A Cheap Date

Well, as you could probably surmise

part of the stresses and pressures here

at the moment are financial.

Aren't they for most of us?

Well, I refuse to let the lack of cash

come between me and time with my 

husband.  He happens to be very easy 

to please.

He just discovered Sonic Slush!

In strawberry...thank you!

So, on Monday I was having a very,

very crazy day.  From Hershey in the 

morning to a meeting in the evening it 

was all scheduled up.....almost!

I had 45 minutes that were unclaimed 

between dropping Chelsea at work

and visiting a friend.

So, knowing that I would not see much,

if any,

of Warren that day I swung through Sonic

during Happy Hour!  

Gotta Love Happy Hour at Sonic!!  

Half Price Slushes, baby!

I called Warren and told him I was headed

his way with a Strawberry Slush!

He came out to grab it and I told him to 

get into the van.  We moved to the parking

lot and chatted as we worked to get those

hunks of strawberry up the straws.  

Funny thing, they were looking for him

at work....since he had no intention of taking a 

twenty minute break just then.

Sorry Jim, Melissa, Drew and others!

It wasn't his fault.

I am sure that since I wasn't 

at home to wait for him he

more than made up for that lost time.

But, for $2.02 total

you have to admit it was a 

pretty inexpensive date.

And fun too.

Update on My Etsy Store...

Etsy update....

Nothing is happening.

Is this normal?

Am I doing something wrong?

I read others who say you do have

to be patient. 

So I will.

Hopefully, it is a matter of time

and not something that I am doing

wrong....

In the meantime my creativity is 

bursting at the seams and I so 

desperately want to create more

one of a kind projects to post there.

When Chelsea and I were at the 

mall yesterday I didn't read the whole time.

Some of the time I was in stores

looking at unique and very 

beautiful containers that 

would have made 

the most awesome

of candles.

Hmmmm.......

Maybe it wouldn't hurt.

I could always give them as gifts

if they don't sell.

Today I added a 30 percent off the 

first customer order at the end of the 

introductory paragraph....

maybe that will inspire someone who 

is sitting on the fence.

In all honesty we have had a very

hard week here and I don't have 

a lot to say so this is why you are getting

an Etsy update.  

Warren and I plan to go away for

the weekend and I think it is very 

excellent timing indeed.

Stresses of life are 

weighing heavy.

But, God is faithful.

He will provide what we need

and we will give Him the glory!!

It Is the 5th Tuesday......

Turns out the MOPS group meets on the 

1st and 3rd Tuesdays......

No kids to watch today!

So....what do Becky and Chelsea do

when they have driven a half an hour 

for nothing?

They go to the mall!

Becky  finds a cozy corner and reads 

a book while Chelsea shops.

It works for us.....

Oops! Another Crash.

I don't know how much more of this driving

fun I can take...

This time it was Mikey driving.

We had taken Jonathan to Red Lobster for his

birthday.  

lobster pizza

John and Jonathan

Smile for the camera....uggh!

Jonathan, John (a friend) and Mikey

had left separately.  Warren , Chelsea, the Moms

and I were in our van and running a couple of 

errands on the way home.  We had stopped at

Bee's house for just a minute when the cell phone

rang.  It was Mikey.  He had just rear ended 

someone and didn't know what to do.

We left immediately and I sat on the cell phone

listening first as the boyfriend of the lady they

hit tried to gather information from them

and then I could tell that a police officer had arrived.

Finally we got to the scene and were relieved to find

it pretty minor....but an accident none the less!

Of course Mikey walks away with a fine and 

what is hopefully a lesson learned about keeping

his distance.  It was one of those situations that 

just makes you crazy...Two cars away they slam on their 

brakes and then you are out of options....but if there

had been just a few more feet he would have been 

able to get stopped.

Of course the car that began the 

whole thing sped off,

but that is beside the point.

We are praying the lady in the car he hit is honest.

It is a good thing we have a police report because 

that should keep any frivolous complaints to a minimum.

So....if you are counting....that makes one accident

for each of the young men in that truck over the past

few weeks...two in one weekend.

