Monday, June 4

Yesterday was a fun day.  I went to church as usual.  After church, I came home for my usual after church nap.  Then I went to get my salad for dinner.  Carolyn came over with a song choice for us to sing at church.  We are going to sing "I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin.  I am going to order the sheet music tomorrow so I can learn it really well.  I am not sure when Carolyn and I are going to sing the song for Lee, our choir director.  So Carolyn and I were chatting away when I got hungry so I asked if she wanted to split the burrito bowl that I had bought earlier in the day.  We split it and had more fun.  Her mother called to invite me to dinner after that and to watch a movie with them so I went.  We watched more of the Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman series.  It was a double episode.  It was very good.  The Hubel family is such a nice family.  They live right down the road from me.  Their children are such good kids.  They all get along well too, which is nice to see.  In my house, we three didn't always get along, but mostly (until we were teenagers) my younger brother and I got along really well.  It was just when there were the three of us, we fought.

I had my first day of the actual therapy for physical therapy.  I learned a couple of stretches for my legs that he wants me to do.  I also have about 6 or so exercises to do each day.  I am a bit sore in the legs from the stretches but that is okay, I don't mind.  I also had the electro heat too.  I had these pads attached to my back and then I had to lie down on a heating type pad for about 15 minutes.  It felt nice and I think maybe it helped a bit.  I am planning to sell my elliptical machine and save for a stationary type bike.  I actually rode the bike for 5 minutes!  Without an inhaler needed!  No asthma attack!  I forgot to bring my inhaler with me to therapy.  The Physical Therapist will like me to bring my inhaler incase I do too much and need my inhaler.  It is definitely a good idea, but I hadn't thought about bringing it.  I will on Wednesday. I am tired from the therapy tonight too, but I don't mind that either since it was good to be able some exercises and stretches.  I am planning to head for bed soon too because I am so tired tonight.  I can sleep in tomorrow though so that is great.

Rachel had her lesson this afternoon.  She is in level C in the Alfred Prep books.  She has been playing for almost a year now.  Today, she was a bit silly during flash cards, but since she answered them, I had to kind of chuckle.  Rachel likes to have stuffed animals on the piano when she plays.  Today she had by mini beanie baby on the piano.  The dog jingles when you shake it.  It is a very cute little white dog.  sometimes she will have the musical stuffed animals on the piano, other times the beanie babies.  It is interesting to see what animals she will pick every week.  Isaac had his lesson too.  He is working on "Hedwig's Theme" for piano right now.  I need to copy a couple of songs for him next week.  He has almost sung all the songs in the book we are using right now.  When Isaac turns 12 next year, we will start some of the Italian pieces.

Tomorrow teaching is very very light, I only have Bob and David.  Bob is tomorrow instead of today because I have therapy until the time of his regularly scheduled lesson so we rescheduled to tomorrow.  My little Rahul and Samuel will have their lessons on Friday instead of Tuesday for a bit.  I am not sure for how long, but whatever day works for their mom, works for me.

I am still on Harry Potter number 5.  I am about 3/4 of the way through as of tonight.  I am at the part when Harry is in Dumbledor's office after being caught with the DA group.  These are such good books.  I debated about getting that "50 shades of Grey" book.  All my friends say they are good books, maybe next week.  I do have 2 new books to read when I am finished with the HP series and one of my favorite authors, Phillipa Gregory, has a new book out too.  I noticed that when I went to Barnes and Noble on Friday when I met up with Star.

I hope your day was good too!

June!!!! 6-2

Last night, after teaching, I went to Barnes and Noble to meet up with my friend, Star and a couple of her friends.  It was a lot of fun.  Her friends, Lydia (who is absolutely beautiful) and Veronica were really nice.  The four of us, naturally, closed the store.  After which, Lydia went back to school (she lives at Oakland University) and Veronica, Star, and I went to Ram's Horn restaurant.  Both Veronica and Star were hungry.  We stayed until about 11:30 and then we went home.  I got home about midnight.  I have no lessons today or tomorrow.  I usually have about 1 each day, but this weekend, I have none.  Tomorrow I will be getting up early for church and then I have no idea what I will do.  I am not used to having 2 days in a row without teaching or something to do.

I went to Chipotle for lunch today and got a salad for dinner.  So far, it has been 3 Saturdays since I got mad at myself and starting eating healthy.  I am very happy with that decision I made.  I am feeling better even if I haven't lost too much weight with this yet.  I am hopeful though.

