Quick Note

Happy Monday! It's good to be feeling better, but I'm still not 100% and I have a lot of catch-up to do. 

1. Morning chores

2. Focus on bathroom this week - today is the ceiling and it's going to take energy and strength I'm not sure I have yet. 

3. Re-start fitness program with flexibility and strength training

4. Make sausage stew for supper

5. Teach one lesson

6. Maybe practice...not sure I want to go out today. 

 ALL schools are cancelled here due to our extreme low temperatures EXCEPT for my daughters campus. She has to walk all over that campus in this awful weather. She has asked for prayer today as it's just plain dangerous to be out. It's currently -9 with wind chill of -33. I think they should have cancelled but they never do. 

Also please pray Hubby does not come down sick with what I had. He has a very busy weekend coming up that will bring in some needed money but only if he's healthy enough to do the job. 

I will try to catch up with everyone this evening. 

Afternoon By The Fire

It's not often and by that I mean it's rare that I get a chance to spend an afternoon leisurely enjoying the warmth of the fire and a cup of hot chocolate. Too bad I had to come down with walking pneumonia to get it. 

Yes, I've been sick all week. It came on suddenly during the pastors message at church on Sunday. As soon as I got off the organ bench and sat down in the pew my nose started running and I began sneezing etc. I could hardly keep up! It's a good thing my mother taught me to always carry tissues!! Then came the headache and by the time we got home, the body aches came. By nightfall I was on my back and the next day I did nothing but sleep and cough. Every time I cough I sound and feel as though I'm going to hack up a lung. Hubby did some research and diagnosed it as walking pneumonia and it seems he's correct. Tuesday I felt better so I got up and did up the dishes etc., by afternoon I was down again. Wednesday was spent watching favorite shows via DVD and sleeping and today I'm at least able to stay awake for longer periods of time. 

I have canceled all piano lessons for this week; I probably could manage to work on some cards this afternoon, but it's cold upstairs even though the sun is shining brightly today so I'm downstairs by the fire...spoiling myself just a little. 

The weather, like everywhere it seems has been cold and snowy...'nuf said.

Saturday a very special gift arrived in the mail!! My college piano professor...Gordon...the one who's fighting cancer, sent me a set of his music that he composed for organ!! I'm so thrilled and honored!! I can't wait to be healthy enough to practice again so I can try them out. Please continue in prayer for him if you would. Here is another pic of him that I just love. It's hard to see in the smaller image, but his smile here is priceless!

Before I got sick I spent several days working on cards. Some I'm attempting to sell, others I have made for the church ministry. One in particular I made for someone special. Here are a few of my favorites. Click for the larger image to see the details. 

 As I was typing this my son called. It was so good to hear his voice. He's been laid off from work again and is getting quite serious with his girl. They've moved in together...financially it was necessary, but I'm still not a fan. I don't yet know how I feel about them together, first impressions weren't the best. I pray...a lot. 

Well, that's about all for today...

Organ Video

Gilmore let us sleep in this morning...7:30...wow! General cleaning and chores have been done, I'm finishing breakfast as I type. I think I'll be heading out to the grocery store, I don't know when we're getting paid so I have to keep it simple. Problem is if I shop today I won't have the house payment for the first of the month. Please pray we get paid soon. 

Finishing laundry is also on the to-do list and I have to straighten the studio before 4:00 as my only student that hasn't cancelled will hopefully be coming. I started a project in there last night and got interrupted and it's a mess. 

Three hours of practice time on the organ yesterday - I should be so well toned! My abs and arms are sore this morning. 

Daughter #2  stopped in for a few minutes last night and brought us dessert. It was nice to see her. I shouldn't have had the dessert, but it sure was YUMMY!

Ok, here's the video I spoke of yesterday. I don't wish to share it with everyone,  just my closest friends. Like I said, it's short and I wish it was a better sample of my playing and I was dressed better but it was cold in there that day. Here it is, such as it is I hope you enjoy it. I hope it works, it's a big file and it's taken forever to load....Ok, I'm back in here...this isn't working but I don't know how to fix it.

Okay...Since the video is not working properly here I took it off and put it on my Google profile page. It seems to be fine there. 