ENOUGH, I say!

I didn't know I would need the "enough" look later!

We are at our quota!!!

Thankful that all three were spared physical injury

and that they had the presence of mind to fully 

cooperate and be responsible!

Happy Birthday Jonathan!!

Twenty Years ago today we were praying you would live.

One major surgery and two weeks in NICU later....

All praise be to Jesus

you came home well.

We are looking forward to what God has

in store for your life.

It will be good!

You are a great and loyal friend,

strong and solid personality.

We are so blessed to be called....

your parents!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Gone Muddin' - Part Two!

A few of you may remember two years ago

just after we had purchased the van we have

currently that Warren and I had gone to 

what we call a Mud Sale.

No, they do not sell mud...

but there is almost always an

abundance of it there due to 

Spring rain and thawing ground.

We had to be pulled out of the field we

and everyone else parked in.

I thought it was a blast.

Warren, not so much!

You can read that post HERE

if you so desire.

Well, yesterday we kind of did an

unintentional replay...

except we had the excitement

of sliding off the road first.

Jonathan is still learning to drive.

Most of the reason it is taking so 

long is that he is so laid back that 

he doesn't beg us to take him out

to practice and therefore it is easy 

to just let it slide.

I mean, who really gets excited about 

all of that adrenalin and fear anyway.

So........my dear Mom has been working

with him and we occasionally 

white knuckle it.

I am not a good passenger for anyone.

He is not an exception!

Anyway....

Jonathan was going to be helping

our friends at Creekside Cottage with 

some tree work yesterday and it seemed an

excellent opportunity to allow him to drive.

All went pretty well until we started onto

a road that has deceptive curves.

They really look innocent until you are into 

them and it must be the way they are graded 

or something

but they have nearly gotten me several times.

Well,

despite all of my warnings....

we went into one of these curves about 

20mph too fast.

In the Buick.

Next thing we know we are 

off the road and stopping in the freshly 

plowed and very wet field.

You may wonder if I was calm.

Well, there are two sides to that answer.

The first thing to know is that my second time

behind the wheel I took my father into a field.

Sheer disobedience on my part.

He was ready to be done with the lesson and 

go home....

I wasn't.

So, when he told me to turn 

I resisted until it was too late to 

make the turn and then accelerated to help the 

car turn sharper.....

that doesn't work!

Don't try that at home!!

So....was I calm?

I was hysterical!!

But I knew I had it coming.

I had just patted myself on the back 

that neither of the boys had landed us in 

a field and I thought we were past that risk.

Why, oh why, did I allow that 

thought through my brain cells!

So, anyway, while I wasn't happy,

and I was shaking,

I did have the cell phone and managed

to call our insurance agent to ask for 

a number for a tow.

Then came the waiting.

Quite a few awkward moments as men in 

pick-up trucks would stop and stare

before asking,

"What happened here?"

with big grins on their faces....

"Duh!"

Oh well, some were nice and offered

to try to pull us out but I told them that 

we had a tow truck coming.

Finally about 40 minutes later

our neighbor's dad pulled up in his 

flatbed tow truck.

We are a small community...

you are likely to know 

your tow truck driver.

He hooked on a chain to the 

back of the car.

(Yes, that was the proper
way to say that in PA Dutch!)

With Chelsea and I inside,

me at the wheel,

we went for the most fun

backwards mudding adventure

I have had.... to date!!

If it had not happened under those circumstances

I would pay for that kind of a ride.

So much fun!!!

Shh...don't tell Chelsea.

She starts driving in July.

I'd rather not go through that again!!!

The car is fine.

We are fine.

And we gave those farm boys something

to look at yesterday.

Lucky them!

Now, I have not had an accident 

or speeding ticket since my episode

in the field when I was eighteen.

I hope that Jonathan just follows in my 

footsteps and has a clean, clean 

driving record!

Have a great day...

and avoid the mud!

Edited:  I want you to know that
Jonathan wasn't speeding...
there was a sign just on the other
side of the curve announcing that
the speed limit was 45mph....
It was just that I would have taken the curve
at maybe 35mph and with his inexperience
he probably should have been slower than
that by about 10mph.

