The Musical Staff preview; my hikers; tragedy in the Reed family; going to DC!

Just a few odds and ends from this week.  First of all, here's a three-minute preview from the next DVD in my Music@Home series, The Musical Staff.   It will be available on my website in the next few weeks.  Please spread the word if you know any home school families who may be interested in having music class at home via DVD.



Here's a great picture of three of my favorite Stauffer guys taken on Sunday when they hiked Mount Nittany.

The pictures below are of my friend and former co-worker, Lois Reed's grandson.  Tragically, he died in a freak farm accident a few days ago.  I can hardly stand to think about it.  Please pray for their family at this sad, sad time.  

On a much lighter note, I had several "duh" moments this week.  The other day I decided I was in the mood for dried apple slices.  So I carefully laid them on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven at a low temperature.  And there they stayed and stayed and stayed and stayed.....  Many, many hours later I came home and thought, "Why is the oven on?"  They were dried alright.  Right onto the cookie sheet in poor little hard pieces.  

And then yesterday I put a small, frozen piece of ham in a pot with some water, turned the burner on high, and went into my computer room - just to check something, of course.  But I got a phone call, which took about 15 minutes.  And then I sat down at the piano and worked on a song.  And then I thought, "Why do I smell bacon?"  Oh my.  That poor, little piece of ham.  And that poor kettle.  I've been advised by people to not burn my house down and to use my timer.  Believe it or not, I use my timer a lot.  Just not those two times.  Dick said,  "Now I know why old people eat out so much."  Hahahahaha!

I'm excited about this weekend!  Lori is running in a 5-K in DC on Sunday and we're making a weekend of it.  We almost weren't sure Jeremy would be home for our visit, however!  He's been managing the preparations for a new Regency Furniture store in Jordan the past few weeks, and it was starting to look like he would not make it back home by this weekend.  But I guess he pulled some strings, because he's flying home tomorrow!  I wonder if there are any cherry blossoms left down there? 

The funeral; The Lorax; Sweet Sammy; Florida beauties; birthday fun

Attending my Uncle Paul Myers's funeral on Thursday was a tremendously heart-warming, uplifting, inspirational experience.  Does that sound crazy?  Yes, it is very sad that a man who was healthy and strong, working until age 80, would two years later discover he had cancer and die within two months' time.  Very, very sad.  But being at the funeral, I had the joy of hearing his children and grandchildren share their memories of a dad and grandpa whom they were proud of and felt tremendously loved by.  They shared the impact he had upon their spiritual journeys.  

We come from a very large family, and once-a-year gatherings which my generation has not always been very faithful in attending, do not give opportunity to become well acquainted.  This window into Uncle Paul's life and family was a precious gift to me.  I feel so much affection for these cousins, Kathy, Jeff, Steve, Scott, and Lori, whom I have not known well, and I don't want to lose touch with them.  

In this picture Aunt Polly, always so pretty and petite, is sitting with their daughter Kathy's family at the meal provided after the funeral.

    

I wish I had gone around to other tables and taken pictures of Uncle Paul's other children and grandchildren.  But I actually was sitting at a table with a number of other cousins and became engrossed in our conversation of memories and attempts to piece together the bits of Myers family history that we have.  It's startling to realize that as more and more of our parents' generation move on from this life, there are less and less sources of information and stories. 

I decided to take advantage of being in Lancaster County and make some more memories with my grandchildren.  Upon leaving the church in Lancaster I drove to Reading to spend some time with Destiny.  We went to the iMax theater to see The Lorax.  What a great movie!   And I loved the songs.  

 I don't know what's with the green-looking jeans!  She definitely did not have green jeans on!  After the movie we went to AC Moore's to get her some art supplies.  While we were driving she was doing her homework.  In math she's learning beginner algebra, and I was impressed with her skills.  I just love how she's all about school, and I hope and pray it stays that way.  