Law and Order SVU is on right now.  It is a marathon as usual since it is a weekend.  There is also a marathon on tomorrow night.

I just downloaded most of the songs we are singing tomorrow.  2 of them only had the lyrics, no music with it so I didn't download those 2.  I am going to go over the music before tomorrow so I am somewhat familiar with the music as I have never song these songs before.  I do know the song we are singing as a choir tomorrow.  We have sung the choir song before.  Tomorrow is also communion.  I am not sure where we are doing communion because last time choir had their communion in the choir room.  I will find out tomorrow.  I saw Carolyn on Thursday after the sub meeting.  She and her sister, Melissa couldn't figure out why I wasn't at choir because normally when I miss, I call to let them now so they won't worry as I know that they do.  Since Barbara Jean knew I would be a the meeting, it wasn't a problem.  Barbara Jean just forgot to let the girls now.  I did tell the choir director about missing.  We use this program called Planning Center Online.  This is how we let the director know what Sundays we will be there or not be there.  Last week was an exception for me as I didn't feel to well so I had to miss church.

My left hand fingers are so sore today.  I am sure it is because I am not taking the Meloxicam now.  I have been with a bit of dizziness from not taking it.  I figure in about a week it should be better.  I have noticed an increase in leg and hip pain at night because of not being about to take the Meloxicam anymore.  I hope that the pain decreases with the physical therapy.  I start the actual therapy on Monday.  I have to see Dr. G this week when I get my protime test.  I am not sure why except for maybe it has been a while since I saw him or he wants to talk about the lovely ulcer.  I am not sure, I just know when I got my protime results last month, the receptionist said he wanted to see me so I will go and see him.  I also have the blood test requests from Dr. A from last week.  That is just way tooooooo many blood tests needed at one time.  Although, it won't be the most I have ever had taken at one time.  When I had my blood clot, the doctor took 12 vials and the Cleveland Clinic too 8 plus 2 blood cultures.  Those really hurt.  When the therapist was testing my strength level, everywhere he touched me hurt really bad.  My legs were swollen as usual so I am not sure if that contributed to the pain or not.  I did have more strength in my legs than the therapist thought I did.  Despite the pain, I do have some strength in my legs.  They are strong, it is the hips and back that causes why I can't stand or walk well.

I think I am going to read for a while.  I am still on Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix.  I am at the part where they are going back to Hogwarts' after the Christmas Holiday when Arthur Weasley got attacked by Voldemort's snake.  The movie to number 5 isn't one of my favorites, yet it is still really good.  One of these days I am going to read a book, then watch the movie, then read the next book, watch the next movie until I see them all.  I forgot to do that when I started re-reading the books.  I have 2 new books for when I am finished the Harry Potter books.  Oh, a funny thing happened on the way home from the movie last week.  Hannah was sitting in the back seat right behind me and she noticed that I have almost black hair.  She pointed out that my initials were the same as Harry Potter and we both have green eyes (mine are hazel green) not to mention the black hair like Harry.  We all had a good giggle after that!  Shows how much we love Harry Potter!

End of Month Already??? 5-31

It is the end of the month already, wow.  We are having the weirdest weather this year.  It was over 90 degrees Sunday and Monday and then starting Tueday, it cooled to the 60s.  I had to pull the sweats out again because I was cold.  Tomorrow is supposed to be raining all day and in the mid 60s.  Saturday is supposed to be in the high 60s with Sunday starting in the mid 70s for the week.  I like the high 70s weather much better than anything else since I tend to ache MUCH LESS in that type of weather.