One Enchanted Evening

Last evening was special!

It was Chelsea's Senior Banquet

at the Eden Resort.  

Warren and I went along with 

Grandma Ruth and Grandma Georgia.

We sat at a table with the folks from

Creekside Cottage, The Rabes,

and Grandpa Bob and Grandma Phyllis.

Emily is their graduate.
If you click on the link above you'll
go to Mrs. Rabe's post about the evening.
She has better photos.

Emily and her Dad, Tim

It was a delightful evening.

The food was amazing!

Just look at the presentation.

Looking at that beef I thought

there must be filling in it...nope!

 All beef!!

Wow!

And it was so tender.

The decor was so sweet.

 The committee used the class colors

of teal and silver.

I am convinced that we had the best

server in the room.

He was excellent!

Warren and I were responsible for the 

sound system and the running of it.

What that means is that Warren did 

all of the work and I arranged mics

for the performers. 

However, we nearly 

had a disaster when the 

head of the banquet committee

came over and asked if we had remembered the

dinner music.  

Oops!!  

She had told me that we should bring

that music while I was at Co-op and 

it had totally been forgotten.  

You know Co-op/Banquet

two different things....

My brain is getting smaller,

I swear!

Now we were in trouble.  

Poor Tracey's eyes got big!

We began searching Warren's iPod for something

suitable....she wanted instrumental only.

He had nothing!

So Tim, Chelsea and Emma ran out to Grandma

Ruth's car to search all of her cd's to see if there 

might be something we could use.  

They returned with 

not one,

but three, 

wonderful disks!!

We were relieved and then quite amused later when

Tracey returned to tell us that someone had actually 

come over to her table to compliment her on the 

dinner music!!  

Who does that?  

Listens to the music

in the background????

We got a huge laugh out of that and were so thankful

that Mom keeps a large music library in her car.

 While this is blurry 

I just love this picture of the girls.

The talent was offered up by graduates.

It was fabulous!!!!

This is one very, very talented class.

It is beginning to sink in.

Caps, Gowns and Invitations were

handed out on Monday evening.

With the banquet last evening....

Graduation is creeping up on us.

But one thing I know for sure...

this is not the end....

It is a huge beginning!!

Of a new style of learning.

And it will be exciting!!

Two Very Serious Prayer Needs in our Blog Community....

Hello Friends,

As I know that some of you are amazing

prayer warriors I am asking for your assistance

today.

The first situation is in the lives of Roger and Beth

from Beth's By Grace.  Roger is in the hospital 

with a major infection.  I'll copy and paste some

of Beth's post.  I hope she won't mind.....

"Hi everyone. 

Roger is STILL in the hospital...

this is early Thursday morning...

I'm getting ready to 

go to bed for a while. 

He is still suffering with 

cellulitis in his leg and 

still running a fever with  

nausea and major pain. 

He seems to be having the 

worst headache ever and getting 

very nauseated with that. 

He's on an IV with antibiotics and fluids. 

They're giving him some pretty strong

pain medicines as well.
He DOES show a marked improvement 

in the huge infection in his leg, 

however, so that is a praise, isn't it? "

Beth went on to say that Roger is seeing things

that aren't there and having some conversations

that just don't make sense.

So hard for a wife to bear.

This dear couple is in the midst of moving their family 

from one home to another.  They have been working

so hard and this complicates things.  Of course Roger's 

health is more important than the move but as you can

imagine the stress of it all must take its toll.

The second situation is from Marcia, at

Blessedmom's Simple Home.

This was her prayer request in her post yesterday:

" I'd like to ask you all to pray for my nephew, Jordan.
He's been serving his 2nd tour of duty in Afghanistan. 

There is no easy way to say this.
Yesterday, he stepped on an I.E.D. and lost both of his legs.
Now he's fighting for his life. 
 He is a wonderful young man, willingly serving our country.
He's also a husband, and father to a young son."

I cannot imagine the courage it

takes to put oneself in harm's way

every day as our military men and women do,

however, I am so grateful for them.

I wish these things never, ever happened!!