After taking her back home I went to Sam and Jenn's for the night.  Sammy had just gone to sleep on Jenn's lap, but I wasn't there long till he stirred and noticed me.  Then the fun and games began.  I don't think I got any pics this time of his charming smile, but trust me, he had plenty of them!  What a charmer he is!!  And what a strong boy!!  He's not even quite 6 months old, but he stands with amazing balance. "Look, Ma, no hands!"  (almost)

After a while he started getting grouchy, so I gave him his pacifier, he lay back in my arms, and peacefully dropped off to sleep.  Occasionally he would open his eyes, as he was doing here, look over at his mommy and smile.  What a sweet, sweet boy!!  

In the morning Jenn was off to work before 6:00, as usual.  Eventually I could hear Sammy talking in his crib and then Sam taking care of him.  How I wish I had grabbed my camera when I went upstairs.  He was delightfully full of smiles.  A bit before 8:00 Sam and Sammy were leaving for daycare and work, and I was leaving for home, my soul filled up.

While I'm talking about grandchildren, I must show you this - my stunningly beautiful Florida girls.  Of course, George says they're his girls!

I spent Friday afternoon getting ready for our dinner guests.  Our friends Yvonne and Robert are in town this weekend, and yesterday was Robert's birthday.  We four had not been together for a number of years, so it was a fun evening.  All four of us are extremely talkative, so it was not uncommon for two or three of us to be talking at once!

Robert has experienced many health complications in the twenty-five years we've been friends, but he keeps fighting back, finding ways to keep living life with handicaps.  And he most certainly has not lost his sharp mind and witty humor.  Here he is with the carrot cake (his favorite) I made for him.  Happy Birthday, Robert!

Another "treasure"; Uncle Paul

One of the places my sisters and I went to on Saturday was the Goodwill Thrift Store.  Mary Ellen had told me ahead of time she wants to go to the Goodwill store where I find all my treasures.  I warned her that there are many times that I make a quick round through the store and find nothing.  

I don't know if either of my sisters found any treasures, but I spied a vase.  As soon as I saw it I knew exactly where it belonged - at the corner of my tub.  The colors on the vase are those in the picture hanging above the tub.

Remember when my sisters and I sang for our uncle Paul Myers a couple of months ago?   He had been recently diagnosed with cancer at that point.  This past weekend he passed away.  I will be going to his funeral in Lancaster tomorrow.  

Here's a good picture of Uncle Paul (red tie) and some of his family a few years ago.  His wife is in the pink sweater.

Here he is (dark blue shirt) with three of his siblings this past September. 

 

These are my mother's brothers and sister.  There were ten sibings.  Now only three are on this earth.  Even though my mom went to Heaven almost thirty years ago, her brothers and sisters have always loved and cared about and been interested in us and our families, especially Uncle Paul.  I'm so glad I could rearrange my schedule to be able to go tomorrow.  He has a sweet wife Polly, three sons, two daughters, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.  My heart aches for them all.

Sister Weekend

What perfect weather for a sister weekend!  This March will definitely be remembered as way too good to be true!! 

Mary Ellen and Doris arrived around 11 AM on Saturday morning.  We spent the afternoon doing our favorite things - shopping and laughing.  It does not take much, believe me, to get us laughing till we can hardly breathe.  Just put us in a car together and something is bound to happen that gets us started.  

Lori, Anthony, and Austin joined us for dinner.  What's the best way to eat a mini-cupcake?

Why,  top first, of course!

Lori got caught up on family news from Doris and Mary Ellen.   Later Anthony gave us a very helpful, informative computer session on Facebook settings and privacy.   He's thinking of making a video about it.  Sound like something you could use?

After Anthony, Lori, and Austin went home we watched The Help.  Lots of laughter again, and plenty of tears.  Mary Ellen lived in Mobile, Alabama in the early seventies, so there is much that feels very familiar to her in that movie.  We stayed up way too late talking afterward.  But what are sister weekends for, anyway?