I missed choir practice tonight because of the subdivision meeting.  I got there rather late because of teaching, but that was okay.  I heard the important stuff.  I did pretty well with the snack food they had.  I had one piece of chicken and that was it.  I am pleased about that.  I stayed for a bit afterwards and talked to some neighbors.  One of my neighbors, Mr. Torkelson, has Alzheimer's like momma did.  His daughter and family also live in our subdivision.  She and her mother are taking care of him at home and so far, are able to keep him home.  I gave my neighbors son in law some suggestions on how to bathe him because he is moving down into the dining room for a bedroom.  I told him about the shampoo that you wipe on hair and wipe off.  I also told him about the pre-moistened and pre-soaped wash clothes.  He hadn't heard about the.  He said he would tell his wife and mother in law about it.  I did talk to another neighbor and asked about her daughter.  She and I used to play together as children.  Kay Kay (that is what we called her) is doing well and has teenage sons.  She lives about an hour from me.  Kay Kay as always very nice to me and my friends.  Our backyard was the cool backyard of the subdivision.  Everyone loved to hang out in our backyard.  I shudder to think of what my backyard looks like at this point.  The gardens are growing weeds so beautifully.  I think I have a couple of shrubs left in the back yard, but I am not sure.  I haven't actually looked at my backyard in a while.  Hm, perhaps I should see what shape it is in.  I can't go out the back door because the steps are missing so I will have to walk around to the back yard.  I know there are two small trees that Sean and Carolyn are going to cut down on the patio.  The patio stones so desperately need to be re-leveled, it is just something I can't do.  The ground where the poplar tree was is sinking in so more dirt needs to be put there.  There is just work I can't do so I am not going to worry about it right now.

Anyways, I am quite tired tonight and after a full day, I am going to read for a bit before turning in for the night.  I do hope I sleep through the night, although, we all know how hard that can be.  I do hope physical therapy helps my poor sleeping a bit, even a tiny bit would be a great improvement.  I don't think physical therapy will be able to make a huge dent in the sleeping issue as it is caused from fibro, but a small dent would be an improvement.  Happy last day of May!!!!!

physical therapy evaluation 5-30

Today was the evaluation of Physical Therapy.  I met with the Therapist who will be working for me.  We have 4 goals: to be able to stand longer, walk farther and longer, vacuum and scrub my own floors, and I can't remember the other one.  I am looking forward to learning the exercises that will help lesson the pain of arthritis.  I need help for sure since I can't take my arthritis medicine anymore because of the ulcer.  I suspected that but now I know for sure.  I hope that this really works.  Last time I went to Physical Therapy, I remember it did help but I don't do all those exercises anymore.  I liked the Therapist and he seemed confident that he can help me.  I figure between the Physical Therapy and the eating healthy, I should have some relief from the pain.

My lovely twins did very well in their piano lessons tonight as did their older sister, Aubrey.  Brooke and Jillian have learned the new hand position so I am very happy that they are happy again.  The three girls are so cute and interested in learning.  It is so nice to be able to teach children who so want to learn.  Tomorrow I have 6 lessons.  Thursdays are my biggest days, not only because of lessons but also because of choir practice.  Tomorrow I will not be in choir practice because of the sub division annual meeting.  I have to remember to bring my checkbook to pay my yearly dues.  I look forward to the meeting and seeing neighbors.  I will miss choir though since I like it so much.

I have been feeling a bit better these days as far as sadness is going.  I still miss my mother terribly and all the time, but I find that I can enjoy myself at times and not cry as much.  It is still hard for some things, but I figure they will get easier.  With the new goals that I have, I feel a bit stronger about the future, something I couldn't do about a month ago.  I am not sure how long this will last as mourning seems to be step forward, little step back, step forward, little step back.  Today, I am doing okay with all this.  A friend from high school just recently lost her mother.  The funeral and stuff were last week.  I couldn't read too much of what she was writing because it reminded me of Mom and her funeral.  Her mom was my 5th grade math teacher.  She hadn't been healthy in the last few years though.

I had the Arthritis doctor appointment today before the Physical Therapy.  I hadn't stopped taking the meloxicam until today because it didn't occur to me to stop.  I am not sure that is what caused the ulcer, but it is possible, since it can happen.  I will find out how the ulcer is healing next month on the 21st.  I am not looking forward to that but I will go and get it done.  I have to get X-rays on both hands.  Since I have no lessons on Saturday and Sunday, I will go on Saturday to get the X-rays.  You don't have to make an appointment, you just walk in and sign in.  I have the X-ray orders so that is all I need.

I have found myself heading to bed earlier than usual these past few weeks.  I am getting up early too, which is so not like me.  I am not minding though because sometimes I am awake a bit longer during the day so that is a good thing.

Since I don't have lessons this weekend, I am hoping to meet up with some of my friends.  I haven't seen them in a while.  I just have to wait to see what their schedule is for the weekend.  Sunday, of course, will be church, but after that, I am free for the day.

It is a bit colder now this week than it was last week.  Tomorrow is supposed to be in the low 60s.  Back to wearing pants instead of shorts.  I don't mind.  I have shorts waiting to be washed.  I can do this on the weekend.  Ugh, laundry!  I have plenty to wash.  I will be busy washing laundry this weekend.

