Piano Man

This weekend, the four of us traveled to South Bend, IN to see Billy Joel perform in concert at the University of Notre Dame!  This entire experience was WAY outside of my comfort zone, but I'm so incredibly grateful that we did this!  I had written about this all the way back in 2019, and after two years of COVID delays, it finally happened this weekend.  My sister had found us a house to stay in that was a mile from campus, so we were able to walk (and I was grateful that it was a safe walk) to and from the concert, and we were even able to take our sweet pup (she's had quite a summer as well).  My sister was sitting with the kids, which they all enjoyed, and I was grateful that Andrew and I were just a few rows back, but almost like we were on a date!  It was an AMAZING concert.  He sounds exactly like he has sounded on the radio for all those years.  My sister was with us for just about 16 hours, so it was really a nice bonding trip for the four of us...although we did enjoy our time with her as well.  I'll never forget getting to hear him sing "Piano Man" or "We Didn't Start the Fire" or "Uptown Girl" or "Only the Good Die Young."  And of course, to be able to experience it in Notre Dame Stadium on a gorgeous weather night was even more spectacular.  It's been an incredible month!  I can't lie though, I'm looking forward to some time at home!

Musical instruments

When my brother-in-law passed away, he left nearly 20 guitars.  Andrew's cousin's son took one, Catherine took one, we sold one, and I think Thomas has decided he wanted four or five of them.  They were all electric, so the plan has been to trade them in on an acoustic guitar that Thomas had been wanting.  Yesterday was the day they finally planned to make that happen.  Unfortunately, they would only purchase three of the eleven that were taken (the rest need a few repairs), but as it worked out, along with birthday money designated as such, it was all enough to buy Thomas the guitar he wanted as well as purchase a ukulele that Catherine had been wanting.  They both came home yesterday absolutely thrilled with their new instruments, and I am so enjoying hearing my kids make music.  It is really awesome!

I may or may not have shed some tears during the Garth and Tricia live special

My favorite performer of all time is Garth Books.  I love everything Garth.  When I left for college in 1992, I pretty much listened to Garth all the time.  Only Garth, all the time.  My dad shared my love for Garth.  I have the videos of his concerts.  I just love Garth.

Tonight, Garth did a live concert with Tricia Yearwood on CBS.  I was looking forward to it all day.  All four of us sat down in front of the TV and watched it together.  I'll be honest, I shed a few tears during the hour-long special.  For one thing, it simply reminded me of a simpler time.  It reminded me of my dad, and it just really got to me.

Today, the Ohio health director admitted we shouldn't get too excited about summer plans.  Ohio is making plans to delay fall sports.  This means, that the state isn't sure we will have a semblance of normal even by August.  This was really tough for me.  I have a senior daughter, and I'm just not sure what is happening with things.  I can't imagine not getting to spend time with my mom, my grandma, or my in-laws for months and months.  And of course, friends.  This was tough news to absorb.

Garth sang songs that are so heart-felt.  It all just got to me.  I am so grateful for being with my family, and I know we will get through this.  Today was just a tough day, and I'm so thankful for TV special to make it a little better!

Summer of 1990

I vividly remember the summer of 1990, as I vividly remember most summers of my high school and college years.  Those tend to be drama-packed, hormone-driven transitional years for many people, and I was no exception.  The summer of 1990 was right after my sophomore year of high school, and it was the first summer I could drive.  It was a tough summer for me, as I was adjusting to life without both of my best friends.  One had graduated from high school and was leaving town with no intention of looking back.  Kristen, my other best friend, was the daughter of our church pastor.  He was reassigned that summer to church two hours away.  Even though I had plenty of other friends, it was something of a lonely summer for me.

It was also the first summer I really remember appreciating spending time with my dad.  My mom was a stay-at-home mom until my senior year of high school, so she was always around.  My dad though, was a workaholic.  It was a summer I remember spending time riding around town, just seeing what might be happening.  Dad loved taking car rides, and I was always happy to ride along.  Dad loved country music.  Of course as a teenager, I couldn't stand my parents' music, and I especially hated country.  But on one ride on Father's Day, I remember hearing George Straight sing, "Love without end, Amen."  That song spoke to me in a way I'm not sure any song ever had before, and tears filled my eyes.  I remember taking a friend with me to Murphy's Mart (it had to be about the last summer it was in town), and I remember her making fun of me for purchasing a cassette tape (that's right!) by a country artist.

It was another few years before I began to really follow country music.  Honestly, I often made fun of the songs myself when Dad and I were on car rides.  That song though?  Well, that song I always turned up and tried to sing along...if I didn't get too choked up about it.

Today I was out running errands and listening to the radio.  Now, I pretty much ONLY have country music stations programmed.  One of them is a classic country station, and sure enough, George Straight's classic song started playing.  All of a sudden, it was 1990 again in my heart.  I absolutely can't believe it has been almost thirty years since that summer.  I still got tears in my eyes, of course, and in some ways even more so because I miss my dad so much each and every day.  But I was also able to have the perspective that I was so incredibly lucky to have had him in my life as long as I did.

I'm so grateful for my dad, and I'm so grateful for music which helped to shape my life, and helped to make my memories so special and vivid.

Feeling nostalgic

I ran several errands this morning, and since it was really early, no place I went was crowded...and the college students being on spring break made it even better!

