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Before we moved to Uruguay, we sold our beloved Kawaii grand piano. Although we both played it for many years, my husband was truly in love with it. I have so many fond memories of listening to him play.
One summer in Texas, I was repainting several rooms in the house and his music was my accompaniment. Many nights, I sat by the fireplace, listening to him play. When I was tired, he played after I went to bed and it put me to sleep. When I was angry, his music soothed my soul. It really hurt to sell it, but we didn't think it would do well moving on a ship.
So it's been two years since we've owned a piano. It was high time to change that. We found a 100-year-old Steinway that was rebuilt and refinished by a wonderful father and son team in Montevideo. They found the piano sitting neglected in a synagogue for a very long time after the church had purchased a newer one.
It was meant to be ours! Our house will once again be filled with music. Words can't express how happy that makes both of us.
One summer in Texas, I was repainting several rooms in the house and his music was my accompaniment. Many nights, I sat by the fireplace, listening to him play. When I was tired, he played after I went to bed and it put me to sleep. When I was angry, his music soothed my soul. It really hurt to sell it, but we didn't think it would do well moving on a ship.
So it's been two years since we've owned a piano. It was high time to change that. We found a 100-year-old Steinway that was rebuilt and refinished by a wonderful father and son team in Montevideo. They found the piano sitting neglected in a synagogue for a very long time after the church had purchased a newer one.
It was meant to be ours! Our house will once again be filled with music. Words can't express how happy that makes both of us.
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"My mother always said, life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get." - Forest Gump (Tom Hanks)
Just a little something about the women in your lives - whether they are your mom or not!
Mother’s Day is Sunday. Recently, I've read several articles on the Internet portraying Mother’s Day as self-serving and even boring. The authors were mothers. Tell me it ain’t so!
I believe that many, many women, whether they have children or not, have attributes often used to describe motherhood – loving, nurturing, caring, compassionate, and wise.
Until I was 45 (when I gained a wonderful bonus-son), I went through many a childless Mother's Day and endured countless baby showers. Yes, it is difficult to be child-free on those occasions, especially when the subjects of childbirth pains and breast-feeding dominate the conversation. Spell A-W-K-W-A-R-D.
Once upon a time, as I was having my own personal childless Mother’s Day pity party, my sweet mama reminded me that - I was, of course, a mother. I questioned her statement, so she asked me to explain what I did every day at work as a teacher. I stared at her strangely, for she knew darn well what I did.
I thought about the question and realized the answers: I ask my "kids" (students) about their interests; I ask how they feel; I sympathize with some and laugh with others; I dry tears and shed a few; I find lost items before, during, and after the school day; I try to make them feel better when they are ill; I accept and give hugs; I lift up their spirits and confidence.
After contemplating my answers, I realized that Mama was right - I am a Mother. I also realized those same answers applied not only to my students at school, but to my nieces, nephews, my friends' children, and my pets. Oh yes!
Thanks to Mama, I rarely felt left out, jealous, bitter, or sad on Mother's Day. In fact, I love Mother's Day. I love my mother and remember with joy her last Mother's Day when she turned 100 (the same day!)
Happy Mother's Day to all those women who care for others - regardless in what capacity! Mothers or not, and no matter what your occupation, your age, or your life situation – you are a strong example to those who love you.
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"Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around." Vanilla Sky - Sophia (Penelope Cruz)
Well, it's been quite a few months since writing my last post. My hair has grown waaaay past my shoulders. Our house is finally finished and we are all moved in. I've made some new friends and miss my old ones terribly.
My family has endured several happy and some not so happy milestones. Where have I been?
I've been busy - moving into a new house, decorating, sewing, cooking up a storm, and entertaining.
I've been gazing at stars and walking in the sun.
I've been dancing at the local village Zumba class and relaxing at the yoga class.
I've been visiting beaches and listening to birds sing.
I've been lazy - sitting on Facebook for much too long, stroking my puppies' fur and listening to their hearts beat pure love.
I've been sitting on the porch, watching neighborhood kids frolic and listening to cows and sheep.
I've been taking naps, lying in the sunlight which shines on the sofa.
All in all, it's been a fantastic few months.
Well, it's been quite a few months since writing my last post. My hair has grown waaaay past my shoulders. Our house is finally finished and we are all moved in. I've made some new friends and miss my old ones terribly.
My family has endured several happy and some not so happy milestones. Where have I been?
I've been busy - moving into a new house, decorating, sewing, cooking up a storm, and entertaining.
I've been gazing at stars and walking in the sun.
I've been dancing at the local village Zumba class and relaxing at the yoga class.
I've been visiting beaches and listening to birds sing.
I've been lazy - sitting on Facebook for much too long, stroking my puppies' fur and listening to their hearts beat pure love.
I've been sitting on the porch, watching neighborhood kids frolic and listening to cows and sheep.
I've been taking naps, lying in the sunlight which shines on the sofa.
All in all, it's been a fantastic few months.
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"Holy Mackerel!" - Arsenic and Old Lace - Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant)
In my quest to learn Spanish AND to get in shape, I joined the village yoga class. I still go to Zumba class, but I can't learn Spanish there. Everyone gasps for breath instead of talking.
My Yoga teacher however, never stops talking. Her voice is soothing and slow; maybe she knows I'm struggling to understand Spanish while pushing myself into weird shapes.
This morning was cold in UY. Did I take socks to class? NO! Yoga teacher was so sweet - wrapping my frozen feet in my jacket one minute and pushing them over my head the next. She kept trying to throw in English words, and I think I heard something like, "Relax your boobies" at one point. Hmmmm...maybe I need to keep working on the Spanish.
In my quest to learn Spanish AND to get in shape, I joined the village yoga class. I still go to Zumba class, but I can't learn Spanish there. Everyone gasps for breath instead of talking.
My Yoga teacher however, never stops talking. Her voice is soothing and slow; maybe she knows I'm struggling to understand Spanish while pushing myself into weird shapes.
This morning was cold in UY. Did I take socks to class? NO! Yoga teacher was so sweet - wrapping my frozen feet in my jacket one minute and pushing them over my head the next. She kept trying to throw in English words, and I think I heard something like, "Relax your boobies" at one point. Hmmmm...maybe I need to keep working on the Spanish.
Welcome Sign in the Village