Tuesday 5-29

Today was my Charlie's last lesson.  I am so sad!  He was such a great student and such a wonderful young man.  I will, however, see him in June at his Graduation Party.  I am not sure what to get him for graduation though.  I will have to think about this.

Tomorrow I have to go to both the Arthritis Doctor and Physical Therapy.  I am nervous about the Physical Therapy because I don't know how much it is going to cost. That part really worries me, the cost.  I will find out tomorrow.  I think the Arthritis Doctor will take me off the Meloxicam tomorrow because of the ulcer.  I am not sure what all to do about this because I don't know if I can deal with not having the Meloxicam for the arthritis.  I know she hasn't been thrilled about me taking it at all, but I need to be able to walk at night so I am not sure what she can do about this.  I will find out tomorrow.

It has been a long type day today.  I am not sure why.  It just seems like it was a rather long day.  I woke up early and then went back to sleep.  I finally got up and then did my errands for the day before lessons.  Laith was a bit more sillier than usual for his lesson.  I think it is a reaction to his mom having breast cancer.  She is having surgery next week.  I sure hope they get it all and that she will beat this disease.  I won't see her for about a month now so she can recover from the surgery too.  I also have a stomach scope on one of Laith's lesson days.  I won't have any lessons on that day because the doctors say I shouldn't, so I won't be.  If it like last time, I will sleep most of the day anyway.

I am now on book 5 of the Harry Potter books, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.  I finished the Goblet of Fire this morning.  Time to read for a bit.

Saturday - 5-26

It is Memorial Weekend this weekend.  I had one student today and will have none tomorrow but 3 on Monday so that is good.  I would have had Rick's lesson (he is back from being out of town for 2 1/2 months) tomorrow but as I already made plans I asked if we could do either today or Monday just this weekend.  He chose Monday.  It works fine for me.  I am looking forward to tomorrow with the girls in the afternoon.  I think we will either do dinner or ice cream after.  Pretty much whatever they choose works for me.

I am still re-reading Harry Potter number 4 right now.  I am about 1/2 way through it.  I am at the part where Harry just performed the first task of the competition and Ron realizes that someone wants Harry dead.  It is such a good book.  I just love it.  Of course, I love all the books of Harry Potter.  The girls are re-watching the Lord of the Rings movies right now too so I am bringing the extended versions for them tomorrow.  Their dad rented the Fellowship of the Ring theatrical version so I am bringing them the extended ones for them to watch.  I love those movies too.  I tried to re-read the books (I think I read them in high school because I had to) and I just couldn't get into them.  I will stick to the movies because they are so good.  I am watching the extended version part 2 right now, the commentary.  The cast commentary is so interesting.  I don't listen to all commentaries on DVDs but this one and a few others I do because you learn so much about how they did the movie.  That stuff is very interesting, not interesting enough for me to want to do that type of stuff, but fascinating as a film viewer.  These are such good movies and has several of my favorite actors, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, and Sean Bean.  Sean Bean is in the movie we are seeing tomorrow too.  He plays the King in Mirror Mirror.  Julia Roberts plays the evil queen and I think it will be so good, or at least I hope so.  At the very least, I will have a lovely afternoon with my beautiful girls and that is the best part, spending time with them.

Camille had her last lesson today.  I was very sad because she is such a good student and girl but she has moved and lives too far away to come to me anymore.  She was so sad too.  I gave her my email so she can write me.  Camille is really a good pianist.  I will miss her so much.  so for now, I just have Brianna on Saturdays.  Brianna is new to our group but not the newest.  Faith is the newest to our group.  She is also my neighbor.  Faith has had 2 lessons and is doing really well at this point.  Next week she will switch to C position and then the following week, Faith will start learning how to read music.  She is very excited about playing so I hope to keep that excitement.

I am not sure what I am going to watch tonight.  I am just going to relax and look at what music I need for students next week.  Perhaps I will actually start ahead of time, instead of waiting for the last minute.  One never knows with me, I am a procrastinator at times.  I am working on not procrastinating all the time, but so far, it is an uphill battle that I am so losing!

I hope your weekend is going well so far, mine is and tomorrow will be awesome.  I will need most of Monday to recover, thankfully I only have 3 lessons and they are spread all throughout the day.

