piano... my old love

I played the piano last week. It was the 4th of July, and we were at my in-laws. My MIL knows that I (used to) play, and she made me promise that if she ever got a piano, that I would play for them. Even though I agreed, I hoped I would get out of it somehow because I'm somewhat reserved. That and I haven't touched a keyboard in years. She got a piano. And it is beautiful. She wasted no time in finding me a book of familiar choruses and there I sat. "Just suck it up and play", I told myself. "No one will care if you stumble a bit." So I did. They keys are new and shiny and smooth. The instrument has a beautiful tone. Everything came flooding back with each note I played. Memories of practicing for hours, and finding solace in music when nothing around me made sense filled my mind. And the more I played, I didn't want to stop. I spent years practicing, taking lessons, even teaching little kids the basics of music. If I had gone to college I would have studied piano in some form. It was a love of mine.

After that afternoon, I came home and dug the few music books out that I brought with me when I moved across the country a few years ago. They're out where I can see them now. They are my inspiration to find an old piano somewhere and bring it home. I want to play again.

snow day

I woke up to a dusting of snow covering the outside world. Flurries are supposed to continue all day. Not exactly the huge snowstorm I was hoping for, but it's enough to help me feel like it's really winter. Can't take the Michigan out of the girl... I have no plans to go anywhere today, so I'll stay in my cozy little home and watch the snow fall as I clean the bathroom (ugh), plan the rest of my week, and start a photo project that's long overdue. I'll add some hot beverages... tea or cocoa or coffee (trying to cut back on the coffee!!) and the day should be quite lovely.

We've discovered the wonderful world of Skype, thanks to a webcam Christmas gift from my sister. It's been a blast to have visual conversations with family and friends.

My mom told me the other day that I should start an advice column of sorts or be a lifecoach via skype. The idea kind of made me laugh. Then it made me think... how do you even get started in something like that if you're not professionally trained? Not that I'm terribly interested, but it does intrigue me a little. I guess I've become the default advice-giver for my family. Someone have a problem? Ask Sis, she'll know. It's funny... All I really do is listen.

And the best part of today? It's our two-year anniversary. Incredible, isn't it.... the speed at which life travels? Two years ago, I married the man of my dreams, who also happens to be my very best friend. It's been pretty much blissful. *grin* He took two days off last week, and we spent a lovely FOUR DAY WEEKEND together. We didn't go anywhere spectacular, but instead took a staycation.... SO nice! It was relaxful and fun and I spent the better part of my days grinning and acting like a teenager in love. I would like to order another month of staycation, please! Two years and a baby later, and I fall more in love each day. Here's to a hundred more anniversaries!

timing & provision

Sad news: my faithful little laptop is starting to spaz out. A few weeks ago, it fell off the coffee table and crashed the hard drive. Nothing major was lost... just some pictures (the best of which are already on facebook), random journaling, and my internet bookmarks. All non-earth-shattering. This weekend, the screen started blacking out. This problem is QUITE earth-shattering, at least to me. Sad as it may be to some, the computer and internet are my lifeline to my family and friends - most of which are scattered far across the country. The weekend was ok, because Husby was home and I could use his work laptop. However, the coming week loomed ominously ahead... it looked bleak as I tried to imagine a several days without a computer. I could do it. It would just be a HUGE adjustment.

But guess what? God has impeccable timing, often when we least expect it. There was no budget for a computer repair, and definitely not for a new one. And just when I thought I was going to have a horribly long and lonely week, a friend offered me a monitor to hook up to my spazzy computer. How cool is that!? All I have to do is go pick it up! And then yesterday, after going all day long thinking my comp was unuseable, I decided to try turning it on. AND IT WORKED. Mind you, the screen was all kinds of flickering, making me think it'd black out any second, but it WORKED. I still have the monitor as a backup plan, but for now, I'm back in business.

Yes, I'm being somewhat dramatic about it, but I honestly felt that way. But.... The whole ordeal (small to some, but huge to me), along with some other recent happenings in our life got me thinking about God's provision. It's always perfectly timed and never lacking. When it's God providing, you can FEEL it. Several times over the weekend, I saw God provide in small ways, but though "small", they renewed my hope and my energy to hope. The computer monitor, when my world looked hopelessly confined. Unexpected baby and household items from a new friend. And something in the works that may help our debt-payment-adventure go from slow to high speed! It's exciting!!!! I feel like I've been given a big hug from God and can't wait to see what else He is going to do...

in the middle

I'm in the middle of another week. Work is fine. I think I have clicked pretty well with everyone and found a niche. Ryan is healing, day by day. Last week was pretty rough for him, dealing with pain, lack of sleep, and nausea for several days. Not fun! We go Tuesday for a check up and have fingers crossed that he will be given a walking cast and permission to be more active. I have taken up regular exercising again. Three cheers for me! Not so fun... (today kicked me in the pants!) but I do love the results.

People keep asking how married life is, and my answer comes easily... A huge, resounding "Great!". We have slipped right into things and literally have had no major adjustments. It's wonderful. *happy sigh* I love waking up every morning next to him... My very best friend and the love of my life. Yes, I know we are newlyweds, and that people say it won't last - but guess what? They're wrong. We will have rough times, yes, but just watch... we will be hopelessly in love for the rest of our lives. So there all you pessimistic people!