The Piano That Nearly Killed Us

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It all started when a friend of mine (whom I will call Lindy) put some items online, that she was getting rid of for FREE. Free being the operative word here. I noticed that she had an older upright piano that she wanted out of her house. It just so happens that hubby and I were in the market for a piano. The fact that she was giving it away spiced up the deal quite a bit. Lindy informed me she just wanted it out of her house. "Heave ho, out it goes" was her new mantra.

This past Thursday evening my two sons, husband, and I trekked off to her house. We were determined to haul this piano to it's new home in our dining room. After much pushing, shoving, a scratched door frame, a few pieces of wood splintered off of the piano AND possible hernias for everyone involved, the piano was in the trailer. A shout out to "Lindy's" brother, also known as the strong man. He was a good brother and helped his sister get rid of this hulking hunk of wood. I do believe this particular piano had lead in the bottom of it. It was very heavy. I for one did not lift or push the piano. I was there for moral support for the males. Everyone needs a cheerleader. Just sayin'.

We were getting ready to leave when "Lindy" said, "Look, if it falls off the trailer on the way home...just keep driving. Pretend you have no idea how a piano fell off your trailer. Where in the world did that come from? Then speed off and don't look back." Thankfully, the piano cooperated and stayed put on our, what should have been 20 minute trek home, going a whopping 10 m.p.h.

Once we got home the fun started. Let's just say there was a lot of huffing and puffing. Some body parts got smashed. The dogs ran for cover. We were never so glad to get that piano into the house and rolled into it's new spot. My husband and I have decided that the piano is staying put until we die or Jesus comes again. Amen.

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Wheelchair Dancing

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I don't remember what caused me to think of it... a memory that has been tucked away, for at least twenty years. It's funny how things just pop back into one's mind, when least expected.

Everyone wants to be accepted. Everyone wants to feel wanted. Everyone needs a friend. In those ways we are not so very different.

A group of friends. Laughing and dancing. Being silly. Being young.

One friend's brother sat in a wheelchair. An accident had taken away his ability to walk...ever again.

He wanted to dance.

He didn't think anyone would want to dance with him...because his legs didn't work. Because he was different. Because of fear.

He shyly looked at me. Will you dance with me?

"Yes", I replied in youthful exuberance , "let's go".

I sat on his lap, wrapped an arm around his neck and off we went. We rolled, and rocked, and spun in dizzying circles.

We laughed out loud.

After the song, we rolled to a stop. We were out of breath from laughing and spinning.

He thanked me for dancing with him.

And I thanked him for asking.

That night I learned a valuable lesson.

Take a chance. Don't let fear stop you from asking. Don't worry about what others might be thinking.

And enjoy the dance.

 

 

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With A Thankful Heart

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As we are heading into the Thanksgiving season, I am taking time to think on those things that I am thankful for. In the midst of life's urgent moments, frustrations, and chaos, it is good to slow down and remind oneself to take pause and say thank you. Each of us has much to be grateful for...

1. My very real relationship with Jesus Christ. It is because of this relationship that all other things make sense.

2. God's Patience with me. For all the times I mess up, and yet He loves me.

3. My heavenly Father's faithfulness. I can always count on Him.

4. God's blessings. He has blessed me in ways that I do not deserve.

5. Family...that loves me. People that love me through thick and thin. Through the smiles and the tears.

6. New friends. Old friends.

7. For Saturdays

8. Full Moon

9. Getting to sleep in.

10. Rainy days with a good book.

11. That bad days usually don't last.

12. Beautiful Fall leaves.

13. Being ABLE to exercise. For hands and feet and legs and arms that work.

14. Hot chocolate.

15. Quiet times.

16. For my blogging buddies. Getting to see their lives through their eyes. For making me laugh out loud:)

17. Warm clothes.

18. A husband that loves me. That reminds me that he is here ALWAYS.

19. For being a mom.

20. For healthy, funny, nerve wracking, nutty, confusing children.

21. A family that loves me. When I'm mother of the year, or a pain in the neck.

22. A mother who loves me.

23. In-laws that accept me, and love me.

24. Good memories.

25. My health.

26. That all sadness usually passes.

27. I am even thankful for the hard times, the sad times, the painful times....because, it is in light of these times that everything else seems so much sweeter.