Light Day of Teaching 5-25

Acer and Calli did not have lessons tonight.  I knew Acer wouldn't but I thought Calli was going to a little later than usual but either they forgot or forgot to call and say they weren't coming.  Maybe Heather, Calli's mom, was sleeping and didn't tell Calli about the schedule change.  I will see them next week.  Emily and Natalie had their lessons though.  Emily was rather excited about finishing 1B books and starting level 2.  I was happy that she was finishing up the books too.  Natalie is starting a new Broadway song.  The problem?  I didn't have the copy of the CD that I needed.  I burned a new one for her tonight so I will give it to her next week.  Camille is having her lesson tomorrow and then I am done with lessons until Monday at 10 am when Isaac will have his rescheduled from later in the day, lesson.  Antoinette and Selma will be having their regularly scheduled lessons.  My little Rachel is absent this week.  I will miss her a lot.  She is such a cute little girl.

I am not sure what I will do tomorrow afternoon.  Maybe I will watch one of the movies that I own that I haven't seen yet.  I do have about 5 to 6 of them piling up waiting for me to watch them.  Sunday, I will be busy until evening.  I am so looking forward to that.  It should be a good day.

My left shoulder seems to be doing better.  I can lift it higher than I have in a while so I am happy about that.  I hope it stays that way.  My head is about the normal pain for the day.  I have been out of my zantac medicine for about 5 days now.  I will call the doctor on Tuesday and have them call in a refill since they haven't done this yet.  I thought the doctor did when I saw her last but I guess she didn't put enough refills.  I won't see her again until after the next scope to see how my ulcer is doing.  I don't seem to get as much heartburn and stomach aches as I did nor do I feel like I am going to throw up all the time like I was before the prilosec medicine was added to the list of medicines I take.

I am looking forward to having a pretty busy weekend.  I hope yours is good too.

Choir Night 5-24

My Katie joined choir tonight.  She was so worried about whether or not the choir would want her.  Well, they all welcomed her with open arms as I knew that they would.  I introduced her to Lee, the choir director and he was very excited to see a new person in our midst.  I am excited about this too.  Oh, I have to email Katie the songs we are singing.  I will be right back.  There, it is done!  I am so happy she will be able to sing with us until she goes to college in the Fall.  I will miss my beautiful girl.  She is such a nice girl and has grown to a wonderful young lady.

It has been rather nice out these past few days.  I am very happy about that.  It has been about 80 or so degrees outside, which means the house is a nice temperature too.  I have pulled out my shorts outfits for the summer.  I love most of them even though they are old and a certain relative says to throw them out and get new ones.  Well, they aren't worn out yet and I like them, so I will keep which ones I like.  I don't dress for people, I dress for me and comfort, definitely for comfort.

Lessons were light again today.  My lovely Breanna is finishing up her school year so she had to cancel her lessons today.  Faith had her 2nd lesson and her sister, Courtney came with her today.  They rode their bikes and then they were headed to ice cream.  Courtney said I could borrow her and Faith for Chipotle's any day.  I said that was good info to know and will be keeping that in mind.  Faith is so excited to learn that it is so wonderful to teach her.  Courtney seemed to like her sister's playing.

I am looking forward to the weekend.  I only have 1 lesson on Saturday and so far, none on Sunday.  I do have a couple on Monday so that is good.  I have a busy Sunday planned.  I am going to church, then I have an appointment with a friend of mine, and then the movie with my girls!  It will be busy, but nice.

I start Physical Therapy on Wednesday.  I should have started a couple of months ago, but I kept forgot to call and then I waited a few weeks to get in.  I am not sure how much this is going to cost me so I am only trying it out and then I will know how much it costs.  I am kind of excited about Physical Therapy because I am hoping it works well for me.  I just hope I can afford it.  Two chances I suppose, either I can or I can't.  I will have another appointment with the Arthritis Doctor sometime soon.  I just don't remember what day.  I also have to see Dr. Gradolph next week for my protime test.  He wants to see me this time though.  I don't know why, but I will make an appointment for next week.

I am now on the 4th book of Harry Potter.  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  I started it yesterday.  I will probably finish it this weekend.  I loaned Maggie a couple of Kristen Hannah books for her to read.  I know she will like them.  She has 2 of my favorite, of course, since I wanted her to read the best of Kristen Hannah.