Both of these families are suffering so much

right now and I hope that you will join me

in prayer and by stopping by and offering 

words of encouragement.

Thank You!

Kindness

On Sunday it was time for another 

ladies study on a Fruit of the Spirit.

Now I had done my research and 

was prepared to talk about Kindness.

In fact I thought it would be 

beneficial for us to make an 

acrostic of points to remember 

as it related to kindness.

Then the time came and rather than

pick up my own Bible I grabbed two from 

the church library on my way by.

They both happened to be King James

and that particular version does not use the 

word Kindness.

Panic!

I thought I was losing it!

After all, I had been looking it up online

the night before and found all kinds of 

references.

Well, after checking the NIV 

we found the word Kindness just as I 

had expected....

Whew!

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, 

peace, forbearance, kindness, 

goodness, faithfulness,

So...

We made an acrostic.

Sometimes just words but 

often with scripture references to 

back it up.

The overall gist was that kindness is wanting the best for others.

Achieving that by truly listening and always 

considering others before ourselves.

For example K was "Keep Your Mouth Shut!"

We had a bit of fun with it

because we are a fun group of ladies!

This is a great exercise

for a group.

We were into the Word 

and it brought out 

a good bit of discussion.

Just Chatting.....

It is that kind of day again.

The kind where I am so glad for

my Bloggy friends.

Being able to come here and just talk

as if we were sitting in my living room

brings me joy.

The beauty for you is that if you are not

in the mood for my ramblings you can

just close the window and 

you are free.

Pretty good arrangement 

if you ask me.

Anyway, 

Sunday night was interesting.

Mom, Georgia and I went to a church

in Hanover to surprise my cousin, Ethan.

He and his girlfriend were participating in 

a concert with their college from Indiana.

So, while an hour and half was a bit of a 

distance it was a lot closer than going to Indiana.

They were very, very good.

Ethan plays the cello....beautifully!

We were glad we went.

They were so surprised to look out

during the concert and see us.

On our way back to the car we had to 

cross a street. 

It was there that we nearly lost Georgia

to a speeding car!

Man, did that get our attention.

I am so thankful that the car went over into the

other lane and did not hit her.

Then we stopped at a convenience store to use

restrooms and get a snack.

As I got out of the van and had just closed

the door a very large, very tall man

approached me.

It was dark where we had parked and 

it was him and me between two cars.

He asked for money to put gas in his car

so he could get home.

There was a sneering look on his face.

Something didn't feel right, at all.

So I informed him that I was broke and 

that we were just there to use the restroom.

Only for some reason I used the word "potty".

I think I was trying to be a bit humorous or throw

him off balance or something.

All I know was that he was very threatening

and I felt in danger.

What surprised me was that I never stopped

moving toward him and he backed off.

Whew!

After the fact I have thought that I could have

offered to go in and pay for a specific amount

of gas on his pump or something ....

but all I could think then was to get away.

It was a bad situation.

Yesterday I asked my Facebook buddies what 

they would have done.

Most of them said they

would have given him a couple 

of bucks.

Some felt that he was just

wrong to approach a woman

under those circumstances.

What do you think

you would have done?

As to my goals for yesterday...

I made progress but didn't get it 

all done.

I remembered that I needed to 

revamp the candle website since I am 

moving all sales to Etsy.

That took a bit of time and then 

there was the fact that I hadn't listed any new

items for a while and so I made a couple 

of unique pieces.

This grouping of votives came to be because as

I was cleaning I came across them and it 

helped clean and made a nice package

to put some Oceans scented wax in them

and list them.

They came out great!

Photos of the candles in process are over at the candle website.

And then there was this sweet piece of glass 

sitting on the counter.

It was crying out to be a 

6 ounce citrus infusion

candle.

So, that was pretty much where my cleaning

got sidelined but I did get a lot done in the 

refrigerator, many dishes done,

a cheat kind of floor cleaning and 

then it was time to take Chelsea off to work.

I then visited my friend, Roxanne who has

begun Chemo.

It was good to see her...

and Mister, the dog.

