Right Now I'm...

Listening: I created a station on Pandora called "Beyond the Sea" and it's so great! All the greats like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin... very enjoyable!

Watching: Several of my regular shows had their season finale this week, and one even had its series finale (yes, I said goodbye to Castle this week). One show is still standing, with the season finale of Chicago P.D. airing next Wednesday.

Reading: Reading? HA! Does rehearsal music count? That's about all I have time for at the moment. (Side note: I realize I clearly have time to watch t.v., but 9 times out of 10, I also multi-task while I have the show playing in the background. Hard to multi-task while physically reading a book.) I started a free trial of Amazon AudioAudible about three weeks ago, and I'm almost finished with "Buried Secrets" by Irene Hannon. I'll probably finish it today while I clean house.

Working on: Well, I'm still doing the Jamberry thing. I totally meant to write an awesome informative blog post all about it, but clearly we can see what happened with that. I've also joined the Fairfield Area Community Theatre for their summer production of Beauty and the Beast, set to show in mid July. Oh! And I was volunteered to play the piano at my sister's High School graduation tomorrow (which will also be the FINAL graduation at Harmony High School, as they combine the HS with Van Buren next year). Busy, busy, busy!

Wishing: I knew what was next. Potential details to come later on that one. Other than that, I'm definitely wishing I was independently wealthy so I could never have to work again and could just travel the world!

Needing: An extra day between Saturday & Sunday... that would still be part of the weekend. Every single week. (this hasn't changed one word since April's post... because it's still ridiculously true!)

Rejoicing: My little Jamberry business isn't doing too bad. I'm not an overnight millionaire by any stretch, but I signed up to be able to support my Jamberry <addiction>, and so far, I've had decent commissions coming in, so that's A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

Reflecting on: Life moves too quickly. Things change, and we are personally grown and stretched in ways we didn't see coming, but that's OK! God is still in control, even when to us, our lives look a little more like a jumbled mess than a masterpiece.  

Picturing:

Alexxa's preschool graduation from Thursday. She would NOT look at the camera... she was too busy looking at... well... anything else!

Right Now I'm...

Listening: The new Adele album 25 is just wonderful! 

Watching: We spent the day at "the old home place" watching movies with the fam and our friend Maggie. We watched everything from Hilary Duff to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

Reading: Still working on "Bed of Roses," but I also just ordered Candace Cameron Bure's book Reshaping It All (THANKS Amazon credit!)

Working on:  Two BIG things going on this month (stay tuned for blog post to follow soon): Changing my eating habits & JAMBERRY! I'm super excited about joining Jamberry, but I'm putting in a lot of work leading up to my Launch Party in a few weeks!

Wishing: to be successful. I know... it doesn't come over night. But I WISH it did!

Needing: An extra day between Saturday & Sunday... that would still be part of the weekend. Every single week. 

Rejoicing: I had a great month of bonuses at work, and I REALLY needed that! AND I'm already set to double that next month! WOO HOO!

Reflecting on: Life is full of choices, and for the most part every single one boils down to this: Do I choose ME or Do I choose Jesus? Talk about a slap in the face, but it's so true. 

Picturing:

This little teaser to my next post...

Memories

Memories

by Lacy Vance

Memories hit me in waves:

the memory of your eyes

your smile

your song.

Memories of carefree summer days:

the memory of your laughter

your voice

your sweet companionship.

Memories of joy-filled days:

the memory of swinging in the park

of ministering together

of being family.

Memories of parties and pie:

the memory of late night talks

of tears

of healing.

Memories of our perfect summer:

the memory of dancing in the rain

of hugs

of you.

As I stood in my kitchen talking to my sister tonight, a dull ache arose in my heart. People walk in and out of my life: some I remember with a smile, some I remember with a tear, and some... a handful of the most spectacular, incredible people I've ever known... make my heart ache because I miss their constant presence in my life more than words can even begin to express. My feeble attempt at poetry is the best I can offer.

And yet... in the midst of all these memories... the ache in my heart tells me that maybe, just maybe, our story isn't finished yet.

And I pray that someday, just maybe, we'll get another chance.

Right Now I'm...

Listening: I've had mostly Christian music playing for the last week or so. (1) It's helping me speak TRUTH to myself (2) It's helping set my focus for Easter (3) It just makes me FEEL better... starts my days off on the right foot.

