New Fabric on the Piano Bench

Finally, finally attacking what had become
 a catch-all. To recover our piano bench 
had been on my to-do list for quite some time.

Our little Currier Piano is not an expensive or high end instrument but the joys this little piano has brought to me have been unmeasurable. It was really shameful that I'd let myself neglect it so.

I am not a pianist but like so many, I had taken lessons as a child. My three older children had taken lessons and there has been many little fingers touch these keys. My daughter, Hannah had become quite good at playing even though she'd look over her shoulder and roll her eyes when I would rave over a piece she had decided to practice on. My son, Louis desired to play the drums; our deal was a year on the piano and we would consider drums...lol..I did end up winning that battle. He played the piano a year and then wanted to tackle the guitar instead. Alisha was small but she took just a few lessons before some of the logistics changed and we fell off from taken the lessons but she, so typical to younger children picked up a lot from just being around the older two and using their books.

I'm doubtful playing the piano crosses Hannah and Louis' mind these days unless they are in for a visit then they will all seem to find their way gathered up plunking, playing and giggling a bit.

As for myself, I have gone as much as a year and not have even touched the keys but I have found myself using it many time as a stress relief.

It's funny how the pages of the old Broadman Hymnal will fall right open to those pages that are most dearly loved.

There's been many times when the worries of the day could be washed away with a sit at the piano, a sweet hymn, a tear and a prayer.

I'll promise you it works much better than most peoples pills.

but...

With all that being said, there our piano sat a catch-all, keys stuck and out of tune.

Bench shredded.

It's high time to gather some supplies.

This shouldn't be so bad.

Oh my...that's alot of staples..

Don't forget to tighten the legs up while you've got a wrench in hand.

Yes, I used just as many staples as was there before & some glue.

Alisha and I decided we wanted it padded well, so it seemed a little lumpier and I really, really had to pull on that fabric. The fabric didn't seem to have any stretch in it until I went to working with it.

I mean you better give it a real good pull and tighten it up.

It was a good idea to tape up the hymnal. It was loosing it's precious pages.

When all was done I was satisfied and feeling blessed.

I hope you'll tackle your projects with vigor as well

and 

BE BLESSED!

Our Little Home Story~What's Next?

My prior husband and I bought our home in 1999; it was a bit of a fixer-upper but we saw all grades of potential. He worked in construction; I was capable and willing. We saw this as a place that could look a lot like home for a cat, two dogs, three children, and the two of us. In March of 2000, hung up my plaque and we made our move to our little Virginia home.

Bless This House

Within these bright & solid walls,

God holds a golden key;

to rooms of safety, warmth & pride,

a place called "family."

May all our days be filled with trust,

nights blessed from up above,

and as the years pass tenderly,

May this roof shelter Love.

From month to year...from friend to kin,

God Bless

the hearts that dwell within!

With all truth and a prayer, I hung my plague and sent my prayer and I am assured that my prayer has been honored. 

This three bedroom, one bath home wasn't fancy but it has been secure, warm and safe for

 all who has dwelt between these walls.

Just a few years later, my marriage ended. He left; I stayed. 

Whatever had been accomplished in our transformation of our little house was greatly halted.

Now...

I look at my house sometimes with a shake of the head 

for the things that may never be accomplished and the dreams and desires

that may never transpire...

and

Oh my word....

 The little house has managed to endure a lot of changes. 

2006 brought the Ole Man, his son, and me with a new baby boy. 

Not to bad...

Girls in one room.

Boys in another.

One bathroom means learning patients and true consideration.

For a time we also included the Ole Man's other daughter in the mix.

When you have five teenage kids and a baby, to boot, you've got a house full.

They've came, they've went, they've sometimes came back again...tantrums, fits, fighting, and just plain ignorance had left the poor house worn.

I don't say those things because I consider our children bad. I just know they are what they are.

Our three oldest have all grown their wings and moved into adulthood leaving just one son, one daughter, me and the Ole Man.

Should I dare think?

Should I dare think of all the forgotten things?

I thought...and..there's a lot of forgotten things.

I'm putting consideration to projects around here that need attention. You know the kind of things you know need to be done but instead there's something more important or more pressing that needs the attention. I would have a hard time remembering how many times I have repainted the kitchen, bathroom, and the kids rooms. My bedroom has not been repainted since I moved..eek..The front room & living room have wallpaper so I have managed to paint the ceiling and baseboards a few times.

I'm looking forward to tackling some home projects. 

I can't wait to see what can be accomplished.

Budget: Shoestring

Training: None

Ideas: A plenty

Thanks for stopping by for some of my rambling.

I'm feeling blessed and I hope you are too!

Happy Face

Country kids loving Country Cookin'!
Turkey Dumplin' Casserole

Oh yes...enjoying the day with the kids and just kickin' back!
The weather channel is predicting cold and snowy days as the week rolls on.
The kids haven't truly been on regular schedule, yet!
We're making the best of our time.
How 'bout you?

BE BLESSED!

A Full Moon On The Rise

There's no doubt the full moon is on the rise!!