 

On Sunday morning we went to church at both Fillmore and Houserville, where everyone was once again super-friendly and welcoming.  I love taking family and friends to our churches.  At Houserville we sisters sang Because He Lives, accompanied by  Dick on the 12-string.  I just love singing with my sisters.

After church we went to the Waffle Shop in Bellefonte for a delicious Brunch.  But not before we took them on some thrill rides on the steep hills within the town of Bellefonte.   It was seriously like being on a roller coaster.  You just hope the front of the car is heavy enough to keep it from flipping back over.  And I am not exaggerating.  I don't know how people live in that town. 

Our waitress said,  "You girls have a good afternoon," when she handed us our bill.  Dick said,  "What about me?"  She said, "You're with three women.  You're already having a good day."  Hahahahaha!

From there we went to the beautiful park in Bellefonte.....

....and acted like tourists.

Dick stood next to this gnarly old tree and said,  "Here are the two oldest things in Bellefonte."  

I guess we just can't get enough of ourselves.  (-:

I had time for a good nap after they left for home around 3:00.  Our next visitor came three hours later - our friend Tuwana from Harrisonburg, VA.  She was spending the weekend with her friend in Belleville (45 minutes from here) and came to spend the evening with us.   This pic was taken the last time she was here a year-and-a-half ago.

The coolest thing was that it was our evening for the monthly praise service at Fillmore, so she (also a worship leader) came along and played Dick's 12-string along with our little band.  That's our favorite thing to do together, so the timing was just perfect.  We had a wonderful evening jamming and worshiping.

Funny Flashbacks

Nothing exciting to write about this week, except our AMAZING weather!!  It seems entirely too good to be true - temps in the sixties and seventies day after day after day in mid-March in State College, PA!!  I hope I don't wake up and discover that this was a dream!!

In looking at my blog from a year ago I found this little video of Austin and Lori on parade.  I think it's the funniest thing ever, and I cannot watch it without laughing out loud. 

And here's another funny one from about two years ago - Austin shaking his booty to Amazing Grace! Sorry you have to endure my annoying giggle the whole way through it!

I'm looking forward to a special weekend!  My sisters Doris and Mary Ellen are coming for some sister time.  I wish our other three sisters could come too, but I guess traveling from Idaho, Georgia, and New Hampshire for just two days would be a impossible. 

LOTS of fun pictures ahead!

Warning!  LOTS of fun pictures ahead!

Lori and Austin got back Thursday night from visiting her sister in Atlanta.  His preschool was closed last week, so I kept him on Friday.  This boy loves his iPad!

He also loves to sing, "You Are My Sunshine"!  I remember when Sophie used to sing this song, and when Lori texted me this audio file. I thought it sounded exactly like Sophie.  I hope you're able to listen to it.  Try highlighting and right clicking. I had to open it with Quicktime.  
 https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=36fb118a3a&view=att&th=135f889618d8e5eb&attid=0.1&disp=safe&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8oxo-S4zb9vJY0Kppm13rA&sadet=1331566435575&sads=3tUmQ6xoCZzS2U7fiwDocHAnDrA

In case that doesn't work, here's the video I took of him singing it, but it's not as good and clear as the audio file that Lori got.

On Sunday we left right after church was over at Houserville and hit the road for Manheim Central High School.  This was the weekend for their musical, and the 2:00 matinee was the last show.  It was also the last show for Derrick Kreider, now a senior.  Derrick was "my boy" from kindergarten to grade eight, and I was so proud of him when he got to Manheim Central in ninth grade and already got a lead role in their spring musical.  I could not miss this one.  There were a number of other former students of mine in it as well - Molly Groff, Carly Czajczynski, Juliana Schnee, and kids from our home church - Taylor Howett and Jamie Vital.   They did GREAT!!  The musical was Thoroughly Modern Millie and was wonderfully hilarious.  Destiny was with Frank and Lauren this weekend, and they came to the show too.  As always I got tickets for front and center where we can watch the pit orchestra up close and also the stage.  I don't know if the sound is the best there, but that's where we like to be.   Destiny and I have watched so many shows together right in that spot.  It felt wonderful.    And once again, I was blown away by their AMAZING director who commandeers everything right from the middle of the pit with his drums and computer!! 