Well, it is time to read before bed!  Tomorrow I will have all my Friday lessons.  Next Friday, our choir is having a singing party to see what music the church has that we like and will do.  The church has so much music that the director wants to weed out the ones he doesn't like or we don't like.  Of course, he has final say.

Tuesday 5-22

It is the usual NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles night here in the house.  For some unknown reason, NCIS Los Angeles is on first followed by 2 episodes of NCIS.  It doesn't really matter to me what order they are in, not one bit!

It was a very light day for teaching, only 2 lessons, my little Samuel and my little Rahul.  Sam is 5 and Rahul is 4.  Both are very cute.  Rahul has this cute habit of leaning on me when we are doing his workbook.  It is quite cute and he is such a cutie.  He also has no problem walking on me to put the crayons away or to get the crayons.  He just walks on my legs, which actually does hurt because of the fibro but I don't say anything because he is so small.  Charlie and David are both absent today.  Charlie is at Cedar Point.  Today was definitely a better day for Cedar Point than yesterday as today is cooler and yesterday was so warm at about 82 degrees.  I am not surprise it is as warm as it has been since winter was so warm.  I foresee a hot, sticky summer.  That I am not too happy about but I will stay in my nice and air conditioned house.

I haven't been sleeping too well lately.  I have switched back to Tylenol PM hoping that would help, but it didn't so tomorrow I will go and get some Advil PM.  I ran out of Advil PM, which is part of the reason I switched to the other, but since it doesn't work too well, I am switching back.  It has been taking at least about 3 hours to fall asleep.  I will doze for a bit and then I will have to get up and out of bed to get rid of the extra pain before crawling back into bed.  It is getting a bit ridicules now.  I am hoping for a better night sleep tonight.  One can dream, can't they?  I can and do.

I just checked the movie guide.  Mirror Mirror is still playing!  Thank goodness!  I am so glad about that!  So I have messaged the girls to see if the time I picked will work with their schedules.  I figure we can go and get ice cream (for them, not for me) or something like that after the movie.  I love my girls!  We should have a good time, I think and we will see a good movie too.  I am not sure how many students I will have on Monday, since it is a holiday, but I am hoping at least a few.  Rachel will be absent and I am not sure if Isaac will be having his lesson, but i will find out as we get closer to the weekend.

I am getting tired now.  I may try to go to bed shortly instead of waiting until the regular bedtime.  The woman who does the vacuuming and scrubbing for me is coming tomorrow.  I have her come once a month to help.  It really helps me a lot because I have such a hard time doing the vacuuming and scrubbing myself.  She does a decent job so I am happy about that.

I finally received a phone call about physical therapy.  I am going to go to one session and see how much it is going to cost me because if it is too much, then I can't do it.  Although, I am not feeling as bad as I was when i saw the arthritis doctor in March so maybe that was a good thing.  I DO hope that I can try physical therapy because I do think it will help.

I am now on the 4th Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.  I love Harry Potter books.  I simply do.

the start of a new musical week 5-21

I was watching NCIS Los Angeles on USA.  It was from the first season.  I don't know why, but it suddenly dawned on me that the bad guys always have horrible aim even when firing machine guns and the good guys are great shots with only pistols.  I don't know why it hit me today, but it did.  Of course, I do want the good guys to catch the bad guys, I am just noting how they always miss or get lucky shots in, that's all.

The day after the concert is back to regular music.  The Muglia girls had their lessons today.  Natalie started voice after her piano lesson.  Both Hannah and Natalie are playing the same Clementi Sonatina.  It is one of my favorites.  Both girls fly through the sections that they know really well and then slow down when they don't know the part very well.  Lydia does the same thing too.  It is something we will be working on for a while I foresee.  Overall though, I am so happy with how they play.  They are really quite good at this point and they are getting into some beginning advanced music.  I am so proud of them. Sarah is almost ready to start a new position next month.  She is doing very well.  Their younger brother, Patrick plays several songs by ear so we are thinking that perhaps in September the young man might start piano.  We shall see if he is interested.  He will be almost 7 at that point.  They are a very musical family and I am glad they do what they can with keeping up lessons.