Watching: Still have a season and a half till I'm done with Private Practice, but I had such a hankering the other day to watch Army Wives that I started that again, as well. Oh... and last night was the season finale of the Bachelor, so of course, I caught up on that today.

Reading: I finally finished Vision in White, so I've moved on to book 2, Bed of Roses. I also picked up a book during the thrift store outing with the church ladies last week entitled "Bad Women of the Bible," which sounds bad, but actually looks like it will be a very good read!

Working on:  This week? My attitude. And being honest with important people in my life. I've done a very good job of hiding some difficult things from... well... everyone (including myself), and Sunday afternoon while talking with my mom, I kind of just lost it. And let it all out. Which was good for me, but definitely showed me that I can't "LIFE" alone... I need my support system. But they can't support me if I'm not honest and upfront and open. I'm working on that. I'm also working on trying to find other ways (besides going to the doctor all the time) to improve my health. Because let's face it: I can't keep being sick all the time!

Wishing: That change was easy. That change didn't require so much hard work and dedication. And that someone could find a way to make me never get sick again (or at the very least, not as often).

Needing: Clear direction from God. And the continued need to speak TRUTH to myself.

Rejoicing: Spring is a mere 5 days away! But as excited as that has me, I'm so THANKFUL for my mom. Sometimes I find it hard to talk to her because I'm afraid of disappointing her. I know she prays for me, and I know that she loves me unconditionally, but having moments like Sunday make me really appreciate the encouragement she is to me. 

Reflecting on: I've said it several times in this post, but I've been really trying hard to speak TRUTH to myself. One of those ways is by reminding myself of God's Word and Promises. Helen and I started dedicating one hour a week as "Bible Time" because we both felt like we needed that encouragement from one another. We shoot for Mondays from 7-8 (ish), but so far, that's only worked out once. This week, we went with Tuesday from 7:30-8:30 because that's what worked. Anyway, I'm studying 1 John. Tonight was 1 John 1:5-10. TRUTH: God has cleansed me from ALL my sin. TRUTH: God is always ready to forgive and restore our relationship when I screw up. TRUTH: I must CHOOSE to walk in the light.

Picturing: I can't wait for consistently warm weather, but maybe not THIS warm. I can't look at this picture without feeling all sticky with sweat. It was like 100+ degrees out this day and the humidity was off the charts.... SO HOT!! But fun!

Because I Knew You...

I've heard it said

that people come into our lives 

for a reason

bringing something we must learn

and we are led to those

who help us most to grow

if we let them

and we help them in return.

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true,

but I know I'm who I am today

because I knew you...

I believe with all my heart that God brings people into our lives as we need them. Some people, like our families, we need for a lifetime. Others, who we may only need for a short period of time, leave lifetime impacts on our hearts. This man is one of those short-time, lifetime impact type of people. I officially met Mr. John Grundwald on the first day of 5th grade music class. Little did I know that day just how much time I would end up spending with him over the next 8 years. I always liked music, but this teacher made me fall in love with it!

During my middle school days, he encouraged my love of music {and theatre} by choosing me as one of the lead vocalist roles in the middle school production of Tom Sawyer in 7th grade. In 8th grade, he started planting ideas in my head of being the high school accompanist, which starting my Freshman year, I did. 

High School for me, as it is for most, was fraught with drama, but the one place I always found a calm oasis was the choir room. Mr. G was always ready with a listening ear and an encouraging word. He pushed me to be better than I was and to not settle for "just ok," both as a pianist and in life. My Sophomore year, he took part of the choir to NYC. I had originally signed up, but had to drop out because I just couldn't seem to get the money scraped together. Long story short, a few months before they left, he approached me about taking the spot of another girl for a discounted price. So I went. And it was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! My Senior year, he took me to several vocal festivals and {helped} gift me with my choice of "The Christmas Shoes" for the winter production at Harmony. All four years of high school, he encouraged me to try out for the local theatre productions, and finally, my Senior year, I did. I joined the cast for an exciting production of Bye, Bye Birdie. I met many people along the way with whom I still keep contact today. 

As a teacher, the expectation is that you will change lives, leave huge impacts, and create a better future for those you teach. I'm not a teacher in a school, but I'm sure there are times of great discouragement, when it feels like you're not making any difference for anyone.

But, at least for THIS man, I hope there is never a doubt in his mind that his work matters - this his life has affected so many and changed us...

For Good.