Another Winter Day

Another winter day....another day to take care of my disciplines...do the work...manage...survive...get through. No students today due to cancellations, I plan to go to the church to practice. I put a roast in the crock-pot for supper tonight...comfort food. I cleaned out the refrigerator today - it's easier when it's empty. We're waiting for payday, so I've been using our freezer food...I had hoped to keep it for a storm. Floors are done, dishes are next as well as getting the laundry going. I'm taking care of the necessities so this afternoon I can focus on my organ practice.

Hubby is out for coffee with the Pastor. Poor Hubby - it seems everything is falling apart around him. He is the head of the Sunday School department and Sunday School now has a total of 4 kids in it...on a good day. They're meeting today to discuss what to do.

I saw this shared on FB and I found it interesting. It made me think. I think I used to be guilty of #1...not so much anymore. #2? No. I have very little of which to boast. #3...probably, but not in the way they talk about here. I think I'm more discontent with what I have to do and am looking for some way to escape. I don't compare myself with others anymore.  #4...maybe not protect, but could be spent doing something more worthwhile. #5...I'm not perfect, but I don't say inappropriate things online. I actually say very little outside of this blog. Still...an interesting and thought provoking read.
5 Questions to Ask Before Posting To Social Media

That's about it for today. Oh...at Thanksgiving my son made a video of me playing the organ. It's not very long and it's not very good and it's got mistakes in it and I look awful. I'm not posting it to youtube or Facebook...I might...I said might post it here.

Spring....

64 days until spring...I didn't count them up, I'm taking their word for it. It can't come soon enough for me, though I have a lot to accomplish yet before it arrives. This year I'm trying very hard to live a more disciplined life. I'm doing better. I can actually say this evening that today I have not eaten anything not in my eating plan and I accomplished all my disciplines...exercise, general housekeeping, time in the Word, a little bit of practice. I was still online more than I should have been and could have spent that time making cards or reading. I can do better.

64 days until spring...our pastor has a new saying..."winter ruins everything." Yes, it's a bit negative, but probably true.

64 days until spring. Winters here are dark and long and lonely. It seems people disappear...like me, they hold up in their homes and don't go out unless necessary. Winter here is a time to just manage. Don't try to do much other than sit by the fire and read.

Energies are sapped just trying to get through each day with shoveling, maintenance, grocery shopping and food preparation. Just do the basics...the necessities, and then do it all again the next day...just manage...just survive...just get through until the sun shines again.

My car doesn't like the cold, it's no longer dependable, so I'm home even more than usual. I didn't get to practice today because of that and because of a slight schedule change. Tomorrow....tomorrow is supposed to be warmer and my schedule is lighter so I'm trying for tomorrow. The church will be very cold, but I'll dress warm.

64 days until spring. I'm planning the organ recital/dedication. Mentor and I discussed it on Monday...a little. I kinda have to give him big plans in small doses, we need time to process. Asking either of us to do anything big during the winter is just asking too much. It's winter...just the basics...the necessities. In a couple of weeks I'll ask him to help me decide on some music as winter or not, I need to get practicing on it. I'm hoping to schedule it for May.

64 days until spring... Easter! I have to find and learn music for Easter!

64 days until spring. I have a student recital to plan...for June. I have a senior graduate this year, so it has to be extra special and that's going to take some extra planning. I'm going to have her begin and end the program as well as play several other pieces in between the other recitalists. At the end, following awards and announcements I'm going to announce her encore, then I will join her at the piano and we'll play a duet on Pomp and Circumstance...then I'll probably cry...she's been with me since she was little.

64 days until spring. Hubby is trying to refinance the business loan. We hope to know something soon - if we can't get the loan, we'll have to sell....then what? Only God knows. It's hard to trust sometimes, but I'm trying. Everything is harder to do in the winter.

64 days until spring. I've been making cards - it keeps me busy (as if I needed to be busier) and I promised to make them for the church. I'm supposed to be making thank you cards tonight, but I felt like blogging and I haven't felt like blogging in a while now. I caught up with all my friends here...some I commented on and others I didn't...I'm sorry...I did read though and I've been thinking about you all.

