Chatter Boxes

I'm having a good hair day. It happens so infrequently, that I think it should be documented.

That is all.

Wildlife was an aspect of country living that I anticipated. I figured there would be face to face encounters with some furry friends...maybe a snake or two.

We (and once again, by "we" I mean John) trapped a good-sized snake in the garage and transplanted him to a cornfield nearby - after giving him three chances to slither on on his own. We have some sort of noisemaker that is supposed to deter mice from setting up permanent residence in our house.

I fear the day I meet this guy. I've been on board with this country livin' idea but that may all change when faced with those evil eyes and sharp little teeth. I've never touched a firearm in my life but, if handy, I'd pull the trigger without hesitation.



One of my favorite things about living here so far? The frogs. They're everywhere. They cling to our windows at night, scurrying up and down the glass catching bugs that hover near our porch lights.



(For the sake of keeping things real...I would like everyone to notice the background in the picture above. This picture was taken the same night I took pictures of our finished house. Remember the "golden" pictures? Anyway, in the reflection you can see the dining room/kitchen. That white blob in the picture is a bag of trash...just sitting in the kitchen. I am a domestic goddess!)

Now back to the frogs.

They pop out of the flowerpots - making me and the dogs jump with surprise.



They camp out on our front porch rocking chairs (yes, we have front porch rocking chairs...how else do you sit and watch the world go by?)



It's like the plague only cuter.

I survived the weekend-o-fun. Thanks for the concern. Other than the hour we were missing 5 teenagers in a busy downtown hotel...it was a rousing success.

It's my day off today and that means one of three things is happening. I'm in a coffee shop. I'm shopping for home decor. I'm sitting at home with a service man.

Any guesses?

That's right...it's door number three. Bob, tell them what they've won!

Okay, so you don't win anything but I will share the experience. This story is mostly for my relatives.

It all started way back when. I was in the 2nd grade and my mom taught school in California. Each classroom had a short little organ that they used for music class. I started piano lessons from a strange little old man who used to record our lessons on a cassette tape. I guess so I could listen to it during the week. I would practice on that little organ in my mom's classroom while she graded papers and worked on lesson plans.

We moved to Chicago when I was in the 3rd grade. We lived in an apartment and I took lessons from a seminary student's wife who lived down or up one floor (I don't remember which). I had a key to their apartment and I could go practice even when they were gone. The little old lady that lived directly above them would open her window to hear me play. I can't imagine that my little 3rd grade skills were all that impressive but she was very sweet to listen and encourage me.

We didn't have a piano of our own so with every move, my parents got creative and found me a place to play. My sister took lessons too and decided to build her own piano out of construction paper on the fireplace hearth. I think that's when my parent's decided it was probably time to find a real piano.

My grandparents lived in Idaho and were downsizing to a smaller apartment. They loaded up their piano and drove it half-way across the country to our house in Kansas City. They even brought the painting that always hung above it.

I now have that piano as one of my most treasured possessions. It's moved with me (except to Europe but if I could have figured out a way to do it...I would have.) to my apartment, my condo, and now my new home. I play it nearly every day. During the construction, it was housed by a friend and every day I felt like something was missing (although said friend did let me come over to play it - thanks friend). This piano is my therapy, a significant part of my worship, and my creative outlet.

After many moves and many years (Manufactured in 1951) - it was time for some serious restoration. Several hammers (the part that hits the strings) were broken, several key tops were cracked and yellowed.

All the plastic parts (and there were many) were replaced with maple. All the key tops were replaced with a new finish. She got new felt, new flanges (whatever that means). She's tuned to perfection and restored to her original beauty.

All thanks to this guy. Meet Mr. Piano Man.



He took all the insides out piece by piece (that's what is on the floor). It's taken almost a month to make all the repairs.



Mr. Piano Man and I have spent a significant amount of time together today. It's his birthday. He's 71. He's told me stories about pianos and I made him pumpkin cookies. It's been delightful.

So there you go Robinson family. Just thought you'd like to see this. I know Grandma would be proud.

Just a few highlights from the week in list form to save some time.

* We had four dinners at home this week. That is remarkable for a few reasons. One, we were both home. Two, we were home at dinner time. Three, I cooked four separate, well-balanced meals, with no leftovers. I think it's my new apron. It's blue gingham and very June Cleaver-esque.

* Yesterday afternoon I went to the snack shop to get a can of root beer (it was that or chocolate chip cookies and I'm working really hard at not eating junk or drinking caffeine - hence, the root beer). When the cashier rang it up, my total was $5,029.60. She said my total out loud before she realized that probably wasn't right.

*I bought a new phone on Wednesday - it's shimmery pink. John says it's the girliest thing he's ever seen. Yes, yes it is.

Behold...




* My husband cleaned up dinner dishes and did laundry last night. Now that's hot!

* I'm spending the next 24 hours with 24 teenagers inside a water park. Lord help me!

You're now caught up. Thank you all for the well-wishes and good thoughts. We feel them!