I was having too much fun after that to even think about getting my camera out again!  So no show pics.  And no pics of my favorite actors afterward either.  We had agreed to meet Sam and Jenn at  A&M, our favorite pizza place in town, at 5:00, and the show lasted till 4:40!  I knew that if we went out to the lobby to congratulate everyone and take pictures, etc, it could easily be an hour till we'd get out of there.  So we sneaked out a side door as soon as it was over.   

Here we are at A&M.  Jenn had drill this weekend and came straight from Fort Indiantown Gap.  Sam took this picture.  Too bad the sun was blasting Frank right on his face!  About the time we were ready to leave we noticed there were blinds we could have pulled down.  Oh well. 

I totally think Sammy knows me now.  He was SOOO cute when he and Sam got there and he saw me.  He just has such a way with that smile of his of just wrapping himself right around your finger and right into your heart.  

I got Lauren to take this pic for me, since Sam wasn't on the other one.  By then Sammy was starting to look sleepy.  

Last week Sam posted a bunch of pics on Facebook which I just had to steal and share.

Yesterday I got an email from my stepbrother, Grandma Mary's son, asking, "Did Mom say anything to anybody about trading in her Buick for a new set of wheels?"  And this picture was attached.  Hahahahahaha!!

 Is that too funny or what???  Of course, she did not trade in her Buick for that.  It's actually her son's new car, but he got her in it for this picture.  And oh, did we all have fun with it!

Lori had to go to Philadelphia early this morning for a funeral, and Anthony is still at a convention in Texas, so last evening we stopped in at their place on our way home from Manheim to bring Austin home with us for the night.   One of his favorite entertainments is watching videos of himself on my phone! 

Between Lori and Austin's trip to her sister in Atlanta last week and Anthony's convention in Texas, it is a week-and-a-half since they have seen each other.  Austin is missing his daddy big time.  And vice versa, even though they have probably talked on the phone every day.   This morning as we were driving to preschool I was reminding him that Mommy had to go to Philadelphia today but she'll be back this evening.  And I added, "And Daddy is still in Texas."  After a while he said, "I'm sad."  I asked,  "You are?  Why are you sad?"  He said, "About my dad."  Oh my word.  I could have cried.  Thankfully,  Anthony will be home in two days.  I think father and son will both be ready for some good, rowdy play time together.

Austin, Sophie, home decor, and website updates

This week (Spring Break for Penn State) Lori and Austin have been in Atlanta with Lori's sister.  On a pretty daily basis Lori has been texting me pictures of Austin doing various things.  Yesterday's picture was this:

 I do love his curls, but he has such a handsome face it doesn't matter if he has hair or not.  He's starting to have his own opinion about whether or not he wants curls!  

Poor Lori, this morning she texted that they got into an elevator at the airport with other people.  Austin said out loud,  "Somebody's stinky in here."  Kids just say it like it is, don't they?  It reminded me of the time we were sitting in a very quiet waiting room at the doctor's office when Jeremy was about Austin's age.  An obese woman walked through the room and just before she went out the door, Jeremy said,  "Her has a BIG body!"  Oh, I just wanted to choke him!  And I could have cried for the woman. 

Here's a picture Lisa posted recently of Sophie in her new glasses.  They make her look even more like her good looking daddy.

As usual, every few weeks I take a swing through the local Goodwill thrift store.  Here are two of my recent finds. 

And did I ever show you my Christmas gift from Sam and Jenn?  I have it right above my filing cabinet next to my desk.  I can just sit here and look up at that sweet boy any time I want!

