Isn't January EVER going to end????

 This past week has seemed unusually long – maybe because I spent much of it in bed trying to knock this cold.  Normally, I wouldn’t be so solicitous towards a common virus but I am scheduled for my bladder surgery on the 31^st and I REALLY want it to happen.  If I am coughing up a lung, anesthesia will cancel me.  SO, I have taken longer naps, I cancelled one of my days at the refugee office, I have medicated myself.  I honestly don’t know if anything has worked because I am still coughing and blowing my nose.  I guess I will show up on Tuesday at 5:00 am(!!!!) at the hospital and see what anesthesia says…..

Speaking of doctors, Steve passed his stress test.  Emily sent me the photos she took of Steve and me for our mission application and, with that, all of the on-line mission application forms are now complete.  We are just waiting for a visit tomorrow with a possible renter for the house.  (rent money would mean being able to pay a bit more per month for mission expenses and we would need to change that part of the application form) Having someone rent has really not been on our radar – we thought we would have Sarah or Elise live here.  But, now that is not looking realistic.  On Monday, I happened to mention to a music colleague that we were going to be gone for two years and she called me Wednesday to inquire about maybe renting to her.  She would be quite perfect (I would be able to keep the grand piano in the house for her to use) so stay tuned for further information about this…..

Here is the photo of Steve and me

 

Here is an “out-take”

 

Speaking of music – I started two new cello students this week.  TWO!  And, yes, they know I am leaving in a few months.  Columbia only has three cello teachers (well, you could count the MU cello professor but I don’t believe she teaches anyone but college students) – and one of the three, while a fine cellist and conductor, doesn’t really know how to teach – especially beginners.  So, really there are just two -  Mary M. and me -  and Mary’s studio is full.  So, here I am with 21 students!

From Steve’s parent’s belongings, he found a really cool artifact – an actual newspaper from 1945 announcing the surrender of Japan.  We bought a shadowbox, I painted it to match the other framed WW2 items hanging in the family room, and here it is…..

 

 

I finished the first of four T-shirt quilts and started on the second last night as we watched an episode of Foyle’s War on Netflix. 

This week, I pulled down a tub from the attic labeled “Jeanne’s Scrapbooks” and, boy, it is FULL of stuff from my childhood.  Thankfully, it is already organized into three-ring binders and envelopes (labeled 2^nd grade, 3^rd grade, etc) but there is SO MUCH!  And, the years and temperature fluctuations have not been kind.  I will need to “re-package” what I feel is worth saving and, hopefully, my posterity will be grateful I did.  A project for February…..

Weather has turned chilly – what January should be – but we walk the dogs every morning, nevertheless.  I posted this picture on social media.  

 

  Sadie is so funny.  She is VERY excited to go on a walk while we are in the house but, once we are actually outside, she is indifferent at best and downright plant-her-bottom-stubbornly-not-going-anywhere at the worst.  Unless we veer from our usual walk routine (either half a block down or half a block up the street – poor arthritic Trissy cannot handle much more) and go into the park across the street.  Then, she becomes a completely different dog.  Excited, alert, leading the way kind of dog.  So funny.

The sun finally came out on a chilly Saturday as Steve and I made a visit to the Amish – supposedly to get just two items.  Well, that is never the case with the Amish stores and we came home with lots of booty.  Including six for a dollar KIND bars from the out-of-code grocery store and three jars of chocolate coconut ice cream topping.  Mmmmmmm