64 days until spring...Sun on my face, grass between my toes, hanging clothes on the line, garden soil on my hands, birds. Maybe this heaviness in my heart will lighten some, then. Of course you all realize that "spring" is only a date on the calendar. Spring arrives here when it's ready and long after it does everywhere else. But it will come.

64 days until spring....OOPS!! According to this site: countdown - it's only 63 days!!! SEE!! It will be here before we know it!!

Happy New Year!!

Two of my students cancelled this afternoon due to colds so I have a few minutes on my hands to finally put up a new year's post!!

First of all, I'd like to share some verses for the new year that a friend of mine shared on her blog:

Lucy Maude Montgomery in her classic, Anne of Green Gables book said, “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it?”

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”  Isaiah 43:18-19

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.  Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,…”  1 Chronicles 16:11-12

It is nice to think that each new year, each new day is a chance to start fresh. I have been working on re-working my schedule to allow for tasks that have been slipping through the cracks. I'm doing better and hopefully this next week will be better yet. 

Our new year came in quietly but cold. We did stop in at a church members open house on New Year's Eve and when it came time to leave our car wouldn't start. We'd been having trouble but thought we had it solved...wrong. It seems the car doesn't like the cold and so ever since then Hubby has been chauffeuring me to the grocery store and to the church for my practice times...that's all I get to do - the rest of my time is spent here in The Little Turquoise House. This has been all well and good, I don't like going out in the cold and snow anyway. I've got my house all clean and put back in order after Christmas and have some Valentines created for sale...more on the way, hopefully tonight while I catch up on Downton Abbey episodes. Castle was certainly good this week!! 

Students have returned this week...well...sort of. I thought of taking another week off to get some more things done and now I wish I had as I've only had four students of the 13 show up due to either weather conditions or illness. Hopefully next week will be better. 

The sun is shining today - it's so nice to see!! I don't know how much I'll be around for the next while with my new schedule and all, but I'll be in and out. 

Memory Lane

A friend of mine shared this and I think it is worthy to pass on...

Memory Lane is so much fun to visit but if I parked there permanently then a discontent feeling could overwhelm a person. You know, the what ifs. I serve a mighty God that has brought me through so many different situations and it has caused me to be stronger in many areas of my life. The strength and endurance I have are only made through the trials my family and I have been through. So, though I may miss some of the past, I can never live there because my future is brighter than my past. How do I know this? Well, because Heaven is my future! Our family has crossed paths with so many people over the years and though some may not claim us in the friends category any longer...I still claim them, for I have grown closer to the Lord with each friend experience. Grudges, are really not my thing because ultimately God will handle any thing not taken care of scripturally and I leave those things with Him. Peace...love the sound of that word! A new year is about to happen in a few days. A do over for some, a fresh beginning for many. Let's do all we can to put our past in our past and move forward, onward, and upward as our goal this year. Let's put God at the helm of our ship and be the crewman taking all our orders from the Captain. He can guide us through the roughest of storms! Love y'all ... FOCUS may just be my word for the year. Don't enter 2014 blurry. Focus on the outcome you want to see and if the picture comes out blurry sometimes, just refocus and press on. Love ya! 

The Third Day

The third day after Christmas and The Little Turquoise House is too quiet. I woke this morning and thought of my kids sleeping in various parts of the house and then realized they were no longer here.  I'm enjoying the quiet of the morning, but at the same time I'm not because I know I won't be hearing giggles, footsteps, and the constant opening and closing of the bathroom door. Reality has set in that my second cup of coffee will be consumed alone instead of around the table filled with my chattering children. SIGH. So it's time to pull myself up by my bootstraps...well, clogs in my case and get The Little Turquoise House back in order and myself as well. That's the plan for today lots of cleaning and laundry (every towel in the house is dirty). Since Daughter #2 didn't get "her" tree up until Christmas Eve, I will leave it up for a few more days for her to enjoy. She'll be up tomorrow and maybe once again before she returns to classes. I will however put away the other decorations as I work through the cleaning process. I don't know how much I'll get done today, but I do plan to roll up my sleeves and go at it with a vengeance.

After the cleaning is done this week, I hope to get me in order and make some real plans for getting my life back in order.