I came home to make dinner for the men

and then ran back out to pick up our friend, Emma,

and then Chelsea and head off to a graduation meeting.

While there I got drafted to help the grads work on 

their class song.

Never intended for that to happen....

but while it was awkward to step into 

a situation in process

it was actually fun.

Well, I have chatted and chatted,

if you are still here

I applaud you.

  Have a wonderful day!

Today

From 2009

 On the agenda today

is 

Cleaning of the Refrigerator,

scrubbing the kitchen cabinets,

mopping the kitchen floor

and making a few candles.

I have a custom order 

and 

am getting ready to make 

candles in tins.

It is time to make the 

test candles.

Not an exciting day

but one that will bring a sigh

of relief and a smile to my face.

A fresh kitchen is a happy kitchen!

What are you doing today?

Hope it brings you satisfaction

and joy.

To God Be the Glory!!!

That was our opening hymn 

and the congregation sang it 

with gusto!

"To God be the Glory

Great things He has done!"

So, that was when the tears 

first tried to jump out of my eyes.

I just kept thinking,

"This is it.  No more concerts!"

Well, that is true and I think it is time.

But, I could not have asked for a better

one to leave with.

As usual, everyone stepped up and 

gave it their very best!

The only picture I took there was

this one of the empty stage

before anyone else arrived.

It was so quiet at this moment

and I prayed for the concert to come.

Prayer Answered in the affirmative.

The songs were sung wholeheartedly and

the combination choir pieces were simply

beautiful.  The Dad I asked to speak just

before the last two pieces did just as I hoped

he would in offering a simple invitation to 

those who were not yet a part of the 

Family of God.  He happens to be a 

Pastor so I figured he would probably 

get that right....lol.

A funny thing happened at the very end.

After the last song was sung I told the kids

to stay there and I sat down on the front pew

next to Mrs. Rabe of Creekside Cottage.  

I was filled with so many 

feelings but mostly happiness 

for the work the

students had done.  

Tears started flowing just

as Deanna (Mrs. Rabe) reached for tissues for

herself.  She grabbed an extra for me.

At that moment the earlier referenced Pastor/Dad

said that they were going to honor us...so now 

everyone was watching.  What we didn't realize 

was that we removed our glasses, wiped our eyes

and replaced our glasses at exactly the same time.

Warren said it was really funny...as did others.

We were so very touched by the outpouring of 

love and appreciation represented in a huge bouquet

of flowers for each of us as well as some lovely 

gift cards!  

But, even that paled in significance as

the students came up and said "Thank You" and 

other very nice things.  One little guy asked for my 

phone number so that he could call me.  I have informed

my husband that if Young Mister......calls it is legit and I want

to speak with him.

God was very, very good to us

last evening.

The message of salvation could not

have been clearer.

The PowerPoint was a hit.

The students gave it their all.

Deanna and I felt the LOVE.

Ahhh....

on to the next thing God has for us.

It is kind of nice that Deanna and I "work"

together in our church...

because we make a good team.

That doesn't have to stop just because

the Co-op phase of our lives is done.

I've included photos of the flowers 

received last night.

Three bouquets all together.

Yikes!!!!!

Oh, and you know how I love

Peanut M&M's???

I've got my own...

in an Easter Egg.

A gift from a student.

They are mine....

All mine!!!

 

Today is THE Day..........

This morning a dress rehearsal.

Tonight the real deal.

It is exciting and has my belly 

hurting all at the same time.

This is going to be our most involved

concert yet.  I am actually going to 

accompany and direct two choirs.

I think it was a bad idea....

but not having anyone else to play

it just kind of happened.

However, the Lord knew this was coming

and the church we use has rearranged the stage so 

that the piano is perfectly positioned that the

kids and I can see each other.

A coincidence?

I think not!

I worked for hours on a PowerPoint

photo album that will be over in just 

three and a half minutes....

but it is sweet!!!!

Can't wait to hear the response to it.

Our Theme?

"Welcome to the Family"

The Songs?

