knew how much I needed some attention.....  Well, it worked.  Everything about that beautiful card is perfect; It will be displayed and will serve as a reminder...

Thank you.. thank you. thank you.

I love the feeling of knowing I was able to cheer someone up just with just some paper and glue.

Daughter came for a visit yesterday and the sun came out so I got outside to take a few photos of the snow.

This first one is our street; it's nearly impassable now...note the stop sign - standard height for a stop sign by the way.

 This is normal snowfall...by that I mean it hasn't been blown by a snow blower or pushed up by the plow or front end loader...it's just the natural snow accumulation in our back yard. Notice the neighbors van.

 This again is normal snow accumulation and natural blowing and drifting in our back yard. If you look hard you can barely see the top of the 6' privacy fence and that's the top portion of my clothes line pole.

 While Daughter was here she shoveled off the roof of her car. I wish I had got a picture of it before she had removed it all. There was quite a bit up there!

 I wanted to take a picture of my Daughter in front of this snow bank for a reference point, but she wouldn't hear of it so I had her take my picture. I'm 5' 4" tall.

 I'm wondering what the Little Turquoise House will look like by Saturday? Here is our forecast:

..BLIZZARD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING...

HAZARDOUS WEATHER...

* SNOW WILL DEVELOP LATE THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND BECOME HEAVY
THURSDAY EVENING. THE SNOW WILL GRADUALLY DIMINISH LATE THURSDAY
NIGHT INTO FRIDAY MORNING.

* STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 8 INCHES OR MORE IS POSSIBLE BY 
MIDDAY FRIDAY. 

* WEST WINDS GUSTING TO 45 MPH WILL DEVELOP LATE THURSDAY NIGHT 
AND CONTINUE THROUGH FRIDAY. THIS MAY PRODUCE BLIZZARD 
CONDITIONS WITH NEAR ZERO VISIBILITIES AND SEVERE BLOWING AND 
DRIFTING SNOW. 

IMPACTS...

* ROADS MAY BECOME SNOW COVERED AND HAZARDOUS THURSDAY EVENING.

* STRONG WEST WINDS WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE LATE 
THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY. MANY ROADS COULD BECOME 
IMPASSABLE DUE TO THE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Somewhere I saw accumulation expected to be 8-12". UGH. 

Our son and his girlfriend are coming to visit on Saturday, hopefully the system will be gone by then and they will have safe travels. I'm looking forward to seeing him - I guess it's time to get to know her better...it's sounding serious. 

Winter Weather Advisory

In my last post I shared a photo of someone standing amidst the snowbanks near my home. Today we are told a storm system is moving through which should produce 3-5 inches of new snow. Pardon me if I'm not jumping up and down for joy! I was wishing I had taken pictures of my yard yesterday as we were blessed with sunshine, but I guess now I'll just wait as the snow is about to get deeper! The photo at the top of the page was taken a few blocks from my home; someone has a wonderful sense of humor and it makes me smile every time I drive past!

I had hoped to go down the hill and practice on the pipe organ and perhaps visit with David, my mentor this afternoon, but I'll not brave it now. I'll practice here at my church...not that that is a bad thing, I'm just in need of a little constructive criticism. I played for hymn singing last night at the evening service...I don't always as sometimes we don't make it back for evening service and now that Tim is here, he has asked to play sometimes and I gladly step aside when he wants to play. Anyway, I played last night and messed up pretty royally. I don't sight read well and the hymns are never chosen in advance at our church. In the mornings I have the Sunday School hour to practice a little so it's not so bad, but in the evenings it's "turn to number" such and such and I have a couple seconds to find the number, check the key signature, check my registration and check my hand position before we start. Somehow last night I missed a flat in the first line of the second hymn and I couldn't get back to the right key for several beats. It was bad, but I'm trying to not fret...not sure that I'm doing a very good job. I keep telling myself the more I do the better I'll get, but I'm not sure that's the case anymore. I'm becoming discouraged.

Yesterday morning at church one of the ladies bought the last four thank-you cards in my box ( $12.00 more dollars for the organ debt) so I spent yesterday afternoon making more to replace them. I made 6 thank-you cards, 2 all occasion and 2 birthday. My studio is a huge mess this morning and I have to make some time before lunch to straighten it.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to make any to replace the ones sold at the store, so I'll have to make time for that some evening this week.

This coming Friday my son and his girlfriend and her dog are planning a visit. I'm thrilled to see my son and I hope it goes well. I'll have to spend some time on Thursday doing a little cleaning and preparation.