We are expecting a storm today - temperatures are supposed to drop drastically and the wind will pick up; we are expecting around 5" of blowing and drifting snow tonight and another possible 7" tomorrow. Unfortunately it will make getting to church difficult for some.

Well it's time to roll up these sleeves and dig in...

Christmas Reflections

It's the second day after Christmas..almost the third and I can't believe it's come and gone so soon. Tonight I'm sitting by the fire, trying to stay warm, listening to Christmas organ music and reflecting on the last few days.

Late Sunday night Daughter #1, Son-in-law and my grandpups arrived, I was happy to see them but didn't expect them until Monday or Tuesday, so I did some rushing around to prepare just prior to their arrival. Daughter #2 also came up that night and we stayed up for a while and talked before heading to bed.

Monday the girls wanted to go to The Tea Room - a restaurant that specializes in tea and has a menu mostly of quiches, finger sandwiches, and soups. I had been in the front where they also sell their teas, but I had never gone there to eat. It was a very relaxing lunch...we tried several of the teas and it all felt so proper...it was fun! Before leaving we made sure to buy several to take home. After our tea we stopped in several stores in the downtown area. I must say, I was quite tired when we got home and it took no time at all to drop off to sleep.


Tuesday - Christmas Eve our Son arrived. The one thing I wanted to do this year was attend Christmas Eve services at my mentors church so I could hear him play and I could sing Christmas carols with the pipe organ. I wanted it to be a family outing, but neither one of the girls wanted to go, so I was prepared to drive down by myself, but Hubby and Son were kind enough to go with me. I was happy to not have to go alone and it meant a lot that they understood how much it meant to me. Just like the evening of Lessons and Carols I was a little disappointed in the music and the service was just so different than it was years ago when we attended. I was still glad we went, I loved just being in that room again and I was able to deliver a Christmas gift to my mentor. While we were gone, Daughter did some baking and we had pasties for supper when we got home we watched some Christmas movies and opened our stockings. Daughter #2 gave me tea, Daughter #1 gave me chocolates and Son and Daughter #2 gave me a cross ring that I just LOVE!

Wednesday Christmas - we all slept in. I haven't slept that late in years! Breakfast became brunch and lunch was cheese ball and crackers. We drew names again this year. I drew Daugher #1 and got her two dinner plates for her Fiesta Ware set that she is trying to build up. I also bought her a necklace made of Lake Superior beach glass. My Son drew my name...he bought me a set of wind chimes!! I LOVE WIND CHIMES. I used to have a set, but it took us so long to have a house that I got rid of them thinking I would never have a place to hang them. Now I have a new set, and I just love them. I can't wait until spring when I can hang them outside.

I started my day by cleaning up the dishes the girls left the night before. It took so long that my pies were late getting in the oven which made the turkey and ham late getting started. Long story short, the whole day was delayed and our Christmas dinner didn't take place until 8:00 p.m. I hate eating that late, but it's what we had to do. After dinner we played some games. I'm not much of a game person, but it was fun.

Thursday  morning Daughter #1 and Son-in-law left for Chicago. Son and I did a little shopping. His girlfriend surprised us all by sending gifts for us and since she had to work and I had only met her one time I did not think to get her anything so we went out so I could choose something nice for him to take back for her from all of us. The rest of the day was spent watching Castle and just relaxing. We did have a heart to heart talk that has left me confused and a bit shaken.

Friday morning Son left, I spent the day fighting tears. I left the house in it's total disarray and went to practice. I'm keeping this Sunday low key. I'm not ready for Christmas to be over, maybe because it took me so long to accept it's arrival, yet at the same time I want to clean house and prepare both physically and spiritually for the coming year. I have a lot to do but at the same time I want to try to enjoy Christmas for a while longer. Do you make New Year's resolutions? I don't, but I do have a list of goals to shoot for. After I get the house back in order, I plan to start work on my list but I think I'm going to listen to Christmas music while I'm at it.

~ Merry Christmas!

Christmas Blues

My cards and letters are finally done and everything that had to go out is in the mail, I went to the church and did the best I could to prepare my music for tomorrow...all that's left is cleaning the bathroom and mopping the floors and I really can't seem to get myself motivated to do any of that.