Rachel had her lesson this afternoon too.  She is such a doll and a sweet girl.  She also likes to pretend she is a kitten during the lesson at times.  Today it was while we were doing flashcards.  I always know when she knows the answer, she scratches the card like a cat.  Fortunately, she does answer the question pretty quick or it would be hard to finish the flash cards.  Rachel started a new book a few weeks ago.  She is in her 3rd book now.  Selma also is getting ready to start a new book.  She will be in level 2 next week.  I have to go and pick up her books this week because I had to order them.  They are in now.  I will pick them up tomorrow.  I also need to copy some music for David tomorrow too.  Isaac has decided to finish working on the Hedwig's Theme.  He played the main part of the theme for the concert and we are working on the second part for the next few lessons.  He is such a talented young man.  If only he would practice more!  I know he is very busy, but he is just so talented.

I also just remembered, need to call the guy to cancel cutting the grass this week.  It doesn't need it so I don't want it cut.  Sean cut the 2 trees down in my yard today.  He found an old hose under one of the trees and apparently, it has been leaking.  Yeah, I wonder how long?  So Sean turned the water off at the tap and thinks it is turned all the way off now.  I sure hope so.  Sean is such a nice young man, just like his sister, Carolyn.  In fact, the entire family is wonderful and so very helpful to me.  We also get together for dinner and a movie nights.  I truly enjoy being with them.  I am very blessed with the friends that I have.

This weekend, I am planning on picking up my girls (the Muglias) and going to see "Mirror Mirror" with them.  It is the Julia Roberts version of Snow White.  One of my favorite actors is in it.  He plays the king, which I know, is not a huge role, but that is okay.  He is still in it for a bit.  If it is not at the regular theatre we are hoping it is at the $1 one, if not, we shall see something else.  I just love hanging out with the girls.  They are really good kids and don't get to go out too much so I like to come and take them when I can.  Plus, then I have someone to see movies with!  So all in all, it is a good trade, I get the girls for a while, catch up on their lives, and we all see a movie or do something together.

I hope you had a good day too!  My arm is a bit sorer than usual tonight.  I am not sure why.  I took my pain medicine a bit ago so I am hoping it starts working soon.  I am going to lose myself in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban for a bit now.

Concert Day 5-20

It was the Concert today!!!  All my students did so well!  One of my newest students, Brooke, went up there and place her hands at the proper place, but she didn't start to play!  I went up and she said she was fine, but then we sent Jillian (her twin) up and apparently, Miss Brooke was needing the music.  Oops!  After a long pause, Brooke played her song beautifully!  I am so proud of all my students.  We had some students who just wore nice outfits and others wore costumes.  The lovely Muglia girls and Isaac all dressed as Harry Potter characters while Brooke, Jillian, and Aubrey all dressed as Disney Princesses.  I was very happy that some had costumes.  All in all, I think it went very well.  I am thankful it went well and now it is over.  I went to go to Chipotles to pick up dinner but the line was very long so I drove thru Panera and got soup and a salad.  I love salads a lot.  I decided that at this point, I must lose weight so I will have the doctor adjust my blood thinners for me to eat salads almost everyday.  I have to eat more veggies and salads are the best way to do this so that is what I will do.  I also have given up all fast food because that has helped with the gaining of poundage.  Well, anyways, it was a lovely afternoon with a nice dinner while reading Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.  I am in the middle of re-reading all of them again.  I am on number 3 right now.

My lovely Natalie wants to start voice lessons tomorrow.  I have to copy some music for her.  I think she will do well.  She just wants the basics so that is what I will give her.  We are going to start with a couple of Broadway songs.  I am thinking of giving her Feed the Birds and another Disney piece.  I am not sure about an Italian song although it is what I give students her age.  Natalie is a wonderful pianist.  She is doing very well with her music.  I also had her and her sister, Hannah create the Spring Concert Program. I had 2 covers, one by Hannah and the other by Natalie.  The program covers turned out quite nicely.  I had asked Charlie for some pictures and a paragraph about himself for the program.  I called yesterday because I still didn't have it.  Turns out the email went to spam instead of my email.  I got the pictures and the paragraph in time so that ended okay too.  Usually, I have a newsletter spotlighting the senior, but since I have no reason to have a newsletter, I had the Senior Spotlight on the Spring concert program instead.  It worked out well.

Oh my!  My legs and hips are rather sore tonight because of the walking at the concert and my new flats, mostly the up and down to the piano and back.  I have the usual, after concert headache, which is not a surprise as this happens after every concert.  I think the stress of getting ready for the concert adds to the extra headache.  It is hard to tell with me.  One never knows.  Army Wives will be on in about 35 minutes so that will be good.  I love that show a lot.  It is a nice one.