Preschool

Days of the Week

Five Red Apples on the Tree

Kindergarten and First Grade

I Just Keep Trusting My Lord

We are Heirs of the Father

We Are Part of the Family

Second and Third Grade

Welcome to the Family

Gonna Sing to the Lord

Fourth to Sixth Grade

As David Did

Every Time I Feel the Spirit

7-Up Ensemble

His Name is Life

All of Creation

Combination Choir

Lay ‘Em Down

My Savior, My God

Heeeeeere We Go...................

A Two Hour Respite

This may sound ridiculous

after going on and on about how

busy my week is.

However, it was spontaneous and turned

out to be a huge blessing

to me.

Yesterday afternoon Chelsea had a hair
cut and color

appointment with Faith,
the daughter of my 

friend Mindy, 

who blogs

at

Always Look Up.

After the consultation

Faith said it would take

about two hours 

to get the desired

look.

I said I would go look around the 

shopping center where her shop is 

located and then come back and 

read the book I had brought along.

As I headed out the movie theater was

on my way to the first store on my agenda.

I decided to just see what was playing

and at what times.

Ooopsie...could it be?

The King's Speech?

In just 8 minutes??

It was.

I spontaneously popped in

bought a ticket

and then asked how long the movie

would be.

Two hours, was the answer.

Perfect!

I went to the theatre and sat down.

I waved and spoke to the two other ladies
in the theater.
Just the three of us...big, big room.

Previews were running at this point and 

it occurred to me that this meant it would

run longer than two hours and Chelsea

would worry about what in the world happened

to me....

So up I jumped, leaving my coat in the seat

and hurried back to the salon.

I told them the plan....

Ahhh...so now I could go back, relax

and enjoy the movie.

Not exactly, 

as soon as I sat back down and was 

getting settled in again my cell phone

rang.  It was Jonathan just wanting to 

check in and see where we were.

He didn't get much satisfaction because the 

phone didn't get great reception in the building.

Not wanting to disturb the other ladies

and the previews I jumped up and took this 

call in the hallway.

So once again I came in and got all settled.

This was going to be so good.

I just knew it.

Then that little voice in the back of my 

head started saying....

"Your bladder isn't going to hold for

another two hours."

Yikes!

Now here was the dilemma.

These ladies must already think I have

something odd going on.

I'm thinking that they are thinking

this is going to be a long movie if this

lady in front of them jumps up and runs out

every 90 seconds.

BUT, on the other hand wouldn't it be better

if I left just one more time during the previews?

Yes, it would.

And so, up again I popped and out to the 

restroom.

On my way back to the theater I found a 

precious group of ladies looking for this movie.

I decided that this was my perfect cover.

I would have "gone out to meet them".

So I globbed on and came in talking to them.

Brilliant!

They sat directly behind me and we all

enjoyed the movie together.

I KNOW what you are thinking.

Why did I care what two strangers thought 

in a dark movie theater?

If you were to ask them today

about the crazy lady in the theater they

probably would be clueless.

However, sometimes we put our

thoughts in other people's heads.

Anyway....to the movie.

As it began words giving the date and

events were on the screen.

One woman behind me read it aloud to 

another....at first I thought it was going to be

a very long movie if she did this the whole time.

But as she read 1925 a sweet little voice said,

"1925?  That's the year I was born!"

O.k., I thought, now this is cool.

As the movie progressed there was a scene

of Hitler and thousands of men.

You have seen footage of this before,

I am sure.

From the seats behind me once again came

a voice.

"I remember that so well, Do you remember?"

to which was a very definite and emotional

reply....

"Of course I remember, who could forget?"

Oh!  The tone and pain in her voice struck me 

to the core.   I was so touched that it was all I 

could do not to just get up then and hug those women.

I cried for the pain they had endured during that 

World War and for the history that is dying off so 

quickly now.  The stories that will never be told 

again as our Grandparents and 

Great-Grandparents leave

the scene.

In the meantime I was also immensely touched by the movie

itself.  I highly recommend it to mature teens and adults.

It is rated R because of language.

The language is strong at points but is not

pointless,  if that makes sense.

The writing is so very smart.

The scenery amazing!

The actors brilliant!

What a wonderful way to spend

two hours, let me tell you!