The dog has gone crazy; the computer seems to be going crazy,

and

apparently our school system is going crazy!

I haven't been reporting my weather since the 12th of the month but today by the gauge at my house we are basking in fairly warm sun and 63 degree temperatures. Now, mind you they are calling for a 30 percent chance of snow tonight but the only thing in my sites are blue skies and feathery clouds.

Sure..it makes sense that the schools closing at 2...

So what's new with you?

In my original post I was going to tell you how the kids and I have been enjoying yogurt & granola and how I was attempting to get back to health and vigor 

but

 it's all been a bust to day.

I haven't made a weight lose goal but I'm quite aware I've been setting on my backside more than I've been staying busy and  eating like a crazy person. The first of the year, I joined a 30 day challenge and sadly I only managed to even care until day 2.  Honestly, I know me and should have known myself better than to join such a thing. 

I'm sure by now folks know, I'm not one to jumping on anybodies bandwagon I quickly get annoyed with what I call bullcrap. 

At least the first 4 days of the challenge was to right your goals & priorities over and over in different arrangements.

I don't know what's wrong with me and why such stuff annoys me but it does.

Does that mean I'm a quitter?

Well..yes if it just a stupid challenge

but

that doesn't mean I'm giving up on what I want.

It just means I'm giving up on what doesn't work for me.

If a challenge will work for you, by all means I think you should do it.

It's just not my style.

What I'm going to try to do is get back to the things that I use to do and try to find valid advice

 along the way. 

I am also going to remind myself of the things that work for me.

Many times the guru advice out there is completely opposite from what works for me. I'm not quite sure why and judging from so many of my friends that go on so many different health crazes, they really don't work for them, either.

What inspired me to quit the 30 day challenge?

I was getting ready to read my Email for my assignment of the day when those little ads and videos that run along caught my attention, The first clip was an interview with a guy I had never heard of before but the result that where being boasted made me click. The trainers name was 

Michael Olajide Jr.; the workout secret and miracle producer was jumping rope. I thought to myself  I'd rather jump a rope anyday than set here writing and rewriting these goals everyday. I even like to jump rope. I don't think I have jumped rope since the girls were small but I'm confident I can. It also reminded me to just cut the crap and get back to basics.

As soon as the very short video clip played it was followed up by another clip that was already playing. The guest speaker was nutritionist Elisa Zied. I'd never heard of her and I was going to click the little X until she stated her age. She is 84 years old and she looks better than many 20 year olds. 

I couldn't help but listen then. I was in amazement! 

I was then amazed at her common sense and was so glad to hear it was basically a discussion of good nutrition and truth verses fiction along with facts about nutrition being taken out of context.

Hallelujah!

More common sense!

Here is Elisa Zied's 5 item mini list of foods all women

(provided their physician has advised against) should eat:

1. Popcorn

2. Potatoes

3. Whole grain cereals

4. Nuts (1 ounce)

5. Eggs (approximately 7 a week)

These are some of my favorite things to eat but along the way I haven't been lately..hmm...

I have never put a lot of extreme thought into weight. I am a short woman and even when I know I was at my physical peak I have always been heavier by the "standard." but I did weigh myself and look up my BMI according to National Institutes of Health. I also took a few measurements.

• I usually won't discuss such things but for accountability sake I'm going to share my present stats and what I feel will be a healthy satisfactory goal. I my share the changes I'm implementing along the way to accomplish those goals. This week it's just been eating yogurt and whole grain cereal. 

I haven't developed a complete plan just yet.

My Stats:

Height--5'1"

Weight--132 lb.

BMI--24.9 

Waist--32"

Hips--38 1/2"

My Goal:

Height--5'6"~~LOL.

Weight--122 lb.

BMI--22

Waist--30"

Hips--36"

Are you on a health journey, too?

If so, Good Luck.

&

BE BLESSED!

Hey! Where's my fortune?

Here I am on the 12th day of the Long Range Forecast. 

Are you wondering how much truth will end up in this Folklore Forecast?

Yes..me, too.

I'm a little relieved that I'll only be held to the end of the month for making a post about the weather. It has been some extreme colds for the first of January and I was hoping for a little more weather action(snow). I thought it would make for a little more interest and at least some better pictures but I guess you could say we've been blessed in not receiving the harsh weather that so many folks have dredged through the past week.

In my mind, I thought I would have came up with some wonderful post to end this up with....

not...

The Ole Man bought Chinese food for him and the kids last night since I had to work. There's almost always the leftover fortune cookies (they don't love 'em) so after walking around in the sun outside looking for anything picture worthy and not finding anything; everything is fairly brown. I thought to crack open one of the fortune cookies.

Maybe I would be inspired.

The first cookie stated,"Be yourself and you'll feel at home anywhere." 

It didn't inspire me.

I opened the second cookie and there was no fortune.

I guess I'll have to leave it at that and just give you my forecast.

If everything wasn't brown you'd think it was an early Spring Day! Temperature is reading at 61 and the sun and air has a very warm feel.

If you've been following the Long Range Forecast,

Thank you.

BE BLESSED!