I found out last night that my daughter and son-in-law from Chicago were planning on arriving late tonight, then I found out this morning that she had a bad eczema flare up last night and now they might not make it at all. I've been trying to contact her, but she's not responding. I just hope they are safe.

My son can't make it up until Christmas Eve and my daughter who usually chooses our tree with her dad hasn't been up to take care of that and quite frankly, it's so close to Christmas now that I don't know if I want to pay for a tree that will only be up a few days.

I haven't even begun my cleaning and it's 2:00 in the afternoon...I'm having lunch. I need to get started, just the basics, just the things that have to be done.

Things should be getting busy around here so I probably won't be back in blogland until after everyone leaves. Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

I should go.

Christmas Planning

It's difficult to type with my hands wrapped around a coffee cup on this cold, cold morning. I'm fighting with myself not to crawl back under the covers...decided I wouldn't get back to sleep anyway. I've noticed this week that "hibernation mode" has begun to set in, I've been fighting that too because I have so much to do and so many plans for the upcoming months, but it's so hard when all I want to do is sleep and eat. Comfort foods found their way into my shopping cart yesterday and after I indulged, my body didn't feel good, nor did my spirit. I hate it when I give in. Two students brought me boxed chocolates for Christmas presents and I decided since I never and I do mean never have boxed chocolates, I would enjoy a few, but I set them on the table to share. I have been "good" up until yesterday, so I decided through Christmas day...maybe the day after depending on what other goodies need to either be consumed or a new home found for them, I will not go looking for delicacies to tempt me away from my diet, but if they come knocking at my door I will enjoy a taste or two...or three and start fresh in a few days.

The plan for today is to stay home and work on Christmas cards and letters. I have nothing ready for Christmas...all I have had time to do is teach and practice. Morning chores are done, I've started a loaf of bread and have plenty of leftovers in the refrigerator so I won't be cooking today. I have one student this afternoon, I hope she won't mind having a lesson amidst my card making clutter. 

Plans for Christmas are still up in the air. I'm hope, hope, hoping I can go hear my mentor play on Christmas Eve. Several years ago now, we would go down for their midnight mass (which was actually held at 8:00 p.m.) and he'd always invite us to sit in the balcony with the choir. On occasion I was asked to help turn pages for him. When my kids got older and more vocal, I gave up my desires for theirs and we stopped attending. One year in particular, I remember just my mother and I drove down. There was no snow that year! Like me, she thoroughly enjoyed the music and the readings and the second we stepped out the door to leave it began to snow! I always love when we enter the church the manger scene near the steps has an empty manger and when we come out, the baby is there. This year I have requested to go again and those who want to join us may. I'm not getting any solid answers from anyone yet, including my Hubby, but I'm so hoping he'll drive me down. I still don't know when everyone is planning on arriving in town. I just found out that they have returned their midnight mass to midnight, but my mentor suggested we come to the one they offer at 4:00...so that's what I'm "planning". For me, there is absolutely nothing like singing Christmas hymns with the pipe organ - especially when my mentor is playing it! 

Well...things aren't getting done sitting here....

Hodgepodge Wednesday

1. Do you believe in miracles?
I believe in the triune God who works miracles, so yes, I do. Sometimes they are more obvious than others, sometimes we don't perceive them as miracles, but they happen everyday.

2. What's a recent fad you admit to trying?
Infinity scarves. I like the look of them, but I just can't get used to having that much fabric around my neck.

3. Peppermint-are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite food or beverage containing peppermint?
I do like peppermint, in small quantities and if it's not too strong. I like it combined with chocolate...like in brownies.

4. Break the ice, on thin ice, as cold as ice (emotionally, not literally)...which phrase have you run into most recently? Explain.
It's a tie between Break the ice and cold as ice. It's been awfully cold here, and especially in the evenings my feet get cold as ice. 

Sunday was my piano studios Family Recital and rather than have a program printed, I just asked everyone to take a turn and introduce themselves and what they were playing. No one wanted to go first, so my husband and I had to break the ice by going first. It worked.