I'm still hurting quite a lot, though it's better than last week. I am trying to remember to take my supplements - a multi-vit., D, calcium, magnesium and fish oil. The magnesium and fish oil specifically should help with the pain I'm having, at least I hope so...the rest will be hard work on my part. It's tough and I'm finding the temptation to just give up very tempting because the work-outs are so painful right now.

So it's the beginning of a new week of teaching, practicing, card making and painful work-outs not to mention cooking, cleaning and laundry...

A Relaxing Day

The morning started out with a beautiful sunrise...I took a picture, loaded it to my computer and the next thing I know it's disappeared. I can't find it anywhere. I wanted to share it here. 

It's been a relaxing day...one I have needed. Hubby and I started our day by going out  to breakfast this morning then I came home and began taking my supplements again...Carol, you were reading my mind. It's the beginning of my making more of an effort to be consistent in the things that will get me healthy and strong again. I also spent a good deal of time working out. I had a talk with a friend yesterday and now have a renewed determination to be more consistent with my exercises. I also think I discovered something I was doing wrong in my diet and will make some changes and see if it makes a difference. 

I did some laundry, made Calico Beans  for after church tomorrow, and some general cleaning. 

Our Valentine's Day was a quiet one. Hubby had a game to ref so I stayed home and did my work-out and then soaked in an Epsom Salt bath. Hubby bought me two red roses and a very sweet card. I make him a heart shaped chocolate chip cookie. He waited for some time to begin eating it...several jokes were made about breaking his heart. We talked about going out for dinner together tonight, but he was hungry and tired when he got home and leftover meatloaf was too handy. 

I stopped in the scrapbook store yesterday to check on Jeanne and while I was there a lady came in and bought two of my cards. Several others are "missing" as well so now I need to make some more...maybe I'll have some time tomorrow. 

Not much of interest going on around here, I feel as though this is lacking in creativity. 

Oh, P.S. here is a picture of some snow. This is in front of the apartment building where my mother used to live. She hated snow more than I do - I can only imagine what she'd be saying if she were still here. 

Valentine's Blah

I'm one hurting unit today. I went to the chiropractor on Wednesday and today I feel as though I've been hit by a truck. This is always the case though, I always feel worse before I feel better. Tomorrow should be better...I hope. I hurt all over  - the Dr. said everything seems to be inflamed and irritated. It's now time to figure out why and make some changes. I thought I was doing well in the area of my diet, but perhaps I'm missing something. I also think I need to start taking my supplements again and some warmth and sunshine would certainly help but that will obviously have to wait a while yet. 

I have one student scheduled for this afternoon but other than that nothing else going on. I still haven't decided if I should go to the church to practice or wait until tomorrow. Today would be better for the schedule if I can just get my body to cooperate. Hubby has a game to ref tonight so the only Valentine's celebration I get today is redecorating my blog. 

I will probably practice no matter how badly I feel. It's just better to go today and pay the price tomorrow. Tomorrow I can stay home, rest and take care of me. 

We got more snow...surprise, surprise. One of my piano families got stuck in my driveway last week...I felt so bad. Hubby was out of town and I did my best to keep up on keeping things cleared out but I just couldn't stay ahead of the wind. It was quite a job to get her out as she really got herself stuck. We dug the best we could but it was soon obvious we weren't getting her out and so she called her husband who pulled her out with a strap hooked to his truck. Even the plow got stuck on our street last week and had to be pulled out! The village is just not taking care of things as they should. Everyone is getting cranky...it really is time for spring but all of us who live here know it's a long time coming yet. 

That's all for today...I hope to be back later tonight to catch up with your news! 

Happy Valentine's Day! 

It's Been a While

I've been so uninspired in the blog/writing department. I'm here today, but I'm still not very inspired. I think it's the winter...the long...cold...snowy...blowy...winter. This past week in particular has been bad. I did fine through the month of January, but I need more sunshine and the ability to get out of the house...past the end of the driveway...once in a while. My car really doesn't like the cold and so I've been held up in this house way too long. I had so many goals for this winter and I've been working to attain them, but it seems attaining them is still so far away. My house needs a good cleaning and today would be a good day to do that but I'm not going to...I'll wait...'till spring. Instead I'm having a Gilmore Girls marathon today and I will probably make a few cards this afternoon.

I love this show...I used to watch it with my girls...it's been a long time since I've enjoyed it. I'm rambling...I know that...it's just the way my brain works these days.