For any of you readers who are homeschoolers - Anthony added an email signup feature to my Music@Home website.  If you want to be informed on the progress of upcoming DVD's, that's the place to sign up. 

Gallivanting around Lancaster County

I just got back today from a couple of days in Lancaster County.  On Sunday right after church(es) I left (without Dick this time, since I was staying over for Monday) and drove straight to Reading without stopping.  Made it in 2 1/2 hours flat.  That has to be a record.  But I was going with the traffic, I really was.  I picked  up Destiny and we went to Sam and Jenn's for the rest of the day.  

When we got there we were greeted by the biggest smiles ever!  Sammy was in his new deluxe jumping chair.  By the time I thought of taking a picture he was already out of it, but standing on the outside of it, still all smiles.  Sorry it's a fuzzy pic taken with my cell phone, but you get the general idea!

They got him a high chair since I was there last, so I fed him some applesauce.

But alas, he became bored with both me and the applesauce and fell asleep!!

We ate the delicious meal Jenn had prepared - real mashed potatoes, two kinds of chicken breast (Italian and Coconut Mango - YUMMM!!), and roasted zucchini.  And BROWNIES.  I was glad I hadn't eaten much up until then.  

After a bit Sammy woke up and just relaxed on Daddy's lap for a while.    

But then he needed some exercise.  He just loves to stand and stand and stand.  I think he must have been checking out Destiny's food.  He probably wanted some mashed potatoes. 

 Are we happy or what????

We played for a long time, then it was time for a bottle and he fell asleep again.  At the rate he's growing he soon won't fit on my lap!  He had his 5 month check-up last week and weighed 20 lb. 10 oz.  and was 28.75 inches tall!  

Around 7:30 Destiny and I had to leave, so I handed the big little sleeper over to his mama and we said our goodbyes.

I got Sam to take a pic of Destiny and me so you can see how she too is getting taller.  It's just a matter of time till she's taller than me.  

After taking her home I went to Grandma Mary's for the night.  We sat up and talked till we both couldn't hold our eyes open.

On Monday morning I went to a nearby nursing home to spend time with my friend Miriam from our home church as well as her daughter Elma.  We had a wonderful morning together.  I had lunch with them in the dining hall.  It really was dinner - turkey ala king, mashed potatoes (again!!), home made biscuits, and asparagus.  And a delicious white cake with strawberry sauce over top.  I knew I needed to eat almost nothing else for the rest of the day after that!  

I spent the afternoon gallivanting around taking my Music@Home brochures to a number of people.  My favorite stop was with Leigh Ann. Her absolutely adorable kids played piano for me, showed me the motions to some songs for their upcoming church musical, and were just as silly as could be.  It just fed my soul to be around them.  

I also stopped in at my school, MCDS and went from room to room to see the kids and teachers.  The third graders were so funny.  One girl said,  "You still look the same."  I said, "So I don't look a whole lot older?"  She assured me that I don't.  Then I said, "Well, YOU do!  You were in kindergarten when I was your music teacher!"  How time flies.  I feel like I was just there yesterday.  Well, I guess I was, hahahaha!

Then I went to my brother's car repair business where my sister Mary Ellen is the office manager.  We chatted, probably far too long.  And I went to Dick's parents just as they were eating their dinner.  I ate very lightly after that other big meal I had had earlier.  

And then I went back to Grandma Mary's for another evening of talking and laughing and a little crying too.  I love her so much.  She's not my biological mother, but she's been the only mother I have since 1983 and our hearts are very bonded together.

This morning I drove back home.  Later today I had my weigh-in at Weight Watchers and in spite of those big meals this weekend I was down 2.2 pounds from last week, a total now of 9.4 since I first went on January 31st.  I have so much further to go, but I feel the difference and am motivated to keep on.

We've had several really cold days, but WARM temps are arriving tomorrow.  Thank you, Lord!