On an impulse and by myself...

sort of.

Good Morning....

It is that time in a busy week where I have a few 

minutes to breathe before the next wave of crazy hits.

Friday evening is our homeschool co-op's Spring 

Concert.  This is my final year to direct choirs and 

the concert.  As such, of course I want it to be great.

I know it will be fine but it has not been without many,

many challenges this year.

The first challenge we realized was that the high school

biology class was scheduled during
the same class period

as the high school choir. 
 Many of my older students needed

to take the science and therefore
are no longer in the choir.

There went the experience....
and some amazing voices

and accompanist!
However, many parents who have
heard the Ensemble practice
have commented
on how nice they sound together.

Then Chris Tomlin decided
that March 18th would

be a perfect date to hold
a concert in Hershey!

So several of our students
will be there 

instead of in or attending

our concert.  

Thanks Chris! 

I'll never hear your wonderful music

the same way....

but I still love your work!

The Fourth to Sixth Grade choir
had some issues that required

us changing two of their
songs midway.
Yes! 
It was risky

but turned out to be
the right move.

A county wide choir,
which several of our students

are in is holding a concert that morning...

who would have thought they would choose

a Friday morning....

so a few are obligated to miss our dress

rehearsal because they signed a contract

with that choir.

Add to these things
snow and sick days. 
I am not sure I have 

had all of my students at
one place at the same time all year.

It has been crazy. 
Thanks to the horrible flu that circulated

this winter some of my
students missed three weeks in a row.

That makes it tough to learn music!!!

So...what is very strange?

I am perfectly at peace about the evening.

When it is great....and it will be....

all the glory will go to our Lord Jesus Christ.

For this reason the opening congregational hymn

will be....

To God Be the Glory!

We have put our time and effort into it.

The theme of the concert is

Welcome to the Family.

It is our hope that someone may come away from 

this concert wanting a relationship in the family of 

Christ.  Our music points them that way.

So....it is all about HIM.

He will receive ALL of the glory!

If you think of us on Friday evening

you could pray that this is the message 

our students, families and guests leave with.

Have I Got a deal For You!!

Have you heard of Groupon?

It is a marketing company which

promotes businesses at huge discounts.

Well, today's Groupon is for Shutterfly

and it is a photobook.  If you haven't seen

these you should.  You format it and place

your photos in it.  Mikey and I put one

together when he got back from El Salvador

and we love it!!

I ordered one of these Groupon deals....

A photobook for just $10 for Chelsea.

I want to make it for her with photos of 

her from infancy to graduation!

You cannot beat this price.

The book is hard cover

and the paper is high quality photo paper.

20 pages are included for the $10 but you 

can pay to add more if you need them.

If you go HERE and purchase this deal 

would you please do me the favor of adding

my code,     

http://gr.pn/gYB3ie,

so that I can get credit for the referral?

Thanks!!!

Running....

Another busy day ahead.

Hope yours is good!

Well, I Did It!

 

I've taken the leap and opened an 

Etsy Shop.

Wow!  

Those of you who have mentioned the 

time involved in maintaining and listing items 

are so right.  I know I'll get faster at it and have

plans to remake my banner, etc.  

But, the store

is opened. 

Sigh of Relief!

Now to see if there is an interest

in my candles there.

Anyone who has first hand knowledge 

of them is more than welcome to 

stop by and leave feedback.

That would be so wonderful!!

My banner includes blue

and one of my most recent customers

is that dear lady we call Smiling Sally

who hosts Blue Monday with so much 

dedication each week.

Note:  I asked and received

permission to tell you that 

Sally is a customer.

I will not use your name or 

comments without your prior permission.

Thank You, Sally, for your kind words...

"I just got my order, 

and I am so impressed 

with the care you took

in packaging.

Everything arrived in perfect condition 

and smelling oh so good! 

What a nice bargain."

Just a bit more blue before I quit posting

for today and head into a very busy week.

 If you don't already participate in 

Blue Monday with Sally you might 

want to consider it.

It is fun to be challenged to 

see blue in a whole new way.

Happy Blue Monday!!!