The Blessings of Sunday

Today I'm really grateful that I was brought up to attend all my meetings NO MATTER WHAT! Probably you don't know, but I've been suffering with depression for some time now and quite literally I have to drag myself from pillar to post most days. It seems like a huge effort to even smile and act like I'm okay, yet I do because there really isn't anything the matter. That said, today was no different and this morning at 6:00 a m. I REALLY wanted to go back to sleep, forget Ward Choir ( for which I'm responsible ) and JUST SLEEP!! But no!! I got up and got us to Church by 8:00 a m. and had such a wonderful surprise. Now let me back up a bit. Years ago when I had friends in the ward, we got acquainted with Dave and Shannon Perez. They are Franz and Serena's age and we hit it off very well and had lots of good times with them until they moved to Utah 8 years ago. In fact, they left one month before Martin's emergency and although we spoke many times via phone, we never saw them again! Until today and there they were with 3 more children, ( 2 we had known ) and one on the way. They had traveled quite a bit, he graduated from Harvard, and now they are on their way back to Utah.

I was so happy to see them!! It made me so happy, just to talk to them and talk about times past! Although we may not see them again soon or ever, it was like seeing someone I love and that is a good feeling!

So today I'm grateful that I listened to my Mom and fought that feeling of  despair! There really is a reason for everything!!

Educator of the Year
Gilroy, Ca


Congratulations mom! You are awesome!

Love,
Your Family

New Year Happiness for all!

Happy New Year!

We are home again from beautiful So. Cal. where most of the Family resides. Every time I come home it is difficult since I miss everyone so much. This time it was no different!!! I LOVE my home! I Hate seeing my Dad blind and it is heart wrenching to leave my adult children and my grandchildren and I feel that I NEVER have enough time with any of them. So, what to do???? I just don't know. Just keep plodding along in hopes that someday I will be closer to you all! Since I'm pretty sure that only family members read my blog, I just want to say that I really love and miss you ALL!

Christie is quite sick now and Michael left this afternoon for Costa Mesa. The rest of us are well and it is FREEZING today!! Cassie and I are going to see Doubt tonight while Martin stays home with Christie. 

Have a Happy New Year and know that I LOVE YOU!!!!!

The Christmas Frenzy

Today we have our last Concert of the season and then we CELEBRATE! Lots to celebrate. Mainly that Martin is doing well and his Crohns Disease is in remission. He  is working hard and enjoying it and that is really worth celebrating! I signed a contract with the School District and in these hard economic times that is worth celebrating as well! While many Music teachers have lost their jobs, the GUSD saw fit to keep the Violin Program and I am happy about that!

But the biggest thing to celebrate is that we are able to be with FAMILY this Christmas! There is NOTHING more important than family and I'm excited to be with mine during the Holidays. First with Heidi, Franz and all theirs!! It has been too long since we have all been together and I'm looking forward to every moment. Then off to Arizona for a Heywood Reunion. I haven't seen my Aunts and Uncles for years and it will be wonderful to see everyone. When we get back to California, we plan to go see my Dad. So all in all, it will be fun. Not that I enjoy sitting in a car for long hours, but the end result will be worth the ride!

Love to all and Happy Holidays!

What Not To Wear

...oh and another thing. I'm really not sure who of my family reads this, but if you do read this I would like to enlist your help. Please consider yourself invited over to my house to go through my clothes with me. I look at my wardrobe every morning and just agonize! I HATE shopping and at this time of my life, my body going in different directions than it used to, I can't see something and say," Oh, that will look good on me!" Because it doesn't anymore!!!! So, anyone out there who would be willing to help???

Still Alive and Kicking

I just have to write and say that this morning I got up and stepped on a Goldfish that was still alive and kicking !!!!! I yelled a good one!! Fish is okay, I'm okay, and we are both alive and kicking! Last night we had our Ensemble Concert and it was quite nice! That group of kids are my favorites: all serious about what they are doing with their music and it shows!! The parents were pleased and so was I! Well, I'm late this morning ( due to the fish thing! ) I better put it behind me and get going! Love to all!

This Time of Year!

...makes me crazy!!!! I love it, although I am running around practically with my head cut off!! This week I started back on the job at Antonio Del Buono, had 3 concerts with my Tour Group , taught my regular private lessons and tried to be a good wife and mother!!! I think it is crazy, BUT, like Martin reminds me, I DID choose to do all this! The bright side is that now we have benefits: medical insurance and retirement. I am also  on salary so that means paid sick days. Halleluia! Later in life I hope that I'll have enough to visit my family - my children and grandchildren without having to worry about how we will make the money stretch. Soooooo, Here's to a long month! A bright spot to look forward to is Christmas with Franz, Heidi, their kids and Christie, Mike and Cassie! I love my family so much and don't see them as often as I wish! I'm looking forward to Dec. 22 - the start of  our Holidays! I'll be musiced ( hmmm, that's probably not a word!) out but ready to Celebrate!! LOL! ( Lots of Love!)