28. Church

29. Connections

30. Being able to help special needs individuals.

31. Love

32. Feeling useful.

33. My computer.

34. Sunrises/Sunsets

35. Seasons of the year

36. Seasons of life

37. Prayer

38. Pets

39. Classic movies

40. My country.

41. The privilege of voting.

42. Freedom.

43. Flavored coffee in a favorite mug.

44. Forgiveness.

45. Having yet another day to be thankful.

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Shooting Stars

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My "walking buddy" and I are out the door and walking by 6 a.m. in the morning. The past couple of mornings it has been pitch black outside and COLD. I'm trying to convince myself that this early morning exercise is invigorating. As long as I'm layered up, I'm okay...and to tell the truth I like the cold more than I do the hot. Too much heat and humidity just makes me crazy. Crazier than usual...and that is saying something.

1. Walking in the early morning darkness can be a little creepy.

2. I hear things.

3. Things that rustle in the the trees and bushes on the side of the road.

4. Things that probably have hooves, or claws, or teeth.

5. I make myself feel better by reminding myself that they are more afraid of me...

6. Than I am of them. Hopefully.

7. Don't tell me otherwise.

8. I do enjoy the time to talk with my friend.

9. It is very satisfying to solve the world's problems, before breakfast.

10. We are that good.

11. Really

12. Okay, maybe not...but, we try.

13. And it's good therapy.

14. And way cheaper.

15. Yesterday and today the sky has been crystal clear.

16. Breathtaking, really.

17. I saw 2 shooting stars yesterday.

18. And 3 more today.

19. There is something about looking into the heavens...

20. Realizing how small I actually am.

21. In the big scheme of things.

22. It makes me in awe

23. Of He who created the stars in the skys

24. And calls each by name.

25. Peace

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The World Really Is A Small Place

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I was "freshly pressed" on Wordpress.com  this past Thursday. Being freshly pressed  is kind of like being their "blogger of the day". It was a lot of fun, because it was totally unexpected. I had no idea until I started seeing hundreds of people reading my blog. What??? I have a decent following but, nothing like this.....what is going on? I figured it out and was pleasantly surprised. By the end of the day I had thousands of people that had looked at my blog. Wow.

I had such fun reading the comments from everyone. I "met" a woman who is traveling the world with her nine year old son. I laughed with a woman who said that mice freak her out. I cried after reading one man's comment about needing a smile. His wife has cancer and they are in the middle of building a house in his wife's homeland of Slovakia. I giggled when reading the comment from one husband who said his wife would agree with me about grocery bills...but, he likes to eat! I found a lot of moms that are similar to me, that get my sense of humor...and if we lived closer (and not all over the U.S.A) I bet we would be friends. Out of thousands of people that read my blog, I only had one odd comment...from a man who was on a rant about women. He sounded like he had issues that had nothing to do with me or my blog. Oh well.

All these people that commented, reminded me that this world we live in, isn't really all that big after all. We might live far apart, but we still have so much in common. Some people are scared to use the internet because of "what is out there".....and yes, I know there are some scary things online. But there are also a lot of funny, friendly, silly, serious, thought provoking, deep, and interesting people online. And I got to meet some of them! I hope that having been freshly pressed leads to more readers for my blog. People I can share some of my day with... along with that, I also love to meet people and hear their stories. So, it's all good.

Now, why don't you pull up a stool, sit at my kitchen counter, and I'll get you a cup of coffee. Let's talk...

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Summertime, Summertime, Sum..Sum..Summertime

Aaahhh........I'm now sitting at my desk, having just poured myself a nice tall glass of iced tea. Yes, I know sweet tea is not as healthy as ice cold water. Yeah, yeah, yeah...I consider it my vice. Out of all the horrible habits I COULD have...sweet tea is probably low on the totem pole, so to speak. With that said, now on to my blog for the day.

Even though I can't stand the humidity, and the bugs drive me crazy...there is something about the summertime that I love. I think it is the whole casual, laid back attitude of the season. The less scheduled times, the outdoor grilling, tan skin, and laying in the hammock. The smell of fresh cut grass, kids camps, swimming pools, visiting with friends, and lightening bugs. Summer requires one to slow down.

Life is so hectic most of the time. If you are anything like me, there are days when you are so insanely busy that you don't have time to sit still, much less relax. So much to get done, so little time. That is why summer time is a gift. A gift of slowing down. Really, life needs to have moments where we contemplate what is really important. What really makes our lives worth living......and spend time doing those things. Don't take for granted an impromptu game of Frisbee, water gun fights, evening walks, or eating  hot dogs grilled to perfection, shared with people you love. All small things. Not expensive, not high tech, very simple.

Simple... That is the joy of summer time.