As I was out and about, I couldn't help but notice all the cute spring clothes that are out.  And when I say cute, I mean for little kids.  So, so many cute little outfits.  Oh goodness, it really, really tugged at my heartstrings.  I so very much miss buying cute little outfits for my cute little kids.  I love, absolutely love, everyday, watching my kids grow up, and seeing them develop into the people they are becoming.  It's just that it all happens so fast.

While running errands in the car, I was listening to a music countdown from 1988.  That summer was one of those "big" summers in my life.  It was the summer before my freshman year, and the last summer I really got to just be a kid and not have any responsibilities.  At the same time, I was fourteen-years-old, so I was given a lot of freedom.  I spent most days on my bike visiting friends, or they were at my house.  And because I love music, hearing those songs again took me right back to that summer 31 years ago.  Wow.

Lots of memories floating around today.

Some new things on the horizon

Some changes are happening around our house.  Nothing major, but different.

For one thing, our church Treasurer "retired" after serving for 30 years.  It is an unpaid position.  She and I worked together on various budgetary things.  She attended all the monthly and quarterly council and committee meetings, and I handled the week-to-week duties as well as prepared the monthly financial statements.  She had asked this summer if I would be willing to take on her responsibilities.  I agreed, as long as I could continue doing the work for which I am currently paid.  I officially took over after our annual congregational meeting in January.  I consider it a way to give to our church without impacting our finances, and I am one of the few who are qualified to take on the task.  Not sure I will do it for 30 years, but I am pleased to contribute now.

It also appears as though Andrew might be coaching baseball at the high school this spring.  He has been wanting to bow out of football for awhile, and although that he isn't necessarily giving it up this year, there is an opportunity to become involved in baseball.  The interim head coach works closely with Andrew, and asked this week if he might be interested.  Andrew already has some commitments for the spring that would prevent him from being involved full time, but he is interested in helping out as he can.  At first he was hesitant to pursue this as just a volunteer, but I encouraged him to do so, at least for this year.  As I explained to him, I care about our school's teenagers also, and they are hurting after the death of their coach.  Andrew knows the students, and I think it is something we can do to help.

It's also a good time for him to take this on, because another change in our house is that there aren't going to be any spring sports happening.  This seems so very, very odd.  For the last five years we've had a track schedule (and some years there were two separate schedules), and before that we had eight years of at least one (and more often multiple) baseball schedules.    However, this year no one wants to run track, and although we thought Thomas might like tennis, he decided against it.  He is planning to work on the set for the high school musical instead.  We are pleased, and think he will really enjoy that.

Lastly, my mom now has two dogs.  This isn't really new info, but things have evolved and changed with that as well.  Her second dog, is the dog that Robert brought at Christmas.  He has realized that it isn't realistic to think this dog will be able to live with him (or even get to him) easily.  Robert is disappointed, but realized it is what is best for the dog.  Fortunately, my mother had mentioned a few weeks ago that if Robert needed her to, she would just keep the dog.  Not only do I think this is best for the dog, I think it is best for both my mom and Robert as well.

That's the thing about life...change always happens!

Music from my college days

It was my freshman year of college when I really started listening to country music.  I had really disliked pop music for a while by then, and I loved being able to sing along to country music.  The guy I dated my senior year of high school had listened to country, and then my college best friend always listened to it.  I purchased albums and became a country music fan.  It's pretty much all I've listened to since then, and to be honest, I've never heard of most of the people my kids listen to.  Robert enjoys some country music, but Catherine does not.  Thomas is still undecided.

I've been finding myself yearning to listen to country music from the 90's again.  I've been wondering...do I really like the music that much better, or is it just that it reminds me of a simpler time in life?  I didn't necessarily enjoy my time away at college, but generally speaking, I enjoyed my college years.  It really brings back great memories, and to be honest, when the songs come on, I can picture myself in those dorm rooms again, on spring days with the windows open and the curtains blowing.  This morning, I'm subbing in Ag, and the morning classes are upperclassmen and things are rather unstructured (especially due to today's activity).  I love the kids, and one of them put on 90's country.  He was appalled that other students weren't singing along, and it took everything I had NOT to join in...not professional. :)  I enjoy thinking about that time in my life, although to be honest, I can't believe how long ago it was!  I pointed out to the kids that I remember when the songs they were listening to were considered new!

Proud Mom

I was a very proud mom last night! My oldest did a very nice job in his talent show and I got a few tears in my eyes. He's really been pushing us and his teachers lately, and it was nice to be able to take a break from that and just really be proud and happy for him. I was also very pleased for him that so much family was able to be there for him. I'm praying that this, something positive, can help him start making good decisions again.

Field trip and talent show

Today my youngest is on an all day field trip to the local children's museum. He's been so excited for weeks! We have a family membership so he is familiar with the exhibits and was already telling me yesterday which ones he wanted to be sure to see. My wonderful husband took the day to go with him, which he has done every year that the little one has been in preschool. It's so cute to see how much they both enjoy getting to spend this day together. And I'm very grateful for an entire day of quiet alone time at home!

This evening the oldest is performing in the school talent show. We are so proud of him for trying out, and even prouder that he made it! He will be performing with his guitar and chose to do the Marine Hymn in honor of my father-in-law, a former Marine. My mother, sister, and two grandmothers are also coming down to see him, and when he heard that he started getting nervous. I'm praying that he'll do well, and regardless of what happens I'll be a very proud mom!