Check the Bucket List: Ukulele

I've always loved learning a new instrument.  Of course in college, I had to study my major and minor instruments for hours and hours, but my favorite classes were learning new instruments!  Prior to attending college, besides piano and trumpet, I had studied drums and guitar, but college really opened so many more doors for me.  I always have a "bug" to learn a new instrument.

In the last few years, my "bucket list" instrument has been the Ukulele.  I've literally studied everything I can about it; from which to purchase, how to teach it, how to play it, etc.  I finally took the dip and bought this beauty!

It took me several months to settle on which one to get and since I don't live near a music store, it was hard to choose, but this Luna Mahogany Mo'o ended up being the one!  I ordered from another seller on Amazon and waited impatiently for two weeks for it to come, to discover that the company cancelled my order and didn't notify me.  In fact, it showed that it was shipped the entire time (and still does)!  So I re-ordered, hoping to have a better outcome. It came in two days!

I really thought that figuring out what to buy would be the most difficult part of learning the ukulele!  Guess what - it's not!  Keeping this fun baby away from my younger children is posing to be the most difficult. They aren't careless or rough with it.  In fact, they treat it like a precious baby. But darned if they aren't learning to play it faster than me! Of course, I can't get it away from them to get my own practice in! 

As a Music Therapist, I have to say that this is truly turning out to be a perfect instrument to introduce to anyone!  It sounds pleasant, it's easy to play (several of the main chords are one finger), and it's makes you feel good.  What more can a therapist ask for?  I can't wait to start my first class.  Oh, and guess what my three kids are getting for Easter instead of candy?

“Be the Hands and Feet” Book Review

I have read one of the Nick Vujcic’s other books and always find myself sitting at the edge of my seat, so to speak to learn about Nick’s life without out arms and legs.  As before, Nick did not disappoint me in providing a wonderful and inspirational book!  “Be the Hands and Feet” is about God’s call to Christians to go out and share His love and word.

Not only does Nick share his own advice and stories from his life and walk with God, but he shares many stories from every day people and the unique ways they share God’s love with others.  For the new Christian or even the seasoned Christian, this is a refreshing well planned and thought out guide for how to get out there and do God’s bidding.   There is so much information packed in this book that it’s a definite candidate for another read thru (which is saying a lot, because I rarely read books twice!)

Even more meaningful, is Nick and his father’s heart wrenching experiences with illness and death, and how their faith grew.  To be able to read of other’s doubts and reactions in really rough times, gives me hope that even I can keep my faith.  This book packs in so much inspiration and hope for all Christians of all walks, from the newborn Christian to the pastor that I highly recommend “Be the Hands and Feet” for all!

I am doing this review for Walterbrook Multnomah Books in exchange for a free copy of the book.  All opinions are my own.

Like New Driveway

Before the driveway was covered

Mr. Right and I have been discussing the fact that we have some major potholes in our driveway, partially because we did some work on the part next to the house in order to pour cement and then because we have a lot of vehicles in and out of it.  When my older kids are home, they bring their cars with them, so we have four vehicles in and out, and then I have piano students in and out for two days each week, so we've worn the driveway down quickly (and part of our lawn.

 

We had fair weather today, and we decided to call and see if we could schedule a truckload of gravel to be dropped on the driveway.  They came in an hour!  That's service!  We actually widened the driveway, so we can park cars two wide.  Eventually, we plan to wide it more and also put in a load up near the house as well.

 This truck driver, knew exactly how to lay the gravel flat in the driveway, and even put extras into the holes at the end of the driveway.  It took very little raking to get it to even out!  It is pretty exciting to not have such a mud pit in the driveway now!  I can't wait for the part next to the house to get a load too!