5. Have you ever broken or spilled something in someone else's home? Still friends?
I cannot think of a time where this has ever happened to me in someones home. I did spill coffee on the carpet at work once and it made quite a large stain, but my boss was understanding and it was no problem. It also helped that her brother-in-law cleans carpets for a living. 

6.  'Tis the week before Christmas...are you feeling more like Buddy the Elf or the Grinch before his heart grew?
Maybe more like a reserved Buddy. I did shout for joy in my blog this week. It helps that our family is now exchanging names for gift giving - that has taken a lot of shopping and financial stress off. I am procrastinating quite a bit this year and this last week I might be tempted to be a bit grumpy, but it's my own fault. 

7. Share a favorite quote relating to Christmas.
"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord."

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
I'm just too tired for random thoughts. 

Joy

It's the third week of Advent and i just have to share some joy with you. I may ramble on, so if you're busy, tuck it away for later. 

You're probably going to get sick of hear this, but I just have to share again what a blessing the new organ is and music in general. Sunday was recital day for my students. Since not all of my students and their families celebrate Christmas, the last couple of years I came up with "Family Recital" and invited all family members to take part as many of my students come from talented families; Christmas/holiday music is optional. This year we had a mother/son piano duet and one of the mothers sang for us...acapella...GORGEOUS! She even found a way to combine it with the piece her daughter played, which had nothing to do with the Christmas song she sang, but complimented it very nicely. She was quite creative with it and it was great! Her father installed organs for a living and she was quite impressed with our new organ, she said it sounds amazing. 

One of my young students that seemed quite taken with the organ when I gave my little organ tour this fall was planning to play a piece called Bells. I told her if she wanted to, she could play her piece on the organ using the carillon stop. She said she'd think about it and I told her mom my idea. She arrived a little early, came up to me and said "I want to play my piece on the organ". I was rather surprised because I felt she was so hesitant at her lesson. We tried it out so she knew what to expect and she was fine with it and did quite well! Later her mom told me the reason she was hesitant was because she felt badly for the other students...that it wasn't fair that she was the only one that got to play the organ! I didn't realize she had considered it such an honor. 

Hubby and I played our rendition The God of Abraham Praise for them and I consented to do a duet with one of my students fathers. He is our neighbor and the new pastor at the church down the street. He wanted to do Bring A Torch Jeanette Isabella by Mannheim Steamroller. It was fun putting it together with him at the piano and me on the organ. He wanted to take it much faster, but I won out. :) It was still a fast waltz tempo and even at that I had to leave out a lot of the notes. Hubby said it sounded good and I'm trusting his judgement more and more. 

Speaking of Hubby - after everyone was gone and everything was cleaned up, he requested a "private concert", so I practiced a bit while he listened. I'm having trouble with the In Dulci Jubilo I want to play next Sunday morning...it's falling apart. I slowed it down and that seems to help some. Hubby decided the final chord needed a boost, so he pulled out the 32' sub bass and I think he's right. He loves that stop LOL! He now boasts of his new job at church - "I'm the 32' stop puller". Since my hands are rather busy at that point, I'm letting him step up and pull it for me and he seems tickled to do so. He cracks me up...I'm really not sure who's enjoying this organ more, me or him! 

Little things like this are happening and it's just so exciting to see. So many things are possible now that never were before. I love seeing the students test the waters and I hope that more will want to give it a try. I am feeling so blessed today. I'm blessed to work with a great bunch of students and some wonderful families, blessed to have a supportive husband, blessed to finally have an organ at church and blessed to have a mentor working with me who really cares about me and what is going on in my life...he's a true friend and brother.  

Oh...one more...I made some cards to sell, all proceeds to benefit the organ fund. Several women expressed wanting to see them, so I took them to church, had an announcement made and only one woman actually came over to look at them, but...she bought $30.00 worth! I had hoped there would be more  people interested...oh well, I tried. 

Today is cleaning, laundry, working out, teaching and card making day. Hubby will be gone for the evening, so I'll put on some music and see if I can get some cards made for me to give out! 

I'm sorry I have no photos today to break up this rambling prose, but thanks for "listening" to me bubble over! :D I pray you too are having a day filled with joy!